
f 



^^y]^^4LOvUt' 



HISTORICAL 



ENCYCLOPEDIA 



OF 



ILLINOIS 



EDITED BY 
Newton Bate.man, LL. D. p^,.^ S^^^^._ ^^ ^_ 



I 




AND HISTORY OF 



LEE COUNTY 



EDITED BY 



Mr. A^/c. Bardwell. 



ILLirSTRATED. 



CHICAGO: 

MUX SELL PIBLISHING COMPANY, 

PUBLISHERS. 

1904 



.USS3 



Entered according to Act of Congress, 

in the years 1S94. i«99 and '900. *>>• 

WILLIAM W. M UN SELL. 

i„ the office of the Librarian of Congress 

at 

Washington. 






} 



D 




TKKRiroRY DRAINiiD HV 11 1 E ILLINOIS RIVER. 



PREFACE. 



Why publish this book? There should be many and strong reasons to warrant such an 
undertaking. Are there such reasons? What considerations are weighty enough to have 
induced the publishers to make this venture? and what special claims has Illinois to such a 
distinction? These are reasonable and inevitable inquiries, and it is fitting they should 
receive attention. 

In the first place, good State Histories are of great importance and value, and there is 
abundant and cheering evidence of an increasing popular interest in them. This is true of 
all such works, whatever States may be their subjects ; and it is conspicuously true of Illi- 
nois, for the following, among many other reasons : Because of its great prominence in the 
early history of the West as tlie seat of the first settlements of Europeans northwest of the 
Ohio Eiver — the unique character of its early civilization, due to or resulting from its early- 
French population brought in contact with the aborigines — its political, military, and educa- 
tional promiiience — its steadfast loyalty and patriotism — the marvelous development of its 
vast resources — the number of distinguished statesmen, generals, and Jurists whom it has 
furnished to the Government, and its grand record in the exciting and perilous conflicts on 
the Slavery question. 

This is the magnificent Commonwealth, the setting forth of whose history, in all of its 
essential departments and features, seemed to warrant the bringing out of another volume 
devoted to that end. Its material has been gathered fi'om every available source, and most 
cai'efully examined and sifted before acceptance. Especial care has been taken in collecting 
material of a biogi-aphical character ; facts and incidents in the personal history of men identi- 
fied with the life of the State in its Territorial and later periods. This material has been 
gathered from a great variety of sources widely scattered, and much of it quite inaccessible 
to the ordinary inquirer. The encyclopedic form of the work favors conciseness and com- 
pactness, and was adopted with a view to condensing the largest amount of information 
within the smallest practicable space. 

And so the Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois was conceived and planned in the belief 
that it was needed; that no other book filled the place it was designed to occupy, or fur- 
nished the amount, variety and scope of information touching the infancy and later life of 
Illinois, that would be found in its pages. In that belief, and in furtherance of those ends, 
the book has been constructed and its topics selected and wi'itten. Simplicity, perspicuity, 
conciseness and accuracy have been the dominant aims and rules of its editors and writers. 
The supreme mission of the book is to record, fairly and truthfully, historical facts ; facts of 
the earlier and later history of the State, and drawn from the almost innumerable sources 
connected with that history; facts of interest to the great body of our people, as well. as to 
scholars, officials, and other special classes; a book convenient for reference in the school, 
die nifice, and the home. Hence, no attempt at fine writing, no labored, irrelevant and 

3 



PREFACE 



loBg-drawn accounts of matters, persons or things, which really need but a few plain words 
or'theradequate elucidation, will be found in its pages. On the other hand, perspicuity 
and fitting development are never intentionally sacrificed to mere conciseness and brevity. 
Whenever a subject, from its nature, demands a more elaborate treatment-and there are 
many of this character— it is handled accordingly. 

As a rule, the method pm-sued is the separate and topical, rather than the chronological 
as being mor satisfactory and convenient for reference. That is, each topic .s considered 
Teparlly and exhaustively, instead of bemg blended, chronologically, with others, lo pass 
from subject to subject, in the mere arbitrary order of time, is to sacrifice simplicity and 

"'^rut^^rmnrTm ™-or defect in all cases, in handling so many thousan^ of 

items is not claimed, and could not reasonably be expected of any finite intelligence; since, 

n compl cated cases some element may possibly elude its sharpest scrutiny. But every 

taterent of fact, made herein without qualification, is believed to be strictly corre^ , and 

he sUt^stii of the volume, as a whole, are submitted to its readers with entire confidence^ 

Con^erable space is also devoted to biographical sketches of persons -deemed worthy of 
mention, for their close relations to the State in some of its varied interests, political, gov- 
Imental, financial, social, religious, educational, industrial, ----"^^' ;/=:;°^;°^t"' i 
tary judicial or otherwise; or for their supposed personal deservings in other respects^ I 
L b 1 eved that the extensive recognition of such individuals, by the publishers will not b 
dislioved or regretted by the public; that personal biography h.is an honored useful and 
SiLite place iifsuch a history of Illinois as this volume aims to be, and tha the om. on 
of such a department would seriously detract from the completeness and value of the book. 
Perhaps no more delicate and difficult task has confronted the editors and publishers than 
the, selection of names for this part of the work. . . , , ,■,■., a 

mte it is believed that no unworthy name has a place in the list, it is freely adnaitted 

that there may be many others, equally or possibly even more worthy, whose names do no 

appei TartTyL lack If definite and adequate information, and partly because it was not 

deemed best to materially increase the space devoted to this class of topics. 

deemed b^t to y ^^ ^^^ ^^^^.^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^.^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^t^ l,y 

assumed iilul enterprise, for their business energy, integrity, and determination^ and h.r 
uniform kindness and courtesy; to the many who have so generously and helpfully promoted 
he :rc.: of the work, by t^eir contributions of valuable i-^-^-^-^X^'tHhom 
cences and rare incidents; to Mr. Paul Selby, the very able associate editor, to whom 
ejec!;! honor and credit are due for his most e«-e"t intelligent and scholarly s^^vi^ 
Hon Harvey B Hurd, Walter B. Wines, and to all others who have by ^^ord or act, 
fncoura^d us in this e^terprise-with grateful recognition of all tl-^f-nds and he ^r , 
the H storical Encyclopedia of Illinois, with its thousands of topics and many * >o"sands of 
delS tms and LiLnts, is now respectfully submitted to the goo ijeop e o he S ate 
for whom it h■.^s been prepared, in the earnest hope and confident belief that it will 
instructive, convenient and useful for the purposes for which it was designed. 



PREFATORY STATEMENT. 



Since the bulk of the matter contained in this volume was practically completed and 
ready for the press, Dr. Newton Bateman, who occupied the relation to it of editor-in-chief, 
has passed beyond the sphere of mortal existence. In placing the work before the public, it 
therefore devolves upon the undersigned to make this last prefatory statement. 

As explained by Dr. Bateman in his preface, the object had in view in the preparation 
of a "Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois" has been to present, in compact and concise form, 
the leading facts of Territorial and State history, from the arrival of the earliest French 
explorers in Illinois to the present time. This has included an outline history of the State, 
under the title, "Illinois," supplemented by special articles relating to various crises and eras 
in State history ; changes in form of government and administration ; the history of Consti- 
tutional Conventions and Legislative Assemblies; the various wars in which Illinoisans have 
taken part, with a summary of the principal events in the history of individual military 
organizations engaged in the Civil War of 1861-65, and the War of 1898 with Spain; lists of 
State officers. United States Senators and Members of Congress, with the terms of each; the 
organization and development of political divisions; the establishment of charitable and 
educational institutions; the growth of public improvements and other enterprises which 
have marked the progress of the State ; natural features and resources ; the history of early 
newsjiapers, and the gi'owth of religious denominations, together with general statistical 
information and unusual or extraordinary occurrences of a local or general State character — 
all arranged under topical heads, and convenient for ready reference by all seeking informa- 
tion on these subjects, whether in the family, in the office of the professional or business 
man, in the teacher's study and the school-room, or in the ijublic library. 

While individual or collected biographies of the public men of Illinois have not been 
wholly lacking or few in number — and those already in existence have a present and con- 
stantly increasing value — they have been limited, for the most part, to special localities and 
particular periods or classes. Kich as the annals of Illinois are in the records and character 
of its distinguished citizens who, by their services in the public councils, upon the judicial 
bench and in the executive chair, in the forum and in the field, have reflected honor upon 
the State and the Nation, there has been hitherto no comprehensive attempt to gather 
together, in one volume, sketches of those who have been conspicuous in the creation and 
upbuilding of the State. The collection of material of this sort has been a task requiring 
patient and laborious research ; and, while all may not have been achieved in this direction 
that was desirable, owing to the insufficiency or total absence of data relating to the lives of 
many men most prominent in public affairs during the period to which they belonged, it is 
still believed that what has been accomplished will be found of permanent value and be 
appreciated by those most deeply interested in this phase of State history. 

The large number of topics treated has made brevity and conciseness an indispensable 
feature of the work; consequently there has been no attempt to indulge in graces of style or 

5 



6 PKEFATORY STATEMENT. 

elaboration of narrative. The object has been to present, in simple language and concise 
form, facts of history of interest or value to those who may choose to consult its pages. 
Absolute inerrancy is not claimed for every detail of the work, but no pains hiis been 
spared, and every available authority consulted, to arrive at complete accuracy of statement. 

In view of the important bearing which railroad enterjirises have had ujjon the extraor- 
dinary development of the State within the past fifty years, considerable space has been given 
to this department, especially with reference to the older lines of railroad whose history lias 
been intimately interwoven with that of the State, and its progress in wealth and pojDulation. 

In addition to the acknowledgments made by Dr. Bateman, it is but proper that I 
should express my personal obligations to the late Prof. Samuel M. Inglis, State Superin- 
tendent of Public Instruction, and his assistant, Prof. J. 11. Freeman; to ex-Senator John 
M. Palmer, of Springfield ; to the late Hon. Joseph Medill, editor of "The Chicago Tribune" ; 
to the Hon. James B. Bradwell, of "The Chicago Legal News"; to Gen. Green B. Eaum, 
Dr. Samuel Willard, and Dr. Garrett Newkirk, of Chicago (the latter as author of the prin- 
cipal portions of the article on the "Underground Railroad") ; to the Librarians of the State 
Historical Library, the Chicago Historical Library, and the Chicago Public Library, for 
special and valuable aid rendered, as well as to a large circle of correspondents in different 
parts of the State who have courteously responded to requests for information on special 
topics, and have thereby materially aided in securing whatever success may have been 
attained in the work. 

In conclusion, I cannot omit to pay tliis final tribute to the memory of my friend and 
associate, Dr. Bateman, whose death, at his home in Galesburg, on October 21, 1897, was 
deplored, not only by his associates in the Faculty of Knox College, his former pupils and 
immediate neighbors, but by a large circle of friends in all parts of the State. 

Although his labors as editor of this volume had been substantially finished at the time 
of his death (and they included the reading and revision of every line of copy at that time 
prepared, comprising the larger proportion of the volume as it now goes into the hands of 
the public), the enthusiasm, zeal and kindly appreciation of the labor of others which he 
brought to the discharge of his duties, have been sadly missed in the last stages of prepara- 
tion of the work for the press. In the estimation of many who have held his scholarship 
and his splendid endowments of mind and character in the highest admiration, his con- 
nection with the work will be its strongest commendation and the surest evidence of its 
merit. 

With myself, the most substantial satisfaction I have in dismissing the volume from my 
hands and submitting it to the judgment of the public, exists in the fact that, in its prejjai-a- 
tion, I have been associated with such a co-laborer — one whose abilities commanded uni- 
versal respect, and whose genial, scholarly character and noble qualitiet of mind and heart 
won the love and confidence of all with whom he came in contact, and whom it had been my 
privilege to count as a friend from an early period in his long and useful career. 




^-^^^I'^^r-^oA^ ^^^^U^:^ 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



PAGE 

Abraham Lincoln {Frontispiece) 1 

Annex Central Hospital for Insane, Jacksonville 84 

Asylum for Feeble-Mindod Children, Lincoln 337 

Asylum for Incurable Insane, Bartonville 85 

l^ateman, Newton (Portrait) 3 

Board of Trade Building, Chicago 277 

*'Chenn Mansion," Kaskaskia (1898), where La Fayette was entertained in 1835 .... 315 

Chicago Academy of Sciences 394 

Chicago Drainage Canal 94 

Chicago Historical Society Building 394 

Chicago Public Buildings 395 

Chicago Thoroughfares 93 

Chief Chicagou (Portrait) , 246 

Comparative Size of Great Canals 95 

Day after Chicago Fire 92 

Early Historic Scenes, Chicago 170 

Early Historic Scenes, Chicago (No. 2) 171 

Engineering Hall, University of Illinois 280 

Experiment Farm, University of Illinois 12 

Experiment Farm, University of Illinois — The Vineyard 13 

Experiment Farm, University of Illinois — Orchard Cultivation 13 

First Illinois State House, Kaskaskia (1818) 314 

Fort Dearborn from the West (1808) 346 

Fort Dearborn from Southeast (1808) 247 

Fort Dearborn (1853) 247 

General John Edgar's House, Kaskasia 315 

Henry de Tonty (Portrait) 246 

House of Governor Bond, Old Kaskaskia (1891) 315 

House of Chief Ducoign, the last of the Kaskaskias (1893) 314 

Home for Juvenile Female Offenders, Geneva 236 

Illinois Soldiers' and Sailors' Home, Quincy 438 

Illinois State Normal University, Normal 504 

Illinois State Capitol, Springfield 340 

Illinois State Building, World's Columbian Exposition, 1893 601 

Illinois State Penitentiary, Joliet 306 

Illinois State Penitentiary — Cell House and Women's Prison 307 

Illinois State Eeformatory, Pontiac 493 

7 



8 LIST OF ILLUSTKATIONS. 

PAGE 

Institution for Deaf and Dumb, Jacksonville 300 

Interior of Room, Kaskaskia Hotel (1893) where La Fayette Banquet was held in 1825 314 

Institution for the Blind, Jacksonville 301 

Kaskaskia Hotel, where La Fayette was feted in 1825 (as it appeareil, 1893) 314 

La Salle (Portrait) 246 

Library Building, University of Illinois 334 

Library Building — Main Floor — University of Illinois 335 

Map of Burned District, Chicago Fire, 1871 276 

Map of Grounds, World's Columbian Exposition, 1893 600 

Map of Illinois Folloiving Title Page 

Map of Illinois River Valley " " 

McCormick Seminary, Chicago 362 

Monuments in Lincoln Park, Chicago 90 

Monuments in Lincoln Park, Chicago 206 

Monuments in Lincoln Park, Chicago 207 

Natural History Hall, University of Illinois 151 

Newberry Library, Chicago 394 

Northern Hospital for the Insane, Elgin 402 

Old Kaskaskia, from Garrison Hill (as it appeared in 1893) 314 

Old State House, Kaskaskia (1900) 315 

Pierre Menard Mansion, Kaskaskia (1893) 314 

Remnant of Old Kaskaskia (as it appeared in 1898) 315 

Selby, Paul (Portrait) 5 

Soldiers' Widows' Home, Wilmington 439 

Southern Illinois Normal, Carbondale 505 

Southern Illinois Penitentiary and Asylum for Incurable Insane, Chester 492 

University Hall, University of Illinois 150 

University of Chicago 363 

University of Illinois, Urbana. (Group of Buildings) 540 

University of Illinois, Urbana. (Group of Buildings) 541 

View from Engineering Hall, University of Illinois 281 

View on Principal Street, Old Kaskaskia (1891) 315 

Views in Lincoln Park, Chicago 91 

Views of Drainage Canal 96 

Views of Drainage Canal 97 

War Eagle (Portrait) 246 

Western Hospital for the Insane, Watertown 403 



Lee County. 



INDEX 



CHAPTER I. 

General Hlstokv. page. 

Foreword 619 

Treaty of Prairie du Chicn 619 

Cession of Indian Lands 619-620 

(luilniette and C)gee Reservations. . 620 

First County Commissioners 620 

Property \'aluation, 1850 621 

Origin of Connty's Name 621 

The Kellogg Trail 62 1 

Elevations in Lee Count}' 62 1 

Telephones 621 

P>ridges across Rock River 621 

Courts and Court Houses 621-622 

Dedication of new Court House, 

1900 622 

County-.Seat Contests 622-623 

Circuit Court Judges 623 

Members General Assembly 623 

County (Ifiicers 624-625 

Lee County in Civil War 625-626 

Railroads 626-627 

.Swamp Land Drainage 627 

Tornado 627-628 

Early Markets and Produce Prices. . 628 

CHAPTER H. 

Black Hawk \\'ar. 

Treaty of 1804 628 

Black Hawk's "British Band" 629 

Other Treaties 629 

Gov. Reynolds' Proclamation 629 

Father John Di.xon 629 

Capt. John Dement 630 

Chief .Shabbona 630 

The Stillman Defeat 630 

Col. Zachary Taylor, Abraham Lin- 
coln, Col. Robert .\nderson. Gen. 
Atkinson and other Xotahles at 

Dixon's Ferry 630 

Battle of the r.ad-.\xe— Defeat of 

Black Hawk 63 1 

-Arrival of Gen. Winfield .Scott 631 



CHAPTER HL 

Alto Tow .wsiiir. 

First White Settlers 631 

,\lto set off from Willow Creek 

Township 632 

First Town Officers 632 

Railroad Subscription 632 

Church History 632 

\'illage of Steward 632 

Grain-Elevator 632 

First National Bank 632 

CHAPTER IV. 
Amboy Township and City. 

First White Settler 632 

Palestine Grove Settlement 633 

John Dexter and Andrew Painter . . 633 

Other Early Arrivals 633 

Binghamton and Rocky Ford \'il- 

lages 633 

City of Amboy 633 

Illinois Central Railroad 634 

Fires in Amboy 634 

Schools and Churches 634-636 

Newspapers 636-637 

Amboy Post G. A. R.. 637 

Local Banks 637 

Distinguished X'isitors — Lincoln and 

Grant 638 

City Officers 638-639 

CH.M'TEK \". 
A.siiTox Township. 

.\shton set off from Bradford 639 

Town first called Ogle 631) 

Church History 639 

Destructive l-'ires 639 

Business Houses and I'.anking In- 
stitutions 640 

lUiilding Stone. . 640 

.Schools and \"illage Imprdx'ements. . 640 



LEE COUNTY INDEX 



CHAPTER YL 

Bradford Townsiiu-. 

Organization and Naming of Town- 
ship 640 

First Town Officers 640 

Some Early Settlers 640-641 

Evangelical Lutheran Church 641 

Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance 

Company 641 

Present Officers 641 

CHAPTER Vn. 

Brooklyn Towxship. 

Pioneer Settlers 641 

First Marriage 642 

Compton Village 642 

West Brooklyn 642 

Business Houses, Churches and 
Schools 643 

CHAPTER \ in. 

China Townsiiip. 

Town first called Fremont 643 

First Town Officers 643 

Cummings Noe liuilds first Cabin . . . 643 

Thoroughbred Stock-Growers 644 

Franklin Grove Village 644 

Churches and Schools 645-646 

Factories and Banks 646-647 

Newspapers 647 

CHAPTER IX. 

Di.xoN Township and City. 

Ogee Ferry established 647 

Postoffice established, 1829 647 

John Dixon and Familv Arrive. . . . 647 

( )ther Early Settlers ..." 648 

Government Land-Office at Dixon. . 648 
William Cullen Bryant a \'isitor. . . . 648 

The First Newspaper 648 

Galena & Chicago Union R. R 648 

Rapid Growth of Dixon 640 

Cholera 'Visitation 649 

List of Victims 649 

Chronological List of Important 

Events 649-650 

Partial List of ( )ld Settlers 650 

Fire \'isitations 650-651 

Father Dixon ( Sketch) 651-652 

Distinguished Visitors 653-655 

Church History. . . 655-659 

Yomig Men's Christian Association. 659 



CHAPTER X. 

Dixon Township and City (Continued). 

Manufacturing Enterprises 659-662 

Newspapers 662-663 

Schools and Colleges 663-665 

Dams and Bridges 665-667 

Bridge Disaster 666 

List of Victims 666 

Hotels 667 

Banks 667-668 

Dixon in Civil War 668-669 

Spanish-American War 669 

Patriotic and Charitable Associa- 
tions 669-670 

Dixon Public Library 670-671 

Rock River Assembly 671 

City Officers ' 672 

Lighting and Water Plants 672-673 

Growth and Population 673-674 

Postmasters 674 

CHAPTER XI. 

East Grove Township. 

East Grove set off from Hamilton 

Township 674 

First Settler 674 

Later Arrivals 674 

An Early Murder 674 

Union Church 674 

Peoria. Dixon and ( lalena State 

Road 674 

CHAPTER XII. 

H.vMiLTON Township. 

Original Dimensions of Township. . 674 

First Supervisors 674 

Early Settlers 675 

Rev.' N. G. Collins 675 

First Schools 675-676 

First Church Service 676 

CHAPTER XIII. 

H.vrmon Township. 

Organization of Township 676 

Some Early Settlers 676 

First Elections 676 

\\"M Game 676 

Harmon X'illage 676 

Grain Elevators 677 

Churches 677 

General Stores 677 



LEE COITNTY INDEX. 



CHAPTER XI\'. 

Lee Center Towxshii'. 

First White Settler 677 

( )ther Early Arrivals 677 

Rev. Peter Cartwright preaehes first 

Sermon 677 

First School House 678 

Pioneer Teacher 678 

Lee Center Academy 678 

Early Churches 678-679 



CHAPTER XV. 

.M.\RiON Township. 

Organization of Township 680 

First Town Officers 680 

Daniel Welty first Settler 680 

An Elegant Pioneer Home 680 

Later .Arrivals 680 

Town of \\'alton 680 

CHAPTER XVL 

]\L-\Y Township. 

Set off from Hamilton Township. . . 681 

The Early Settlers 681 

Catholic Church and Academy 681 



CHAPTER XML 

X.\CHUS.\ Township. 

Originally \\'est Half of China 

Township 68 1 

Road and Bridge History 682 

Early Settlers at Grand Detour 682 

"The Kingdom" 682 

Cyrus Chamberlain first Settler, first 
County Commissioner anil first 

Justice of the Peace 682 

Chester Herrington first Teacher... 682 
First Mill and Iron Foundry. . . .682-683 

(Galena &• Chicago L'nion R. R 683 

I'ranklin Grove Settlement 683 

Other Early Settlers 683 

Pioneer Churches and Cemeteries. . . 683 
First Sunday School and First 

Teacher 684 

Xachusa \'illage 684 

Col. A. P. Dysart, first Grain-dealer. 684 



CHAPTER XNlir. 

Nelson Township. 

Is set off from Di.xon 685 

Luther Stone first Settler 685 

Other Early Settlers 685 

The "Bluff Boys" 685 

Zion Lutheran Church 685 

Pine Grove Cemetery 685 

Peoria Branch Chicago & Xorth- 

western R. R " 685 

CHAPTER XIX. 

P.\LMYR.\ Township. 

First Settlers 686 

The New York Colony 686 

Indian Sugar-makers 687 

Sugar Grove 687 

The first Saw-mill 687 

A Pioneer Wagon-shoj) 687 

Early Churches and Schools 687 

Some First Teachers 687 

Prairieville — Soldiers' Monument... 688 

Palmyra Insurance Company 688 



CHAPTER XX. 

Reynolds Township. 

Organization 689 

P'irst Election and first Town Offi- 
cers 68g 

Early Settlers 689 

Churches 689 

CHAPTER XXI. 

South Dixox Township. 

Set apart from Dixon 68g 

Joseph Cartwright first Permanent 

Settler 689 

Other Early Arrivals 689 

Edson Family and School 69a 

Campbell Family 690 

Churches and Schools 690 

Eldina X'illage 690 

CHAPTER XXII. 

.Sl'iilette Township. 

First Settlers 690 

( )ther Early Settlers 691 



LEE COUNTY INDEX. 



Settlers' Claim Society 691 

Original Name of tlie Town "Han- 
no" 692 

First Town .Meeting and first (Offi- 
cers 692 

Church History 692-693 

First Schools and School Houses. . . 693 

Milage of Henkel 693 

Sublette Milage 693 

First Grain-Elevator 694 

Sublette Exchange Bank 694 

CHAPTER XXHI. 

\'ioL.\ Township. 

Stockton organized from Brooklyn 

Township 694 

Name Changed to \'iola 694 

First Town Officers 694 

Melugin's Grove Settlement 694 

First School 694 

An Agricultural Township 694 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

Willow Creek Township. 

The Four Groves 695 

Large Foreign-born Population 695 

The First Settlers 695 

The Gonzolas Tract 695 

Robert and David Smith 695 

Indian Trail to Ottawa 695 



Twin Groves 695 

German and Norwegian Settlers... 696 

Schools and Churclies 696 

Willow Creek formerly part of Paw 

Paw 696 

Chicago & Rock River R. R 696 

Church History 696-697 

Destructive Tornado 697 

Milage of Lee 697 

CHAPTER XXV. 

Wyoming Township. 

Originally Part of Paw Paw 698 

Levi Keisey and Joel Griggs first 

Land Claimants 698 

Other Early Settlers 698 

The Simms Tavern 699 

Ogee and LeClaire Reservations. . . . 699 

William Rogers first Postmaster. . . . 699 

"Underground Railroad" Station... 699 

Four-Mile Grove Settlement 699 

Paw Paw Grove an Important Center 700 
Horse-thieves and Counterfeiters' 

Resort 700 

Paw Paw Village 701 

Village Schools 701 

Newspapers 702 

Churches 702-703 

Banks 703 

^^'ater System 703 

East and South Paw Paw X'illages. . 704 



Citizens of Lee Countv. 



Abell, Jabez 749 

Abell. John .M 749 

Adrian, Harry 757 

Adrian, John 757 

Alexander, F'hilip M 715 

Althaus, John 757 

Anderson. Erastus 759 

Anderson. John W 754 

Andrus, Leonard 714 

Angier, Ambrose N 730 

Argraves, Lawrence W 758 

Argraves, Linn C 758 

Argraves, Samuel 758 

Arnould, \'incent C 758 

Aschenbrenner, Andrew 742 

Aschenbrenner, Reinhart 74' 

Avery, Wilbur M 758 

Ayres, Jason C 708 

Badger, Chester 762 

Badger, Warren H 762 

Banks, John W 763 

Bardwell, Abalino C 710 

Barge, William 759 

Barlow, Augustus 746 

Barth, George J 738 

Bartlett, Prescott 759 

Baum, William D 762 

Baurne, Lenuiel 732 

Beitel, C. T 764 

Berry. Ezra 761 

Berry, Wilson S 761 

Bethea, William W 724 

Bieber, Paul 763 

Bliss, Volney 759 

Boardman, Isaac S 755 

Bodine, Albert Z 761 

Bothe, Henry 754 

Bowers, C. \\' 763 

Bradshaw. Aid 752 

lirechon, (iustave P 746 

1 irenimer, H. A 760 

Briggs, J. S 740 

Briggs, (). W 764 

Brookner, Henry C 723 

Brown. Clark S 7^10 

I'rown. ( ieorge W. I 764 

l'>ro\\ii, Thomas W 762 

lirucker, William H 763 

Bryant. Frank B 761 

lUiVkct, Luther E 762 

Burnett. Alfred 75 1 

lUuMis Brothers 7r)4 

I Siu'ns. Owen E 7r)4 



I)Urns, Thomas E 764 

Burright, Perry A 760 

Cady, William W 767 

Cahill, James 767 

Carnahan, Andrew J 768 

Carnahan, Hiram 767 

Caruth, Alexander 767 

Caruth. Thomas A 767 

Case, Francis M 768 

Case, Frank W 7f)8 

Case. John A 768 

Chadwick, Qiarles W 709 

Chaffee, Fernando H 766 

Chaffee, Wilbur T 766 

Charters, James B 714 

Chase, Albion P 725 

Chase, Everett E 731 

Cheney, Person 7;^" 

Chenev, Mrs. Person 737 

Childs, Frank L 756 

Christeance, George W 769 

Clapp, John L 722 

Clark, Daniel S 76s 

Clink, Alpheus H 768 

Cobb, Henry B 737 

Cortright, Nathan A 739 

Cotton, Elmer 713 

Crabtree, John D 708 

Crawford, Albert W 767 

Crawford, Calvin B 766 

Crawford, Joseph 715 

Crawford, Joseph D 767 

Crawford, Milton .\ 755 

Crawford, Samuel 766 

Crawford, Wilson 766 

Cumins, Theron 711 

Daehler, William 771 

Dement, Henry D 770 

Dement, John 770 

Detrick, Martin 771 

Dinges, Peter 772 

Dixon, Frank 1" 748 

Dixon, Father John 706 

Dixon, Henry S 769 

Dixon. Sherwood 7^9 

Dodge. Orris B 724 

Douglass, John P. 771 

Durin. James M 77- 

I )urin. Lewis G 77~ 

Durr, Henry J 771 

Dyer, Mrs. 'Mary E 770 

Dysart, Edward E 770 

Dvsart. Ernest E 769 



LEE COUNTY INDEX. 



Dysart, Harry W 770 

Dysart, John 744 

Dysart, Samuel 722 

Dysart, William C 744 

Dysart, Wilson 770 

Eden, jMartin P 774 

Edmonds, Isaac 775 

Edwards, Isaac 774 

Edwards, William J 774 

Eells, Samuel C 709 

Emmert, Frank G 773 

Emmert, Henry ■j'j'i, 

Emmert. Lurten S jj}, 

Emmert, Zachariah jj}, 

Erbes, Philip 775 

Ericsson, John M 773 

Eustace, John V 775 

Everett, Oliver 774 

Ewald, Charles j-j;}^ 

Faber, Christian C 778 

Faber, George 778 

Faber, William C 735 

Fagan, Edward 778 

Fahrney, David M ■]■]■/ 

Fairchild, David 776 

Farrand, Richard S 711 

Fassig, John P ■j'jj 

Fauble, Philip G 778 

Felker, John B j^j 

Fischer, David J 750 

Fischer, Henry 776 

Fitzsimons. Edward 779 

Fleming, Peter 775 

Foley, Michael 776 

Fordham, Harry L -j-jj 

Franklin, William E ■]■]■] 

Frantz, Benjamin F 719 

Freese, Anton F j-jj 

Frost, S. Donald 756 

Frost, William S 776 

Fry, Josiah 778 

Fuestman, Godfrey 776 

Fuller, Champion 775 

Gaertner, Ferdinand 780 

Gaffaney, Michael 781 

Gantz, Sanuiel M 780 

Garland, John J 781 

Gehant, Frank J 779 

Gehant, Henry F 779 

Gehant, Laurent 779 

Gilbert, Abram 780 

Gilbert, Wilbcr W 779 

Gilmore, Alexander 780 

Glessner, Jeremiah 752 

Goble, James 780 

Gonnermann, Ci^nrad 781 



Grim, Adam 780 

Gross, Christian 745 

Grube, Henry A 781 

Gufifin, W. 1 719 

Hallock, Israel F 735 

Hanne, John 787 

Hanne, Robert J 787 

Harck, Fred 783 

Harden, Dennis C 787 

Harper, John 786 

Hart, Charles D 782 

Hart, Levi E 788 

Hartzell, John Z 789 

Hartzell, Lincoln A 787 

Hartzell, Marcus 789 

Haskell, Mrs. Abigail L 781 

Hansen, Charles F 735 

Hansen, Sylvanus C 788 

Hansen. William H 734 

Heaton, William W 782 

Heckman, Jacob C 787 

Heckman, 'fohn R 788 

Hendrix, Ralph H 785 

Henry, Eugene A 784 

Henry. Joseph E 750 

Henry, Lewis 786 

Henry, William 782 

Herbst. John S 785 

Hetler. Hiram 785 

Hetler, Jeremiah 784 

Hetler, Jesse 785 

Hetler, John 785 

Hetler, Nathan 784 

Hilleson, Helge A 786 

Hills, Willis N 784 

Hoerner, Frank 786 

Hoffman. Henry 786 

Holdren. lienjamin F. '. 784 

Holdren. Sherman J 783 

Hopps, Robert A 783 

Howell, George L 715 

Howell, George W 789 

Howlett, James C 736 

Hubbard, Charles F 783 

Hunt, Isaac E 783 

Hiissey, Columbus D 78S 

Hutchinson. A. E 783 

Hutchinson. John N 789 

Huyett, Jacob H 788 

Jeanblanc, Constant A 790 

Johnston, Oliver P 791 

Johnson, Benjamin F 7go 

Johnson, Edward L 789 

Johnson. Ralph E 790 

Jones, Royal 791 

Jones. Pryce 790 



LEE COUNTY INDEX. 



Judil, Wallace A 791 

Kearns, ^lichael 793 

Kelley, Peter 792 

Kersten, Hartiiian .M 794 

Kersten, John 794 

Killmer, John ]\1 791 

Killnier, William 792 

King, Elijah L 792 

Kirke, Alexander J 794 

Knetsch, Fred 793 

Knight, Edward U 793 

Knight, Mrs. Harriet E 791 

Kost, Charles C 791 

Kopp, Conrad 794 

Koons, Nathan 794 

Kreiter. Edward H 793 

Kugler, Wilhani H 793 

Lahman, John D 798 

Larabee, James \\'., Sr 793 

Larabee, James \\'., Jr 795 

Larkin. Hugh, Sr 797 

Larkin, Hugh, Jr 797 

Lauer, Andrew J 796 

Laucr. Anton H 797 

Lauer. George 797 

Lauer. Mike J 798 

Lawrence, John T 799 

Leake. Daniel C 795 

Leake, Fred W 796 

Leake, John C 795 

LeFever, Leander L 798 

Lehman, Ira M 799 

Leivan, ^\'illiam 796 

Lewis, Ira W 798 

Lindeman, Herman 743 

Lincoln, James H 796 

Little, Andrew 799 

Little, Joseph T 798 

Lord, John L 713 

Lvman, George A 725 

.M'adden. Wil'liam H 805 

Martin, Willard H 803 

Man, Frank 807 

May, Andrew 806 

McP.ride, Frank 807 

McP.ride, John B 807 

McCaffrey, Bernard 806 

McCarty, William 804 

McCleary, John C 740 

McCune, Thomas 804 

McGinnis, Michael 808 

McGinnis. William G 800 

McGowan, Michael J 802 

McCiuirk, Hugh 803 

McMahan, Williaiu 807 

McMillan. Charles W 806 



]\lcWethv, George P 804 

Mead, Riley A 805 

;\Ieese, Calvin 804 

Menk, Rudolph \^■ 807 

Menz, Henry C 749 

Meppen, William 73 1 

Merriman, Avery 806 

Merriman, J. B 712 

Merriman, \\'alter B 712 

Messer, G. William 803 

Miller, Henry E 745 

Miller, Jacob 803 

Miller, Llewellyn W 802 

Aliller, Rinear 806 

]\Iills, George 801 

Mills, S. F. 720 

Minor, David . 807 

Moft'att. William 753 

Montarin, Frank J 808 

Morey, George E 800 

Morris, James H 804 

Morrissey, Edward 801 

Moss, Zachariah W 801 

Mossholder, Nicholas 753 

Moulton, Mrs. Ida C 800 

Moyer, John E 802 

Mullins, George 805 

Munn, M. C 801 

Murphy, E. S 733 

Mvers, Abram 800 

Neer, Barton B 808 

Nelles, G. Lafayette 809 

Nichols, Andrew J 734 

Nicholson, William 808 

Noble, Henry T 808 

Northrup, C. K 722 

Oberhelman. Fred 809 

Oberhelman, lohn W 810 

O'AIalley. Michael 809 

Owens, E. B 809 

Pankhurst, \\'illiam 811 

Petrie, Nathan A 721 

Phillips, Richard 7S2 

Phillips, William W 811 

Pierce, Philip S 811 

Pitcher, Lester D 748 

Plein, Nicholas 812 

Plummer, Joseph P 810 

Powers, Abijah 717 

Powers, Austin 718 

Pratt, Wilbur A 810 

Preston, Charles F 810 

Preston, Horace 812 

Preston, Lorenzo T 811 

Preston, William T 812 

Rhoads, Jacob W 813 



LEE COUNTY INDEX. 



Richardson, John S 813 

Richardson, Nathan W 814 

Ripley, John E 814 

Roberts, Benjamin 812 

Roberts, Henry L 813 

Rogers, Francis E 813 

Rosenkranz, Andrew H 813 

Rossiter, Cornelius S 814 

Sartorious, Henry 818 

Sawyer, Darius 821 

Schaf er, George W 815 

Schmidt, John 817 

Schnuckel, George 820 

Scofield. Seely 821 

Scott, Henry J 743 

Seavey, Albion M 729 

Seavey, Fletcher 819 

Seavev, William W 729 

Seidef, John J 816 

Sevbert, James W 816 

Shaddick, Richard M 819 

Shaw, Benjamin F 706 

Shaw, Eustace E 707 

Shaw, G. H. T 7^^ 

Shaw, Mary 814 

Shaw, Samuel 814 

Shell, Elias 815 

Sickels, Edward A 716 

Sickels, Edward C 716 

Siglin, Amos 822 

Sitts, John D 820 

Sloggctt, John H 819 

Smith, Charles G 818 

Smith, Christopher 817 

Smith. Edwin W 738 

.Smith, James A 815 

Smith. J. IM 756 

Smith. Xelson 820 

Smith, Schuyler E 816 

Steel, George y^2 

Stein, Henry P 817 

Steinman. Charles A 820 

.Stephan, Louis 754 

Stiles, Forest E 815 

Stiteley, Frank E 816 

Stone, Samuel 820 

Stoncr, Melchior S 817 

Slunkel, M. J 817 

.Sullivan. Michael 739 

Sunday, Henry W 815 

Sunday, Solomon 821 

Sutton, William 821 

Svvartz, Daniel 821 

Swope. Elijah F 817 

Tarr, Stephen .\ 824 

Tasclic, Conrad 757 



Taylor, William E 824 

Teal, Manley M 823 

Terhune, John A 823 

Terhune, John H 823 

Thomas, John V 824 

Thompson, Gardner W 824 

Thompson, William C 823 

Tilton, Francis J 751 

Titus, Abraham B 726 

Titus, Edgar L 728 

Titus, Ira R 727 

Todd, John 822 

Tompkins, A. J 822 

Tourtillott, Albert T 730 

Traverse, Edniond R 822 

Treadwell, Rensselaer P 822 

Trowbridge, Reuben 742 

Truckenbrod, John N 823 

Ultch, Edward C 825 

L'tley, Joseph 710 

Vail, Morrison H 825 

Van Epps, William H 732 

Vann, Samuel A 825 

\"an Patten, Harmon 826 

\"ogel, Jacob 826 

Wagner, Charles W 827 

Wagner, Jacob 829 

Watson, Frederick A 720 

Watson, James A 720 

Wedlock, John 829 

Weishaar, John W 828 

Weisz, Charles E 827 

Welty, Charles F 740 

Welty, David 829 

Wertman, Licob 828 

Wertman, "\\'illard L 828 

Wheeler, B. J 826 

White, Carev T 829 

White, Edwiii J 829 

\Miitney, Alexis R S30 

Whitne\-, Xathan 830 

Wicher, Clvde L 717 

Will, Charles 1 828 

Wingert, Edward E 830 

Wood, Lorenzo 829 

Woodbridge, Ebenezer 827 

Woods, Albert 827 

Woods, George 830 

Woods, Isaac N 828 

Wright, Stephen A S2J 

W\'man, John B 829 

Yetter, John 747 

Young, George E 830 

Young, Simon P 747 

Young, Thomas 831 

Zeller, S. T 831 



Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois. 



ABBOTT, (Lient.-Gov.) Edward, a British 
officer, who was coniinandant at Post Vincennes 
(called by the British, Fort Sackville) at the 
time Col. George Rogers Clark captured Kaskas- 
kia in 1778. Abbott's jurisdiction extended, at 
least nominally, over a part of the "Illinois 
Country. " Ten days after the occupation of Kas- 
kaskia, Colonel Clark, having learned that 
Abbott had gone to the British headquarters at 
Detroit, leaving the Post without any guard 
except that furnished by the inhabitants of the 
village, took advantage of his absence to send 
Pierre Gibault. the Catholic Vicar-General of Illi- 
nois, to win over the people to the American 
cause, which he did so successfully that they at 
once took the oath of allegiance, and the Ameri- 
can flag was run up over the fort. Although 
Fort Sackville afterwards fell into the hands of 
the British for a time, the manner of its occupa- 
tion was as much of a surprise to the British as 
that of Kaskaskia itself, and contributed to the 
completeness of Clark's triumph. (See Clark, 
Col. George Rogers, also, Gibault, Pierre.) Gov- 
ernor Abbott seems to have been of a more 
humane character than the mass of British 
officers of his day, as he wrote a letter to General 
Carleton about this time, protesting strongly 
against the employment of Indians in carrying 
on warfare against the coloni.sts on the frontier, 
on the ground of humanity, claiming that it was 
a detriment to the British cause, although he 
was overruled by his superior officer. Colonel 
Hamilton, in the steps soon after taken to recai)- 
tvu-e Vincennes. 

ABINGDON, second city in size in KnoxCounty, 
at the junction of the Iowa Central and the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroads; 10 
miles south of Galesburg, with whicli it is con- 
nected by electric car line; has city waterwork.s, 
electric light plant, wagon works, brick and tile 
works, sash, blind and swing factories, two banks, 



three weekly papers, public library, fine high 
school building and two ward schools. Hedding 
College, a flourishing institution, under auspices 
of the M. E. Cluirch, is loc^ated here. Population 
(1900), 3,022; (e.st. 1904), 3,000. 

ACCAULT, Michael (Ak-ko), French explorer 
and companion of La Salle, who came to the 
"Illinois Country" in 1780, and accompanied 
Hennepin when the latter descended the Illinois 
River to its mouth and then ascended the Mis- 
sissippi to the vicinity of the present city of St. 
Paul, where they were captured by Sioux. They 
were rescued by Greysolon Dulhut {for whom 
the city of Duluth was named), and having dis- 
covered the Falls of St. Anthony, returned to 
Green Bay. (See Hennepin.) 

ACKERMAN. William K., Railway President 
and financier, was born in New York City, Jan. 
29, 1832, of Knickerbocker and Revolutionary 
ancestry, his grandfather, Abraham D. Acker- 
man, having served as Captain of a companj' of 
the famous "Jersey Blues,'' participating with 
"Mad" Anthony Wayne in the storming of Stony 
Point during the Revolutionary War, while his 
father served as Lieutenant of Artillery in the 
War of 1812. After receiving a high school edu- 
cation in New York, Mr. Ackerman engaged in 
mercantile business, but in 1852 became a clerk 
in the financial department of the Illinois Central 
Railroad. Coming ti) Chicago in the service of 
the Company in 1800, he successively filled the 
positions of Secretary, Auditor and Treasurer, 
until Juh', 1876, when he was elected Vice-Presi- 
dent and a year later promoted to the Presidency, 
voluntarily retiring from this position in August, 
1883, though serving some time longer in the 
capacity of Vice-President. During the progress 
of the World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago 
(1892-93) Mr. Ackerman served as Auditor of the 
Exposition, and was City Comptroller of Chicago 
under the administration of Mayor Hopkins 



9 



10 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



(1893-95). He is an active member of the Chicago 
Historical Society, and has rendered valuable 
service to railroad history by the issue of two bro- 
chures on the "Earh- History of Illinois Rail- 
roads,"' and a "Historical Sketch of the Illinois 
Central Railroad." 

ADAMS, John, LL.D., educator and pliilan- 
thropist, was born at Canterbury, Conn., Sept. 18, 
1772; graduated at Yale College in 179.5; taught 
for several years in his native place, in Plain- 
field, N. J., and at Colchester, Conn. In 1810 he 
became Principal of Pliillips Academy at An- 
dover, Mass., remaining there twenty-three 
J ears. In addition to his educational duties he 
participated in the organization of several great 
charitable associations which attained national 
importance. On retiring fi'om Phillips Academy 
in 1833, he removed to Jacksonville, 111., where, 
four years afterward, he became the third Prin- 
cipal of Jacksonville Female Academy, remaining 
six years. He then became Agent of the Ameri- 
can Simday School Union, in the course of the 
next few years founding several hundred Sunday 
Scliools in different parts of the State. He re- 
ceived the degree of LL.D. from Yale College in 
1854. Died in Jacksonville, April 24, 1863. The 
subject of this sketch was father of Dr. William 
Adams, for forty years a prominent Presbyterian 
clergyman of Xew York and for seven years (1873- 
80) President of Union Theological Seminary. 

ADAMS, John McGregor, manufacturer, was 
born at Londonderry, N. H., March 11, 1834, the 
son of Rev. John R. Adams, who served as Chap- 
lain of the Fifth Maine and One Hundred and 
Twenty-first New York Volunteers during the 
Civil War. Mr. Adams was educated at Gorham, 
Me., and Andover, Mass., after which, going to 
New York City, he engaged as clerk in a dry- 
goods house at §150 a year. He next entered the 
office of Clark & Jessup, hardware manufacturers, 
and in 1858 came to Chicago to represent the 
house of Morris K. Jessup & Co. He thus became 
associated with the late John Crerar, the firm of 
Jessup & Co. being finally merged into that of 
Crerar, Adams & Co., which, with the Adams & 
"Westlake Co., have done a large business in the 
manufacture of railway supplies. Since the 
deatli of Mr. Crerar, Mr. Adams lias been princi- 
pal manager of the concern's vast manufacturing 
business. 

ADAMS, (Dr.) Samuel, physician and edu- 
cator, was born at Brunswick, Me., Dec. 19, 1806, 
and educated at Bowdoin College, where lie 
graduated in both the departments of literature 
and of medicine. Then, having practiced as a 



physician several years, in 1838 he assumed the 
chair of Natural Philosophy, Cliemistry and 
Natural History in Illinois College at Jackson- 
ville, 111. From 1843 to 1845 he was also Pro- 
fessor of Materia Medica and Therapeutics in the 
Medical Department of the same institution, and, 
during liis connection with the College, gave 
instruction at different times in nearly every 
branch embraced in the college curriculum, 
including the French and German languages. 
Of uncompromising firmness and invincible cour- 
age in liis adherence to principle, he %vas a man 
of singular modesty, refinement and amiability 
in private life, winning the confidence and esteem 
of all with whom he came in contact, especially 
the students who came under his instruction. A 
profound and thorough scholar, he possessed a 
refined and exalted literary taste, which was 
illustrated in occasional contributions to scien- 
tific and literary periodicals. Among productions 
of his pen on philosophic topics may be enumer- 
ated articles on "The Natural History of Man in 
his Scriptural Relations;" contributions to the 
"Biblical Repository" (1844); "Auguste Comte 
and Positivism" ("New Englander," 1878), and 
"Herbert Spencer's Proposed Reconciliation be- 
tween Religion and Science" ("New Englander," 
1875). His connection with Illinois College con- 
tinued until his death, April, 1877 — a period of 
more than thirtj'-eight years. A monument to 
his memory has been erected through the grate- 
ful donations of his former pupils. 

ADAMS, George Everett, lawyer and ex-Con- 
gressman, born at Keene, N. H., June 18, 1840; 
was educated at Harvard College, and at Dane 
Law School, Cambridge, Mass., graduating at the 
former in 1860. Early in life he settled in Chi- 
cago, where, after some time spent as a teacher 
in the Chicago High School, he engaged in the 
practice of his profession. His first post of pub- 
lic responsibility was that of State Senator, to 
which he was elected in 1880. In 1882 he was 
chosen, as a Republican, to represent tlie Fourth 
Illinois District in Congress, and i-e-elected in 
1884, "86 and '88. In 1890 he was again a candi- 
date, but was defeated by Walter C. Newberrj'. 
He is one of the Trustees of the Newberry 
Library. 

ADAMS, James, pioneer lawyer, was born in 
Hartford, Conn., Jan. 26, 1803; taken to Oswego 
County, N. Y., in 1809, and, in 1821, removed to 
Springfield, 111., being the first lawyer to locate 
in the future State capital. He enjoyed an ex- 
tensive practice for the time ; in 1823 was elected 
a Justice of the Peace, took part in the Winne- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



11 



bago and Black Hawk wars, was elected Probate 
Judge in 1841, and died in office, August 11, 1843. 

ADAMS COUNTY, an extreme westerly county 
of the State, situated about midwa}- between its 
northern and southern extremities, and bounded 
on the west bj' the Mississippi River. It was 
organized in 182.J and named in honor of John 
Quincy Adanrs, the name of Quincy being given 
to the county seat. The United States Census of 
1890 places its area at 830 sq. m. and its popula- 
tion at 61,888. The soil of the county is fertile 
and well watered, the surface diversified and 
liilly, especially along the Mississippi bluffs, and 
its climate equable. The wealth of the county is 
largely derived from agriculture, although a 
large amount of manufacturing is carried on in 
Quincy. Population (1900), 67,058. 

ADD.VMS, John Huy, legislator, was born at 
Sinking Springs, Berks County, Pa., July 12, 
1823; educated at Trappeand Upper Dublin, Pa., 
and learned the trade of a miller in his youth, 
which he followed in later life. In 1844, Mr. 
Addams came to Illinois, settling at Cedarville, 
Stephenson County, purchased a tract of land 
and built a saw and grist mill on Cedar Creek. 
In 18.54 he was elected to the State Senate froni 
Stephenson County, serving continuously in that 
body by successive re-elections until 1870 — first as 
a Whig and afterwards as a Republican. In ISG.'j 
he established the Second National Bank of Free- 
port, of which he continued to be the president 
until his death, August 17, 1881. — Miss Jane 
( Addams), philanthropist, the founder of the "Hull 
House," Cliicago, is a daughter of Mr. Addams. 

ADDISON, village. Du Page County; .seat of 
Evangelical Lutheran College, Normal School 
and Orijlian Asylum ; has State Bank, stores and 
public school. Pop. (1900), 591; (1904), 014. 

ADJUTANTS-GENERAL. The office of Adju- 
tant-General for the State of Illinois was first 
created by Act of the Legislature, Feb. 3, 1865. 
Previous to the War of the Rebellion the position 
was rather honorary than otherwise, its duties 
(except during the Black Hawk War) and its 
emoluments being alike unimportant. The in- 
cumbent was simply the Chief of the Governor's 
Staff. In 1861, the post became one of no small 
importance. Those who held the office during 
the Territorial period were: Elias Rector, Robert 
Morrison, Benjamin Stephenson and Wm. Alex- 
ander. After the admission of Illinois as a State 
up to the beginning of the Civil War, the duties 
(which were almost wholly nominal) were dis- 
charged by Wm. Alexander, 1819-21; Elijah C. 
Berry, 1821-28; James W. Berry, 1838-39; Moses 



K. Anderson, 1839-57; Thomas S. Mather, 18.58-61. 
In November, 1861, Col. T. S. Mather, who had held 
the position for three years previous, resigned to 
enter active service, and Judge Allen C. Fuller 
was appointed, remaining in office until January 
1, 1865. The first appointee, under the act of 
18(i5, was Isham N. Haynie, who held office 
until his death in 1S(J9. The Legislature of 1869, 
taking into consideration that all the Illinois 
volunteers had been mustered out, and that the 
duties of the Adjutant-General had been materi- 
ally lessened, reduced the proportions of the 
department and curtailed the appropriation for 
its support. Since the adoption of the military 
coile of 1877, the Adjutant-General's office has 
occupied a more important and conspicuous posi- 
tion among the departments of the State govern- 
ment. The following is a list of those who have 
held office since General Haj-nie, with the date 
and duration of their respective terms of office: 
Hubert Dilger, 1869-73; Edwin L. Higgins, 
1873-75; Hiram Hilliard, 1875-81; Isaac H. Elliot, 
1881-84; Joseph W. Vance, 1884-93; Albert Oren- 
dorfT, 1893-96; C. C. Hilton, 1896-97; Jasper N. 
Reece, 1897—. 

AGRICULTURE. Illinois ranks high as an 
agricultural State. A large area in the eastern 
portion of the State, because of the absence of 
timber, was called by the early settlers "the 
Grand Prairie." Upon and along a low ridge 
beginning in Jackson County and running across 
the State is the prolific fruit-growing district of 
Southern Illinois. The bottom lands extending 
from Cairo to the mouth of the Illinois River are 
of a fertilitj' seemingly inexhaustible. The cen- 
tral portion of the State is best adapted to corn, 
and the southern and southwestern to the culti- 
vation of winter wheat. Nearly three-foiul^hs of 
the entire State — some 42,000 square miles — is up- 
land prairie, well suited to the raising of cereals. 
In the value of its oat crop Illinois leads all the 
States, that for 1891 being 831, 106,674, with 3,068,- 
930 acres imder cultivation. In the production 
of corn it ranks next to Iowa, the last census 
(1890) showing 7.014,336 acres under cultivation, 
and the value of the crop being estimated at 
§86,905,510. In wheat-raising it ranked seventh, 
although the aniuial average value of the crop 
from 18WJ to 1890 was a little less than !?29,000,- 
000. As a live-stock State it leads in the value of 
horses (883,000,000), ranks second in the produc- 
tion of swine (§30,000,000), third in cattle-growing 
(§32,000,000), and fourtli in dairy products, the 
value of milch cows being estimated at §24,000,- 
000. (See also Farmers' Institute.) 



12 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



AGRICULTURE, DEPARTMENT OF. A 

department of tlie State administration wliich 
grew out of the organization of the Illinois Agri- 
cultural Society, incorporated by Act of the 
Legislature in 1853. The first appropriation from 
the State treasury for its maintenance was §1,000 
per annum, "to be expended in the promotion of 
mechanical and agricultural arts." The first 
President was James N. Brown, of Sangamon 
Count}'. Simeon Francis, also of Sangamon, was 
the first Recording Secretary ; John A. Kennicott 
of Cook, first Corresponding Secretary ; and John 
Williams of Sangamon, first Treasurer. Some 
thirty volumes of reports have been issued, cover- 
ing a variety of topics of vital interest to agri- 
culturists. The department has well equipped 
offices in the State House, and is charged with 
the conduct of State Fairs and the management 
of annual exhibitions of fat stock, besides the 
collection and dissemination of statistical and 
other information relative to the State's agri- 
cultural interests. It receives annual reports 
from all County Agricultural Societies. The 
State Board consists of three general officers 
(President, Secretary and Treasurer) and one 
representative from each Congressional district. 
The State appropriates some $20,000 annually for 
the prosecution of its work, besides which there 
is a considerable income from receipts at State 
Fairs and fat stock shows. Between .§20,000 and 
§2.5,000 per annum is disbursed in premiums to 
competing exhibitors at the State Fairs, and some 
610,000 divided among County Agricultural 
Societies holding fairs. 

AKERS, Peter, D. D., Methodist Episcopal 
clergyman, born of Presbyterian parentage, in 
Campbell County, Va., Sept. 1, 1790; was edu- 
cated in the common schools, and, at the age 
of IG, began teaching, later pursuing a classical 
course in institutions of Virginia and North 
Carolina. Having removed to Kentuckj', after a 
brief .season spent in teaching at Jlount Sterling 
in that State, he began the study of law and was 
admitted to the bar in 1817. Two years later he 
began the publication of a paper called "The 
Star," which was continued for a short time. In 
1821 lie was converted and joined the Methodist 
church, and a few months later began preaching. 
In 1832 he removed to Illinois, and, after a year 
spent in work as an evangelist, he assumed the 
Presidency of McKendree College at Lebanon, 
remaining during 1833-34; then established a 
"manual labor school" near Jacksonville, which 
he maintained for a few years. From 1837 to 
1853 was spent as stationed minister or Presiding 



Elder at Springfield, Quincy and Jacksonville. In 
the latter year he was again appointed to the 
Presidency of McKendree College, where he 
remained five years. He was then (1857) trans- 
ferred to the Minnesota Conference, but a year 
later was compelled by declining health to assume 
a superannuated relation. Returning to Illinois 
about 1865, he served as Presiding Elder of the 
Jacksonville and Pleasant Plains Districts, but 
was again compelled to accept a superannuated 
relation, making Jacksonville his home, where 
he died, Feb. 21, 1886. While President of Mc- 
Kendree College, he published his work on "Bib- 
lical Chronology," to which he had devoted many 
previous years of his life, and which gave evi- 
dence of great learning and vast research. Dr. 
Akers was a man of profound convictions, exten- 
sive learning and great eloquence. As a pulpit 
orator and logician he probably had no superior 
in the State during the time of his most active 
ser\'ice in the denomination to which he belonged. 

AKI\, Edward C, lawyer and Attorney-Gen- 
eral, was born in Will Count}', 111., in 1852, and 
educated in the public schools of Jolietandat Ann 
Arbor, Mich. For four years he was paying and 
receiving teller in the First National Bank of 
Joliet, but was admitted to the bar in 1878 and 
has continued in active practice since. In 1887 lie 
entered upon his political career as the Republi- 
can candidate for City Attorne}' of Joliet, and was 
elected by a majority of over 700 votes, although 
the city was usuallj' Democratic. The follow- 
ing year he was the candidate of his party for 
State's Attorney of Will County, and was again 
elected, leading the State and county ticket by 
800 votes — being re-elected to the same office in 
1892. In 1895 he was the Republican nominee 
for Mayor of Joliet, and, although opposed by a 
citizen's ticket headed by a Republican, was 
elected over his Democratic coiniietitor by a deci- 
sive majority. His greatest popular triumph was 
in 1896, when he was elected Attorney-General 
on the Republican State ticket by a plurality 
over his Democratic opponent of 132,248 and a 
majority over all competitors of 111,255. His 
legal abilities are recognized as of a very high 
order, while his personal popularity is indicated 
by his uniform success as a candidate, in the 
face, at times, of strong political majorities. 

ALBANY, a village of Whiteside County, lo- 
cated on the Mississippi River and the Chicago, 
Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway (Rock Island 
branch). Population (1890), 611; (1900), 631. 

ALBION, county-seat of Edwards County, 
on Soutliern Railway, midway between St. Louis 




EXPERIMENT FARM (THE VINEVARl.l LNIVKRMTV OF ILLINOIS. 




EXPERIMENT EARM lOKCHARD CI-I.TI V ATI. >M, lM\i.K^ 



M\i.K^ITY OI- ILLINOIS. 



( 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



13 



and Louisville; seat of Soutliern Collegiate In- 
stitute; has plant for manufacture of vitrified 
shale paving brick, two newspapers, creamery, 
flouring mills, and is important shipping point 
for live stock; is in a rich fruit-growing district; 
has five churches and splendid public schools. 
Population (1900), 1,162; (est. 1904), 1,500. 

ALCORN, James Lusk, was born near Gol- 
conda. 111., Nov. 4, 1816; early went South and 
held various offices in Kentucky and Mississippi, 
including member of the Legislature in each; 
was a member of the Mississippi State Conven- 
tions of 1851 and 1861, and by the latter appointed 
a Brigadier-General in the Confederate service, 
but refused a commission by Jefferson Davis 
because his fidelity to the rebel cause was 
doubted. At the close of the war he was one of 
the first to accept the reconstruction policy ; was 
■elected United States Senator from Mississippi in 
1865, but not admitted to his seat. In 1869 he 
was chosen Governor as a Republican, and two 
years later elected United States Senator, serving 
until 1877. Died, Dec. 20, 1894. 

ALDRICH, J. Frank, Congressman, was born 
at Two Rivers, Wis., April 6, 1853, the son of 
William Aldrich, who afterwards became Con- 
gressman from Chicago ; was brought to Chicago 
in 1861, attended the public schools and the Chi- 
cago University, and graduated from the Rensse- 
laer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N. Y., in 1877, 
receiving the degree of Civil Engineer. Later he 
engaged in the linseed oil business in Chicago. 
Becoming interested in politics, he was elected a 
member of the Board of County Commissioners 
of Cook County, serving as President of that body 
during the reform period of 1887; was also a 
member of the County Board of Education and 
Chairman of the Chicago Citizens' Committee, 
appointed from the various clubs and commer- 
cial organizations of the city, to promote the for- 
mation of the Cliicago Sanitary District. From 
May 1, 1891, to Jan. 1, 1893, he was Commissioner 
of Public Works for Chicago, when he resigned 
his office, having been elected (Nov., 1892) a 
member of the Fifty-third Congress, on the 
Republican ticket, from the First Congressional 
District; was re-elected in 1894, retiring at tlie 
clo.se of the Fifty-fourth Congre.ss. In 1898 he 
was appointed to a position in connection witli 
the office of Comptroller of the Currency at 
Wasliington. 

ALDRICH, William, mercliant and Congress- 
man, was liorn at Greenfield, N. Y., Jan. 20, 1820. 
His early common school training was supple- 
mented by private tuition in higlier branches of 



mathematics and in survej-ing, and by a term in 
an academj-. Until he had reached the age of 26 
years he was engaged in farming and teaching, 
but, in 1846, turned his attention to mercantile 
pursuits. In IS.Tl he removed to Wisconsin, 
where, in addition to mercliandising, he engaged 
in the manufacture of furniture and woodenware, 
and where he also held several important offices, 
being Superintendent of Schools for three years, 
Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors 
one j'ear, besides serving one term in the Legisla- 
ture. In 1860 he removed to Chicago, where he 
embarked in tlie wholesale grocery business. In 
1875 he was elected to the City Council, and, in 
1876, chosen to represent his district (the First) in 
Congress, as a Republican, being re-elected in 1878, 
and again in 1880. Died in Fond du Lao, Wis., 
Dec. 3. 1885. 

ALEDO, county-seat of Mercer County; is in 
the midst of a rich farming and bituminous coal 
region; fruit-growing and stock-raising are also 
extensivelj' carried on, and large quantities of 
these commodities are shipped here; has two 
newspapers and ample school facilities. Popula- 
tion (1890), 1,601; (1900), 2,081. 

ALEXANDER, John T., agriculturist and 
stock-grower, was born in Western Virginia, 
Sept. 15, 1820; removed with his father, at six 
years of age, to Ohio, and to Illinois in 1848. 
Here he bought a tract of several thousand acres 
of land on the Wabash Railroad, 10 miles east of 
Jacksonville, wliich finally developed into one of 
tlie richest stock-farms in the State. After the 
war he became the owner of the celebrated 
"Sullivant farm," comprising some 20,000 acres 
on the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railroad in 
Champaign County, to which he transferred his 
stock interests, and although overtaken by re- 
verses, left a large estate. Died, August 22, 1876. 

ALEXANDER, Milton K., pioneer, was born in 
Elbert County, Ga., Jan. 23, 1796; emigrated 
with his father, in 1804, to Tennessee, and, while 
still a boy, enlisted as a soldier in the War of 1812, 
serving under the command of General Jackson 
until the capture of Pensacola, when he entered 
upon the campaign against the Seminoles in 
Florida. In 1823 he removed to Edgar County, 
111., and engaged in mercantile and agricultural 
pursuits at Paris; serving also as Postmaster 
there some twenty-five years, and as Clerk of the 
County Commissioners" Court from 1H26 to "37. 
In 1826 he was commissioned by Governor Coles, 
Colonel of the Nineteentli Regiment, Illinois 
State Militia ; in 1830 was Aide-de-Camp to Gov- 
ernor Reynolds, and, inl832, took part in the Black 



14 



UISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Hawk War as Brigadier-General of tlie Second 
Brigade, Illinois Volunteers. On the inception of 
the internal improvement scheme in 1837 he was 
elected by the Legislature a member of the first 
Board of Commissioners of Public Works, serving 
until the Board was abolished. Died, July 7, 1856. 

ALEXANDER, (Dr.) William M., pioneer, 
came to Soutliern Illinois previous to the organi- 
zation of Union County (1818), and for some time, 
while practicing his profession as a physician, 
acted as agent of the proprietors of the tovm of 
America, which was located on the Ohio River, 
on the first high ground above its junction with 
the Mississippi. It became the first covmty-seat 
of Alexander County, which was organized in 
1819, and named in his honor. In 1820 we find 
him a Representative in the Second General 
Assembly from Pope County, and two years later 
Representative from Alexander County, when he 
became Speaker of the House during the session 
of the Third General Assembly. Later, he 
removed to Kaskaskia, but finally went South, 
where he died, though the date and place of his 
death are unknown. 

ALEXANDER COUNTY, the extreme southern 
count}' of the State, being bounded on the west 
by the Mississipppi, and south and east by the 
Ohio and Caclie rivers. Its area is about 230 
square miles and its population, in 1890, was 16,- 
563. The first American settlers were Tennessee- 
ans named Bird, who occupied the delta and gave 
it the name of Bird's Point, wliich, at the date of 
the Civil War (1861-65), had been transferred to 
the 5Iissouri shore opposite the mouth of the Ohio. 
Other early settlers were Clark. Kennedj' and 
Philips (at Mounds), Conyer and Terrel (at Amer- 
ica), and Humphreys (near Caledonia). In 1818 
Shadrach Bond (afterwards Governor), John G. 
Comyges and others entered a claim for 1800 acres 
in the central and northern part of the county, 
and incorporated the "City and Bank of Cairo." 
The history of this enterprise is interesting. In 
1818 (on Comyges' death) the land reverted to the 
Government ; but in 1835 Sidney Breese, David J. 
Baker and Miles A. Gilbert re-entered the for- 
feited bank tract and tlie title thereto became 
vested in the "Cairo City and Canal Company," 
which was chartered in 1837, and, by purchase, 
extended its holdings to 10,000 acres. The 
county was organized in 1819; the first county- 
seat being America, wliich was incorporated in 
1820. Population (1900), 19,384. 

ALEXIAJf BROTHERS' HOSPITAL, located 
at Chicago; established in 1860, and under the 
management of the Aleiian Brothers, a monastic 



order of the Roman Catholic Church. It was 
originally opened in a small frame building, but a 
better edifice was erected in 1868, onh' to be de- 
stroyed in the great fire of 1871. The following 
year, through the aid of private benefactions and 
an appropriation of §18,000 from tlie Chicago Re- 
lief and Aid Society, a larger and better hospital 
was built. In 1888 an addition was made, increas- 
ing the accommodation to 150 beds. Only poor 
male patients are admitted, and these are received 
without reference to nationality or religion, and 
absolutely without charge. The present medical 
staff (1896) comprises fourteen phj'sicians and sur- 
geons. In 1895 the close approach of an intra- 
mural transit line having rendered the building 
unfit for hospital pm-poses, a street railway com- 
pany purchased the site and buildings for §250,- 
000 and a new location has been selected. 

ALEXIS, a village of Warren County, on the 
Rock Island & St. Louis Division of the Chicago, 
Burlington & Quincy Railway, 12 miles east of 
north from Monmouth. It has manufactures of 
brick, drain-tile, pottery and agricultural imple- 
ments; is also noted for its Clydesdale horses. 
Population (1880), 398; (1890), .562; (1900). 915. 

AL(ilON<Jl'IXS, a group of Indian tribes. 
Originally their territory extended from about 
latitude 37' to 53° nortli, and from longitude 25° 
east to 15° west of the meridian of Washington. 
Branches of the stock were found by Cartier in 
Canada, by Smith in Virginia, by the Puritans in 
New England and by Catholic missionaries in the 
great basin of the Mississippi. One of the prin- 
cipal of their five confederacies embraced the 
Illinois Indians, who were found within the 
State by the French when the hitter discovered 
the country in 1073. They were hereditary foes 
of the warlike Iroquois, by wliom tlieir territory 
was repeatedly invaded. Besides the Illinois, 
other tribes of the Algonquin family who origi- 
nally dwelt within the present limits of Illinois, 
were the Foxes, Kickapoos, Miamis, ilenominees, 
and Sacs. Although nomadic in their mode of 
life, and subsisting largely on tlie spoils of the 
chase, the Algonquins were to some extent tillers 
of the soil and cultivate<l large tracts of maize. 
Various dialects of their language have been 
reduced to grammatical rules, and Eliot's Indian 
Bible is published in their tongue. The entire 
Algonquin stock extant is estimated at about 
95,000, of whom some 35,000 are within tlie United 
States. 

ALLEX, WilHiim Joishua, jurist, was born 
June 9, 1829, in Wilson County, Tenn. ; of Vir- 
ginia ancestry of Scotch-Irish descent. In early 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



15 



infancy he was brougnt by his parents to South- 
ern Illinois, wliere his father, Willis Allen, be- 
came a Judge ami member of Congress, After 
reading law with his father and at the Louisville 
Law School, young Allen was admitted to the 
bar, settling at Metropolis and afterward (18."j3) 
at his old home, Marion, in Williamson County. 
In 1855 he was appointed United States District 
Attorney for Illinois, but resigned in 1859 and re- 
sumed private practice as partner of John A. 
Logan. The same year he was elected Circuit 
Judge to succeed his father, who had died, but he 
declined a re-election. He was a member of the 
Constitutional Conventions of 18G2 and 1869, serv- 
ing in both bodies on the Judicial Committee and 
as Chairman of the Committee on the Bill of 
Rights. From 1864 to 1888 he was a delegate to 
every National Democratic Convention, being 
chairman of the Illinois delegation in 1876. He 
has been four times a candidate for Congress, and 
twice elected, serving from 1863 to 1865. During 
tliis period he was an ardent opponent of the wai 
policy of the Government. In 1874-75, at the 
solicitation of Governor Beveridge, he undertook 
the prosecution of the leaders of a bloody "ven- 
detta" which had broken out among his former 
neighbors in Williamson Coimty, and, by his fear- 
less and impartial efforts, brought the offenders to 
justice and assisted in restoring order. In 1886, 
Judge Allen removed to Springfield, and in 1887 
was appointed by President Cleveland to succeed 
Judge Samuel H. Treat (deceased) as Judge of the 
United States District Court for the Southern 
District of Illinois. Died Jan. 26, 1901. 

ALLEN, Willis, a native of Tennessee, who 
removed to Williamson Coimty, 111., in 1829 and 
engaged in farming. In 1834 he was chosen 
Sheriff of Franklin County, in 1838 elected Rep- 
resentative in the Eleventh General A.ssembly, 
and, in 1844, became State Senator. In 1841, 
although not yet a licensed lawyer, he was chosen 
Prosecuting Attorney for the old Third District, 
and was shortly afterward admitted to the bar. 
He was chosen Presidential Elector in 1844, a 
member of the Constitutional Convention of 1847, 
and served two terms in Congress (1851-55). On 
March 2, 1859, he was commissioned Judge of the 
Twenty-sixth Judicial Circuit, but died three 
months later. His son, William Josliua, suc- 
ceeded him in the latter oflfice. 

ALLERTOX, Samuel Waters, stock-dealer and 
capitalist, was bom of Pilgrim ance.stry in 
Dutchess County, N. Y., May 26, 1829. His 
youth was spent with his father on a farm in 
Yates County, N. Y., but about 1852 he engaged 



in the live-stock business in Central and Western 
New York. In 1856 he transferred his operations 
to Illinois, shipping stock from various points to 
New York City, finally locating in Cliicago. He 
was one of tlie earliest projectors of the Chicago 
Stock-Yards, later securing control of the Pitts- 
burg Stock-Yards, also becoming interested in 
yards at Baltimore, Philadelphia, Jersey City and 
Omaha. Mr. AUerton is one of the foimders and 
a Director of the First National Bank of Chicago, 
a Director and stockholder of the Chicago City 
Railway (tlie first cable line in tliat city), the 
owner of an extensive area of higlily improved 
farming lands in Central Illinois, as also of large 
tracts in Nebraska and Wyoming, and of valuable 
and productive mining properties in the Black 
Hills. A zealous Republican in politics, he is a 
liberal supporter of the measures of that party, 
and, in 1893, was the unsuccessful Republican can- 
didate for Mayor of Chicago in opposition to 
Carter H. Harrison. 

ALLOUE/, Claude Jean, sometimes called 
"The Apostle of the West," a Jesuit priest, was 
born in France in 1620. He reached Quebec in 
1658. and later explored the country around 
Lakes Superior and Michigan, establishing the 
mission of La Pointe, near where Ashland, Wis., 
now stands, in 1665, and St. Xavier, near Green 
Bay, in 1669. He learned from the Indians the 
existence and direction of the upper Mi.ssissippi, 
and was the first to communicate the informa- 
tion to the authorities at Montreal, which report 
was the jjrimary cause of Joliet's expedition. He 
succeeded Marquette in charge of the mission at 
Kaskaskia, on the Illinois, in 1677, where he 
preached to eight tribes. From that date to 1690 
he labored among the aborigines of Illinois and 
Wisconsin. Died at Fort St. Joseph, in 1690. 

ALLTN, (Rev.) Robert, clergyman and edu- 
cator, was born at Ledyard, New London County, 
Conn., Jan, 25, 1817, being a direct descend- 
ant in the eighth generation of Captain Robert 
Allyn, who was one of the first settlers of New 
London. He grew up on a farm, receiving his 
early education in a country school, supple- 
mented by access to a small public library, from 
which he acquired a good degree of familiarity 
witli standard English ^vriters. In 1837 he 
entered the Wesleyan University at Middletown, 
Conn., where he di-stinguished himself as a 
mathematician and took a Iiigh rank as a linguist 
and rhetorician, graduating in 1841. He im- 
mediately engaged as a teacher of mathematics 
in the Wesleyan Academy at Wilbraham, Mass., 
and, in 1846, was elected principal of the scliool, 



IC 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLIX0I3. 



Tneanwhile (1843) becoming a licentiate of the 
Providence Conference of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. From 1848 to 1854 he ser\'ed as Princi- 
pal of the Providence Conference Seminary at 
East Greenwich, R. I., when he was appointed 
Commissioner of Public Schools of Rhode Island 
— also serving the same year as a Visitor to West 
Point Military Academy. Between 18.57 and 1859 
he filled tlie chair of Ancient Languages in the 
State University at Athens, Ohio, when he ac- 
cepted the Presidency of the Wesleyan Female 
College at Cincinnati, four years later (1863) 
becoming President of ilcKendree Colle.ge at 
Lebanon, 111., where lie remained until 1874. 
That position he resigned to accept the Presi- 
dency of the Southern Illinois Normal University 
at Carbondale, whence he retired in 1892. Died 
at Carbondale, Jan. 7, 1894. 

ALTAMONT, Effingham County, is intersecting 
point of the Vandalia, Cliicago & Eastern Illinois, 
Baltimore & Ohio S. W., and Wabash Railroads, 
being midway and highest point between St. 
Louis and Terre Haute, Ind. ; was laid out in 
1870. Tlie town is in the center of a grain, fruit- 
growing and stock-raising district ; has a bank, 
two grain elevators, flouring mill, tile works, a 
large creamery, wagon, furniture and other fac- 
tories, besides churches and good schools. Popu- 
lation (1890), 1,044, 11900), 1,335. 

ALTGELD, John Peter, ex-Judge and ex-Gov- 
ernor, was born in Prussia in 1848, and in boj'- 
hood accompanied his parents to America, the 
family settling in Ohio. At the age of 16 he 
enlisted in the One Hundred and Sixty-fourth 
Oliio Infantry, serving until the close of the war. 
His legal education was acquired at St. Louis and 
Savannah, Mo., and from 1874 to '78 he was 
Prosecuting Attorney for Andrew County in that 
State. In 1878 he removed to Chicago, where he 
devoted himself to professional work. In 1884 he 
led the Democratic forlorn hope as candidate for 
Congress in a strong Republican Congressional 
district, and in 1886 was elected to the bench of 
the Superior Court of Cook County, but resigned 
in August, 1891. The Democratic State conven- 
tion of 1892 nominated him for Governor, and he 
was elected the following November, being the 
first foreign-born citizen to hold that office in the 
history of the State, and the first Democrat 
elected since 1852. In 1896 he was a prominent 
factor in the Democratic National Convention 
which nominated William J. Bryan for Presi- 
dent, and was also a candidate for reelection to 
the office of Governor, but was defeated by John 
B. Tanner, the Republican nominee. 



ALTON, principal city in Madison County 
and important commercial and manufacturing 
point on Mis,sissippi River, 25 miles north of 
St. Louis; site was first occupied as a French 
trading-post about 1807, the town proper being 
laid out by Col. Rufus Easton in 1817; principal 
business houses are located in tlie valley along 
the river, while the residence portion occupies 
the bluffs overlooking the river, sometimes rising 
to the height, of nearly 250 feet. The city has 
extensive glass works employing (1903) 4.000 
hands, flouring mills, iron foundries, manufac- 
tories of agricultural implements, coal cars, min- 
ers' tools, shoes, tobacco, lime, etc., besides 
several banks, numerous churches, schools, and 
four newspapers, three of them daily. A monu- 
ment to the memory of Elijah P Lovejoy, who 
fell while defending his press against a pro-slav- 
ery mob in 1837. was erected in Alton Cemetery, 
1896-7, at a cost of 830,000, contributed by the 
State and citizens of Alton. Population (1890), 
10,294; (1900), 14,210. 

ALTON PENITENTIARY. The earliest pun- 
ishments imposed upon public offenders in Illi- 
nois were by public flogging or imprisonment for 
a short time in jails rudely constructed of logs, 
from which escape was not difficult for a prisoner 
of nerve, strength and mental resource. The 
inadequacy of such places of confinement was 
soon perceived, but popular antipathy to any 
increase of taxation prevented the adoption of 
any other policy until 1827. A grant of 40,000 
acres of saline lands was made to the State by 
Congress, and a considerable portion of the money 
received from their sale was appropriated to the 
establishment of a State penitentiary at Alton. 
The sum set apart proved insufficient, and, in 1831, 
an additional appropriation of §10,000 was made 
from the State treasury. In 1833 the prison was 
ready to receive its first inmates. It was built of 
stone and had but twenty-four cells. Additions 
were made from time to time, but by 1857 the 
State determined upon building a new peniten- 
tiary, which was located at Joliet (see Xorthcrn 
Peititentiari/). and, in 1860, the last convicts were 
transferred thither from Alton. The ^Vlton prison 
was conducted on what is known as "the Auburn 
plan" — associated labor in silence by day and 
separate confinement by night. The manage- 
ment was in the hands of a "lessee," wlio fur- 
nished supplies, employed guards and exercised 
the general powers of a warden under the super- 
vision of a Commissioner appointed by the State, 
and who handled all the jiroducts of convict 
labor. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



17 



ALTON RIOTS. (See Lavejoy, Elijah Par- 
rialt.) 

ALTONA, town of Knox County, on C, B.'& Q. 
R. R., 16 miles northeast of Galesburg: lias an 
endowed public library, electric light system, 
cement sidewalks, four churches and good school 
system. Population (1900), 633. 

ALTON & SAXiAMOX RAILROAD. (See 
CliiccigoA Alton Mailroad.) 

AMBOY, city in Lee County on Green River, at 
junction of Illinois Central and C. , B. & (^. Rail- 
roads, 9.5 miles .south by west from Chicago; has 
artesian water with waterworks and fire protec- 
tion, city park, tvvo telephone sj'stems, electric 
lights, railroad repair shops, two banks, two 
newspapers, seven churches, graded and high 
schools; is on line of Northern Illinois Electric 
Ry. from De Kalb to Dixon; extensive bridge 
and iron works located here. Pop. (1900), 1,826. 

AMES, Edward Raymond, Methodist Episcopal 
Bishop, born at Amesville, Athens County, Ohio, 
May 30, 1806; was educated at the Ohio State 
University, where he joined the M. E. Church. 
In 1828 he left college and became Principal of 
the Seminary at Lebanon, 111., which afterwards 
became McKendree College. While there he 
received a license to preach, and, after liolding 
various charges and positions in the church, in- 
<"luding membership in the General Conference 
of 1840, '44 and '•52, in the latter year was elected 
Bishop, serving until his death, which oocurred 
in Baltimore, April 25, 1879. 

ANDERSON, Galiislia, clergyman and edu- 
cator, was born at Bergen, N. Y., March 7, 1S32; 
graduated at Rochester University in 1854 and at 
the Theological Seminary there in 18.56; spent 
ten years in Baptist pastoral work at Janesville, 
"Wis., and at St. Louis, and seven as Professor in 
Newton Theological Institute, Mass. From 1873 
to '80 he preached in Brooklyn and Chicago; was 
then chosen President of the old Chicago Univer- 
sity, remaining eight years, when lie again be- 
came a pastor at Salem, Mass., but soon after 
assumed the Presidency of Denison University, 
Ohio. On the organization of the new Chicago 
University, he accepted the chair of Homiletics 
and Pastoral Theology, which he now holds 

ANDERSON, George A., lawyer and Congress- 
man, was born in Botetourt County, Va., March 
11, 18.53. When two years old he was brought by 
his parents to Hancock County, 111 He re- 
ceived a collegiate education, and, after studying 
law at Lincoln, Neb., and at Sedalia, Mo., settled 
at Quincy, 111., where he began practice in 1.880. 
In 1884 he was elected Cit}- Attorney on the 



Democratic ticket, and re-elected in 1883 without 
opposition. The following year he was the suc- 
cessful candidate of his party for Congress, which 
was his last public service. Died at Quincy, 
Jan. 31, 1896. 

ANDERSON, James C, legislator, was born in 
Henderson County, HI., August 1, 1845; raised on 
a farm, and after receiving a common school 
education, entered Monmouth College, but left 
earl}- in the Civil War to enlist in the Twentieth 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which he attained 
the rank of Second Lieutenant. After the war he 
served ten years as Sheriff of Henderson County, 
was elected Representative in the General 
Assembly in 1888, '90, '93 and '96, and served on 
the Republican "steering committee" during the 
session of 1893. He also served as Sergeant-at- 
Arms of the Senate for the session of 1895, and 
was a delegate to the Republican National Con- 
vention of 1896. His home is at Decorra. 

ANDERSON, Stiii.soii H., Lieutenant-Gover- 
nor, was born in Smuner County, Tenn., in 1800; 
came to Jefferson County, 111., in his youth, and, 
at an early age, began to devote his attention to 
breeding fine stock; served in the Black Hawk 
War as a Lieutenant in 1832, and the same year 
was elected to the lower branch of tlie Eighth 
General Assembly, being re-elected in 1834. In 
1838 he was chosen Lieutenant-Governor on the 
ticket witli Gov. Thomas Carlin, and soon after 
the close of his term entered the United States 
Army as Captain of Dragoons, in this capacity 
taking part in the Seminole War in Florida. 
Still later he served imder President Polk as 
United States Marshal for Illinois, and also held 
the position of Warden of the State Penitentiary 
at Alton for several 3'ears. Died, September, 1857. — 
William B. (Anderson), son of the preceding, 
was born at Mount Vernon, 111., April 30, 1830; 
attended the common schools and later studied 
surveying, being elected Surve}-or of Jefferson 
County, in 1851. He studied law and was admit- 
ted to the bar in 1858, but never practiced, pre- 
ferring the more quiet life of a farmer. In 1856 
he was elected to the lower house of the General 
Assembly and re-elected in 1858. In 1861 he 
entered the volunteer service as a private, was 
promoted through the grades of Cajrtain and 
Lieutenant-Colonel to a Colonelcy, and, at the 
close of the war, was brevetted Brigadier-Gen- 
eral. In 1868 he was a candidate for Presidential 
Elector on the Democratic ticket, was a member 
of the State Constitutional Convention of 1869-70, 
and, in 1871, was elected to the State Senate, to 
fill a vacancy. In 1874 he was elected to the Forty- 



18 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



fourth Congress on the Democratic ticket. In 
1893 General Anderson was appointed b}- Presi- 
dent Cleveland Pension Agent for Illinois, con- 
tinuing in that position four j'ears, when he 
retired to private life. 

AXDRUS, Rev. Reuben, clergyman and edu- 
cator, was born at Rutland, Jefferson County, 
N. Y., Jan. 29, 1824; early came to Fulton 
County, 111., and spent three years (1844-47) as a 
student at Illinois College, Jacksonville, but 
graduated at McKendree College, Lebanon, in 
1849 ; taught for a time at Greenfield, entered the 
Methodist ministrj-, and, in 1850, founded the Illi- 
nois Wesleyan University at Bloomington, of 
which he became a Professor; later re-entered 
the ministry and held charges at Beardstown, 
Decatur, Quincy, Springfield and Bloomington, 
meanwhile for a time being President of Illinois 
Conference Female College at Jacksonville, and 
temporary President of Quincy College. In 1867 
he was transferred to the Indiana Conference and 
stationed at Evansville and Indianapolis; from 
1872 to '75 was President of Indiana Asbury Uni- 
versity at Greencastle. Died at Indianapolis. 
Jan. 17, 1887. 

ANNA, a citj' in Union County, on the Illinois 
Central Railroad, 36 miles from Cairo; is center 
of extensive fruit and vegetable-growing district, 
and largest shipping-point for these commodities 
on the Illinois Central Railroad. It has an ice 
plant, pottery and lime manufactories, two banks 
and two newspapers. The Southern '(111. ) Hos- 
pital for the Insane is located here. Population 
(1890), 2,295; (1900), 2,618; (est. 1904), 3,000. 

ANTHONY, EUiott, jurist, was born of New 
England Quaker ancestry at Spafford, Onondaga 
County, N. Y., June 10, 1827; was related on 
the maternal side to the Chases and Phelps (dis- 
tinguished lawyers) of Vermont. His early years 
were spent in labor on a farm, but after a course 
of preparatory study at Cortland Academy, in 
1847 he entered the sophomore class in Hamilton 
College at Clinton, graduating with honors in 
18.50. The next year he began the study of law, 
at the same time giving instruction in an Acad- 
emy at Clinton, where he had President Cleve- 
land as one of his pupils. After admission to the 
bar at Oswego, in 1851, he removed West, stop- 
ping for a time at Sterling, 111. , but the following 
year located in Chicago. Here he compiled "A 
Digest of Illinois Reports"; in 1858 was elected 
City Attorney, and, in 1863, became solicitor of 
the Galena & Cliicago Union Railroad (now the 
Chicago & Northwestern). Judge Anthony 
served in two State Constitutional Conventions — 



those of 1862 and 1869-70 — being chairman of the 
Committee on Executive Department and mem- 
ber of the Committee on Judiciary in the latter. 
He was delegate to the National Republican Con- 
vention of 1880, and was the same j-ear elected a 
Judge of the Superior Court of Chicago, and was 
re-elected in 1880, retiring in 1892, after which he 
resumed the practice of his profession, being 
chiefly emploj'ed as consulting counsel. Judge 
Anthony was one of the founders and incorpo- 
rators of the Chicago Law Institute and a member 
of the first Board of Directors of the Chicago 
Public Library; also served as President of the 
State Bar Association (1894-95), and delivered 
several important historical addresses before that 
body. His other most important productions 
are volumes on "The Constitutional History of 
Illinois," "The Story of the Empire State" an^ 
"Sanitation and Navigation." Near the close of 
his last term upon the bench, he spent several 
months in an extended tour through the princi- 
pal countries of Europe. His death occurred, 
after a protracted illness, at his home at Evans- 
ton, Feb. 24. 1898. 

ANTI-XEBR.ISKA EDITORIAL CONVEN- 
TION, a political bod)-, which convened at 
Decatur, Feb. 22, 1856, pursuant to the suggestion 
of "The Morgan Journal," then a weekly paper 
published at Jacksonville, for the purpose of for- 
mulating a policy in opposition to the principles 
of the Kansas-Nebraska bill. Twelve editors 
were in attendance, as follows: Charles H. Ray 
of "The Chicago Tribune"; Y. Y. Ralston of 
"The Quincy Whig"; O. P. Wharton of "The 
Rock Island Advertiser"; T. J. Pickett of "The 
Peoria Republican"; George Schneider of "The 
Chicago Staats Zeitung" ; Charles Faxon of "The 
Princeton Post"; A. N. Ford of "The Lacon Ga- 
zette"; B. F. Shaw of "The Dixon Telegraph" ; E. 
C. Daugherty of "The Rock ford Register" ; E. W. 
Blaisdell of "The Rockford Gazette"; W. J. 
Usrey of "The Decatur Chronicle"; and Paul 
Selby of "The Jacksonville Journal." Paul Selby 
was chosen Chairman and W. J. Usrey, Secre- 
tary. The convention adopted a platform and 
recommended the calling of a State convention 
at Bloomington on May 29, following, appointing 
the following State Central Committee to take the 
matter in charge: W. B. Ogden, Chicago; S. M. 
Church, Rockford; G. D. A. Parks, Joliet; T. J. 
Pickett, Peoria; E. A. Dudley, Quincy; William 
H. Herndon, Springfield; R. J. Oglesby, Deca- 
tur; Joseph Gillespie, Edwardsville; D. L. Phil- 
lips, Jonesboro; and Ira O. Wilkin.son and 
Gustavus Koerner for the State-at-large. Abra- 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



19 



ham Lincoln was present and participated in the 
consultations of the committees. All of these 
served except Messrs. Ogden, Oglesby and Koer- 
ner, the two former declining on account of ab- 
sence from the State. Ogden was succeeded by 
the late Dr. John Evans, afterwards Territorial 
Governor of Colorado, and Oglesby by Col. Isaac 
C. Pugh of Decatur. (See Bloomington Conven- 
tion of 1S56. ) 

APPLE RIVER, a village of Jo Daviess 
County, on the Illinois Central Railroad, 21 miles 
east-northeast from Galena. Population (1880), 
626: (1890), 572; (1900), 576. 

APPLINGTON, (Maj.) Zeiias, soldier, was born 
in Broome County, N. Y., Dec. 24, 1815; in 1837 
emigi-ated to Ogle County, 111., wliere he fol- 
lowed successively the occupations of farmer, 
blacksmith, carpenter and merchant, finally 
becoming the founder of the town of Polo. Here 
he became wealthy, but lost much of his property 
in the financial revulsion of 1857. In 1858 he 
was elected to the State Senate, and, during the 
session of 1859, was one of the members of that 
body appointed to investigate the "canal scrip 
fraud" (which see) , and two years later was one of 
the earnest supporters of the Government in its 
preparation for the "War of the Rebellion. The 
latter year he assisted in organizing the Seventh 
Illinois Cavalry, of which he was commissioned 
Major, being some time in command at Bird's 
Point, and later rendering important service to 
General Pope at New Madrid and Island No. 10. 
He was killed at Corinth, Miss., May 8, 1862, 
while obeying an order to charge upon a band of 
rebels concealed in a wood. 

APPORTIONMENT, a mode of distribution of 
the counties of the State into Districts for tlie 
election of members of the General Assembly 
and of Congress, which will be treated under 
separate heads: 

Legisl.vtive. — The first legislative apportion- 
ment was provided for by the Constitution of 
1818. That instrument vested the Legislature 
with power to divide the State as follows: To 
create districts for the election of Representatives 
not less than twenty-seven nor more tlian thirty- 
six in number, until the population of the State 
should amount to 100,000: and to create sena- 
torial districts, in nimiber not less than one-third 
nor more than one-half of the representative dis- 
tricts at the time of organization. 

The schedule appended to the first Constitution 
contained the first legal apportionment of Sena- 
tors and Representatives. Tlie first fifteen 
counties were allowed fourteen Senators and 



twenty-nine Representatives. Each county 
formed a distinct legislative di.strict for repre- 
sentation in the lower house, witli the nuinl)er of 
members for each varying from one to three; 
wliile Johnson and Franklin were combined in 
one Senatorial district, the other counties being 
entitled to one Senator each. Later apportion- 
ments were made in 1821, '26, '31, '36, '41 and '47. 
Before an election was held under the last, how- 
ever, the Con.stitution of 1848 went into efl'ect, 
and considei'able clianges were effected in this 
regard. The number of Senators was fixed at 
twenty-five and of Representatives at seventy- 
five, until the entire population should equal 
1,000,000, when five members of the House were 
added and five additional members for each 500, - 
000 increase in population until the wlrole num- 
ber of Representatives reached 100. Thereafter 
the number was neither increased nor dimin- 
ished, but apportioned among the several coun- 
ties according to the number of white inhabit- 
ants. Should it be found necessary, a single 
district might be formed out of two or more 
counties. 

The Constitution of 1848 established fifty-four 
Representative and twenty-five Senatorial dis- 
tricts. By the apportionment law of 1854, the 
nuniberof the former was increased to fifty-eight, 
and, in 1861, to sixty-one. The number of Sen- 
atorial districts remained unchanged, but their 
geographical limits varied under eacli act, while 
the number of memliers from Representative 
districts varied according to population. 

The Constitution of 1870 provided for an im- 
mediate reapportionment (subsequent to its 
adoption) by the Governor and Secretary of 
State upon the basis of the United States Census 
of 1870. Under the apportionment thus made, 
as prescribed by the schedule, the State was 
divided into twenty five Senatorial di.stricts (each 
electing two Senators) and ninety-seven Repre- 
sentative districts, with an aggregate of 177 mem- 
bers varying from one to ten for the several 
districts, according to population. This arrange- 
ment continued in force for only one Legislature 
— that chosen in 1870. 

In 1872 this Legislature proceeded to reappor- 
tion the State in accordance with the principle of 
"minority representation," whicli had been sub- 
mitted as an independent section of the Constitu- 
tion and adopted on a separate vote. This 
provided for apportioning the State into fifty-one 
districts, each being entitled to one Senator and 
three Representatives. The ratio of reijresenta- 
tion in the lower house was ascertained by divid- 



20 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ing the entire population by 153 and each county 
to be allowed one Representative, provided its 
population reached three-fifths of the ratio; coun- 
ties having a population equivalent to one and 
three-fifths times the ratio were entitled to two 
Representatives; while each county with a larger 
jiopulatiou was entitled to one additional Repre- 
sentative for each time tlie full ratio was repeated 
in the number of inhabitants. Apportionments 
were made on this principle in 1873, '83 and '93. 
members of the lower house are elected bienni- 
ally ; Senators for four years, those in odd and 
even districts being chosen at each alternate 
legislative election. The election of Senators for 
the even (numbered) districts takes place at the 
same time with that of Governor and other State 
oificers, ahd that for the odd districts at the inter- 
mediate periods. 

Congressional. — For the first fourteen years 
of the State's history, Illinois constituted but one 
Congi-essional district. The census of 1830 show- 
ing sufficient population, the Legislature of 1831 
(by act, ajtproved Feb. 13) dividetl the State into 
three districts, the first election under this law 
being held on the first Jlouday in August, 1833. 
At that time Illinois comprised fifty-five coun- 
ties, which were apportioned among tlie districts 
as follows: First — Gallatin, Pope, Johnson, 
Alexander, Union, Jackson, Franklin, Feny, 
Randolph, Monroe, Washington, St. Clair, Clin- 
ton, Bond, Madison, Macoupin; Second — White, 
Hamilton, Jefferson, Wayne, Edwards, Wabash, 
Clay, Marion, Lawrence, Fayette, Montgomery, 
Shelby, Vermilion, Edgar, Coles, Clark, Craw- 
ford; Third — Greene, Morgan, Sangamon, 
Macon, Tazewell, McLean, Cook, Henry, La 
Salle, Putnam, Peoria, Knox, Jo Davie.ss, Mercer, 
McDonough, Warren, Fulton, Hancock, Pike, 
Schuyler, Adams, Calhomi. 

The reapportionment following the census of 
18-10 was made by Act of March 1, 1843, and the 
fii'st election of Representatives thereunder 
occurred on the first Slojiday of the following 
August. Fortj'-one new counties had been cre- 
ated (making ninety -six in all) and the nimiber 
of districts was increased to seven as follows: 
First — Alexander, Union, Jackson, Monroe, 
Perry, Randolph, St. Clair, Bond, Washington, 
Madison; Second — ■ Johnson. Pope, Hardin, 
Willi.unson. Gallatin. Franklin. Wliite, Wayne. 
Hamilton, Wabash. Massac, Jefferson. Edwards, 
Clarion ; Third — Lawrence, Richland. Jasper, 
Fayette, Crawford, Effingham, Christian, Jlont- 
gomerj', Shelby, Moultrie, Coles, Clark, Clay, 
Edgar, Piatt, Macon, De Witt; Fourth— Lake, 



McHenry, Boone, Cook, Kane. De Kalb, Du Page, 
Kendall, Will, Grundy, La Salle, Iroquois, 
Livingston, Champaign, Vermilion, McLean, 
Bureau; Fifth — Greene, Jersey, Calhoun, Pike, 
Adams, Marquette (a i)art of Adams never fully 
organized). Brown, Schuyler, Fulton Peoria, 
Macoujjin; Sixth — Jo Daviess. Stephenson, 
Winnebago, Carroll, Ogle, Whiteside, Henrj', 
Lee, Rock Island, Stark, Mercer, Henderson, 
Warren, Knox, McDonough, Hancock; Seventh 
— Putnam, Marshall, Woodford, Cass, Tazewell, 
Slason, Menard, Scott, Morgan, Logan, Sangamon. 
The ne.xt Congressional apportionment (August 
23, 1S.'>3) divided the State into nine districts, as 
follows — the first election under it being held the 
following November: First — Lake, McHenry, 
Boone, Winnebago, Stephenson, Jo Daviess, Car- 
roll, Ogle ; Second — Cook, Du Page, Kane, De 
Kalb, Lee, Whiteside, Rock Island; Third — 
Will, Kendall, Giimdy, Livingston, La Salle, 
Putnam, Bui-eau, Vermilion, Iroquois, Cham- 
paign, SIcLean, De Witt ; Fourth — Fulton, 
Peoria, Knox, Henry, Stark, Warren, Mercer, 
Marshall, Mason, Woodford, Tazewell; Fifth 
— Adams, Calhoun, Brown, Schuyler, Pike, Mc- 
Donough, Hancock, Henderson ; Sixth — Morgan, 
Scott, Sangamon, Greene, Macoupin, Jlontgom- 
ery, Shelby, Christian, Cass, Menard, Jerse}'; 
Seventh — Logan, Macon, Piatt, Coles, Edgar, 
Moultrie, Cumberland, Crawford, Clark, Effing- 
ham. Jasjier, Clay, Lawrence, Richland, Fayette; 
Eighth — Randolph, Jlonroe, St. Clair, Bond, 
Madison, Clinton, Washington, Jeff'erson, Jlar- 
ion; Ninth — Alexander, Pulaski, Mas.sac, Union, 
Johnson, Pope, Hardin, Gallatin, Saline, Jack- 
son, Perry, Franklin, Williamson, Hamilton, 
Edwards. White, Wayne, Wabash. 

The census of 1860 showed that Illinois was 
entitled to fourteen Representatives, but through 
an error the apportionment law of April 34, 1861, 
created only thirteen districts. This was coni- 
pensateil for by pi-oviding for the election of one 
Congressman for the State-at- large. The districts 
were as follows: First — Cook, Lake; Second — 
McHenry, Boone, W^innebago, De Kalb, and 
Kane; Third — Jo Daviess, Stephenson, White- 
side, Carroll, Ogle, Lee; Fourth — Adams, Han- 
cock, Warren, Mercer, Henderson, Rock Island; 
Fifth— Peoria. Knox. Stark, Jlarshall, Putnam, 
Bureau, Henry; Sixth— La Salle, Grundy, Ken- 
dall, Du Page, Will. Kankakee; Seventh — 
Macon, Piatt, Chamiiaign. Douglas. Moultrie, 
Cumberland. Vermilion. Coles. Edgar. Iroquois, 
Ford; Eighth— Sangamon, Logan. De Witt. Mc- 
Lean, Tazewell, "Woodford, Livingston; Ninth — 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



21 



Fulton, Mason. Jlenard, Cass. Pike, McDonouKli. 
Schuyler, Browu; Tenth — Bond, Morgan, Cal- 
houn, Macoupin, Scott, Jersey, Greene, Christian, 
Montgomery, Slielby; Eleventh — Marion, Faj'- 
ette, Richland, Jasper, Clay, Clark, Crawford, 
Franklin, Lawrence, Hamilton, Effingham, 
Wayne, Jefferson; Twelfth — St. Clair. Madison. 
Clinton, Monroe. Washington, Raudolj)!! ; 
Thirteenth — Alexander, Pulaski, Union, Perry, 
Johnson, Williamson, Jackson, Massac, Pope, 
Ilardiii, Gallatin, Saline, White, Edwards, 
Wabash. 

The next reapportionment was made July 1, 
1872. The Act created nineteen districts, as fol- 
lows: First — The first seven wards in Chicago 
and thirteen towns in Cook County, with the 
county of Du Page: Second — Wards Eighth to 
Fifteenth (inclusive) in Chicago: Third — Wards 
Sixteenth to Twentieth in Chicago, the remainder 
of Cook County, and Lake County; Fourth — 
Kane, De Kalb, McHenry, Boone, and Winne- 
bago; Fifth — Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Carroll, 
Ogle, Whiteside; Sixth — Henry, Rock Island, 
Putnam, Bureau, Lee; Seventh — La Salle, Ken- 
dall, Grundy, Will; Eighth — Kankakee, Iroquois, 
Ford, Marshall, Livingston, Woodford: Ninth- 
Stark, Peoria, Knox, Fulton; Tenth — Mercer, 
Henderson, Warren, McDonough, Hancock, 
Schuyler; Eleventh — Adams, Brown, Calhoun, 
Greene, Pike, Jersej-; Twelfth — Scott, Morgan, 
Jlenard, Sangamon. Cass, Christian ; Thirteenth — 
Mason, Tazewell, McLean, Logan, De Witt ; Four- 
teenth — Macon. Piatt, Champaign, Douglas, Coles, 
Vermilion; Fifteenth — Edgar, Clark, Cumber- 
land, Shelby, Moultrie, Effingham, Lawrence, 
Jasper, Crav\ford ; Sixteenth — Montgomery, 
Faj'ette, Washington, Bond, Clinton, Marion, 
Cla.v: Seventeenth — Macoupin, Madison, St. 
Clair, Monroe ; Eighteenth — Randolph, Perry, 
Jackson, Union, Johnson. W^illiamson, Alex- 
ander, Pope, Massac, Pulaski ; Nineteenth — 
Richland. Wayne, Edwards, White, Wabash, 
Saline, Gallatin, Hardin, Jefferson, Franklin, 
Hamilton. 

In 1882 (by Act of April 29) the nmuber of dis- 
tricts was increased to twenty, and the bound- 
aries determined as follows ; First — Wards First 
to Fourth (inclusive) in Chicago and thirteen 
towns in Cook County ; Second — Wards iiih to 
7th and part of 8th in Chicago; Third — Wards 
9th to 14th and part of 8th in Chicago; Fourth 
— The remainder of the City of Chicago and of 
the county of Cook ; Fifth — Lake. McHenry, 
Boone, Kane, and DeKalb; Sixth — Winnebago, 
Stephenson, Jo Daviess, Ogle, and Carroll; 



Seventh — Lee, Whiteside, Henry, Bureau, Put- 
nam; Eighth — La Salle, Kendall. Grundj-, Du 
Page, and Will; Nintli — Kankakee, Iroquois, 
Ford, Livingston, Woodford, Marshall; Tenth — 
Peoria, Knox, Stark, Fulton ; Eleventh — Rock 
Island, Mercer. Henderson, Warren, Hancock, 
McDonough, Schuyler; Twelfth —Cass, Brown, 
Ailanis, Pike, Scott. Greene, Calhoun, Jersey ; 
Thirteenth — Tazewell, JIason, Menard, Sanga- 
mon, Morgan, Christian: Fourteenth — McLean, 
De Witt, Piatt. Macon, Logan; Fifteenth — 
Coles, Edgar, Douglas. Vermilion, Champaign; 
Sixteenth — Cumberland, Clark, Jasper, Clay, 
Crawford, Richland, Lawrence, Wayne, Edwards, 
Wabash; Seventeenth — Macoupin, Montgomery, 
Moultrie, Shelby. Effingham, Fayette; Eight- 
eenth — Bond, Madison, St. Clair, Monroe, Wash- 
ington; Nineteenth — Marion, Clinton Jefferson, 
Saline, Franklin, Hamilton, White, Gallatin. Har- 
din; Twentieth — Perry, Randolph, Jackson, 
Union, Williamson, Johnson, Alexander, Pope, 
Pulaski, Massac. 

The census of 1890 showed the State to be entit- 
led to twenty-two Representatives. No reap- 
portionment, however, was made until June, 
1893, two members from the State-at-large being 
elected in 1892. Tlie existing twenty-two Con- 
gressional districts are as follows: The first 
seven districts comprise the counties of Cook and 
Lake, the latter l.ving wholly in the Seventh dis- 
trict ; Eighth — McHenry, De Kalb, Kane, Du 
Page, Kendall, Grundj- ; Ninths Boone, Winne- 
bago, Stephenson, Jo Daviess, Carroll, Ogle, Lee: 
Tenth — Whiteside, Rock Island, Mercer, Henry, 
Stark, Knox ; Eleventh — Bureau, La Salle, 
Livingston, Woodford; Twelfth — Will, Kanka- 
kee, Iroquois, Vermilion ; Thirteenth — Ford, Mc- 
Lean, DeWitt, Piatt, Champaign, Douglas; Four- 
teenth — Putnam, Marshall, Peoria, Fulton, 
Tazewell, Mason; Fifteenth — Hender.son, War- 
ren, Hancock, McDonough, Adams, Brown, 
Schuyler ; Sixteenth — Cass, Morgan, Scott, 
Pike, Greene, Macoupin, Calhoun, Jersey; 
Seventeenth — Menard, Logan, Sangamon. JIacon, 
Christian; Eighteenth — Madi.son, Montgomery, 
Bond, Fayette, Shelby. Moultrie; Nineteenth — 
Coles, Edgar, Clark. Cumberland, Effingham. 
Jasper, Crawford-. Richland, Lawrence: Twenti- 
eth — Clay. Jefferson. Wayne, Hamilton, Ed- 
wards, Wabash, Franklin, White, Gallatin, 
Hardin; Twenty -first— Marion, Clinton, Wash- 
ington, St. Clair. Monroe, Randolph, Perry; 
Twenty second — Jackson, Union, Alexander, 
Pulaski, John.son, Williamson, Saline, Pope, 
Massac. (See a,lso Rcj^rescntativcs i)> Congress.) 



22 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ARCHER, William B., pioneer, was born in 
Warren County, Ohio, in 1792, and taken to Ken- 
tucky at an early day, where lie remained until 
1817, when his family removed to Illinois, finally 
settling in what is now Clark County. Although 
pursuing the avocation of a farmer, he became 
one of the most prominent and influential men in 
that part of the State. On the organization of 
Clark County in 1819, he was appointed the first 
County and Circuit Clerk, resigning the former 
oflSce in 1830 and the latter in 1822. • In 1824 he 
was elected to the lower branch of the General 
Assembly, and two years later to the State 
Senate, serving continuously in the latter eight 
years. He was thus a Senator on the breaking 
out of the Black Hawk War (1832), in which he 
served as a Captain of militia. In 1834 he was an 
unsuccessful candidate for Lieutenant-Governor; 
was appointed by Governor Duncan, in 1835, a 
member of the first Board of Commissioners of 
the Illinois & Michigan Canal; in 1838 was 
returned a second time to the House of Repre- 
sentatives and re-elected in 1840 and '46 to the 
same body. Two years later (1848) he was again 
elected Circuit Clerk, remaining until 1852, and 
in 1854 was an Anti-Nebraska Whig candidate 
for Congress in opposition to James C. Allen. 
Although Allen received the certificate of elec- 
tion. Archer contested his right to the seat, with 
the result that Congress declared the seat vacant 
and referred the question back to the people. In 
a new election held in August, 1856, Archer was 
defeated and Allen elected. He held no public 
office of importance after this date, but in 1856 
was a delegate to the first Republican National 
Convention at Philadelphia, and in that body was 
an enthusiastic supporter of Abraham Lincoln, 
whose zealous friend and admirer he was, for the 
office of Vice-President. He was also one of the 
active promoters of various railroad enterprises 
in that section of the State, especially the old 
Chicago & Vincennes Road, the first projected 
southward from the City of Chicago. His con- 
nection with the Illinois & Michigan Canal was 
the means of giving his name to Archer Avenue. 
a somewhat famous thoroughfare in Chicago 
He was of tall stature and great energy of char- 
acter, with a tendency to enthusiasm that com- 
municated itself to others. A local history has 
said of him that "he did more for Clark County 
than any man in his day or since,"' although "no 
consideration, pecuniary or otherwise, was ever 
given him for his services." Colonel Archer was 
one of the founders of JIarshall, the count}' -seat 
of Clark County, Governor Duncan being associ- 



ated with him in the ownership of the land on 
which the town was laid out. His death oc- 
curred in Clark County, August 9, 1870, at the 
age of 78 years. 

ARCOLA, incorporated city in Douglas County, 
158 miles south of Chicago, at junction of Illinois 
Central and Terre Haute branch Vandalia Rail- 
road ; is center of largest broom-corn producing 
region in the world; has city waterworks, with 
efficient volunteer fire department, electric lights, 
telephone system, grain elevators and broom- 
corn warehouses, two banks, three newspapers, 
nine churches, library building and excellent free 
school system. Pop. (1890), 1,733; (1900), 1,995. 
ARENZ, Francis A., pioneer, was born at 
Blaukenberg. in the Province of the Rhein, 
Prussia, Oct. 31, 1800; obtained a good education 
and, while a young man, engaged in mercantile 
business in his native country. In 1827 he came 
to the United States and, after spending two 
years in Kentucky, in 1839 went to Galena, where 
he was engaged for a short time in the lead 
trade. He took an early opportunity to become 
naturalized, and coming to Beardstown a few 
months later, went into merchandising and real 
estate; also became a contractor for furnishing 
supplies to the State troops during the Black Hawk 
War, Beardstown being at the time a rendezvous 
and shipping point. In 1834 he began the publi- 
cation of "Tlie Beardstown Chronicle and Illinois 
Bounty Land Register," and was the projector of 
the Beardstown & Sangamon Canal, extending 
from the Illinois River at Beardstown to Miller's 
Ferry on the Sangamon, for which he secured a 
special charter from the Legislature in 1836. He 
had a survey of the line made, but the hard times 
prevented the beginning of the work and it was 
finally abandoned. Retiring from the mercantile 
business in 1835, he located on a farm six miles 
southeast of Beardstown, but in 1839 removed to 
a tract of land near the Morgan Count}' line 
which he had bought in 18.33, and on which the 
present village of Arenzville now stands. This 
became the center of a thrifty agricultural com- 
munity composed largely of Germans, among 
whom he exercised a large influence. Resuming 
the mercantile business here, he continued it 
until about 1853, when he sold out a considerable 
part of his possessions. An ardent Whig, he was 
elected as such to the lower branch of the Four- 
teenth General Assembly (1844) from Morgan 
County, and during the following session suc- 
ceeded in securing the passage of an act by which 
a strip of territory three miles wide in the north- 
ern part of Morgan County, including the village 



niSTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



23 



of Arenzville, and which had been in dispute, 
v.-as transferred by vote of the citizens to Cass 
County. In 1!^53 Mr. Arenz visited his native 
land, by appointment of President Filhnore, as 
bearer of dispatches to the American legations at 
Berhn and Vienna. He was one of tlie founders 
of the Illinois State Agricultural Society of 1«53, 
and served as the Vice-President for his district 
until Ids death, and was also the founder and 
President of the Cass County Agricultural Soci- 
ety. Died, April 2, 18.16. 

ARLIXdrTON, a village of Bureau County, on 
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 93 
miles west of Chicago. Population (1880), 447; 
(1890), 436: (1900), 400. 

ARLIIVGTOX HEIGHTS (formerly Duntou), a 
village of Cook County, on the Chicago & North- 
western Railway, 22 miles northwest of Cliicago ; 
is in a dairj-ing district and has several cheese 
factories, besides a sewing machine factory, 
hotels and churches, a graded school, a bank and 
one newspaper. Population (1880), 99.5; (1890), 
1,424; (1900), 1.380. 

ARMOUR, Philip Danforth, packer, Board of 
Trade operator and capitalist, was born at Stock- 
bridge, Madison County, N. Y., May 16, 1833. 
After receiving the benefits of such education as 
the village academy afforded, in 1853 he set out 
across the Plains to California, where he re- 
mained four years, achieving only moderate suc- 
cess as a miner. Returning east in 1856, he soon 
after embarked in the commission business in 
Milwaukee, continuing until 1863, when he 
formed a partnership with Mr. John Plankinton 
in the meatpacking business. Later, in conjunc- 
tion with his brothers — H. O. Armour having 
already built up an extensive grain commission 
trade in Chicago — he organized the extensive 
packing and commission firm of Armour & 
Co., with branches in New York, Kansas City 
and Chicago, their headquarters being removed 
to the latter place from Milwaukee in 1875. 
Mr. Armour is a most industrious and me- 
thodical business man, giving as many liours 
to the superintendence of business details as the 
most industrious day-laborer, the result being 
seen in the creation of one of the most extensive 
and prosperous firms in the country. Mr. 
Armour's practical benevolence has been demon- 
strated in a munificent manner by his establisli- 
ment and endowment of the Armour Institute 
(a manual training school) in Chicago, at a cost 
-of over §2,2.50,000, as an ofr.shoot of the Armour 
Mission founded on the bequest of his deceased 
brother, Joseph F. Armour. Died Jan. 0, HtQl. 



ARMSTROXfi, John Strawii, pioneer, born in 
Somerset County, Pa., May 29, 1810, the oldest of 
a family of nine sons; was taken by his parents 
in 1811 to Licking County, Ohio, where he spent 
his childhood and early youth. His father was a 
native of Ireland and las mother a sister of Jacob 
Strawn. afterwards a wealtliy stock-grower and 
dealer in Morgan County. In 1829, John S. came 
to Tazewell County, 111., but two years later 
joined the rest of his family in Putnam (now 
Slarshall) County, all finally removing to La 
Salle County, where they were among the earli- 
est settlers. Here he settled on a farm in 1834, 
where he continued to reside over fifty years, 
when he located in the village of .Sheridan, but 
early in 1897 went to reside witli a daughter in 
Ottawa. He was a soldier in the Black Hawk 
War, has been a prominent and influential farm- 
er, and, in the later years of his life, has been 
a leader in "Granger" politics, being Master of his 
local "Grange," and also serving as Treasurer of 
the State Grange.— George Washingrton (Arm- 
strong), brother of the preceding, was liorn upon 
the farm of his parents, Joseph and Elsie (Strawn) 
Armstrong, in Licking County, Ohio, Dec. 9, 
1813; learned the trade of a weaver with his 
father (who was a woolen manufacturer), and at 
the age of 18 was in charge of the factory. 
Early in 1831 he came with his mother's family 
to Illinois, locating a few montlis later in La 
Salle Coimty. In 1833 he served with his older 
brother as a soldier in the Black Hawk War, was 
identified with the early steps for the construc- 
tion of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, finally be- 
coming a contractor upon the section at Utica, 
where he resided several years. He then returned 
to the farm near the present village of Seneca,, 
where he had located in 1833, and where (with 
the exception of his residence at Utica) he has 
resided continuously over sixty-five years. In 
1844 Mr. Armstrong was elected to the lower 
branch of the Fourteenth General Assembly, 
also served in the Constitutional Convention of 
1847 and, in 1858, was the unsuccessful Democratic 
candidate for Congress in opposition to Owen 
Lovejoy. Re-entering the Legislature in 1860 as 
Representative from La Salle County, he served 
in that body by successive re-elections until 1868, 
proving one of its ablest and most influential 
members, as well as an accomplished parliamen- 
tarian, Mr. Armstrong was one of tlie original 
promoters of the Kankakee & Seneca R-dlroad. — 
William E. (Arm.strong), third brother of tliis 
family, was born in Licking County. Ohio, Oct. 
25, 1814; came to Illinois with the rest of the 



2-1 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



famih- in 1S31, and resided in La Salle County 
until 1841, meanwhile serving two or three terms 
as Sheritf of the county. The latter year lie was 
appointed one of the Commissioners to locate the 
county-seat of the newly-organized county of 
Gnmdy, finally becoming one of the founders and 
the first permanent settler of the town of Grundy 
— later called Morris, in honor of Hon. I. N. Mor- 
ris, of Quiucj', 111, at that time one of the Com- 
missioners of the Illinois & Michigan Canal. 
Here Mr. Armstrong was again elected to the 
office of Sheriff, serving several terms. So ex- 
tensive was his influence in Gnmdy County, that 
he was popularly known as "The Emperor of 
Grundy." Died, Nov. 1, 1850.— Joel W. (Arm- 
strong), a fourth brother, was born in Licking 
Count.v, Ohio, Jan. 6, 1817; emigrated in boyhood 
to La Salle County, 111. ; served one term as 
County Recorder, was member of the Board of 
Supervisors for a number of j'ears and the first 
Postmaster of his town. Died, Dec. 3, 1871. — 
Perry A. (Armstrong), the seventh brother of 
this historic family, was born near Newark. Lick- 
ing County, Ohio, April 1.5, 1823, and came to La 
Salle County, III., in 1831. His opportunities for 
acquiring an education in a new country- were 
limited, but between work on the farm and serv- 
ice as a clerk of his brother George, aided by a 
short term in an academy and as a teacher in 
Kendall Coimty, he managed to prepare himself 
for college, entering Illinois College at Jackson- 
ville in 1843. Owing to failure of health, he was 
compelled to abandon his plan of obtaining a col- 
legiate education and returned home at the end 
of his Freshman year, but continued his studies, 
meanwhile teaching district schools in the winter 
and working on his motlier's farm during the 
crop season, until 1845, when he located in Mor- 
ris, Grund}- County, opened a general store and 
was appointed Postmaster. He has been in pub- 
lic position of some sort ever since he reached his 
majority, including the offices of School Trustee, 
Postmaster, Justice of the Peace, Supervisor, 
County Clerk (two terms). Delegate to the Con- 
stitutional Convention of 1863, and two terms as 
Representative in the General Assembly (1863-64 
and 1873-74). During his last .session in the Gen- 
eral Assembly he took a conspicuous part in the 
revision of the statutes under the Constitution of 
1870, framing some of tlie most important laws 
on the statute book, while participating in the 
preparation of others. At an earlier date it fell 
to his lot to draw up the original charters of the 
Chicago & Rock Island, tlie Illinois Central, and 
the Chicago, Burlington & Quiney Railroads. He 



has also been prominent in Odd Fellow and 
Masonic circles, having been Grand Master of the 
first named order in the State and being the old- 
est 33d degree Mason in Illinois ; was admitted to 
the State bar in 1864 and to that of the Supreme 
Court of the United States in 1868, and has been 
Master in Chancery for over twenty consecutive 
years. Mr. Armstrong has also found time to do 
some literary work, as shown by his history of 
"The Sauks and Black Hawk War," and a nmn- 
ber of poems. He takes much pleasure in relat- 
ing reminiscences of pioneer life in Illinois, one 
of which is the story of his first trip from 
Ottawa to Chicago, in December, 1831, when he 
accompanied his oldest brother (William E. 
Armstrong) to Chicago with a sled and ox- 
team for salt to cure their mast-fed pork, the 
trip requiring ten days. His recollection is, that 
there were but three white families in Chicago 
at that time, but a large number of Indians 
mixed with half-breeds of French and Indian 
origin. 

ARNOLD, Isaac \., lawyer and Congressman, 
was born near Cooperstown, N. Y., Nov. 30, 1813, 
being descended from one of the companions of 
Roger Williams. Thrown upon his own resources 
at an early age, he was largely "self-made." 
He read law at Cooperstown, and was admitted 
to the bar in 1835. The next year he removed to 
Chicago, was elected the first City Clerk in 1837, 
but resigned before the close of the year and was 
admitted to the bar of Illinois in 1841. He soon 
established a reputation as a lawyer, and served 
for three terms (the Thirteenth, Fourteenth and 
Twentieth) in the lower house of tlie Legisla- 
ture. In 1844 he was a Presidential Elector on 
the Polk ticket, but the repeal of the Missouri 
Compromise, with the legislation regarding Kan- 
sas and Nebraska, logically forced him, as a free- 
soiler, into the ranks of the Republican party, by 
which he was sent to Congress from 1861 to 186.5. 
While in Congress he prepared and delivered an 
exliaustive argument in support of the right of 
confiscation bj- the General Government. After 
the expiration of his last Congressional term. Mr. 
Arnold returned to Chicago, where he resided 
until his death, April 34. 1884. He was of schol- 
arly instincts, fond of literature and an author of 
repute. Among his best known works are his 
"Life of Abraham Lincoln" and his "Life of 
Benedict Arnold." 

ARRIXGTOX, Alfred W., clergjman, lawyer 
and author, was born in Iredell County, N. C, 
September, 1810, being the son of a Whig mem- 
ber of Congress from that State. In 1839 he was 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



25 



received on trial as a Methodist preacher and 
became a circuit-rider in Indiana; dm-ing 1832-33 
served as an itinerant in Jlissouri, gaining much 
celebrity by his eloquence. In 1S34 he began the 
study of law, and having been admitted to the 
bar, practiced for several years in Arkansas, 
where he was sent to the Legislature, and, in 1S44, 
was the Whig candidate for Presidential Elec- 
tor. Later he removed to Texas, where he served 
as Judge for six years. In 1856 he removed to 
Madison, Wis., but a year later came to Chicago, 
where he attained distinction as a lawyer, dying 
in that city Dec. 31, 1867. He was an accom- 
plished scholar and gifted writer, having written 
much for "The Democratic Review" and "The 
Southern Literary Messenger," over the signature 
of "Charles Summerfield," and was author of an 
"Apostrophe to Water," which he put in the 
mouth of an itinerant Methodist preacher, and 
which John B. Gough was accustomed to quote 
with great effect. A volume of his poems with a 
memoir was puljlished in Chicago in 1869. 

ARROWSMITH, a village of McLean County, 
on the Lake Erie & Western Railway, 20 miles 
east of Bloomington; is in an agricultural and 
stock region; has one newspaper. Population 
(1890), 430; (1900), 317. 

ARTHUR; village in Moultrie and Douglas 
Counties, at junction of Chicago & Eastern Illi- 
nois and Terre Haute & Peoria Division Vandalia 
Line; is center of broom-corn belt; has two 
banks, a weekly newspaper. Population (1900), 
858; (est. 1904), 1,000. 

ASAY, Edward (J., lawyer, was born in Phila- 
delphia, Sept. 17, 1825; was educated in private 
schools and entered the ministry of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church ; later spent some time in the 
South, but in 1853 retired from the ministry and 
began the study of law, meantime devoting a part 
of his time to mercantile business in New York 
City. He was admitted to the bar in 1856, remov- 
ing the same year to Chicago, where he built up 
a lucrative practice. He was a brilliant speaker 
and became eminent, especially as a criminal 
lawyer. Politically he was a zealous Democrat 
and was the chief attorney of Buckner S. Morris 
and others during their trial for conspiracy in 
connection with the Camp Douglas affair of No- 
vember, 18G4. During 1871-72 he made an ex- 
tended trip to Europe, occupying some eighteen 
months, making a second vi.sit in 1882. His later 
years were spent chiefly on a farm in Ogle 
County. Died in Chicago, Nov. 34, 1898. 

ASBUEY, Henry, lawyer, was born in Harri- 
son (now Robertson) County, Ky., August 10, 



1810 ; came to Illinois in 1834, making the jour- 
ne}' on horseback and finally locating in Quincy, 
where he soon after began the study of law with 
the Hon. O. H. Browning; was admitted to the 
bar in 1837, being for a time the partner of Col. 
Edward D. Baker, afterwards United States 
Senator from Oregon and iinalh' killed at BalPs 
Bluir in 1863. In 1849 Mr. Asbury was appointed 
by President Taylor Register of the Quincy Land 
Office, and, in 1864-65, served by appointment of 
President Lincoln (who was his close personal 
friend) as Provost-Marshal of the Quincy dis- 
trict, thereby obtaining the title of "Captain," 
by which he was widely known among his 
friends. Later he served for several 3-ears as 
Registrar in Bankruptcy at Quincy, which was 
his last official position. Originally a Kentucky 
Wliig, Cajrtain Asbury was one of the founders 
of the Republican party in Illinois, acting in co- 
operation with Abram Jonas, Arcliibald Williams, 
Nehemiah Bushnell, O. H. Browning and others 
of his immediate neighbors, and with Abraham 
Lincoln, with whom he was a frequent corre- 
spondent at that period. Slessrs. Nicolay and 
Hay, in their Life of Lincoln, award him the 
credit of having suggested one of the famous 
questions propounded by Lincoln to Douglas 
which gave the latter so much trouble during 
the memorable debates of 1858. In 1886 Captain 
Asbury removed to Chicago, where he continued 
to reiside until liis death, Nov. 19, 1896. 

ASHLAND, a town in Cass County, at the 
intersection of the Chicago & Alton and the 
Baltimore & Ohio South-Western Railroad, 31 
miles west-northwest of Springfield and 300 
miles southwest of Chicago. It is in the midst of 
a rich agricultural region, and is an important 
shipping point for grain and stock. It has a 
bank, three churches and a weekly newspaper. 
Coal is mined in the vicinity. Population (1880). 
609; (1800), 1,045; (1900), 1,301. 

ASHLEY, a cit.y of Washington County, at 
intersection of Illinois Central and Louisville & 
Nashville Railways. 62 miles east by southeast of 
St. Louis; is in an agricultural and fruit growing 
region; has some manufactures, electric light 
plant and excellent granitoid sidewalks. Popu- 
lation (1890), 1,035; (1900), 953. 

ASHMORE, a village of Coles County, on the 
Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Rail- 
way. 9 miles east of Charleston ; has a newspaper 
anil considerable local trade. Population (1890), 
446, (1900), 487; (1903), 530. 

ASHTON, a village of Lee County, on the Chi- 
cago & North-Westeru Railroad, 84 miles west of 



26 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Chicago; has oue newspaper. Population (1880), 
646; (1800). 680; (1900), 776. 

ASPINWALL, Homer F., farmer and legisla- 
tor, was born in Stephenson County, 111., Nov. 15, 
1846, educated in the Freeport high school, and, 
in early life, spent two years in a wholesale 
notion store, later resinning the occupation of a 
farmer. After liolding various local offices, in- 
cluding that of member of tlie Board of Supervis- 
ors of Stephenson Coimty, in 1893 >Ir. Aspinwall 
was elected to the State Senate and re-elected in 
1896. Soon after the beginning of the Spanish- 
American AVar in 1898, he was appointed by 
President McKinley Captain and Assistant 
Quartermaster in the Volunteer Army, but 
before being assigned to duty accepted the Lieu- 
tenant-Colonelcy of the Twelfth Illinois Pro- 
visional Regiment. AVlien it becameevident that 
the regiment would not be called into tlie service, 
he was assigned to the command of the "^Mani- 
toba," a large transport steamer, which carried 
some 12,000 soldiers to Cuba and Porto Rico with- 
out a single accident. In view of the approach- 
ing session of the Forty-flrst General Assembly, 
it being apparent that tlie war was over, Mr. 
Aspinwall applied for a discharge, which was 
refused, a 20-days" leave of absence being granted 
instead. A discliarge was finally granted about 
the middle of February, when he resumed his 
seat in the Senate, llr. Aspinwall owns and 
operates a large farm near Freeport. 

ASSCMPTIO>',a town in Christian County, on 
the Illinois Central Railroail, 23 miles south by 
west from Decatur and 9 miles north of Pana. 
It is situated in a ricli agricultural and coal min- 
ing district, and has two banks, five churches, a 
public school, two weekly papers and coal mines. 
Population (1880), 706; (1890), 1,076; (1900), 1,702. 
ASTORIA, town in Fulton County, on Rock 
Island & St. Louis Division C, B. & Q. R. R. ; 
has city waterworks, electric light plant, tele- 
phone exchange, three large grain elevators, 
pressed brick works; six cliurclies, two banks, 
two weekly papers, city hall and park, and good 
schools; is in a coal region; business portion is 
built of brick. Pop. (1890), 1,3.57; (1900), 1,684. 

ATCHISON, TOPEKA & SANTA FE RAIL- 
WAY COMPANY. This Company operates three 
subsidiary lines in Illinois — the Chicago, Santa 
Fe & California, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa 
Fe in Chicago, and the Mississippi River Rail- 
road & Toll Bridge, which are operated as a 
through line between Chicago and Kansas City, 
with a branch from Ancona to Pekin. 111., hav- 
ing an aggregate operated mileage of 515 miles, of 



which 205 are in Illinois. The total earnings and 
income for the year ending June 30, 189.5, were 
$1,298,600, while the operating expenses and fixed 
charges amounted to .$2,360,706. The acciunu- 
lated deficit on the whole line amounted, June 30, 
1894, to more than S4,.500,000. Tlie total capitali- 
zation of the whole line in 1895 was §.52.775,251. 
Tlie parent road was chartered in 1859 under the 
name of the Atchison & Topeka Railroad ; but in 
1863 was changed to the Atcliison, Topeka & 
Santa Fe Railroad. The construction of the main 
line was begun in 1859 and completed in 1873. 
The largest number of miles operated was in 
1893, being 7,481.65. January 1, 1896, the road 
was reorganized under the name of The Atchison, 
Topeka & Santa Fe Railwaj- Companj- (its present 
name), which succeeded by purchase under fore- 
closure (Dec. 10, 1895) to the property and fran- 
chises of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe 
Railroad Company. Its mileage, in 1895. was 
6,481.65 miles. The executive and general officers 
of the system (1898) are: 

Aldace F. Walker, Chairman of the Board, 
NewY'ork; E. P. Riplej-, President, Chicago; C. 
M. Higginson, Ass't to the President, Chicago; 
E. D. Kenna, 1st Vice-President and General 
Solicitor, Chicago; Paul Morton, 2d Vice-Presi- 
dent, Chicago; E. Wilder. Secretary and Treas- 
urer, Topeka ; L. C. Deming, Assistant Secretary, 
New Y'ork; H. W. Gardner, Assistant Treasurer, 
New York; Victor Morawetz, General Counsel, 
New Y'ork; Jno. P. Whitehead, Comptroller, 
New Y'ork; H. C. Whitehead, General Auditor, 
Chicago ; W. B. Biddle, Freight Traffic Manager, 
Chicago; J. J. Frey, General Manager, Topeka; 
H. W. Mudge, General Superintendent, Topeka; 
W. A. Bissell, .iVssistant Freight Traffic Manager, 
Chicago; W. F. White, Passenger Traffic 
Manager, Chicago; Geo. T. Nicholson, Assistant 
Passenger Traffic Manager, Chicago; W. E. 
Hodges, General Purchasing Agent, Chicago; 
James A. Davis, Industrial Commissioner, Chi- 
cago ; James Dun, Chief Engineer, Topeka. Kan. ; 
John Player, Superintendent of Machinery, 
Topeka, Kan. ; C. W. Kouns, Superintendent Car 
Service, Topeka, Kan. ; J. S. Hobson, Signal 
Engineer. Topeka; C. G. Sholes, Superintendent 
of Telegraph, Topeka, Kan. ; C. W. Ryus, General 
Claim Agent, Topeka ; F. C. Gay, General Freight 
Agent, Topeka; C. R. Hudson, Assistant General 
Freight Agent, Topeka; W. J. Black, General 
Passenger Agent, Chicago; P. Walsh, General 
Baggage Agent, Clucago. 

ATHENS, an incorporated city and coal-mining 
town in Menard County, on the Chicago, Peoria 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



27 



& St. Louis R. R., north by northwest of Spriug- 
fielil. It is also the center of a prosperous agri- 
cultural and stock-raising districit. and large 
numbers of cattle are shipped tliere for the Chi- 
cago market. The place has an electric lighting 
plant, brickyard.s, two machine shops, two grain 
elevators, five churches, one newspaper, and good 
schools. Athens is one of the oldest towns in 
Central Illinois. Pop. (1890), 944; (1900), 1,535. 

ATKIXS, Smith D., soldier and joui-nalist, was 
born near Elmira, X. Y., June 9, 1S36; came with 
his father to Illinois in 1846, and lived on a farm 
till 1850 ; was educated at Rock River Seminary, 
Mount Morrfs, meanwhile learning the printer's 
trade, and afterwards established "The Savanna 
Register" in Carroll County. In 1854 he began 
the study of law, and in 1860, while practicing at 
Freeport, was elected Prosecuting Attorney, but 
resigned in 1801, being the first man to enlist as a 
private soldier in Stephenson County. He served 
as a Captain of the Eleventh Illinois Volunteers 
(three-montlis' men), re-enlisted with the same 
rank for three j'ears and took part in the capture 
of Fort Donelson and the battle of Shiloh, serv- 
ing at the latter on the staff of General Hurlbut. 
Forced to retire temporarily on account of his 
health, he next engaged in raising volunteers in 
Northern Illinois, was finally commissioned Col- 
onel of the Ninety-second Illinois, and, in June, 
1808, was assigned to command of a brigade in 
the Arm\- of Kentucky, later serving in the Army 
of the Cumberland. On the organization of Sher- 
man's great "March to the Sea," he efficiently 
cooperated in it, was brevetted Brigadier-General 
for gallantry at Savannah, and at the close of the 
war, b}' special order of President Lincoln, was 
brevetted Major -General. Since the war. Gen- 
eral Atkins' chief occupation has been that of 
editor of "The Freeport Journal," though, for 
nearly twenty-four years, he served as Post- 
master of that city. He took a prominent part 
in the erection of the Stephenson County Sol- 
diers' Monument at Freeport, has been President 
of the Freeport Public Library since its organiza- 
tion, member of tlje Board of Education, and since 
1895, by appointment of the Governor of Illinois, 
one of the Illinois Commissioners of the Chicka- 
mauga and Chattanooga Military Park. 

ATKINSON, village of Henry County, on the 
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway, 39 miles 
east of Rock Island; has an electric light plant, a 
bankandanew.spaper. Pop.(1890),534; (1900). 762. 

ATLANTA, a city of Logan County, on the 
Chicago & Alton Railroad, 20 miles southwest of 
Bloomington. It stands on a high, fertile prairie 



and the surrounding region is rich in coal, as 
well as a productive agriculluial and stock-rais- 
ing district. It has a water-works .system, elec- 
tric light plant, five churches, a graded school, a 
weekly paper, two banks, a flouring mill, and is 
the headquarters of the Union Agricultural So- 
ciety established in 1860. Population (1900). 1,270. 

ATLAS, a hamlet in the southwestern part of 
Pike County, 10 miles southwest of Pittslield and 
three miles from Rockport, the nearest station on 
the Quincy & Louisiana Division of the Chicago, 
Burlington & Quincy Railroad. Atlas has an in- 
teresting history. It was settled by Col. William 
Ross and four brothers, who came here from 
Pittsfield, Mass., in the latter part of 1819, or 
early in 1820, making there the first settlement 
within the present limits of Pike County. The 
town was laid out by the Rosses in 1823, and the 
next 3'ear the county-seat was removed thither 
from Coles Grove — now in Calhoun County — but 
■which had been the first county-seat of Pike 
Count}-, when it comprised all the territory lying 
north and west of the Illinois River to the Mis- 
sissippi River and the Wisconsin State line. 
Atlas remained the county-seat until 1833, when 
the seat of justice was removed to Pittsfield. 
During a part of that time it was one of the 
most important points in the western part of the 
State, and was, for a time, a rival of Quincy. 
It now has only a postoffice and general store. 
The population, according to the census of 1890, 
was 52. 

ATTORNEYS-GENERAL. The following is a 
li.st of the Attorneys-General of Illinois under the 
Territorial and State Governments, down to the 
present time (1899), with the date and duration of 
the term of each incumbent : 

Territori.\l — Benjamin H. Doyle, July to De- 
cember, 1809; John J. Crittenden, Dec. 30 to 
April, 1810; Thomas T. Crittenden, April to 
October, 1810; Benj. M. Piatt, October, 1810-13; 
William Mears, 1813-18. 

State— Daniel Pope Cook, March 5 to Dec. 14, 
1819; William Mears, 1819-21; Samuel D. Lock- 
wood, 1821-23; James Turney, 1823-29; George 
Forquer, 1829 .33; James .Semple, 1833-34; Ninian 
W. Edwards, 1834-35; Jesse B. Thomas, Jr., 
1835-.36: Walter B. Scales, 1836-37; Usher F. 
Linder. 1837.38; George W. Olney, 1838-39; Wick- 
liffe Kitchell, 1839-40; Josiah Laniborn, 1840-43; 
J,ames Allen McDougal, 1843-46; David B. Camp- 
bell, 1846-48. 

The Constitution of 1848 made no provision for 
the continuance of the office, and for nineteen 
j-ears it remained vacant. It was re-created, 



28 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



however, by legislative enactment in 1867, and 
on Feb. 28 of that year Governor Oglesby 
appointed Robert G. Ingersoll, of Peoria, to dis- 
charge the duties of the position, which he con- 
tinued to do until 1869, Subsequent incumbents 
of the office have been: Washington Bushnell, 
1809-73; James K. Edsall. 1873-81 ; James McCart- 
ney, 1881-85; George Hunt, 1885-93; M. T. Moloney, 
1893-97; Edward C. Akin, 1897 — . Under the 
first Constitution (1818) the office of Attorney- 
General was filled by appointment by the Legisla- 
ture; under the Constitution of 184S, as already 
stated, it ceased to exist until created by act of 
the Legislature of 1867, but, in 1870, it was made 
a constitutional office to be filled by popular 
election for a terra of four years. 

ATWOOD, a village lying partly in Piatt and 
partly in Douglas County, on the Cincinnati, 
Hamilton & Dayton R. R., 27 miles east of Deca- 
tur. The region is agricultural and fruit-grow- 
ing ; the town lias two banks, an excellent school 
and a newspaper. Pop, (1890), 530; (1900), 698. 

ATWOOD, Charles B., architect, was born at 
Millbury, Mass., May 18, 1849; at 17 began a full 
course in architecture at Harvard Scientific 
School, and, after graduation, received prizes for 
public buildings at San Francisco, Hartford and 
a number of other cities, besides furnishing 
designs for some of the finest private residences 
in the country. He was associated with D. H. 
Burnham in preparing plans for the Columbian 
Exposition buildings, at Chicago, for the World's 
Fair of 1893, and distinguished himself by pro- 
ducing plans for the "Art Building," the "Peri- 
style," the "Terminal Station" and other 
prominent structures. Died, in the midst of his 
highest successes as an architect, at Chicago, 
Dec. 19, 1895. 

ATJBURJf, a village of Sangamon County, on 
the Chicago & Alton Railroad, 15 miles south of 
Springfield ; has some manufactories of fiour and 
farm implements, besides tile and brick works, 
two coal mines, electric light plant, two banks, 
several churclies, a graded school and a weekly 
newspaper. Pop. (1890), 874; (1900), 1,381. 

AUDITORS OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS. The 
Auditors of Public Accounts under the Terri- 
torial Government were H. H. Maxwell, 181216; 
Daniel P, Cook, 181617; Robert Blackwell, (April 
to August), 1817; Elijah C. Berry, 1817-18. Under 
tlie Constitution of 1818 the Auditor of Public 
Accounts was made appointive by the legislature, 
without limitation of term; but by the Constitu- 
tions of 1848 and 1870 the office was made 
elective by the people for a term of four years. 



The following is a Ust of the State Auditors 
from the date of the admission of the State into 
the Union down to the i)resent time (1899), with 
the date and duration of the term of each: 
Elijah C. Berry, 1818-31; James T. B. Stapp, 
1831-35; Levi Davis, 1835-41; James Shields, 
1841-43; William Lee D. Ewing, 1843-46; Thomas 
H. Campbell, 1846-57; Jesse K. Dubois, 1857-64; 
Orlin n. Miner, 1864-69; Charles E. Lippincott, 
1809-77; Thomas B. Needles, 1877-81; Charles P. 
Swigert, 1881-89; C. W. Pavey, 1889-93; David 
Gore, 1893-97; James S. McCuUough, 1897 — . 

AUGUSTA, a village in Augusta township, 
Hancock County, on the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy Railroad, 36 miles northeast of Quincy. 
Wagons and brick are the principal manufac- 
tures. The town has one newspaper, two banks, 
three churches and a graded school. Tlie sur 
rounding country is a fertile agricultural region 
and abounds in a good quality of bituminous 
coal. Fine qualities of potter's clay and mineral 
paint are obtained here. Population (1890), 
1,077; (1900), 1.149. 

AUIJUSTANA COLLEGE, an educational insti- 
tution controlled by the Evangelical Lutheran 
denomination, located at Rock Island and founded 
in 1863. Besides preparatory and collegiate de- 
partments, a theological school is connected with 
the institution. To the two first named, yoimg 
women are admitted on an equality with 
men. More than 500 students were reported in 
attendance in 1896, about one-fourth being 
women. A majorit)' of the latter were in the 
preparatory (or academic) department. The col- 
lege is not endowed, but owns property (real 
and personal) to the value of §250,000. It has a 
library of 12,000 volumes. 

AURORA, a city and important railroad cen- 
ter, Kane County, on Fox River, 39 miles south- 
west of Chicago ; is location of principal shops of 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy R. R,, has fine 
water-power and many successful manufactories, 
including extensive boiler works, iron foundries, 
cotton and woolen mills, flour mills, silver-plat- 
ing works, corset, sasli and door and carriage 
factories, stove and smelting works, establisli- 
ments for turning out road-scrapers, buggy tops, 
and wood-working machinery. Tlie city owns 
water-works and electric light plant; has six 
banks, four daily and several weekly papers, 
some twenty-five churches, excellent schools and 
handsome public library building; is connected 
by interurban electric lines with the principal 
towns and villages in the Fox River valley. 
Population (1890), 19,688; (1900), 24,147. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



29 



AUSTIJf, a suburb of Chicago, in Cook County. 
It is accessible from that city by either the Chi- 
cago & Northwestern Railway, or by street 
railwas' lines. A weekly newspaper is issued, a 
graded school is supported (intduiliug a high 
school department) and there are numerous 
churches, representing the various religious 
denominations. Population (ISSO), LSHO; (1890), 
4,031. Annexed to City of Chicago, 1899. 

AUSTIN COLLEGE, a mixed school at Effing- 
ham, 111., founded in 1890. It has eleven teachers 
and reports a total of 313 pupils for 1897-98 — 163 
males and 1.50 females. It has a library of 3.000 
volumes and reports property valued at S37,000. 

AUSTRALIAN BALLOT, a form of ballot for 
pojjular elections, thus named because it was 
first brought into use in Australia. It was 
adopted by act of the Legislature of Illinois in 
1891, and is applicable to the election of all public 
officers except Trustees of Schools, School Direct- 
ors, members of Boards of Education and officers 
of road districts in counties not under township 
organization. Under it, all ballots for the elec- 
tion of officers (except those just enumerated) 
are required to be printed and distributed to the 
election officers for use on the day of election, at 
public cost. These ballots contain the names, 
on the same sheet, of all candidates to be voted 
for at such election, such names having been 
formally certified previously to the Secretary of 
State (in the case of candidates for offices to be 
voted for by electors of the entire State or any 
district greater than a single county) or to the 
County Clerk (as to all others), bj' the presiding 
officer and secretary of the convention or caucus 
making such nominations, when the party repre- 
sented cast at least two per cent of the aggregate 
vote of the State or district at the preceding gen- 
eral election. Other names may be added to the 
ballot on the petition of a specified number of the 
legal voters under certain prescribed conditions 
named in the act. The dul}- registered voter, on 
presenting himself at the poll, is given a copy of 
the official ticket by one of the judges of election, 
upon which he proceeds to indicate his prefer- 
ence in a temporary booth or closet set apart for 
his use, by making a cross at the head of the col- 
umn of candidates for whom he wishes to vote, if 
he desires to vote for all of the candi<lates of the 
same party, or by a similar mark before the name 
of each individual for whom he wishes to vote, in 
case he desires to distribute his support among 
the candidates of different parties. The object of 
the law is to secure for the voter secrecy of the 
ballot, with independence and freedom from dic- 



tation or interference by others in the exercise of 
his right of suffrage. 

AVA,atown in Jackson County (incorporated 
as a city, 1901), on the Mobile & Ohio Railroad 
(Cairo & St. Louis Division), 75 miles south- 
southeast from St. Louis. It has two banks and 
two newspapers. Pop. (1890), 807; (1900), 984. 

AVON, village of Fulton County, on C, B & Q. 
R. R. , 20 miles south of Galesburg; has drain- 
pipe works, two factories for manufacture of 
steam- and hot-water heaters, two banks and two 
newspapers, agricultural fair held here annu- 
ally. Population (1900). 809; (1904, est.), 1,000. 

AYER, Benjamin F., lawyer, was born in 
Kingston, N. H., April 33, 1835, graduated at 
Dartmouth College in 1846, studied law at Dane 
Law School (Harvard University), was admitted 
to the bar and began practice at Manchester, 
N. H. After serving one term in the New Hamp- 
shire Legislature, and as Prosecuting Attorney 
for Hillsborough County, in 1857 became to Chica- 
go, soon advancing to the front rank of lawyers 
then in practice there ; became Corporation Counsel 
in 1861, and, two years later, drafted the revised 
city charter. After the close of his official career, 
he was a member for eight years of the law firm of 
Beckwith, Ayer & Kales, and afterwards of the 
firm of Ayer & Kales, until, retiring from general 
practice, Mr. Aj-er became Solicitor of the Illinois 
Central Railroad, then a Director of the Company, 
and is at present its General Counsel and a potent 
factor in its management. 

AYERS, Marshall Paul, banker, Jacksonville, 
was born in Philadelphia, Pa.. July 27, 1833; 
came to Jacksonville, 111., with his parents, in 
1830, and was educated there, graduating from 
Illinois College, in 1843, as the classmate of Dr. 
Newton Bateman, afterwards President of Knox 
College at Galesburg, and Rev. Thomas K. 
Beecher, now of Elmira, N.Y. After leaving col- 
lege he became the partner of his father (David 
B. Ayers)as agent of Mr. John Grigg, of Philadel- 
phia, who was the owner of a large body of Illi- 
nois lands. His father dying in 18.50, Mr. Ayei'S 
succeeded to the management of the business, 
about 75,000 acres of Mr. Grigg's unsold lands 
coming under his charge. In December, 1853, 
witli the assistance of Messrs. Page & Bacon, bank- 
ers, of St. Louis, he opened the first bank in Jack- 
sonville, for the sale of exchange, but which 
finally grew into a bank of deposit and has lieen 
continued ever since, being recognized .as one of 
the most solid institutions in Central Illinois. In 
1870-71, aided by Philadelphia and New York 
capitalists, he built the "Illinois Farmers' Rail- 



30 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



road" between Jacksonville and Waverly, after- 
wards extended to Virden and finally to Centralia 
and Mount Vernon. This was the nucleus of the 
Jacksonville Southeastern Railway, though Mr. 
Ayers has had no connection with it for several 
years. Other business enterprises with which he 
has been connected are the Jacksonville Gas Com- 
pany (now including an electric light and power 
.plant), of which he has been President for forty 
years; the "Home Woolen Mills" (early wiped 
out by fire), sugar and jjaper-barrel manufacture, 
coalmining, etc. About 1S77 he purchased a 
body of 23,600 acres of land in Champaign County, 
known as "Broadlands," from John T. Alexander, 
an extensive cattle-dealer, who had become 
heavily involved during the years of financial 
re\Tilsion. As a result of this transaction, Mr. 
Alexander's debts, which aggregated 81,000,000, 
were discharged within the next two years. Mr. 
Ayers has been an earnest Republican since the 
organization of that party and, during the war, 
rendered valuable service in assisting to raise 
fimds for the support of the operations of the 
Christian Commission in the field. He has also 
been active in Sunday School, benevolent and 
educational work, having been, for twenty years, 
a Trustee of Illinois College, of which he has 
been an ardent friend. In 1846 he was married 
to Miss Lavira Allen, daughter of Rev. John 
Allen, D. D., of Himtsville, Ala., and is the father 
of four sons and four daughters, all living. 

BABCOCK, Amos C, was born at Penn Yan, 
N. Y., Jan. 20, 1828, the son of a member of Con- 
gress from that State; at the age of 18, having 
lost his father by death, came West, and soon 
after engaged in mercantile business in partner- 
ship with a brother at Canton, 111. In ISo-i he 
was elected by a majority of one vote, as an Anti- 
Nebraska Whig, to the lower branch of the Nine- 
teenth General Assembly, and, in the following 
session, took part in the election of United States 
Senator which resulted in the choice of Lyman 
Trumbull. Although a personal and political 
frienil of Mr. Lincoln, Mr. Babcock, as a matter 
of policy, cast his vote for his townsman, William 
Kellogg, afterwards Congressman from that dis- 
trict, until it was apparent that a concentration 
of the Anti-Nebraska vote on Trumbull was 
necessary to defeat the election of a Democrat. 
In 1862 he was appointed by President Lincoln 
the first Assessor of Internal Revenue for the 
Fourth District, and, in 1863, was commissioned 
by Governor Yates Colonel of the One Hundred 
and Third Illinois Volunteers, but soon resigned. 
Colonel Babcock served as Delegate-at-large in 



the Republican National Convention of 1868, 
which nominated General Grant for the Presi- 
dency, and the same year was made Chairman of 
the Republican State Central Committee, also 
conducting the campaign two years later. He 
identified himself with the Greeley movement in 
1872, but, in 1876, was again in line with his 
party and restored to his old position on the State 
Central Committee, serving until 1878. Among 
business enterprises witli which he was con- 
nected was the extension, aljout 18.54, of the Buda 
branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
Railroad from Yates City to Canton, and the 
erection of the State Capitol at Austin, Tex., 
which was undertaken, in conjunction with 
Abner Taylor and J. V. and C. B. Farwell, about 
1881 and completed in 1888, for which the firm 
received over 3,000,000 acres of State lands in the 
"Pan Handle" portion of Texas. In 1,889 Colonel 
Babcock took up his residence in Chicago, which 
continued to be his home until his death from 
apoplexy, Feb. 25, 1899. 

B.iBCOCK, Andrew J., soldier, %vas born at 
Dorchester, Norfolk County, Mass., July 19, 1830; 
began life as a coppersmith at Lowell; in 18,51 
went to Concord, N. H., and, in 1856, removed to 
Springfield, 111., where, in 1859, he joined a mili- 
tarj' company called the Springfield Greys, com- 
manded by Capt. (afterwards Gen. ) John Cook, of 
which he was First Lieutenant. This company 
became the nucleus of Company I, Seventh Illi- 
nois Volunteers, which enlisted on Mr. Lincoln's 
first call for troops in April, 1861. Captain Cook 
having been elected Colonel, Babcock succeeded 
liim as Captain, on the re-enlistment of the regi- 
ment in Julj- following becoming Lieutenant- 
Colonel, and, in JIarch, 1862. being promoted to 
the Colonelcy "for gallant and meritorious service 
rendered at Fort Donelson. " A year later he was 
compelled to resign on account of impaired 
health. His home is at Springfield. 

BACO>', George E., lawyer and legislator, born 
at Madison, Ind., Feb. 4, 1851; was brought to 
Illinois by his parents at three years of age, and, 
in 1876, located at Paris, Edgar County; in 1879 
was admitted to the bar and held various minor 
offices, including one term as State's Attorney. 
In 1886 he was elected as a Republican to the 
State Senate and re-elected four years later, but 
finally removed to Aurora, where he died, July 
6, 1896. Mr. Bacon was a man of recognized 
ability, as shown by the fact that, after the death 
of Senator John A. Logan, he was selected by liis 
colleagues of the Senate to pronounce the eulogy 
on the deceased statesman. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



31 



BAGBT, John C, jurist and Congressman, was 
born at Glasgow, Ky. , Jan. 24, 1819. After pas- 
sing through the common schools of Barren 
County, Ky., he studied civil engineering at 
Bacon College, graduating in 1840. Later he 
read law and was admitted to tlie bar in 184."). 
In 1840 he commenced practice at Rusliville. 111., 
confining himself exclusively to professional work 
until nominated and elected to Congress in 1874, 
by the Democrats of the (old) Tenth District. In 
1885 he was elected to the Circuit Bench for the 
Sixth Circuit. Died, April 4, 1896. 

BAILEY, Joseph Mead, legislator and jurist, 
was born at Middlebury. Wyoming County, N. Y., 
June 22, 1833, graduated from Rochester (N. Y.) 
University in lS.j4. and was admitted to the 
bar in that city in IH.i.j. In August, 18.')6, he 
removed to Freeport, 111., where he soon built up 
a profitable practice. In 1806 he was elected a 
Representative in the Twenty-fifth General 
Assembly, being reelected in 1868. Here he was 
especiall}' prominent in securing restrictive legis- 
lation concerning railroads. In 1876 he was 
chosen a Presidential Elector for his district on 
the Republican ticket. In 1877 he was elected a 
Judge of the Thirteenth judicial district, and 
reelected in 1879 and in 1885. In January, 
1878, and again in June, 1879, he was assigned to 
the bench of the Appellate Court, being presiding 
Justice from June, 1879, to June, 1880, and from 
June, 1881, to June, 1882. In 1879 he received 
the degree of LL.D. from the Universities of 
Rochester and Chicago. In 1888 he was elected 
to the bench of the Supreme Court. Died in 
oflSce. Oct. 10, 1895. 

BAILHACHE, John, pioneer journalist, was 
born in the Island of Jersey, May 8, 1787; after 
gaining the rudiments of an education in his 
mother tongue (the French), he acquired a knowl- 
edge of English and some proficiency in Greek 
and Latin in an academy near his paternal home, 
when he spent five years as a printer's apprentice. 
In 1810 he came to the United States, first locat- 
ing at Camljridge, Ohio, but, in 1812, purchased a 
half interest in "The Fredonian" at Chillicothe 
(then the State Capital), soon after becoming sole 
owner. In 1815 he purchased "The Scioto Ga- 
zette" and consolidated the two papers under the 
name of "The Scioto Gazette and Fredonian 
Chronicle." Here he remained until 1828, mean- 
time engaging temporarily in the banking busi- 
ness, also serving one term in the Legislature 
(1820), and being elected As.sociate Justice of the 
Court of Common Pleas for Ross County. In 
1838 he removed to Columbus, assuming charge 



of "The Ohio State Journal," served one term as 
Mayor of the city, and for three consecutive 
years was State Printer. Selling out "The Jour- 
nal"' in 1836, he came west, the next year becom- 
ing part owner, and finally sole proprietor, of "The 
Telegraph" at Alton, 111., which he conducted 
alone or in association with various partners until 
1854, when he retired, giving his attention to the 
book and job branch of the business. He served as 
Representative from Madison County in the Thir- 
teenth General Assembly (1842-44). As a man 
and a journalist Judge Bailhache commanded the 
highest respect, and did much to elevate the 
standard of journalism in Illinois, "The Tele- 
graph," during the period of his connection with 
it, being one of the leading papers of the State. 
His death occurred at Alton, Sept. 3, 1857, as the 
result of injuries received the day previous, by 
being thrown from a carriage in which he was 
riding. — Maj. William Henry (Bailhache), son of 
the preceding, was born at Chillicothe, Ohio, 
Augiist 14, 1826, removed with his father to Alton, 
111., in 1836, was educated at Shurtleff College, 
and learned the printing trade in the oflSce of 
"The Telegraph," under the direction of his 
father, afterwards being associated with the 
business department. In 1855, in partnership 
with Edward L. Baker, he became one of the 
proprietors and business manager of "The State 
Joui-nal" at Springfield. During the Civil War 
he received from President Lincoln the appoint- 
ment of Captain and Assistant Quartermaster, 
serving to its close and receiving the brevet rank 
of Major. After the war he returned to journal- 
ism and was associated at different times with 
"The State Journal" and "The Quiucy Whig," 
as business manager of each, but retired in 1873 ; 
in 1881 was appointed by President Arthur, 
Receiver of Public Moneys at Santa Fe., N. M., 
remaining four years. He is now (1899) a resi- 
dent of San Diego, Cal. , where he has been 
engaged in newspaper work, and, under the 
administration of President McKiuley, has been 
a Special Agent of the Treasury Department. — 
Preston Heath (Bailhache), another son, was 
born in Columbus, Ohio, Feb. 21, 1835, served as 
a Surgeon during the Civil War, later became a 
Surgeon in the regular army and has held posi- 
tions in marine hospitals at Baltimore, Washing- 
ton and New York, and has visited Europe in the 
interest of sanitary and hospital seiwice. At 
present (1899) he occuijies a prominent position 
at the headquarters of the United States Marine 
Hospital Service in Washington. — Arthur Lee 
(Bailhache), a third son, born at Alton, 111., April 



32 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



12, 1839; at the beginning of the Civil War was 
employed in the State commissary service at 
Camp Yates and Cairo, became Adjutant of the 
Thirty-eighth Illinois Volunteers, and died at 
Pilot Knob, Mo., Jan. 9. 1862, as the result of 
disease and exposure in the service. 

BAKER, David Jewett, lawyer and United 
States Senator, was born at East Haddam, Conn. , 
Sept. 7, 1792. His family removed to New York 
in 1800, where he worked on a farm during boy- 
hood, but graduated from Hamilton College in 
1816, and three years later was admitted to the 
bar. In 1819 he came to Illinois and began prac- 
tice at Kaskaskia, where he attained prominence 
in his profession and was made Probate Judge of 
Randolph County. His opposition to the intro- 
duction of slavery into the State was so aggres- 
sive that his life was frequently threatened. In 
1830 Governor Edwards appointed him United 
States Senator, to fill the unexpired term of 
Senator McLean, but he served only one month 
when he was succeeded by John M. Robinson, 
who was elected by the Legislatvire. He was 
United States District Attorney from 1833 
to 1841 (the State then constituting but 
one district), and thereafter resumed private 
practice. Died at Alton, August 6, 1869. 
— Henry Southard (Baker), son of the pre- 
ceding, was born at Kaskaskia, 111., Nov. 10, 
1824, received his preparatory education at Shurt- 
leff College, Upper Alton, and, in 1843, entered 
Brown University, R. I., graduating therefrom 
in 1847; was admitted to the bar in 1849, begin- 
ning practice at Alton, the home of his father, 
Hon. David J. Baker. In 18.")4 he was elected as an 
Auti -Nebraska candidate to the lower branch of 
the Nineteenth General Assembly, and, at the 
subsequent session of the General Assembly, was 
one of the five Anti-Nebraska members whose 
uncompromising fidelity to Hon. Lyman Trum- 
bull resulted in the election of the latter to the 
United States Senate for the first time — the otliers 
being his colleague, Dr. George T. Allen of the 
House, and Hon. John M, Palmer, afterwards 
United States Senator, Burton C. Cook and Nor- 
man B. Judd in the Senate. He served as one of the 
Secretaries of the Republican State Convention 
held at Bloomington in May, 18.56, was a Repub- 
lican Presidential Elector in 1864, and, in 1865, 
became Judge of the Alton City Court, serving 
until 1881. In 1876 he presided over the Repub- 
lican State Convention, served as delegate to the 
Republican National Convention of the same 
year and was an unsuccessful candidate for 
Congress in opposition to William R. Morrison. 



Judge Baker was the orator selected to deliver 
the address on occasion of the unveiling of the 
statue of Lieut. -Gov. Pierre Menard, on the 
capitol grounds at Springfield, in January, 1888. 
About 1888 he retired from practice, dying at 
Alton, March 5, 1897. — Edward L. (Baker), 
second son of David Jewett Baker, was born at 
Kaskaskia, 111., June 3, 1829; graduated at Shurt- 
leff College in 1847 ; read law with his father two 
years, after which he entered Harvard Law 
School and was admitted to the bar at Spring- 
field in 185.5. Previous to this date Mr. Baker had 
become associated with William H. Bailhache, in 
the management of "The Alton Daily Telegraph," 
and, in July, 1855, they purchased "The Illinois 
State Journal," at Springfield, of wliicli Mr. 
Baker assumed the editorsliip, remaining until 
1874. In 1869 he was appointed United States 
Assessor for the Eighth District, serving until 
the abolition of the office. In 1873 he received 
the appointment from President Grant of Consul 
to Buenos Ayres, South America, and, assuming 
the duties of the office in 1874, remained there 
for twenty-three years, proving himself one of 
the most capable and efficient officers in the con- 
sular service. On the evening of the 20th of 
June, 1897, when Mr. Baker was about to enter a 
railway train already in motion at the station in 
the city of Buenos Ayres, he fell under the cars, 
receiving injuries which necessitated the ampu- 
tation of his right arm, finally resulting in his 
death in the hospital at Buenos Ayres, July 8, 
following. His remains were brought home at 
the Government expense and interred in Oak 
Ridge Cemetery, at Springfield, where a monu- 
ment ha^ since been erected in his honor, bearing 
a tablet contributed by citizens of Buenos Ayres 
and foreign representatives in that city express- 
ive of their respect for his memory. —David 
Jewett (Baker), Jr., a third son of David Jewett 
Baker, Sr., was born at Kaskaskia, Nov. 20,1834; 
graduated from Shurtleff College in 18.54, and was 
admitted to the bar in 1856. In November of 
that year he removed to Cairo and began prac- 
tice. He was Mayor of that city in 1864-65, and, 
in 1869, was elected to the bencli of the Nineteenth 
Judicial Circuit. The Legislature of 1873 (by Act 
of March 28) having divided the State into 
twenty -six circuits, he was elected Judge of the 
Twenty -sixth, on June 2, 1873. In August, 1878, 
he resigned to accept an appointment on the 
Supreme Bench as successor to Judge Breese, 
deceased, but at the close of his term on the 
Supreme Bench (1879), was re-elected Circuit 
Judge, and again in 1885. During this period he 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



33 



served for several years ou the Appellate Bencli. 
In 1888 he retired from the Circuit Bencli by 
resignation and was elected a Justice of the 
Supreme Court for a term of nine years. Again, 
in 1897, he was a candidate for re-election, but 
was defeated by Carroll C. Boggs. Soon after 
retiring from the Supreme Bench he removed to 
Chicago and engaged in general practice, in 
partnership with his son, John W. Baker. He 
fell dead almost instantly in his office. JIarch 13, 
1899. In all, Judge Baker had spent some thirty 
j'ears almost continuously on the bench, and liad 
attained eminent distinction both as a lawyer and 
a jurist. 

BAKER, Edward Diekiuson, soldier and 
United States Senator, was born in London, 
Eng., Feb. 34, 1811; emigrated to Illinois while 
yet in his minority, first locating at Belleville, 
afterwards removing to CarroUton and finally to 
Sangamon County, the last of which he repre- 
sented in the lower house of the Tenth General 
Assembl.v, and as State Senator in the Twelfth 
and Tliirteenth. He was elected to Congress as 
a Whig from the Springfield District, but resigned 
in December, 1840, to accept the colonelcy of the 
Fourth Regiment, Illinois Volunteers, in the 
Mexican War, and succeeded General Shields in 
command of the brigade, when the latter was 
wounded at Cerro Gordo. In 1848 he was elected 
to Congress from the Galena District; was also 
identified with the construction of the Panama 
Railroad; went to San Francisco in 18.52, but 
later removed to Oregon, where he was elected 
to the United States Senate in 1860. In 1861 he 
resigned the Senatorship to enter the Union 
army, commanding a brigade at the battle of 
Ball's Bluflf, where he was killed, October 21, 1861. 

BAKER, Jehn, lawyer and Congressman, was 
born in Fayette County, Ky., Nov. 4, 1822. At 
an early age he removed to Illinois, making his 
home in Belleville, St. CLair County. He re- 
ceived his early education in the common schools 
and at McKendree College. Although lie did 
not graduate from the latter institution, he 
received therefrom the honorary degree of A. M. 
in 18.58, and that of LL. D. in 1882. For a time 
he studied medicine, but abandoned it for the 
study of law. From 1861 to 18G.5 he was JIaster 
in Chancery for St. Clair County. From 180.5 to 
1869 he represented tlie Belleville District as a 
Republican in Congress. From 18T6 to 1881 ami 
from 1882 to 188.5 he was Minister Resident in 
Venezuela, during the latter portion of his term 
of service acting also as Consul-General. Return- 
ing home, he was again elected to Congre.ss (1880) 



from the Eighteenth District, but was defeated 
for re-election, in 1888, by William S. Fornian, 
Democrat. Again, in 1896, having identified 
himself with the Free Silver Democracy and 
People's Party, he was elected to Congress from 
the Twentieth District over Everett J. Murphy, 
the Republican nominee, serving until March 3, 
1899. He is the author of an annotated edition 
of Montesquieu's "Grandeur and Decadence of 
the Romans." 

BALDWIX, Elmer, agriculturist and legisla- 
tor, was born in Litchfield County, Conn., March 
8, 1806; at 16 3-ears of age began teaching a coun- 
try school, continuing this occupation for several 
years during the winter months, while working 
on his father's farm in the summer. He then 
started a store at New Milford, wliich he man- 
aged for three years, when he sold out on account 
of liis liealth and began farming. In 1833 he 
came west and purchased a considerable tract of 
Government land in La Salle County, where the 
village of Farm Ridge is now situated, removing 
thither with liis family the following j'ear. He 
served as Justice of the Peace for fourteen con- 
secutive terms, as Postmaster twenty years and 
as a member of the Board of Supervisors of La 
Salle County six years. In 1856 he was elected 
as a Republican to the House of Representatives, 
was re-elected to the same office in 1806, and to 
the State Senate in 1872, serving two years. He 
was also appointeil, in 1869. a member of the first 
Board of Public Charities, serving as President of 
tlie Board. Mr. Baldwin is author of a "His- 
tory of La Salle County," which contains much 
local and biograpliical history. Died, Nov. 18, 
189.5. 

BALDWIN, Theron, clergyman and educa- 
tor, was born in Gosben, Conn., Julj- 21, 1801; 
graduated at Yale College in 1827; after two 
years' study in the theological school there, was 
ordained a home missionary in 1829, becoming 
one of the celebrated "Yale College Band," or 
"Western College Society," of wliich lie was Cor- 
responding Secretary during most of his life. He 
was settled as a Congregationalist minister at 
Vauilalia for two years, and was active in pro- 
curing the cliarter of Illinois College at Jackson- 
ville, of which he was a Trustee from its 
organization to his death. He served for a 
number of years, from 1831, as Agent of the 
Home Missionary Society for Illinois, and, in 
1838, became the first Principal of Monticello 
Female Seminary, near Alton, which lie con- 
ducted five years. Died at Orange, N. J., April 
10, 1870. 



34 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



BALLARD, Addison, merchant, was born of 
Quaker parentage in Warren County, Oliio, No- 
vember. 1822. He located at La Porte, Ind., 
about 1841, wliere he learned and pursued the 
carpenter's trade; in 1849 went to California, 
remaining two years, when he returned to La 
Porte ; in 18.'j3 removed to Chicago and embarked 
in the lumber trade, which he prosecuted until 
1887, retiring with a competency. Mr. Ballard 
served several years as one of the Commissioners 
of Cook County, and, from 1876 to 1882, as Alder- 
man of the City of Chicago, and again in the 
latter office, 1894-90. 

BALTES, Peter Joseph, Roman Catholic Bishop 
of Alton, was born at Ensheim, Rhenish Ba- 
varia, April 7, 1827 ; was educated at the colleges 
of the Holy Cross, at Worcester, Mass. , and of St. 
Ignatius, at Chicago, and at Lavalle University, 
Montreal, and was ordained a priest in 1853, and 
consecrated Bishop in 1870. His diocesan admin- 
istration was successful, but regarded by his 
priests as somewliat arbitrarj-. He wrote numer- 
ous pastoral letters and brochures for the guidance 
of clergy and laity. His most important literary 
work was entitled "Pastoral Instruction," first 
edition, N. Y., 187.') ; second edition (revised and 
enlarged"), 1880. Died at Alton, Feb. l-"), 1886. 

BALTIMORE & OHIO SOUTHWESTERN 
RAILWAY. This road (constituting a part of the 
Baltimore & Ohio system) is made up of two 
principal divisions, the fir.st extending across the 
State from East St. Louis to Belpre, Ohio, and the 
second (known as the Springfield Division) extend- 
ing from Beardstown to Sliawueetown. The total 
mileage of the former (or main line) is 537 
miles, of vi-hicli 147 j-z are in Illinois, and of the 
latter (wholl}' within Illinois) 228 miles. The 
main line (originally known as the Ohio & Mis- 
sissippi Railway) was chartered in Indiana in 
1848. in Ohio in 1849, and in Illinois in 1851. It 
was constructed by two companies, the section 
from Cincinnati to the Indiana and Illinois State 
line being known as the Eastern Division, and 
that in Illinois as the Western Division, the 
gauge, as originally built, being six feet, but 
reduced in 1871 to standard. The banking firm 
of Page & Bacon, of St. Louis and San Francisco, 
were the principal financial backers of the enter- 
prise. The line was comjjleted and opened for 
traffic. May 1, 1857. The following year the road 
became financially emlmrrassed; the Eastern Di- 
vision was placed in the hands of a receiver in 
1860 while the Western Division was sold under 
foreclosure, in 1862, and reorganized as the Oluo 
& Mississippi Railway under act of the Illinois 



Legislature passed in February, 1861. The East- 
ern Division was sold in January, 1867; and. in 
November of the same year, the two divisions 
were consolidated under the title of the Ohio & 
Mississippi Railway. — The Springfield Division 
was the result of the consolidation, in December, 
1869, of the Pana, Springfield & Northwestern 
and the Illinois & Southeastern Railroad — each 
having been chartered in 1867 — the new corpo- 
ration taking the nanie of the Springfield & Illi- 
nois Southeastern Railroad, under which name 
the road was built and opened in March, 1871. In 
1873, it was placed in the hands of receivers ; in 
1874 was sold under foreclosure, and. on March 
1, 1875, passed into the hands of the Ohio & Mis- 
sissippi Railway Company. In November, 1876, 
the road was again placed in the hands of a 
receiver, but was restored to the Company in 1884. 
— In November, 1893, tlie Ohio & Mississippi was 
consolidated with the Baltimore & Ohio South- 
western Railroad, which was the successor of the 
Cincinnati, Washington & Baltimore Railroad, 
the reorganized Company taking the name of the 
Baltimore & Olno Southwestern Railway Com- 
pany. The total capitalization of the road, as 
organized in 1898, was §84,770,531. Several 
branches of the main line in Indiana and Ohio go 
to increase the aggregate mileage, but being 
wholly outside of Illinois are not taken into ac- 
count in this statement. 

BALTIMORE & OHIO & CHIC.\GO R.VIL- 
ROAD, part of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad 
System, of which only 8.21 out of 265 miles are in 
Illinois. The principal object of the company's 
incorporation was to secure entrance for the 
Baltimore & Ohio into Chicago. The capital 
stock outstanding exceeds SI, .500.000. The total 
capital (including stock, funded and floating debt) 
is .?20,329,lfi6 or 876,728 per mile. The gross 
earnings for the j-ear ending June 30, 1898, were 
§3,381,010 and the operating expenses §2,493,452. 
The income and earnings for the portion of the 
line in Illinois for the same period were §209,208 
and the expenses §208,096. 

BAXGS, Mark, lawyer, was born in Franklin 
County, JIass., Jan. 9, 1822; spent his boy- 
hood on a farm in Western New York, and, after 
a year in an institution at Rochester, came to 
Chicago in 1844, later spending two years in farm 
work and teaching in Central lUinoi.s. Return- 
ing east in 1847, he engaged in teaching for 
two years at Springfield, Mass., then spent 
a year in a dry goods store at Lacon, 111., 
nieanwliile prosecuting his legal studies. In 
1851 he began practice, was elected a Judge 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



35 



cf the Circuit Coui-t in iSoO ; served one session 
as State Senator (1870-72); in 1873 was ap- 
pointed Circuit Judge to fill the unexpired 
term of Judge Richmond, deceased, and, in 1875, 
was appointed by President Grant United States 
District Attorney for the Nortliern District, 
remaining in office four ye<ars. Judge Bangs was 
also a member of the first Anti-Nebraska State 
Convention of Illinois, held at Springfield in 18.54; 
in 1802 presided over the Congressional Conven- 
tion which nominated Owen Lovejoy for Congress 
for the first time , was one of the cliarter members 
of the "Union League of America," serving as its 
President, and, in 1868, was a delegate to the 
National Convention which nominated General 
Grant foi President for the first time. After 
retiring from the ofiice of District Attorney in 
1879, he removed to Chicago, where he is still 
(1898) engaged in the jiractice of his profession. 

BAN'KSOX, Andrew, pioneer and early legis- 
lator, a native of Tennessee, settled on Silver 
Creek, in St. Clair County, 111., four miles south 
of Lebanon, about 1808 or 1810, and subsequently 
removed to Washington County. He was a Col- 
onel of "Rangers" during the War of 1812, and a 
Captain in the Black Hawk War of 1832. In 
1822 he was elected to the State Senate from 
"Washington County, serving four years, and at 
the session of 1822-33 was one of tliose who voted 
against the Convention resolution which had for 
its object to make Illinois a slave State. He sub- 
sequently removed to Iowa Territory, but died, in 
l.S,j3, while visiting a son-in-law in Wisconsin. 

BAPTISTS. The first Baptist minister to set- 
tle in Illinois was Elder James Smith, who 
located at New Design, in 17S7. He was fol- 
lowed, about 1790-97, by Revs. David Badgley and 
Joseph Chance, who organized the first Baptist 
church within the limits of the State. Five 
churches, having four ministers and 111 mem- 
bers, formed an association in 1807. Several 
causes, among them a difference of views on the 
slavery question, resulted in the division of the 
denomination into factions. Of these perhaps 
the most numerous was the Regular (or Mission- 
ary) Baptists, at the head of which was Rev. John 
M. Peck, a resident of the State from 1822 until 
his death (1858). By 1835 the sect Iiad grown, 
until it had some 250 churches, with about 7,500 
members. These were under the ecclesiastical 
care of twenty-two Associations. Rev. I.saac 
McCoy, a Baptist Indian missionary, preached at 
Fort Dearborn on Oct. 9, 1825, and, eiglit years 
later. Rev. Allen B. Freeman organize<l the fir.st 
Baptist society in what was then an infant set- 



tlement. By 1890 tlie number of Associations 
had grown to forty, with 1010 churches 891 
ministers and 88,884 members. A Baptist Theo- 
logical Seminary was for some time supported at 
Morgan Park, but, in 1895, was absorbed by the 
University of Chicago, becoming the divinity 
school of that institution. The cliief organ of the 
denomination in Illinois is "The Standard." pub- 
lished at Cliicago. 

B.VRBER, Hiram, was born in Warren County, 
N. Y., March 24, 1835. At 11 years of age he 
accompanied his family to Wisconsin, of which 
State he w^as a resident until 1866. After gradu- 
ating at the State University of Wisconsin, at 
Madison, he studied law at the Albany Law 
School, and was admitted to practice. After 
serving one term as District Attorney of his 
county in Wisconsin (1861-62), and Assistant 
Attorney-General of the State for 1865-66, in 
the latter j'ear he came to Cliicago and, in 1878, 
was elected to Congress by the Republicans of 
the old Second Illinois District. His home is in 
Chicago, where he holds tlie position of JIaster in 
Chancery of the Superior Court of Cook County. 

BABDOLPH, a village of McDonough County, 
on the Chica,go, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 7 
miles northeast of Macomb; has a local paper. 
Population (1880), 409; (1890), 447; (1900), 387. 

BAR^SBACK, Oeorge Frodcrifk Julius, pio- 
neer, was born in Germany, July 25, 17S1; came 
to Philadelphia in 1797, and soon after to Ken- 
tucky, where he became an overseer; two or 
three years later visited his native country, suf- 
fering shipwreck en route in the EnglLsh Channel ; 
returned to Kentucky in 1802, remaining until 
1809, when he removed to what is now Madison 
(then a part of St. Clair) County, 111. ; served in 
the War of 1812, farmed and raised stock until 
1824, when, after a second visit to Germany, he 
bought a plantation in St. Francois County, Mo. 
Subsequently becoming disgusted with slavery, 
he manumitted his slaves and returned to Illinois, 
locating on a farm near Edwardsville, where he 
resided until his death in 1869. Mr. Barnsback 
served as Representative in the Fourteenth Gen- 
eral Assembly (1844-40) and, after '-oturning from 
Springfield, distribute<i his .salary among the poor 
of Madison County. — Julius A. (Barnsback), his 
son, was born in St. Francois County, Mo., May 
14, 1826; in 1846 became a merchant at Troy, 
Madison County ; was elected Sheriff in 1860 ; in 
1864 entered the service as Captain of a Company 
in the One Hundred and Fortieth Illinois Volun- 
teers ( 100-day s' men); also served as a member or 
the Twenty-fourth General Assembly (1865). 



36 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



BARNUM, William H., lawyer and ex-Judge, 
was born in Ononilaga County, N. Y., Feb. 13, 
1840. When he was but two years old his family 
removed to St. Clair County, 111. , where he passed 
his boyhood and youtli. His preliminary educa- 
tion was obtained at Belleville. 111., Ypsilanti, 
Mich., and at the Michigan State University at 
Ann Arbor. After leaving the institution last 
named at the end of the sophomore year, he 
taught school at Belleville, still pursuing his clas- 
sical studies. In 1803 he was admitted to the bar 
at Belleville, and soon afterward opened an office 
at Chester, where, for a time, he held the office 
of Master in Cliancery. He removed to Chicago 
in 1867, and, in 1879, was elevated to the bench 
of the Cook County Circuit Court. At the expi- 
ration of his term he resumed private practice. 

BARKEKE, (iranTllle, was born in Highland 
County, Ohio. After attending the common 
schools, he acquired a higlier education at Au- 
gusta, Ky., and Marietta, Ohio. He was admitted 
to the bar in his native State, but began the prac- 
tice of law in Fulton Count}', 111., in 185G. In 
1873 he received the Republican nomination for 
Congress and was elected, representing his dis- 
trict from 1873 to 187.'), at the conclusion of his 
term retiring to private life. Died at Canton, 
lU., Jan. 13, 1889. 

BARRINGTON, a village located on the north- 
era border of Cook County, and partly in Lake, 
at the intersection of the Chicago & Northwestern 
and the Elgin, Joliet & Ea.stern Railway, 33 miles 
northwest of Chicago. It has banks, a local paper, 
and several cheese factories, being in a dairj-ing 
district. Population (IS'JU), 848; (19U0), 1,163. 

BARROWS, John Henry, D. D., clergyman 
and educator, was born at Medina, Mich,, July 
11, 1847; graduated at Mount Olivet College in 
1867, and studied theology at Yale, Union and 
Andover Seminaries. In 1869 he went to Kansas, 
where he spent two and a half years in mission- 
ary and educational woik. Ho then (in 1873) 
acce])led a call to the First Congregational 
Church at Springfield, 111., where he remained a 
year, after whicli he gave a year to foreign travel, 
visiting Europe, Egypt and Palestine, during a 
part of the time supplying the American chapel 
in Paris. On his return to the Unitetl States he 
spent six years in pastoral work at Ijawrence and 
East Boston, Mass., when (in November, 1881) he 
assumed the pastorate of the First Presbyterian 
Chui-ch of Chicago. Dr. Barrows achieved a 
world-wide celebrity by his services as Chairman 
of the "Parliament of Religious," a branch of the 
"World's Congress Auxiliary," held during the 



World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 
1893. Later, he was appointed Profes.sorial Lec- 
turer on Comparative Religions, \inder lectureships 
in connection with the University of Chicago en- 
dowed by Mrs. Caroline E. Haskell. One of these, 
established in Dr. Barrows' name, contemplated 
a series of lectures in India, to be delivered on 
alternate years with a similar course at the Uni- 
versity. Courses were delivered at the University 
in 1895-96, and, in order to carry out the purposes 
of the foreign lectureship. Dr. Barrows found it 
necessary to resign his pastorate, which he did in 
the spring of 1896. After spending the summer 
in Germany, the regular itinerary of the round- 
the-world tour began at London in the latter part 
of November, 1890, ending with his return to the 
United States by way of San Francisco in May, 
1897. Dr. Barrows was accompanied by a party 
of personal friends from Cliicago and elsewhere, 
the tour embracing visits to the principal cities 
of .Southern Europe, Egypt, Palestine, China and 
Japan, with a somewhat protracted stay in India 
during the winter of 1896-97. After his return to 
the United States he lectured at the University 
of Chicago and in many of the principal cities of 
the country, on the moral and religious condition 
of Oriental nations, but, in 1898, was offered 
the Presidency of Oberlin College. Ohio, which 
he accepted, entering upon his duties early in 
1899. 

BARRY, a city in Pike County, founded in 
1836, on the Wabash Railroad, 18 miles east of 
Hannibal, Mo., and 30 miles southeast of Quincy. 
The surrounding country is agricultural. The 
city contains flouring mills, porkpacking and 
poultry establishments, etc. It has two local 
papers, two banks, three churches and a high 
school, besides schools of lower grade. Popula- 
tion (l.SSO). 1.393; (1890). 1,3.54; (1900), 1,643. 

BARTLETT, Adolplins Claj, merchant, was 
born of Revolutionary ancestry at Stratford, 
Fulton County, N. Y. , June 23, 1844 ; was educated 
in the common schools and at Danville Academy 
and Clinton Libisral Institute, N. Y., and, coming 
to Chicago in 1863, entered into the employment 
of the hardware firm of Tuttle, Hibbard & Co., 
now Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co., of which, 
a few years later, he became a partner, and later 
Vice-President of the Company. Mr. Bartlett 
has also been a Trustee of Beloit College, Presi- 
dent of the Chicago Home for the Friendless and 
a Director of the Chicago & Alton Railroad and 
the Metropolitan National Bank, besides V)eing 
identified with various other business and benevo- 
lent associations. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



37 



BASCOM, (Rev.) Flavel, 1). D., clergyman, 
was l)orn at Lebanon. Conn., June H, 1804; spent 
liis boyliooil on a farm until 17 years of age, mean- 
while attending the common schools; prepared 
for college under a private tutor, and, in 1824, 
entered Yale College, graduating in 1828. After a 
year as Principal of the Academy at New Canaan, 
Conn., he entered upon the study of theology 
at Yale, was licensed to preach in 1831 and. for 
the next two years, served as a tutor in the liter- 
ary department of the college. Then coming to 
Illinois (1833). he cast his lot with the "Yale 
Band," organized at Yale College a few years 
previous ; spent five years in missionary work in 
Tazewell County and two years in Northern Illi- 
nois as Agent of the Home Jlissionary Society, 
exploring new settlements, founding churches 
and introducing missionaries to new fields of 
labor. In 1839 he became pastor of the First 
Presbyterian Church of Chicago, remaining until 
1849, when he assumed the pastorship of the First 
Presbyterian Church at Galesburg, this relation 
continuing until 1856. Then, after a }-ear"s serv- 
ice as the Agent of the American Missionary- 
Association of the Congregational Church, he 
accepted a call to the Congregational Church at 
Princeton, where he remained until 1869, when 
he took charge of the Congregational Church at 
Hinsdale. From 1878 he served for a consider- 
able period as a member of tlie Executive Com- 
mittee of the IlUnois Home Missionary Society; 
was also prominent in educational work, being 
one of the founders and, for over twenty-five 
years, an officer of the Chicago Theological 
Seminary, a Trustee of Knox College and one of 
the founders and a Trustee of Beloit College, 
Wis., from which he received the degree of D. D. 
in 1869. Dr. Bascom died at Princeton, ID., 
August 8, 1890. 

BATAVIA, a city in Kane County, on Fox 
River and branch lines of the Chicago & North- 
western and the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
Railroads. 3.5 miles west of Chicago; has water 
power and several prosperous manufacturing 
establishments employing over 1 000 operatives. 
The city lias fine water-works supplied from an 
artesian well, electric lighting plant, electric 
street car lines with interurban connections, two 
weekly jiapers. eight churches, two public 
schools, and private hospital for insane women. 
Population (1900). 3,871; (1903, e.st.), 4,400. 

BATKMAN, Newton, A. M., LL.D., educator 
and F,ditiir-in-Cliief of the "Historical Encj'clo- 
pndia of Illinois." was born at Fairfield. N. ,1., 
July 27, lo22. of mixed English and Scotch an- 



cestry ; was brought by his parents to Illinois in 
1833; in his youth enjoyed onlj' limited educa- 
tional advantages, but graduated from Illinois 
College at Jacksonville in 1843, supporting him- 
self during his college course wholly by his own 
labor. Having contemplated entering the Chris- 
tian ministry, he spent the following year at Lane 
Theological Seminary, but was conii)elled to 
withdraw on account of failing health, when he 
gave a j'ear to travel. He then entered upon his 
life-work as a teacher by engaging as Princi]ial 
of an English and Classical School in St. Louis, 
remaining there two years, when he accepted the 
Professorship of Mathematics in St. Charles Col- 
lege, at St. Charles, Mo., continuing in that 
position four years (1847-51). Returning to Jack- 
sonville. 111., in the latter year, he assumed the 
principalship of the main public school of that 
city. Here he remained seven j'ears, during four 
of them discharging the duties of County Super- 
intendent of Schools for Morgan County. In the 
fall of 1857 he became Principal of Jacksonville 
Female Academy, but the following year was 
elected State Superintendent of Public Instruc- 
tion, having been nominated for the office by the 
Republican State Convention of 1858, which put 
Abraham Lincoln in nomination for the United 
States Senate. By successive re-elections he con- 
tinued in this office fourteen years, serving con- 
tinuously from 1859 to 1875, except two years 
(18(53-65), as the result of his defeat for re-election 
in 1862. He was also endorsed for the same office 
by the State Teachers' Association in 1856, but 
was not formally nominated by a State Conven- 
tion. During his incumbency the Illinois com- 
mon school system was developed and brought to 
the state of efficiency which it has so well main- 
tained. He also prepared some seven volumes of 
biennial reports, portions of which have been 
republished in five different languages of Europe, 
besides a volume of "Common School Decisions," 
originally published by authority of the General 
Assembly, and of which several editions have 
since been issued. This volume has been recog- 
nized by tlie courts, and is still regarded as 
authoritative on the subjects to which it relates. 
In addition to his official duties during a part of 
this period, for three years he served as editor of 
"The Illinois Teacher," and was one of a com- 
mittee of three which prepared the bill adopted 
by Congress creating the National Bureau of 
Education. Occupying a room in the old State 
Capitol at Springfield adjoining that used as an 
office by Abraham Lincoln during the first candi- 
dacy of the latter for the Presidency, in 1800, a 



38 



HISTOEICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLIXOIS. 



close intimacy sprang up between tlie two men, 
wliich enabled the "Schoolmaster," as Mr. Lin- 
coln playfully called the Doctor, to acquire an 
insight into the character of the future emanci- 
pator of a race, enjoj^ed by few men of that time, 
and of which he gave evidence by his lectures 
full of interesting reminiscence and eloquent 
appreciation of the high character of the "Martyr 
President." A few months after his retirement 
from the State Superintendency (1875), Dr. Bate- 
man was offered and accepted the Presidency of 
Knox College at Galesburg, remaining until 1893, 
when he voluntarilj- tendered his resignation. 
This, after having been repeatedly urged upon 
the Board, was finally accepted ; but that body 
immediately, and by unanimous vote, appointed 
him President Emeritus and Professor of Mental 
and Moral Science, under which he continued to 
discharge his duties as a special lecturer as his 
health enabled him to do so. During his incum- 
bency as President of Knox College, he twice 
received a tender of the Presidency of Iowa State 
University and the Chancellorship of two other 
important State institutions. He also seiwed, liy 
appointment of successive Governors between 1877 
and 1891, as a member of the State Board of 
Health, for four years of this period being Presi- 
dent of the Board. In February, 1878, Dr. Bate- 
man, unexpectedly and without solicitation on his 
part, received from President Haj-es an appoint- 
ment as "Assay Commissioner" to examine and 
test the fineness and weight of United States 
coins, in accordance with the provisions of the 
act of Congress of June 22, 1874, and discharged 
the duties assigned at the mint in Philadelphia. 
Never of a very strong physique, which was 
rather weakened by his privations while a stu- 
dent and his many years of close confinement to 
mental labor, towards the close of his life Dr. 
Bateman suffered much from a chest trouble 
which finally developed into "angina pectoris," 
or heart disease, from which, as the result of a 
most painful attack, he died at liis home in Gales- 
burg, Oct. 21, 1S97. The event produced the 
most profound sorrow, not only among his associ- 
ates in the Faculty and among the students of 
Knox College, but a large number of friends 
tlu-ougliout the State, who had known him ofK- 
cially or personally, and had learned to admire 
his many noble and beautiful traits of character. 
His funeral, which ocuMirred at Galesburg on 
Oct. 25, called out an immense concourse of 
sorrowing friends. Almost the last labors per- 
formed by Dr. Bateman were in the revision of 
matter for this volume, in which he manifested 



the deepe.st interest from the time of his assump- 
tion of the duties of its Editor-in-Chief. At the 
time of his death he had the satisfaction of know- 
ing that his work in this field was practically 
complete. Dr. Bateman had heen twice married, 
first in 1850 to Miss Sarah Daj"ton of Jacksonville, 
who died in 1857, and a second time in October, 
1859, to Sliss Annie N. Tyler, of Massachuisetts 
(but for some time a teacher in Jacksonville 
Female Academy), who died. May 28, 1878. — 
Clifford Rush (Bateman), a son of Dr. Bateman 
bj' his first marriage, was born at Jacksonville, 
March 7, 1854, graduated at Amherst College and 
later from the law department of Columbia Col- 
lege, New York, afterwards prosecuting his 
.studies at Berlin, Heidelberg and Paris, finally 
becoming Professor of Administrative Law and 
Government in Columbia College — a position 
especially created for him. He had filled this 
position a little over one year when his career — 
which was one of great promise — was cut short by 
death, Feb. 6, 1883. Three daughters of Dr. Bate- 
man survive — all the wives of clergymen. — P. S. 

BATES, Clara Doty, author, was born at Ann 
Arbor, Mich., Dec. 22, 1838; published her first 
book in 1868; the next year married Morgan 
Bates, a Chicago publisher; wrote much for 
juvenile periodicals, besides stories and poems, 
some of the most popular among the latter being 
"Blind Jakey" (1868) and "^.sop's Fables" in 
verse (1873). She was the collector of a model 
library for children, for the World's Columbian 
Exposition, 1893. Died in Chicago, Oct. 14, 1895. 

BATES, Erastiis Newton, .soldier and State 
Treasurer, was born at Plainfield, Mass., Feb. 29, 
1828. being descended from Pilgi-ims of the May- 
flower. When 8 years of age he was brought by 
his father to Ohio, where the latter soon after- 
ward died. For .several years he lived with an 
uncle, preparing himself for college and earning 
money by teaching and manual labor. He gradu- 
ated from Williams College, Mass., in 1853, and 
commenced the stud}- of law in New York City, 
but later removed to Minnesota, where he served 
as a member of the Constitutional Convention of 
1856 and was elected to the State Senate in 1857. 
In 1859 he remoA-ed to Centralia, 111., and com- 
menced practice there in August, 1862; was com- 
missioned Major of the Eightieth Illinois 
Volunteers, being successively promoted to the 
rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel, and 
finally brevetted Brigadier-General. For fifteen 
months he was a prisoner of war. escaping from 
Libby Prison only to be recaptured and later 
exposed to the fire of the Union batteries at Mor- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



39 



ris Island, Charleston harbor. In 1866 he was 
elected to the Lefcislature, and, in 1868, State 
Treasurer, being re-elected to the latter office 
under the new Constitution of 1870, and serving 
until January, 1873. Died at Minneapolis, 
Minn., May 29, 1898, and was buried at Spring- 
field. 

BATES, Georg'e C, lawyer and politician, was 
born in Canandaigua, N. Y., and removed to 
Michigan in 1834 ; in 1849 was appointed United 
States District Attorney for that State, but re- 
moved to California in 18.50. where he became a 
member of the celebrated "Vigilance Committee" 
at San Francisco, and, in 1850, delivered the first 
Republican speech there. From 1861 to 1871, he 
practiced law in Chicago; the latter year was 
appointed District Attorney for Utah, serving 
two years, in 1878 removing to Denver, Colo., 
where he died, Feb. 11, 1886. Mr. Bates was an 
orator of much reputation, and was selected to 
express the thanks of the citizens of Chicago to 
Gen. B. J. Sweet, commandant of Camp Douglas, 
after the detection and defeat of the Camp Doug- 
las conspiracy in November, 1864 — a duty which 
he performed in an address of great eloquence. 
At an early day he married the widow of Dr. 
Alexander Wolcott, for a number of years previ- 
ous to 1830 Indian Agent at Chicago, his wife 
being a daughter of John Kinzie, the first white 
settler of Chicago. 

BATH, a village of Mason County, on the 
Jacksonville branch of the Chicago, Peoria & St. 
Louis Railway, 8 miles south of Havana. Popu- 
lation (1880), 439; (1890), 384; (1900), 330. 

BAYLIS, a corporate village of Pike County, 
on the main line of tlie Wabash Railway, 40 miles 
southeast of Quincy; has one newspaper. Popu- 
lation (1S90), 368; (1900), 340. 

BAYLISS, Alfred, Superintendent of Public 
Instruction, was born about 1846, served as a 
private in the First Michigan Cavaby the last 
two years of the Civil War, and graduated from 
Hillsdale College (Mich.), in 1870, supporting 
himself during his college course by work upon a 
farm and teaching. After serving three years as 
County Superintendent of Schools in La Grange 
County, Ind., in 1874 he came to Illinois and 
entered upon the vocation of a teacher in the 
northern ])art of the State. He served for some 
time as Superintendent of Schools for the city of 
Sterling, afterwards beconiing Principal of the 
Township High School at Streator, where he was, 
in 1898, when he received the nomination for the 
office of State Superintendent of Public Instruc- 
tion, to which he was elected in November follow- 



ing by a plurality over his Democratic opponent 
of nearly 70,000 voles. 

BEARD, Thomas, pioneer and founder of the 
city of Beardstown, 111., was born in Granville, 
Washington County, N. Y., in 1795, taken to 
Northeastern Ohio in 1800, and, in 1818, removed 
to Illinois, living for a time about Edwardsville 
and Alton. In 1830 he went to the locality of 
the present city of Beardstown, and later estab- 
lished there the first ferry across the Illinois 
River. In 1827, in conjunction with Enoch 
March of Morgan County, he entered the land on 
which Beardstown was platted in 1839. Died, at 
Beardstown, in November, 1849. 

BEARD.STOWN, a city in Cass County, on the 
Illinois River, being the intersecting point for 
the Baltimore & Ohio Soutliwestern and the Chi- 
cago, Burlington & Quhicy Railways, and the 
northwestern terminus of the former. It is HI 
miles north of St. Louis and 90 miles south of 
Peoria. Tliomas Beard, for whom the town was 
named, settled here about 1820 and soon after- 
wards established the first ferry across the Illi- 
nois River. In 1827 the land was patented by 
Beard and Enoch March, and the town platted, 
and, during the Black Hawk War of 1832, it 
became a principal base of supplies for the Illi- 
nois volunteers. The city has six churches and 
three schools (including a high scliool), two banks 
and two daily newspapers. Several brandies of 
manufacturing are carried on here- — flouring and 
saw mills, cooperage works, an axe-handle fac- 
tory, two button factories, two stave factories, 
one shoe factory, large machine shops, and others 
of less importance. The river is spanned here by 
a fine railroad bridge, costing some §300,000. 
Population (1890), 4,226; (1900), 4,827. 

BEAUBIEJf, Jean Baptiste, the second pei- 
nianent settler on the site of Chicago, was bo:"i 
at Detroit in 1780, liecame clerk of a fur-trader C-i 
Grand River, married an Ottawa woman for h c' 
first wife, and, in 1800, had a trading-post at Mi'.- 
waukee, which he maintained until 1818. Kj 
visited Chicago as early as 1804, bought a cabic. 
there soon after the Fort Dearborn massacre oi 
1812, married the daughter of Francis La Fran:-- 
boise, a French trader, and, in 1818, becams. 
agent of the American Fur Company, havin'i,- 
charge of trading posts at Mackinaw and elsa- 
where. After 1823 he occupied the buildin,<;- 
known as "the factory," just outside of Fort Dear- 
born, which had belonged to the Government, 
but removed to a farm on the Des Plaines in 1840. 
Out of the ownership of this building grew his 
claim to the right, in 1835, to enter seventy-five 



40 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



acres of land belonging to the Fort Dearborn 
reservation. The claim was allowed by the Land 
Office officials and sustained by the State courts, 
but disallowed bj* the Supreme Court of the 
United States after long litigation. An attempt 
was made to revive this claim in Congress in 
1878, but it was reported upon adversely by a 
Senate Committee of which the late Senator 
Thomas F. Bayard was chairman. Mr. Beaubien 
was evidently a man of no little prominence in 
his daj'. He led a company of Chicago citizens 
to the Black Hawk War in 1832, was appointed 
b}' the Governor the first Colonel of Militia for 
Cook County, and, in 18.50, was commissioned 
Brigadier-General. In 1858 he removed to Nash- 
ville, Tenn., and died there, Jan. 5, 1863.— Mark 
(Beaubien), a younger brother of Gen. Beaubien, 
was born in Detroit in 1800, came to Chicago in 
1826, and bought a log house of James Kinzie, in 
which he kept a hotel for some time. Later, he 
erected the first fi'ame building in Chicago, which 
was known as the "Sauganash," and in which he 
kept a hotel until 1834. He also engaged in mer- 
chandising, but was not successful, ran the first 
ferry across the South Branch of the Chicago 
River, and served for many j-ears as lighthouse 
keeper at Chicago. About 1834 the Indians trans- 
ferred to him a reservation of 640 acres of land on 
the Calumet, for which, some forty years after- 
wards, he received a patent which had been 
signed by Martin Van Buren — he having previ- 
ously been ignorant of its existence. He was 
married twice and had a family of twenty two 
children. Died, at Kankakee, 111., April 16, 1881. 
— Madore B. (Beaubien), the second son of 
General Beaubien by his Indian wife, was born 
on Grand River in Michigan, July 15, 1809, joined 
his father in Chicago, was educated in a Baptist 
Mission School where Niles, Mich., now stands; 
was licensed as a merchant in Chicago in 1831, 
but failed as a business man ; served as Second 
Lieutenant of the Naperville Company in the 
Black Hawk War, and later was First Lieutenant 
of a Chicago Company. His first wife was a 
white woman, from whom he separatod, after- 
wards marrj'ing an Indian woman. He left Illi- 
nois with the Pottawatomies in 1840, resided at 
Council Bluffs and, later, in Kansas, being for 
many years the official interpreter of the tribe 
and, for some time, one of six Commissioners 
employed bj' the Indians to look after their 
affairs with the United States Government. — 
Alexander (Beaubien). son of General Beau- 
bien by his white wife, was born in one of the 
buildings belonging to Fort Dearborn, Jan. 28, 



1822. In 1840 he accompanied his father to hi^ 
farm on the Des Plaines, but returned to Chicago 
in 1862, and for years past has been employed on 
the Chicago police force. 

BEBB, William, Governor of Ohio, was born 
in Hamilton County in tliat State in 1802; taught 
school at North Bend, the home of William Henry 
Harrison, studied law and jjracticed at Hamilton ; 
served as Governor of Ohio, 1846-48; later led a 
Welsh colony to Tennes.see, but left at the out- 
break of the Civil War, removing to Winnebago 
County, 111., where he had purchased a large 
body of land. He was a man of uncompromising 
loyalty and high principle ; served as Examiner 
of Pensions by appointment of President Lincoln 
and, in 1868, took a prominent part in the cam- 
paign which resulted in Grant's first election to 
the Presidency. Died at Rockford, Oct. 23, 1873. 
A daughter of Governor Bebb married Hon. 
John P. Reynolds, for many years the Secretary 
of the Illinois State Agricultural Society, and, 
during the W^orld's Columbian Exjjosition, 
Director-inChief of the Illinois Board of World's 
Fair Commissioners. 

BECKER, Charles St. >'., ex-State Treasurer, 
was born in Germany. June 14, 1840, and brought 
to this country by his parents at the age of 11 
years, the family settling in St. Clair County, 111. 
Early in the Civil War he enlisted in the Twelfth 
Missouri regiment, and, at the battle of Pea 
Ridge, was so severely wounded tliat it was 
found necessary to amputate one of his legs. In 
1866 he was elected Sheriff of St. Clair County, 
and, from 1873 to 1880, he served as clerk of the 
St. Clair Circuit Court. He also served several 
terms as a City Councilman of Belleville. In 1888 
he was elected State Treasurer on the Republican 
ticket, .serving from Jan. 14, 1889, to Jan. 13, 1891. 

BECKWITH, Corydon, lawyer and jurist, was 
born in Vermont in 1833, and educated at Provi- 
dence, R. I., and Wrentham, Mass. He read law 
and was admitted to the bar in St. All)aus, Vt., 
where he practiced for two years. In 18.53 he 
removed to Chicago, and, in Januar.y, 1864, was 
appointed by Governor Yates a Justice of the 
Supreme Court, to fill the five remaining months 
of the unexpired term of Judge Caton, who had 
resigned. On retiring from the bench he re- 
sumed private practice. Died, August 18, 1890. 

BECKWITH, Hiram Williams, lawyer and 
author, was b(irn at Danville. 111., March ,5, 1833. 
Mr. Beckwith's father, Dan AV. Beckwith, a pio- 
neer settler of Eastern Illinois and one of the 
founders of the city of Danville, was a native of 
Wyalusing, Pa., where he was born about 1789, 



IIISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



41 



his mother being, in her girlhood. Hannah York, 
one of the survivors of tlie famous Wyoniiug 
massacre of 1778. In 1817. the senior Beckwith, 
in company with liis brother George, descended 
the Oliio River, afterwards ascending the Wabash 
to wliere Terra Haute now stands, but finally 
locating in what is now a part of Edgar County. 
111. A year later he removed to the vicinity of 
the present site of the city of Danville. Having 
been employeil for a time in a surveyor's 
corjis. he linally became a surveyor himself, and. 
on the organization of Vermilion County, served 
for a time as County Surveyor by appointment of 
the Governor, and was also emplo\-ed by the 
General Government in surveying lands in tlie 
eastern part of the State, some of the Inilian 
reservations in that section of the State being 
set otf l)y him. In connection with Guy W. 
Smith, then Receiver of Public Moneys in the 
Land Office at Palestine. 111., he donated the 
ground on which the county-seat of Vermilion 
County was located, and it took tlie name of Dan- 
ville from his first name — "Dan." In 1830 he 
was elected Representative in the State Legisla- 
ture for the District composed of Clark, Edgar, 
and Vermilion Counties, then including all that 
section of the State between Crawford County 
and the Kankakee River. He died in 1835. 
Hiram, the subject of this sketch, thus left 
fatherless at less than three years of age, received 
only such education as was afforded in the com- 
mon schools of that period. Nevertheless, he 
began the study of law in the Danville office of 
Lincoln & Lamon. and was admitted to practice 
in 18.54, about the time of reaching his majority. 
He continued in their office and, on the removal 
of Lamon to Bloomington in 1859, he succeeded 
to the business of the firm at Danville. Mr. 
Lamon — who, on Mr. Lincoln's accession to the 
Presidency in 1861, became Marshal of the Dis- 
trict of Columbia — was distantlj- related to Mr. 
Beckwith by a second marriage of the mother of 
the latter. While engaged in tlie practice of his 
profession, Mr. Beckwith has been over thirty 
years a zealous collector of records and other 
material bearing upon the earlj' history of Illinois 
and the Northwest, and is probably now the 
owner of one of the most complete and valuable 
collections of Americana in Illinois. He is also 
the autlnTr of several monographs on historic 
themes, including "The Winnebago War," "The 
Illinois and Indiana Indians," and "Historic 
Notes of the Northwest," published in the "Fer- 
gus Series." besides having e<lited an e<litioii of 
"Reynolds" History of Illinois" (published by the 



same firm), which he has enriched by tlie addition 
of valuable notes. During lS9.")-aG he contributed 
a .series of valuable articles to "The Chicago 
Tribune" on various features of early Illinois and 
Northwest history. In 1890 he was appointeii by 
Governor Fifer a member of the first Board of 
Trustees of the Illinois State Historical Library, 
serving until the expiration of his term in 1894, 
and was reappointed to the same position by 
Governor Tanner in 1897, in each case being 
chosen President of the Board. 

BEECHER, Charles A., attorney and railway 
solicitor, was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., 
August 27, 1829. but, in 1836, removed with his 
family to Licking County, Ohio, where he lived 
upon a farm until he reached the age of 18 years. 
Having taken a course in the Ohio Wesleyan 
University at Delaware, in 1854 he removed to 
Illinois, locating at Fairfield, Wayne Count}-, 
and began the stutiy of law in the office of his 
brother, Edwin Beecher, being admitted to prac- 
tice in 1855. In 1867 he united with others in the 
organization of the Illinois Southeastern Rail- 
road projected from Shawneetown to Edgewood 
on the Illinois Central in Effingham County. 
This enterprise was consolidated, a year or two 
later, with the Pana, Springfield & Northwest- 
ern, taking the name of the Springfield & Illinois 
Southeastern, under which name it was con- 
structed and opened for traffic in 1871. (This 
line — which Mr. Beecher served for some time 
as Vice- President^now constitutes the Beards- 
town & Shawneetown Division of the Baltimore 
& Ohio Southwestern.) The Springfield & Illi- 
nois Southeastern Company having fallen into 
financial difficulty in 1873, Mr. Beecher was 
appointed receiver of the road, and, for a time, 
had control of its operation as agent for the bond- 
holders. In 1875 the line was conveyed to the 
Ohio & Mississippi Railroad (now a part of the 
Baltimore & Ohio), when Mr. Beecher became 
General Counsel of the controlling corporation, 
so remaining until 1888. Since that date he has 
been one of the assistant counsel of the Baltimore 
& Ohio system. His present home is in Cincin- 
nati, although for over a quarter of a century he 
has been prominently identified with one of the 
most important railway enterprises in Southern 
Illinois. In politics Mr. Beecher has always been 
a Republican, and was one of the few in Wayne 
County who voted for Fremont in 1856, and for 
Lincoln in 1860. He was also a member of 
the Republican State Central Committee of 
Illinois from 1860 for a period of ten or twelve 
years. 



42 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLIXOLS. 



BEECHER. Edward, D. D., clergyman and 
eilucator, was Ihhii at Kast Hampton, L. I . 
AuKUst 27. 1SU3— the son of Rev. Lyuiaii Beeclier 
aiul tlie elder brother of Henry Ward; graduated 
at Yale College in 1S22, taught for over a year at 
Hartford, Conn., stuilied theology, and after a 
year's service as tutor in Yale College, in 
1826 was ordained jiastor of the Park Street 
Congregational Church in Boston. In 1830 
he became President of Illinois College at 
Jacksonville, remaining until 18-14, when he 
resigned and returned to Boston, serving as 
pastor of the Salem Street Church in that 
city until 18.')(). also acting as senior editor of 
"The Congregationalist" for four years. In 185G 
he returned to Illinois as pastor of the First Con- 
gregational Church at Galesburg, continuing 
until ISTl, when he removed to Brooklyn, where 
lie resided without pastoral charge, except 188.5- 
.89, when lie was pastor of the Parkville Congre- 
gational Church. While Pi'esident of Illinois 
College, that institution was exposed to much 
liostile criticism on account of liis outspoken 
ojiposition to slaverv, as shown by his participa- 
tion in founding the first Illipois State Anti- 
Slavery Society and bis eloquent denunciation of 
the murder of Elijah P. Lovejoy. Next to his 
Ijrother Henry Ward, he was probably the most 
)iowerful orator belonging to that gifted family, 
and, in connection with liis able associates in the 
faculty of the Illinois College, assisted to give 
that institution a wide reputation as a nursery 
of independent thought. Up to a short time 
before his death, he was a prolific writer, his 
productions (besides editorials, reviews and con- 
tributions on a variety of subjects) including 
nine or ten volumes, of wliicli the most impor- 
tant are: "Statement of Anti Slavery Principles 
and Address to the People of Illinois" (1837); 
"A Plea for Illinois College"; "History of the 
Alton Riots" (1838); "The Concord of Ages" 
(1853); "The Conflict, of Ages" (18.54); •'Pai)al 
Conspiracy Exjxised" (1854), besides a number 
of others invariably on religious or anti-slavery 
topics. Pied in Brooklyn. July 28, 1895. 

BEECHER, William H., clergyman — oldest 
son of Rev. Lyman Beecher and brother of 
Edward and Henry Ward — was born at East 
Hampton, N. Y., educated at home and at An- 
dover, became a Congregationalist clergyman, 
occupying pulpits at Newport. R. I., Batavia, 
N. Y., and Cleveland, Ohio; came to Chicago in 
his later years, dying at tlie liome of his daugh- 
ters in that city, June 23, 1W89. 

BEGfiS, (Rev.) Stephen R.. pioneer Methodist 



E]iiscopal preaclier, was born in Buckingham 
County, Va., March 30, 1801. His father, who 
was o])])osed to slav^^ry, moved to Kentucky in 
1805, but remained there only two years, when he 
removed to Clark County, Ind. The .son enjoyed 
but poor educational advantages here, obtaining 
his education chiefly by liis own efforts in wliat 
he called "Brusli College." At the age of 21 lie 
entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, during the next ten years traveling 
different circuits in Indiana. In 1831 he was 
appointed to Chicago, but the Black Hawk War 
coming on immediately thereafter, lie retired to 
Plaintield. Later be traveled various circuits in 
Illinois, until 1808, wlien he was superannuated, 
occupying his time thereafter in writing remi- 
niscences of his early history. A volume of this 
character published by him, was entitled "Pages 
from tlie Early History of the West and North- 
west." He died at Plainfield, 111., Sept. 9. 1895, 
in the 05th year of his age. 

BEIDLER, Henry, early settler, was born of 
Oerman extraction in Bucks County, Pa., Nov. 
27, 1812; came to Illinois in 1843, settling first at 
Springfield, where he carried on the grocery 
business for five years, then removed to Chicago 
and engaged in the lumber trade in connection 
with a brother, afterwards carrying on a large 
lumber manufacturing business at Muskegon, 
Jlich., which proved very profitable. In 1871 
Mr. Beidler retired from the lumber trade, in- 
vesting largely in west side real estate in the city 
of Chicago, which appi-eciated rapidly in value, 
making him one of tlie most wealthy real estate 
owners in Chicago. Died, March 10, 1893.— Jacob 
(Beidler). brother of the preceding, was born in 
Bucks County, Penn., in 1815; came west in 
1842, first began working as a carpenter, but 
later engaged in the grocery business with his 
brother at Springfield, 111. ; in 1844 removed to 
Chicago, where he was joined by liis lirother four 
years later, when they engaged largely in the 
lumber trade. Mr. Beidler retired from business 
in 1891, devoting his attention to large real estate 
investments. He was a liberal contributor to 
religious, educational ;ind benevolent institutions. 
Died in Chicago, March 15, 1.898. 

BELFIELl), Henrj- Holmes, educator, was 
born ill Pliiladelphia, Nov. 17, 1S37; was educated 
at an Iowa College, and for a time was tutor in 
the same; during the War of the Rebellion served 
in the army of the Cumberland, first as Lieuten- 
ant and afterwards as .Adjutant of the Eighth 
Iowa Cavalry, still later l)eing upon the staff of 
Gen. E. M. McCook, and t;iking part in the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



43 



Atlanta and Nashville campaigns. While a 
prisoner in the hands of the rebels he was placed 
under fire of the Union batteries at Charleston. 
Coming to Chicago in 18G6, he served as Principal 
in various public schools, including the Xortli 
Division High School. He was one of the e;irli- 
est advocates of manual training, and, on the 
establishment of the Chicago Manual Training 
School in 188-1, was appointed its Director — a 
position which he has continued to occupy. 
During 1891-93 he made a trip to Europe by 
apix)intment of the Government, to investigate 
the school sj'stems in European countries. 

BELKX.AP, Hugh Ri'id.e.v-Member of Congress, 
was born in Keokuk. Iowa, Sept. 1, 1860, being 
the son of W. W. Belknap, for some time Secre- 
tary of War under President Grant. After 
attending the public .schools of his native city, 
he took a course at Adams Academy, Quincy, 
5Ias.s. , and at Phillips Academy, Andover, when 
he entered the service of the Baltimore & Ohio 
Railroad, where he remained twelve years in 
various departments, finally becoming Chief 
Clerk of the General Manager. In 1802 he retired 
from this position to become Superintendent ol 
the South Side Elevated Railroad of Chicago. 
IIo never held an)* political position until nomi- 
nated (1894) as a Republican for the Fifty-fourth 
Congress, in the strongly Democratic Third Dis- 
trict of Chicago. Although the returns showed 
a plurality of thirty-one votes for his Democratic 
opix)nent (Lawrence McGann). a recount proved 
him elected, when, Sir. McGann having volun- 
tarily withdrawn, 31r. Belknap was unanimously 
awarded the .seat. In 1890 he was re-elected 
from a District usually strongly Democratic, 
receiving a pluralit}' of 59IJ votes, but was 
defeated by his Democratic oi)ponent in 1898, retir- 
ing from Congress, March 3, 1899, when he re- 
ceived an appointment as Paymaster in the Army 
from President ilcKinley, with the rank of Major. 
BELL, Robert, lawyer, was born in Lawrence 
County, 111., in 1829, educated at Mount Carmel 
and Indiana State University at Bloomington, 
graduating from the law department of the 
latter in 18.>5; while 3-et in his minority edited 
"The Mount Carmel Register," during IS.jl-.'JS 
becoming joint owner and editor of the same 
with his brother, Victor D. Bell. After gradu- 
ation he opened an office at Fairfield, Wayne 
County, but. in 18.57, returned to Mount Carmel 
and from 1804 was the partner of Judge E. B. 
Green, until the apjxiintment of the latter Chief 
Ju.stice of Oklahoma by Presitlent Harrison in 
1890. In 1809 Mr. Bell was appointed County 



Judge of Lawrence County, being elected to the 
«ime office in 1894. He was also President 
of the Illinois Southern Railroad Company 
until it was merged into the Cairo & Vincennes 
Road in 1807; later became President of the St. 
Louis & Mt. Carmel Railroad, now a part of the 
Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis line, and 
.secured the construction of the division from 
Princeton, Ind., to Albion, 111. In 1870 he visited 
California as Special Agent of tlie Treasury 
Deiiartment to investigate alleged frauds in the 
Revenue Districts on the Pacific Coast; in 1878 
was an unsuccessful candidate for Congress on 
the Republican ticket in the strong Democratic 
Nineteenth District; was appointed, the same 
J'ear, a memter of the Republican .State Central 
Committee for the State-at-large, and, in 1881, 
officiated by appointment of President Garfield, 
as Commissioner to e.\amiiie a section of the 
Atlantic & Pacific Railroad in New Mexico. 
Judge Bell is a gifted stump-speaker and is known 
in the southeastern part of the State as the 
"Silver-tongued Orator of the Wabash." 

BELLEVILLE, the county-seat of St. Clair 
County, a citj- and railroad center, 14 miles south 
of east from St. Louis. It is one of the oldest 
towns in the State, having been selected as the 
county-seat in 1814 and platted in 181.5. It lies 
in the center of a rich agricultural and coal-bear- 
ing district and contains numerous factories of 
various descriptions,' including flouring mills, a 
nail mill, glass woiks and shoe factories. It has 
five newspaper establishments, two being Ger- 
man, whicii issue daily editions. Its commercial 
and educational facilities aie exceptionally good. 
Its population is largely of German descent. 
Population (1890), 15,301; (1900), 17,484. 

BELLEVILLE, CEXTR.VLI.V ic E.VSTERX 
R.VILRO.VI). (See Lonlxrilt,-. Kransrillc ct St. 
Louis (CoHsoUdafed) Rdilroatl.) 

BELLEVILLE & C VRO.XDELET RAILROAD. 
a short line of road extending from Belleville to 
East Carondelet, 111., 17.3 miles. It was chartered 
Feb. 20, 1881, and leased to the St. Louis, Alton 
& Terre Haute Railroad Company, June 1, 1883. 
The annual rental is §30,000. a sum equivalent to 
the interest on the bfinded debt. The capital 
stock (189."i) is $.500,000 and the bonded debt S4S5,- 
000. In addition to these sums the floating debt 
swells the entire capitalization to .$99.5,0.54 or §57,- 
317 per mile. 

BELLEVILLE & ELDORADO RAILROAD, 
a road 50.4 miles in length running from Belle- 
ville to Du(i\if)in, 111. It was chartered Feb. 22, 
1861, and completed Oct. 31, 1871. On July 1, 



44 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



1880, it was leased to the St Louis, Alton & 
Terre Haute Railroad Company for 486 j'ears, and 
has since been operated by that corporation in 
connection ivith its Belleville branch, from East 
St. Louis to Belleville. At Eldorado the road 
intersects the Cairo & Vincennes Railroad and 
the Shawneetown branch of the St. Louis & 
Southeastern Railroad, operated by the Louisville 
& Npshville Railroad Company. Its capital 
stock (ISai) is .i;i, 000.000 and its bonded debt 
§550.000. The corporate office is at Belleville. 

BELLEVILLE & ILLIXOISTOWN RAILROAD. 
(See St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Hailroad.) 

BELLEVILLE & SOUTHERN ILLINOIS 
RAILROAD, a road (laid with steel rails) run- 
ning from Belleville to Duquoin, 111., 56.4 miles 
in length. It was chartered Feb. 15, 1857, and 
completed Dec. 15, 1873. At Duquoin it connects 
with the Illinois Central and forms a short line 
between St. Louis and Cairo. Oct. 1. 1866, it was 
leased to the St. Loxiis, Alton & Terre Haute 
Railroad Companj' for 999 j'ears. The capital 
stock is 81,693,000 and the bonded debt $1,000,- 
000. The corporate office is at Belleville. 

BELLMOXT, a village of AVabash County, on 
the Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis Railway, 9 
miles west of Jlount Carmel. Population (1880), 
350; (1890). 487; (1900). 624. 

BELT RAILWAY COMPANY OF CHICAGO, 
THE, a corporation chartered, Nov. 22, 1882, and 
the lessee of the Belt Division of the Chicago & 
Western Indi.aua Railroad (which see). Its total 
trackage (all of standard gauge and laid with 06- 
pound steel rails) is 93.26 miles, distributed as fol- 
lows: Auburn Junction to Chicago, Milwaukee & 
St. PaulJunction, 15.9 miles; branches from Pull- 
man Junction to Irondale, 111., etc., 5.41 miles; 
second track, 14.1 miles; sidings, 57.85 miles. 
The cost of construction has been §524,549; capi- 
tal stock, §1,200,000. It has no funded debt. 
The earnings for the year ending June 30, 1895, 
were §556, K47, the operating expenses §378,012, 
and the ta.xes §51.009. 

BELA'IDERE,an incorporated city, the county- 
seat of Boone County, situated on the Kishwau- 
kee River, an'd on two divisions of the Chicago & 
Northwestern Railroad, 78 miles west-northwest 
of Chicago and 14 miles east of Rockford ; is con- 
nected with the latter city by electric railroad. 
The city has twelve churches, five graded schools, 
and three banks (two national). Two daily and 
two semi-weekl}' papers are published here. Bel- 
videre also has very considerable manufacturing 
interests, including manufactories of sewing ma- 
chines, bicj'cles, automobiles, besides a large 



milk-condensing factory and two creameries. 
Population (1890), 3,867; (1900), 6,937. 

BESIENT, a village in Piatt County, at inter- 
section of main line and Chicago Division of 
Wabash Railroad, 20 miles east of Decatur and 
166 miles south-southwest of Chicago; in agri- 
cultural and stock-raising district; has three 
grain elevators, broom factory, water- works, elec- 
tric-light plant, four churches, two banks and 
weekly paper. Pop. (1890), 1,129; (1900), 1,484. 

BENJAMIN, Renlieii Moore, lawyer, born at 
Chatham Centre, Columbia County, N. Y., June 
29, 1833; was educated at Amherst College, Am- 
herst, Mass. ; spent one j'ear in the law depart- 
ment of Harvard, another as tutor at Amherst 
and, in 1856, came to Bloomington, 111., where, on 
an examination certificate furnished by Abraham 
Lincoln, he was licensed to practice. The first 
public office held by Mr. Benjamin was that of 
Delegate to the State Constitutional Convention 
of 1869-70, in which he took a prominent part in 
shaping the provisions of the new Constitution 
relating to corporations. In 1873 he was chosen 
County Judge of McLean County, by repeated 
re-elections holding the position until 1886, when 
he resumed private practice. For more than 
twenty years he has been connected with the law 
department of Wesleyan University at Blooming- 
ton, a part of the time being Dean of the Faculty ; 
is also the author of several volumes of legal 
te.xt-books. 

BENNETT MEDICAL COLLEGE, an Eclectic 
Bledical School of Chicago, incorporated by 
special charter and ojjened in the autumn of 
1868. Its first sessions were held in two large 
rooms ; its faculty consisted of seven professors, 
and there were thirty matriculates. More com- 
modious quarters were secured the following 
year, and a still better home after the fire of 1871, 
in which all the college property was destroyed. 
Another change of location was made in 1874. 
In 1890 the property then owned was sold and a 
new college building, in connection with a hos- 
pital, erected in a more quiet quarter of the city. 
A free dispensary is conducted by the college. 
The teaching facultj- (1896) consists of nineteen 
professors, with four assistants and demonstra- 
tors. Women are admitted as pupils on equal 
terms with men. 

BENT, Charles, journalist, was born in Chi- 
cago, Dec. 8, 1844, but removed with his family, 
in 1850, to Slorrison, Whiteside County, where, 
two years later, he became an apprentice to the 
printing business in the office of "The Whiteside 
Sentinel." In June, 1864, he enlisted as a soldier 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



45 



in the One Hundred and Fortietli Illinois (100- 
days' regiment) and, on the expiration of his term 
of service, re-enlisted in the One Hundred and 
Forty -seventh Illinois, being mustered out at 
Savannah, Ga., in January, 1860, with the rank 
of Second Lieutenant. Then resumin}^ his voca- 
tion as a printer, in July, 1807, he purchased the 
office of "The White.side Sentinel," in which he 
learned his trade, and has since been the editor of 
that paper, except during 1877-79 while engaged 
in writing a "History of Whiteside County." 
He is a charter member of the local Grand Army 
Post and served on the staff of the Department 
Commander ; was Assistant Assessor of Internal 
Revenue during 1870-73, and, in 1878, was elected 
as a Republican to the State Senate for White- 
side and Carroll Counties, serving four years. 
Other positions held by him include the office of 
City Alderman, member of the State Board of 
Canal Commissioners (1883-85) and Commissioner 
of the Joliet Penitentiary (1889-93). He has also 
been a member of the Republican State Central 
Committee and served as its Chairman 1886-88. 

BEXTOA, county-seat of Franklin County, on 
111. Cent, and Chi. & E. 111. Railroads; has electric- 
light plant, water-works, saddle and harness fac- 
tory, two banks, two flouring mills, shale brick 
and tile works (projected), four churches and 
three weekly papers. Pop. (1890), 939; (1900), 1,341. 

BERDAJf, James, lawyer and County Judge, 
was born in New York City, Jul}- 4, ISO.'), and 
educated at Columbia and Yale Colleges, gradu- 
ating from the latter in the class of 1824. His 
father, James Berdan, Sr. , came west in the fall 
of 1819 as one of the agents of a New York 
Emigration Society, and, in January, 1820, visited 
the vicinity of the present site of Jacksonville, 
111., but died soon after his return, in part from 
exposure incurred during his long and arduous 
winter journey. Thirteen j'ears later (1832) his 
son, the subject of this sketch, came to the same 
region, and Jacksonville became his home for the 
remainder of his life. Mr. Berdan was a well- 
read lawyer, as well as a man of high principle 
and sound culture, with pure literary and social 
tastes. Although possessing unusual capabilities, 
his refinement of charat^ter and dislike of osten- 
tation made him seek rather the association and 
esteem of friends than public office. In 1849 he 
was elected County Judge of Jlorgan County, 
serving by a second election until 1857. Later 
he was Secretarj^ for .several years of the Tonioa 
& Petersburg Railroad (at that time in course of 
construction), serving until it was merged into 
the St. Louis, Jacksonville & Chicago Railroad, 



now constituting a part of the Jacksonville di- 
vision of the Chicago & Alton Railroad ; also 
served for many years as a Trustee of Illinois 
College. In tlie latter years of his life he was, for 
a considerable i)eriod, the law partner of ex-Gov- 
ernor and ex-Senator Richard Yates. Judge 
Berdan was the ardent political friend and 
admirer of Abraham Lincoln, as well as an inti- 
mate friend and frequent correspondent of the 
poet Longfellow, besides l)eing the correspondent, 
during a long period of his life, of a number of 
other prominent literary men. Pierre Irving, 
tlie nephew and biographer of Washington Irving, 
was his brother-in-law through the marriage of a 
favorite sister. Judge Berdan died at Jackson- 
ville, August 24, 1884. 

BERlwEN, (Rev.) John G., pioneer clergyman, 
was born at Hightstown, N. J., Nov. 27, 1790; 
studied theology, and, after two years' service as 
tutor at Princeton and sixteen years as pastor of 
a Presbyterian church at Madison, N. J., in 1828 
came to Springfield, 111., and assisted in the 
erection of the first Protestant church in the 
central part of the State, of which he remained 
pastor until 1848. Died, at Springfield, Jan. 
17, 1872. 

BERGGREIV, Au^ustu.s W., legislator, born in 
Sweden, Augu,st 17, 1840; came to the United 
States at 16 years of age and located at Oneida, 
Knox County, 111., afterwards removing to Gales- 
burg; held various offices, including that of 
Sheriff oi Kno.x County (1873-81), State Senator 
(1881-89) — serving as President pro tern, of the 
Senate 1887-89, and was Warden of the State 
penitentiary at Joliet, 1888-91. He was for many 
years the very able and efficient President of the 
Covenant Mutual Life Association of Illinois, and 
is now its Treasurer. 

BERGIER, (Rev.) J, a secular prie.st, born in 
France, and an early missionary in Illinois. He 
labored among the Taniaroas, being in charge of the 
niissiiin at Cahokia from 1700 to his deatli in 1710. 

BERRY, Orville P., lawyer and legislator, was 
born in McDonough County, III., Feb. 16, 1852; 
early left an orphan and, after working for some 
time on a farm, removed to Carthage, Hancock 
County, where he read law and was admitted to 
the bar in 1877; in 1883 was elected Mayor of 
Carthage and twice re-elected ; was elected to the 
State Senate in 1888 and '92, and, in 1891, took a 
prominent part in securing the enactment of the 
compulsory education clause in the common 
school law. Mr. Berry presided over the Rejiub- 
lican State Convention of 1896, the same year was 
a candidate for re-election to the State Senate, 



40 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



but the certificate was awarded to his Democratic 
competitor, who was declared elected by 16-1 
plurality. On a contest before the Senate at the 
first session of the Fortieth General Assembly, 
the seat was awarded to Mr. Berry on the ground 
of illegality in the rulings of the Secretary of 
State affecting the rote of his opponent. 

BERRY, (Col.) TViUiam W., la%vyer and sol- 
dier, was born in Kentucky. Feb. 22, 1834, and 
educated at Oxford, Ohio. His home being then 
in Covington, he studied law in Cincinnati, and, 
at the age of 23, began practice at Louisville, Ky., 
being married two years later to Miss Georgle 
Hewitt of FVankfort. Early in 1861 he entered 
the Civil War on the Union side as Major of the 
Louisville Legion, and subsequently served in 
the Army of the Cumberland, marching to the 
sea with Sherman and. during the period of his 
service, receiving four wounds. After the close 
of the war he was offered the position of Gov- 
ernor of one of the Territories, but, determining 
not to go further west than Illinois, declined. 
For three years he was located and in practice at 
Winchester. 111., but removed to Quincy in 1874. 
where he afterwards resided. He always took a 
warm interest in politics and, in local affairs, 
was a leader of his party. He was an organizer of 
the G. A. R. Post at Quincy and its first Com- 
mander, and, in 18S4-8.5, served as Commander of 
the State Department of the G. A. R. He organ- 
ized a Young Men's Republican Club, as he 
believed that the young minds should take an 
active part in politics. He was one of the com- 
mittee of seven appointed by the Governor to 
locate the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home for Illinois, 
and, after spending six months inspecting vari- 
ous sites offered, the institution was finally 
located at Quincy; was also Trustee of Knox 
College, at Galesburg, for several years. He was 
frequently urged by his party friends to run for 
public office, but it was so much against his 
nature to ask for even one vote, that he would 
not consent. He died at his home in Quincy, 
much regretted. May 6. 1895. 

BESTOR, Georare C, legislator, bom in "Wash- 
ington City, April 11. 1811; was a.ssistant docu- 
ment clerk in the House of Representatives eight 
years; came to IlUnois in 1835 and engaged in 
real-estate business at Peoria; was twice ap- 
pointed Postmaster of that city (1842 and 1861) 
and three times elected Mayor ; served as finan- 
cial agent of the Peoria & Oquawka (now Chicago, 
Burlington & Quincy Railroad), and a Director of 
the Toledo, Peoria & "Warsaw ; a delegate to the 
Whig National Convention of 1852; a State 



Senator (18.58-62). and an ardent friend of Abra- 
ham Lincoln. Died, in Washington, May 14, 

1872, while prosecuting a claim against the 
Government for the construction of gunboats 
during the war. 

BETHALTO, a village of Madison County, on 
the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis 
Railway, 25 miles north of St. Louis. Popula- 
tion (1880), 628; (1890), 879; (1900), 477. 

BETHANY, a vUlage of Moultrie County, on 
Peoria Division 111. Cent Railroad, 18 miles south- 
east of Decatur; in farming district; has one news- 
paper and four churches. Pop. , mostly American 
born, (1890). 688; (1900), 873; (1903, est.), 900. 

BETTIE STUART OSTITITE, an institu- 
tion for j'oung ladies at Springfield, 111. , founded 
in 1868 by Mrs. Mary McKee Homes, who con- 
ducted it for some twenty years, until her death. 
Its report for 1898 shows a faculty of ten instruct- 
ors and 125 pupils. Its property is valued at 
$23,500. Its course of instruction embraces the 
preparatory and classical branches, together with 
music, oratory and fine arts. 

BEYERIDGE, James H., State Treasurer, 
was born in Washington County. N. Y., in 1828; 
served as State Treasurer. 1865-67, later acted as 
Secretary of the Commission which built the 
State Capitol. His later years were spent in 
superintending a large dairj- farm near Sandwich, 
De Kalb County, where he died in Januarj-, 1896. 

BEVERIDGE, John L., ex-Governor, was born 
in Greenwich N. Y.. July 6. 1824; came to Illi- 
nois, 1842, and, after sf)ending some two years in 
Granville Academy and Rock River Seminary, 
went to Tennessee, where he engaged in teaching 
while studying law. Having been admitted to 
the bar, he returned to Illinois in 1851, first locat- 
ing at Sycamore, but three years later established 
himself in Chicago. During the first year of the 
war he assisted to raise the Eighth Regiment Illi- 
nois Cavalry, and was commissioned first as Cap- 
tain and still later Major; two years later 
became Colonel of the Seventeenth Cavalry, 
which he commanded to the close of the war. 
being mustered out, February, 1866, with the 
rank of brevet Brigadier-General. After the war 
he held the ofl5ce of Sheriff of Cook Comity four 
years; in 1870 was elected to the State Senate, 
and, in the following year. Congre.ssman-at-large 
to succeed General Logan, elected to the United 
States Senate; resigned this office in January. 

1873, having been elected Lieutenant-Governor, 
and a few weeks later succeeded to the govern- 
orship by the election of Governor Oglesby to the 
United States Senate. In 1881 he was apixiinted. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



47 



by President Arthur, Assistant United States 
Treasurer for Chicago, serving until after Cleve- 
land's first election. His present home ( 18'JS), is 
near Los Angeles. Cal. 

BIENVILLE, Jean Baptiste le Moyne, Sieur 
de, was born at Montreal. Canada, Feb. 23, 1680, 
and was the French Governor of Louisiana at the 
time the Illinois country was included in that 
province. He had several brothers, a number of 
whom played important parts in the early history 
of the province. Bienville first visited Louisi- 
ana, in company with his brother Iberville, in 
1698, their object being to establish a French 
colony near the mouth of the Mississippi. The 
first settlement was made at Biloxi, Dec. 6, 1699, 
and SanvoUe, another brother, was placed in 
charge. The latter was afterward made Governor 
of Louisiana, and, at his death (ITOl), he was 
succeeded by Bienville, who transferred the seat 
of government to Jlobile. In 1704 he was joined 
by his brother Chateaugay, who brought seven- 
teen settlers from Canada. Soon afterwards 
Iberville died, and Bienville was recalled to 
F^nce in 1707, but was reinstated the following 
year. Finding the Indians worthless as tillers of 
the soil, he seriously suggested to the home gov- 
ernment thee.xpediency of trading off the copper- 
colored aborigines for negroes from the West 
Indies, three Indians, to be reckoned as equiva- 
lent to two blacks. In 1713 Cadillac was sent out 
as Governor, Bienville being made Lieutenant- 
Governor. The two quarreled. Cadillac was 
superseded by Epinay in 1717, and, in 1718, Law's 
first expedition arrived (see Company of the 
West), and brought a Governor's commission for 
Bienville. The latter soon after founded New 
Orleans, which became the seat of government 
for the province (which then included Illinois), in 
1723. In January, 1724, he was again summoned 
to France to answer charges; was removed in 
disgrace in 1726, but reinstated in 1733 and given 
the rank of Lieutenant-General. Failing in vari- 
ous e.xpeditions against the Chickasaw Indians, 
lie was again suj)erseded in 1743, returning to 
France, where he died in 1768. 

BltrGS, William, pioneer. Judge and legislator, 
was born in Maryland in 1753, enlisted in the 
Revolutionary army, and served as an officer 
under Colonel George Rogers Clark in the expe- 
dition for the capture of Illinois from the British 
in 1778. He settled in Bellefontaine (now Monroe 
County) soon after the close of the war. He was 
Sheriff of St. Clair County for many years, and 
later Justice of the Peace and Judge of the Court 
of Common Pleas. He also represented his 



county in the Territorial Legislatures of In- 
diana and Illinois. Died, in .St. Clair County, 
in 1S27. 

BIGCiSVILLE. a village of Henderson County, 
on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 
15 miles northeast of Burlington; has a bank and 
two newspapers; considerable grain and live- 
stock are shipped here. Population (1880), 358; 
(1890), 487; (1900). 417. 

BIO MUDDY RIVER, a stream formed by the 
union of two branches which rise in Jefferson 
County. It runs south and southwest through 
Franklin and Jackson Counties, and enters the 
Mississippi about five miles below Grand Tower. 
Its length is estimated at 140 miles. 

BILLINGS, Albert Merritt, capitalist, was 
born in New Hampshire. April 19, 1814, educated 
in the common schools of his native State and 
Vermont, and, at the age of 22, became Sheriff of 
Windsor County, Vt., Later he was proprietor 
for a time of the mail stage-coach line between 
Concord, N. H. , and Boston, but, having sold out, 
invested his means in the securities of the Chi- 
cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway and became 
identified with the business interests of Chicago. 
In the 'GO'S he became associated with Cornelius 
K. Garrison in the People's Gas Company of Chi- 
cago, of which he served as President from 1859 
to 1888. In 1890 Mr. Billings became extensively 
interested in the street railway enterprises of Mr. 
C. B. Holmes, resulting in his becoming the pro- 
prietor of the street railway system at Memphis, 
Tenn., valued, in 1897, at 83,000,000. In early 
life he had been associated with Commodore 
Vanderbilt in the operation of the Hudson River 
steamboat lines of the latter. In a<ldition to his 
other business enterprises, he was principal 
owner and. during the last twenty-five years of 
his life. President of the Home National and 
Home Savings Banks of Chicago. Died, Feb. 7, 
1897, leaving an estate valued at several millions 
of dollars. 

BILLINGS, Henry W., was born at Conway, 
Mass., July 11, 1814, graduated at Amherst Col- 
lege at twenty years of age, and began the study 
of law with Judge Foote, of Cleveland, Ohio, was 
admitted to the bar two years later and practiced 
there some two years longer. He then retnoved 
to St. Louis, Mo., later resided for a time at 
Waterloo and Cairo, 111. , but, in 1845, settled at 
Alton; was elected Mayor of that city in 1851, 
and the first Judge of the newly organized City 
Court, in 1859, serving in this position si.x years. 
In 1869 he was elected a Delegate from Madison 
County to the State Constitutional Convention of 



48 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



1869-70, but died before the expiration of the ses- 
sion, on April 19, 1870. 

BIRKBECE, Morris, early colonist, was born 
in England about 1762 or 1703, emigrated to 
America in 1817, and settled in Edwards County, 
111. He purchased a large tract of land and in- 
duced a large colony of English artisans, laborers 
and farmers to settle upon the same, founding 
the town of New Albion. He was an active, un- 
compromising opponent of slavery, and was an 
important factor in defeating the scheme to make 
Illinois a slave State. He was appointed Secre- 
tary of State by Governor Coles in October, 1824, 
but resigned at the end of three months, a hostile 
Legislature having refused to confirm him. A 
strong writer and a frequent contributor to the 
press, his letters and published works attracted 
attention both in this country and in Europe. 
Principal among the latter were: "Notes on a 
Journey Througli France" (181.5); "Notes on a 
Journey Through America" (1818), and "Letters 
from Illinois" (1818). Died from drowning in 
1825, aged about 63 years. (See Slaveri/ and 
<S/nrf Laws.) 

BISSELL. William H., first Republican Gov- 
ernor of Illinois, was born near Cooperstown, 
N. Y., on April 2.5, 1811, graduated in medicine at 
Philadelphia in 183.5, and, after practicing a short 
time in Steuben County, N. Y., removed to Slon- 
roe County, 111. In 1840 he was elected a Repre- 
sentative in the General Assembly, wliere he soon 
attained high rank as a debater. He studied law 
and practiced in Belleville, St. Clair County, be- 
coming Prosecuting Attorney for that countj' in 
1844. He served as Colonel of the Second Illinois 
Volunteers during the Mexican War, and achieved 
distinction at Buena Vista. He represented Illi- 
nois in Congress from 1849 to 185.5, being first 
elected as an Independent Democrat. On tlie pas- 
sage of tlie Kansas-Nebraska Bill, he left the Demo- 
cratic party and, in 18.56, was elected Governor on 
the Republican ticket. While in Congress he was 
challenged by Jefferson Davis after an inter- 
change of heated words respecting the relative 
courage of Northern and Southern soldiers, 
spoken in debate. Bissell accepted the challenge, 
naming muskets at tliirty paces. Mr. Da\'is's 
friends objected, and the duel never occurred. 
Died in office, at Springfield. 111., JIarch 18, 1860. 

BLACK, Jolin Charles, lawyer and soldier, 
born at Lexington, Miss., Jan. 29, 1839, at eight 
years of age came with his widowed mother to 
Illinois ; while a student at Wabash College, Ind., 
in April, 1861, enlisted in the Union army, serv- 
ing gallantly and with distinction until Aug. 15, 



1865, when, as Colonel of the 37th 111. Vol. Inf., he 
retired witli tlie rank of BrevetBrigadier-General; 
was admitted to the bar in 1857, and after practic- 
ing at Danville, Champaign and Urbana. in 1885 
was appointed Commissioner of Pensions, serving 
until 1889, when lie removed to Chicago; served as 
Congressman-at-large (1893-95), and U. S. District 
Attorney (1895-99); Commander of the Loyal 
Legion and of the G. A. R. (Department of 
Illinois), was elected Commander-in-Chief of the 
Grand Army at the Grand Encampment. 1903. 
Gen. Black received the lionorary degree of A.M. 
from his Alma Mater and that of LL.D from Knox 
College; in January, 1904, was appointed by 
Piesident Roosevelt member of tlie U. S. Civil 
Service Commission, and chosen its Piesident. 

BLACKBURN UMVERSITY, located at Cai- 
linville. ]\Iacoupin County. It owes its origin to 
the efforts of Dr. Gideon Blackburn, who, having 
induced friends in the East to unite with him in 
the jnirchase of Illinois lands at Government 
price, in 1837 conveyed 16,656 acres of tlie.se 
lands, situated in ten different counties, in tru.st 
for the founding of an institution of learning, 
intended particularly "to qualify young men for 
the gospel ministry." The citizens of Carlinville 
donated funds wherewith to purchase eighty 
acres of land, near that city, as a site, which was 
included in the deed of trust. The enterprise 
lay dormant for many years, and it was not until 
1.S57 that tlie institution was formally incorpo- 
rated, and ten years later it was little more than 
a high school, giving one course of instruction 
considered particularly adapted to prospective 
students of theology. At present (1898) there 
are about 110 students in attendance, a faculty 
of twelve instructors, and a theological, as well as 
preparatory and collegiate departments. Tlie 
institution owns property valued at 8110,000, of 
which 850,000 is represented by real estate and 
840,000 by endowment funds. 

BLACK HAWK, a Chief of the Sac tribe of 
Indians, reputed to have been born at Kaskaskia 
in 1767. (It is also claimed that he was born on 
Rock River, as well as within the present limits 
of Hancock County.) Conceiving that his people 
had been wrongfully despoiled of lauds belonging 
to them, in 1832 he inaugurated what is com- 
monly known as the Black Hawk War. His 
Indian name was Makabainiishekiakiak, signify- 
ing Black Sjiarrow Hawk. He was ambitious, but 
susceptible to flattery, and while having many of 
the (pialities of leadership, was lacking in moral 
force. He was always attached to British inter- 
ests, and unquestionably received British aid of a 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



49 



substantial sort. After his defeat he was made 
the ward of Keokuk, auother Chief, which 
Iiumiliation of his pride broke his heart. He died 
on a reservation set apart for liim in Iowa, in 
1838, aged 71. His body is said to Iiave been 
exhumed nine montlis after death, and his articu- 
lated skeleton is alleged to liare been preserved 
in the rooms of the Burlington (la.) Historical 
Society until 1855, when it was destroyed by fire. 
(See also Black Hawk War: Appendix.) 

BLACKSTOJfE, Timothy B., Railway Presi- 
dent, was born at Branford, Conn., Slarch 28, 
1829. After receiving a common school educa- 
tion, supplemented by a course in a neighboring 
academy, at 18 he began the practical study of 
engineering in a corps employed by the New 
York & New Hampshire Railway Company, and 
the same year became assistant engineer on the 
Stockbridge & Pittsfield Railway. While thus 
emploj'ed he applied himself diligently to the 
study of the tlieoretical science of engineering, 
and, on coming to Illinois in 1851, was qualified 
to accept and fill the position of division engineer 
(from Bloomington to Dixon) on the Illinois Cen- 
tral Railway. On the completion of the main 
line of tliat road in 1855, lie was appointed Chief 
Engineer of the Joliet & Chicago Railroad, later 
becoming financially interested therein, and 
being chosen President of the corporation on the 
completion of the line. In January, 1864, tlie 
Chicago & Joliet was leased in perjietuity to the 
Chicago & Alton Railroad Company. Mr. Black- 
stone then became a Director in the latter organi- 
zation and, in April following, was chosen its 
President. Tliis oflice he filled uninterruptedly 
until AprU 1,1899, when the road passed into the 
hands of a syndicate of other lines. He was also 
one of the original incorporators of the Union 
Stock Yards Company, and was its President from 
1864 to 1868. His career as a railroad man was con- 
spicuous for its long service, the uninterrupted 
success of his management of tlie enterprises 
entrusted to his hands and his .studious regard for 
the interests of stockliolders. This was illustrated 
by the fact tliat, for some thirty years, the Chicago 
& Alton Railroad paid dividends on its preferred 
and common stock, ranging from 6 to 83^ percent 
per annum, and, on disposing of his stock conse- 
quent on tlie transfer of the line to a new corpora- 
tion in 1899, Mr. Black.stone rejected oflfers for his 
stock— aggregating nearly one-third of the whole 
— which would have netted him $1,000,000 in 
excess of the amount received, because he was 
unwilling to use his position to reap an advantage 
over smaller stockholders. Died, May 26, 1900. 



BLACKWELL, Robert S., lawyer, was bom 
at Belleville, 111., in 1823. He belonged to a 
prominent family in the early history of the 
State, his fatlier, David Blackwell, who was also 
a lawyer and settled in Belleville about 1819, 
having been a member of the Second General 
Assembly (1820) from St. Clair County, and also 
of the Fourth and Fiftlj. In April, 1823, he was 
appointed by Governor Coles Secretary of State, 
succeeding Judge Samuel D. Lockwood, after- 
wards a Justice of the Supreme Court, wlio liad 
just received from President Monroe tlie appoint- 
ment of Receiver of Public Moneys at the 
Edwardsville Land Office. Mr. Blackwell served 
in the Secretary's office to October, 1824, during 
a part of the time acting as editor of "The Illinois 
Intelligencer," which had been removed from 
Kaskaskia to Vandalia, and in which he strongly 
opposed the policy of making Illinois a slave 
State. He finally died in Belleville. Robert 
Blackwell, a brother of David and the uncle of 
the subject of this sketch, was joint owner with 
Daniel P. Cook, of "The Illinois Herald"— after- 
wards "The Intelligencer" — at Kaskaskia, in 
1816, and in April, 1817, succeeded Cook in the 
office of Territorial Auditor of Public Accounts, 
being himself succeeded by Elijah C. Berry, who 
had become his partner on "The Intelligencer," 
and served as Auditor until the organization of 
tlie State Government in 1818. Blackwell & Berry 
were chosen State Printers after the removal of 
the State capital to Vandalia in 1820, serving in 
this capacity for some years. Robert Blackwell 
lo(;ated at Vandalia and served as a member of 
the House from Fayette County in the Eighth 
and Ninth General Assemblies (1832-36) and in 
the Senate, 1840-42. Robert S.^ — the son of David, 
and the younger member of this somewhat 
famous and historic family — wliose name stands at 
the head of this paragraph, attended tlie common 
schools at Belleville in his boyhood, but in early 
manhood removed to Galena, where he engaged 
in mercantile pursuits. He later studied law 
with Hon. O. H. Browning at Quincy, beginning 
practice at Rushville. where he was associated 
for a time with Judge Minsliall. In 1852 he 
removed to Chicago, having for liis first partner 
Corydon Beckwith, afterwards of the Supreme 
Court, still later being associated with a number 
of prominent lawyers of that day. He is de- 
scribed by his biographers as "an able lawyer, aii 
eloquent advocate and a brilliant scholar." 
"Blackwell on Tax Titles," from his pen, has been 
accepted by the profession as a high authority on 
that branch of law. He also published a revision 



50 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



of the Statutes in 1858, and began an "Abstract 
of Decisions of the Supreme Court," which had 
reached the tliird or fourth volume at his death. 
May 16, 18G3. 

BLAIR, William, mercliant, was born at 
Homer, Cortland County, N. Y., May 20, 1818, 
being descended through five generations of New 
England ancestors. After attending school in 
the town of Cortland, which became his father's 
residence, at the age of 14 he obtained employ- 
ment in a stove and hardware store, four years 
later (1836) coming to Joliet, 111., to take charge 
of a branch store which the firm had established 
there. The next year he purcliased the stock and 
continued the business on his own account. In 
August, 1842, he removed to Chicago, where he 
established the earliest and one of the most 
extensive wholesale hardware concerns in that 
city, with which he remained connected nearly 
fifty years. During this period he was associated 
with various partners, including C. B. Nelson, 
E. G. Hall, O. W. Belden, James H. Horton and 
others, besides, at times, conducting the business 
alone. He suffered by the fire of 1871 in common 
with other business men of Chicago, but promptly 
resumed business and, within the next two or 
three years, had erected business blocks, succes- 
sively, on Lake and Randolph Streets, but retired 
from business in 1888. He was a Director of the 
Merchants' National Bank of Chicago from its 
organization in 1865, as also for a time of the 
Atlantic & Pacific Telegraph Company and the 
Chicago Gaslight & Coke Company, a Trustee of 
Lake Forest University, one of the Managers of 
the Presbyterian Hospital and a member of the 
Chicago Historical Society. Died in Chicago, 
May 10, 1899. 

BLAKELY, David, journalist, was born in 
Franklin County, Vt., in 1834; learned the print- 
er's trade and graduated from the University of 
Vermont in 1857. He was a member of a musical 
family which, under the name of "The Blakely 
Family," made several successful tours of the 
West. He engaged in journalism at Rochester, 
Minn., and, in 1862, was elected Secretary of 
State and ex-officio Superintendent of Schools, 
serving until 1865, when he resigned and, in 
partnership with a brother, bought "The Chicago 
Evening Post," with which he was connected at 
the time of the great fire and for some time after- 
ward. Later, he returned to Minnesota and 
became one of the proprietors and a member of 
the editorial staff of "The St. Paul Pioneer-Press. " 
In his later years Mr. Blakely was President of 
the Blakely Printing Company, of Chicago, also 



conducting a large printing business in New 
York, which was his residence. He was manager 
for several years of the celebrated Gilmore Band 
of musicians, and also instrumental in organizing 
the celebrated Sousa's Band, of which he was 
manager up to the time of his decease in New 
York, Nov. 7, 1896. 

BLAKEMAN, Curtiss, sea-captain, and pioneer 
settler, came from New England to Madison 
County, 111., in 1819, and settled in what was 
afterwards known as the "Marine Settlement," of 
which he was one of the founders. This settle- 
ment, of which the present town of Marine (first 
called Madison) was the outcome, took its name 
from the fact that several of the early settlers, like 
Captain Blakeman, were sea-faring men. Captain 
Blakeman became a prominent citizen and repre- 
sented Madison County in the lower branch of 
the Third and Fourth General Assemblies (1822 
and 1824), in the foi-mer being one of the opponents 
of the pro-slavery amendment of the Constitution. 
A son of his, of the same name, was a Represent- 
ative in the Thirteenth, Fifteenth and Sixteenth 
General Assemblies from Madison County. 

BLANCHARD, Jonathan, clergyman and edu 
cator, was born in Rockingham, Vt., Jan. 19, 
1811; graduated at Middlebury College in 1832; 
then, after teaching some time, spent two years 
in Andover Theological Seminary, finally gradu- 
ating in theology at Lane Seminary, Cincinnati, 
in 1838, where he remained nine years as pastor 
of the Sixth Presbyterian Chiu-ch of that city. 
Before this time he had become interested in 
various reforms, and, in 1843, was sent as a 
delegate to the second World's Anti-Slavery 
Convention in London, serving as the American 
Vice-President of that body. In 1846 he assumed 
the Presidency of Knox College at Galesburg, 
remaining until 1858, during his connection 
with that institution doing much to increase its 
capacit}' and resources. After two years spent in 
pastoral work, he accepted (1860) the Presidency 
of Wheaton College, which he continued to fill 
until 1882, when he was chosen President Emer- 
itus, remaining in this position until his death, 
May 14, 1892. 

BLAKDINSVILLE, a town in JIcDonough 
County, on the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw Rail- 
road, 26 miles soiitheast of Burlington, Iowa, and 
64 miles west by south from Peoria. It is a ship- 
ping point for the grain grown in the surroimd- 
ing countrj', and has a grain elevatol and steam 
flour and saw mills. It also has banks, two 
weekly newspapers and several churches. Popu- 
lation"(]«o'^'> 877; (1900), 995. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



51 



BLANEY, Jerome Van Zaiidt, early physician, 
born at Newcastle, Del., May 1, 1820; was edu- 
cated at Princeton and graduated in medicine at 
Philadelphia when too young to receive his 
diploma ; in 1843 came west and joined Dr. Daniel 
Brainard in founding Rush Medical College at 
Chicago, for a time filling three chairs in that 
institution ; also, for a time, occupied the chair of 
Chemistrj' and Natural Philosophy in Northwest- 
ern University. In 1801 he was appointed Sur- 
geon, and afterwards Medical Director, in the 
army, and was Surgeon -in-Chief on the staff of 
General Sheridan at the time of the battle of 
Winchester ; after the war was delegated by the 
Government to pay off medical officers in the 
Northwest, in tliis capacity disbui'sing over S600,- 
000 ; finally retiring with the rank of Lieutenant- 
Colonel. Died. Dec. 11, 1874. 

BLATCHFORD, Eliphalet Wickes, LL.D., 
son of Dr. John Blatchford, was born at Stillwater, 
N. Y. , May 31, 1826; being a grandson of Samuel 
Blatchford, D.D.,who came to New York from 
England, in 1795. He prepared for college at Lan- 
singburg Academy. New York, and at Marion 
College, Mo. , finally graduating at Illinois College, 
Jacksonville, in the class of 184.5. After graduat- 
ing, he was employed for several years in the law 
offices of his uncles, R. M. and E. H. Blatchford, 
New York. For considerations of health he re- 
turned to the West, and, in 1850, engaged in busi- 
ness for himself as a lead manufacturer in St. 
Louis, Mo., afterwards associating with him the 
late Morris Collins, under the firm name of Blatch- 
ford & Collins. In 1854 a branch was established 
in Chicago, known as Collins & Blatchford. After 
a few years the firm was dissolved, Mr. Blatch- 
ford taking the Chicago business, which has 
continued as E. W. Blatchford & Co to the pres- 
ent time. While 5Ir. Blatchford has invariably 
declined political offices, he has been recognized 
as a staunch Republican, and the services of few 
men have been in more frequent request for 
positions of trust in connection with educational 
and benevolent enterprises. Among the numer- 
ous positions of this character which he has been 
called to fill are those of Treasurer of the North- 
western Branch of tlie United States Sanitary 
Commission, during the Civil War, to which he 
devoted a large part of his time ; Trustee of Illi- 
nois College (1866-75); President of the Chicago 
Academy of Sciences; a member, and for seven- 
teen years President, of the Board of Trustees of 
the Chicago Eye and Ear Infirmary ; Trustee of 
the Chicago Art Institute ; Executor and Trustee 
of the late Walter L. Newberry, and, since its 



incorporation. President of the Board of Trustees 
of The Newberry Library; Trustee of the John 
Crerar Library; one of the founders and Presi- 
dent of the Board of Trustees of the Chicago 
Manual Training School; life member of the 
Chicago Historical Society ; for nearly forty 
years President of the Board of Directors of the 
Chicago Theological Seminary; during his resi- 
dence in Chicago an officer of the New England 
Congregational Church ; a corporate member of 
the American Board of Commissioners for For- 
eign Missions, and for fourteen years its Vice- 
President; a charter member of the City 
Missionary Society, and of the Congregational 
Club of Chicago; a member of the Chicago 
Union League, the University, the Literary and 
the Commercial Clubs, of which latter he has 
been President. Oct. 7, 1858, Mr. Blatchford was 
married to Miss Mary Emily Williams, daughter 
of John C.Williams, of Chicago. Seven children — 
four sons and three daughters — have blessed this 
union, the eldest son, Paul, being to-day one of 
Chicago's valued business men. Mr. Blatchford's 
life has been one of ceaseless and successful 
activity in business, and to him Chicago owes 
much of its prosperity. In the giving of time 
and money for Christian, educational and benevo- 
lent enterprises, he has been conspicuous for his 
generosity, and noted for his valuable counsel and 
executive ability in carrying these enterprises to 
success. 

BLATCHFORD, John, D.D., was born at New- 
field (now Bridgeport), Conn., May 24, 1799; 
removed in childhood to Lansingburg, N. Y., 
and was educated at Cambridge Academy and 
Union College in that State, graduating in 1820. 
He finislied his theological course at Princeton, 
N. J., in 1823, after which he ministered succes- 
sively to Presbyterian churches at Pittstown and 
Stillwater, N. Y., in 1830 accepting the pastorate 
of the First Congregational Church of Bridge- 
port, Conn. In 1836 he came to the West, spend- 
ing the following winter at Jacksonville, 111. , and, 
in 1837, was installed the first pastor of the First 
Presbyterian Church of Chicago, where he 
remained imtil compelled by failing health to 
resign and return to the East. In 1841 he ac- 
cepted the chair of Intellectual and Moral Phi- 
losophy at Marion College, Mo., subsequently 
assuming the Presidency. The institution having 
been purchased by the Free Masons, in 1844, he 
removed to West Ely, Mo., and thence, in 1847, 
to Quincy, 111., where he resided during the 
remainder of his life. His death occurred in St. 
Louis, April 8, 1855. The churches he served 



52 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



testified strongly to Dr. Blatchford's faithful, 
acceptable and successful performance of his 
ministerial duties. He was married in 182.5 to 
Frances Wickes. daughter of Eliphalet Wickes, 
Esq.. of .Jamaica, Long Island, N. Y. 

BLEDSOE, Albert Taylor, teacher and law- 
yer, was born in Frankfort. Ky., Nov. 9, 1809; 
graduated at "West Point Military Academy in 
1830, and. after two years' service at Fort Gib- 
son, Indian Territory, retired from the army in 
1833. During 1833-34 he was Adjunct Professor 
of Mathematics and teacher of French at Kenyon 
College, Ohio, and, in 183.5-36, Professor of 
Mathematics at Miami University. Then, hav- 
ing studied theology, he served for several years 
as rector of Episcopal churches in Ohio. In 1838 
he settled at Springfield, 111., and began the prac- 
tice of law, remaining several years, when he 
removed to "Washington, D. C. Later he became 
Professor of Mathematics, first (1848-54) in the 
University of Mississippi, and (1854 61) in the 
University of Virginia. He then entered the 
Confederate service with the rank of Colonel, 
but soon became Acting Assistant Secretary of 
War ; in 1863 visited England to collect material 
for a work on the Constitution, which was pub- 
lished in 1866, when he settled at Baltimore, 
where he began the publication of "The Southern 
Review," which became the recognized organ of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Later 
he became a minister of the Methodist Church. 
He gained considerable reputation for eloquence 
during his residence in Illinois, and was the 
author of a number of works on religious and 
political subjects, the latter maintaining the 
right of secession; was a man of recognized 
ability, but lacked stability of character. Died 
at Alexandria, Ta., Dec. 8, 1877. 

BLODGETT, Henry Williams, jurist, was born 
at Amherst, Mass., in 1821. At the age of 10 
years he removed with his parents to Illinois, 
where he attended the district schools, later 
returning to Amherst to spend a year at the 
Academy. Returning home, he spent the years 
1839-43 in teaching and surveying. In 1843 he 
began the study of law at Chicago, being 
admitted to the bar in 1845, and beginning prac- 
tice at Waukegan, 111., where he has continued 
to reside. In 1858 he was elected to the lower 
house of the Legislature from Lake County, as 
an anti-slaverj' candidate, and, in 1858, to the 
State Senate, in the latter serving four years. 
He gained distinction as a railroad solicitor, being 
employed at different times by the Chicago & 
Northwestern, the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. 



Paul, the Michigan Southern and the Pittsburg 
& Fort Wayne Companies. Of the second named 
road lie was one of the projectors, procuring its 
charter, and being identified with it in the sev- 
eral capacities of Attorney, Director and Presi- 
dent. In 1870 President Grant appointed him 
Judge of the United States District Court for the 
Northern District of Illinois. This position he 
continued to occupy for twenty-two years, resign- 
ing it in 1892 to accept an appointment by Presi- 
dent Cleveland as one of the counsel for the 
United States before the Behring Sea Arbitrators 
at Paris, which was his last official service. 

BLOOMI>'GDALE, a village of Du Page County, 
30 miles west by north from Chicago. Population 
(1880), 320; (1890), 463; (1900), 235. 

BLOOMINGTON, the county-seat of McLean 
County, a flourishing city and railroad center, 59 
miles northeast of Springfield ; is in a rich agri- 
cultural and coal-mining district. Besides car 
shops and repair works employing some 2,000 
hands, there are manufactories of stoves, fur- 
naces, plows, flour, etc. Nurseries are numerous 
in the vicinity and horse breeding receives much 
attention. The city is the seat of Illinois Wes- 
leyan University, has fine public schools, several 
newspapers (two published daily), besides educa- 
tional and other publications. The business sec- 
tion suff'ered a disastrous fire in 1900, but has been 
rebuilt more substantially than before. The prin- 
cipal streets are paved and electric street cars con- 
nect with Normal (two miles distant), the site of 
the "State Normal University" and "Soldiers' Or- 
phans' Home." Pop. (1890), 20,284; (1900), 23,286. 

BLOOMI>GTO> C0>TEXT10>' OF 18,5G, 
Although not formally called as such, this was 
the first Republican State Convention held in 
Illinois, out of which grew a permanent Repub- 
lican organization in the State. A mass conven- 
tion of those opposed to the repeal of the Missouri 
Compromise (known as an "Anti-Nebraska 
Convention") was held at Springfield during the 
week of the State Fair of 18.54 (on Oct. 4 and 5), 
and, although it adopted a platform in harmony 
with tlie principles which afterwards became the 
foundation of the Republican party, and appointed 
a State Central Committee, besides putting in 
nomination a candidate for State Treasurer — tlie 
only State officer elected that year — the organi- 
zation was not perpetuated, the State Central 
Committee failing to organize. The Bloomington 
Convention of 1856 met in accordance with a call 
issued by a State Central Committee appointed 
by the Convention of Anti-Nebraska editors held 
at Decatur on February 22, 1856. (See Anti-Neb- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



53 



raska Editorial Convention.) The call did not 
even contain the word "Republican," but was 
addressed to those opposed to the principles of 
the Nebraska Bill and the policy of the existing 
Democratic administration. The Convention 
met on May 29, ISoO, the date designated bj' the 
Editorial Convention at Decatur, but was rather 
in the nature of a mass than a delegate conven- 
tion, as party organizations existed in few coun- 
ties of the State at that time. Consequently 
representation was very unequal and followed no 
systematic rule. Out of one hundred counties 
into which the State was then divided, only 
seventy were represented by delegates, ranging 
from one to twenty-five each, leaving thirty 
counties (embracing nearly the whole of the 
southern part of tlie State) entirely unrepre- 
sented. Lee County had the largest representa- 
tion (twenty-five), Morgan County (the home of 
Richard Yates) coming next with twenty dele- 
gates, while Cook County had seventeen and 
Sangamon had five. The whole number of 
delegates, as shown by the contemporaneous 
record, was 269. Among the leading spirits in 
the Convention were Abraham Lincoln, Archi- 
bald Williams, O. H. Browning. Richard Yates, 
John M. Palmer, Owen Lovejoy, Norman B. 
Judd, Burton C. Cook and others who afterwards 
became prominent in State politics. The delega- 
tion from Cook County included the names of 
John Wentworth, Grant Goodrich, George 
Schneider, Mark Skinner, Charles H. Ray and 
Charles L. Wilson. The temporary organization 
was effected with Archibald Williams of Adams 
County in the chair, followed by the election of 
John M. Palmer of Macoupin, as Permanent 
President. The other ofKcers were: Vice-Presi- 
dents — John A. Davis of Stephenson; William 
Ross of Pike; James McKee of Cook; John H. 
Bryant of Bureau; A. C. Harding of Warren; 
Richard Y''ates of Morgan; Dr. H. C. Johns of 
Macon; D. L. Phillips of Union; George Smith 
of Madison; Thomas A. Marshall of C(jles; J. M. 
Rugglesof Mason ; G.D.A. Parks of Will, and John 
Clark of Schuyler. Secretaries — Henry S. Baker 
of Madison; Charles L. Wilson of Cook; John 
Tillson of Adams; Washington Bushnell of La 
Salle, and B. J. F. Hanna of Randolph, A State 
ticket was put in nomination consisting of 
William H. Bissell for Governor (by acclama- 
tion); Francis A. Hoffman of Du Page County, 
for Lieutenant-Governor; Ozias M. Hatch of 
Pike, for Secretary of State; Jesse K. Dubois of 
Lawrence, for Auditor; James Miller of McLean, 
for Treasurer, and William H. Powell of Peoria, 



for Superintendent of Public Instruction. Hoff- 
man, having been found ineligil)le by lack of resi- 
dence after the date of naturalization, withdrew, 
and his place was subsequently filled by the 
nomination of John Wood of Quincy. The plat- 
form adopted was outspoken in its pledges of 
unswerving loyalty to the Union and opposition 
to the extension of slavery into new territory. A 
delegation was appointed to the National Con- 
vention to be held in Philadelphia on June 17, 
following, and a State Central Committee was 
named to conduct the State campaign, consisting 
of James C. Conkling of Sangamon County; 
Asahel Gridley of McLean; Burton C. Cook of 
La Salle, and Charles H. Ray and Norman B. 
Judd of Cook. The principal speakers of the 
occasion, before the convention or in popular 
meetings held while the members were present in 
Blooniington, included the names of O. H. Brown- 
ing, Owen Lovejoy, Abraham Lincoln, Burton 
C. Cook, Richard Yates, the venerable John 
Dixon, founder of the city bearing his name, and 
Governor Reeder of Pennsylvania, who had been 
Territorial Governor of Kansas by appointment 
of President Pierce, but had refused to carry out 
the policy of the administration for making 
Kansas a slave State. Mone of the speeches 
were fully reported, but that of Mr. Lincoln has 
been universally regarded by those who heard it 
as the gem of the occasion and the most brilliant 
of his life, foreshadowing his celebrated "house- 
divided-against-itself" speech of June 17, 1858. 
John L. Scripps, editor of "The Chicago Demo- 
cratic Press," writing of it, at the time, to his 
paper, said: "Never has it been our fortune to 
listen to a more eloquent and masterly presenta- 
tion of a subject. . . . For an hour and a half he 
(Mr. Lincoln) held the assemblage spellbound by 
the power of his argument, the intense irony of 
his invective, and the deep earnestness and fervid 
brilliancy of his eloquence. When he concluded, 
the audience sprang to their feet and cheer after 
cheer told how deeply their hearts had been 
touched and their souls warmed up to a generous 
enthusiasm." At the election, in November 
following, although the Democratic candidate 
for President carried the State by a plurality of 
over 9,000 votes, the entire State ticket put in 
nomination at Bloomington was successful by 
majorities ranging from 3,000 to 20,000 for the 
several candidates. 

BLUE ISLAND, a village of Cook County, on 
the Calumet River and the Chicago, Rock Island 
& Pacific, the Chicago & Grand Trunk and 
the Illinois Central Railways, 15 miles south of 



54 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Chicago. It has a high school, churches and two 
newspapers, besides brick, smelting and oil works. 
Population (1890), 2,.521; (1900), 6,114. 

BLUE ISLAND RAILROAD, a short line 3.96 
miles in length, lying wlioUy within lUinois; 
capital stock §25,000; operated by the Illinois 
Central Railroad Company. Its funded debt 
(1895) was $100,000 and its floating debt. .$3,779. 

BLUE MOUND, a town of Macon County, on 
the Wabash Railway, 14 miles southeast of De- 
catur; in rich grain and livestock region; has 
three grain elevators, two banks, tile factory and 
one newspaper. Pop. (1890), 696; (1900), 714. 

BLUFFS, a village of Scott County, at the 
junction of the Quincy and Hannibal branches of 
the Wabash Railway, 53 miles west of Spring- 
field; has a bank and a newspaper. Population 
(1880), 163; (1890), 421; (1900), 539. 

BOAL, Robert, M.D., physician and legis- 
lator, born near Harrisburg, Pa., in 1806; was 
brought by his parents to Ohio when fi^TS j'ears 
old and educated at Cincinnati, graduating from 
the Ohio Medical College in 1838; settled at 
Lacon, 111., in 1836, practicing there until 1863, 
when, having been appointed Surgeon of the 
Board of Enrollment for that District, he re- 
moved to Peoria. Other public positions held by 
Dr. Boal have been those of Senator in the 
Fourteenth and Fifteenth General Assemblies 
(1844-48), Representative in the Nineteenth and 
Twentieth (1854-.58), and Trustee of the Institu- 
tion for the Deaf and Dumb at Jacksonville, 
remaining in the latter position seventeen years 
under the successive administrations of Gov- 
ernors Bissell, Yates, Oglesby, Palmer and Bever- 
idge — the last five years of his service being 
President of the Board. He was also President 
of the State Medical Board in 1882. Dr. Boal 
continued to practice at Peoria until about 1890, 
when he retired, and, in 1893, returned to Lacon 
to reside with his daughter, the widow of the 
late Colonel Greeubury L. Fort, for eight years 
Representative in Congress from the Eighth 
District. 

BOARD OF ARBITRATION, a Bureau of the 
State Government, created by an act of the Legis- 
lature, approved August 3, 1895. It is appointed 
by the Executive and is composed of three mem- 
bers (not more than two of whom can belong to 
the same political jiarty), one of whom must be 
an employer of labor and one a member of some 
labor organization. Tlie term of office for the 
members first named was fixed at two years; 
after March 1, 1897, it is to be three years, one 
member retiring annuallj'. A compensation of 



$1,500 per annum is allowed to each member of 
the Board, while the Secretary, who must also be 
a stenographer, receives a salary of $1,300 per 
annum. When a controversy arises between an 
individual, firm or corporation employing not less 
than twenty-five persons, and his or its employes, 
application may be made by the aggrieved 
party to the Board for an inquiry into the 
nature of the disagreement, or both parties may 
unite in the submission of a case. The Board is 
required to visit the locality, carefully investi- 
gate the cause of the dispute and render a deoi- 
cion as soon as practicable, the same to be at once 
made public. If the application be filed by the 
employer, it must be accompanied by a stipula- 
tion to continue in business, and order no lock-out 
for the space of three weeks after its date. In 
like manner, complaining employes must promise 
to continue peacefully at work, under existing 
conditions, for a like period. The Board is 
granted power to send for persons and papers and 
to administer oaths to witnesses. Its decisions 
are binding upon applicants for six months after 
i-endition, or until either party sliall have given 
the other sixtj- daj's' notice in writing of his or 
their intention not to be bound therebj-. In case 
the Board shall learn that a disagreement exists 
between employes and an employer having less 
than twenty-five persons in his employ, and that 
a strike or lock-out is seriously threatened, it is 
made the duty of the body to put itself into 
communication with both employer and employes 
and endeavor to effect an amicable settlement 
between them by mediation. The absence of any 
provision in the law prescribing penalties for its 
violation leaves tlie observance of the law, in its 
present form, dependent upon the voluntary 
action of the parties interested. 

BOARD OF EQUALIZATION, a body organ- 
ized under act of the General Assembly, ajjproved 
March 8, 1867. It first consisted of twenty-five 
members, one from each Senatorial District. 
The first Board was appointed by the Governor, 
holding office two years, afterwards becoming 
elective for a term of four years. In 1873 the 
law was amended, reducing the number of mem- 
bers to one for each Congressional District, the 
whole number at that time becoming nir;eteen, 
with the Auditor as a member exofiicio, who 
usually presides. From 1884 to 1897 it consisted 
of twenty elective members, but, in 1897, it was 
increased to twenty t\t"o. The Board meets 
annually on the second Tuesday of August. The 
abstracts of the property assessed for taxation in 
the several counties of the State are laid before 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



55 



it for examination and equalization, but it may 
not reduce the aggregate valuation nor increase 
it more than one per cent. Its powers over the 
returns of the assessors do not extend beyond 
equalization of assessments between counties. 
Tlie Board is required to consider the various 
classes of property separately, and determine 
such rates of addition to or deduction from the 
listed, or assessed, valuation of each class as it 
may deem equitable and just. The statutes pre- 
scribe rules for determining the value of all the 
classes of property enumerated — personal, real, 
railroad, telegraph, etc. The valuation of the 
capital stock of railroads, telegraph and other 
corporations (except newspapers) is fixed by tlie 
Board. Its consideration having been completed, 
the Board is required to summarize the results of 
its labors in a comparative table, which must be 
again examined, compared and perfected. 
Reports of each annual meeting, with the results 
reached, are printed at the expense of the State 
and distributed as are other public documents. 
The present Board (1897-1901) consists by dis- 
tricts of (t) George F. McKnight, (2) John J. 
McKenna, (3) Solomon Simon, (4) Andrew Mc- 
Ansh, (5) Albert Oberndorf, (6) Henry Severin, 
(7) Edward S. Taylor, (8) Theodore S. Rogers, 
(9) Charles A. Works, (10) Thomas P. Pierce, (11) 
Samuel M. Barnes, (12) Frank P. Martin, (13) 
Frank K. Robeson, (14) W. O. Cadwallader, (15) 
J. S. Cruttenden, (IG) H. D. Hirshheimer, (17) 
Thomas N. Leavitt, (18) Joseph F. Long, (19) 
Richard Cadle, (20) Charles Emerson, (21) John 
W. Larimer, (22) William A. Wall, besides the 
Auditor of Public Accounts as ex-officio member 
— the District members being divided politicallj' 
in the proportion of eighteen Republicans to four 
Democrats. 

BOARD OF PUBLIC CHARITIES, a State 
Bureau, created by act of the Legislature in 
1869, upon the recommendation of Governor 
Oglesby. The act creating the Board gives the 
Commissioners supervisory oversight of the 
financial and administrative conduct of all the 
charitable and correctional institutions of the 
State, with the exception of the i^enitentiaries, 
and they are especially charged with looking 
after and caring for the condition of the paujjers 
and the insane. As originally constituted the 
Board consisted of five male members who em- 
ployed a Secretary. Later provision was made 
for the appointment of a female Commissioner. 
The office is not elective. The Board has always 
carefully scrutinized the accounts of the various 
State charitable institutions, and, under its man- 



agement, no charge of peculation against any 
official connected with the same has e\er been 
substantiated ; there have been no scandals, and 
only one or two isolated charges of cruelty to 
inmates. Its supervision of the county jails and 
almshouses has been careful and conscientious, 
and has resulted in benefit alike to the tax-payers 
and the inmates. The Board, at the close of the 
year 1898, consisted of the following five mem- 
bers, their terms ending as indicated in paren- 
thesis: J. C. Corbus (1898), R. D. Lawrence 
(1899), Julia C. Lathrop (1900), William J. Cal- 
houn (1901), Ephraim Banning (1902). J. C. Cor- 
bus was President and Frederick H. Wines, 
Secretary. 

BO(i,\RDUS, Charles, legislator, was born 
in Cayuga County, N. Y., March 28, 1841, and 
left an orphan at six years of age ; was educated 
in the common schools, began working in a store 
at 12. and, in 1802, enlisted in the One Hundred 
and Fifty-first New York Infantry, being elected 
First Lieutenant, and retiring from the service 
as Lieutenant-Colonel "for gallant and meritori- 
ous service" before Petersburg. While in the 
service he participated in some of the most 
important battles in Virginia, and was once 
wounded and once captured. In 1872 he located 
in Ford County, 111., where lie has been a success- 
ful operator in real estate. He has been twice 
elected to the House of Representatives (1884 and 
'86) and three times to the State Senate (1888, 
'92 and '90), and has served on the most important 
committees in each house, and has proved him- 
self one of the most useful members. At the 
session of 189.5 he was chosen President pro tern. 
of the Senate. 

BOOGS, Carroll C, Justice of the Supreme 
Court, was born in Fairfield, Wayne County, 
111., Oct. 19, 1844, and still resides in his native 
town: has held the offices of State's Attorney, 
County Judge of Wayne County, and Judge of 
the Circuit Court for the Second Judicial Circuit, 
being assigned also to Appellate Court duty. In 
June, 1897, Judge Boggs was elected a Justice of 
the Supreme Court to succeed Judge David J. 
Baker, his term to continvie until 1906. 

BOLTWOOD, Henry L., the son of William 
and Electa (Stetson) Boltwood, was born at Am- 
herst, Mass., Jan. 17, 1831; fitted for college at 
Amherst Academj' and graduated from Amherst 
College in 18.53. While in college he taught 
school every winter, commencing on a salary of 
$4 per week and "boarding round" among the 
scholars. After gi'aduating he taught in acad- 
emies at Limerick, Me., and at Pemljroke and 



56 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OP ILLINOIS. 



Derry, N. H., and in tlie high scliool at Law- 
rence, Mass. ; also served as Scliool Commissioner 
for Rockingham County, N. H. In 1864 he went 
into the service of the Sanitary Commission in 
the Department of the Gulf, remaining until the 
close of the war ; was also ordained Chaplain of a 
colored regiment, but was not regularly mustered 
in. After the close of the war he was employed 
as Superintendent of Schools at Griggsville, 111., 
for two years, and, while there, in 1867, organ- 
ized the first township high school ever organized 
in the State, where he remained eleven years. He 
afterwards organized the township high school at 
Ottawa, remaining there five years, after which, 
in 1883, he organized and took charge of the 
township high school at Evanston, where he has 
since been employed in his profession as a teacher. 
Professor Bolt wood has been a member of the State 
Board of Education and has served as President 
of the State Teachers' Association. As a teacher 
he has given special attention to English language 
and literature, and to history, being the author 
of an English Grammar, a High School Speller 
and "Topical Outlines of General History," 
besides many contributions to educational jour- 
nals. He has done a great deal of institute work, 
both in Illinois and Iowa, and has been known 
somewhat as a tariff reformer. 

BOND, Lester L., lawyer, was born at Raven- 
na, Ohio, Oct. 27, 1839 ; educated iu the common 
schools and at an academy, meanwhile laboring 
in local factories; stmlied law and was admitted 
to the bar in 1853, the following year coming to 
Chicago, where he has given his attention chiefly 
to practice in connection with patent laws. Jlr. 
Bond served several terms in the Chicago City 
Council, was Reiiublican Presidential Elector in 
1868, and served tvi'o terms in the General Assem- 
bly— 1866-70. 

BOXD, Shadrach, first Territorial Delegate in 
Congress from Illinois and first Governor of the 
State, was born in Maryland, and, after being 
liberally educated, removed to Kaskaskia while 
Illinois was a part of the Northwest Territory. 
He served as a member of the first Tei-ritorial 
Legislature (of Indiana Territory) and was the 
first Delegate from the Territory of Illinois in 
Congress, serving from 1813 to 1814. In the 
latter year he was appointed Receiver of Public 
Jfoneys ; he also held a commission as Captain in 
the War of 1812. On the admission of the State, 
in 1818, he was elected Governor, and occupied 
the executive chair until 1822. Died at Kaskas- 
kia, April 13, 1832.— Shadrach Bond, Sr., an uncle 
of the preceding, came to Illinois in 1781 and was 



elected Delegate from St. Clair County (then 
comprehending all Illinois) to the Territorial 
Legislature of Northwest Territory, in 1799, and, 
in 1804, to the Legislative Council of the newly 
organized Territory of Indiana. 

BOND COUNTY, a small county lying north- 
east from St. Louis, having an area of 380 square 
miles and a population 1900) of 16.078. The 
first American settlers located here in 1807, com- 
ing from the South, and building Hill's and 
Jones's forts for protection from the Indians. 
Settlement was slow, in 1816 there being scarcely 
twenty-five log cabins in the county. The 
county-seat is Greenville, where the first cabin 
was erected in 1815 by George Davidson. The 
county was organized in 1818, and named in 
honor of Gov. Shadrach Bond. Its original 
limits included the present counties of Clinton, 
Fayette and Montgomerj'. The first court was 
held at Perryville, and, in May, 1817, Judge 
Jesse B. Thomas presided over the first Circuit 
Court at Hill's Station. The first court house 
was erected at Greenville in 1823. The county 
contains good timber and farming lands, and at 
some points, coal is found near the surface. 

BONNEY, Charles Carroll, lawyer and re- 
former, was born in Hamilton, N. Y., Sept. 4, 
1831 ; educated at Hamilton Academy and settled 
in Peoria, 111., in 1850, where he pursued the 
avocation of a teacher while studying law ; was 
admitted to the bar in 1853, but removed to Chi- 
cago in 1860, where he has since been engaged in 
practice; served as President of the National 
Law and Order League in New York in 1885, 
being repeatedly re-elected, and has also been 
President of the Illinois State Bar Association, as 
well as a member of the American Bar Associa- 
tion. Among the reforms which he has advo- 
cated are constitutional prohibition of special 
legislation; an extension of equity practice to 
bankruptcy and other law proceedings; civil serv- 
ice pensions ; State Boards of labor and capital, 
etc. He has also published some treatises in book 
form, chiefly on legal questions, besides editing 
a volume of "Poems by Alfred W. Arrington, 
with a sketch of his Character" (1869.) As Presi- 
dent of tlie World's Congresses Auxiliary, in 1893, 
Mr. Bonney contributed largely to the success of 
that very interesting and important feature of 
the great Columbian Exposition in Chicago. 

BOONE, Levi D., M. D., early physician, was 
born near Lexington, K}-., December, 1808 — a 
descendant of the celebrated Daniel Boone; re- 
ceived the degree of M. D. from Transylvania 
University and came to Edwardsville, 111., at an 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



57 



early day, afterwards locating at Hillsboro and 
taking part in the Black Hawk War as Captain of 
a cavalry company; came to Chicago in 1836 and 
engaged in the insurance business, later resuming 
the practice of his profession; served several 
terms as Alderman and was elected Mayor in 
1855 by a combination of temperance men and 
Know-Nothings; acquired a large property by 
operations in real estate. Died, February, 
1883 

BOOXE COUXTY, the smallest of the "north- 
ern tier" of counties, having an area of only 290 
square miles, and a population (19UU) of 15,791. 
Its surface is chiefly rolling prairie, and the 
principal products are oats and corn. The earli- 
est settlers came from New York and New Eng- 
land, and among them were included Medkiff, 
Dunham, Caswell, Cline, Towner, Doty and 
Whitney. Later (after the Pottawattomies had 
evacuated the country), came the Shattuck 
brothers, Maria Hollenbeck and Mrs. BuUard, 
Oliver Hale, Nathaniel Crosby, Dr. Whiting. H. 
0. Walker, and the Neeley and Mahoney families. 
Boone Count}' was cut off from Winnebago, and 
organized in 1837, being named in honor of Ken- 
tucky's pioneer. The first frame house in the 
county was erected by S. F. Doty and stood for 
fifty years in the village of Belvidere on the north 
side of the Kishwaukee River. The county-seat 
(Belvidere) was platted in 1837, and an academy 
built soon after. The first Protestant church 
was a Baptist society under the pastorate of Rev. 
Dr. King. 

BOURBONXAIS, a village of Kankakee County, 
on the Illinois Central Railroad, 5 miles north of 
Kankakee. Population (1890), 510; (1900), .595. 

BOUTELL, Henry Sherman, lawyer and Con- 
gressman, was born in Boston, Ma.ss., March 14, 
1856, graduated from the Northwestern Univer- 
sity at Evauston, 111., in 1874, and from Harvard 
in 1876; was admitted to the bar in Illinois in 
1879, and to that of the Supreme Court of the 
United States in 1885. In 1884 Mr. Boutell was 
elected to the lower branch of the Thirty-fourth 
General Assembly and was one of the "103" who, 
in the long struggle during the following session, 
participated in the election of Gen. John A. 
Logan to the United States Senate for the last 
time. At a special election held in the Sixth 
Illinois District in November, 1897, he was 
elected Representative in Congress to fill the 
vacancy caused by the sudden death of his pred- 
ecessor. Congressman Edward D. Cooke, and at 
the regular election of 1898 was re-elected to the 
same position, receiving a plurality of 1,116 over 



his Democratic competitor and a majority of 719 
over all. 

BOUTOX, X'athaniel S., manufacturer, was 
born in Concord, N. H., May 14, 1828; in his 
youth farmed and tauglit school in Connecticut, 
but in 1853 came to Chicago and was emploj'ed 
in a foundry firm, of which he soon afterwards 
became a partner, in the manufacture of car- 
wheels and railway castings. Later he became 
associated with the American Bridge Compan)''s 
works, which was sold to the Illinois Central 
Railroad Company in 1857, when he bought the 
Union Car Works, which lie operated until 1863. 
He then became the head of the Union Foundry 
Works, which having been consolidated witli 
the Pullman Car Works in 1886, he retired, 
organizing the Bouton Foundry Company. Mr. 
Bouton is a Republican, was Commissioner of 
Public Works for the city of Chicago two terms 
before the Civil War, and served as Assistant 
Quartermaster in the Eighty-eighth Illinois 
Infantry (Second Board of Trade Regiment) 
from 1863 until after the battle of Chickamauga. 

BOYD, Thomas A., was born in Adams County, 
Pa., June 35, 1830, and graduated at Marshall 
College, Mercersburg, Pa., at the age of 18; 
studied law at Chambersburg and was admitted 
to the bar at Bedford in his native State, where 
he practiced until 1856, when he removed to Illi- 
nois. In 1861 he abandoned his pi'actice to enlist 
in the Seventeenth Illinois Infantry, in which he 
held the position of Captain. At the close of the 
war he returned to his home at Lewistown, and, 
in 1866, was elected State Senator and re-elected 
at the expiration of his term in 1870, serving in 
the Twenty-fifth, Twenty-sixth and Twenty- 
seventh General Assemblies. He was also a 
Republican Representative from his District in 
the Forty-fifth and Forty-sixth Congresses 
(1877-81). Died, at Lewistown, May 38, 1897. 

BRACEVILLE, a town in Grundy County, 61 
miles by rail southwest of Chicago. Coal mining 
is the principal industry. Tlie town has two 
banks, two churches and good public schools. 
Population (1890), 3,150; (1900), 1,609. 

BRADFORD, village of Stark Comity, on Buda 
and Rushville branch Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy Railway; is in excellent farming region 
and has large grain and live-stock trade, excel- 
lent high school building, fine churches, good 
hotels and one newspaper. Pop. (1900), 773. 

BRADSBY, William H., pioneer and Judge, 
was born in Bedford County. Va., July 13, 1787. 
He removed to Illinois early in life, and was the 
first postmaster in Washington County (at Cov- 



58 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ington), the first school-teacher and the first 
Circuit and County Clerk and Recorder. At the 
time of his death he was Probate and Covmty 
Judge. Besides being Clerk of all the courts, he 
was virtually County Treasurer, as he had cus- 
tody of all the county's money. For several 
years be was also Deputy United States Surveyor, 
and in that capacity surveyed much of the south 
part of the State, as far east as Wayne and Clay 
Counties. Died at Nashville, 111 , August 21, 
1839. 

BRADWELL, James Bolesworth, lawyer and 
editor, vras born at Loughborough, England, April 
16, 1828, and brought to America in infancy, his 
parents locating in 1829 or '30 at Utica, N. Y. In 
1833 they emigrated to Jacksonville, 111., but the 
following year removed to Wheeling, Cook 
County, settling on a farm, where the younger 
Bradwell received his first lessons in breaking 
prairie, si^litting rails and tilling the soil. His 
first' schooling was obtained in a country log- 
school-house, but, later, he attended the Wilson 
Academy in Chicago, where he had Judge Lo- 
renzo Sawyer for an instructor. He also took a 
course in Knox College at Galesburg, then a 
manual-labor school, supporting himself by work- 
ing in a wagon and plow sliop, sawing wood, 
etc. In May, 1852, he was married to Miss Myra 
Colby, a teacher, with whom he went to Mem- 
phis, Tenn., the same year, where they engaged 
in teaching a select school, the subject of this 
sketch meanwhile devoting some attention to 
reading law. He was admitted to the bar there, 
but after a stay of less than two years in Mem- 
phis, returned to Chicago and began practice. 
In 1861 he was elected County Judge of Cook 
County, and re-elected four years later, but 
declined a re-election in 1869. The first half of 
his term occurring during the progress of the 
Civil War, he had the opportunity of rendering 
some vigorous decisions which won for him the 
reputation of a man of courage and inflexible 
independence, as well as an incorruptible cham- 
pion of justice. In 1872 he was elected to the 
lower branch of the Twenty-eighth General 
Assembly from Cook County, and re-elected in 
1874. He was again a candidate in 1882, and by 
many believed to have been honestly elected, 
thoiigh his opponent received the certificate. He 
made a contest for the seat, and the majoritj' of 
the Committee on Elections reported in his 
favor; but he was defeated through the treach- 
ery and suspected corruption of a professed polit- 
ical friend. He is the author of the law making 
women eligible to school ofSces in Illinois and 



allowing them to become Notaries Public, and 
has always been a champion for equal rights for 
women in the professions and as citizens. He 
was a Second Lieutenant of the One Hundred and 
Fifth Regiment, Illinois Militia, in 1818; presided 
over the American Woman's Suffrage Associa- 
tion at its organization in Cleveland; has been 
President of the Chicago Press Club, of the Chi- 
cago Bar Association, and, for a number of years, 
the Historian of the latter ; one of the founders 
and President of the Union League Club, besides 
being associated with many other social and 
business organizations. At present (1899) he is 
editor of "The Chicago Legal News," founded by 
his wife thirty j'ears ago, and with which he has 
been identified in a business capacity from its 
establishment. — Myra Colby (Bradwell), the wife 
of Judge Bradwell, was born at Manchester, Vt., 
Feb. 12, 1831 — being descended on her mother's 
side from the Chase family to which Bishop 
Philander Chase and Salmon P. Chase, the latter 
Secretarj' of the Treasury and Chief Justice of 
the Supreme Court by appointment of Abraham 
Lincoln, belonged. In infancy she was brought 
to Portage, N. Y., where she remained until she 
was twelve years of age, when her family re- 
moved west. She attended school in Kenosha, 
Wis., and a seminary at Elgin, afterwards being 
engaged in teaching. On May 18, 18.j2, she was 
married to Judge Bradwell. almost immediately 
going to Memphis, Tenn., where, with the assist- 
ance of her husband, she conducted a select school 
for some time, also teaching in the public schools, 
when they returned to Chicago. In the early 
part of the Civil War she took a deep interest in 
the welfare of the soldiers in the field and their 
families at home, becoming President of the 
Soldiers' Aid Society, and was a leading spirit in 
the Sanitary Fairs held in Chicago in 1803 and in 
1865. After the war she commenced the study 
of law and, in 1868, began the publication of 
"The Chicago Legal News," with which slie re- 
mained identified until her death — also publishing 
biennially an edition of the session laws after 
each session of the General Assembh-. After 
passing a most creditable examination, .applica- 
tion was made for her admission to the bar in 
1871, but denied in an elaborate decision rendered 
by Judge C. B. Lawrence of the Supreme Court 
of the State, on the sole ground of sex, as 
was also done by the Supreme Court of the 
United States in 1873, on the latter occasion 
Chief Justice Chase dissenting. She was finally 
admitted to the bar on March 28, 1892, and was 
the first lad)- member of the State Bar Associ- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



59 



ation. Other organizations with which she was 
identiiieJ embraced the Illinois State Press 
Association, the Board of Managers of the Sol- 
diers' Home (in war time), the "Illinois Industrial 
School for Girls" at Evanston, the Washingtonian 
Home, the Board of Lady Managers of the 
World's Columbian Exposition, and Chairman of 
the Woman's Committee on Jurisprudence of the 
World's Congi-ess Auxiliary of 1893. Although 
much before the public during the latter years of 
her life, she never lost the refinement and graces 
which belong to a true woman. Died, at her 
liome in Chicago, Feb. 14, 1894. 

BRAID"W'OOD, a city in Will County, incorpo- 
rated in 1860 ; is 58 miles from Chicago, on the 
Chicago & Alton Railroad; an important coal- 
mining point, and in the heart of a rich 
agricultural region. It has a bank and a weekly 
newspaper. Population (1800), 4,041 ; (1900), 3,279. 

BRAJfSON, Nathaniel \V., lawyer, was born in 
Jacksonville, 111., May 29, 1837; was educated in 
the private and public scliools of that city and at 
Illinois College, graduating from the latter iu 
1857 ; studied law with David A. Smith, a promi- 
nent and able lawyer of Jacksonville, and was 
admitted to the bar in January, 1860, soon after 
establishing himself in practice at Petersburg, 
Menard County, where he has ever since resided. 
In 1867 Mr. Branson was appointed Register in 
Bankruptcy for the Springfield District — a po- 
sition which lie held thirteen years. He was also 
elected Representative in the General Asse:nbly 
in 1872, by re-election in 1874 serving four years 
in the stormy Twenty-eighth and Twenty-ninth 
General Assemblies ; was a Delegate from Illinois 
to the National Republican Convention of 1876, 
and served for several years most efficiently as a 
Trustee of the State Institution for the Blind at 
Jacksonville, part of the time as President of the 
Board. Politicallj' a conservative Republican, 
and in no sense an office-seeker, the official po- 
sitions which he has occupied have come to him 
unsought and in recognition of his fitness and 
capacity for the proper discharge of their duties. 

BRAYMAN, Mason, lawyer and soldier, was 
born in Buffalo, N. Y., I\Iay 23, 1813; brought up 
as a farmer, became a printer and edited "The 
Buffalo Bulletin," 1834-35; studied law and was 
admitted to the bar in 1836; removed west in 
1837, was City Attorney of Monroe, Mich., in 1838 
and became editor of "The Louisville Adver- 
tiser" in 1841. In 1842 he opened a law office in 
Springfield, 111., and the following year was 
appointed by Governor Ford a commissioner to 
adjust the Mormon troubles, in whicli capacity 



he rendered valuable service. In 1844-45 he was 
appointed to revise the statutes of the State. 
Later he devoted much attention to railroad 
enterprises, being attorney of the Illinois Central 
Railroad, 1851-55; then projected the construc- 
tion of a railroad from Bird's Point, opposite 
'Cairo, into Arkansas, which was partially com- 
pleted before the war, and almost wholly de- 
stroyed during that period. In 1861 he entered 
the service as Major of the Twenty-ninth Illinois 
■Volunteers, taking part in a number of the e;irly 
battles, including Fort Donelson and Shiloh; 
was promoted to a colonelcy for meritorious con- 
duct at the latter, and for a time served as 
Adjutant-General on the staff of General McCler- 
nand; was promoted Brigadier-General in Sep- 
tember, 1802, at the close of the war receiving 
the brevet rank of Major-General. After the 
close of the war he devoted considerable atten- 
tion to reviving his railroad enterprises in the 
South; edited "The Illinois State Journal," 
1872 73; removed to Wisconsin and was ap- 
pointed Governor of Idaho in 1876, serving four 
years, after which he returned to Ripon, Wis. 
Died, in Kansas City, Feb. 27, 1893. 

BREESE, a village in Clinton County, on 
Baltimore & Ohio S. W. Railway, 39 miles east of 
St. Louis; has coal mines, water system, bank and 
weekly newspaper. Pop. (1890), SOS, (I'JOO), 1,571. 

BREESE. Sidney, statesman and jurist, was 
born at Whitesboro, N Y., (according to the 
generally accepted authority) July 15, 1800. 
Owing to a certain sensitiveness about his age in 
his later years, it has been exceedingly difficult 
to secure authentic data on tlie subject; but his 
arrival at Kaskaskia in 1818, after graduating at 
Union College, and his admission to the bar in 
1820, have induced many to believe that the date 
of his birth should be jjlaced somewhat earlier. 
He was related to some of the most prominent 
families in New York, including the Livingstons 
and the Morses, and, after his arrival at Kaskas- 
kia, began the study of law with his friend Elias 
Kent Kane, afterwards United States Senator. 
Meanwhile, having served as Postmaster at Kas- 
kaskia, he became Assistant Secretary of State, 
and, in December, 1820, superintended the re- 
moval of the archives of that office to Vandalia, 
the new State capital. Later he was appointed 
Prosecuting Attorney, serving in that position 
from 1822 till 1827, when he became United 
States District Attorney for Illinois. He was 
the first official reporter of the Supreme Court, 
issuing its first volume of decisions; .served as 
Lieutenant-Colonel of volunteers during the 



60 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OP ILLINOIS. 



Black Hawk War (1832) ; in 1835 was elected to 
the circuit bench, and, in 1841, was advanced to 
the Supreme bench, serving less than two years, 
when he resigned to accept a seat in the United 
States Senate, to which he was elected in 1843 as 
the successor of Richard M. Young, defeating 
Stephen A. Douglas in the first race of the latter 
for the office. While in the Senate (1843-49) he 
served as Chairman of the Committee on Public 
Lands, and was one of the first to suggest the 
construction of a transcontinental railway to the 
Pacific. He was also one of the originators and 
active promoters in Congress of the Illinois Cen- 
tral Railroad enterprise. He was Speaker of the 
Illinois House of Representatives in 18.51 ; again 
became Circuit Judge in 1855 and returned to 
the Supreme bench in 1857 and served more than 
one term as Chief Justice, the last being in 
1873-74. His home during most of his public life 
in Illinois was at Carlyle. His death occurred 
at Pinckneyville, June 28, 1878. 

BREXTANO, Lorenzo, was born at Mannheim, 
in the Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, Nov. 
14, 1813; was educated at the Universities of 
Heidelberg and Freiburg, receiving the degree of 
LL.D., and attaining high honors, both profes- 
sional and political. He was successively a 
member of the Baden Chamber of Deputies and 
of the Frankfort Parliament, and alwaj's a leader 
of the revolutionist party. In 1849 he became 
President of the Provisional Republican Gov- 
ernment of Baden, but was, before long, forced 
to find an asylum in the United States. He first 
settled in Kalamazoo Count}', Mich., as a farmer, 
but, in 1859, removed to Chicago, where he was 
admitted to the Illinois bar, but soon entered the 
field of journalism, becoming editor and part 
proprietor of "The Illinois Staats Zeitung." He 
held various public offices, being elected to the 
Legislature in 1862, serving five years as Presi- 
dent of the Chicago Board of Education, was a 
Republican Presidential Elector in 1868, and 
United States Consul at Dresden in 1873 (a gen- 
eral amnesty having been granted to the 
participants in the revolution of 1848), and 
Representative in Congress from 1877 to 1679. 
Died, in Chicago, Sept. 17, 1891. 

BRIDGEPORT, a town of Lawrence County, 
on the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railroad, 
14 miles west of Vincennes, Ind. It has a bank 
and one weekly paper. Population (1900), 487. 

BRIDGEPORT, a former suburb (no%v a part of 
the city) of Chicago, located at the jimction of 
the Illinois & Michigan Canal with the South 
Branch of the Chicago River. It is now the 



center of the large slaughtering and packing 
industry. 

BRIDGEPORT & SOUTH CHICAGO RAIL- 
WAY. (See Chicago & Xorthern Pacific Railroad.) 

BRIGHTON, a village of Macoupin County, at 
the intersection of the Chicago & Alton and the 
Rock Island and St. Louis branch of the Chicago, 
Burlington & Quincy Railways; coal is mined 
here; has a newspaper. Population (1880), 691; 
(1890), 697; (1900), GOO. 

BRIMFIELD, a to%vii of Peoria County, on the 
Buda and Rushville branch of the Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Quincy Railway, 38 miles south of 
Buda; coal-mining and farming are the chief 
industries. It has one weekly paper and a bank. 
Population (1880), 832; (1890), 719; (19U0), 677. 

BRISTOL, Frank Dlilton, clergyman, was bom 
in Orleans County, N. Y., Jan. 4, 1851; came 
to Kankakee, 111., in boyhood, and having lost 
his father at 12 years of age, spent the following 
years in various manual occupations until about 
nineteen years of age, when, having been con- 
verted, he determined to devote his life to the 
ministry. Tlirough the aid of a benevolent lady, 
he was enabled to get two years' (1870-72) instruc- 
tion at the Northwestern L^niversity, at Evans- 
ton, afterwards supporting himself by preaching 
at variolas points, meanwhile continuing his 
studies at the University until 1877. After com- 
pleting his course he served as pastor of some of 
tlie most prominent Methodist churches in Chi- 
cago, his last charge in the State being at Evans- 
ton. In 1897 he was transferred to Washington 
City, becoming pastor of the Metropolitan M. E. 
Cliurch, attended by President McKinley. Dr. 
Bristol is an author of some repute and an orator 
of recognized ability. 

BROADWELL. Norman M., lawyer, was born 
in Morgan Count}', 111., August 1, 1825; was edu- 
cated in the common schools and at SIcKendree 
and Illinois Colleges, but compelled by failing 
health to leave college without graduating ; spent 
some time in the book business, then began the 
study of medicine with a view to benefiting his 
own health, but finally abandoned this and, about 
1850, commenced the study of law in the office of 
Lincoln & Herndon at Springfield. Having been 
admitted to the bar, he practiced for a time at 
Pekin, but, in 1854, returned to Springfield, 
where he spent the remainder of his life. In 1860 
lie was elected as a Democrat to the House of 
Representatives from Sangamon County, serving 
in tlie Twentj'-second General Assembly. Other 
offices held by him included those of County 
Judge (1863-65) and Mayor of the city of Spring- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOTEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



61 



field, to which last position he was twice elected 
(lyOT and again in 1809). Judge Broadwell was 
one of tlie most genial of men, popular, liigli- 
niinded and honorable in all his dealings. Died, 
in Springlield, Feb. 28, 1893. 

BROOKS, John Flavel, educator, was born 
in Oueida County, New York, Dec. 3, 1801 ; 
graduated at Hamilton College, 1828; studied 
three j-ears in the theological department of Yale 
College; was ordained to the Presbj-terian min- 
istry in 1831, and came to Illinois in the service 
of the American Home Missionary Society. 
After preaching at CoUinsville, Belleville and 
other points, Mr. Brooks, who was a member of 
the celebrated "Yale Band," in 1837 assumed the 
principalship of a Teachers' Seminary at Waverly, 
Morgan County, but three years later removed to 
Springfield, where he established an academy for 
both sexes. Although finally compelled to 
abandon this, he continued teaching with some 
interruptions to within a few years of his death, 
which occurred in 1886. He was one of the Trus- 
tees of Illinois College from its foundation up to 
his deatli. 

BROSS, William, journalist, was born in Sus- 
sex County, N. J., Nov. 14, 1813, and graduated 
with honors from "Williams College in 1838, hav- 
ing previously developed his physical strength 
by much hard work upon the Delaware and 
Hudson Canal, and in the lumbering trade. For 
five years after graduating he was a teacher, and 
settled in Chicago in 1848. Thsre he first engaged 
in book.selling, but later embarked in journalism. 
His first publication was "The Prairie Herald," a 
religious paj^er, which was discontinued after 
two years. In 1852, in connection with John L. 
Scripps, he founded "The Democratic Press," 
which was consolidated with "The Tribune" in 
1858, Mr. Bross retaining his connection with the 
new concern. He was always an ardent free- 
.soiler, and a firm believer in tlie great future of 
Chicago and the Northwest. He was an entliusi- 
astic Republican, and, in 1856 and 1800, served as 
an effective campaign orator. In 1864 he was 
the successful nominee of his party for Lieuten- 
ant-Governor. This was his only official position 
outside of a membership in the Chicago Common 
Council in 185.5. As a presiding officer, he was 
dignified yet affable, and his impartiality was 
shown by the fact that no appeals were taken 
from his decisions. After quitting public life he 
devoted much time to literary pursuits, deliver- 
ing lectures in various parts of the country. 
Among his best known works are a brief "His- 
tory of Chicago," "History of Camp Douglas," 



and "Tom Quick." Died, in Chicago, Jan. 27, 
1890. 

BROWX, Henry, lawyer and historian, was 
born at Hebron, Tolland Count}', Conn., Jlay 13, 
1789 — the son of a commissary in the army of 
General Greene of Revolutionary fame; gradu- 
ated at Yale College, and, when of age, removed 
to New York, later studying law at Albany, 
Canandaigua and Batavia, and being admitted to 
the bar about 1813, wlien he .^.ettled down in 
practice at Cooperstovvn ; in 1816 was appointed 
Judge of Herkimer County, remaining on the 
bench until about 1824. He then resumed prac- 
tice at Cooperstown, continuing until 1836, when 
he removed to Chicago. The following year he 
was elected a Justice of the Peace, serving two 
years, and, in 1842, became Prosecuting Attorney 
of Cook County. During this period he was 
engaged in writing a "History of Illinois," vrhich 
was publislied in New York in 1844 This was 
regarded at the time as the most voluminous and 
best digested work on Illinois history that had as 
yet been publislied. In 1846, on assuming the 
Presidency of tlie Chicago Lyceum, lie delivered 
an inaugural entitled "Cliicago, Present and 
Future," whicli is still preserved as a striking 
prediction of Chicago's future greatness. Origi- 
nally a Democrat, he became a Freesoiler in 1848. 
Died of cholera, in Chicago, May 16, 1849. 

BROWN, James B., journalist, was born in 
Gilnianton, Belknap County, N. H., Sept. 1, 
1833 — his father being a member of the Legisla- 
ture and Selectman for his town. The son was 
educated at Gilnianton Academj-, after which he 
studied medicine for a time, but did not gi-adu- 
ate. In 1857 he removed West, first settling at 
Dunleith, Jo Daviess County, 111., where he 
became Principal of the public schools; in 1861 
was elected County Superintendent of Schools 
for Jo Daviess County, removing to Galena two 
years later and assuming the editorship of "The 
Gazette" of tliat city. Mr. Brown also served as 
Postmaster of Galena for several years. Died, 
Feb. 13, 1806. 

BROWN, James N., agriculturist and stock- 
man, was born in Fayette County, Ky., Oct. 1, 
1806; came to Sangamon County, 111., in 1833, 
locating at Island Grove, where he engaged 
e.vtensively in farming and stock-raising. He 
served as Representative in tlie General Assem- 
blies of 1840, '42, '46, and '52, and in the last was 
instrumental in securing the incorporation of the 
Illinois State Agricultural Society, of which he 
was chosen the first President, being re-elected in 
1854. He was one of the most enterprising grow- 



62 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ers of blooded cattle in the State and did much to 
introduce them in Central Illinois ; was also an 
earnest and influential advocate of scientific 
education for the agricultural classes and an 
efficient oolaborer with Prof. J. B. Turner, of 
Jacksonville, in securing the enactment by Con- 
gress, in 1862, of the law granting lands for the 
endowment of Industrial Colleges, out of which 
grew the Illinois State University and institu- 
tions of like character in other States. Died, 
Nov. 10, 1868. 

BROWN, William, lawyer and jurist, was bom 
June 1, 1819, in Cumberland, England, his par- 
ents emigrating to this country when he was 
eight years old, and settling in Western New 
York. He was admitted to the bar at Rochester, 
in October, 1845, and at once removed to Rock- 
ford, 111., where he commenced practice. In 1853 
he was elected State's Attorney for the Four- 
teenth Judicial Circuit, and, in 1857, was chosen 
Mayor of Rockford. In 1870 he was elected to 
the bench of the Circuit Court as successor to 
Judge Sheldon, later was promoted to the Su- 
preme Court, and was re-elected successively in 
1873, in '79 and '85. Died, at Rockford, Jan. 15, 
1891. 

BROWN, William H., lawyer and financier, 
was born in Connecticut, Dec. 20, 1796; spent 
his boyhood at Auburn, N. Y., studied law, and, 
in 1818, came to Illinois with Samuel D. Lock- 
wood (afterwards a Justice of the State Supreme 
Court), descending the Ohio River to Shawnee- 
town in a flat-boat. Sir. Brown visited Kaskas- 
kia and was soon after appointed Clerk of the 
United States District Court by Judge Nathaniel 
Pope, removing, in 1820, to Vandalia, the new 
State capital, where he remained until 1835. He 
tlien removed to Chicago to accept the position of 
Cashier of the Chicago branch of the State Bank 
of Illinois, which he continued to fill for many 
years. He served the city as School Agent for 
thirteen years (1840-50), managing the city's 
school fund tlirough a critical period with great 
discretion and success. He was one of the group 
of early patriots wlio successfully resisted the 
attempt to plant slavery in Illinois in 1823-34; 
was also one of the projectors of the Chicago & 
Galena Union Railroad, was President of the 
Chicago Historical Society for seven years and 
connected with many other local enterprises. 
He was an ardent personal friend of President 
Lincoln and served as Representative in the 
Twenty-second General Assembly (1860-62). 
While making a tour of Europe he died of paraly- 
sis at Amsterdam, June 17, 1867. 



BROWN COUNTY,, situated in the western 
part of the State, with an area of 300 square 
miles, and a population (1890) of 11,951; was cut 
off from Schuyler and made a separate county in 
May, 1839, being named in honor of Gen. Jacob 
Brown. Among the pioneer settlers were the 
Vandeventers and Hambaughs, John and David 
Six, William McDaniel, Jeremiah Walker, 
Willis O'Neil, Harry Lester, John Ausmus and 
Robert H. Curry. The county-seat is Mount 
Sterling, a town of no little attractiveness. 
Other prosperous villages are Mound Station and 
Ripley. The chief occupation of the people is 
farming, although there is some manufacturing 
of lumber and a few potteries along the Illinois 
River. Population (1900), 11,557. 

BROAVNE, Francis Fisher, editor and author, 
was born in Soutli Halifax, Vt., Dec. 1, 1843, the 
son of William Goldsmith Browne, who was a 
teacher, editor and author of the song "A Hun- 
dred Years to Come." In childhood he was 
brought by his parents to Western Massachusetts, 
where he attended the public schools and learned 
the printing trade in his father's newspaper 
office at Chicopee, Mass. Leaving school in 1802, 
he enlisted in the Forty -sixth Regiment Massa- 
chusetts Volunteers, in which he served one 
year, chiefly in North Carolina and in the Army 
of the Potomac. On the discharge of his regi- 
ment he engaged in the study of law at Roches- 
ter, N. Y., entering the law department of the 
University of Michigan in 1866, but abandoning 
his intenton of entering the legal profession, 
removed to Chicago in 1867, where he engaged in 
journalistic and literary pursuits. Between 1869 
and '74 he was editor of "The Lakeside Monthly," 
when he became literary editor of "The Alliance," 
but, in 1880, he established and assumed the 
editorship of "The Dial," a purely literary pub- 
lication which has gained a high reputation, and 
of which he has remained in control continuously 
ever since, meanwhile serving as the literarj' 
adviser, for many years, of the well-known pub- 
lishing house of McClurg & Co. Besides his 
journalistic work, Mr. Browne has contributed 
to the magazines and literary antliologies a num- 
ber of short lyrics, and is the author of "The 
Everyday Life of Abraham Lincoln" (1886), and 
a volume of poems entitled, "Volunteer Grain" 
(1893). He also compiled and edited "Golden 
Poems by British and American Authors" (1881); 
"The Golden Treasury of Poetry and Prose'' 
(1886), and the "Laurel Crowned"series of stand- 
ard poetry (1891-92). Mr. Bi-owne was Chairman 
of the Coromittee of the Congress of Authors in 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



63 



the World's Congress Auxiliary held in con- 
nection with The Columbian Exposition in 
1893. 

BROWNE, Thomas C., early jurist, was born in 
Kentucky, studied law there and, coming to 
Shawneetown in 1812, served in tlie lower branch 
of the Second Territorial Legislature (1814-16) 
and in the Council (1816-18), being the first law- 
yer to enter that body. In 1815 he was appointed 
Prosecuting Attorney and, on the admission of 
Illinois as a State, was promoted to the Supreme 
bench, being re-elected by joint ballot of the 
Legislature in 1825, and serving continuously 
until the reorganization of the Supreme Court 
under the Constitution of 1848, a period of over 
thirty j'ears. Judge Browne's judicial character 
and abilities have been diiTerenth" estimated. 
Though lacking in industry as a student, he is 
represented by the late Judge John D. Caton, 
who knew him personally, as a close thinker and 
a good judge of men. While seldom, if ever, 
accustomed to argue questions in the conference 
room or write out his opinions, he had a capacity 
for expressing himself in short, pungent sen- 
tences, which indicated that he was a man of con- 
siderable ability and had clear and distinct views 
of his own. An attempt was made to impeach 
him before the Legislature of 1843 "for want of 
capacity to discharge the duties of his office," 
but it failed by an almost unanimous vote. He 
was a Whig in politics, but had some strong sup- 
porters among Democrats. In 1822 Judge Browne 
was one of the four candidates for Governor — in 
the final returns standing third on the list and, by 
dividing the vote of the advocates of a pro-slavery 
clause in the State Constitution, contributing to 
the election of Governor Coles and the defeat of 
the pro-slavery party. (See Coles, Edtcard, and 
Slavery and Slave Laws. ) In the latter part of 
his official term Judge Browne resided at Ga- 
lena, but, in 1853, removed with his son-in-law, 
ex-Congressman Josejih P. Hoge, to San Fran- 
cisco, Cal., where he died a few j-ears later — 
probably about 1856 or 1858. 

BROWNING, OrviUe Hickman, lawyer. United 
States Senator and Attorney-General, was born 
in Harrison County, Ky. , in 1810. After receiv- 
ing a classical education at Augusta in his native 
State, he removed to Quincy, 111., and was 
admitted to the bar in 1831. In 1833 he served 
in the Black Hawk War, and from 1836 to 1843, 
was a member of the Legislature, serving in both 
houses. A personal friend and political adherent 
of Abraham Lincoln, he aided in the organization 
of the Republican party at the memorable 



Bloomington Convention of 1856. As a delegate 
to the Cliicago Convention in 1860, he aided in 
securing Mr. Lincoln's nomination, and was a 
conspicuous supporter of the Government in the 
Civil War. In 1861 he was appointed by Gov- 
ernor Yates United States Senator to fill Senator 
Douglas' unexpired term, serving until 1863, In 
1866 he became Secretary of the Interior by ap- 
pointment of President Johnson, also for a time 
discharging the duties of Attorney-General. 
Returning to Illinois, he was elected a member of 
the Constitutional Convention of 1809-70, which 
was his last participation in public affairs, his 
time thereafter being devoted to his profession. 
He died at his home in Quincv, 111., August 10, 
1881. 

BRYAN, Silas Lillard, legislator and jurist, 
born in Culpepper County, Va., Nov 4, 1822; was 
left an orphan at an early age, and came west in 
1840, living for a time with a brother near Troy, 
Mo. The following year lie came to Marion 
County, 111., where he attended school and 
worked on a farm; in 1845 entered McKendree 
College, graduating in 1849, and two years later 
was admitted to the bar, supporting himself 
meanwhile by teaching. He settled at Salem, 
111., and, in 1852, was elected as a Democrat to 
the State Senate, in which body he served for 
eight years, being re-elected in 1856. In 1861 lie 
was elected to the bench of the Second Judicial 
Circuit, and again chosen in 1867, his second 
term expiring in 1873. While serving as Judge, 
he was also elected a Delegate to the Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1869-70. He was an unsuc- 
cessful candidate for Congress on the Greeley 
ticket in 1873. Died at Salem, March 30, 1880.— 
William Jenningrs (Bryan), son of the preceding, 
was born at Salem, 111., March 19, 1860. The early 
life of yomig Bryan was spent on his father's 
farm, but at the age of ten years he began to 
attend the public school in town ; later spent two 
years in Whipple Academy, ,the preparatory 
department of Illinois College at Jacksonville, 
and, in 1881, graduated from the college proper as 
the valedictorian of his class. Then he devoted 
two years to the study of law in the Union Law 
School at Chicago, meanwhile acting as clerk and 
studying in the law office of ex-Senator Lyman 
Trumbull. Having graduated in law in 1883, lie 
soon entered upon the practice of his profession 
at Jacksonville as the partner of Judge E. P. 
Kirby, a well-known lawyer and prominent 
Republican of that city. Four years later (1887) 
found him a citizen of Lincoln, Neb., which has 
since been his home. He took a prominent part 



64 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



in the politics of Nebraska, stumping the State 
for the Democratic nominees in 1888 and '89, and 
in 1890 received the Democratic nomination for 
Congress in a district wliicli had been regarded 
as strongly RepubUcan, and was elected by a 
large majority. Again, in 1892, he was elected 
bj' a reduced majoritj', but two years later 
declined a renomination, though proclaiming 
himself a free-silver candidate for the United 
States Senate, meanwhile officiating as editor of 
"The Omaha World-Herald." In July, 1896, he 
received the nomination for President from the 
Democratic National Convention at Chicago, on 
a platform declaring for the "free and unlimited 
coinage of silver" at the ratio of sixteen of silver 
(in weight) to one of gold, and a few weeks later 
was nominated by the "Populists'' at St. Louis 
for the same office — being the youngest man ever 
put in nomination for the Presidency in the his- 
tory of the Government. He conducted an 
active personal campaign, speaking in nearly 
every Northern and Jliddle Western State, but 
was defeated by his Republican opponent, 3Iaj. 
William ilcKinley. Mr. Bryan is an easj- and 
fluent speaker, possessing a voice of unusual 
compass and power, and is recognized, even by 
his political opponents, as a man of pure personal 
character. 

BRYAN, Tliouias Barbour, la\vj-er and real 
estate operator, was born at Alexandria, Va., 
Dec. 22, 1828, being descended on the maternal 
side from the noted Barbour family of that 
State ; graduated in law at Harvard, and, at the 
age of twenty-one, settled in Cincinnati. In 
1853 he came to Chicago, where he acquired ex- 
tensive real estate interests and built Bryan 
Hall, which became a popular place for en- 
tertainments. Being a gifted speaker, as -well 
as a zealous Unionist, Mr. Bryan was chosen 
to deliver the address of welcome to Senator 
Douglas, when that statesman returned to 
Chicago a few weeks before his death in 1861. 
During the progress of the war he devoted his 
time and his means most generouslj- to fitting out 
soldiers for the field and caring for the sick and 
wounded. His services as President of the great 
Sanitary Fair in Chicago (186.5), where some 
§300,000 were cleared for disabled soldiers, were 
especially conspicuous. At this time he became 
the purchaser (at 83,000) of the original copy of 
President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, 
which had been donated to the cause. He also 
rendered valuable service after the fire of 1871, 
though a heavy sufferer from that event, and was 
a leading factor in securing the location of the 



World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1890, 
later becoming Vice-President of the Board of 
Directors and making a visit to Europe in the 
interest of the Fair. After the war Mr. Bryan 
resided in Washington for some .time, and, by 
appointment of President Hayes, served as Com- 
missioner of tlie District of Columbia. Possessing 
refined literary and artistic tastes, he has done 
much for the encouragement of literature and 
art in Chicago. His home is in the suburban 
village of Elmhurst. — Charles Page (Bryan), son 
of the preceding, lawyer and foreign minister, 
was born in Chicago, Oct. 2, 185.5, and educated 
at the University of Virginia and Colmnbia Law 
School; was admitted to practice in 1878, and 
the following year removed to Colorado, where 
he remained four years, while there serving in 
both Houses of the State Legislature. In 1883 he 
returned to Chicago and became a member of the 
First Regiment of the Illinois National Guard, 
serving upon the staff of both Governor Oglesby 
and Governor Fifer; in 1890, was elected to the 
State Legislature from Cook County, being re- 
elected in 1892, and in 1894; was also the first 
Commissioner to visit Europe in the interest of 
the World's Columbian E.xposition, on his return 
serving as Secretar}' of the Exposition Commis- 
sioners in 1891-92. In tlie latter part of 1897 he 
was appointed by President McKinley Minister 
to China, but before being confirmed, early in 
1898, was assigned to the United States mission to 
the Republic of Brazil, where he now is, Hon. 
E. H. Conger of Iowa, who had previously been 
appointed to the Brazilian mission, being trans- 
ferred to Pekin. 

BRTAXT, John Howard, pioneer, brother of 
William CuUen Bryant, tlie poet, was born in 
Cummington, Slass., July 22, 1807, educated at 
the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, 
N. Y, ; removed to Illinois in 1831, and held vari- 
ous offices in Bureau County, including that of 
Representative in the General Assembly, to which 
he was elected in 1842, and again in 1858. A 
pi-actical and enterprising farmer, he was identi- 
fied with the Illinois State Agricultiiral Society 
in its early history, as also with the movement 
which resulted in the establishment of industrial 
colleges in the various States. . He was one of the 
founders of the Republican party and a warm 
personal friend of President Lincoln, being a 
member of the first Republican State Convention 
at Bloomington in 1856, and serving as Collector 
of Internal Revenue by appointment of Mr. Lin- 
coln in 1863-64. In 1872 Mr. Bryant jomed in the 
Liberal Republican movement at Cincinnati, two 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



G5 



years later was identified with the "Independent 
Reform" party, but has since cooperated with 
the Democratic party. He has produced two 
volumes of poems, published, respectively, in 1855 
and 1885, besides a number of public addresses. 
His home is at Princeton, Bureau Coimty. 

BUCK, Hiram, clergyman, was born in Steu- 
ben County, N. Y., in 1818; joined the Illinois 
Methodist Episcopal Conference in 1843, and con- 
tinued in its service for nearly fifty years, being 
much of the time a Presiding Elder. At his 
death he bequeathed a considerable sum to the 
endowment funds of the Wesleyan Universitj' at 
Bloomington and the Illinois Conference College 
at Jacksonville. Died at Decatur, 111., August 
23, 1893. 

BU DA, a village in Bureau County, at the junc- 
tion of the main line with the Buda and Rush- 
ville branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
Railroad, and the Sterling and Peoria branch of 
the Chicago & Northwestern, 12 miles southwest 
of Princeton and 117 miles west-southwest of 
Chicago; has excellent water-works, electric- 
hght plant, brick and tile factory, fine churches, 
graded school, a bank and one newspaper 
Dairying is carried on quite extensively and a 
good-sized creamery is located here. Population 
(1890), 990; (1900), 873. 

BTJFORD, Napoleon Bonaparte, banker and 
soldier, was born in Woodford County, Ky., Jan. 
13. 1807 ; graduated at West Point Military Acad- 
emy, 1827, and served for some time as Lieutenant 
of Artillery; entered Harvard Law School in 
1831, served as Assistant Professor of Natural and 
Experimental Philosophy there (1834-35), then 
resigned his commission, and, after some service 
as an engineer upon public works in Kentucky, 
established himself as an iron-founder and banker 
at Rock Island, 111., in 1857 becoming President 
of the Rock Island & Peoria Railroad. In 1861 
he entered the volunteer service, as Colonel of 
the Twenty-seventh Illinois, serving at various 
points in W^estern Kentucky and Tennessee, as 
also in the siege of Vicksburg, and at Helena, 
Ark., where he was in command from Septem- 
ber. 18G3, to March, 1865. In the meantime, by 
promotion, he attained to the rank of Major- 
General by brevet, being mustered out in August, 
1865. He subsequently held the post of Special 
United States Commissioner of Indian Affairs 
(1868), and that of Inspector of the Union Pacific 
Railroad (1867-69). Died, March 28, 1883. 

BULKLET, (Rev.) Justus, educator, was born 
at Leicester, Livingston County, N. Y., July 23, 
1819, taken to AUegany County, N. Y., at 3 



years of age, where he remained until 17, attend- 
ing school in a log school-house in the winter and 
working on a farm in the summer. His family 
then removed to Illinois, finally locating at 
Barry, Pike County. In 1842 he entered the 
preparatorj' department of ShurtlefT College r*t 
Upper Alton, graduating there in 1847. He was 
immediately made Principal of tlie preparatory 
department, remaining two j'ears, when he was 
ordained to the Baptist ministry and became 
pastor of a church at Jerseyville. Four years 
later he was appointed Professor of Mathematics 
in ShurtlefT College, but remained only two 
years, when he accepted the pastorship of a 
church at Carrollton, which he continued to fiU 
nine }"ears, when, in 1864, he was called to a 
church at Upper Alton. At the expiration of 
one year he was again called to a professorship 
in ShurtlefT College, this time taking the chair of 
Church History and Church Polity, which he 
continued to fill for a period of thirty-four years; 
also serving for a time as Acting President dur- 
ing a vacancy in that office. During this period 
he was frequently called upon to preside as Mod- 
erator at General Associations of the Baptist 
Chiu'ch, and he became widely known, not only 
in that denomination, but elsewhere. Died at 
Upper Alton, Jan. 16, 1899. 

BULL, Lorenzo, banker, Quincy, 111., was bom 
in Hartford, Conn., March 21, 1819, being the 
eldest son of Lorenzo and Elizabeth Goodwin 
Bull. His ancestors on both sides were of the 
party who, under Thomas Hooker, moved from 
the vicinity of Boston and settled Hartford in 
1634. Leaving Hartford in the spring of 1833, he 
arrived at Quincy, 111., entirely without means, 
but soon after secured a position with Judge 
Henry H. Snow, who then held most of the 
county offices, being Clerk of the County Com- 
missioners' Court. Clerk of the Circuit Court, 
Recorder, Judge of Probate, Notary Public and 
Justice of the Peace. Here the j'oung clerk 
made himself acquainted with the people of the 
county (at that time few in number), with the 
land-system of the countrj- and with the legal 
forms and methods of procedure in the courts. 
He remained with Judge Snow over two years, 
receiving for his services, the first year, six dol- 
lars per month, and, for the second, ten dollars 
per month, besides his board in Judge Snow's 
family. He next accepted a situation with 
Messrs. Holmes, Brown & Co., then one of the 
most prominent mercantile houses of the city, 
remaining through various changes of tlie firm 
until 1844, when he formed a partnership with 



66 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



his brother under the firm name of L. & C. 11. 
Bull, and opened a store for the sale of hardware 
and crockery, which was the first attempt made 
in Quincy to separate the mercantile business 
into different departments. Disposing of their 
business in 1861, the firm of L. & C. H. Bull 
embarked in the private banking business, which 
they continued in one location for about thirty 
years, when they organized the State Savings 
Loan & Trust Company, in which he held the 
position of President until 1898, when he retired. 
Mr. Bull has always been active in promoting the 
improvement and growth of the city ; was one of 
the five persons who built most of the horse rail- 
roads in Quincy, and was, for about twenty years, 
President of the Company. The Quincy water- 
works are now (1898) owned entirely by himself 
and his son. He has never sought or held political 
oflSce, but at one time was the active President of 
five distinct business corporations. He was also 
for some five years one of the Trustees of Illinois 
College at Jacksonville. He %vas married in 1844 
to Miss Margaret H. Benedict, daughter of Dr. 
Wm. M. Benedict, of Milbury, Mass.. and they 
have five children now living. In politics he is a 
Republican, and his religious associations are with 
the Congregational Church. — Charles Henry 
(Bull), brother of the preceding, was born in 
Hartford, Conn., Dec. 16. 1822. and removed 
to Quincy, 111., in June, 1837. He commenced 
business as a clerk in a general store, where 
he remained for seven years, when he entered 
into partnership with his brother, Lorenzo Bull, 
in the hardware and crockery business, to 
which was subsequently added dealing in 
agricultural implements. This business was 
continued until the year 1861. when it was 
sold out, and the brothers established them- 
selves as private bankers under the same firm 
name. A few years later they organized the 
Merchants' and Farmers' National Bank, which 
was mainly owned and altogether managed by 
them. Five or six years later this bank was 
wound up, when they returned to private bank- 
ing, continuing in this business until 1891, when 
it was merged in the State Savings Loan & 
Tnist Company, organized under the laws of 
Illinois with a capital of §300,000, held equally 
by Lorenzo Bull, Charles H. Bull and Edward J. 
Parker, respectively, as President, Vice-Presi- 
dent and Cashier. Near the close of 1898 the 
First National Bank of Quincy was merged into 
the State Savings Loan & Trust Company with 
J. H. Warfield, the President of the former, as 
President of the consolidated concern. Mr. Bull 



was one of the parties who originally organized 
the Quincy, Missouri & Pacific Railroad Com- 
pany in 1869— a road intended to be built from 
Quincy, 111., across the State of Missouri to 
Brownsville, Neb., and of which he is now 
(1898) the President, the name having been 
changed to the Quincy, Omaha & Kansas City 
Railway. He was also identified with the con- 
struction of the system of street railways in 
Quincy, and continued active in their manage- 
ment for about twenty years. He has been 
active in various other public and private enter- 
prises, and has done much to advance the growth 
and prosperity of the city. 

BUNKER HILL, a city of Macoupin County, on 
the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago «fe St. Louis 
Railroad, 37 miles northeast of St. Louis; has 
electric-lighting plant, telephone service, coal 
mine, flouring mill, wagon and various other 
manufactories, two banks, two newspapers, opera 
house, numerous churches, public library, a mili- 
tary academy and fine public schools, and many 
handsome residences; is situated on high ground 
in a rich agricultural and dairying region and an 
important shipping-point. Pop. (1900), 1,279. 

BUNN, Jacob, banker and manufacturer, was 
born in Hunterdon County, N. J., in 1814. came 
to Springfield in 1836, and, four years later, began 
business as a grocer, to which he afterwards 
added that of private banking, continuing until 
1878 During a part of this time his bank was 
one of the best known and widely regarded as 
one of the most solid institutions of its kind in 
the State. Though crippled by the financial 
revulsion of 1873-74 and forced investments in 
depreciated real estate, he paid dollar for dollar. 
After retiring from banking in 1878, he assumed 
charge of the Springfield AVatch Factory, in 
which he was a large stockliolder, and of which 
he became the President. Mr. Bunn was, be- 
tween 1866 and 1870, a principal stockholder in 
"The Chicago Republican" (the predecessor of 
"The Inter-Ocean"), and was one of the bankers 
who came to the aid of the State Government with 
financial assistance at the beginnin.g of the Civil 
War. Died at Springfield, Oct. 10, 1897.— John W. 
(Bunn), brother of the preceding ami successor 
to the grocery business of J. & J. W. Bunn, has 
been a prominent business man of Springfield, 
and served as Treasurer of the State Agricultural 
Board from 18.58 to 1898, and of the Ilhnois Uni- 
versity from its establishment to 1898. 

BUXSEN, Georgre, German patriot and educa- 
tor, was born at Frankfort-on-the-Maine, Ger- 
many, Feb. 18, 1794, and educated in his native 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



61 



city and at Berlin University; wliile still a 
student took part in the Peninsular War which 
resulted in the downfall of Napoleon, but resum- 
ing his studies in 1816. graduated three years 
later. He then founded a boys" school at FVank- 
fort, which he maintained fourteen years, when, 
having been implicated in the republican revolu 
tion of 1833. he was forced to leave the country, 
locating the following year on a farm in St. Clair 
County, 111. Here he finally became a teacher in 
the public schools, served in the State Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1847. was elected School 
Commissioner of St. Clair County, and, having 
removed to Belleville in 1855, there conducted a 
private school for the instruction of teachers 
while discharging the duties of his office; later 
was appointed a member of the first State School 
Board, serving until 1860, and taking part in the 
establishment of the Illinois State Normal Uni 
versify, of which he was a zealous advocate. He 
was also a contributor to "The Illinois Teacher," 
and, for several years prior to his death, served 
as Superintendent of Schools at Belleville without 
compensation. Died. November. 1872. 

BURCH.\RD. Horatio C, ex Congressman, was 
born at Marshall, Oneida County, N. Y., Sept. 23, 
1825; graduated at Hamilton College, N. Y.. in 
1850, and later removed to Stephenson County, 
111., making his home at Freeport. By profes- 
sion he is a lawyer, but he has been also largely 
interested in mercantile pursuits. From 1857 to 
1860 he was Scliool Commissioner of Stephenson 
County; from 1863 to 1866 a member of the State 
Legislature, and from 1869 to 1879 a Representa- 
tive in Congress, being each time elected as a 
Republican, for the first time as the successor of 
E. B. Wasliburne. After retiring from Congress, 
he served for six years (1879-85) as Director of the 
United States Mint at Philadelphia, with marked 
ability. During the World's Columbian Exposi- 
tion at Chicago (1893), Mr. Burchard was in 
charge of the Bureau of Awards in connection 
with the Mining Department, afterwards resum- 
ing the practice of his profession at Freeport. 

BURDETTE, Robert Jones, journalist and 
humorist, was born in Greensborougli, Pa., July 
30, 1844. and taken to Peoria, III., in early life, 
where he was educated in the public schools. In 
1862 he enlisted as a private in the Forty seventh 
Illinois Volunteers and served to the end of the 
war ; adopted journalism in 1869. being employed 
upon "Tlie Peoria Transcript" and other papers 
of tliat city. Later he became associated with 
"The Burlington (Iowa) Hawkeye," upon which 
he gained a wide reputation as a genial humor- 



ist. Several volumes of his sketches have been 
published, but in recent years he has devoted hit 
attention chiefly to lecturing, with occasional 
contributions to the literary press. 

BUREAU COUNTY, set off from Putnam 
County in 1837. near the center of the northern 
half of the State, Princeton being made the 
county-seat. Coal had been discovered in 18:34, 
there being considerable quantities mined at 
Mineral and Selby. Sheffield also has an impor- 
tant coal trade. Public lands were offered for sale 
as early as 1835, and by 1844 had been nearly all 
sold. Princeton was platted in 1832, and. in 1890. 
contained a population of 3.396. The county has 
an area of 870 square miles, and, according to the 
census of 1900, a population of 41.112. The pio- 
neer settler was Henry Thomas, who erected the 
first cabin, in Bureau township, in 1828. He was 
soon followed by the Ament brothers (Edward, 
Justus and John L. ) , and for a time settlers came 
in rapid succession, among the earliest being 
Amos Leonard. Daniel Dimmick, John Hall, 
William Hoskins, Timothy Perkins?, Leonard 

Roth, Bulbona and John Dixon. Serious 

Indian disturbances in 1831 caused a hegira of 
the settlers, some of whom never returned. In 
1833 a fort was erected for the protection of the 
whites, and, in 1836, there began a new and large 
influx of immigrants. Among other early set- 
tlers were John H. and Arthur Bryant, brothers 
of the poet, William CuUen Bryant. 

BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, estab- 
lished in 1879. being an outgrowth of the agitation 
and discontent among the laboring classes, which 
culminated in 1877-78. The Board consists of 
five Commissioners, who serve for a nominal 
compensation, their term of office being two 
years. They are nominated by the Executive 
and confirmed by tlie Senate. The law requires 
that three of them shall be manual laborers and 
two employers of manual labor. The Bureau is 
charged witli the collection, compilation cand 
tabulation of statistics relative to labor in Illi- 
nois, particularly in its relation to the commer- 
cial, industi'ial, social, educational and sanitarj' 
conditions of the working classes. The Com- 
mission is required to submit biennial reports. 
Those already published contain much informa- 
tion of value concerning coal and lead mines, 
convict labor, manufactures, strikes and lock- 
outs, wages, rent, cost of living, mortgage 
indebtedness, and kindred topics. 

BURGESS, Alexander, Protestant Episcopal 
Bishop of the diocese of Quincy, was born at 
Providence, R. I., Oct. 31, 1819. He graduated 



68 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



from Brown University in 1838 and from the 
General Theological Seminary (New York) in 
1841. He was made a Deacon, Nov. 3, 1843, and 
ordained a priest, Nov. 1, 1843. Prior to his ele- 
vation to the episcopate he was rector of various 
parishes in Maine, at Brooklyn, N. Y., and at 
Springfield, Mass. He represented the dioceses 
of Maine, Long Island and Jlassachusetts in the 
General Conventions of the Protestant Episcopal 
Chm-ch from 1844 to 1877, and, in the latter year, 
was President of the House of Deputies. Upon 
the death of his brother George, Bishop of Maine, 
he was chosen by the clergy of the diocese to suc- 
ceed him but declined When the diocese of 
Quincy 111. was created, he was elected its first 
Bishop, and consecrated at Christ Church, Spring- 
field, Mass-, on May 15, 1878. Besides publishing 
a memoir of his brother. Bishop Burgess is the 
author of several Sunday-school question books, 
carols and hymns, and has been a contributor to 
periodical church literature. His residence is at 
Peoria. 

BURLET. Arthur Gilman, merchant, was born 
at Exeter, N. H., Oct. 4, 1812, received his edu- 
cation in the local schools, and, in 1835, came 
West, locating in Chicago. For some two years 
he served as clerk in tlie boot, shoe and clothing 
store of John Holbrook, after which he accepted 
a position with his half-brother, Stephen F. Gale, 
the proprietor of the first book and stationery 
store in Chicago. In 1838 he invested his savings 
in a bankrupt stock of crockery, purchased from 
the old State Bank, and entered upon a business 
career which was continued uninterruptedly for 
nearly sixty years. In that time Mr. Burley 
built up a bvisiness which, for its extent and 
success, was unsurpassed in its time in the West. 
His brother in-law, Jlr. John Tyrrell, became a 
member of the firm in 1852. the business there- 
after being conducted under the name of Burley 
& Tyrrell, with Mr. Burley as President of the 
Company until his death, which occurred, August 

27, 1897. — Augustus Harris (Burley), brother of 
the preceding, was born at Exeter, N. H. , March 

28, 1819 ; was educated in the schools of his native 
State, and, in his youth, was employed for a 
time as a clerk in Boston. In 1837 he came to 
Chicago and took a position as clerk or salesman 
in the book and stationer}- store of his half- 
brother, Stephen F. Gale, subsequently became a 
partner, and, on the retirement of Mr. Gale a 
few years later, succeeded to the control of the 
business. In 1857 he disposed of his book and 
stritionery business, and about the same time 
became one of the founders of the Merchants' 



Loan and Trust Company, with which he has 
been connected as a Director ever since. Mr. 
Burley was a member of tlie volunteer fire depart- 
ment organized in Chicago in 1841 Among the 
numerous public positions held by him may be 
mentioned, member of the Board of Public Works 
(1867-70), the first Superintendent of Lincoln Park 
(1869). Representative from Cook County in the 
Twenty-seventh General Assembly (1870-72). City 
Comptroller during the administration of Mayor 
Medill (1873-73), and again und3r Mayor Roche 
(1887), and member of the City Council (1881-82). 
Politically, Mr. Burley has been a zealous Repub- 
lican and served on the Chicago Union Defense 
Committee in the first year of the Civil War, and 
was a delegate from the State-aHarge to the 
National Republican Convention at Baltimore in 
1864, which nominated Abraham Lincoln for the 
Presidency a second time. 

BURNHAM, Daniel Hudsou, architect, was 
born at Henderson, N. Y. , Sept. 4, 1846 ; came to 
Chicago at 9 years of age: attended private 
schools and the Chicago High School, after which 
he spent two years at Waltham, Mass.. receiving 
special instruction; returning to Chicago in 1867, 
he was afterwards associated with various firms. 
About 1873 he formed a business connection with 
J. W. Root, architect, which extended to the 
death of the latter in 1891. The firm of Burnham 
& Root furnished the plans of a large number of 
the most conspicuous business buildings in Chi- 
cago, but won their greatest distinction in con- 
nection with the construction of buildings for the 
World's Columbian Exposition, of which Mr. 
Root was Supervising Architect previous to his 
death, while Mr. Burnham was made Chief of 
Construction and, later. Director of Works. In 
this capacity his authority was almost absolute, 
but was used with a discretion that contributed 
greatly to the success of the enterprise. 

BURR, Albert G., former Congressman, was 
born in Genesee County, N. Y., Nov. 8, 1829: 
came to Illinois about 1833 with his widowed 
mother, who settled in Springfield. In early life 
he became a citizen of Winchester, where he read 
law and was admitted to the bar, also, for a time, 
following the occupation of a printer. Here he 
was twice elected to the lower-house of the Gen- 
eral Assembly (1860 and 1862), meanwhile ser\-ing 
as a member of the State Constitutional Conven- 
tion of 1862. Having removed to CarroUton. 
Greene County, he was elected as a Democrat to 
the Fortieth and Forty-first Congresses (1866 and 
1868), serving until March 4. 1871. In August, 
1877, he was elected Circuit Judge to fill a 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



69 



vacancy and was re-eleoted for the regular term 
in June, 187!), Init died in office, June 10, 1883. 

BURRELL, Orlando, member of Congress, was 
boi-n in Bradford County, Pa. ; removed with liis 
parents to White County, 111., in 1834, growing 
up on a farm near Carmi ; received a common 
school education; in 1850 went to California, 
driving an ox-team across the plains. Soon after 
the beginning of the Civil War (1861) he raised a 
company of cavalry, of which he was elected 
Captain, and which became a part of the First 
Regiment Illinois Cavahy; served as County 
Judge from 1873 to 1881, and was elected Sheriff 
in 1886. In 1894 he was elected Representative 
in Congress as a Republican from the Twentieth 
District, composed of counties whicli formerly 
constituted a large part of the old Nineteenth 
District, and which had uniformly been repre- 
sented by a Democrat. He suffered defeat as a 
candidate for reelection in 1896. 

BURROUGHS, John Curtis, clergyman and 
educator, was born in Stamford, N. Y., Dec. 7, 
1818; graduated at Yale College in 1842, and 
Madison Theological Seminary in 1846. After 
five years spent as pastor of Baptist churches at 
Waterford and West Troy, N. Y., in 1852 he 
assumed the pastorate of the First Baptist Church 
of Chicago ; about 1856 was elected to the presi- 
dency of the Chicago University, then just 
established, having previously declined the 
presidency of Shurtleff College at Upper Alton. 
Resigning his position in 1874, he soon after 
became a member of the Chicago Board of Edu- 
cation, and, in 1884, was elected Assistant Super- 
intendent of Public Schools of that city, serving 
until his death, April 21, 1892. 

BUSEY, Samuel T., banker and ex-Congress- 
man, was born at Greencastle, Ind., Nov. 16, 
1835; in infancy was brought by his parents to 
Urbana, 111., where he was educated and has 
since resided. From 1857 to 1859 he was engaged 
in mercantile pursuits, but during 1860-61 
attended a commercial college and read law. In 
1862 he was chosen Town Collector, but resigned 
to enter the Union Army, being commissioned 
Second Lieutenant by Governor Yates, and 
assigned to recruiting service. Having aided in 
the organization of the Seventy-sixth Illinois 
Volunteers, he was commissioned its Lieutenant- 
Colonel, August 12, 1862 ; was afterward promoted 
to the colonelcy, and mustered out of service at 
Chicago, August 6, 1865, with the rank of Brevet 
Brigadier-General. In 1866 he was an unsuccess- 
ful candidate for the General Assembly on the 
Democratic ticket and for Trustee of the State 



University in 1888. From 1880 to 1889 he was 
Mayor and President of the Board of Education 
of Urbana. In 1867 he opened a private bank, 
which he conducted for twenty-one years. In 
1890 he was elected to Congress from the Fif- 
teenth Illinois District, defeating Joseph G. Can- 
non, Republican, by whom lie was in turn 
defeated for the same office in 1892. 

BUSHNELL, a flourishing city and manufac- 
turing center in McDonough County, 11 miles 
northeast of Macomb, at the junction of two 
branches of the Chicago. Burlington & Quinoy 
with the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railroads; fias 
numerous manufactories, including wooden 
pumps, flour, agricultural implements, wagons 
and carriages, tank and fence-work, rural mail- 
boxes, mattresses, brick, besides egg and poultry 
packing houses; also has water-works and elec- 
tric lights, grain elevators, three banks, several 
churches, graded public and high schools, two 
newspapers and a public library. Pop. (1900), 2,490. 

BUSHNELL, Neliemiah, lawyer, was born in 
the town of Westbrook, Conn., Oct. 9, 1813; 
graduated at Yale College in 1835, studied law 
and was admitted to the bar in 1837, coming in 
December of the same year to Quincy, III., where, 
for a time, he assisted in editing "The Whig" 
of that city, later forming a partnership with 
O. H. Browning, which was never fully broken 
until his death. In his practice he gave much 
attention to land titles in the "Military Tract"; 
in 1851 was President of the portion of the North- 
ern Cross Railroad between Quincy and Gales- 
burg (now a part of the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy) , and later of the Quincy Bridge Company 
and the Quincy & Palmyra (Mo.) Railroad. In 
1873 he was elected by the Republicans the 
"minority" Representative from Adams County 
in the Twenty-eighth General Assembly, but 
died during the succeeding session, Jan. 31, 1873. 
He was able, high-minded and honorable in public 
and private life. 

BUSHNELL, Washington, lawyer and Attor- 
ney-General, was born in Madison County, N. Y., 
Sept. 30, 1825; in 1837 came with his father to 
Lisbon, Kendall County, 111., where he worked on 
a farm and taught at times ; studied law at Rough- 
keepsie, N. Y., was admitted to the bar and 
established liimself in practice at Ottawa, 111. 
The pviblic positions held by him were those of 
State Senator for La Salle County (1861-69) and 
Attorney-General (1869-73); was also a member 
of the Republican National Convention of 1864, 
besides being identified with various business 
enterprises at Ottawa. Died, June 30, 1885. 



70 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



BUTLEH, William, State Treasurer, was born 
in Adair County. Ky., Dec. 15, 1797; during the 
war of 1S12, at the age of IC j-ears, .served as the 
messenger of the Gorernor of Kentucky, carrying 
dispatches to Gen. William Henry Harrison in 
the lield; removed to Sangamon County, 111., in 
1828, and, in 1S;!G, was a|>pointcd Clerk of the 
Circuit Court by Judge Stephen T. Logan. In 
IS.V.) ho served as foreman of the Grand Jury 
which investigated the "canal scrip frauds" 
charged against ex Governor Matteson. and it 
wixs largely through his inlluence that the pro- 
ceedings of that body were subsequently pub- 
lished in an ofticial form. During the same year 
Governor Hissell ajjpointed him State Treasurer 
to lill a vacani'y caused by the resignation of 
James Sliller, and he was elected to the s;vnie 
office in 18(10. Mr. Butler was an ardent sup- 
porter of Abraham Lincoln, whom he efticiently 
befriended in the early struggles of the latter 
in Springfield. He died in Springfield. Jan. 11, 
1876. 

BUTTERFIELl), Justin, early lawyer, was 
born at Keene, N. II., in 1790. He studied at 
Williams College, and was admitted to the bar 
ut Watertown, N. Y., in IS13. After some years 
devoted to jiractice at Adams and at Sackett's 
Harbor, N. Y., he removed to New Orleans, where 
be attained a high rank at the bar. In 1835 he 
settled in Chicago and soon became a leader in 
his profession there also. In 1841 he was appointed 
by President Harrison United States District At- 
torney for the District of Illinois, and, in 1849, by 
President Taylor Commissioner of tlie General 
Land OtKce, one of his chief competitors for the 
latter place being Abraham Lincoln. This dis- 
tinction he probably owed to the personal influ- 
ence of Daniel Webster, then Secretary of State, 
of whom Mr. Hutterfield was a personal friend 
and warm admirer. While Commissioner, he 
rendered valuable service to the State in securing 
the canal land grant. As a lawyer he was logical 
and resourceful, as well iis witty and quick at 
repartee, yet his chief strength lay before the 
Court rather than the jury. Numerous stories 
are told of his brilliant .sallies at the bar and 
elsewhere. One of the former relates to his 
address before Judge Nathaniel Pope, of the 
United States Court at Springfield, in a habeas- 
corpiis case to secure the release of Joseph Smith, 
the Mormon prophet, who was under arrest under 
the charge of complicity in an attempt to assassin- 
ate Governor Hoggs of ^lissouri. Rising to begin 
his argument. Mr. r>utterfield siiid: "I am to 
address the Pope" (bowing to the Court), '"sui-- 



rounded by angels" (l}owing still lower to a party 
of ladies in the audience), "in the presence of 
the holy apostles, in behalf of the prophet of 
the Lord." On another occasion, being asked if 
he was opposed to the war with Jlexico, he 
replied, "I opposed one war" — meaning his 
opposition as a Federalist to the War of 1813 — 
"but learned the folly of it. Henceforth I am for 
war, pestilence and famine." He died, Oct. 25, 
1855. 

BYFORl), William H., physician and author, 
was born at Eaton, Ohio, March 20, 1817; in 1830 
came with his widowed mother to Crawford 
County, 111., and began learning the tailor's 
trade at Palestine; later studied medicine at 
Vincennes and practiced at different points in 
Indiana. Meanwhile, having graduated at the 
Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, in 1850, he 
assumed a professorship in a Medical College at 
Evansville, Ind., also editing a medical journal. 
In 1857 he removed to Chicago, where he ac- 
cepted a chair in Rush Medical College, but two 
years later became one of the founders of the 
Chicago Medical College, where he remained 
twenty years. He then (1879) returned to Rush, 
assuming the chair of Gj'necology. In 1870 he 
assisted in founding the Woman's Medical Col- 
lege of Chicago, remaining President of the 
Faculty and Board of Trustees until his death, 
May 21, 1890. He published a nmnber of medical 
works which are regarded as standard by the 
profession, besides acting as associate of Dr. N. S. 
Davis in the editorship of "The Chicago Medical 
Journal" and as editor-in-chief of "The Medical 
Journal and Examiner," the successor of the 
former. Dr. Byford was held in the highest 
esteem as a physician and a man, both by the 
general piililic and his professional associates. 

BYROX, a village of Ogle County, in a pictur- 
esque region on Rock River, at junction of the 
Chicago Great Western and the Chicago, Mil- 
waukee it St. Paul Railways. 83 miles west-north- 
west from Chicago; is in rich farming and dairy- 
ing district; has two banks and two weekly 
papers. Population (1890), 698; (1900), 1,015. 

C.VBLE, a town in Mercer County, on the Rock 
Island & Peoria Railroad, 2G miles south by east 
from Rock Island. . Coal-mining is the principal 
industry, but there are also tile works, a good 
quality of clay for manufai'turing purjioses being 
found in abundance. Population (1880), 573-, 
(1890), 1,270; (1900). 697. 

C.4.BLE, Benjamin T., capitalist and ^x)liticiaD, 
was born in Georgetown, Scott County, Ky.. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



71 



August 11, 1853. When lie was three years old 
his father's family removed to Rock Island. 111., 
wliere he has since resided. After passing 
through the Rock Island public schools, he matric- 
ulated at the University of Michigan, graduating 
in Jime, 1876. He owns extensive ranch and 
manufacturing property, and is reputed wealthy ; 
is also an active Democratic politician, and influ- 
ential in his party, having been a member of both 
the National and State Central Committees. In 
1.890 he was elected to Congress from the Eleventh 
Illinois District, but since 18i)3 has held no public 
office. 

C.VBLE, Ransom R., railway manager, was 
born in Athens County, Ohio, Sept. 23, 1834. 
His early training was mainly of the practical 
sort, and by the time he was 17 years old he was 
actively employed as a lumberman. In 18.57 lie 
removed to Illinois, first devoting his attention 
to coal mining in the neighborhood of Rock 
Island. Later he became interested in the pro- 
jection and management of railroads, being in 
turn Superintendent, Vice-President and Presi- 
dent of the Rock Island & Pe6ria Railroad. His 
next position was that of General Manager of the 
Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis Railroad. His 
experience in these positions renilered him famil- 
iar with both the scope and the details of railroad 
management, while his success brought him to 
the favorable notice of those who controlled rail- 
waj' interests all over the country. In 1876 he 
was elected a Director of the Chicago, Rock 
Island & Pacific Railway. In connection with 
this company he has held, successively, the 
offices of Vice-President, Assistant to the Presi- 
dent, General Manager and President, being chief 
executive officer since 1880. (See Chicago, Rock 
Island & Pacific Railway. ) 

CAHOKIA, the first permanent white settle- 
ment in Illinois, and, in French colonial times, 
one of its principal towns. French Jesuit mis- 
sionaries established the mission of the Tamaroas 
here in 1700, to which they gave the name of 
"Sainte Famille de Caoquias," antedating the 
settlement at Kaskaskia of the same year by a 
few months. Cahokia and Kaskaskia were 
jointly made the county -seats of St. Clair County, 
when that county was organized by Governor St. 
Clair in 1790. Five years later, when Randolph 
County was set off from St. Clair, Cahokia was 
continued as the county-seat of the parent 
county, so remaining until the removal of tlie 
seat of ju-stice to Belleville in 1814. Like its 
early rival, Kaskaskia, it has dwindled in impor- 
tance until, in 1890, its population was estimated 



at 100. Descendants of the early French settlers 
make up a considerable portion of the present 
population. The site of the old town is on the 
line of the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Rail- 
road, about four miles from East St. Louis. 
Some of the most remarkable Indian mounds in 
the Mississippi Valley, known as "the Cahokia 
Mounds, " are located in the vicinity. (See Mound- 
BtiiUlrr.s, Works of flic.) 

CAIllNES, Abraham, a native of Kentucky, in 
1816 .settled in that part of Crawford County, 111., 
which was embraced in Lawrence County on the 
organization of the latter in 1821. Mr. Cairnes 
was a member of the House for Crawford County 
in the Second General Assembly (1830-33), and 
for Lawrence County in the Third (1823-24), in 
the latter voting against the pro-slavery Conven- 
tion scheme. He removed from Lawrence 
County to some point on the Mississippi River in 
1826, but further details of his history are un- 
known. 

CAIRO, the county-seat of Alexander County, 
and the most important river point between St. 
Louis and Memphis. Its first charter was ob- 
tained from the Territorial Legislature by Shad- 
rach Bond (afterwards Governor of Illinois), John 
G. Comyges and others, who incorporated the 
"City and Bank of Cairo. "' The company entered 
about 1,800 acres, but upon the death of Mr. Comy- 
ges, the land reverted to the Government. The 
forfeited tract was re-enttred in 1835 by Sidney 
Breese and others, who later transferred it to the 
"Cairo City and Canal Company," a corporation 
chartered in 1837, which, by purchase, increased 
its holdings to 10,000 acres. Peter Stapleton is 
said to have erected the first house, and John 
Hawley the second, within the town limits. In 
consideration of certain privileges, tlie Illinois 
Central Railroad has erected around the water 
front a substantial levee, eighty feet wide. Dur- 
ing the Civil War Cairo was an important base 
for military operations. Its population, according 
to the census of 1900, was 12,566. (See also Alex- 
ander Countij.) 

CAIRO BRIDGE, THE, one of the triumphs of 
modern engineering, erected by the Illinois Cen- 
tral Railroad Company across the Oliio River, 
opposite the city of Cairo. It is the longest 
metallic bridge across a river in the world, being 
thirty-three feet longer than the Tay Bridge, in 
Scotland. The work of construction was begun, 
July 1, 1887, and uninterruptedly jirosecuted for 
twenty-seven months, being completed, Oct. 29. 
1889. The first train to cross it was made up of 
ten locomotives coupled togetlier. The ap- 



72 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



preaches from both tlie Illinois and Kentucky 
shores consist of iron viaducts and well-braced 
timber trestles. The Illinois viaduct approach 
consists of seventeen spans of 150 feet each, and 
one span of 106 'f feet. All these rest on cylin- 
der piers filled with concrete, and are additionally 
supported by piles driven within the cylinders. 
The viaduct on the Kentucky shore is of similar 
general construction. The total number of spans 
is twenty -two — twenty-one being of 150 feet each, 
and one of 106)4: feet. The total length of the 
metal work, from end to end, is 10,650 feet, 
including that of the bridge proper, which is 
4.644 feet. The latter consists of nine through 
spans and three deck spans. The through spans 
rest on ten first-class masonry piers on pneumatic 
foundations. The total length of the bridge, 
including the timber trestles, is 30,461 feet — about 
3J4 miles. Four-fifths of the Illinois trestle 
work has been filled in with earth, while that on 
the southern shore has been virtually replaced by 
an embankment since the completion of the 
bridge. The bridge proper stands 104.43 feet in 
the clear above low water, and from the deepest 
foundation to the top of the highest iron work is 
348.94 feet. The total cost of the work, including 
the filling and embankment of the trestles, has 
been (1895) between §3,350,000 and §3,500,000. 

CAIRO, TIIVCENNES & CHICAGO RAIL- 
ROAD, a division of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, 
Chicago & St. Louis Railway, extending from 
Danville to Cairo (361 miles), with a branch nine 
miles in length from St. Francisville, 111., to Vin- 
cennes, Ind. It was chartered as the Cairo & 
Vincennes Railroad in 1867, completed in 1873, 
placed in the hands of a receiver in 1874, sold 
under foreclosure in January, 1880, and for some 
time operated as the Cairo Division of the 
Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway. In 1889, 
having been surrendered by the Wabash, St. 
Louis & Pacific Railway, it was united with the 
Danville & Southwestern Railroad, reorganized as 
the Cairo, Vincennes & Chicago Railroad, and, 
in 1890, leased to the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chi- 
cago & St. Louis Railway, of which it is known 
as the "Cairo Division." (See Cleveland, Cincin- 
nati, Chicago & Sf. Louis Raihraij.) 

CAIRO & ST. LOUIS RAILROAD. (See St. 
Louis & Cairo Railroad and Mobile & Ohio Rail- 
way. ) 

CAIRO & VINCENNES RAILROAD. (See 
Cairn, Vincennes & Chicago Railroad.) 

CALDWELL, (Dr.) George, early physician 
and legislator (the name is spelled both Cad well 
and Caldwell in the early records), was born at 



Wethersfield, Conn.. Feb. 31, 1773, and received 
his literary education at Hartford, and his pro- 
fessional at Rutland, Vt. He married a daughter 
of Hon. Matthew Lyon, who was a native of 
Ireland, and who served two terms in Congress 
from Vermont, four from Kentucky (1803-11), 
and was elected the first Delegate in Congress 
from Arkansas Territory, but died before taking 
his seat in August, 1823. Lyon was also a resi- 
dent for a time of St. Louis, and was a candidate 
for Delegate to Congress from Missouri Territorj', 
but defeated by Edward Hempstead (see Hemp- 
stead, Edward). Dr. Caldwell descended the 
Ohio River in 1799 In company with Lyon's 
family and his brother-in-law, John Messinger 
(see Messinger, John), who afterwards became a. 
prominent citizen of St. Clair Coimty, the party 
locating at Eddyville, Ky. In 1803, Caldwell 
and Messinger removed to Illinois, landing near 
old Fort Chartres, and remained some time in 
the American Bottom. The former finally 
located on the banks of the Mississippi a few 
miles above St. Louis, where he practiced his 
profession and held various public offices, includ- 
ing those of Justice of the Peace and County 
Judge for St. Clair County, as also for Madison 
County after the organization of the latter. He 
served as State Senator from Madison County 
in the First and Second General Assemblies 
(1818-33), and, having removed in 1830 within the 
limits of what is now Morgan County (but still 
earlier embraced in Greene), in 1833 was elected 
to the Senate for Greene and Pike Counties — 
the latter at that time embracing all the northern 
and northwestern part of the State, including 
the county of Cook. During the following ses- 
sion of the Legislature he was a sturdy opponent 
of the scheme to make Illinois a slave State. His 
home in Morgan County was in a locality known 
as "Swinerton's Point," a few miles west of 
Jacksonville, where he died, August 1, 1886. 
(See Slavery and Slave Laws. ) Dr. Caldwell (or 
Cadwell, as he was widely known) commanded 
a high degree of respect among early residents of 
Illinois. Governor Reynolds, in his "Pioneer 
History of Illinois," says of him: "He was 
moral and correct in his public and private life, 
. . . was a respectable physician, and always 
maintained an unblemished character." 

CALHOUN, John, pioneer printer and editor, 
was born at Watertown, N. Y., April 14, 1808; 
learned the printing trade and practiced it in his 
native town, also working in a type-foundrj' in 
Albany and as a compositor in Troy. In the fall 
of 1833 he came to Chicago, bringing with him 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



73 



an outfit for the publication of a weekly paper, 
and, on Nov. 26, began the issue of "The Chicago 
Democrat" — the first paper ever published in tliat 
city. Mr. Calhoun retained the management of 
the paper three years, transferring it in Novem- 
ber, 183G, to John AVentworth, who conducted it 
until its absorption bj- "The Tribune" in July, 
18G1. Mr. Calhoun afterwards served as County 
Treasurer, still later as Collector, and, finally, as 
agent of the lUinois Central Railroad in procur- 
ing right of way for the construction of its lines. 
Died in Chicago, Feb. 20, 1S.59. 

CALHOUN, John, surveyor and politician, was 
born in Boston, Mass., Oct. 14, ISIKi; removed to 
Springfield. 111., in 1830, sei'ved in the Black 
Hawk War and was soon after appointed County 
Surveyor. It was under Mr. Calhoun, and by his 
appointment, that Abraham Lincoln served for 
some time as Deputy Surveyor of Sangamon 
County. In 1838 Calhoun was chosen Represent- 
ative in the General Assembly, but was defeated 
in 1840, thougli elected Clerk of the House at the 
following session. He was a Democratic Presi- 
dential Elector in 1844, was an unsuccessful 
candidate for the nomination for Governor in 
1846, and, for three terms (1849, '50 and '51), 
served as Mayor of the city of Springfield. In 
1852 he was defeated by Richard Yates (after- 
wards Governor and United States Senator), as a 
candidate for Congress, but two years later was 
appointed by President Pierce Survej'or-General 
of Kansas, where he became discreditably con- 
spicuous by his zeal in attempting to carry out 
the policy of the Buchanan administration for 
making Kansas a slave State — especiallj' in con- 
nection with the Lecompton Constitutional Con- 
vention, with the election of which he had much 
to do, and over which he presided. Died at St. 
Joseph, Mo., Oct. 25, 1859. 

CALHOUN, William J., lawyer, was born in 
Pittsburg, Pa., Oct. 5, 1847. After residing at 
various points Ln that State, his famih' removed 
to Ohio, where he worked on a farm until 1864, 
when he enlisted as a private in the Nineteenth 
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving to the end of 
the war. He participated in a number of severe 
battles while with Sherman on tlie march against 
Atlanta, returning with General Thomas to Nash- 
ville, Tenn. During the last few months of the 
war he served in Texas, being mustered out at 
San Antonio in that State, thougli receiving his 
final discharge at Columbus, Ohio. After the 
war he entered the Poland Union Seminary, 
where he became the intimate personal friend of 
Maj. William McKinley, who was elected to tlie 



Presidency in 1896. Having graduated at the 
seminary, he came to Areola, Douglas County, 
111., and began the study of law, later taking a 
course in a law school in Chicago, after wliich he 
was admitted to the bar (1875) and established 
himself in practice at Danville as the partner of 
the Hon. Joseph B. Mann. In 1882 Mr. Calhoun 
was elected as a Republican to the lower branch 
of the Thirty-third General Assembly and, during 
the following session, proved himself one of the 
ablest members of tliat bod}-. In May, 1897, Mr. 
Calhoun was a[>pointed by President McKinley a 
special envoy to investigate the circumstances 
attending the death of Dr. Ricardo Ruiz, a nat- 
uralized citizen of the United States wlio had 
died while a prisoner in the hands of the Spaniards 
during the rebellion then in progress in Cuba. 
In 1898 he was appointed a member of the Inter- 
State Commerce Commission to succeed William 
R. Morrison, whose term had expired. 

CALHOUN COUNTY, situated between the 
Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, just above their 
junction. It has an area of 260 square miles, 
with a population (1900) of 8,917; was organized 
in 1825 and named for John C. Calhoun. Origi- 
nally, the county was well timbered and the 
early settlers were largely engaged in lumbering, 
which tended to give the population more or less 
of a migratory character. Much of the timber 
has been cleared off, and the principal business 
in later years has been agriculture, although coal 
is found and mined in pa3-ing quantities along 
Silver Creek. Tradition has it that the aborig- 
ines found the precious metals in the bed of this 
stream. It was originally included within the 
limits of the Military Tract set apart for the 
veterans of the War of 1812. The physical con- 
formation of the county's surface exliibits some 
peculiarities. Limestone bluff's, rising some- 
times to the height of 200 feet, skirt the banks of 
both rivers, while through the center of the 
county rims a ridge dividing the two watersheds. 
The side valleys and the top of the central ridge 
are alike fertile. The bottom lands are very 
rich, but are liable to inundation. The coiuity- 
seat and principal town is Hardin, with a popula- 
tion (1890) of 311. 

CALLAH.VN, Ethelbert, lawyer and legislator, 
was born near Newark, Ohio, Dec. 17, 1829; 
came to Crawford County, 111., in 1849, where he 
farmed, taught school and edited, at different 
times, "The Wabash Sentinel" and "The Marshall 
Telegraph." He early identified himself with 
the Republican party, and, in 1864, was the 
Kei)ublican candidate for Congress in his dis- 



74 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



trict ; became a member of the first State Board 
of Equalization by appointment of Governor 
Oglesby in 1SG7; served in the lower house of the 
General Assembly during the sessions of 1875, '91, 
'93 and '95. and, in 1893-95, on a Joint Committee 
to revise the State Revenue Laws. He was also 
Presidential Elector in 1880, and again in 1888. 
Jlr. Callahan was admitted to the bar when past 
30 years of age, and was President of the State 
Bar Association in 1889. His home is at Robinson. 
CALUMET RIVER, a short stream the main 
body of which is formed by the union of two 
branches which come together at the southern 
boundary of the city of Chicago, and which flows 
into Lake Michigan a short distance north of the 
Indiana State line. The eastern branch, known 
as the Grand Calumet, flows in a westerly direc- 
tion from Northwestern Indiana and unites with 
the Little Calumet from the west, 3'/i miles from 
the mouth of the main stream. From the south- 
ern Limit of Chicago the general course of the 
stream is north between Lake Calumet and Wolf 
Lake, which it serves to drain. At its mouth, 
Calumet Harbor has been constructed, which 
admits of the entrance of vessels of heavy 
draught, and is a shipping and receiving 
point of importance for heavy freight for 
the Illinois Steel Works, the Pullman Palace 
Car Works and other manufacturing establish- 
ments in that vicinity. The river is regarded as 
a navigable stream, and has been dredged by the 
General Government to a depth of twenty feet 
and 200 feet wide for a distance of two miles, 
with a depth of sixteen feet for the remainder of 
the distance to the forks. The Calumet feeder 
for the Illinois and Michigan Canal extends from 
the west branch (or Little Calumet) to the canal 
in the vicinity of Willow Springs. The stream 
•was known to the early French explorers as "the 
Calimic," and was sometimes confounded by 
them with the Chicago River. 

CALUMET RIVER RAILROAD, a short line, 
4.43 miles in length, lying wholl}' within Cook 
County. The Pennsylvania Railroad Company 
is the lessee, but the line is not operated at present 
(1898). Its outstanding capital stock is $68,700. 
It has no funded debt, but has a floating debt of 
§110,357, making atotal capitalization of Slo5,087. 
This road extends from One Hundredth Street in 
Chicago to Hegewisch, and was chartered in 1883. 
(See Pennsylvania Railroad.) 

CAMBRIDGE, the county-seat of Henry 
County, about 160 miles southwest of Chicago, 
on the Rock Island & Peoria Railroad. It is situ- 
ated in a fertile region chiefly devoted to 



agriculture and stock-raising. The city is a con- 
siderable grain market and has some manufac- 
tories. Some coal is also mined. It has a public 
library, two newspapers, three banks, good 
schools, and handsome public (county) buildings. 
Population (1880), 1.203; (1890), United States 
census report, 940; (1900), 1,345. 

CAMERON, James, Cumberland Presbyterian 
minister and pioneer, was born in Kentucky in 
1791, came to Illinois in 1815, and, in 1818, settled 
in Sangamon County. In 1829 he is said to have 
located where the town of New Salem (after- 
wards associated with the early history of Abra- 
ham Lincoln) was built, and of which he and 
James Rutledge were the founders. He is also 
said to have officiated at the funeral of Ann 
Rutledge, with whose memory Mr. Lincoln's 
name has been tenderly associated by his biog- 
raphers. Mr. Cameron subsequently removed 
successively to Fulton County, 111., to Iowa and 
to California, dying at a ripe old age, in the latter 
State, about 1878. 

CAMP DOUGL.iS, a Federal military camp 
established at Chicago early in the War of the 
Rebellion, located between Thirty-first Street and 
College Place, and Cottage Grove and Forest 
Avenues. It was 'originally designed and solely 
used as a camp of instruction for new recruits. 
Afterwards it was utilized as a place of confine- 
ment for Confederate prisoners of war. (For 
plot to liberate the latter, together with other 
similar prisoners in Illinois, see Camp Douglas 
Conspiracy. ) 

CAMP DOUGLAS CONSPIRACY, a plot formed 
in 1864 for the liberation of the Confederate 
prisoners of war at Chicago (in Camp Douglas), 
Rock Island, Alton and Springfield. It was to be 
but a preliminary step in the execution of a 
design long cherished by the Confederate Gov- 
ernment, viz., the seizing of the organized gov- 
ernments of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, and the 
formation of a Northwestern Confederacy, 
through the cooperation of the "Sons of Lib- 
erty." (fiee Secret Treasonable Societies.) Three 
peace commissioners (Jacob Thompson, C. C 
Clay and J. P. Holcomb), who had been sent 
from Richmond to Canada, held frequent 
conferences with leaders of the treasonable 
organizations in the North, including Clement L. 
Vallandigham, Bowles, of Indiana, and one 
Charles Walsh, who was head of the movement 
in Chicago, with a large number of allies in that 
city and scattered throughout the States. The 
general management of the aff'air was entrusted 
to Capt. Thomas H. Ilines. who had been second 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



75 



in command to the rebel Gen. John Morgan dur- 
ing his mid north of the Ohio River, while Col. 
Vincent Jlarmaduke. of Missouri, and G. St. Leger 
Grenfell (an Englishman) were selected to 
carry ont the military program. Hines followed 
out his instructions with great zeal and labored 
indefatigably. Tliomiwon's duty was to dis- 
seminate incendiary treasonable literature, and 
strengthen the timorous "Sons of Liberty" by 
the use of argument and money, both he and his 
agents being lavishly supplied with the latter. 
There was to be a draft in July, 18G4, and it was 
determined to arm the "Sons of Liberty"' for 
resistance, the date of uprising being fixed for 
July 20. This part of the scheme, however, was 
finally abandoned. Cajitain Hines located him- 
self at Chicago, and personally attended to the 
distribution of funds and the purchase of arms. 
The date finally fixed for the attempt to liberate 
the Southern prisoners was August 29, 1864, when 
the National Democratic Convention was to 
assemble at Chicago. On that date it was 
expected the city would be so crowded that the 
presence of the promised force of "Sons" would 
not excite comment. The program also included 
an attack on the city by water, for which pur- 
pose reliance was placed upon a horde of Cana- 
dian refugees, under Capt. John B. Castleman. 
There were some 26,500 Southern prisoners in the 
State at this time, of whom about 8,000 were at 
Cliicago, 6,000 at Rock Island, 7,500 at Spring- 
field, and 5,000 at Alton. It was estimated that 
there were 4,000 "Sons of Liberty" in Chicago, 
who would be largely reenforced. With these 
and the Canadian refugees the prisoners at Camp 
Douglas were to be liberated, and the army thus 
formed was to march upon Rock Island, Spring- 
field and Alton. But suspicions were aroused, 
and the Camp was reenforced by a regiment of 
infantry and a battery. The organization of the 
proposed assailing force was very imperfect, and 
the great majority of those wlio were to compose 
it were lacking in courage. Not enough of the 
latter reported for service to justify an attack, 
and the project was postponed. In the meantime 
a preliminary part of the plot, at least indirectly 
connected with the Camp Douglas conspiracy, 
and which contemplated the release of the rebel 
officers confined on Johnson's Island in Lake 
Erie, had been "nipped in the bud" by the arrest 
of Capt. C. H. Cole, a Confederate officer in dis- 
guise, on the 19th of September, just as he was 
on tlie point of putting in execution a scheme for 
seizing the United States steamer Michigan at 
Sandusky, and putting on board of it a Confeder- 



ate crew. November 8 was the date next selected 
to carry out the Chicago sclieme — the day of Presi- 
dent Lincoln's second election. The same pre- 
liminaries were arranged, except that no water 
attack was to be made. But Cliicago was to be 
l)urned and flooded, and its banks pillaged. 
Detachments were designated to apply the torch, 
to open fire plugs, to levy arms, and to attack 
banks. But representatives of the United States 
Secret Service had been initiated into the "Sons 
of Liberty," and the plans of Captain Hines and 
his associates were well known to tlie authori- 
ties. An efficient body of detectives was put 
upon their track by Gen. B. J. Sweet, tlie com- 
mandant at Camp Douglas, altliough some of the 
most valuable service in running down tlie con- 
spiracy and capturing its agents, was rendered 
by Dr. T. Winslow Ayer of Chicago, a Colonel 
Langhorne (an ex-Confederate who had taken 
the oath of allegiance without the knowledge of 
some of the parties to the plot), and Col. J. T. 
Shanks, a Confederate prisoner who was known 
as "The Texan." Both Langhorne and Shanks 
were appalled at the horrible nature of the plot 
as it was unfolded to them, and entered with 
zeal into the effort to defeat it. Shanks was 
permitted to escape from Camp Douglas, thereb3- 
getting in communication with the leaders of the 
plot who assisted to conceal him, while he faith- 
fully apprised General Sweet of their plans. On 
the night of Nov. 6 — or rather after midnight on 
the morning of the 7th — General Sweet caused 
simultaneous arrests of the leaders to be made at 
their hiding-places. Captain Hines was not 
captured, but the following conspirators were 
taken into custody : Captains Cantrill and Trav- 
erse; Charles Walsh, the Brigadier-General of 
the "Sons of Liberty," who was sheltering them, 
and in whose barn and house was found a large 
quantity of arms and military stores; Cols. St. 
Leger Grenfell, W. R. Anderson and J. T. 
Shanks; R. T. Senimes, Vincent Marmaduke, 
Charles T. Daniel and Buckner !3. Morris, the 
Treasurer of the order. They were tried by 
Military Commission at Cincinnati for conspir- 
acy. Marmaduke and Morris were acquitted; 
Anderson committed suicide during the trial; 
Walsh, Semmes and Daniels were sentenced to 
the penitentiary, and Grenfell was .sentenced to 
be hung, although liis sentence was afterward 
commuted to life imprisonment at the Dry Tortu- 
gas, where he mysteriously disappeared some 
years afterward, but wliether he escaped or was 
drowned in the attempt to do so has never been 
known. The British Government had made 



76 



HISTOEICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



repeated attempts to secure his release, a brother 
of his being a General in the British Army. 
Daniels managed to escape, and was never recap- 
tured, while "Walsh and Semmes, after under- 
going brief terms of imprisonment, were 
pardoned by President Johnson. The subsequent 
history of Shanks, who played so prominent a 
part in defeating the scheme of wholesale arson, 
pillage and assassination, is interesting. "While 
in prison he had been detailed for service as a 
clerk in one of the offices under the direction of 
General Sweet, and, while thus employed, made 
the acquaintance of a young lady member of a 
loyal family, whom he afterwards married. 
After the exposure of the contemplated uprising, 
the rebel agents in Canada offered a reward of 
SI, 000 in gold for the taking of his life, and he 
was bitterly persecuted. The attention o€ Presi- 
dent Lincoln was called to the service rendered 
by him, and sometime during 1865 he received a 
commission as Captain and engaged in fighting 
the Indians upon the Plains. The efficiency 
shown by Colonel Sweet in ferreting out the con- 
spiracy and defeating its consummation won for 
him the gratitude of the people of Chicago and 
the whole nation, and was recognized by the 
Government in awarding him a commission as 
Brigadier-General. (See Benjamin J. Sweet, 
Camp Douglas and Secret Treasonable Societies.) 

CAMPBELL, Alexander, legislator and Con- 
gressman, was born at Concord, Pa., Oct. 4, 1814. 
After obtaining a limited education in the com- 
mon schools, at an early age he secured employ- 
ment as a clerk in an iron manufactory. He soon 
rose to the position of superintendent, managing 
iron-works in Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Mis- 
souri, until 1850, when he removed to Illinois, 
settling at La Salle. He was twice (1852 and 
1853) elected Mayor of that city, and represented 
his county in the Twenty-first General Assembly 
(1859). He was also a member of the State 
Constitutional Convention of 18G2, and served 
one term (1875-77) as Representative in Congress, 
being elected as an Independent, but. in 1878, was 
defeated for re-election by Philip C. Hayes, 
Republican. Mr. Campbell was a zealous friend 
of Abraham Lincoln, and, in 1858, contributed 
liberally to the e.xpenses of the latter in making 
the tour of the State during tiie debate witli 
Douglas. He broke with the Republican party 
in 1874 on tlie greenback issue, which won for 
him the title of "Father of the Greenback." His 
death occurred at La Salle, August 9, 1898. 

CAMPBELL, Antrim, early lawyer, was born 
in New Jersey in 1814; came to Springfield, 111., 



in 1838; was appointed Master in Chancery for 
Sangamon County in 1849, and, in 1861, to a 
similar position by the United States District 
Court for that district. Died, August 11, 1868. 

CAMPBELL, James R., Congressman and sol- 
dier, was born in Hamilton County, 111., May 4, 
1858, his ancestors being among the first settlers 
in that section of the State; was educated at 
Notre Dame University, Ind. , read law and was 
admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court in 1877 ; 
in 1878 purchased "The McLeansboro Times," 
which he has since conducted ; was elected to the 
lower house of the General Assembly in 1884, and 
again in '86, advanced to the Senate in 1888, and 
re-elected in '92. During his twelve years' 
experience in the Legislature he participated, as 
a Democrat, in the celebrated Logan-Morrison 
contest for the United States Senate, in 1885, and 
assisted in the election of Gen. John M. Palmer 
to the Senate in 1891. At the close of his last 
term in the Senate (1896) he was elected to Con- 
gress from the Twentieth District, receiving a 
plurality of 2.851 over Orlando Burrell, Repub- 
lican, who had been elected in 1894. On the 
second call for troops issued by the President 
during the Spanish-American "War, Mr. Camp- 
bell organized a regiment which was mustered in 
as the Ninth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, of 
which he was commissioned Colonel and assigned 
to the corps of Gen. Fitzhugh Lee at Jack.son- 
ville, Fla. Although his regiment saw no active 
service during the war, it was held in readiness 
for that purpose, and, on the occupation of Cuba 
in December, 1898, it became a part of the army 
of occupation. As Colonel Campbell remained 
with his regiment, he took no part in the pro- 
ceedings of the last term of the Fifty-fifth Con- 
gress, and was not a candidate for re-election in. 
1898. 

CAMPBELL, Thompson, Secretary of State 
and Congressman, was born in Chester County, 
Pa., in 1811 ; removed in childliood to the western 
part of the State and was educated at Jefferson 
College, afterwards reatling law at P*ittsburg. 
Soon after being admitted to the bar he removed 
to Galena, 111., where he had acquired some min- 
ing interests, and, in 1843, was appointed Secre- 
tary of State by Governor Ford, but resigned in 
1846, and became a Delegate to the Constitutional 
Convention of 1847: in 1850 was elected as a 
Democrat to Congress from the Galena District, 
but defeated for re-election in 1852 by E. B. 
Washburne. He was then apjxiinted by President 
Pierce Commissioner to look after certain land 
grants bj- the Mexican Government in California, 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



77 



removing to that State in 1853, but resigned this 
position about 1855 to engage in general practice. 
In 1859 he made an extended visit to Europe 
with his family, and, on his return, located in 
Chicago, the following j'ear becoming a candidate 
for Presidential Electorat-large on the Breckin- 
ridge ticket; in 18G1 returned to California, and, 
on tlie breaking out of tlie Civil War, became a 
zealous clianipion of the Union cavise, by Iiis 
speeches exerting a powerful influence upon the 
destiny of the State. He also served in the Cali- 
fornia Legislature during the war, and, in 1864, 
was a member of the Baltimore Convention 
which nominated Mr. Lincoln for the Presidency 
a second time, assisting most ably in the subse- 
quent campaign to carry tlie State for the Repub- 
lican ticket. Died in San Francisco, Dec. 6, 1808. 

CAMPBELL, William J., lawyer and politi- 
cian, was born in Pliiladelphia in 1850. When 
he was two years old his father removed to 
Illinois, settling in Cook County. After passing 
through the Chicago public schools, Mr. Camp- 
bell attended the University of Pennsylvanie, for 
two years, after which he studied law, and was 
admitted to the bar in 1875. From that date he 
was in active practice and attained prominence 
at the Chicago bar. In 1878 he was elected State 
Senator, and was re-elected in 1882, serving in all 
eight years. At the sessions of 1881, '83 and '85 
he was chosen President pro tempore of the 
Senate, and, on Feb. 6, 1883, he became Lieuten- 
ant-Governor upon the accession of Lieutenant- 
Governor Hamilton to the executive office to 
succeed Shelby M. CuUom, who had been elected 
United States Senator. In 1888 he represented 
the First Illinois District in the National Repub- 
lican Convention, and was the same year chosen 
a member of the Republican National Committee 
for Illinois and was re-elected in 1882. Died in 
Chicago, March 4, 1896. For several years 
immediately preceding his death, Mr. Campbell 
was the chief attorney of the Armour Packing 
Company of Chicago. 

CAMP POINT, a village in Adams County, at 
the intersection of the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy and the Wabasli Railroads, 22 miles east- 
northeast of Quincy. It is a grain center, lias 
one flour mill, two feed mills, one elevator, a 
pressed brick plant, two banks, four churches, a 
high school, and one newspaper. Population 
(1890), l.l.iO; (1900), 1,260. 

CANAL SCRIP FRAUD. During the session 
of the Illinois General Assembly of 1859, Gen. 
Jacob Fry, who, as Commissioner or Trustee, had 
been associated witli the construction of the 



Illinois & Michigan Canal from 1837 to 1845, 
had his attention called to a check purporting to 
Iiave been issued by the Commissioners in 1839, 
which, upon investigation, he became convinced 
was counterfeit, or had been fraudulently issued. 
Having communicated liis conclusions to Hon. 
Jesse K. Dubois, the State Auditor, in charge of 
the work of refunding the State indebtedness, an 
inquiry was instituted in the office of the Fund 
Commissioner — a position attached to the Gov- 
ernor's office, but in the charge of a secretary — 
which developed the fact that a large amount of 
these evidences of indebtedness had been taken 
up through that office and bonds issued therefor 
by the State Auditor under the laws for funding 
the State debt. A subsequent investigation by the 
Finance Committee of the State Senate, ordered 
by vote of that body, resulted in the discovery 
that, in May and August, 1839, two series of 
canal "scrip" (or checks) had been issued by the 
Canal Board, to meet temporary demands in the 
work of construction — the sum aggregating 
$269,059 — of which all but $316 had been redeemed 
within a few years at the Chicago branch of the 
Illinois State Bank. The bank officers testified 
that this scrip (or a large part of it) had, after 
redemption, been held by them in the bank vaults 
without cancellation until settlement was had 
with the Canal Board, when it was packed in 
boxes and turned over to the Board. After hav- 
ing lain in the canal office for several years in 
this condition, and a new "Trustee" (as the 
officer in charge was now called) having come 
into the canal office in 1853, this scrijj, with other 
papers, was repacked in a shoe-box and a trunk 
and placed in charge of Joel A. Matteson, then 
Governor, to be taken by him to Springfield and 
deposited there. Nothing further was known of 
these papers until October, 1854, when §300 of the 
scrip was presented to the Secretary of the Fund 
Commissioner by a Springfield banker, and bond 
issued thereon. This was followed in 1856 and 
1857 by larger sums, until, at the time the legis- 
lative investigation was instituted, it was found 
that bonds to the amount of §223, 182.66 had been 
issued on account of principal and interest. 
With the exception of tlie §300 first presented, it 
was shown that all the scrip so funded had been 
presented by Governor Matteson, either while in 
office or subsequent to his retirement, and the 
bonds issued therefor delivered to him — although 
none of the persons in whose names the issue was 
made were known or ever afterward discovered. 
The developments made by the Senate Finance 
Committee led to an offer from Matteson to 



78 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



indemnify the State, in which he stated that he 
had "unconsciously and innocently been made 
the instrument through whom a gross fraud upon 
the State had been attempted." He therefore 
gave to the State mortgages and an indemnifying 
bond for the sum shown to have been funded by 
him of this class of indebtedness, upon which the 
State, on foreclosure a few j-ears later, secured 
judgment for §255,000, although the property on 
being sold realized only §238,000. A further 
investigation by the Legislature, in 1861, revealed 
the fact that additional issues of bonds for similar 
scrip liad been made amounting to §165,346, for 
which the State never received any compensa- 
tion. A search through the State House for the 
trunk and box placed in the hands of Governor 
Matteson in 1853, while the official investigation 
was in progress, resulted in the discovery of the 
trunk in a condition showing it had been opened, 
but the box was never found. The fraud was 
made the subject of a protracted investigation 
by the Grand Jury of Sangamon County in May, 
1859, and, although the jury twice voted to indict 
Governor Matteson for larceny, it as often voted 
to reconsider, and, on a third ballot, voted to 
"ignore the bill." 

CANBY, Richard Sprig'g, jurist, was born in 
Green County, Ohio, Sept. 30, 1808; was educated 
at Miami University and admitted to the bar, 
afterwards serving as Prosecuting Attorney. 
member of the Legislature and one term (1847-49) 
in Congress. In 1863 he removed to Illinois, 
locating at Olnej', was elected Judge of the 
Twenty-fifth Judicial Circuit in 1867, resuming 
practice at the expiration of his term in 1873. 
Died in Richland County, July 27, 1895. Judge 
Canby was a relative of Gen. Edward Richard 
Spriggs Canbj', who was treacheroush' killed by 
the Modocs in California in 1873. 

CAJfNOX, Joseph G., Congressman, was born 
at Guilford, N. C, May 7, 1836, and removed to 
Illinois in early youth, locating at Danville, Ver- 
milion County. By profession he is a lawyer, 
and served as State's Attorney of Vermilion 
County for two terms (1861-68). Incidentally, 
he is conducting a large banking business at 
Danville. In 1872 he was elected as a Republican 
to the Fortj'-third Congress for the Fifteenth Dis- 
trict, and has been re-elected biennially ever 
since, except in 1890, when he was defeated for 
the Fifty-second Congress by Samuel T. Busey, 
his Democratic opponent. He is now (1898) 
serving his twelfth term as the Representative 
for the Twelfth Congressional District, and has 
been re-elected for a thirteenth term in the Fifty- 



sixth Congress (1899-1901). Mr. Cannon has been 
an influential factor in State and National poli- 
tics, as shown by the fact that he has been Chair- 
man of the House Committee on Appropriations 
during the important sessions of the Fifty-fourth 
and Fifty-fifth Congresses. 

CANTOX, a flourishing city in Fulton Coiinty, 
12 miles from the Illinois River, and 28 miles 
southwest of Peoria. It is the commercial me- 
tropolis of one of the largest and richest counties 
in the "corn belt"; also has abundant supplies 
of timber and clay for manufacturing purposes. 
There are coal mines within the municipal limits, 
and various manufacturing establishments. 
Among the principal outputs are agricultural 
implements, flour, brick and tile, cigars, cigar 
boxes, foundry and machine-shop products, fire- 
arms, brooms, and marble. The city is lighted 
by gas and electricity, has water-works, fire de- 
partment, a public library, six ward schools and 
one high schoo'., and three newspapers. Popula- 
tion (1890), 5,604; (1900), 6,564. 

CAPPS, Jabez, pioneer, was born in London, 
England, .Sept. 9, 1796; came to the United States 
in 1817, and to Sangamon County, 111., in 1819. 
For a time he taught school in what is now 
called Round Prairie, in the present County of 
Sangamon, and later in Calhoun (the original 
name of a part of the city of Springfield), having 
among his pupils a number of those who after- 
wards became prominent citizens of Central 
Illinois. In 1836, in conjunction with two part- 
ners, he laid out the town of Mount Pulaski, the 
original county-seat of Logan County, where he 
continued to live for the remainder of his life, 
and wliere, during its later period, lie served as 
Postmaster some fifteen years. He also served as 
Recorder of Logan County four yeai-s. Died, 
April 1, 1896. in the 100th year of his age. 

CARBOSDALE, a city in Jackson County, 
founded in 1852, 57 miles north of Cairo, and 91 
miles from St. Louis. Three lines of railway 
center here. The chief industries are coal-min- 
ing, farming, stock-raising, fruit-growing and 
lumbering. It has two preserving plants, eight 
churches, two weekh- papers, and four public 
schools, and is the seat of the Southern Illinois 
Normal University. Pop.(1890), 2,382; (1900), 3,318. 
CARBONDALE & SHAWNEETOWN BAIL- 
ROAD, a .short line ll'i miles in length, ex- 
tending from Marion to Carbondale, and operated 
by the St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Railroad 
Company, as lessee. It was incorporated as the 
Murphysboro & Shawneetown Railroad in 1867; 
its name changed in 1869 to The Carbondale & 



mSTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



79 



Shawneetown, was opened for business, Dec. 31, 
1871, and leased in 1880 for 980 years to the St. 
Louis Soutiiern, througli wliicli it passed into the 
hands of the St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Rail- 
road, and by lease from the latter, in 1896, became 
apart of tlie Illinois Central Sy.steni (which see). 

CAREY, William, lawj'er, was born in the town 
of Turner, Maine. Dec. 29, 1826 ; studied law with 
General Fessenden and at Yale Law School, was 
admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of 
Maine in 1856, tlie Supreme Court of Illinois in 
1857, and tlie Supreme Court of the United 
States, on motion of Hon. Lyman Trumljull, in 
1873. Judge Carey was a member of the State 
Constitutional Convention of 1869-70 from Jo 
Daviess County, and the choice of the Republicans 
in that body for temporary presiding ofBcer; 
was elected to the next General Assembly (the 
Twentj'-seventli), serving as Cliairman of the 
House Judiciary Committee through its four ses- 
sions ; from 1873 to 1876 was United States Dis- 
trict Attorney for Utah, still later occupying 
various oiBces at Deadwood, Dakota, and in Reno 
County, Kan. The first office held by Judge 
Carey in Illinois (that of Superintendent of 
Schools for the city of Galena) was conferred 
upon him through the influence of John A. Raw- 
lins, afterwards General Grant's chief-of-staff 
during the war, and later Secretary of War — 
although at the time Mr. Rawlins and he were 
politicallj- oppo.sed. Mr. Carey's present resi- 
dence is in Chicago. 

CARIIN, Thomas, former Governor, was born 
of Irish ancestry in Fayette County, Ky., July 
18, 1789; emigrated to Illinois in 1811, and served 
as a private in the War of 1812, and as a Captain 
in the Black Hawk War. While not highly edu- 
cated, he was a man of strong common sense, 
high moral standard, great firmness of cliaracter 
and unfailing courage. In 1818 he settled in 
Greene County, of wldcli he was the first Sheriff ; 
was twice elected State Senator, and was Regis- 
ter of the Land Ofliice at yuincy, when he was 
elected Governor on the Democratic ticket in 
1838. An imcompromising partisan, he never- 
theless commanded the respect and good-will of 
his political opponents. Died at his home in 
Carrollton, Feb. 14, 18,->2. 

CARLIN, William Passmore, soldier, nepliew of 
Gov. Thomas Carlin, was born at Rich Woods, 
Greene County, 111., Nov. 24, 1829. At the age 
of 21 he graduated from tlie United States Mili- 
tary Academy at West Point, and, in 1855, was 
attached to the Sixth Uniteil States Infantry as 
Lieutenant. After several years spent in Indian 



fighting, he was ordered to California, wliere lie 
was promoted to a captaincy and a.ssigned to 
recruiting duty. On August 15, 1861, lie was 
commissioned Colonel of tlie Thirty-eightli Illi- 
nois Volunteers. His record during the war was 
an exceptionally brilliant one. He defeated Gen. 
Jeff. Thompson at Fredericktown, Mo., Oct. 21, 
1861 ; commanded the District of Southeast Mis- 
souri for eighteen months; led a brigade under 
Slocum in the Arkansas campaign ; served with 
marked distinction in Kentucky and Mississippi; 
took a prominent part in the battle of Stone 
River, was engaged in the Tullalioma campaign, 
at Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain and Mission- 
ary Ridge, and, on Feb. 8, 1864, was commis- 
sioned Major in the Sixteenth Infantry. He also 
took part in the Georgia campaign, aiding in the 
capture of Atlanta, and marching with Sherman 
to the sea. For gallant service in the assault at 
Jonesboro, Tenn., Sept. 1, 1864, he was made 
Colonel in the regular army, and, on March 13, 
1865, was brevetted Brigadier-General for meritori- 
ous service at Bentonville, N. C, and Major- 
General for services during tlie war. Colonel 
Carlin was retired with the rank of Brigadier- 
General in 1893. His home is at Carrollton. 

CARLINVILLE, the county-seat of Macoupin 
County ; a city and railroad junction, 57 miles 
northeast of St. Louis, and 38 miles southwest of 
Springfield. Blackburn University (which see) 
is located here. Three coal mines are operated, 
and there are brick works, tile woiks, and one 
newspaper. The city has gas and electric light 
plants and water-works. Population (1880), 
3,117; (,1890), 3,293; (1900), 3,502. 

CARLYLE, the county-seat of Clinton County, 
48 miles east of St. Louis, located on tlie Kaskas- 
kia River and the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern 
Railroad. The town has churches, parochial and 
public schools, water-works, lighting plant, and 
manufactures. It has a flourishing seminary for 
young ladies, three weekly papers, and a public 
library connected with the high school. Popula- 
tion (1890), 1,784; (1900), 1,874. 

CARMI, the county-seat of White County, on 
the Little Wabash River, 134 miles east of St. 
Louis and 38 west of Evansville, Ind. The sur- 
rounding country is fertile, }'ielding both cereals 
and fruit. Flouring mills and lumber manufac- 
turing, including the making of staves, are the 
chief industries, though the city has brick and 
tile works, a plow factory and foundry. Popula- 
tion (1880), 2,512; (1890), 2,785; (1900), 2,939. 

CARPEiVTER, Milton, legislator and State 
Treasurer; entered upon public life in Illinois as 



.•80 



HISTORICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Representative in the Ninth General Assembly 
(1834) from Hamilton County, serving by succes- 
sive re-elections in the Tenth, Eleventh and 
Twelfth. While a member of the latter (1841) 
he was elected by the Legislature to the oifice of 
State Treasurer, retaining this position until tlie 
adoption of the Constitution of 1848, when lie was 
chosen his own successor by popular vote, but 
died a few days after the election in August, 
1848. He was buried in what is now known as 
the "Old Hutchinson Cemetery" — a burying 
ground in the west part of the city of Springfield, 
long since abandoned — where his remains still lie 
(1897) in a grave unmarked by a tombstone. 

CARPENTER, Philo, pioneer and early drug- 
gist, was born of Puritan and Revolutionary 
ancestry in the town of Savoy, Mass., Feb. 27, 
1805 ; engaged as a druggist's clerk at Troy, N. Y. , 
in 1828, and came to Chicago in 1833, where he 
establislied himself in the drug business, which 
was later extended into other lines. Soon after 
his arrival, he began investing in lands, which 
have since become immensely valuable. Mr. 
Carpenter was associated with the late Rev. 
Jeremiah Porter in the organization of the First 
Presbyterian Church of Chicago, but, in 18.51, 
withdrew on account of dissatisfaction with the 
attitude of some of the representatives of that 
denomination on the subject of slavery, identify- 
ing himself with the Congregationalist Church, 
in wliich he had been reared. He was one of the 
original founders and most liberal benefactors of 
the Chicago Theological Seminary, to which he 
gave in contributions, during his life-time, or in 
bequests after his death, sums aggregating not 
far from .$100,000. One of the Seminary build- 
ings was named in his honor, "Carpenter Hall." 
He was identified with various other organiza- 
tions, one of the most important being the Relief 
and Aid Society, which did such useful work 
after the fire of 1871. By a life of probity, liber- 
ality and benevolence, he won the respect of all 
classes, dying. August 7, 1886. 

CARPENTER, (Mrs.) Sarah L.Warren, pio- 
neer teacher, born in Fredonia, N. Y.. Sept. 1, 
1813; at the age of 13 she began teaching at State 
Line, N. Y. ; in 1833 removed with her parents 
(Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Warren) to Chicago, and 
soon after began teaching in what was called the 
"Yankee settlement," now the town of Lockport, 
Will County. Slie came to Chicago the following 
year (1834) to take the place of assistant of Gran- 
ville T. Sproat in a school for boys, and is said to 
have been the first teacher paid out of the i)ublic 
funds in Chicago, though Miss Eliza Cliappell 



(afterwards Mrs. Jeremiah Porter) began teach- 
ing the children about Fort Dearborn in 1833. 
Miss Warren married Abel E. Carpenter, whom 
she survived, dying at Aurora, Kane County, 
Jan. 10, 1897. 

CARPENTERSTILLE, a village of Kane 
County and manufacturing center, on Lake Ge- 
neva brancliof the Chicago & Northwestern Rail- 
road, 6 miles north of East Elgin and about 48 
miles from Chicago. Pop. (1890), 754; (1900), 1,002. 
CARR, Clark E., lawyer, politician and diplo- 
mat, was born at Boston, Erie County, N. Y., 
May 20, 1836; at 13 years of age accompanied his 
father's family to Galesburg, 111., where he spent 
several years at Knox College. In 1857 he gradu- 
ated from the Albany Law School, but on return- 
ing to Illinois, soon embarked in politics, his 
affiliations being uniformly with the Republican 
party. His first oflSce was that of Postmaster at 
Galesburg, to which he was appointed by Presi 
dent Lincoln in 1861 and which he held for 
twenty-four years. He was a tried and valued 
assistant of Governor Yates during the War of 
the Rebellion, serving on the staff of tlie latter 
with the rank of Colonel. He was a delegate to 
the National Convention of his party at Baltimore 
in 1864, which renominated Lincoln, and took an 
active part in the campaigns of that year, as well 
as those of 1808 and 1872. In 1869 he purchased 
"The Galesbiu-g Republican," which he edited 
and published for two years. In 1880 lie was an 
unsuccessful candidate for the Republican nomi- 
nation for Governor ; in 1884 was a delegate to the 
ReiHiblican National Convention, from the State- 
at-large, and, in 1887. a candidate for the caucus 
nomination for United States Senator, which was 
given to Cliarles B. Farwell. In 1888 he was 
defeated in tlie Republican State Convention as 
candidate for Governor bj- Joseph W Fifer. In 
1889 President Harrison appointed him Minister 
to Denmark, which post he filled with marked 
ability and credit to the country until his resig- 
nation was accepted by President Cleveland, 
when he returned to his former home at Gales- 
burg. While in Denmark lie did much to 
promote American trade witli tliat country, 
especially in tlie introduction of American corn 
as an article of food, which has led to a large 
increase in the annual exportation of this com- 
modity to Scandinavian markets. 

CARR, Eugrene A., soldier, was born in Erie 
County, N. Y., May 20, 1830, and graduated at 
AVest Pt>int in 1850, entering the Mounted Rifles. 
L'ntil 1801 he was stationed in the Far West, and 
engaged in Indian fighting, earning a First Lieu- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



81 



tenancy through his gallantry. In 18G1 he 
entered upon active service under General Lyon, 
in Southwest Missouri, taking part iu the engage- 
ments of Dug Springs and Wilson's Creek, 
winning the brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel. In 
Sejitember, 1861, he was commissioned Colonel of 
the Third Illinois Cavalry. He served as acting 
Brigadier-General in Fremont's hundred-day 
expedition, for a time commanding the Fourth 
Division of the Army of the Southwest. On the 
second day at Pea Ridge, although three times 
wounded, he remained on the field seven hours, 
and materially aided in securing a victory, for 
his bravery being made Brigadier-General of 
Volunteers. In the summer of 1863 he was 
promoted to the rank of Major in the Regular 
Army. During the Vicksburg campaign he com- 
manded a division, leading the attack at Magnolia 
Church, at Port Gibson, and at Big Black River, 
and winning a brevet Lieutenant-Colonelcy in 
the United States Army. He also distinguished 
himself for a first and second assault upon taking 
Vicksburg, and, in the autumn of 1862, com- 
manded the left wing of the Sixteenth Corps at 
Corinth. In December of that j'ear he was 
transferred to the Department of Arkansas, 
where he gained new laurels, being brevetted 
Brigadier-General for gallantry at Little Rock, 
and Major-General for services during the war. 
After the close of the Civil War, he was stationed 
chiefly in the West, where he rendered good serv- 
ice in the Indian campaigns. In 1894 lie was 
retired with the rank of Brigadier-General, and 
has since resided in New York. 

CAERIEL, Henry F., M.D., alienist, was born 
at Charlestown, N. H., and educated at Marlow 
Academy, N. H., and Wesleyan Seminary, Vt. ; 
graduated from the College of Physicians and 
Surgeons, New York City, in 1857, and immedi- 
ately accepted the position of Assistant Physician 
in the New Jersey State Lunatic Asylum, 
remaining until 1870. Meanwhile, however, he 
visited a large number of the leading hospitals 
and asj'lums of Europe. In 1870, Dr. Carriel 
received the appointment of Superintendent of 
the Illinois Central Haspital for the Insane at 
Jacksonville, a position which he continued to 
fill until 1893, when he voluntarily tendered to 
Governor Altgeld his resignation, to take effect 
July 1 of that year.— Mrs. Mary Turner (Carriel), 
wife of Dr. Carriel, and a daughter of Prof. 
Jonathan B. Turner of Jacksonville, was elected 
a Trustee of the University of Illinois on the Repub- 
lican ticket in 189G. receiving a plurality of 148,0.39 
over Julia Holmes Smith, her highest competitor. 



CARROLL COUXTY, originally a part of Jo 
Daviess County, but set ajjart and organized in 
1839, named for Charles Carroll of Carrollton. The 
first settlements were in and around Savanna, 
Cherry Grove and Arnold's Grove. The first 
County Commissioners were Messrs. L. H. Bor 
den, Garner Jloffett and S. JI. Jersey, who held 
their first court at Savanna, April 13, 1839. In 
1843 the county seat was changed from Savanna 
to Mount Carroll, where it yet remains. Town 
ships were first organized in 1850, and the 
development of the county has steadily pro- 
gressed since that date. The surface of the land 
is rolling, and at certain points decidedly pictur- 
esque. The land is generally good for farming. 
It is well timbered, particularly along the Mis- 
sissippi. Area of the county, 440 square miles; 
population, 18,963. Mount Carroll is a pleasant, 
prosperous, wide-awake town, of about 2,000 
inhabitants, and noted for its excellent public 
and private schools. 

CARROLLTOIV, the county-seat of Greene 
County, situated on the west branch of the Chi- 
cago & Alton and the Quinoy, Carrollton & St. 
Louis Railroads, 33 miles north-northwest of 
Alton, and 34 miles south by west from Jackson- 
ville. The town has a foundry, carriage and 
wagon factory, two machine shops, two flour 
mills, two banks, six churches, a high school, and 
two weekly newspapers. Population (1890), 
2,258; (1900), 2,355. 

CARTER, Joseph N., Justice of the Supreme 
Court, was born in Hardin County, Ky., March 
12, 1843; came to Illinois in boyhood, and, after 
attending school at Tuscola four years, engaged 
in teaching until 1863, when he entered Illinois 
College, graduating in 1866; in 1868 graduated 
from the Law Department of tlie University of 
Michigan, the next year establishing himself in 
practice at Quincy, where he has since resided. 
He was a member of the Thirty-first £tnd Thirty- 
second General Assemblies (1878-82), and, in 
June, 1894, was elected to the seat on the Supreme 
Bench, which he now occupies 

CARTER, Thomas Henry, United States Sena- 
tor, born in Scioto County, Ohio, Oct, 30, 1854; 
in his fifth year was brouglit to Illinois, his 
father locating at Pana, where he was educated 
in the public schools; was employed in farming, 
railroading and teaching several years, then 
studied law and was admitted to the bar, and. in 
1882, removed to Helena, Mont., where he en- 
gaged in practice; was elected, as a Republican 
the last Territorial Delegate to Congress from 
Idaho and the first Representative from the new 



82 



IIISTOiaCAL EXCYCLOPEDIA 0¥ ILLINOIS. 



State; was Commissioner of the General Laiul 
Office (1891-'Ji). aud, in 189o, was elected to the 
United States Senate for the term ending in 1901. 
In 1893 he was chosen Chairman of the Repub- 
lican National Committee, serving until the St. 
Lowis Convention of 1896. 

CARTERVILLE, a city in Williamson County, 
10 miles b_v rail northwest of Marion. Coal min- 
ing is the principal industry. It has a bank, five 
churches, a public scliool, and a weekly news- 
paper. Population (188(1), 693; (1890), 969; (1900), 
1,749: (1904. est.), 3,000. 

CARTH.VGE, a city and the county-seat of 
Hancock County, 13 miles east of Keokuk, Iowa, 
on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincyand the Wa- 
bash Railroads; has water-works, electric lights, 
three banks, four trust companies, four weekly 
and two semi-weekly papers, and is the seat of a 
Lutheran College. Pop. (1890), 1,6.54; (1900), 2,104. 

CARTHAGE COLLEGE, at Carthage. Hancock 
County, incorporated in 1871 ; lias a teaching 
faculty of twelve members, and reports 1,58 pupils 
— sixty-eight men and ninety women — for 1897-98. 
It has a library of 5,000 volumes and endowment 
of §33,000. Instruction is given in the classical, 
scientific, musical, fine arts and business depart- 
ments, as well as in preparatory studies. In 1898 
this institution reported a property valuation of 
$41,000. of which $3,5.000 was in real estate. 

CARTHAGE k Bl'RLIXGTON RAILROAD. 
(See Chic(i(jo. Burlington rf- Quincy Boilroacl.) 

CARTWRIGHT, James Henry, Justice of the 
Supreme Court, was bom at JIaquoketa, Iowa, 
Dec. 1, 1842 — the son of a frontier Methodist 
clergyman; was educated at Rock River Semi- 
nary and the University of Michigan, graduating 
from the latter in 1867 ; began practice in 1870 at 
Oregon, Ogle County, which is still his home; in 
1888 was elected Circuit Judge to succeed Judge 
Eustace, deceased, and in 1891 assigned to Appel- 
late Court duty ; in December, 1895, was elected 
Justice of the Supreme Court to succeed Justice 
John M. Bailey, deceased, and re-elected in 
1897. 

CARTWRIGHT, Peter, pioneer Methodist 
preacher, was born in Amherst County, Va., 
Sept. 1, 1785, and at the age of five years accom- 
panied his father (a Revolutionai'y veteran) to 
Logan County, Ky. The country was wild and 
unsettled, there were no scliools, tlie nearest mill 
was 40 miles distant, the few residents wore 
homespun garments of flax or cotton ; and coffee, 
tea and sugar in domestic use were almost un- 
known. Methodist circuit riders soon invaded 
the district, and, at a camp meeting held at Cane 



Ridge in 1801, Peter received his first religious; 
impressions. -\. few months later he abandoned 
his reckless life, sold his racehorse aud abjured 
gambling. He began preaching immediately 
after his conversion, and, in 1803, was regularly 
received into the ministry of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, althougli only 18 years old. In 
1833 he removed to Illinois, locating in Sangamon 
County, then but si)arsely settled. In 1838, and 
again in 18;!2, he was elected to the Legislature, 
where his homespun wit and undaunted courage 
stood him in good stead. For a long series of 
yeai's he attended annual conferences (usually as 
a delegate), and was a conspicuous figure at 
camp-meetings. Although a Democrat all his 
life, he was an uncompromising antagonist of 
slavery, and rejoiced at the division of his 
denomination in 18-14. He was also a zealous 
supporter of the Government during the Civil 
War. In 1846 he was a candidate for Congress 
on the Democratic ticket, but was defeated by 
Abraham Lincoln. He was a powerful preacher, 
a tireless worker, and for fifty years served as a 
Presiding Elder of his denomination. On the 
lecture platform, his quaintness and eccentricity, 
together with his inexhaustible fund of personal 
anecdotes, insured an interested audience. 
Numerous stories are told of his phj-sical prowess 
in overcoming unruly characters whom he had 
faileil to convince by moral suasion. Inside the 
church he was equallj- fearless and outspoken, 
and his strong common sense did much to pro- 
mote the success of the denomination in the 
West. He died at his home near Pleasant Plains, 
Sangamon County, Sept. 23, 1872. His principal 
published works are "A Controversy with the 
Devil" (18,53), "Autobiography of Peter Cart- 
wright" (18,56), "The Backwoods Preacher" 
(London, 1869), and several works on Methodism. 
C.VR Y, Eugene, lawyer and insurance manager, 
was born at Boston, Erie County, N. Y., Feb. 20, 
1835; began teaching at sixteen, meanwhile 
attending a select school or academy at intervals ; 
studied law at Slieboygan, AVis., and Buffalo, 
N. Y., 1855-56; served as City Attorney and 
later as County Judge, and, in 1861, enlisted in 
the First Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers, serv- 
ing iis a Captain in the Army of the Cumberland, 
and the last two years as Judge- Advocate on the 
staff of General Rousseau. After the war he 
settled at Nashville, Tenn., where he held the 
office of Judge of the First District, but in 1871 
he was elected to the City Council, and, in 1883, 
was the High-License candidate for Mayor in 
opposition to flavor Harrison, and believed by 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



83 



many to have been honestly elected, but counted 
out by the inacliine methods then in vogue. 

CASAD, Anthony Wuyne, clergyman and jdiy- 
sician, was born in Wantage Township, Sussex 
County, N. J., May 2, 1791; died at Suniniertield, 
III, Dec. 16, 1857. His father, Rev. Thomas 
Casad, was a Baptist minister, who, with Ids 
wife, Abigail Tingley, was among the early 
settlers of Sussex County. He was descended 
from Dutch-Huguenot ancestry, tlie family name 
being originally Cossart, the American branch 
having been founded by Jacques Cos.sart, who 
emigrated from Ley den to New York in 1663. 
At the age of 19 Anthony removed to Greene 
Count}', Ohio, settling at Fairfield, near the site 
of the present city of Dayton, where some of his 
relatives were then residing. On Feb. 6, 1811, he 
married Anna, eldest daugliter of Captain Samuel 
Stites and Martha Martin Stites, her mother's 
father and grandfather having been patriot sol- 
diers in the War of the Revolution. Anthony 
Wayne Casad served as a volunteer from Oliio in 
the War of 1812, being a member of Captain 
Wm. Stephen.son"s Company. In 1818 he re- 
moved with his wife's father to Union Grove, St. 
Clair County, 111. A few years later he entered 
the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and during 1821-2.3 was stationed at Kaskaskia 
and Buffalo, removing, in 1823, to Lebanon, 
where he taught school. Later he studied medi- 
cine and attained considerable prominence as a 
practitioner, being commissioned Surgeon of the 
Forty-ninth Illinois Infantry in 183.3. He was 
one of the founders of McKendree College and a 
liberal contributor to its support; was also for 
many years Deputy Superintendent of Schools at 
Lebanon, served as County Surveyor of St. 
Clair County, and acted as agent for Harper 
Brothers in the sale of Southern Illinois lands. 
He was a prominent Free Mason and an influ- 
ential citizen. His youngest daughter, Amanda 
Keziah, married Rev. Colin D. James (which see). 

CASEV, a village of Clark County, at the inter- 
section of the Vandalia Line and the Chicago & 
Ohio River Railroad, 3.5 miles soutliwest of Terre 
Haute. Population (1890), 844; (1900), 1,500. 

CASEY, Zadoc, pioneer and early Congressman, 
was born in (Jeorgia, March 17, 1796, the young- 
est son of a soldier of the Revolutionary War who 
removed to Tennessee about 1800. The subject 
of this sketch came to Illinois in 1817, bringing 
with him his widowed mother, and settling in 
the vicinity of the present city of Mount Vernon, 
in Jefferson County, where he acquired great 
prominence as a politician and became the head 



of an influential familj-. He tegan preaching at 
an early age, and continued to do so occasionally 
througli his political career. In 1819, he took a 
prominent jjart in the organization of Jefferson 
County, serving on the first Board of County 
Commissioners; was an unsuccessful candidate 
for the Legislature in 1830, but was elected 
Representative in 1823 and re-elected two years 
later; in 1826 was advanced to the Senate, serv- 
ing until 1830, when he was elected Lieutenant- 
Governor, and during his incumbency took part 
in the Black Hawk War. On March 1, 1833, he 
resigned the Lieutenant-Governorship to accept 
a seat as one of the three Congressmen from 
Illinois, to which he had been elected a few 
months previous, being subsequently re-elected 
for four consecutive terms. In 1842 he was 
again a candidate, but was defeated by John A. 
McClernand. Other public positions held by him 
included those of Delegate to the Constitutional 
Conventions of 1847 and 1802, Repre.sentative in 
the Sixteenth and Seventeenth General Assem- 
blies (1848-.52), serving as Speaker in the former. 
He was again elected to the Senate in 1860, but 
died before the expiration of his term, Sept. 4, 
1862. During the latter years of his life he was 
active in securing the right of way for the Ohio 
& Mississippi Railroad, the original of the Mis- 
sissippi division of the Baltimore, Ohio & South- 
western. He commenced life in poverty, but 
acquired a considerable estate, and was the donor 
of the ground upon which the Supreme Court 
building for the Southern Division at Mount 
Vernon was erected. — Dr. Newton R. (Casey), 
son of the preceding, was born in Jefferson 
Coimty, 111., Jan. 27, 1826, received his pri- 
mary education in the local schools and at Hills- 
boro and Mount Vernon Academies; in 1842 
entered the Ohio University at Athens in that 
State, remaining until 1845, when he com- 
menced the study of medicine, taking a course 
of lectures the following j-ear at the Louisville 
Medical Institute; soon after began practice, 
and, in 1847, removed to Benton, 111., returning 
the following year to Mount Vernon. In 
1856-57 he attended a second course of lectures at 
the Missouri Medical College, St. Louis, the latter 
year removing to Mound City, where he tilled a 
number of positions, including that of Mayor 
from 1859 to 1864, when he declined a re-election. 
In 1860, Dr. Casey served as <Ielegate from Illi- 
nois to the Democratic National Convention at 
Charleston, S. C, and, on the establishment of 
the United States Government Hospital at Mound 
Citv. in 1801, acted for some time as a volunteer 



84 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLIXOIS. 



surgeon, later serving as Assistant Surgeon. In 
1866, he was elected Representative in the 
Twenty -fifth General Assembly and re-elected in 
1868, wlien he was an unsuccessful Democratic 
cjindidate for Speaker in oi)ix)sitiou to Hon. S. M. 
CuUom; also again served as Representative in 
the Twenty-eighth General Assembly (1872-74). 
Since retiring from public life Dr. Casey li!»s 
given his attention to the practice of his profes- 
sion. — Col. Thomas S. (C:isey), another son, was 
born in Jefferson County, 111., April 6, 1832, 
educjited in tlie common schools and at McKend- 
ree College, in due course receiving the degree of 
A.M. from the latter; studied law for three 
years, being admitted to the bar in 1854; in 1860, 
was elected State's Attorney for the Twelfth 
Judicial District; in September. 1862. was com- 
missioned Colonel of the One Iluiulred and Tenth 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, but was mustered out 
May 16, 1863. having in the meantime taken part 
in the battle of Stone River and other important 
engagements in Western Tennessee. By this 
time his regiment, having been much reduced 
in numbers, was consolidated with the Sixtieth 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry. In 1864, he was 
again elected State's Attorney, serving until 
1868; in 1870, was chosen Representative, and. in 
1872, Senator for the Jlount Vernon District for 
a term of four years. In 1879, he was elected Cir- 
cuit Judge and was immediately assigned to 
Appellate Court duty, soon after the expiration of 
his term, in 188.~), removing to Springfield, where 
he died, March 1, 1891. 

CASS COl'XTY, situated a little west of the 
center of the State, with an area of 360 square 
miles and a population (1900) of 17,222— named 
for Gen. Lewis Cass. French traders are believed 
to have made the locality of Beardstown their 
hejuhiuarters about the time of the discovery of 
the Illinois country. The earliest permanent 
white settlers came about 1820, and among them 
were Thomas Beard. Martin L. Lindsley, John 
Cetrough and Archibald Job. As early as 1821 
there was a horse-mill on Indian Creek, and, in 
1827. M. L Lindsley conducted a school on the 
bluffs. Peter Cartwright. the noted Methodist 
missionary and evangelist, was one of the earliest 
preachers, and among the pioneei-s may be named 
Messrs. Robertson, Toplo, JIcDonald, Downing, 
Davis, Shepherd, Penny, Bergen and Hopkins. 
Beardstown was the original county-seat, and 
during Iwth the Black Hawk and Jlormon 
troubles was a dejwt of supplies and rendezvous 
for troops. Here also Stephen A. Douglas made 
his first iK)litical speech. The site of the town. 



as at present laid out, was at one time sold by 
Mr. Downing for twenty-five dollars. The 
county was set otf from Morgan in 1837. The 
principal towns are Beiirdstown, Virginia, Chand- 
lerville, Ashland and Arenzville. ■ The county- 
seat, formerly at Beardstown, was later removed 
to Virginia, where it now is. Beardstown was 
incorporated in 1837, with about 700 inhabitants. 
Virginia was platted iu 1836, but not incorporated 
until 1842. 

C.iSTLE, Orlando Lane, eilucator, was born at 
Jericlio, Vt., July 26, 1822; graduated at Denison 
University, Ohio, 1846; spent one j-ear as tutor 
there, and, for several years, had charge of the 
public schools of Zanesville, Ohio. In 1858, he 
accepted the chair of Rhetoric, Oratory and 
Belles-Lettres in .Shurtleff College, at Upper 
Alton, III, remaining until his death, Jan. 31, 
1892. Professor Castle received the degree of 
LL.D. from Denison University in 1877. 

CATHERWOOD, Mary Hartwell, author, was 
born (Hartwell) in Luray, Ohio, Dec. 16, 1844, 
educated at the Female College, Granville, Ohio, 
where she gi~aduated, in 1868, and, in 1887, was 
married to James S. Catherwood. with whom she 
resides at Hoopeston, 111. Mrs. Catherwood is the 
author of a number of works of fiction, which 
have been accorded a high rank. Among her 
earlier productions are "Craque-o'-Doom" (1881), 
"Rocky Fork" (1882), "Old Caravan Days" 
(1884), "The Secrets at Roseladies" (1888), "The 
Romance of Dollard" and "The Bells of St. 
Anne" (1889). During the past few years she 
has shown a predilection for subjects connected 
with early Illinois history, and has published 
popular romances under the title of "The Story 
of Tonty," "The White Islander." "The Lady of 
Fort St. John, ' "Old Kaskaskia " and "The Chsise 
of Sant Cast in and other Stories of the French 
in the New World." 

CATO>, John Dean, early lawyer and jurist, 
was born in Monroe County. N. Y., March 19, 
1812. Left to the care of a widowed mother at 
an early age, his childhood was sjient in jxiverty 
ami manual lalx>r. At 15 lie was set to learn a 
trade, but an infirmity of sight com]ielled him to 
abandon it. After a brief attendance at an 
academy at Utica, where he studied law between 
the ages of 19 and 21, iu 1833 he removed to 
Chicago, and shortly afterward, on a visit to 
Pekin, was examined and licensed to practice by 
Judtre Stephen T. Logjin. In 1834, he was elected 
Justice of the Peace, served as Alderman in 
1837-38, and sat upon the liench of the Supreme 
Court from 1842 to 1864, when he resigned, hav- 



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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



85 



ing served nearly twenty-two years. During 
this period he more than once occupied tlie posi- 
tion of Chief Justice. Being embarrassed by the 
financial stringency of 1837-38, in the latter year 
he entered a tract of land near Plainfield, and, 
taking his family with him, began farming. 
Later in life, while a resident of Ottawa, he 
became interested in the construction of telegraph 
lines in the West, which for a time bore his name 
and were ultimately incorporated in the "West- 
ern Union," laying the foundation of a large 
fortune. On retiring from the bench, he devoted 
himself for the remainder of his life to his private 
affairs, to travel, and to literary labors. Among 
his published works are "The Antelojje and Deer 
of America," "A Summer in Norway," "Miscel- 
lanies," and "Early Bench and Bar of Illinois." 
Died in Chicago. July 30, 1895. 

CAYARLT, Alfred W., early lawyer and legis- 
lator was born in Connecticut, Sept. 15, 1793; 
served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and, in 
1822, came to Illinois, first settling at Edwards- 
ville, and soon afterwards at CarroUton, Greene 
County. Here he was elected Representative in 
the Fifth General Assembly (1820), and again to 
the Twelfth (1840) ; also served as Senator in the 
Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Assemblies 
(1842-48), acting, in 1845, as one of the Commis- 
sioners to revise the statutes. In 1844, he was 
chosen a Presidential Elector, and, in 1846, was a 
prominent candidate for the Democratic nomi- 
nation for Governor, but was defeated in conven- 
tion by Augustus C. French. Mr. Cavarly was 
prominent both in his jjrofession and in the 
Legislature while a member of that body. In 
1853, he removed to Ottawa, where he resided 
until his death. Oct. 25, 1876. 

CEMERVILLE (or Central City), a village in 
the coal-mining district of Grundy County, near 
CoalCitv. Population (18S0). 673; (1900), 290. 

CENTRAL HOSPITAL FOR THE IXSAXE, 
established under act of the Legislature passed 
March 1, 1847, and located at Jacksonville. Jlor- 
gan County. Its founding was largely due to tlie 
philanthropic efforts of Miss Dorothea L. Dix, 
who addressed the people from the platform and 
appeared before the General Assembly in behalf 
of this class of unfortunates. Construc^tion of 
the building was begun in 1848. By 1851 two 
wards were ready for occupancy, and the first 
patient was received in November of that year. 
The first Superintendent was Dr. J. M. Higgins, 
who served less than two years, when he was suc- 
ceeded by Dr. H. K. Jones, who had been Assist- 
ant Superintendent. Dr. Jones remained as 



Acting Superintendent for several months, when 
the place was filled by the appointment of Dr. 
Andrew McFarland of New Hampshire, his 
administration continuing until 1870, when he 
resigned on account of ill-health, being succeeded 
by Dr. Henry F. Carriel of New Jersey. Dr. 
Carriel tendered his resignation in 1893, and, 
after one or two further changes, in 1897 Dr. 
F. C. Winslow, who had been Assistant Superin- 
tendent under Dr. Carriel, was placed in charge 
of the institution. The original plan of construc- 
tion provided for a center building, five and a 
half stories high, and two wings with a rear 
extension in which were to be the chapel, kitchen 
and employes' quarters. Subsequently these 
wings were greatly enlarged, permitting an 
increase in the number of wards, and as the 
exigencies of the institution demanded, appropri- 
ations have been made for the erection of addi- 
tional buildings. Numerous detached buildings 
have been erected within the past few years, and 
the capacity of the institution greatly increased 
— "The Annex" admitting of the introduction of 
manj' new and valuable features in the classifica- 
tion and treatment of patients. The number of 
inmates of late years has ranged from 1,200 to 
1,400. The counties fron. which patients are 
received in this institution embrace: Rock 
Island, Mercer, Henry, Bureau, Putnam, Mar- 
shall, Stark, Knox, Warren, Henderson, Hancock, 
McDonough, Fulton, Peoria, Tazewell, Logan, 
Mason, Menard, Cass, Schuyler, Adams, Pike, 
Calhoun, Brown, Scott, Morgan, Sangamon, 
Christian, Montgomery, JIacoupin, Greene and 
Jersey. 

CENTRALIA, a city and railway center of 
Marion County, 2.50 miles south of Chicago. It 
forms a trade center for the famous "fruit belt" 
of Southern Illinois; has a number of coal mines,, 
a glass plant, an envelope factory, iron foundries, 
railroad repair shops, flour and rolling mills, and 
an ice plant; also has water-works and sewerage 
system, a fire department, two daily jiapers, and 
excellent graded schools. Several ]iarks afford 
splendid pleasure resorts. Population (1890), 
4,763; (1900), 6,721; (1903, est). 8,000. 

CENTRALIA & ALTAMONT RAILROAD. 
(See Cciitralia & Chester RiiilnHul.) 

CENTRALIA & CHESTER RAILROAD, a rail- 
way line wholly within the State, extending 
from Salem, in Marion County, to Chester, on the 
Mississippi River (91.6 miles), with a lateral 
branch from Sparta to Roxborough (5 miles), and 
trackage facilities over the Illinois Central from 
the branch junction to Centralia (2.9 miles) — 



86 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



total, 99.5 miles. The original line was chartered 
as the Centralia & Chester Railroad, in December, 
1S87, completed from Sparta to Coulterville in 
1889, and consolidated the same year witli the 
Sparta & Evansville and the Centralia & Alta- 
niont Railroads (projected); line completed 
from Centralia to Evansville early in 1894. The 
branch from Sparta to Rosborough was built in 
1895, the section of the main line from Centralia 
to Salem (14.9 miles) in 1896, and that from 
Evansville to Chester (17.6 miles) in 1897-98. 
The road was placed in the hands of a receiver, 
June 7, 1897, and the expenditures for extension 
and equipment made under authority granted by 
the United States Court for the issue of Receiver's 
certificates. The total capitalization is §3,374,- 
841, of which §978,000 is in stocks and $948,000 in 
bonds. 

CENTRAL MILITARY TRACT RAILROAD. 
(See Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad.) 

CERRO GORDO, a town in Piatt County, 12 
miles by rail east-northeast of Decatur. The crop 
of cereals in the surrounding country is sufficient 
to support two elevators at Cerro Gordo, which 
has also a flouring mill, brick and tile factories, 
etc. There are three churches, graded schools, a 
bank and two newspaper offices. Population 
(1890), 939; (1900), 1,008. 

CHADDOCK COLLEGE, an institution under 
the patronage of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
at Quincy, 111., incorporated in 1878; is co-educa- 
tional, has a faculty of ten instructors, and 
reports 127 students— 70 male and 57 female— in 
the classes of 1895-96. Besides the usual depart- 
ments in literature, science and the classics, 
instruction is given to classes in theology, music, 
the fine arts, oratory and preparatory studies. It 
has property valued at §110,000, and reports an 
endowment fund of §8,000. 

CHAMBERLIN, Thomas Crowder, geologist 
and educator, was born near Mattoon, 111., Sept. 
25, 1845; graduated at Beloit College, Wisconsin, 
in 1866: took a course in Michigan University 
(1868-69): taught in various Wisconsin institu- 
tions, also discharged the duties of State 
Geologist, later filling the chair of Geology at 
Columbian University, Wasliington, D. C. In 
1878, he was sent to Paris, in charge of the edu- 
cational exhibits of Wisconsin, at the Interna- 
tional Exposition of that year — rluring his visit 
making a special study of the Alpine glaciers. 
In 1887, he was elected President of the Univer- 
sity of Wisconsin, serving until 1892, when he 
became Head Professor of Geology at the Univer- 
sity of Chicago, where he still remains. He is 



also editor of the University "Journal of Geol- 
ogy" and President of the Chicago Academy of 
Sciences. Professor Chamberlin is author of a 
number of volumes on educational and scientific 
subjects, cliiefly in the line of geology. He 
received the degree of LL.D. from the Univer- 
sity of Michigan, Beloit College and Columbian 
University, all on the same date (1887). 

CHAMPAIGN, a flourishing city in Champaign 
County, 128 miles southwest of Chicago and 83 
miles northeast of Springfield; is the intersecting 
point of three lines of railway and connected 
with the adjacent city of Urbana, the county- 
seat, by an electric railway. The University of 
Illinois, located in Urbana, is contiguous to the 
city. Champaign has an excellent system of 
water-works, well-paved streets, and is liglited by 
botli gas and electricity. The surrounding coun- 
try is agricultural, but the city has manufac- 
tories of carriages and machines. Three papers 
are published here, besides a college weekly con- 
ducted by the students of the University. The 
Burnham Hospital and the Garwood Old Ladies' 
Home are located in Champaign. In the resi- 
dence portion of the city there is a handsome 
park, covering ten acres and containing a notable 
piece of bronze statuary, and several smaller parks 
in other sections. There are several liandsome 
cliurches, and excellent schools, both public and 
private. Population (1890), 5,839; (1900), 9,098. 

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, situated in the eastern 
half of the central belt of the State; area, 1,008 
square miles; population (1900), 47,622. The 
county was organized in 1833, and named for a 
county in Ohio. The physical conformation is 
flat, and the soil rich. The county lies in the 
heart of what was once called the "Grand 
Prairie." Workable seams of bituminous coal 
underlie the surface, but overlying quicksands 
interfere with their operation. The Sangamon 
and Kaskaskia Rivers have their sources in this 
region, and several railroads cross the county. 
The soil is a black muck underlaid by a yellow 
clay. Urbana (with a population of 5,708 in 
1900) is tlie county-seat. Other important points 
in the county are Champaign (9,000), Tolono 
(1,000). and Rantoul (1,200). Champaign and 
Urbana adjoin each other, and the grounds of the 
Illinois State University extend into each corpo- 
ration, being largely situated in Champaign. 
Large drifted masses of Niagara limestone are 
found, interspersed with coal measure limestone 
and sandstone. Alternating beds of clay, gravel 
and quicksand of the drift formation are found 
beneath the subsoil to the depth of 150 to 300 feet. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



87 



CHAMPAIGN, HAVA>A & WESTERN RAIL- 
■ROAD. (See Illinois Cenfnil Railroad) 

CHANDLER, Charles, physician, was born at 
West Woodstock, Conn., Juh- 2, 1806; graduated 
with the degree of M.D. at Castleton, Vt., and, 
in 1829, located in Scituate, R. I. ; in 1832, started 
with tlie intention of settling at Fort Clark (now 
Peoria), III., but was stopped at Beardstown by 
the "Black Hawk War," finally locating on the 
Sangamon River, in Cass County, wliere, in 1848, 
he laid out the town of Chandlerville — Abraham 
Lincoln being one of tlie surveyors who platted 
the town. Here he gained a large practice, 
which he was compelled, in his later years, par- 
tially to abandon in consequence of injuries 
received while prosecuting his profession, after- 
wards turning his attention to merchandising 
and encouraging the development of the locality 
in which he lived by promoting the construction 
of railroads and the building of schoolhouses and 
churches. Liberal and public-spirited, his influ- 
ence for good extended over a large region. 
Died, April 7, 1879. 

CHANDLER, Henry B., newspaper manager, 
was born at Frelighsburg, Quebec, July 12, 183C; 
at 18 he began teaching, and later took charge of 
tlie business department of "The Detroit Free 
Press"; in 1861, came to Chicago with Wilbur F. 
Storey and became business manager of "The 
Chicago Times"; in 1870, disagreed with Storey 
and retired from newspaper business. Died, at 
Yonkers, N. Y,, Jan. 18, 1896. 

CHANDLERVILLE, a village in Ca.ss County, 
on the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Railroad, 7 
miles north by east from Virginia, laid out in 
1848 by Dr. Charles Chandler, and platted by 
Abraham Lincoln. It has a bank, a creamery, 
four churches, a weekly newspaper, a flour and a 
saw-raill. Population (1890), 910; (1900), 940. 

CHAPIN, a village of Morgan County, at the 
intersection of the Wabasli and tlie Chicago, 
Burlington & Quincy Railroads, 10 miles west of 
Jacksonville. Population (1890), 450; (1900), 514. 

CHAPPELL, Charles H., railway manager, 
was born in Du Page County, 111., Marcli 3, 1841. 
With an ardent passion for the railroad business, 
fit the age of 16 he obtained a position as freight 
brakeman on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
Railroad, being steadily promoted through the 
ranks of conductor, train-master and dispatcher, 
until, in 1865, at the age of 24, he was appointed 
General Agent of the Eastern Division of the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy. Other railroad 
positions which Mr. Cliappell has since held are: 
.Superintendent of ,i division of the Union Pacific 



(1869-70); Assistant or Division Superintendent 
of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, or some of 
its branches (1870-74) ; General Superintendent 
of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas (1874-76) ; 
vSuperintendent of the Western Division of tlie 
Wabash (1877-79). In 1880, he accepted the 
position of Assistant General Superintendent of 
the Chicago & Alton Railroad, being advanced in 
the next three years througli the grades of 
General Superintendent and Assistant General 
Manager, to that of General Manager of tlie 
entire system, which he has continued to fill for 
over twelve years. Quietly and without show or 
display, Sir. Chappell continues in the discharge 
of his duties, assisting to make the system with 
which he is identified one of the most succe.ssful 
and perfect in its operation in the whole country. 
CHARLESTON, the county-seat of Coles 
County, an incorporated city and a railway junc- 
tion, 46 miles west of Terre Haute, Ind. It lies 
in the center of a farming region, yet has several 
factories, including woolen and flouring mills, 
broom, plow and carriage factories, a foundry 
and a canning factory. Three newspapers are 
published here, issuing daily editions. Population 
(1890), 4,135; (1900), 5,488. The Eastern State 
Normal School was located here in 1895. 

CHARLESTON, NEO(U & ST. LOUIS RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Toledo, St. Louis & Kansas City 
Railroad.) 

CHARLEVOIX, Pierre Francois Xavier de, 
a celebrated French traveler and an early 
explorer of Illinois, born at St. Quentin, France, 
Oct. 29, 1682. He entered the Jesuit Society, 
and while a student was sent to Quebec 
(1695), where for four years he was instructor in 
the college, and completed his divinity studies. 
In 1709 he returned to France, but came again to 
Quebec a few years later. He ascended the St. 
Lawrence, sailed through Lakes Ontario and Erie, 
and finall.y reached the Mi.ssissip])! by wa^' of the 
Illinois River. After visiting Cahokia and the 
surrounding county (1720-21), he continued down 
the Mississippi to New Orleans, and returned to 
France by way of Santo Domingo. Besides some 
works on religious subjects, he was tlie author of 
histories of Japan, Paraguay and San Domingo. 
His great work, however, was the "History of 
New France," which was not published until 
twenty years after his death. His journal of his 
American explorations appeared about the same 
time. His history has long been cited by 
scholars as authority, but no English translation 
was made until 1805, wlien it was undertaken by 
Sliea. Died in France. Feb. 1. 1761. 



88 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



CHASE, Philander, Protestant Episcopal 
Bishop, was born in Cornish, Vt., Dec 14, ITTo, 
and graduated at Dartmouth in 1795. Although 
reared as a Congregationalist, he adopted the 
Episcopal faith, and was ordained a priest in 
1799, for several years laboring as a missionary 
in Northern and Western New York. In 1805, 
he went to New Orleans, but returning North in 
1811, spent six years as a rector at New Haven, 
Conn., then engaged in missionary work in Ohio, 
organizing a number of parishes and founding an 
academy at Worthington ; was consecrated a 
Bishop in 1819, and after a visit to England to 
raise funds, laid the foundation of Kenyon 
College and Gambier Theological Seminary, 
named in honor of two English noblemen who 
had contributed a large portion of the funds. 
Differences arising with some of his clergy in 
reference to the proper use of the funds, he 
resigned both the Bishopric and the Presidency 
of the college in 1831. and after three years of 
missionary labor in Michigan, in 1835 was chosen 
Bishop of Illinois. Making a second visit to 
England, he succeeded in raising additional 
funds, and, in 1838, founded Jubilee College at 
Robin's Nest, Peoria County, 111., for which a 
charter was obtained in 1847. He was a man of 
great religious zeal, of indomitable perseverance 
and the most successful pioneer of the Episcopal 
Church in the West. He was Presiding Bishop 
from 1843 until his death, which occurred Sept. 
20, 1853, Several volumes appeared from his pen, 
the most important being "A Plea for the West" 
(1826), and "Reminiscences: an Autobiography, 
Comprising a History of the Principal Events in 
the Author's Life" (1848). 

CHATHA.H, a village of Sangamon County, on 
the Chicago & Alton Railroad, 9 miles south of 
Springfield. Population (1890), 4,S2; (19U0), 6C!)., 

CHATSWORTH, town in Livingston County, 
on 111. Cent, and Toledo, Peoria & Western Rail- 
ways, 79 miles east of Peoria; in farming and 
stock-raising district; has two banks, three grain 
elevators, five churches, a graded school, two 
weekly papers, water works, electric lights, paved 
streets, cement sidewalks, brick works, and other 
manufactories. Pop. (1890), 827: (1900), 1,038. 

CHEBANSE, a town in Iroquois and Kankakee 
Counties, on the Illinois Central Railroad, 64 
miles south-southwest from Chicago; the place 
has two banks and one newspaper. Population 
(1880), 738: (1890), 616: (1900), .5.55. 

CHENEY, Charles Edward, Bishop of the Re- 
formed Protestant Episcopal Church, was born in 
Canandaigua, N. Y., Feb. 12, 1836; graduated at 



Hobart in 1857, and began study for the ministry 
of tlie Protestant Episcopal Church. Soon after 
ordination he became rector of Christ Church, 
Chicago, and was prominent among those who, 
under the leadership of Assistant Bishop Cum- 
mins of Kentucky, organized the Reformed Epis- 
copal Church in 1873. He was elected Missionary 
Bisliop of the Northvrest for the new organiza- 
tion, and was consecrated in Christ Chiu-ch, 
Chicago, Dec. 14, 1873. 

CHENEY, John Vance, author and librarian, 
was born at Groveland, N. Y., Dec. 39, 1848, 
though the family home was at Dorset, Vt., 
where he grew up and received his primary edu- 
cation. He acquired his academic training at 
Manchester, Vt., and Temple Hill Academy, 
Genesee, N. Y., graduating from the latter in 
1865, later becoming Assistant Principal of the 
same institution. Having studied law, he was 
admitted to the bar successively in Massachusetts 
and New York; but meanwhile having written 
considerably for the old "Scribner's Monthly" 
(now "Century Magazine"), while under the 
editorship of Dr. J. G. Holland, he gradually 
adopted literature as a profession. Removing to 
the Pacific Coast, he took charge, in 1887, of the 
Free Public Library at San Francisco, remaining 
imtil 1894, when lie accepted the position of 
Librarian of the Newberry Library in Chicago, 
as successor to Dr. William F. Poole, deceased. 
Besides two or three volumes of verse, Mr. Cheney 
is the author of numerous essays on literary 
subjects. His published works include "Thistle- 
Drift," poems (1887); "Wood-Blooms," poems 
(1888), "Golden Guess," essays (1892); "That 
Dome in Air," essays (1895); "Queen Helen," 
poem (1895) and "Out of the Silence," poem 
(1897). He is also editor of "Wood Notes Wild," 
by Simeon Pea.se Cheney (1892), and Caxton Club's 
edition of Derb3-'s Phctni.xiana. 

CHENOA, an incorporated city of McLean 
County, at the intersecting point of the Toledo, 
Peoria A Western and tlie Chicago & Alton Rail- 
roads, 48 miles east of Peoria, 23 miles nortlieast 
of Bloomington, and 102 miles south of Chicago. 
Agriculture, dairy farming, fruit-growing and 
coal-mining are the chief industries of the sur- 
rounding region. The city also has an electric 
light plant, waterworks, canning works and tile 
works, besides two banks, seven churches, a 
graded school, two vreekly papers, and teleplione 
systems connecting with the surrounding coun- 
try. Population (1890), 1,236; (1900), 1,512. 

CHESBROUGH, EUis Sylvester, civil engineer, 
was born in Baltimore, Md., July 6, 1813; at the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



89 



age of thirteen was chainman to an engineering 
party on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, being 
later employed on other roads. In 1S3T, he was 
appointed senior assistant engineer in the con- 
struction of the Louisville, Cincinnati & Charles- 
ton Railroad, and, in 1846, Chief Engineer of the 
Boston Waterworks, in 18,50 becoming sole Com- 
missioner of the Water Department of that citj'. 
In 18.J.5, he became engineer of the Chicago Board 
of Sewerage Commissioners, and in that capacity 
designed the sewerage system of the city — also 
planning the river tunnels. He resigned the 
ofRce of Commissioner of Public Works of 
Chicago in 1879. He was regarded as an author- 
ity on water-supply and sewerage, and was con- 
sulted by the officials of New York, Boston, 
Toronto, Milwaukee and other cities. Died, 
August 19, 1886. 

CHESN'UT, John A., lawyer, was born in Ken- 
tucky, Jan. 19, 1816, his father being a native of 
South Carolina, but of Irish descent. John A. 
was educated principally in liis native State, but 
came to Illinois in 1836, read law with P. H. 
Winchester at Carlinville, was admitted to the 
bar in 1837, and practiced at Carlinville until 
18.55, when he removed to Springfield and engaged 
in real estate and banking bu.siness. Mr. Ches- 
nut was associated with many local business 
enterprises, was for several years one of the 
Trustees of the Institution for the Deaf and 
Dumb at Jacksonville, also a Trustee of the 
Illinois Feniale College (Methodist) at the same 
place, and was Supervisor of the United States 
Census for the Sixth District of Illinois in 1880. 
Died, Jan U, 1898. 

CHESTER, the count3'-seat of Randolph 
County, situated on the Slississippi River, 76 
miles south of St. Louis. It is the seat of the 
Southern Illinois Penitentiary and of the State 
A.sylum for Insane Convicts It stands in the 
heart of a region abounding in bitviminous coal, 
and is a prominent shipping point for this com- 
modity: also has quarries of building stone. It 
has a grain elevator, flouring mills, rolling mills 
and foundries. Population (1880), 3,.580; (1890), 
2,708; (1900), 2,833. 

CHETLAIN, Augustus Louis, soldier, was born 
in St. Louis, Mo., Dec. 26, 1824, of French Hugue- 
not stock — his parents having emigrated from 
Switzerland in 1823, at first becoming members 
of the Selkirk colony on Red River, in ManitoV)a. 
Having received a common school education, he 
became a merchant at Galena, and was the first 
to volunteer there in response to the call for 
troops after the bombardment of Fort Sumter, in 



1861, being chosen to the captaincy of a company 
in the Twelfth Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, 
whicli General Grant had declined; participated 
in the campaign on the Tennessee River which 
resulted in the capture of Fort Donelson and the 
battle of Shiloh, meanwhile being commissioned 
Lieutenant-Colonel ; also distinguished himself at 
Corintli, where he remained in command until 
May, 1863, and organized the first colored regi- 
ment raised in the West. In December, 1863, he 
was promoted Brigadier-General and placed in 
charge of the organization of colored troops in 
Tennessee, serving later in Kentucky and being 
brevetted Major-General in January, 1804. From 
January to October, 1865, he commanded the 
post at Memphis, and later the District of Talla- 
dega, Ala., until January, 1866, when he was 
mustered out of the service. General Chetlain 
was Aissessor of Internal Revenue for the District 
of Utah (1867-69), then appointed United States 
Consul at Brussels, serving until 1873, on his 
return to the United States establishing himself 
as a banker and broker in Chicago. 

CHICAGO, the county-seat of Cook County, 
chief city of Illinois and (1890) second city in 
population in the United .States. 

Situation. — Tlie city is situated at the south- 
west bend of Lake Michigan, 18 miles north of 
the extreme southern point of the lake, at the 
mouth of the Chicago River; 715 miles west of 
New York, 590 miles north of west from Wash- 
ington, and 260 miles northeast of St. Louis. 
From the Pacific Coast it is distant 2,417 miles. 
Latitude 41° 52' north; longitude 87° 35' west of 
Greenwich. Area (1898), 186 square miles. 

Topography. — Chicago stands on the dividing 
ridge between the Mississippi and St. Lawreuce 
basins. It is 503 feet above sea-level, auj its 
highest point is some 18 feet above Lake Michi- 
gan. The Chicago River is virtually a bayou, 
dividing into north and south branches about a 
half-mile west of the lake. The surrounding 
country is a low, flat prairie, but engineering 
science and skill have done much for it in the 
way of drainage. The Illinois & Michigan Canal 
terminates at a point on the south branch of 
the Chicago River, within the city limits, and 
unites the waters of Lake Michigan with those 
of tlie Illinois River. 

Commerce. — The Chicago River, with its 
branches, affords a water frontage of nearly 60 
miles, the greater part of which is utilized for 
the shipment and unloading of grain, lumber, 
stone, coal, merchandise, etc. Another navigable 
stream (the Calumet River) also lies within the 



■90 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



corporate limits. Dredging has made the Chi- 
cago River, with its branches, navigable for 
vessels of deep draft. The harbor has also been 
widened and deepened. "Well constructed break- 
waters protect the vessels lying inside, and the 
port is as safe as any on the great lakes. The 
city is a port of entry, and the tonnage of vessels 
arriving there exceeds that of any other port in 
the United States. During 1897, 9,1.56 ves.sels 
arrived, with an aggregate tonnage of 7,309,443, 
while 9,301 cleared, representing a tonnage of 
7,18.5,334. It is the largest grain market in the 
world, its elevators (in 1897) having a capacity 
of 32,5.50,000 bushels. 

According to the reports of the Board of Trade, 
the total receipts and shipments of grain for 
the year 1898 — counting flour as its grain equiva- 
lent in bushels — amounted to 333,097,4.53 bushels 
of the former, to 289,930,028 bushels of the latter. 
The receipts and shipments of various products 
for the year (1898) were as follows: 



Flour (bbls.) . 

Wheat (bu.) . . 

Corn "... 

Oats "... 

Rye "... 

Barley " . . • 

Cured Meats (lbs.) 

Dressed Beef " . 

Live-stock — Hogs 
" Cattle 

" Sheep 



Receipts. 

5,316,195 

35,741, .5.55 

127,436,374 

110,293,647 

4,93.5,308 

18, 116.. 594 

339,005,246 

110,386,6.53 

9,360,968 

3,480,633 

3,502,378 



Shipments. 

.5,033,336 

38.094,900 

130,397,681 

85.0.57,636 

4,453,384 

6,755,347 

933,637,733 

1,060,8.59,808 

1,334.71)8 

864,408 

545,001 



Chicago is also an important lumber market, 
the receipts in 1895, including shingles, being 
1,563,537 M. feet. As a center for beef and pork- 
packing, the city is without a rival in the amount 
of its products, there having been 92,4.59 cattle 
and 760,514 hogs packed in 1894-95. In bank 
clearings and general mercantile business it 
ranks second only to New York, while it is also 
one of the chief manufacturing centers of the 
country. The census of 1890 shows 9.9.59 manu- 
facturing establishments, with a capital of S29?,- 
477,038; employing 203,108 hands, and turning 
out products valued at 8032,184,140. Of the out- 
put by far the largest was that of the slaughter- 
ing and meat-packing establishments, amounting 
to $303,825,093; men's clothing came next (S33,- 
517,336) ; iron and steel, §31,419,854; foundry and 
machine shop products, §29,938,616; planed 
lumber, §17,604,494. Chicago is also the most 
important live-stock market in the United States. 
The Union Stock Yards (in the sovithwest part of 
the city) are connected with all railroad lines 
•entering the city, and cover many hundreds of 



acres. In 1894, there were received 8,788,049 
animals (of all descriptions), valued at §148,057,- 
626. Chicago is also a primary market for liides 
and leather, the production and sales being both 
of large proportions, and the trade in manufac- 
tured leather (notably in boots and shoes) 
exceeds that of any other market in the country. 
Ship-building is a leading industry, as are also 
brick-making, distilling and brewing. 

Transport.\tion, etc. — Besides being the chief 
port on the great lakes, Chicago ranks second to 
no other American city as a railway center. The 
old "Galena & Chicago Union," its first railroad, 
was operated in 1849, and within three years a 
substantial advance had been scored in the way 
of steam transportation. Since then the multi- 
plication of railroad lines focusing in or passing 
through Chicago has been rapid and steady. In 
1895 not less than thirty-eight distinct lines enter 
the city, although these are operated by only 
twenty-two companies. Some 2,000 miles of 
railroad track are laid within the city limits. 
The number of trains daily arriving and depart- 
ing (suburban and freight included) is about 
2.000. Intramural transportation is afforded by 
electric, steam, cable and horse-oar lines. Four 
tunnels under the Chicago River and its branches, 
and numerous bridges connect the various divi- 
sions of the city. 

History. — Point du Sable (a native of San 
Domingo) was admittedly the first resident of 
Chicago other than the aborigines. The French 
missionaries and explorers — Marquette, Joliet, 
La Salle, Hennepin and others — came a century 
earlier, their explorations beginning in 1673. 
After the expulsion of the French at the close of 
the French and Indian War, the territory passed 
under British control, though French traders 
remained in this vicinity after the War of the 
Revolution. One of these named Le Mai followed 
Point du Sable about 1796, and was himself suc- 
ceeded by John Kinzie, the Indian tra<ler, who 
came in 1803. Fort Dearborn was built near the 
mouth of the Chicago River in 1804 on land 
acquired from the Indians by the treaty of 
Greenville, concluded by Gen. Anthony Wayne 
in 1795, Init was evacuated in 1812, when most of 
tlie garrison and the few inhabitants were massa- 
cred by the savages. {See Fort Dearb(»-n.) The 
fort was rebuilt in 1816, and another settlement 
established around it. The first Government 
survey was made, 1829-30. Early residents were 
the Kinzies, the Wolcotts, the Beaubiens and the 
Millers. The Black Hawk War (1833) rather 
aideil in developing the resources and increasing 



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3 41 



niSTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



91 



the population of the infant settlement by Jraw- 
ing to it settlers from tlie interior for purposes of 
mutual protection. Town organization was 
effected on August 10, 183'2. the total number of 
votes polled being 28. The town grew rapidly 
for a time, but received a set-back in the financial 
crisis of 1837. During May of that year, how- 



ever, a charter was obtained and Chicago became 
a city. The total number of votes cast at that 
time was 703. Tlie census of the city for the 1st 
of July of that year showed a population of 4,180. 
The following table sliows the names and term 
of office of the chief city officers from 1837 to 
1899: 



1837 
1838 
I8;i9 
1940 
1841 
1842 
1843 
1844 
1845 
1846 
1847 
1848 
1849 
1850 
1851 
1852 
1853 
1854 
1855 
1856 
1857 
1858 
1859 
1860 
1861 
1862 
1863 
1864 
1865 
1866 
1867 
1868 
1869 
1870 
1871 
1872 
1873 
1874 
1875 
1876 

1877-78 
1879 80 

1881-82 
1883-84 
1S85 86 
1887-88 
1889-90 
1891 92 
1893 94 

1895-9fi 

my? as 

1899 



Wm. B. Ogden.. 

Buckner K. Morris 

Benj. W. Raymond 

Alexander Lloyd 

F. C. Sherman 

Benj. W, Raymond 

Augustus Garrett 

Ans Garrett, Alson S.Shermam 4) 
Auti.Garrett.Al3onS.Sherman(4) 

John F. Cliapiu 

James Ciirtiss 

James H. Woodworth 

James H. Woodworth 

James Curtias 

Walters. Gurnee 

Walters. Gurnee 

Charles M.Gray 

Ira L Milliken 

Levi D. Boone 

Thomas Dyer 

John Went worth 

John C. Haines 

JohnC. Haines 

John Wentworth 

Julian S, Rumaey. 

F. C. Sherman 

PC Sherman 

F. C. Sherman 

John B. Rice 

John B, Rice 

John B- Rice 

JohnB. Kice 

John B Rice (8) 

R. B. Mason 

R. B. Mason 

Joseph Mfdill 

Joseph Medill 

Harvey D. Colvin 

Harvey D. Colvin 

Monroe Heath. i9) H. D. Colvin, 

ThomiiB Hoyne 

Monroe Heath 

Carter H. Harrison 

Carter H. Harrison 

Carter H. Harrison 

Carter H Harrison 

John A. Roche 

Dewitt C. Cretfier 

Hempstead Washburne 

Carter H. Harrison, Geo. B 

Swift,' 11) John P. Hopkina.ai > 

Geo. B. Swift 

,<'arter H. Harrison. Jr 

Carter H. Harrison, Jr 



City Clsbk. 



I. N. Arnold, Geo. Davis (1) 

Geo. Davis 

Wm. H. Brackett .. 

Thomas Hoyne 

Thomas Hoyne 

J. Curtis 

James M. Lowe 

E. A. Rucker 

E. A. Rucker.Wm.S.Brown{5 

Henry B. Clarke 

Henry B Clarke 

Sidney Abe 1 

Sidney Abell 

Sidney Abell 

Henry VV- Zimmerman 

Henry W. Zimmerman , 

Henry W. Zimmerniaii , 

Henry W. Zimmerman 

Henry W. Zimmerman 

Henry W. Zimmerman 

H. Kreisman 

H. Kreisinan 

H. Kreiaman 

Abraham Kohn 

A. J. Marble 

A. J. Marble , 

H.W.Zimmerman 

H. W. Zimmerman 

Albert H. Bodman 

Albert H. Bodman 

Albert H. Bodman 

Albert H. Bodman 

Albert H. Bodman 

Charles T. Hotchkiss 

Charles T. Hotchkiss. 

Charles T. Hotchkiss 

Charles T. Hotchkiss 

Joa. K. C. Forrest 

Jos. K. C Forrest 

Caspar Butz 

Caspar Butz 

P. J. Howard 

P. J. Howard 

John O. Nenmeister 

C. Herman Plautz 

D. W. Nickerson 

Frattz A mberg 

James R. B. Van Cleave 

Chas. D.Gaatfield 

James K. B. Van Cleave 

William LuHrtler 

William Loeffler 



C»TY ATTORNKY. 



N. B. Judd 

N. B. Judd 

Sam uel L. Smith 

Mark Skinner 

Geo. Manierre 

Henry Brown 

G Manierre. Henry BrowiiiS) 

Heiirv W. Clarke 

Henry W. Clarke 

Cliarles H. Larrabee 

Patrick Baliingall 

Giles Spring 

O R. W. Lull 

Henry H.Clark 

Henry H. Clark 

Arno Vosa 

Arno Voss 

Patrick Baliingall 

J, A. Thompson ........ 

J. L Marsh 

John C. Miller 

Elliott Anthony 

Geo. F. Crocker 

John Lvle King 

Ira W Buel 

Geo. A. Meech 

Francis Adams 

Francis Adams 

Daniel D. Driscoll 

Daniel D. Driscoll 

Hasbrouck Davis 

Hasbrouck Davis 

Has'irouck Davis 

Israel N. StUes 

Israel N. Stiles 

Israel N. Stiles 

Israel N. Stiles 

Egbert Jamieson 

Egbert Jamieson 



R.S Tuthill 

R. S. Tuthill 

Juliuq S. Grinnell , 

Jul ins S. Grinnell 

Jniius S GriTiriell , 

} I. 'Ml [1.1 1 mil Washburne. 
Hempstead Washburne. 



.Geo. F.Sugg 

JacobJ. Kern,G.A.Trude(10) 



Geo. A. Trude 

Roy O. West 

Miles J. Devine., 
Andrew J. Ryan . 



CiTV Trkasitbeb. 



Hiram Pearsons. 

Hiram Pearsons. 

Geo. W. Dole. 

W. S Gurnee, N. H. Bolle8(2) 

N. H. BoIIes. 

F, C. Shernian. 

Wa'ter S. Gurnee. 

Walter S. Gumee. 

Wm. L. Church. 

Wm. L. Church. 

Andrew Getzler. 

Wm. L. Church. 

Wm. L. Church. 

Edward MHiiierre. 

Edward Manierre. 

Edward Manierre. 

Edward Manierre. 

Uriah P. Harris. 

Wm. F De Wolf. 

O. J. Rose. 

C, N Holden. 

Aloiizo Harvey. 

Alonzo Harvey. 

Alonzo Harvey,C.W.Hunt(6) 

W. H. Rice. 

F. H. Cutting, W. H. Rice(7) 

David A. Gage. 

David A. Gage. 

A.G. Throop. 

A. G. Throop. 

Wm. F. Wentworth. 

Wm. F. Wentworth. 

Wm. F. Wentworth. 

David A. Gage. 

David A. GaKe. 

David A, Qane. 

David A Gatje. 

Daniel O'Hara. 

Daniel O'Hara. 

Clinton Brlggs. 
Chas. B Larrabee. 
W. C, Seipp. 
Rudolph Brand. 
John M. Dunphy. 
Wm. M. Devine. 
C- Herman Ptautz. 
Bernard Roesing. 
Peter Kiolbaasa. 

Michael J. Branafleld. 
Adam Wolf. 
Ernst Hummel. 
Adam Ortseifen. 



(1) I. N. Arnold TMigned. and Geo. Davis appointed, October, 1837. 

(2) Gurnee resigned, BoIIes appointed his successor. April. 1840. 

(3) Manierre resigned. Brown appointed bis sviccessor. July, 1843. 

(4) Election of Garrett declared illegal, and Sherman elected at new election, held April, 1844. 

(5) Brown apptnnied to fill vacancy caused by re.signation of Rucker. 

(6) Harvey resigned atid Hunt appointed to till vacancy. 

(7) Cutting havnikt failetl to qualify. Rice, who was already in ofTice. held over. 

(8) Legislature ctmiif^ed duteof election from April to November, the persons in otiice at beginning of ls69 remaining In office 

to Deo'iiiliHr of that year. 

(9) City (►rKiiiii/.ed under general Incorporation Act in 1S7.S, and no city election held until April. 187S. The order for a new 

election omitted thoothce of Mayor, yet a popular viite was taken which gave a majority to Thomas Hoyne. The Council 
then in ofHce refused to canvivsH tiiis vote, but its Niicci-ssor, at its first meeting, did so, declaring Hoyne duly elected. 
Colvin. the incumbent, refused to surrender the olli-e, claiming the ri«lit to " hold over;" Hoyne tlien made a contest 
for the oflice. which resulted In a decision by the Supremi! Court dcnyint? the claims of both contestants, when a new 
election was ordered by the City Council. July 12. IH7i», at wnich Monroe Heath was elected, .serving out the term. 

(10) City Attorney Kern, having resigned November 21, iay.i, Geo. A. Trude was appointed to serve out the remainder of the 
term, 

<ll) Mayor Harrison, having been assa.sslnated. October 28, 1893. the City Council at Its next meeting (November fi, 1893) 
elected (ipo. B Swift an .\lderrii m f roin f lie RIeventh Ward i Mayot- at intfirim. At a special election held December 19, 
1893, Juhn P. Hopkins was elected to fill out the uiie.tpired term of Mayor Harrison. 



92 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



The Fire of 1871.— The city steadily grew in 
beauty, population and commercial importance 
until 1871. On Oct. 9 of that year occurred the 
"great fire" the story of which has passed into 
history. Recuperation was speedy, and the 2,100 
acres burned over were rapidly being rebuilt, 
wlien, in 1874, occurred a second conflagration, 
although by no means so disastrous as that of 
1871. The city's recuperative power was again 
demonstrated, and its subsequent development 
has been phenomenal. The subjoined statement 
shows its growth in population : 



1837 


4,179 


1840 


4,470 


1850 


28,269 


1860 


. 112,162 


1870 


. 298,977 


1880 


. 503.18.5 


1890 


. 1,099,850 


1900 


. 1,698,575 



Notwithstanding a large foreign population and 
a constant army of unemployed men, Chicago 
has witnessed only three disturbances of the 
peace by mobs — the railroad riots of 1877, the 
Anarchist disturbance of 1886, and a strike of 
railroad employes in 1894. 

Municipal Administration. — Chicago long 
since outgrew its special charter, and is now 
incorporated under the broader provisions of the 
law applicable to "cities of the first class," under 
which the city is virtually autonomous. The 
personnel, drill and equipment of the police and 
fire departments are second to none, if not supe- 
rior to any, to be found in other American cities. 
The Chicago River, with its branches, divides the 
city into three principal divisions, known respec- 
tively as North, South and West. Each division 
has its statutory gpographical boundaries, and 
each retains its own distinct township organiza- 
tion. This system is anomalous; it has, how- 
ever, both assailants and defenders. 

Public Improvements. — Chicago has a fine 
system of parks and boxilevards, well developed, 
well improved and well managed. One of the 
parks (Jackson in the Soutli Division) was the 
site of the World's Columbian Exposition. The 
water supply is obtained from Lake Michigan by 
means of cribs and tunnels. In this direction 
new and better facilities are being constantly 
introduced, and the existing water system will 
compare favorably with that of any other Ameri- 
can city. 

Architecture. — The public and office build- 
ings, as well as the business blocks, are in some 
instances classical, but generally severely plain. 



Granite and other varieties of stone are used in 
the City Hall, County Court House, the Board of 
Trade structure, and in a few commercial build- 
ings, as well as in many private residences. In 
the business part of the city, however, steel, 
iron, brick and fire clay are the materials most 
largely employed in construction, the exterior 
walls being of brick. The most approved 
methods of fire-proof building are followed, and 
tlie "Chicago construction" has been recognized 
and adopted (with modifications) all over the 
United States. Ofiice buildings range from ten 
to sixteen, and even, as in the case of the Masonic 
Temple, twenty stories in height. Most of them 
are sumptuous as to the interior, and many of the 
largest will each accommodate 3,000 to 5,000 
occupants, including tenants and their employes. 
In the residence sections wide diversity may be 
seen ; the chaste and the ornate styles being about 
equally popular. Among tlie liandsome public, 
or semi-public buildings may be mentioned the 
Public Library, tlie Newberry Library, the Art 
Institute, the Armour Institute, the Academy of 
Sciences, the Auditorium, the Board of Trade 
Building, the Masonic Temple, and several of the 
railroad depots. 

Education and Libraries. — Chicago has a 
public school system unsurpassed for excellence 
in any other city in the country. According to 
the report of the Board of Education for 1898, the 
city had a total of 221 primary and grammar 
schools, besides fourteen high schools, employing 
5,268 teachers and giving instruction to over 
236,000 pupils in the course of the j-ear. The 
total expenditiu'es during the year amounted to 
86,785.601, of which nearly .S4,.j00,000 was on 
account of teachers' salaries. The city has 
nearly §7.500,000 invested in school buildings. 
Besides pupils attenuiug public schools there are 
about 100,000 in attendance on private and 
parochial schools, not reckoning students at 
higher institutions of learning, such as medical, 
law, theological, dental and pharmaceutical 
schools, and tlie great University of Chicago. 
Near the city are also the Northwestern and the 
Lake Forest L^niversities, the former at Evanston 
and the latter at Lake Forest. Besides an exten- 
sive Free Public Library for circulating and refer- 
ence purposes, maintained by public taxation, 
and embracing (in 1898) a total of over 235.000 
volumes and nearly 50,000 pamphlets, there 
are the Library of the Chicago Historical Society 
and the Newberrj' and Crerar Libraries — the last 
two the outgrowth of posthumous donations by 
public-spirited and liberal citizens — all open to 




DAY AI'TICR Till'; IMRH. 




CHICAGO THOROUGHFARES. 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



93 



the public for purposes of reference under certain 
conditions. This list does not include the exten- 
sive library of the University of Chicago and those 
connected with the Armour Institute and the 
public scliools, intended for the use of the pupils 
of these various institutions 

CHICAGO BOARD OF TRADE, one of the 
leading commercial exchanges of the world. It 
was originally organized in the spring of 1843 as 
a voluntary association, with a membership of 
eighty-two. Its primary object was the promo- 
tion of the city's commercial interests by unity 
of action. On Feb. 8, 1849, the Legislature 
enacted a general law autliorizing the establish- 
ment of Boards of Trade, and under its provisions 
an incorporation was effected — a second organi- 
zation being effected in April, 1850. For several 
years the association languished, and at times its 
existence seemed precarious. It was, however, 
largelj- instrumental in securing the introduction 
of the system of measuring grain by weight, 
which initial step opened the way for subsequent 
great improvements in the methods of handling, 
storing, inspecting and grading cereals and seeds. 
By the close of 18.56, the association had overcome 
the difficulties incident to its earlier years, and 
the feasibility of erecting a permanent Exchange 
building began to be agitated, but the project lay 
dormant for several years. In 1856 was adopted 
the first system of classification and grading of 
wheat, which, though crude, formed the founda- 
tion of the elaborate modern system, which has 
proved of such benefit to the grain-growing 
States of the West, and has done so much to give 
Chicago its commanding influence in the grain 
markets of the world. In 1858, the privilege of 
trading on the floor of the Exchange was limited 
to members. The same year the Board began 
to receive and send out daily telegraphic market 
reports at a cost, for the first year, of 8500,000, 
which was defrayed by private subscriptions. 
New York was the only city with which such 
communication was then maintained. In Febru- 
ary, 1859, a special charter was obtained, confer- 
ring more extensive powers upon the organization, 
and correspondingly increasing its efficiency. An 
important era in the Board's history was the 
Civil War of 1861-65. During this struggle its 
attitude was one of undeviating loyalty and gener- 
ous patriotism. Hundreds of tliousands of dollars 
were contributed, by individual members and 
from the treasiiry of the organization, for the work 
of recruiting and eiiuijiping regiments, in caving 
for the wounded on Southern battlefields, and 
"roviding for the families of enlLsted men. In 



1864, the Board waged to a successful issue a war 
upon the irredeemable currency with which the 
entire West was then flooded, and secured such 
action by the banks and by the railroad and 
express companies as compelled its replacement 
by United States legal-tender notes and national 
bank notes. In 1865, hands(jme, large (and, as 
then supposed, permanent) quarters were occu- 
pied in a new building erected bj' the Chicago 
Chamber of Commerce under an agreement with 
the Board of Trade. This structure was destroj-ed 
in the fire of October, 1871, but at once rebuilt, 
and made ready for re-occupancy in precisely 
one j^ear after the destruction of its predecessor. 
Spacious and ample as these quarters were then 
considered, the growing membership and increas- 
ing business demonstrated their inadequacy 
before the close of 1877. Steps looking to the 
erection of a new building were taken in 1881, 
and, on May 1, 1885, the new edifice — then the 
largest and most ornate of its class in the world 
— was opened for occupancy. The membership 
of the Board for the year 1898 aggregated con- 
siderably in excess of 1,800. The influence of the 
association is felt in every quarter of the com- 
mercial world. 

CHICAGO, BURLINGTON & NORTHERN 
RAILROAD. (See Chicago, Burlington & 
Qiiincy Railroad.) 

CHICAGO, BURLINGTON & QUINCT RAIL- 
ROAD (known as the "Burlington Route") is 
the parent organization of an extensive system 
which operates railroads in eleven Western and 
Northwestern States, furnishing connections 
from Chicago with Omaha, Denver, St. Paul and 
Minneapolis, St. Louis and Kansas City, Chey- 
enne (Wyo.), Billings (Mont.), Deadwood (So. 
Dak,), and intermediate points, and having con- 
nections by affiliated roads with the Pacific Coast. 
The main line extends from Chicago to Denver 
(Colo.), 1,025.41 miles. The mileage of the 
various branches and leased proprietary lines 
(1898) aggregates 4,027.06 miles. The Company 
uses 207.2.3 miles in conjunction with other 
roads, besides subsidiary standard-gauge lines 
controlled through the ownership of securities 
amounting to 1,440 miles more. In addition to 
these tlie Chicago, Burlington & Quincy controls 
179 miles of narrow-gauge road. The whole 
number of miles of standard-gauge road operated 
by the Burlington system, and known as the 
Burlington Route, on June 30, 1899, is estimated 
at 7,419, of which 1,.509 is in Illinois, all but 47 
miles being owned by the Company. The system 
in Illinois connects many important conunercial 



94 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



points, including Chicago, Aurora, Galesburg, 
Quincy, Peoria, Streator, Sterling, Mendota, Ful- 
ton, Lewistown, Rushville, Geneva. Keithsburg, 
Rock Island, Beardstown, Alton, etc. The entire 
capitalization of the line (including stock, bonds 
and floating debt) amounted, in 1898, to .$234,884,- 
600, which was equivalent to about §33,000 per 
mile. The total earnings of the road in Illinois, 
during the fiscal year ending June 30. 1898, 
amounted to §8,724,997, and the total disburse- 
ments of the Company within the State, during 
the same period, to §7,469,4r)6. Taxes paid in 
1898, 8377,968.— (History). The first section of 
the Cliicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad was 
constructed under a charter gi-anted, in 1849, to 
the Aiu-ora Branch Railroad Company, the name 
being changed in 18.'j2 to the Chicago & Avirora 
Railroad Company. The line was completed in 
18.53, from the junction with the old Galena & 
Chicago Union Railroad, 30 miles west of Chi- 
cago, to Aurora, later being extended to Mendota. 
In 1855 the name of the Company was changed 
by act of the Legislature to the Chicago, Burling- 
ton & Quincy. The section between Mendota and 
Galesburg (80 miles) was built under a charter 
granted in 1851 to the Central Military Tract 
Railroad Company, and completed in 1854. July 
9, 1856, the two companies were consolidated 
under the name of the former. Previous to this 
consolidation the Company had extended aid to 
the Peoria & Oquawka Railroad (from Peoria to 
the Mississippi River, nearly opposite Burlington, 
dowa), and to the Northern Cross Railroad from 
'Quincy to Galesburg, both of which were com- 
pleted in 1855 and operated by the Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Quincy. In 1857 the name of the 
Northern Cross was changed to the Quincy & 
Chicago Railroad. In 1860 the latter was sold 
imder foreclosure to the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy, and, in 1863, the Peoria & Oquawka was 
acquired in the same way — the former constitut- 
ing the Quincy brancli of tlie main line and the 
latter giving it its Burlington connection. Up 
to 1863, the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy used 
the track of the Galena & Chicago Union Rail- 
road to enter the city of Chicago, but that j-ear 
began the construction of its line from Aurora to 
Chicago, wliich was completed in 1864. In 1873 
it acquired control, by perpetual lease, of the 
Burlington & Missouri River Road in Iowa, 
and, in 1880, extended this line into Nebraska, 
now reaching Billings, Mont., with a lateral 
branch to Deadwood, So. Dak. Other branches 
in Illinois, built or acquired by this corporation, 
include the Peoria & Hannibal ; Carthage & Bur- 



lington ; Quincy & Warsaw ; Ottawa, Chicago & 
Fox River Valley; Quincy, Alton & St. Louis, 
and the St. Louis, Rock Island & Chicago. The 
Chicago. Burlington & Northern — known as the 
Northern Division of the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy — is an important part of the system, 
furnishing a connection bet%veen St. Louis on 
the south and St. Paul and Minneapolis on the 
nortli, of which more than half of the distance of 
583 miles between terminal points, is in Illinois. 
The latter division was originally chartered. Oct. 
31, 1885, and con.structed from Oregon. 111., to St. 
Paul, Minn. (319 miles), and from Fulton to 
Savanna, 111. (16.73 miles), and opened, Nov. 1, 
1886. It was formally incorporated into the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy line in 1899. In 
June of the same year the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy also acquired by purcliase the Keokuk & 
Western Railroad from Keokuk to Van Wert, 
Iowa (143 miles), and the Des Moines & Kansas 
City Railway, from Des Moines, Iowa, to Gaines- 
ville, Mo. (112 miles). 

CHICAGO, DANVILLE & VIJVCENNES RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Chicago & Eastern Illinois Rail- 
road. ) 

CHICAGO DRAINAGE CANAL, a channel or 
waterway, in course of construction (1892-99) 
from the Chicago River, within the limits of the 
city of Chicago, to Joliet Lake, in the Des Plaines 
River, about 13 miles above the junction of the 
Des Plaines with the Illinois. The primary object 
of the channel is the removal of the sewage of 
the city of Chicago and the proper drainage of 
the region comprised within what is called the 
"Sanitary District of Chicago." The feasibility 
of connecting the waters of Lake Michigan by 
way of the Des Plaines River with those of the 
Illinois, attracted the attention of the earliest 
French explorers of this region, and was com- 
mented upon, from time to time, by them and 
their successors. As early as 1808 the subject of 
a canal uniting Lake Michigan with the Illinois 
was discussed in a report on roads and canals by 
Albert Gallatin, then Secretary of the Treasury, 
and the project was touched upon in a bill relat- 
ing to the Erie Canal and other enterprises, intro- 
duced in Congress in 1811. The measure continued 
to receive attention in the press, in Western 
Territorial Legislatures and in official reports, 
one of the latter being a report by John C. Cal- 
houn, as Secretary of War, in 1819, in which it is 
spoken of as "valuable for military purposes." 
In 1833 Congress passed an act granting the 
right of way to the State through the public 
lands for such an enterpri.se, which was followed. 



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COMPARATIVE SIZE OF NOTED CANALS. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



95- 



five J-ears later, by a grant of lands for the pur- 
pose of its construction. The work was begun in 
1836. and so far completed in 1.S48 as to admit of 
the passage of boats from the Chicago basin to La 
Salle. {See Illinois ti- Michignn Canal.) Under 
an act passed bj- the Legislature in 1805, the work 
of deepening the canal was undertaken by the 
city of Chicago with a view to furnishing means 
to relieve the city of its sewage, the work being 
completed some time before the fire of 18T1. This 
scheme having failed to accomplish the object 
designed, other measures began to be considered. 
Various remedies were proposed, but in all the 
authorities were confronted with the difficulty 
of providing a fund, under the provisions of the 
Constitution of 1870, to meet the necessary cost 
of construction. In the closing months of the 
year 1885, Hon. H. B. Hurd, who had been a 
member of a Board of "Drainage Commission- 
ers," organized in 1855, was induced to give 
attention to the subject. Having satisfied him- 
self and others that the difficulties were not 
insurmountable with proper action by the Legis- 
lature, the City Council, on Jan. 27, 1886, passed 
a resolution authorizing the Mayor to appoint a 
Commission, to consist of "one expert engineer of 
reputation and experience in engineering and 
sanitary matters," and two consulting engineers, 
to constitute a "drainage and water-supply com- 
mission" for the purpose of investigating and 
reporting upon the matter of water-supply and 
disposition of the sewage of the city. As a 
result of this action, Rudolph Hering, of Philadel- 
phia, was appointed expert engineer by Mayor 
Harrison, with Benezette Williams and S. G. 
Artingstall, of Chicago, as consulting engineers. 
At the succeeding session of the General Assem- 
bly (1887), two bills — one known as the "Hurd 
bill" and the other as the "Winston bill," but 
both drawn by Mr. Hurd, the first contemplating 
doing the work by general taxation and the issue 
of bonds, and the other by special assessment — 
were introduced in that body. As it was found 
that neither of these bills could be passed at that 
session, a new and shorter one, whicli became 
known as the "Roche-Winston bill," was intro- 
duced and passed near the close of the session. 
A resolution was also adopted creating a com- 
mission, consisting of two Senators, tvv-o Repre- 
sentatives and Mayor Roche of Chicago, to further 
investigate the subject. The later act. just 
referred to. provided for the construction of a cut- 
off from the Des Plaines River, which would 
divert the flood-waters of that stream and tlie 
North Branch into Lake Michigan north of the 



city. Nothing was done under this act, however. 
At the next session (1889) the commission made a 
favorable report, and a new law was enacted 
embracing the main features of tlie Hurd bill, 
though changing the title of the organization to 
be formed from the "Metropolitan Town," as 
proposed by Mr. Hurd, to the "Sanitary Dis- 
trict." The act. as passed, provided for the 
election of a Board of nine Trustees, their powei'S- 
being confined to "providing for the drainage of 
the district," both as to surplus water and sew- 
age. Much opposition to the measure had been 
developed during the pendency of the legislation 
on the subject, especially in the Illinois valley, 
on sanitary grounds, as well as fear of midsum- 
mer flooding of the bottom lands which are 
cultivated to some extent ; but this was overcome 
bj' the argument that the channel would, when 
the Des Plaines and Illinois Rivers were improved 
between Joliet and La Salle, furnish a new and 
enlarged waterway for the passage of vessels 
between the lake and the Mississippi River, and 
the enterprise was indorsed by conventions held 
at Peoria, Memphis and elsewhere, during the 
eighteen months preceding the passage of the 
act. The promise ultimately to furnish a flow of 
not less than 600,000 cubic feet per minute also 
excited alarm in cities situated upon the lakes, 
lest the taking of so large a volume of water from 
Lake Michigan should affect the lake-level 
injuriously to navigation; but these apprehen- 
sions were quieted by the assurance of expert 
engineers that the greatest reduction of the lake- 
level below the present minimum would not 
exceed three inches, and more likely would not 
produce a perceptible effect. 

At the general election, held Nov. 5, 1889, 
the "Sanitary District of Chicago" was organ- 
ized by an almost unanimous popular vote 
— the returns showing 70.958 votes for the 
measure to 242 against. The District, as thus 
formed, embraces all of the city of Chicago 
north of Eighty-seventh Street, with forty- 
three square miles outside of the city limits 
but within the area to be benefited by the 
improvement. Though the channel is located 
partly in Will County, the district is wholly in 
Cook and bears the entire expense of construc- 
tion. The first election of Trustees was held at a 
special election, Dec. 12. 1889, the Trustees then 
elected to hold their offices for five years and 
until the following November. The second 
election occurred, Nov. 5, 1895, when the Board, 
as now constituted (1899), was chosen, viz. • 
William Boldenweck, Joseph C. Braden, Zina R. 



9G 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Carter, Bernard A. Eckhart, Alexander J. Jones, 
Thomas Kelly, James P. Mallette, Tlioraas A. 
Smj-th and Frank Wenter. The Trustees have 
power to sell bonds in order to procure funds to 
prosecute the work and to levy taxes upon prop- 
erty within the district, under certain limitations 
as to length of time the taxes run and the rate 
per cent imposed. Under an amendment of, the 
Drainage Act adopted by the Legislature in 1897, 
the rate of assessment upon property within the 
Drainage District is limited to one and one- half 
per cent, up to and including the year 1899. but 
after that date becomes one-half of one per cent. 
The bed of tlie channel, as now in process of 
construction, commences at Robey Street and tlie 
South Branch of the Chicago River, 5.8 miles 
from Lake Michigan, and extends in a south- 
westerly direction to the vicinity of Summit, 
where it intersects the Des Plaines River. From 
this point it follows tlie bed of that stream to 
Lockport, in Will County, wliere, in consequence 
of the sudden depression in the ground, the bed of 
the channel comes to the surface, and where the 
great controlling works are situated. This has made 
necessary the excavation of about thirteen miles 
of new channel for the river — which runs parallel 
with, and on the west side of, the drainage canal 
— besides the construction of about nineteen 
miles of levee to separate the waters of the 
canal from the river. The following statement 
of the quality of the material excavated and the 
dimensions of the work, is taken from a paper by 
Hon. H. B. Hurd, under the title, "The Chicago 
Drainage Channel and Waterway," published in 
the sixth volume of "Industrial Chicago" (1896): 
"Through that portion of the channel between 
Chicago and Summit, which is being constructed 
to produce a flow of 300,000 cubic feet per minute, 
which is supposed to be sufficient to dilute sew- 
age for about the present population (of Chicago), 
the width of the channel is 110 feet on the bot- 
tom, with side slopes of two to one. This portion 
of the channel is ultimatel}' to be enlarged to the 
capacity of 600,000 cubic feet per minute. Tlie 
bottom of the channel, at Robey Street, is 24.448 
feet below Chicago datum. The width of the 
channel from Summit down to the neighborhood 
of Willow Springs is 202 feet on the bottom, with 
the same side slope. The cut through the rock, 
which extends from the neighborhood of Willow 
Springs to the point where the channel runs out 
of ground near Lockport, is 160 feet wide at the 
bottom. The entire depth of the channel is 
substantially the same as at Robej- Street, with 
the addition of one foot in 40,000 feet. The rock 



portion of the channel is constructed to the full 
capacity of 600,(100 cubic feet per minute. From 
the point where tlie channel runs out of ground 
to Joliet Lake, t.here is a rapid fall; ove' tliis 
slope works are to be constructed to let the water 
down in such a manner as not to damage Joliet. " 

Ground was broken on the rock-cut near 
Lemont, on Sept. 3, 1892, and work has been in 
progress almost constantly ever since. The prog- 
ress of the work was greatly obstnicted during 
the year 189S, by difficulties encountered in secur- 
ing the right of way for the discharge of the 
waters of the canal through the city of Joliet, 
but these were compromised near the clo.se of the 
year, and it was anticipated that the work would 
be prosecuted to completion during the year 
1899. From Feb. 1, 1890, to Dec. 31, 1898, the 
net receipts of the Board for the prosecution of 
the work aggregated §28,257,707, while the net 
expenditures had amounted to 828,221 864.57. Of 
the latter, 820,099,284.67 was charged to construc- 
tion account, §3,156,903.12 to "land account" 
(including right of way), and 81,222,092.82 to the 
cost of maintaining the engineering department. 
When finished, the cost will reach not less than 
835,000,000. These figures indicate the stupen- 
dous character of the work, which bids fair to 
stand without a rival of its kind in modern 
engineering and in the results it is expected to 
achieve. 

CHICAGO GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY. 
The total mileage of this line, June 30, 1898, was 
1,008 miles, of which 152.52 miles are operated 
and owned in Illinois. The line in this State 
extends west from Chicago to East Dubuque, the 
extreme terminal points being Chicago and 
Minneapolis in the Northwest, and Kansas City 
in the Southwest. It has several branches in lUi 
nois, Iowa and Minnesota, and trackage arrange- 
ments with several lines, the most important 
being with the St. Paul & Northern Pacific (10. .56 
miles), completing the connection between St. 
Paul and Minneapolis; with the Illinois Central 
from East Dubuque to Portage (12.23 miles), and 
with the Chicago & Northern Pacific from Forest 
Home to the Grand Central Station in Chicago. 
The company's own track is single, of standard 
gauge, laid with sixty and seventy-five-pound 
steel rails. Grades and curvature are light, and 
the equipment well maintained. The outstand- 
ing capital stock (1898) was 852,019,054; total 
capitalization, including stock, bonds and miscel- 
laneous indebtedness, 857,144,245. (History). The 
road was chartered, Jan. 5, 1892, under the laws 
of Illinois, for the purpose of reorganization of 




VIEWS OF DRAINAGE CANAL. 




VIEWS OF DRAINAGE CANAL. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



97 



the Chicago, St. Paul & Kansas City Railway 
Conipaoy on a stock basis. During 1895, the 
De Kalb & Great Western RailroaJ (.'i.Sl miles) 
was built from De Kalb to Sycamore as a feeder 
of this line. 

CHICAGO, HARLEM & BATAVIA RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Chicago <t Xortheni Pacific Rail- 
road. ) 

CHICAGO, HAVANA & WESTERN RAIL- 
ROAD. (See niiiiuis Central Railroad. ) 

CHICAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY, organized, 
April 04, 18.jO, for the purposes of (1) establishing 
a library and a cabinet of antiquities, relics, etc. ; 
(2) the collection and preservation of historical 
manuscripts, documents, papers and tracts; (3) 
the encouragement of the discovery and investi- 
gation of aboriginal remains, particularly in Illi- 
nois; (4) the collection of material illustrating 
the growtli and settlement of Chicago. By 1871 
the Society had accumulated much valuable 
material, but the entire collection was destroyed 
in the great Chicago fire of that year, among tlie 
manuscripts consumed being the original draft 
of the emancipation proclamation by Abraham 
Lincoln. The nucleus of a second collection was 
consumed by fire in 1874. Its loss in this second 
conflagration included many valuable manu- 
scripts. In 1877 a temporar}- building was 
erected, which was torn down in 1892 to make 
room for the erection, on the same lot, of a 
thoroughly fire-proof structure of granite, 
planned after the most approved modern systems. 
The new building was erected and dedicated 
under the direction of its late President, Ed- 
ward G. Mason, Esq., Dec. 12, 1896. The Society's 
third collection now embraces about twenty-five 
thousand volumes and nearh- fifty thousand 
pamphlets; seventy-five portraits in oils, with 
other works of art: a valuable collection of 
manuscript documents, and a large museum of 
local and miscellaneous antiquities. Mr. Charles 
Evans is Secretary and Librarian. 

CHICAGO HOMCEOPATHIC MEDICAL COL- 
LE(JE, organized in 1876, with ateacliing faculty 
of nineteen and forty-five matriculates. Its first 
term opened October 4, of that year, in a leased 
building. By 1881 the college had outgrown its 
first quarters and a commodious, well appointed 
structure was erected by the trustees, in a more 
desirable location. The institution was among 
the first to introduce a graded course of instruc- 
tion, extending over a period of eighteen vears. 
In 1897, the matriculating class numbered over 200. 

CHICAGO HOSPITAL FOR AVOMEX AXD 
CHILDREN, located at Chicago, and founded in 



1865 by Dr. Mary Harris Thompson. Its declared 
objects are: "To aff'ord a home for women and 
children aniong the respectable poor in need of 
medical and surgical aid; to treat the same 
classes at home by an assistant physician; to 
afford a free dispensarj' for the same, and to 
train competent nurses." At the outset the 
hospital was fairly well sustained through jiri- 
vate benefactions, and, in 1870, largely through 
Dr. Thompson's efforts, a college was organized 
for the medical education of women exclusively. 
(See Northwe.'iteni University Woman's 2Iedical 
School.) The hospital building was totally 
destroyed in the great fire of 1871, but temporary 
accommodations were provided in anotlier section 
of the city. The following year, with the aid of 
$25,000 appropriated by tlie Chicago Relief and 
Aid Society, a permanent building was pur- 
cha.sed, and, in 1885, a new, commodious and well 
planned building was erected on tlie same site, at 
a cost of about .$75,000. 

CHICAGO, MADISON k NORTHERN RAIL- 
ROAD, a Hue of railway 231.3 miles in length, 140 
miles of which lie within Illinois. It is operated 
by the Illinois Central Railroad Company, and is 
known as its "Freeport Division." The par value 
of the capital stock outstanding is §50,000 and of 
bonds §2,500,000, while tlie floating debt is 
§3,620,698, making a total capitalization of 
§6,170,698, or §26,698 per mile. (See also Illinois 
Central Railroad.) This road was opened from 
Chicago to Freeport in 1888. 

CHICAGO MEDICAL COLLEGE. (See Xorth- 
u-estcni Vnircrsiti/ Medical College.) 

CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE & ST. PAUL RAIL- 
WAT, one of the great trunk lines of the North- 
west, having a total mileage (1898) of 6,153.83 
miles, of which 317.94 are in Illinois. The main 
line extends from Cliicago to Minneapolis. 420 
miles, although it has connections with Kansas 
Citj-, Omaha, Sioux City and various points in 
■Wisconsin, Iowa and the Dakotas. The Chicago, 
Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company enjoys 
the distinction of being the owner of all tlie lines 
operated by it, though it operates 245 miles of 
second tracks owned jointly with other lines. 
Tlie greater part of its track is laid with 
60, 75 and 85-lb. steel rails. The total capital 
invested (1898; is §220,005,901, distributed as 
follows: capital stock, §77.845,000; bonded debt, 
§135,285,500; other forms of indebtedness, 
§5,572,401. Its total earnings in Illinois for 
1898 were §5,205,244, and the total expendi- 
tures, §3,320,248. The total number of em- 
ployes in Illinois for 1898 was 2,293, receiving 



98 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



§1,746,827.70 in aggregate compensation. Taxes 
paid for the same year amounted to §151,285. — 
(History). Tlie Chicago, MiUvaukee &St. Paul 
Railway was organized in 18Co under the name 
of tlie Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway. The Illi- 
nois portion of the main line was huilt under a 
charter granted to the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. 
Paul Railway Company, and the Wisconsin por- 
tion under charter to the Wisconsin Union Rail- 
road Compan}-; the whole built and opened in 
1872 and purchased by the Jlilwaukee & St. Paul 
Railway Company. It subsequently acquired by 
purchase several lines in AVisconsin. the whole 
receiving the present name of the line by act of 
the Wisconsin Legislature, passed, Feb. 14, 1874. 
The Chicago & Evanston Railroad was chartered, 
Feb. 16, ISGl, built from Chicago to Calvary (10.8 
miles), and opened. May 1, 1885; was consolidated 
with the Chicago & Lake Superior Railroad, 
under the title of the Chicago, Evanston & Lake 
Superior Railroad Company, Dec. 22, 1885, opened 
to Evanston, August 1, 1886, and purchased, in 
June, 1887, by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. 
Paul Railway Company. The Road, as now 
organized, is made up of twentj'-two divisions 
located in Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, 
North and South Dakota, Missouri and Michigan. 
CHICAGO, P.\DrCAH & MEMPHIS RAIL- 
KOAD (Projected), a road chartered, Dec. 19, 
1893, to run between Altamont and 5Ietropolis, 
111., 152 miles, with a branch from Johnston City 
to Carboudale, 20 miles — total length, 172 miles. 
The gauge is standard, and the track laid with 
sixty-pound steel rails. By Feb. 1, 1895, the road 
from Altamont to Marion (100 miles) was com- 
pleted, and work on the remainder of the line has 
been in progress. It is intended to connect with 
the Wabash and the St. Louis Southern systems. 
Capital stock authorized and subscribed, 82,500,- 
000; bonds issued, §1,575,000. Funded debt, 
authorized, .?15,000 per mile in five per cent first 
mortgage gold bonds. Cost of road up to Feb. 1, 
1895, §20,000 per mile ; estimated cost of the entire 
line, §2,000.000. In December, 1896, this road 
passed into the hands of the Chicago & Eastern 
lUJnois Railroad Company, and is now operated to 
Marion, in Williamson County. (See Oncago & 
Eastern Illinois Railruad.) 

CHICAGO, PEKIN & SOriHWESTERX RAIL- 
ROAD, a division of the Chicago & Alton Rail- 
road, chartered as the Chicago &. Plainfield 
Railroad, in 1859; opened from Pekin to Streator 
in 1873, and to Mazon Bridge in 1876; sold under 
foreclosure in 1879, and now constitutes a part of 
the Chicago & Alton system. 



CHICAGO, PEORIA & ST. LOUIS RAILROAD 
COMPANY (of Illinois), a corporation operating 
two lines of railroad, one extending from Peoria 
to Jacksonville, and the other from Peoria to 
Springfield, with a connection from the latter 
place (in 1895), over a leased line, with St. Louis. 
The total mileage, as officially reported in 1895, 
was 208. 06 miles, of which 166 were owned by 
the corporation. (1) The original of the Jackson- 
ville Division of this line was the Illinois River 
Railroad, opened from Pekin to Virginia in 1859. 
In October, 18G3, it was sold under foreclosure, 
and, early in 1864, was transferred by the pur- 
chasers to a new corporation called the Peoria, 
Pekin & Jacksonville Railroad Company, by 
whom it was extended the same year to Peoria, 
and, in 1869, to Jacksonville. Another fore- 
closure, in 1879, resulted in its sale to the 
creditors, followed by consolidation, in 1881, 
with the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railwa}-. 
(2) The Springfield Division was incorporated in 
1869 as the Springfield & Northwestern Railway; 
construction was begun in 1872, and road opened 
from Springfield to Havana (45.20 miles) in 
December, 1874, and from Havana to Pekin and 
Peoria over the track of the Peoria, Pekin & 
Jacksonville line. The same year the road was 
leased to the Indianapolis, Bloomington & West- 
ern Railroad Company, but the lease was for- 
feited, in 1875, and the road placed in the hands 
of a receiver. In 1881, together with the 
Jacksonville Division, it was transferred to the 
Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway, and by 
that company operated as the Peoria & Spring- 
field Railroad. The Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific 
having defaulted and gone into the hands of a 
receiver, both the Jacksonville and the Spring- 
field Divisions were reorganized in February, 
1887, under the name of the Chicago, Peoria & 
St. Louis Railroad, and placed under control of 
the Jacksonville Southeastern Railroad. A 
reorganization of the latter took place, in 1890, 
under the name of the Jack.sonville, Louisville & 
St. Louis Railway, and, in 1^93, it passed into the 
hands of receivers, and was severed from its 
allied lines. The Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis 
Railroad remained under the management of a 
separate receiver until January, 1896, when a 
reorganization was effected under its present 
name — "The Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Rail- 
road of Illinois." The lea.se of the Springfield 
& St. Louis Division having expired in Decem- 
ber, 1895. it has also been reorganized as an 
independent corporation under the name of the 
St. Louis, Peoria & Northern Railway (which see)- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



99 



CHICAGO RIVER, a sluggish stream, draining 
a narrow strip of land between Lake Michigan 
and the Des Plaines River, the entire watershed 
drained amounting t(?some 470 square miles. It 
is formed by the union of the "North" and 
the "South Branch," which unite less than a mile 
and a half from the mouth of the main stream. 
At an early day the former was known as the 
"Guarie" and the latter as "Portage River." The 
total length of the Xorth Branch is about 20 miles, 
only a small fraction of which is navigable. The 
South Branch is shorter but offers greater facilities 
for navigation, being lined along its lower por- 
tions with grain-elevators, lumber-yards and 
manufactories. The Illinois Indians in earlj' daj's 
f<nind an easy portage between it and the Des 
Plaines River. The Chicago River, with its 
branches, separates Chicago into three divisions, 
known, respectively, as the "North" the "South" 
and the "West Divisions." Drawbridges have 
been erected at the principal street crossings 
over the river and both branches, and four 
tunnels, connecting the various divisions of the 
city, have been constructed under the river bed. 
CHICAGO, ROCK ISLAND & PACIFIC RAIL- 
WAY, formed by the consolidation of various 
lines in 1S80. The parent corporation (The 
Chicago & Rock Island Railroad) was chartered 
in Illinois in IS.")!, and the road opened from Chi- 
cago to the Mississippi River at Rock Island (181 
miles), July 10, 18.54. In 1852 a company was 
chartered under the name of the Mississippi & 
Missouri Railroad for the extension of the road 
from the Jlississiijpi to the Missouri River. The 
two roads were consolidated in 18G6 as the Chi- 
cago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, and the 
extension to the Missouri River and a junction 
with the Union Pacific completed in 1SG9. The 
Peoria & Bureau Valley Railroad (an important 
feeder from Peoria to Bureau Junction — 46.7 
miles) was incorporated in 1853, and completed 
and leased in perpetuity to the Chicago & Rock 
Island Railroad, in 1854. The St. Joseph & Iowa 
Railroad was purchased in 1889, and the Kansas 
City & Topeka Railway in 1891. The Comjiany 
has financial and traffic agreements with the 
Chicago, Rock Island & Texas Railway, extending 
from Terral Station, Indian Territory, to Fort 
Worth, Texas. Tiie road also has connections 
from Chicatjo with Peoria; St. Paul and Minne- 
apolis; Omaha and Lincoln (Neb.); Denver, Colo- 
rado "springs and Pueblo (Colo. ), besides various 
points in South Dakota, Iowa and Southwestern 
Kansas. The extent of the lines owoed and 
operated by the Company ( ' 'Poor's Manual, ' ' 1898) , 



is 3,568.15 mile.s, of which 236.51 miles are in 
Illinois, 189.52 miles being owned by the corpo- 
ration. All of the Company's owned and 
leased lines are laid with steel rails. The total 
capitalization reported for the same year was 
$116,748,211, of which 850,000,000 was in stock 
and 858,830,000 iu bonds. The t<.)tal earnings and 
income of the line in Illinois, for the year ending 
June 30. 1898, was §5,851,875, and the total 
expenses §3,401,165, of which §233,129 was in the 
form of taxes. The Company has received under 
Congressional grants 550, 194 acres of land, exclu- 
sive of State grants, of which there had been sold, 
up to March 31, 1894, 548,609 acres. 

CHICAGO, ST. PAUL & FOND DU LAC RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Cliieago & Xortliwestern Hailicay.) 
CHICAGO, ST. PAUL & KANSAS CITY RAIL- 
WAY. (See Chicago Great Western Kailu-ay.) 

CHICAGO, ST. LOUIS & PADUCAH RAIL- 
WAY, a short road, of standard gauge, laid with 
steel rails, extending from Marion to Brooklyn, 
111., 53.64 miles. It was chartered, Feb. 7, 1887, 
and opened for traffic, Jan. 1, 1889. Tlie St. 
Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Railroad Company is 
the lessee, having guaranteed principal and inter- 
est on its first mortgage bonds. Its capital stock 
is 81,000,000, and its bonded debt 82,000,000, 
making the total capitalization about §56,000 per 
mile. The cost of the road was §2,950,000; total 
incumbrance (1895), §3,016,715. 

CHICAGO TERMINAL TRANSFER RAIL- 
ROAD, the successor to the Chicago & Northern 
Pacific Railroad. The latter was organized in 
November, 1889. to acquire and lease facilities to 
other roads and transact a local business. The 
Road under its new name was chartered, June 4, 
1897, to purchase at foreclosure sale the property 
of the Chicago & Northern Pacific, soon after 
acquiring the property of the Chicago & Calumet 
Terminal Railway also. The combination gives 
it the conti'ol of 84. 53 miles of road, of which 
70.76 miles are in Illinois. The line is u.sed for 
both passenger and freight terminal purposes, 
and also a belt line just outside the city limits. 
Its principal tenants are the Chicago Great West- 
ern, the Baltimore & Ohio, the Wisconsin Central 
Lines, and the Chicago, Hammond & Western 
Railroad. The Company also has control of the 
ground on which the Grand Central Depot is 
located. Its total capitalization (1898) was $44,- 
553,044, of which $.30,000,000 was capital stock 
and §13,394,000 in the form of bonds. 

CHICAGO THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, organ- 
ized, Sept. 26, 18,54, by a convention of Congre- 
gational ministers and laymen representing seven 



100 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Western States, among wliich was Illinois. A 
special and liberal charter was granted, Feb. 15, 
1855. The Seminary has always been under 
Congregational control and supervision, its 
twenty-four trustees being elected at Triennial 
Conventions, at which are represented all the 
chiu-ches of that denomination west of the Ohio 
and east of the Rocky Mountains. The institu- 
tion was formally opened to students, Oct. 6, 
1S58, with two professors and twenty-nine 
matriculates. Since then it has steadily grown 
in both numbers and influence. Preparatory and 
linguistic schools have been added and the 
faculty (189G) includes eight professors and nine 
minor instructors. The Seminary is liberally 
endowed, its productive assets being nearly 
$1,000,000, and the value of its grounds, build- 
ings, library, etc., amounting to nearly §500,000 
more. No charge is made for tuition or room 
rent, and there are forty -two endowed scholar- 
ships, the income of which is devoted to the aid 
of needy students. The buildings, including the 
Ubrary and dormitories, are four in number, and 
are well constructed and arranged. 

CHICAGO & ALTON RAILROAD, an impor 
tant raihvay rmming in a southwesterly direc- 
tion from Chicago to St. Louis, with numerous 
branches, extending into Mis.souri, Kansas and 
Colorado. The Chicago & Alton Railroad proper 
was constructed under two charters — the first 
granted to the Alton & Sangamon Railroad Com- 
pany, in 1847, and the second to the Chicago & 
Mississippi Railroad Company, in 1852. Con- 
struction of the former was begun in 1852, and 
the Une opened from Alton to Springfield in 
1853. Under the second corporation, the line was 
opened from Springfield to Bloomington in 1854, 
and to Joliet in 1856. In 1855 a line was con- 
structed from Chicago to Joliet under the name 
of the Joliet & Chicago Railroad, and leased in 
perpetuity to the present Company, which was 
reorganized in 1857 under the name of the St. 
Louis, Alton & Chicago Railroad Company. For 
some time connection was had between Alton 
and St. Louis by steam-packet boats running in 
connection with the railroad ; but later over the 
line of the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad — 
the first railway line connecting the two cities — 
and, finally, by the Compan}''s own line, which 
was constructed in 1804, and formally ojiened 
Jan. 1, 1865. In 1861, a company with the 
present name (Chicago & Alton Railroad Com- 
pany) was organized, which, in 1862, purchased 
the St. Louis, Alton & Chicago Road at fore- 
closure sale. Several branch lines have since 



been acquired by purchase or lease, the most 
important in the State being the line from 
Bloomington to St. Louis by way of Jacksonville. 
This was chartered in 1851 ,under the name of the 
St. Louis, Jacksonville & Chicago Railroad, was 
opened for business in January, 1868, and having 
been diverted from the route upon which it was 
originally projected, was completed to Blooming- 
ton and leased to the Chicago & Alton in 1868. 
In 1884 this branch was absorbed by the main 
line. Other important branches are the Kansas 
City Branch from Roodhouse. crossing the Mis- 
sissippi at Louisiana, Mo. ; tlie "Washington 
Branch from Dwight to Washington and Lacon, 
and the Chicago & Peoria, by which entrance is 
obtained into the city of Peoria over the tracks 
of the Toledo, Peoria & Western. The whole 
number of miles operated (1898; is 843.54, of 
which 580.73 lie in Illinois. Including double 
tracks and sidings, the Company has a total 
trackage of 1,186 miles. The total capitalization, 
in 1898, was §32,793,972, of which §22,230,600 was 
in stock, and 86.094. 850 in bonds. The total 
earnings and income for the year, in Illinois, were 
§5,022,315, and the operating and other expenses, 
§4,272,207. This road, under its management as 
it existed up to 1898, has been one of the most uni- 
formly successful in the country. Dividends 
have been paid semiannually from 1863 to 1884, 
and quarterly from 1884 to 1896. For a number 
of years previous to 1897, the dividends had 
amounted to eight per cent per annum on both 
preferred and common stock, but later had been 
reduced to seven per cent on account of short 
crops along the line. The taxes paid in 1898 
were §.341.040. The surplus, June 30, 1895, 
exceeded two and three-quarter million dollars. 
The Chicago & Alton was the first line in the 
world to put into service sleeping and dining cars 
of the Pullman model, which have since been so 
widely adopted, as well as the first to run free 
reclining chair-cars for the convenience and 
comfort of its passengers. At the time the 
matter embraced in tliis volume is undergoing 
final revision (1899), negotiations are in progress 
for the purchase of this historic line by a syndi- 
cate representing the Baltimore & Ohio, the 
Missouri Pacific, the Union Pacific, and the 
Missouri, Kansas & Texas systems, in whose 
interest it will hereafter be operated. 

CHICAGO & AURORA R.4ILR0AD. (See 
Chicago, BiirlingtoH <fr Qiiincy Railroad.) 

CHICAGO & EASTERN ILLINOIS RAIL- 
RO.VD. This company operates a line 516.3 miles 
in length, of which 278 miles are within Illinois. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



101 



The main line in this State extends southerly 
from Dolton Junction (17 miles south of Chicago) 
to Danville. Entrance to the Polk Street Depot 
in Chicago is secured over the tracks of the 
Western Indiana Railroad. The company owns 
several important branch lines, as follows: From 
Momence Junction to the Indiana State Line; 
from Cissna Junction to Ci.ssna Park ; from Dan- 
ville Junction to Shelbyville, and from Sidell to 
Eossville. The system in Illinois is of standard 
gauge, about 108 miles being double track. The 
right of way is 100 feet wide and well fenced. 
The grades are light, and the construction 
(including rails, ties, ballast and bridges), is 
generally excellent. The capital stock outstand- 
ing (1895) is §13,594,400; funded debt, §18,018,000; 
floating debt, §916,381; total capital invested, 
§32,570,781; total earnings in Illinois, §2,. 592, 072; 
expenditures in the State, §2,595,631. The com- 
pan3' paid the .same year a dividend of si.x per 
cent on its common stock (§286,914), and reported 
a surplus of §1.484,762. The Chicago & Eastern 
Illinois was originally chartered in 1865 as the 
Chicago, Danville & Vincennes Railroad, its main 
line being completed in 1872. In 1873, it defaulted 
on interest, was sold under foreclosure in 1877, 
and reorganized as the Chicago & Nashville, but 
later in same year took its present name. In 
1894 it was consolidated with the Chicago & 
Indiana Coal Railway. Two spurs (5.27 miles in 
length) were added to the line in 1895. Early in 
1897 this line obtained control of the Chicago, 
Paducah & Memphis Railroad, which is now 
operated to Marion, in Williamson County. (See 
Chicago, rachieah & Memphis Railroad.) 

CHICAGO & GRAND TEUNK RAILWAT. Of 
the 335.27 miles of the Chicago & Grand Trunk 
Railroad, only 30.65 are in Illinois, and of the 
latter 9.7 miles are operated under lease. That 
poi'tion of the line within the State extends from 
Chicago easterly to the Indiana State line. The 
Company is also lessee of the Grand Junction 
Railroad, four miles in length. The Road is 
capitalized at §6,600,000, has a bonded debt of 
§13,000,001) and a floatingdebt (1895) of §2,271,425, 
making the total capital invested, $20,871,425. 
The total earnings In Illinois for 1895 amounted 
to §600,393; disbursements within the State for 
the same pei'iod, §345,233. The Chicago & Grand 
Trunk Railway, as now constituted, is a consoli- 
dation of various lines between Port Huron, 
Mich., and Chicago, operated in the interest of 
the Grand Trunk Railway of Canada. The Illi- 
nois section was built under a charter granted in 
1878 to the Chicago & State Line Railway Com- 



pany, to form a connection with Valparaiso, Ind. 
This corporation acquired the Chicago & South- 
ern Railroad (from Chicago to Dolton), and the 
Chicago & State Line Extension in Indiana, all 
being consolidated under the name of the North- 
western Grand Trunk Railroad. In 1880, a final 
consolidation of these lines with the eastward 
connections took place under the present name — 
the Chicago & Grand Trunk Railway. 

CHICAGO & GREAT EASTERN RAILWAY. 
(See Pittsburg, Cincinyiati, Chicago & St. Louis 
Railway.) 

CHICAGO & GREAT SOUTHERN RAILROAD. 
(See Peoria, Decatur & Evansfillc Raihcay.) 

CHICAGO & ILLINOIS SOUTHERN RAIL- 
WAY. (See Peoria, Decatur <fc Evansville Rail- 
zvay. ) 

CHICAGO & MISSISSIPPI RAILROAD. (See 
Chicago & Alton Railroad.) 

CHICAGO & NASHVILLE RAILROAD. (See 
Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad.) 

CHICAGO & NORTHERN PACIFIC RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Chicago Terminal Transfer Rail- 
road. ) 

CHICAGO & NORTHWESTERN RAILWAY, 
one of the great trunk lines of the countrj', pene- 
trating the States of Illinois, Wisconsin, Michi- 
gan, Iowa, Minnesota and North and South 
Dakota. The total length of its main line, 
branches, proprietary and operated lines, on May 
1, 1899, was 5,076.89 miles, of which 594 miles are 
operated in Illinois, all owned by the company. 
Second and side tracks increase the mileage 
to a total of 7,217.91 miles. The Chicago & 
Northwestern Railway (proper) is operated in 
nine separate divisions, as follows; The Wis- 
consin, Galena, Iowa, Northern Iowa, Madison, 
Peninsula, Winona and St. Peter, Dakota and 
Ashland Divisions The principal or main lines 
of the "Northwestern System,"' in its entirety, 
are those which have Chicago, Omaha, St. Paul 
and Minneapolis for their termini, though their 
branches reach numerous important points 
within the States already named, from the shore 
of Lake Michigan on the east to Wyoming on tlie 
west, and from Kansas on the south to Lake 
Superior on the north. — (History.) Tlio Chi- 
cago & Northwestern Railway Company was 
organized in 1859 under charters granted by the 
Legislatures of Illinois and Wisconsin during 
that year, under which the new company came 
into possession of the rights and franchises of the 
Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac Railroad Com- 
pany. The latter road was the outgrowth of 
various railway enterprises which had been pro- 



102 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



jected, chartered and partly constructed in Wis- 
consin and Illinois, between 1848 and 1855, 
including the Madison & Beloit Railroad, the 
Rock River Valley Union Railroad, and the Illi- 
nois & Wisconsin Railroad — the last named com- 
pany being chartered by the Illinois Legislature 
in 1851, and authorized to build a railroad from 
Chicago to the Wisconsin line. Tlie Wisconsin 
Legislature of 1855 authorized tlie consolidation 
of the Rock River Valley Union Railroad with the 
Illinois enterprise, and, in March, 1855, the con- 
solidation of these lines was perfected under the 
name of the Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac 
Railroad. During the first four years of its exist- 
ence this company built 176 miles of the road, of 
wliich seventy miles were between Chicago and 
the Wisconsin .State line, with the sections con- 
structed in Wisconsin completing the connection 
between Chicago and Fond du Lac. As the result 
of the financial revulsion of 1857, the corporation 
became financially embarrassed, and the sale of its 
property and franchises under the foreclosure of 
1859, already alluded to, followed. This marked 
the beginning of the ijresent corporation, and, in 
the next few years, by the construction of new 
lines and tlie purchase of others in Wisconsin and 
Northern Illinois, it added largely to the extent 
of its lines, both constructed and projected. The 
most important of these was the union effected 
with the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad, 
which was formally consolidated with the Chi- 
cago & Northwestern in 18(54. The history of 
the Galena & Cliicago Union is interesting in 
view of the fact that it was one of the earliest 
railroads incorporated in Illinois, liaving been 
chartered by special act of the Legislature during 
the "internal improvement" excitement of 1830. 
Besides, its charter was the only one of that 
period under which an organization was effected, 
and although construction was not begun under 
it until 1847 (eleven years afterward), it was the 
second railroad constructed in the State and the 
first leading from tlie city of Chicago. In tlie 
forty years of its history the growth of the Chi- 
cago & Northwestern has been steady, and its 
succe.ss almost phenomenal. In that time it has 
not only added largely to its mileage by the con- 
struction of new lines, but has absorbed more 
lines than almost any other road in the country, 
until it now reaches almost every important city 
in the Northwest. Among the lines in Northern 
Illinois now constituting a part of it. were several 
which had become a part of the Galena & Chicago 
Union before the consolidation. These included 
a line from Belvidere to Beloit, Wis. ; the Fox 



River Valley Railroad, and the St. Charles & 
Mississippi Air Line Railroad — all Illinois enter- 
prises, and more or less closely connected with 
the development of the State. Tlie total capi- 
talization of the line, on June 30, 1898, was 
8200,968,108, of which .?66,408,821 was capir 
tal stock and §101,603,000 in the form of 
bonds. The earnings in the State of Illinois, 
for the same period, aggregated .§4,374,933, 
and the expenditures .83,713,593. At the present 
time (1899) the Chicago & Northwestern is build- 
ing eight or ten branch lines in Wisconsin, Iowa, 
Minnesota and South Dakota. The Northwestern 
System, as such, comprises nearly 3,000 miles of 
road not included in the preceding statements of 
mileage and financial condition. Although owned 
by the Chicago & Northwestern Company, they 
are managed by different officers and under other 
names. The mileage of the whole system covers 
nearly 8,000 miles of main line. 

CHICAGO & SPRINGFIELD RAILROAD. 
(See Illinois Central Railroad.) 

CHICAGO & TEXAS RAILROAD, a line 
seventy-three miles in length, extending from 
Johnston City by way of Carbondale westerly to 
the Mississippi, thence southerly to Cape Girar- 
deau. The line was originally operated by two 
companies, under tlie names of the Grand Tower 
& Carbondale and the Grand Tower & Cape Girar- 
deau Railroad Companies. The former was 
chartered in 1883, and the road built in 1885 ; the 
latter, chartered in 1889 and the line opened the 
same year. They were consolidated in 1893, and 
operated under the name of the Chicago & Texas 
Railroad Company. In October, 1897, the last 
named line was transferred, under a twenty-five 
year lease, to the Illinois Central Railroad Com- 
pan}', by whom it is operated as its St. Louis & 
Cape Gir.ardeau division. 

CHICAGO & WESTERN INDIANA RAIL- 
ROAD. The main line of this road extends from 
Chicago to Dolton, 111. (17 miles), and affords ter- 
minal facilities for all lines entering the Polk St. 
Depot at Chicago. It has brandies to Hammond, 
Ind. (10.38 miles); to Cragin (15.9 miles;, and to 
South Chicago (5.41 miles) ; making the direct 
mileage of its branches 48. ,59 miles. In addition, 
its second, third and fourth tracks and sidings 
increase the mileage to 204.79 miles. The com- 
pany was organized June 9, 1879 ; the road opened 
in 1880, and, on Jan. 36, 1882, consolidated with 
the Soutli Chicago & Western Indiana Railroad 
Company, and tlie Chicago & Western Indiana 
Belt Railway. It also owns some 850 acres in fee 
in Chicago, including wharf property on the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



103 



Chicago River, right of way, switch and transfer 
j-ards, depots, the Indiana grain elevator, etc. 
The elevator and the Belt Division are leased to 
the Belt Railway Company of Chicago, and the 
rest of the property is leased conjointly by the 
Chicago & Eastern Illinois, the Chicago & Grand 
Trunk, the Chicago & Erie, the Louisville, New 
Albany & Chicago, and the Wabash Railways 
(each of which owns §1,000,000 of the capital 
stock), and by the Atchison. Topeka & Santa Fe. 
These companies pay the expense of operation 
and maintenance on a mileage basis. 

CHICAGO Hi WISCONSIN RAILRO.VD. (.See 
IViscuitsin Central Lines.) 

CHILDS, Robert A., was born at Malone, 
FrankUn County, N. Y., March 23, 18-4.5, the son 
of an itinerant Methodist preacher, who settled 
near Belvidere, Boone County, 111., in 18.52. His 
home having been broken up by the death of his 
mother, in 18.54. he went to live upon a farm. In 
April, 1861, at the age of 16 years, he enlisted in 
the company of Captain (afterwards General) 
Stephen A. Hurlbut, which was later attached to 
the Fifteenth Illinois Volunteers. After being 
mustered out at the close of the war, he entered 
school, and graduated from the Illinois State 
Normal University in 1870. For the following three 
years he was Principal and Superintendent of 
public schools at Amboy, Lee County, meanwhile 
studying law, and being admitted to tlie bar. In 
18T3, he began the practice of his profession at 
Chicago, making his home at Hinsdale. After 
filling various local offices, in 1884 he was 
chosen Presidential Elector on the Republican 
ticket, and, in 1893, was elected by the narrow 
majority of thirty-seven votes to represent the 
Eighth Illinois District in the Fifty-third Con- 
gress, as a Republican. 

CHILLICOTHE, a city in Peoria County, situ- 
ated on the Illinois River, at the head of Peoria 
Lake; is 19 miles nortliwest of Peoria, on the 
Peoria brancli of the Chicago, Rock Island & 
Pacific Railroad, and the freight division of the 
Atkinson, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad. It is an 
important sliipping-point for grain; has a can- 
ning factory, a button factory, two banks, five 
churches, a high school, and two weekly news- 
papers. Population (1890), 1,633; (1900), 1,(199. 

CHINIQUY, (Rev.) Charles, clergyman and 
reformer, was born in Canada, .July 30, 1809, of 
mi.xed French and Spanish blood, and educated 
for the Romish priesthood at the Seminar}' of St, 
Nicholet, where he remained ten years, gaining,a 
reputation among his fellow students for extraor- 
dinary zeal and piety. Having been ordained 



to the priesthood in 1833, he labored in various 
churches in Canada until 18.51, when he accepted 
an invitation to Illinois with a view to building 
up the church in the Mississippi Valley. Locat- 
ing at the junction of the Kankakee and Iroquois 
Rivers, in Kankakee Count}-, he was the means 
of bringing to that vicinity a colony of some 
5,000 French Canadians, followed by colonists 
from France, Belgium and other European 
countries. It has been estimated that over 
.50,000 of this class of emigrants were settled in 
Illinois within a few years. The colony em- 
braced a territory of some 40 square miles, with 
the village of St. Ann's as the center. Here 
Father Chiniquy began his labors by erecting 
churches and schools for the colonists. He soon 
became dissatisfied with what he believed to be 
the exercise of arbitrary authority by the ruling 
Bishop, then began to have doubts on the question 
of papal infallibility, the final result being a 
determination to separate himself from the 
Mother Church. In this step he appears to have 
been followed by a large proportion of the colo- 
nists who had accompanied him from Canada, but 
the result was a feeling of intense bitterness 
between the opposing factious, leading to much 
litigation and many criminal prosecutions, of 
which Father Chiniquy was the subject, though 
never convicted. In one of these suits, in which 
the Father was accused of an infamous crime, 
Abraham Lincoln was counsel for the defense, 
the charge being proven to be the outgrowth of 
a conspiracy. Having finally determined to 
espouse the cause of Protestantism, Father 
Chiniquy allied himself with the Canadian Pres- 
bytery, and for many years of his active clerical 
life, divided his time between Canada and the 
United States, having supervision of churches in 
Montreal and Ottawa, as well as in this country. 
He also more than once visited Europe by special 
invitation to address important religious bodies 
in that country. He died at Montreal, Canada, 
Jan. 16, 1899, in the 90th year of his age. 

CHOUART, Mcdard, (known also as Sieur des 
GroseiUiers), an early French explorer, supposed 
to have been born at Touraine, France, about 
1631. Coming to New France in early youth, he 
made a voyage of discovery with his brother-in- 
law, Radisson, westward from Quebec, about 
16o4-.56, these two being believed to have been 
the first white men to reach Lake Superior. 
After spending the winter of 16.58-.59 at La 
Pointe, near where Ashland, Wis., now stands, 
they are believed bj' some to have discovered the 
Upper Mississippi and to have descended that 



104 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



stream a long distance towards its mouth, as 
tliey claimed to have readied a mucli milder 
climate and heard of Spanish ships on tlie salt 
water (Gulf of Mexico). Some antiquarians 
credit them, about this time (1659), with having 
visited the present site of the city of Chicago. 
They were the first explorers of Northwestern 
Wisconsin and Minnesota, and are also credited 
witli having been the first to discover an inland 
route to Hudson's Bay, and with being tlie 
founders of the original Hudson's Bay Company. 
Groseillier's later history is unknown, but he 
ranks among the most intrepid explorers of the 
"New World" about the middle of the seventli 
century. 

CHRISMAN, a city of Edgar County, at the 
intersection of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chi- 
cago & St. Louis and the Cincinnati, Hamilton & 
Dayton Railroads, 24 miles south of DanviUe ; has 
a pipe-wrench factory, grain elevators, and 
storage cribs. Population (1890), 820; (1900), 905. 

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, a rich agricultural 
county, lying in the "central belt," and organized 
in 1839 from parts of Macon, Montgomery, 
Sangamon and Shelby Counties. The name first 
given to it was Dane, in honor of Nathan Dane, 
one of tlie framers of the Ordinance of 1787, but 
a political prejudice led to a change. A pre- 
ponderance of early settlers having come from 
Christian Count}', Ky., this name was finally 
adopted. The surface is level and the soil fertile, 
the northern half of the county being best 
adapted to corn and the southern to wheat. Its 
area is about 710 square miles, and its population 
(1900), was 32,790. The life of the early settlers 
was exceedingly primitive. Game was abun- 
dant; wild honey was used as a substitute for 
sugar; wolves were troublesome; prairie fires 
were frequent; the first mill (on Bear Creek) 
could not grind more than ten bushels of grain 
per day, by horse-power. The people hauled their 
corn to St. Louis to exchange for groceries. The 
first store was opened at Robertson's Point, but 
the county-seat was established at Taylorville. A 
great change was wrought in local conditions by 
the advent of the Illinois Central Railway, which 
passes through tlie eastern part of the county. 
Two other railroads now pass centrally tlirougli 
the county— the "Wabash" and tlie Baltimore & 
Ohio Southwestern. The principal towns are 
Taylorville (a railroad center and tliriving town 
of 2,829 inhabitants), Pana, Morrisonville, Edin- 
burg, and Assumption. 

CnrUCH, Lawrence S., lawyer and legislator, 
was born at Xunda, N. Y. , in 1820; passed his 



youth on a farm, but having a fondness for study, 
at an early age began teaching in winter with a 
view to earning means to prosecute his studies in 
law. In 1843 he arrived at McHenry, then the 
county-seat of McHenry County, 111., having 
walked a part of the way from New York, paying 
a portion of his expenses by the delivery of lec- 
tures. He soon after visited Springfield, and 
having been examined before Judge S. H. Treat, 
was admitted to the bar. On the removal of the 
county-seat from McHenry to Woodstock, he 
removed to the latter place, where he continued 
to reside to the end of his life. A member of the 
Whig party up to 1856, he was that year elected 
as a Republican Representative in the Twentieth 
General Assembly, serving by re-election in the 
Twenty-first and Twenty-second; in 1860, was 
supported for the nomination for Congress in the 
Northwestern District, but was defeated by Hon. 
E. B. Washburne ; in 1862, aided in the organiza- 
tion of the Ninety-fifth Illinois Volunteers, and 
was commissioned its Colonel, but was compelled 
to resign before reaching the field on account of 
failing health. In 1866 he was elected County 
Judge of McHenry County, to fill a vacancy, and, 
in 1869 to the Constitutional Convention of 1869-70. 
Died, July 23, 1870. Judge Church was a man of 
high principle and a speaker of decided abilit}'. 

CHURCH, Selden Marvin, capitalist, was born 
at East Haddam, Conn., March 4, 1804; taken by 
his father to Monroe County, N. Y., in boyliood, 
and grew up on a farm there, but at the age of 
21, went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he engaged 
in teacliing, being one of the earlie.st teaoliers in 
the public schools of that city. Then, having 
spent some time in mercantile pursuits in Roches- 
ter, N. Y., in 1835 he removed to Illinois, first 
locating at Geneva, but the following year 
removed to Rockford, where he continued to 
reside for the remainder of his life. In 1841, he 
was appointed Postmaster of the city of Rock- 
ford by the first President Harrison, remaining 
in office three years. Other offices held by him 
were those of County Clerk (1843-47), Delegate to 
the Second Constitutional Convention (1847), 
Judge of Probate (1849-57), Representative in 
the Twenty -third General Assembly (1863-65), 
and member of the first Board of Public Charities 
by appointment of Governor Palmer, in 1869, 
being re-appointed by Governor Beveridgo. in 
1873, and, for a part of the time, serving as Presi- 
dent of the Board. He also served, by appoint- 
ment of the Secretary of War, as one of the 
Commissioners to assess damages for the Govern- 
ment improvements at Rock Island and to locate 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



105 



tlie Government briil^e between Rock Island and 
Davenport. During tlie latter j-ears of his life he 
was President for some time of the Rockford 
Insurance Company ; was also one of the origina- 
tors, and, for many years, Managing Director of 
the Rockford Water Power Compan}-, which has 
done so much to promote the prosperity of that 
city, and, at the time of his death, was one of the 
Directors of the Winnebago National Bank. Died 
at Rockford, June 23, 180y. 

CHURCHILL, (Jeorg'e, early printer and legis- 
lator, was born at Hubbardtown, Rutland 
County, Vt., Oct. 11, 1789; received a good edu- 
cation in his j-outh, thus imbibing a taste for 
literature which led to his learning the printer's 
trade. In 180G he became an apprentice in the 
office of the Albany (N. Y.) "Sentinel," and, 
after serving his tinre, worked as a journeyman 
printer, thereby accumulating means to purchase 
a half-interest in a small printing office. Selling 
this out at a loss, a year or two later, he went to 
New York, and, after working at the case some 
five months, started for the West, stopping en 
route at Philadelphia, Pittsburg and Louisville. 
In the latter place he worked for a time in the 
office of "The Courier," and still later in that of 
"The Correspondent," then owned liy Col. Elijah 
C. Berry, who subsequently came to Illinois and 
served as Auditor of Public Accounts. In 1817 
he arrived in St. Louis, but, attracted by the fer- 
tile soil of Illinois, determined to engage in agri- 
cultural piirsuits, finally purchasing land some 
si.K miles southeast of Edwardsville. in JIadison 
County, where he continued to reside the re- 
mainder of his life. In order to raise means to 
improve his farm, in the spring of 1819 he 
worked as a compositor in the office of "The 
Jlissouri Gazette"— the predecessor of "The St. 
Louis Republic." While there he wrote a series 
of articles over the signature of "A Farmer of St. 
Charles County," advocating the admission of 
the State of Missouri into the Union without 
slaveiy, which caused considerablfe excitement 
among the friends of that institution. During 
the same j-ear he aided Hooper Warren in 
estalilishing his paper, "The Spectator," at 
Edwardsville, and, still later, became a frecjuent 
contributor to its columns, especially during the 
campaign of 1822-34, which resulted, in the latter 
year, in the defeat of the attempt to plant slavery 
in Illinois. In 1822 he was elected Represent- 
ative in the Third General Assembly, serving in 
that body by .successive re-elections until 1832. 
His re-election for a second term, in 1824, demon- 
strated that his vote at the preceding session, in 



ojjposition to the scheme for a State Convention 
to revise the State Constitution in the interest of 
slavery, was approved by his constituents. In 
1838, he was elected to the State Senate, serving 
four }'ears, and, in 1844, was again elected to the 
House — in all serving a period in both Houses of 
.si.xteen years. Mr. Churchill was never married. 
He was an industrious and systematic collector of 
historical records, and, at the time of his death in 
the summer of 1872, left a mass of documents and 
other historical material of great value. (See 
Slavery and Slave Laws; Warren, Hooper, and 
Coles, Edicard.) 

CLARK (Gen.) George Rogers, soldier, was 
born near Monticello, Albemarle County, Va., 
Nov. 19, 1752. In his younger life he was a 
farmer and surveyor on the upper Ohio. His 
first e-xperience in Indian fighting was under 
Governor Dunmore, against the Shawnees (1774). 
In 177.5 he went as a survej'or to Kentucky, and 
the British having incited the Indians against 
the Americans in the following year, he was 
commissioned a Major of militia. He soon rose 
to a Colonelcy, and attained marked distinction. 
Later he was commissioned Brigadier-General, 
and planned an expedition against the British 
fort at Detroit, which was not successful. In 
the latter part of 1777, in consultation with Gov. 
Patrick Henry, of Virginia, he planned an expe- 
dition against Illinois, which was carried out 
the following year. On July 4, 1778, he captured 
Kaskaskia without firing a gun, and other 
French villages surrendered at discretion. The 
following February he set out from Kaskaskia to 
cross the "Illinois Country" for the purpose of 
recapturing Vincennes, which had been taken and 
was garrisoned by the British under Hamilton. 
After a forced march characterized by incredible 
suff'ering, his ragged followers effected the cap- 
ture of the post. His last important military 
service was against the savages on the Big 
Miami, whose villages and fields he laid waste. 
His last years were passed in sorrow and in com- 
parative penury. He died at Louisville, Ky., 
Feb. 18, 1818, and his remains, after reposing in a 
private cemetery near that city for half a cen- 
tury, were exhumed and removed to Cave Hill 
Cetnetery in 18G9. The fullest history of General 
Clark's expedition and his life will be found in 
the "Conquest of the Country Northwest of the 
Ohio River, 1774-1783, and Life of Gen. George 
Rogers Clark" (2 volumes, 180n), by the late 
William H. Englisli, of Indianapolis. 

CL.VRK, Horace S., lawyer and politician, was 
born at Huntsburg, Ohio, August 12, 1840. At 



106 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



the age of 15, coming to Chicago, lie found 
employment in a livery stable ; later, worked on 
a farm in Kane County, attending school in the 
winter. After a year spent in Iowa City attend- 
ing the Iowa State University, lie returned to 
Kane County and engaged in the dairy business, 
later occupying himself witli various occupations 
in Illinois and Missouri, but fiuallj- returning to 
his Ohio home, where he began the study of law 
at Circleville. In 1801 he enlisted in an Ohio 
regiment, rising from the ranks to a captainc}', 
but was finally compelled to leave the service in 
consequence of a wound received at Gettysburg. 
In 18G5 he settled at Ulattoon, 111., where he was 
admitted to the bar in 1808. In 1870 he was an 
unsuccesstul candidate for the Legislature on the 
Republican ticket, but was elected State Senator 
in 1880, serving four years and proving himself 
one of the ablest speakers on the floor. In 1888 
he was chosen a delegate-at-large to the National 
Republican Convention, and has long been a con- 
sjiicuous figure in State jiolitics. In 1896 he was 
a prominent candidate for the Republican nomi- 
nation for Governor. 

CLARK, John M., civil engineer and merchant, 
was born at Wliite Pigeon, Mich., August 1, 1830; 
came to Chicago with his widowed mother in 
1847, and, after five years in the Chicago schools, 
served for a time (1852) as a rodman on the Illi- 
nois Central Railroad. After a course in the 
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at Troy, N. Y., 
where he graduated in 18.j6, he returned to the 
service of the Illinois Central. In 1859 he went to 
Colorado, where he was one of the original 
founders of the city of Denver, and chief engi- 
neer of its first water supply company. In 1863 
he started on a survej-ing expedition to Arizona, 
but was in Santa Fe when that place was captured 
by a rebel expedition from Texas; was also 
present soon after at the battle of Apache Canon, 
when the Confederates, being defeated, were 
driven out of the Territory. Returning to Chi- 
cago in 1804, lie became a member of the whole- 
sale leather firm of Gra.y, Clark & Co. The 
official positions held by Mr. Clark include those 
of Alderman (1S79-81), Member of the Board of 
Education, Collector of Customs, to which he 
was appointed by President Harrison, in 1889, 
and President of the Chicago Civil Service Board 
by appointment of Mayor Swift, under an act 
passed by the Legislature of 1895, retiring in 1897. 
In 1881 he was the Republican candidate for Mayor 
of Chicago, but was defeated by Carter H. Harri- 
son. Mr. Clark is one of the Directors of the Crerar 
Library, named in the wiU of Mr. Crerar. 



CLARK COUXTT, one of the eastern counties 
of the State, south of the middle line and front- 
ing upon the Wabash River; area, 510 square 
miles, and population (1900), 24,033; named for 
Col. George Rogers Clark. Its organization was 
effected in 1819. Among the earliest pioneers 
were John Bartlett, Abraham AVasliburn, James 
Whitlock, James B. Anderson, Stephen Archer 
and Uri Manly. The county-seat is Marshall, the 
site of which was purchased from the Govern- 
ment in 1833 bj' Gov. Josepli Duncan and Col. 
William B. Archer, the latter becoming sole pro- 
prietor in 1835, in which year the fir,st log cabin 
was built. The original county-seat was Darwin, 
and the change to IMarshall (in 1849) was made 
only after a hard struggle. The soil of the 
county is rich, and its agricultural products 
varied, embracing corn (the chief staple), oats, 
potatoes, winter wheat, butter, sorghum, honey, 
maple sugar, wool and pork. Woolen, flouring 
and lumber mills exist, but the manufacturing 
interests are not extensive. Among the promi- 
nent towns, besides Marshall and Darwin, are 
Ca.sey (population 844), Martinsville (779), West- 
field (510), and York (294). 

CLAY, Porter, clergyman and brother of the 
celebrated Henry Clay, was born in Virginia, 
JIarch, 1779; in earl}' life removed to Kentucky, 
studied law, and was, for a time, Auditor of 
Public Accounts in that State; in 1815, was con- 
verted and gave himself to the Baptist ministiy, 
locating at Jacksonville, 111., where he spent 
most of his life. Died, in 1850. 

CLAY CITY, a village of Clay County, on the 
Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railroad, 12 
miles west of Olney ; has one newspaper, a bank, 
and is in a grain and fruit-growing region. 
Population (1890), 612; (1900), 907; (1903), 1,030. 

CLAY COU>'T\% situated in the southeastern 
ipiarter of the State; has an area of 470 square 
miles and a population (1900) of 19,553. It was 
named for Henry Clay. The first claim in the 
count}' was entered by a Mr. Elliot, in 1818, and 
soon after settlers began to locate homes in the 
county, although it was not organized until 1824. 
During the same year the pioneer settlement of 
Maysville was made the couuty-seat, but immi- 
gration continvied inactive until 1837, when 
many settlers arrived, headed by Judges Apper- 
son and Hopkins and Messrs. Stanford and Lee, 
who were soon followed by the families of Coch- 
ran, McCullom and Tender. The Little Wabash 
River and a number of small tributaries drain 
the county. A light-colored sandy loam consti- 
tutes the greater part of the soil, although "black 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



107 



praiiie loam" appears liere and tliere. Railroad 
facilities are limited, but sufficient to accommo- 
date the county's requirements. Fruits, 
especially apples, are successfully cultivated. 
Educational advantages are fair, although largely 
confined to district schools and academies in 
larger towns. Louisville was made the county- 
seat in 1842, and, in lfS9(l, had a pojjulation of 
637. Xenia and Flora are the most important 
towns. 

CLAYTON, a town in Adams County, on the 
Wabash Railway, 28 miles east-northeast of 
Quinc}-. A branch of the Wabash Railway ex- 
tends from this point nortliwest to Carthage, 111., 
and Keokuk, Iowa, and another branch to 
Quincy. 111. The industries include flour and feed 
mills, machine and raih-oad repair shops, grain 
elevator, cigar and harness factories. It has a 
bank, four churches, a high scliool. and a weekly 
newspaper. Population (1890), 1,038; (,1900), 996. 

CLEATEE, William, pioneer, was born in Lon- 
don, England, in 1815; came to Canada with his 
parents in 1831, and to Chicago in 1834; engaged 
in Inisiness as a chandler, later going into the 
grocery ti-ade; in 1849, joined the gold-.seekers in 
California, and, six years afterwards, established 
himself in the southern part of tlie present city 
of Chicago, then called Cleaverville, where he 
served as Postmaster and managed a general 
store. He was the owner of considerable real 
estate at one time in what is now a densely 
populated part of the city of Chicago. Died in 
Chicago, Nov. 13, 1896. 

CLEMENTS, Isaac, ex-Congressman and Gov; 
ernor of Soldiers" and Sailors" Home at Danville, 
111., was born in Franklin Count}', lud., in 1837; 
graduated from Asbury University, at Green- 
castle, in 18.59, having suj^ported himself during 
his college course by teaching. After reading 
law and being admitted to the bar at Greencastle, 
lie removed to Carbondale, 111., where he again 
found it necessary to resort to teaching in order 
to jiurchase law-books. In July, 18G1, he enlisted 
in the Ninth Illinois Infantr}-, and was commis- 
sioned Second Lieutenant of Company G. He 
was in the service for three years, was three 
times wounded and twice promoted "for meri- 
torious service. 'i In June, 1807, he was ap- 
pointed Register in Bankruptcy, and from 1873 
to 1875 was a Republican Representative in the 
Forty-third Congress from the (then) Eighteenth 
District. He was also a member of the Repub- 
lican State Convention of 1880. In 1889, lie 
became Pension Agent for the District of Illinois, 
by appointment of President Harrison, serving 



until 1893. In the latter part of 1898, he was 
appointed Superintendent of the Soldiers' 
Orphans" Home, at Normal, but served only a 
few months, when he accepted the position of 
Governor of the new Soldiers' and Sailors' Home, 
at Danville. 

CLEVELAND, CINCINNATI, CHICAGO & ST. 
LOUIS RAILWAY. The total length of this sys- 
tem (1898) is 1,807.34 miles, of which 478.39 miles 
are operated in Illinois. That portion of the main 
line lying within the State extends from East St. 
Louis, northeast to the Indiana State line, 181 
miles. The Company is also the lessee of the 
Peoria & Eastern Railroad (132 miles), and oper- 
ates, in addition, other lines, as follows: The 
Cairo Division, extending from Tilton, on the 
line of the Wabash, 3 miles southwest of Dan- 
ville, to Cairo (2.59 miles) ■ the Chicago Division, 
extending from Kankakee southeast to the 
Indiana State line (34 miles) ; the Alton Branch, 
from Wann Junction, on the main line, to Alton 
(4 miles). Besides these, it enjoys with the Chi- 
cago, Burlington & Quinc}' Railroad, joint owner- 
ship of the Kankakee & Seneca Railroad, which 
it operates. The sy.stem is uniformly of standard 
gauge, and about 280 miles are of double track. 
It is laid with heavy steel rails (sixty-tive, .sixt.y- 
seven and eighty pounds), laid on white oak ties, 
and is amply ballasted with broken stone and 
gravel. Extensive repair shops are located at 
JIattoon. The total capital of the entire system 
on June 30, 1898— including capital stock and 
bonded and floating debt — was $97,149,361. The 
total earnings in Illinois for the year were 
83,773,193, and the total expenditures in the State 
§3,611,437. The taxes paid the same year were 
$124,190. The history of this .syfitem, so far as 
Illinois is concerned, begins with the consolida- 
tion, in 1889, of the Cincinnati, Indianapolis, St. 
Louis & Chicago, the Cleveland, Columbus, Cin- 
cinnati & Indianapolis, and the Indianajwlis & 
St. Louis Railway Companies. In 1890, certain 
leased lines in Illinois (elsewhere mentioned) 
were merged into the system. (For history of 
the several divisions of this system, see St. Louis, 
Alton & Terre Haute, Peoria & Eaufern, Cairo 
& Vincennes, and Kankakee & Seneca Railroads.) 

CLIMATOLOGY. Extending, as it does, through 
six degrees of latitude, Illinois affords a great 
diversity of climate, as regards not only the 
range of temperature, but also the amount of 
rainfall. In both particulars it exhibits several 
])oints of contrast to States lying between tlie 
same jiarallels of latitude, but nearer the Atlan- 
tic. The same statement applies, as well, to all 



108 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



the North Central and the Western States. 
Warm winds from the Gulf of Mexico come up 
the Mississippi Valle}-, and impart to vegetation 
in the southern portion of the State, a stimulat- 
ing influence which is not felt upon the seaboard. 
On the other hand, there is no great barrier to 
the descent of the Arctic winds, which, in 
winter, sweep down toward the Gulf, depressing 
the temperature to a point lower than is custom- 
ary nearer the seaboard on the same latitude. 
Lake Michigan exerts no little influence upon the 
climate of Cliicago and other adjacent districts, 
mitigating both summer heat and winter cold. 
If a comparison be instituted between Ottawa 
and Boston — the latter being one degree farther 
north, but 570 feet nearer the sea-level — the 
springs and summers are found to be about five 
degrees warmer, and the winters tliree degrees' 
colder, at the former point. In comparing the 
East and West in respect of rainfall, it is seen 
that, in the former section, tlie same is pretty 
equally distributed over the four seasons, while 
in the latter, spring and summer may be called 
the wet season, and autumn and winter the dry. 
In the extreme West nearly three-fourths of the 
yearly precipitation occurs during the growing 
season. This is a climatic condition highly 
favorable to the growth of grasses, etc., but 
detrimental to the growth of trees. Hence we 
find luxuriant forests near the seaboard, and, in 
the interior, grassy plains. Illinois occupies a 
geographical position wliere these great climatic 
clianges begin to manifest themselves, and wliere 
' the distinctive features of the prairie fir.st become 
fully apparent. The annual precipitation of 
rain is gi'eatest in the soutliern part of the State, 
but, owing to the higher temperature of that 
section, the evaporation is also more rapid. The 
distribution of the rainfall in respect of seasons 
is also more unequal toward the south, a fact 
wliich may account, in part at least, for the 
increased area of woodlands in that region. 
While Illinois lies within the zone of southwest 
winds, their flow is affected by conditions some- 
what abnormal. The northeast trades, after 
entering the Gulf, are deflected by the mountains 
of Mexico, becoming inward breezes in Texas, 
southerly winds in the Lower Mississippi Valley, 
and southwesterly as they enter the Ui)per 
Valley. It is to this aerial current that the hot, 
moist summers are attributable. The north and 
nortliwest winds, which set in with the change 
of the season, depress the temperature to a point 
below that of the Atlantic slope, and are 
attended with a diminished precipitation. 



CLINTON, the county-seat of De Witt County, 
situated 23 miles south of Bloomington, at inter- 
section of the Springfield and the Champaign- 
Havana Divisions with the main line of the Illinois 
Central Railroad ; lies in a productive agricultural 
region; has machine shops, flour and planing 
mills, brick and tile works, water works, electric 
lighting plant, piano-case factory, banks, three 
newspapers, six churches, and two public schools. 
Population (1890), 3,.598; (1900), 4,4.53. 

CLINTON COUNTY, organized in 1824. from 
portions of Washington, Bond and Fayette Coun- 
ties, and named in honor of De Witt Clinton. It 
is situated directly east of St. Louis, has an area 
of 494 square miles, and a population (1900) of 
19,824. It is drained by the Kaskaskia River and 
by Shoal, Crooked, Sugar and Beaver Creeks. Its 
geological formation is similar to that of other 
counties in the same section. Thick layers of 
limestone lie near the surface, with coal seams 
underlying the same at varying depths. The 
soil is varied, being at some points black and 
loamy and at others (under timber) decidedly 
clayey. The timber has been mainly cut for fuel 
because of the inherent difficulties attending 
coal-mining. Two railroads cross the county 
from east to west, but its trade is not important. 
Agi-iculture is the chief occupation, corn, wheat 
and oats being the staple products. 

CLOUD, JTewton, clergyman and legislator, 
was born in Xorth Carolina, in 180.5, and, in 1827, 
settled in the vicinity of Waverly, Morgan 
County, 111., where he pursued the vocation of a 
farmer, as well as a preacher of the Methodist 
Church. He also became prominent as a Demo- 
cratic politician, and served in no less than nine 
sessions of the General Assembly, besides the 
Constitutional Convention of 1847, of which he 
was chosen President. He was first elected 
Representative in the Seventh Assembly (1S30), 
and afterwards served in the House during the 
sessions of the Xinth, Tenth, Eleventh, Thir- 
teenth, Fifteenth and Twenty-seventh, and as 
Senator in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth. He 
was also Clerk of the House in 1844-45, and, 
having been elected Representative two years- 
later, was chosen Speaker at the succeeding ses- 
sion. Although not noted for any specially 
aggressive qualities, his consistency of character 
won for him general respect, while his frequent 
elections to the Legislature prove him to have 
been a man of large influence. 

CLOWRY, Robert C, Telegraph Managar, was 
born in 1838: entered the service of the Illinois & 
Mississippi Telegraph Company as a messenger 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



109 



boy at Joliet in 1852, became manager of the 
office at Lockport six mcmths later, at .Springfield 
in 1853, and chief opei-ator at St. Louis in 18o4. 
Between 18.j9 and "63, he held highly responsible 
positions on various Western lines, but the latter 
year was commissioned by President Lincoln 
Captain and Assistant Quartermaster, and placed 
in charge of United States military lines with 
headquarters at Little Rock, Ark. ; was mustered 
out in May, 1866, and immediately appointed 
District Superintendent of Western Union lines 
in tlie Southwest. From that time his pi-omotion 
was steady and rapid. In 1875 he became 
Assistant General Superintendent ; in 1878, Assist- 
ant General Superintendent of the Central Di\i- 
sion at Chicago; in 1880, succeeded General 
Stager as General Superintendent, and, in 1885, 
was elected Director, member of the Execu- 
tive Committee and Vice-President, his terri- 
tory extending from the Atlantic to the 
Pacific. 

COAL AND COAL-MIXIXG. Illinois contains 
much the larger portion of what is known as the 
central coal field, covering an area of about 
37,000 square miles, and underlying sixty coun- 
ties, in but forty-five of which, however, opera- 
tions are conducted on a commercial scale. The 
Illinois field contains fifteen distinct seams. 
Those available for commercial mining generally 
lie at considerable depth and are reached by 
shafts. The coals are all bituminous, and furnish 
an excellent steam-making fuel. Coke is manu- 
factured to a limited extent in La Salle and some 
of the southern counties, but elsewhere in the 
State the coal does not yield a good marketable 
coke. Neither is it in any degi-ee a good gas 
coal, although used in some localities for that 
purpose, rather because of its abundance than on 
account of its adaptaljility. It is thought that, 
with the increase of cheap transportation facili- 
ties, Pittsburg coal will be brought into the State 
in such quantities as eventually to exclmle local 
coal from the manufacture of gas. In the report 
of the Eleventh United States Census, the total 
product of the Illinois coal mines was given as 
12,104,273 tons, as against 6,115,377 tons reported 
by the Tenth Census. The value of the output 
was estimated at §11,735,203, or SO. 97 per ton at 
the mines. The total number of mines was 
stated to be 1,072, and the number of tons mined 
was nearly equal to the combined yield of the 
mines of Ohio and Indiana. The mines are 
divided into two classes, technically known as 
"regular" and "local." Of the former, there 
■were 358, and of the latter, 714. These 358 regular 



mines employed 23,934 men and boys, of whom 
21,3.j0 worked below ground, besides an office 
force of 389, and paid, in wages, $8,694,397. The 
total capital invested in these 358 mines was 
$17,630,351. According to the report of the State 
Bureau of Labor Statistics for 1898, 881 mines 
were operated during the year, employing 35,026 
men and producing 18,599,299 tons of coal, wliich 
was 1,473,459 tons less than the preceding year — 
the reduction being due to the strike of 1897. 
Five counties of the State produced more than 
1,000,000 tons each, standing in tlie following 
order; Sangamon, 1,763,803; St. Clair, 1,000,752; 
Vermilion, 1,520,099; Macoupin, 1,264,920; La 
Salle, 1,105,490. 

COAL CITY, a town in Grundy County, on the 
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway, 29 miles 
by rail south-southwest of Joliet. Large coal 
mines are operated here, and the town is an im- 
portant shipping pointfor their product. It has a 
bank, a weekly new.spaper and five churches. 
Pop. (1890), 1,072; (1900), 2,607; (1903), about 3,000. 

COBB, Emery, capitalist, was born at Dryden, 
Tompkins County, N. ¥., August 20, 1831; at 16, 
began the study of telegraphy at Ithaca, later 
acted as operator on Western New York lines, 
but, in 1852, became manager of the office at 
Chicago, continuing until 1865, the various com- 
panies having meanwhile been consolidated into 
the Western Union. He tlien made an extensive 
tour of the world, and, although he had intro- 
duced the system of transmitting money by 
telegraph, he declined all invitations to return to 
the key-board. Having made large investments 
in lands about Kankakee, where he now resides, 
he has devoted much of his time to agriculture 
and stock-raising; was also, for many j-ears, a 
member of the State Board of Agriculture, Presi- 
dent of the Short-Horn Breeders" Association, 
and, for twenty years (1873-93), a member of the 
Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 
He has done much to improve the city of his 
adoption by the erection of buildings, the con- 
struction of electric street-car lines and the 
promotion of manufactures. 

COBB, Silas B., pioneer and real-estate opera- 
tor, was born at Montpelier, Vt., Jan. 23, 1812; 
came to Chicago in 1833 on a schooner from Buf- 
falo, the voyage occupying over a inonth. Being 
without means, he engaged as a carpenter upon a 
building which James Kinzie, the Indian trader, 
was erecting; later he erected a building of Ins 
own in which he started a harness-shop, which 
he conducted successfully for a number of years. 
He has since been connected with a number 



110 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



of business enterprises of a public character, 
including banks, street and steam railways, but 
his largest successes have been achieved in the line 
of improved real estate, of which he is an exten- 
sive owner. He is also one of the liberal bene- 
factors of the University of Chicago, "Cobb 
Lecture Hall," on the campus of that institution, 
being the result of a contribution of his amount- 
ing to Sl.50,000, Died in Chicago, April 5, 1900. 

COBDEN, a village in Union County, on the 
Illinois Central Railroad, 42 miles north of Cairo 
and 15 miles south of Carbondale. Fruits and 
vegetables are extensively cultivated and shipped 
to northern markets. This region is well tim- 
bered, and Cobden has two box factories employ- 
ing a considerable number of men; also has 
several churches, schools and two weekly papers. 
Population (1890). 994; (1900,) 1,034. 

COCHRAN, William (Danville, legislator and 
jurist, was born in Ross Count}', Ohio, Nov. 13, 
1844; brought to Moultrie County, 111., in 1849, 
and, at the age of 17, enlisted in the One Hundred 
and Twenty-sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, 
serving in the War of the Rebellion three j-ears 
as a private. Returning home from the war, he 
resumed life as a farmer, but early in 18T3 began 
merchandising at Lovington, continuing this 
business three years, when he began the study of 
law; in 1879, was admitted to the bar, and has 
since been in active practice. In 1888 he was 
elected to the lower house of the General 
Assembly, was an unsuccessful candidate for the 
Senate in 1890, but was re-elected to the House 
in 1894, and again in 189C. At the special session 
of 1890, he was chosen Speaker, and was similarly 
honored in 189.5. He is an excellent parliamen- 
tarian, clear-headed and just in his rulings, and 
an able debater. In June, 1897, he was elected 
for a six years' term to the Circuit bench. He is 
also one of the Trustees of the Soldiers' Orphans' 
Home at Normal. 

CODDIXG, Ichabod, clergyman and anti- 
slavery lecturer, was born at Bristol, N. Y., in 
1811; at the age of 17 he was a popular temper- 
ance lecturer; while a student at Middlebury, 
Vt., began to lecture in opposition to slavery; 
after leaving college served five years as agent 
and lecturer of the Anti-Slavery Society; was 
often exposed to mob violence, but always retain- 
ing his self-control, succeeded in escaping 
serious injury. In 1842 he entered the Congrega- 
tional ministry and held pastorates at Princeton, 
Lockport, Joliet and eLsewhere; between 1854 
and '58, lectured extensively through Illinois on 
the Kansas-Nebraska issue, and was a power in 



the organization of the Republican party. Died 
at Baraboo. AVis,, June 17, 1800. 

CODY, Hiram Hitclipoek, lawyer and Judge; 
born in Oneida County, N. Y., June 11, 1824; was 
partially educated at Hamilton College, and, in 
1843, came with his father to Kendall County. 
111. In 1847, he removed to Naperville, where 
for six years he served as Clerk of the County 
Commissioners' Court. In 18.51 he was admitted 
to the bar; in 1861, was elected County Judge 
with practical unanimity , served as a member of 
the Constitutional Convention of 1869-70, and, 
in 1874, was elected Judge of the Twelfth Judi- 
cial Circuit. His residence (1896) was at Pasa- 
dena, Cal. 

COLCHESTER, a city of McDonough County, 
on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 
midway between Galesburg and Quincy ; is the 
center of a rich farming and an extensive coal- 
mining region, producing more than 100,000 tons 
of coal annually. A superior quality of potter's 
clay is also minea and shipped extensively to 
other points. The city has brick and drain-tile 
works, a bank, four churches, two public schools 
and two weekly papers. Population (1890), 
1,643: (1900), 1,635. 

COLES, Edward, the second Governor of the 
State of IlUnois, born in Albemarle County, Va., 
Dec. 15, 1786, the son of a wealthy planter, who 
had been a Colonel in the Revolutionary War; 
was educated at Hampden-Sidney and William 
and Mary Colleges, but compelled to leave before 
graduation b}' an accident which interrupted his 
studies; in 1809, became the private secretary of 
President Madison, reiiiainiag six years, after 
which he made a trip to Russia as a special mes- 
senger by appointment of the President. He 
early manifested an interest in the emancipation 
of the slaves of Virginia. In 1815 he made his 
first tour through the Northwest Territory, going 
as far west as St. Louis, returning three years 
later and visiting Kaskaskia while the Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1818 was in session. In 
April of the following year he set out from his 
Virginia home, accompanied b}- his slaves, for 
Illinois, traveling b}- wagons to Brownsville, Pa., 
where, taking flat-boats, he descended the river 
with his goods and servants to a point below 
Louisville, where they disembarked, journeying 
overland to Edwardsville. While descending 
the Ohio, he informed his slaves that thej' were 
free, and, after arriving at their destination, 
gave to each head of a family 160 acres of land. 
This generous act was, in after years, made the 
ground for bitter persecution by his enemies. At 



IIISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Ill 



EJwarJsville be entered upon the duties of 
Register of the Land Office, to wliicli he had 
been ai^pointed bj- President Monroe. In IS'32 
he became the candidate for Governor of those 
opposed to removing tlie restriction in the State 
Constitution against the introduction of shivery, 
and, although a majority of the voters then 
favored the measure, he was elected by a small 
plurality over his highest competitor in conse- 
quence of a division of the opposition vote 
between three candidates. The Legislature 
chosen at the same time submitted to the people 
a proposition for a State Convention to revise the 
Constitution, which was rejected at the election 
of 18'2-1 by a majority of 1,668 in a total vote of 
11,612. While Governor Coles had the efficient 
aid in opposition to the measure of such men as 
Judge Samuel D. Lockwood, Congressman Daniel 
P. Cook, Morris Birkbeck, George Forquer, 
Hooper Warren, George Churchill and others, he 
was himself a most influential factor in protecting 
Illinois from the blight of slavery, contributing 
his salary for his entire term (§4,000) to that end. 
In 182.5 it became his duty to welcome La Fay- 
ette to Illinois. Retiring from office in 1826, he 
continued to reside some j-ears on his farm near 
Edwardsville, and, in 1830, was a candidate for 
Congress, but being a known opponent of Gen- 
eral Jackson, was defeated by Joseph Duncan. 
Previous to 1833, he removed to Philadelphia, 
wliere he married during the following year, and 
continued to reside there until his death, July 7, 
1868, having lived to see the total extinction of 
slaverj' in the United States. (See Slavery and 
Slave Laics.) 

COLES COUNTY, originally a part of Crawford 
Count}-, but organized in 1S31, and named in 
honor of Gov. Edward Coles.— lies central to the 
eastern portion of the State, and embraces 520 
square miles, with a population (1900) of 34,146. 
Tlie Kaskaskia River (sometimes called the 
Okaw) runs through the northwestern part of the 
count}', but the principal stream is the Embarras 
(Embraw). The chief resource of the people is 
agriculture, altliough the county lies within the 
limits of the Illinois coal belt. To the north and 
west are prairies, while timber abounds in the 
southeast. The largest crop is of corn, although 
wheat, dairy products, potatoes, hay, tobacco, 
sorghum, wool, etc., are also important products. 
Broom-corn is extensively cultivated. Maniifac- 
turing is carried on to a fair extent, the output 
embracing sawed lumber, carriages and wagons, 
agricultural implements, tobacco and snuff, boots 
and shoes, etc. Charleston, the county-seat, is 



centrally located, and has a number of handsome 
public buildings, private residences and business 
blocks. It was laid out in 1831, and incorjjorated 
in 186.5; in 1900, its population was 5.488. 
Mattoon is a railroad center, situated some 130 
miles east of St. Louis. It has a population of 
9,622, and is an important shijiping point for 
grain and live-stock. Other principal towns are 
Ashmore. Oakland and Lerna. 

COLFAX, a village of McLean County, on the 
Kankakee and Bloomington branch of the Illinois 
Central Railroad, 23 miles northeast of Blooming- 
ton. Farming and stock-growing are the leading 
industries; has two banks, one newspaper, tliree 
elevators, and a coal mine. Pop. (1900). 1,1.53. 

COLLEGE OF PHYSICIAXS AND SFR(iEONS, 
located at Chicago, and organized in 1881. Its 
first term opened in September, 1882, in a build- 
ing erected by the trustees at a cost of §60,000, 
with a facult}' embracing twenty-five professors, 
with a sufficient corps of demonstrators, assist- 
ants, etc. The number of matriculates was 152. 
The institution ranks among the leading medical 
colleges of the West. Its standard of (jualifica- 
tions, for both matriculates and graduates, is 
equal to those of other first-class medical schools 
throughout the country. The teaching faculty, 
of late years, has consisted of some twenty-five 
professors, who are aided by an adequate corps of 
assistants, demonstrators, etc. 

COLLEGES, EARLY. The early Legislatures of 
Illinois manifested no little unfriendliness toward 
colleges. The first charters for institutions of 
this character were granted in 1833, and were for 
the incorporation of the "Union College of Illi- 
nois," in Randolph County, and the "Alton Col- 
lege of Illinois," at Upper Alton. The first 
named was to be imder the- care of the Scotch 
Covenanters, but was never founded. The 
second was in the interest of the Baptists, but 
the charter was not accepted. Both these acts 
contained jealous and unfriendly restrictions, 
notably one to the effect that no theological 
department should be establislied and no pro- 
fessor of theology employed as an instructor, nor 
should any religious test be applied in the selec- 
tion of trustees or the admission of pupils. The 
friends of higher education, however, made com- 
mon cause, and, in 1835, secured the passage of 
an "omnibus bill" incorporating four private 
colleges — the Alton; the Illinois, at Jacksonville; 
the McKendree, at Lebanon, and the Jonesboro. 
Similar restrictive provisions as to theological 
teaching were incorporated in these charters, and 
a limitation was placed upon the amount of 



113 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



property to be owned by any institution, but in 
many respects the law was more liberal tban its 
predecessors of two years previous. Owing to 
the absence of suitable preparatory schools, these 
institutions were compelled to maintain prepara- 
tory departments under the tuition of the college 
professors. The college last named above ( Jones- 
boro) was to have been founded by the Christian 
denomination, but was never organized. The 
three remaining ones stand, in the order of their 
formation, McKendree, Illinois, Alton (afterward 
Shurtleflf) ; in the order of graduating initial 
classes — Illinois, McKendree, Shurtleff. Pre- 
paratory instruction began to be given in Illinois 
College in 1829, and a class was organized in tlie 
collegiate department in 1S31. The Legislature 
of 1835 also incorporated the Jacksonville Female 
Academy, the first school for girls chartered in 
the State. From this time forward colleges and 
academies were incorporated in rapid succession, 
many of tliem at places whose names liave long 
since disajjpeared from the map of the State. It 
was at this time tliat there developed a strong 
party in favor of founding what were termed, 
rather eujtlxemistically, "JIanual Labor Col- 
leges." It was believed tliat tlie time wliich a 
.student miglit be able to "redeem" from study, 
could be so profitablj' employed at farm or sliop- 
work as to enable him to earn liis own liveliliood. 
Acting upon this theory, tlie Legislature of 1835 
granted charters to the "Franklin Manual Labor 
College," to be located in either Cook or La Salle 
County; to the "Burnt Prairie Manual Labor 
Seminary," in White County, and tlie "Chatham 
Manual Labor School," at Lick Prairie, Sanga- 
mon County. University powers were conferred 
upon the institution last named, and its charter 
also contained tlie somewhat extraordinary pro- 
vision that any sect might establish a professor- 
ship of theology therein. In 1837 six more 
colleges were incorporated, only one of whicli 
(Knox) was successfully organized. By 1840, 
better and broader views of education had 
developed, and the Legislature of 1841 repealed 
all prohibition of the establishing of theological 
departments, as well as tlie restrictions previously 
imposed upon tlie amount aud value of property 
to be owned by private educational institutions. 
The whole number of colleges and seminaries 
incorporated under the State law (1890) is forty- 
three. (See also Illinois College, Knox College, 
Lake Forest Universitij, McKendree College. Mon- 
moutli College, Jaeksonrille Female Seminary, 
Monticello Female Seminarij, Northwestern Uni- 
versity, Shurtleff College. ) 



COLLIER, Robert Laird, clergyman, was bom 
in Salisbury, Md., August 7, 1837; graduated at 
Boston University, 1858; soon after became an 
itinerant Methodist minister, but, in 1866, united 
with the Unitarian Church and officiated as 
pastor of churches in Chicago, Boston and Kan- 
sas City, besides supplying pulpits in various 
cities in England (1880-85). In 1885, he was 
appointed United States Consul at Leijisic, but 
later served as a special commissioner of the 
Johns Hopkins University in the collection of 
labor statistics in Europe, meanwhile gaining a 
wide reputation as a lecturer and magazine 
writer. His published works include: "Every- 
Day Subjects in Sunday Sermons" (1809) and 
"Meditations on the Essence of Christianity" 
(1876). Died near iiis birthplace, July 27, 1890. 

COLLINS, Frederick, manufacturer, was born 
in Connecticut, Feb. 34, 1804. He was the j'oung- 
est of five brothers who came with their parents 
from Litchfield, Conn , to Illinois, in 1832, and 
settled in the town of Unionville — now Collins- 
ville — in the southwestern part of Madison 
County. They were enterprising and public- 
spirited business men, who engaged, quite 
e.xtensively for the time, in various branches of 
manufacture, including flour and wliisky. This 
was an era of progress and develoiiinent, and 
becoming convinced of the injurious character 
of the latter branch of their business, it was 
promptly abandoned. The subject of this sketch 
was later associated with liis brother Michael in 
the pork-packing and grain business at Naples, 
the early Illinois River terminus of the Sangamon 
& Morgan (now Wabash) Railroad, but finally 
located at Quincy in 1851, where he was engaged 
in manufacturing business for many years. He 
was a man of high business probity and religious 
principle, as well as a determined opponent of the 
institution of slavery, as shown by the fact that 
he was once subjected by his neighbors to the 
intended indignity of being hung in effigy for the 
crime of assisting a fugitive female slave on the 
road to freedom. In a speech made in 1834, in 
commemoration of the act of emancipation in the 
West Indies, he gave utterance to the following 
prediction : "Methinks the time is not far distant 
when our own country will celebrate a day of 
emancipation within her own borders, and con- 
sistent songs of freedom shall indeed ring 
throughout the length and breadth of the land." 
He lived to see this prophecy fulfilled, dying at 
Quincy, in 1878. Mr. Collins was the candidate of 
the Liberty Men of Illinois for Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor in 1843. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



113 



COLLIN'S, James H., lawjer and jurist, was 
born in Cambridge, Washington County, N. Y., 
but taken in early life to Vernon, Oneida County, 
where he grew to manhood. After spending a 
couple of years in an academy, at the age of 18 
he began the study of law, was admitted to the 
bar in 1824, and as a counsellor and solicitor in 
1827, coming to Chicago in tlie fall of 18y:j, mak- 
ing a [>art of the journey by the first stage-coach 
from Detroit to tlie present Western metropolis. 
After arriving in Illinois, he spent some time in 
exploration of the surrounding country, but 
returning to Chicago in 1834, he entered into 
partnership with Judge John D. Caton, who had 
been his preceptor in New York, still later being 
a partner of Justin Butterfield under the firm 
name of Butterfield & Collins. He was con- 
sidered an eminent authority in law and gained 
an extensive practice, being regarded as espe- 
cially strong in chancery cases as well as an able 
pleader. Politically, he was an uncompromising 
anti-slavery man, and often aided runaway 
slaves in securing their liberty or defended others 
who did so. He was also one of the original 
promoters of the old Galena & Chicago Union 
Railroad and one of its first Board of Directors. 
Died, suddenly of cholera, while attending court 
at Ottawa, in 1854. 

COLLINS, Loren C, jurist, was born at Wind- 
sor, Conn., August 1, 1848; at the age of 18 
accompanied his family to Illinois, and was 
educated at the Northwestern University. He 
read law, was admitted to the bar, and soon 
built up a remunerative practice. He was 
elected to the Legislature in 1878, and through 
his ability as a debater and a parliamentarian, 
soon became one of the leaders of his party on 
the floor of the lower house. He was re-elected 
in 1880 and 1882. and, in 1883, was chosen Speaker 
of the Thirty-third General Assembly. In 
December, 1884, he was appointed a Judge of the 
Circuit Court of Cook County, to fill the vacancy 
created by the resignation of Judge Barnum, was 
elected to succeed himself in 188.5, and re-elected 
in 1891, but resigned in 1894, since that time 
devoting his attention to regular practice in the 
city of Chicago. 

COLLINS, William H., retired manufacturer, 
born at CoUinsville, HI., March 20, 1831; was 
educated in the common schools and at Illinois 
College, later taking a course in literature, 
])hilosophy and theology at Y'ale College; .served 
as pastor of a Congregational church at La Salle 
several years; in 18.">8. became editor and propri- 
etor of "The Jacksonville Journal," which he 



conducted some four years. The Civil War hav- 
ing begun, he then acceiited the chaplaincy of 
the Tenth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, but 
resigning in 18G3, organized a companj' of the 
One Hundred and Fourth Volunteers, of which 
he was chosen Captain, participating in the 
battles of Chick.aniauga, Lookout Mountain and 
Slissionary Ridge. Later he served on the stall 
of Gen. John M. Palmer and at Fourteenth Army 
Corps headquarters, until after tlie fall of 
Atlanta. Then resigning, in November, 1864, he 
was appointed by Secretary Stanton Provost- 
Marshal for the Twelfth District of Illinois, con- 
tinuing in this service until the close of 1865, 
when he engaged in the manufacturing business 
as head of the Collins Plow Company at Quincy. 
This business he conducted successfully some 
twenty-five years, when he retired. Mr. Collins 
has served as Alderman and Mayor, ad iiifrrhii, 
of the city of Quincy ; Representative in the 
Thii-ty-fourth and Thirty-fifth General Assem- 
blies — during the latter being chosen to deliver 
the eulogy on Gen. John A. Logan ; was a promi- 
nent candidate for the nomination for Lieutenant 
Governor in 1888, and the same year Republican 
candidate for Congress in the Quincy District; 
in 1894, was the Republican nominee for State 
Senator in Adams County, and, though a Repub- 
lican, has been twice elected Supervisor in a 
strongly Democratic city. 

COLLINSVILLEja city on the southern border 
of Madison County, 13 miles (by rail) east-north- 
east of St. Louis, on the "Vandalia Line" (T. H. 
tt I. Ry.), about 11 miles south of Edwardsville. 
The place was originally settled in 1817 by four 
brothers named Collins from Litchfield, Conn., 
who established a tan-yard and erected an ox-mill 
for grinding corn and wheat and sawing lumber 
The town was platted by surviving members of 
this family in 1836. Coal-mining is the principal 
industry, and one or two mines are operated 
within the corporate limits. The city has zinc 
works, as well as flour mills and brick and tile 
factories, two building and loan as.sociations, a 
lead smelter, stock bell factory, electric street 
railways, seven churches, two banks, a high 
school, and a newspaper office. Pointlation 
(1890), 3,498; (1900), 4,021; (1903, est.), 7,500. 

COLLTER, Robert, clergyman, was born at 
Keighly, Yorkshire, England, Dec. 8, 1823; left 
school at eight years of age to earn his living in 
a factory ; at fourteen was apprenticed to a black- 
smith and learned the trade of a hammer-maker. 
His onlj- opportunity of accpuring an education 
during this period, apart from private study, was 



114 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



in a night-school, which lie attended two winters. 
In 1849 he became a local Methodist preacher, 
came to the United States the next year, settling 
in Pennsylvania, where he pursued his trade, 
preaching on Sunda}s. His views on the atone- 
ment having gradually been changed towards 
Uuitarianism, his license to preach was revoked 
by the conference, and, in 18.j9, he united with 
the Unitarian Church, having already won a 
wide reputation as an eloquent public speaker. 
Coming to Chicago, he began work as a mission- 
ary, and, in 1860, organized the Unity Church, 
beginning with seven members, though it has 
since become one of tlie strongest and most influ- 
ential churches in the city. In 1879 he accepted 
a call to a church in New York City, where he 
still remains. Of strong anti-slavery views and 
a zealous Unionist, he served during a part of the 
Civil War as a camp inspector for the Sanitary 
Commission. Since the war he lias repeatedly 
visited England, and has exerted a wide influence 
as a lecturer and pulpit orator on both sides of 
the Atlantic. He is the autlior of a number of 
volumes, including "Nature and Life" (1866); 
"A Man in Earnest: Lifeof A. H. Conanf (1868); 
"A History of the Town and Parish of likely" 
(1886), and "Lectures to Young Men and Women" 
(1886). 

COLTOX, Chauncey Sill, pioneer, was born at 
Springfield, Pa., Sept. 21, 1800; taken to Massachu- 
setts in childhood and educated at Monson in that 
State, afterwards residing for many years, dur- 
ing his manhood, at Monson, Maine. He came to 
Illinois in 1836, locating on the site of the present 
city of Galesburg, where he built the first store 
and dwelling house; continued in general mer- 
chandise some seventeen or eighteen years, mean- 
while associating his sons with him in business 
under the firm name of C. S. Colton & Sons. Mr. 
Colton was associated with the construction of 
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad from 
the beginning, becoming one of the Directors of 
the Company: was also a Director of the First 
National Bank of Galesburg, the first organizer 
and first President of tlie Farmers" and Mechan- 
ics' Bank of that city, and one of the Trustees of 
Knox College. Died in Galesburg, July 27, 188.5. 
— Francis (Colton), sou of the preceding; born 
at Monson, Maine, May 24, 1834, came to Gales- 
burg with his father's family in 1836, and was 
educated at Knox College, graduating in 18,5.5, 
and receiving the degree of A.M in 1858. After 
graduation, he was in partnership witli his father 
some seven years, also served as Vice-President 
of the First National Bank of Galesburg, and, in 



1866, was appointed by President Johnson United 
States Consul at Venice, remaining there until 
1869. Tlie latter year he became the General 
Passenger Agent of the Union Pacific Railroad, 
continuing in that position until 1871, meantime 
visiting China, Japan and India, and establishing 
agencies for the Union and Central Pacific Rail- 
ways in various countries of Europe. In 1872 he 
succeeded his father as President of the Farmers' 
and Mechanics' Bank of Galesburg, but retired in 
1884, and the same year removed to Washington, 
D. C, where he has since resided. Mr. Colton is- 
a large land owner in some of the Western States, 
especially Kansas and Nebraska. 

COLUMBIA, a town of Monroe County, on 
Mobile & Ohio Railroad, 15 miles south of St. 
Louis; has a machine shop, large flour mill, 
brewery, five cigar factories, electric light plant, 
telephone system, stone quarry, five churches, 
and public school. Pop. (1900), 1,197 ; (1903), 1,205. 

COMPANY OF THE WEST, THE, a company 
formed in France, in August, 1717, to develop 
the resources of "New France," in which the 
"Illinois Country" was at that time included. 
At the head of the company was the celebrated 
John Law, and to him and his associates the 
French monarch granted extraordinary powers, 
both governmental and commercial. They were 
given the exclusive right to refine the precious 
metals, as well as a monopoly in the trade in 
tobacco and slaves. Later, the companj' became 
known as the Indies, or East Indies, Companj-, 
owing to the king having granted them conces- 
sions to trade with the East Indies and China. 
On Sept. 37, 1717, the Royal Council of France 
declared that the Illinois Country should form a 
part of the Province of Louisiana ; and. under the 
shrewd management of Law and his associates, 
immigration soon increased, as many as 80O 
settlers arriving in a single year. The directors 
of the company, in the exercise of their govern- 
mental powers, appointed Pierre Duque de Bois- 
briaut Governor of the Illinois District. He 
pi'oceeded to Kaskaskia, and. witliin a few miles 
of that settlement, erected Fort Chartres. (See 
Fort Cliartrcs. ) The policy of the Indies Company 
was energetic, and. in the main, wise. Grants of 
commons were made to various French villages, 
and Caliokia and Kaskaskia steadily grew in size 
and population. Permanent settlers were given 
grants of land and agriculture was encouraged. 
These grants (which were allodial in their char- 
acter) covered nearly all the lands in that part of 
the Ame:"ican Bottom, lying between the Missis- 
sippi and tlie Kaskaskia Rivers. Many grantees 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



115 



heUI their lands in one great common field, each 
proprietor contributing, pro rata, to the mainte" 
nance of a surrounding fence. In 1721 the Indies 
Company divided the Province of Louisiana into 
nine civil and military districts. That of Illinois 
was numerically the Seventh, and included not 
only the southern half of tlie existing State, but 
also an immense tract west of the Mississippi, 
extending to the Rocky Mountains, and embrac- 
ing the present States of Missouri, Kansas, Iowa 
arid Nebraska, besides portions of Arkansas and 
Colorado. The Commandant, with his secretary 
and the Company's Commissary, formed the 
District Council, the civil law being in force. In 
1732, the Indies Company surrendered its charter, 
and thereafter, the Governors of Illinois were 
appointed directly by the French crown. 

CONCORDIA SEMINARY, an institution lo- 
cated at Springfield, founded in 1!S79 ; the succes- 
sor of an earlier institution under the name of 
Illinois University. Theological, scientific and 
preparatory departments are maintained, al- 
though there is no classical course. The insti- 
tution is under control of the German Lutheians. 
The institution reports §12.5,000 worth of real 
property. The members of the Faculty (1898) 
are five in number, and there were about 171 
students in attendance. 

CON DEE, Leander D., lawyer, was born in 
Athens County, Ohio, Sept. 26, 1847; brought 
by his parents to Coles County, 111., at the age of 
seven years, and received his education in the 
common schools and at St. Paul's Academy. Kan- 
kakee, taking a special course in Michigan State 
University and graduating from the law depart- 
ment of the latter in ISfiS. He then began prac- 
tice at Butler, Bates County, Mo., wliere he 
served three years as City Attorney, but, in 1873, 
returned to Illinois, locating in Hyde Park (now 
a part of Cliicago), where he served as City 
Attorney for four consecutive terms before its 
annexation to Chicago. In 1880, he was elected 
as a Republican to the State Senate for the 
Second Senatorial District, .serving in the Thirty- 
second and tlie Thirty-third General Assemblies. 
In 1892, he was tlie Republican nominee for Judge 
of tlie Superior Court of Cook County, but was 
defeated witli the National and the State tickets 
of that year, since wlien he has given liis atten- 
tion to regular practice, maintaining a high rank 
in his jiiol'ession. 

COX<iEI{, EdvTiii Hunt, lawyer and diploma- 
tist, wiis Iwrn in Knnx Cnunty, 111., March 7, 1843; 
graduated at Lombard Univer.-.ity, Galeslmrg. in 
1862, and immediately thereafter enlisted as a 



private in the One Hundred and Second Illinois 
■Volunteers, serving through the war and attain- 
ing tlie rank of Captain, besides being brevetted 
Major for gallant service. Later, he graduated 
from the Albany Law School and practiced for a 
time in Galesburg, but, in 1868, removed to Iowa, 
where he engaged in farming, stock-raising and 
banking; was twice elected County Treasurer of 
Dallas Count}-, and, in 1880, State Treasurer, 
being re-elected in 1882; in 1886, was elected to 
Congress from the Des Moines District, and twice 
re-elected (1888 and '90), but before the close of 
his last term was appointed by President Harri- 
son Minister to Brazil, serving until 1893. In 
1896, he served as Presidential Elector for the 
State-at-large, and, in 1897, was re-appointed 
Minister to Brazil, but, in 1898, was transferred 
to China, where (1899) he now is. He was suc- 
ceeded at Rio Janeiro by Charles Page Bryan of 
Illinois. 

CONGREGATIONAIISTS, THE. Two Congre- 
gational ministers — Rev. S. J. Mills and Rev. 
Daniel Smith — visited Illinois in 1814, and spent 
some time at Kaskaskia and Shawneetown, but 
left for New Orleans without organizing any 
churches. The first church was organized at 
Mendon, Adams Count}', in 1833, followed by 
others during the same year, at Naperville, Jack- 
sonville and Quincy. By 1836, the number had 
increased to ten. Among the pioneer ministers 
were Jabez Porter, who was also a teacher at 
Quincy, in 1828, and Rev. Asa Turner, in 1830, 
who became pastor of the first Quincy church, 
followed later by Revs. Julian M. Sturtevant 
(afterwards President of Illinois College), Tru- 
man JI. Post, Edward Beecher and Horatio Foot. 
Other Congregational ministers who came to t'^e 
State at an early day were Rev. Salmon Gridley, 
who finally located at St. Louis; Rev. John M. 
Ellis, who served as a missionary and was instru- 
mental in founding Illinois College and the Jack- 
sonville Female Seminary at Jacksonville; Revs. 
Thomas Lijipincott, Cyrus L. Watson, Tlieron 
Baldwin, Elisha Jenney. William Kirby, the two 
Lovejoys (Owen and Elijah P.), and many more 
of whom, either temporarily or iiormanently, 
became associ;ited with Presbyterian churches. 
Although Illinois College was under the united 
patronage of Presbyterians and Congregational- 
ists, the leading spirits in its original establish- 
ment were Congregationalists, and the same was 
true of Knox College at Galesburg. In 1835. at 
Big Grove, in an unoccupied log-cabin, was 
convened the first Congregational Council, known 
in the denominational history of the State as 



IIG 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



that of Fox River. Since then .some twelve to 
fifteen separate Associations liave been organized. 
By 1890, the development of the denomination 
had been such that it had 380 churches, support- 
ing 312 ministers, vpith 33, 126 members. During 
that j-ear the disbursements on account of cliari- 
ties and home extension, by the Illinois churches, 
were nearly iSl.OOO.OOO. The Chicago Theological 
Seminary, at Chicago, is a Congregational school 
of divinity, its property lioldings being worth 
nearly .$700,000. '"The Advance" (publislied at 
Chicago) is the chief denominational organ. 
(See also Religious Denominations. ) 

CONGRESSIONAL APPORTIOXMENT. (See 
Apportionment, Congressional; also Rc^iresent- 
atives in Congress.) 

CONKLIXCJ, James Cook, lawyer, wa.'- born in 
New York City, Oct. 13, 1810 ; graduated at Prince- 
ton College in 1835, and, after studying law and 
being admitted to the bar at Morristown, N. J., in 
1838, removed to Springfield, 111. Here his first 
business partner was Cyrus Walker, an eminent 
and widely known lawyer of his time, while at a 
later period he was associated with Gen. James 
Shields, afterwards a soldier of the Jlexican War 
and a United States Senator, at diiTerent times, 
from three different States. As an original 
Whig, Mr. Conkling early became associated 
with Abraham Lincoln, wliose intimate and 
trusted friend he was through life. It was to 
him that Mr. Lincoln addressed his celebrated 
letter, which, by his special request, Mr. Conk- 
ling read before the great Union mass-meeting at 
Springfield, held, Sept. 3, 1803, now known as the 
"Lincoln-Conkling Letter." Mr. Conkling was 
chosen Mayor of the city of Springfield in 1844, 
and .served in the lower branch of the Seven- 
teenth and the Twenty-fifth General Assemblies 
(18.51 and 1S6T). It was largely due to his tactful 
management in the latter, that the first appropri- 
ation was made for the new State House, which 
established the capital permanently in that city. 
At the Bloomington Convention of 18.56, where 
the Republican party in Illinois maj' be said to 
have been formally organized, with Mr. Lincoln 
and three others, he represented Sangamon 
County, served on the Committee on Resolutions, 
and was appointed a member of the State Central 
Committee which conducted the campaign of 
that year. In 1860, and again in 1864, his name 
was on the Republican State ticket for Presiden- 
tial Elector, and, on both occasions, it became his 
duty to cast the electoral vote of Mr. Lincoln's 
own District for him for Presiilent. The intimacy 
of personal friendship existing between him and 



Mr. Lincoln was fittingly illustrated by his posi- 
tion for over thirty years as an original member 
of the Lincoln Monument Association. Other 
public positions held by him included those of 
State Agent during the Civil War by appointment 
of Governor Yates, Trustee of the State University 
at Champaign, and of Blackburn University at 
Carlinville. as also that of Postmaster of the city 
of Springfield, to which he was appointed in 1890, 
continuing in office four years. High-minded 
and honorable, of pure personal character and 
strong religious convictions, public-spirited and 
liberal, probably no man did more to promote 
the growth and prosperity of the city of Spring- 
field, during the sixty 3-ears of his residence there, 
than he. His death, as a result of old age, 
occurred in that city, March 1, 1899.— Clinton L. 
(Conkling), son of the preceding, was born in 
Springfield, Oct. 16, 1843; graduated at Yale 
College in 1864, studied law with liis father, and 
was licensed to practice in the Illinois courts in 
1866, and in the United States courts in 1867. 
After practicing a few years, he turned his atten- 
tion to manufacturing, but, in 1877, resumed 
practice and has proved successful. He has 
devoted much attention of late years to real 
estate business, and has represented large land 
interests in this and other States. For many 
years he was Secretary of the Lincoln Monument 
Association, and has served on the Board of 
Count}- Supervisors, which is the only political 
office he has held. In 1897 he was the Repub- 
lican nominee for Judge of the Springfield Cir- 
cuit, but, although confessedly a man of the 
highest probity and aliility, was defeated in a 
district overwhelmingly Democratic. 

CONNOLLY, James Austin, lawyer and Con- 
gressman, was born in Newark, N. J., March 8, 
1843; went with his parents to Ohio in 18.50, 
where, in 1858-59, he served as Assistant Clerk of 
the State Senate ; studied law and was admitted 
to the bar in that State in 1861, and soon after 
removed to Illinois; the following year (1863) he 
enlisted as a private soldier in the One Hundred 
and Twenty-third Illinois Volunteers, but was 
successively commissioned as Captain and Major, 
retiring with the rank of brevet Lieutenant- 
Colonel. In 1873 he was elected Representative 
in the State Legislature from Coles County and 
re-elected in 1874; was United States District 
Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois 
from 1876 to 1885, and again from 1889 to 1893; 
in 1886 was apjiointed and confirmed Solicitor of 
the Treasury, but declined the office; the same 
year ran as the Republican candidate for Con- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



117 



gress in the Springfield (then the Thirteenth) 
District in opposition to Wm. 51. Springer, and 
was defeated by less than 1,000 votes in a district 
usually Democratic by 3,000 majorit}'. He 
declined a second nomination in 18S8. but, in 1894, 
was nominated for a third time (this time for the 
Seventeenth District), and was elected, as lie was 
for a second term in 1896. He declined a renomina- 
tion in 1898, returning to the practice of his pro- 
fession at Springfield at the close of the Fift3'-fifth 
Congress. 

CONSTABLE, Charles H., lawyer, was born at 
Chestertown, j\Id.,July 6, 1817; educated at Belle 
Air Academy and the University of Virginia, 
graduating from the latter in 1838. Then, liaving 
studied law, he was admitted to the bar, came to 
Illinois early in 1840, locating at Mount Carmel, 
Wabash County, and, in 1844, was elected to the 
State Senate for the district composed of Wabash, 
Edwards and Wayne Counties, serving until 1848. 
He also served as a Delegate in the Constitutional 
Convention of 1847. Originally a Whig, on the 
dissolution of that party in 1834, he became a 
Democrat; in 18.56, served as Presidential 
Elector-at-large on the Buchanan ticket and, 
during the Civil War, was a pronounced oppo- 
nent of the policj' of the Government in dealing 
with secession. Having removed to Marshall, 
Clark County, in 1853, he continued the practice 
of his profession there, but was elected Judge of 
the Circuit Court in 1861, serving until his death, 
which occurred, Oct. 9, 1865. While holding 
court at Charleston, in March, 1863, Judge Con- 
stable was arrested because of his release of four 
deserters from the army, and the holding to bail, 
on the charge of kidnaping, of two Union officers 
who had arrested them. He was subsequently 
released by Judge Treat of the United States 
District Court at Springfield, but the affair cul- 
minated in a riot at Charleston, on March 22, in 
which four soldiers and three citizens were killed 
outright, and eight persons were wounded. 

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS. Illinois 
has had four State Conventions called for the 
purpose of formulating State Constitutions. Of 
these, three— those of 1818, 1847 and 1869-70— 
adopted Constitutions which went into effect, 
while the instrument framed by the Convention 
of 1862 was rejected by the people. A synoptical 
history of eacli will be found below: 

CONVENTIO.N OF 1818.— In January, 1818, the 
Territorial Legislature adopted a resolution 
instructing the Delegate in Congress (Hon. 
Natlianiel Pope) to pre.sent a petition to Congress 
requesting the passage of an act authorizing the 



people of Illinois Territory to organize a State 
Government. A bill to tliis effect was intro- 
duced, April 7, and became a law, April 18, follow- 
ing. It authoi-ized the people to frame a 
Constitution and organize a State Goverinuent— 
apportioning the Delegates to be elected from 
eacli of the fifteen counties into which the Ter- 
ritory was then divided, naming the first ^Monday 
of July, following, as the day of election, and the 
first Jlondaj' of August as the time for the meet- 
ing of the Convention. The act was conditioned 
upon a census of tlie people of the Territory (to 
be ordered by the Legislature), showing a popu- 
lation of not less than 40,000. The census, as 
taken, showed the required population, but, as 
finall}' corrected, this was reduced to 34,620 — 
being the smallest with which any State was ever 
admitted into the Union. The election took 
place on July 6, 1818, and the Convention assem- 
bled at Kaskaskia on August 3. It consisted of 
thirty-three members. Of these, a majority were 
fanners of limited education, but with a fair 
portion of hard common-sense. Five of the 
Delegates were lawyers, and these undoubtedly 
wielded a controlling influence. Jesse B. 
Thomas (afterwards one of the first United 
States Senators) presided, and Elias Kent Kane, 
also a later Senator, was among the dominating 
spirits. It has been asserted that to the latter 
should be ascribed whatever new matter was 
incorporated in the instrument, it being copied 
in most of its essential provisions from the Con- 
stitutions of Ohio, Kentuck_v and Indiana. The 
Convention completeil its labors and adjourned, 
August 26, the Constitution was submitted to 
Congress by Delegate John McLean, without the 
formality of ratification by the people, and Illi- 
nois was admitted into the Union as a State by 
resolution of Congress, adopted Dec. 3, 1818. 

Convention of 1847. — An attempt was made in 
1822 to obtain a revision of the Constitution of 
1818, the object of the chief promoters of the 
movement being to .secure the incorporation of a 
provision authorizing the admission of slavery 
into Illinois. The passage of a re.solution, by the 
necessary two-thirds vote of both Houses of the 
General Assembly, submitting the proposition to 
a vote of the people, was secured by tlie most 
questionable methods, at the session of 1822, but 
after a heated campaign of nearly two years, it 
was rejected at the election of 1824. (See 
Slaveri/ and Slave Laws; also Coles, Edirard.) 
At tlie session of 1840-41, another resolution on 
. the subject was submitted to the people, but it 
was rejected by the narrow margin of 1,039 



118 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



votes. Again, in 1845, the question was submit- 
ted, and, at the election of 1846, was approved. 
The election of delegates occurred, April 19, 1847, 
and the Convention met at Springfield', June 19, 
following. It was composed of 162 members, 
ninetj'-two of whom were Democrats. The list 
of Delegates embraced the names of many who 
afterwards attained high distinction in public 
affairs, and the body, as a whole, was represent- 
ative in character. The Bill of Rights attached 
to the Constitution of 1818 was but little changed 
in its successor, except by a few additions, 
among which was a section disqualifying any 
person who had been concerned in a duel from 
holding office. The earlier Con.stitution, how- 
ever, was carefully revised and several important 
clianges made. Among these may be mentioned 
the following: Limiting the elective franchise 
for foreign-born citizens to those who had 
become naturalized ; making the judiciary elect- 
ive; requiring that all State officers be elected 
b}- the people; changing the time of the election 
of the Executive, and making him ineligible for 
immediate re-election; various curtailments of 
the power of the Legislature; imposing a two- 
mill tax for payment of the State debt, and pro- 
viding for the establishment of a sinking fund. 
The Constitution framed was adopted in conven- 
tion, August 31, 1847; ratified by popular vote, 
March 6, 1848, and went into effect, April 1, 1848. 
Convention of 1862. — The proposition for 
holding a third Constitutional Convention was 
submitted to vote of the people by the Legislature 
of 1859, endorsed at the election of 1860, and the 
election of Delegates held in November, 1861. In 
the excitement attendant upon the early events 
of the war, people paid comparatively little 
attention to the choice of its members. It was 
composed of forty-five Democrats, twenty-one 
Republicans, seven "fusionists" and two classed 
as doubtful. The Convention assembled at 
Springfield on Jan. 7, 1862, and remained in ses- 
sion until Marcli 24, following. It was in many 
respects a remarkable body. The law providing 
for its existence prescribed that the members, 
before proceeding to business, should take an 
oath to support the State Constitution. This the 
majority refused to do. Their conception of 
their powers was such that they seriously deliber- 
ated upon electing a United States Senator, 
assumed to make appropriations from the State 
treasury, claimed tlie right to interfere with 
military affairs, and called ujion the Governor 
for information concerning claims of the Illinois 
Central Railroad, which the Executive refused to 



lay before them. The instrument drafted pro- 
posed numerous important changes in the organic 
law, and was generally regarded as objectionable. 
It was rejected at an election held, June 17, 1863, 
bj' a majority of over 16,000 votes. 

Convention of 1869-70. — The second attempt 
to revise the Constitution of 1848 resulted in 
submission to the people, by the Legislature of 
1867, of a proposition for a Convention, which was 
approved at the election of 1868 by a bare major- 
ity of 704 votes. The election of Delegates was 
provided for at the next session (1869), the elec- 
tion held in November and the Convention 
assembled at Springfield, Dec. 13. Charles 
Hitchcock was chosen President, John Q. Har- 
mon, Seeretar}', and Daniel Shepard and A. H. 
Swain, First and Second Assistants. There were 
eiglity-five members, of whom forty-four were 
Republicans and forty-one Democrats, although 
fifteen had been elected nominally as "Independ- 
ents." It was an assemblage of some of the 
ablest men of the State, including representatives 
of all the learned professions except the clerical, 
besides niercliants, farmers, bankers and journal- 
ists. Its work was completed Maj- 13, 1870, and 
in the main good. Some of the principal changes 
made in the fundamental law, as proposed by the 
Convention, wei-e tlie following: The prohibi- 
tion of special legislation where a general law 
may be made to cover the necessities of the case, 
and the absolute prohibition of such legislation 
in reference to divorces, lotteries and a score of 
other matters ; prohibition of the passage of any 
law releasing any civil division (district, county, 
city, township or town) from the pajnnent of its 
just proportion of any State tax; recommenda- 
tions to the Legislature to enact laws upon 
certain specified subjects, such as liberal home- 
stead and exemption rights, the construction of 
drains, the regulation of charges on railways 
(which were declared to be public highwaj"s), 
etc., etc. ; declaring all elevators and storehouses 
public warehouses, and providing for their legis- 
lative inspection and supervision. The mainte- 
nance of an "efficient system of public schools" 
was made obligatory upon the Legislature, and 
the appropriation of any funds — State, municipal, 
town or district — to the support of sectarian 
.schools was prohibited. The principle of cumu- 
lative voting, or "minority representation," in 
the choice of members of the House of Represent- 
atives was provided for, and additional safe- 
guards thrown around the passage of bills. The 
ineligibilit}' of the Governor to re-election for a 
second consecutive term was set aside, and a 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



119 



two-thirds vote of the Legislature made necessary 
to override an executive veto. The list of State 
officers was increased by the creation of the 
offices of Attorney-General and Superintendent 
of Public Instruction, these having been previ- 
ouslj- provided for only by statute. The Supreme 
Court bench was increased by the addition of 
four members, making the whole nuuxber of 
Supreme Court judges seven; Appellate Courts 
authorized after 1874, and County Courts were 
made courts of record. Tlie compensation of all 
State officers — executive, judicial and legislative 
— was left discretionary with the Legislature, 
and no limit was placed upon the length of the 
sessions of the General Assembly. The instru- 
ment drafted by the Convention was ratified at 
an election held, July 6, 1870, and went into force, 
August 8, following. Occasional amendments 
have been submitted and ratified from time to 
time. (See ConntittiticDis. Elcctivns and Repre- 
sentation: also Miunrify Representation.) 

CONSTITUTIONS. Illinois has had three con- 
stitutions — that of 1870 being now (1898) in force. 
The earliest instrument was that approved by 
Congress in 1818. and the first revision was made 
in 1847 — the Constitution having been ratified at 
an election held. JIarch .">, 1848. and going into 
force, April 1, following. Tiie term of State 
officers has been uniformly fixed at four years, 
except that of Treasurer, which is two years. 
Biennial elections and sessions of the General 
Assembly are provided for, Senators holding their 
seats for four years, and Representatives two 
j-ears. The State is required to be apportioned 
after each decennial census into fiftj-one dis- 
tricts, each of which elects one Senator and three 
Representatives. The principle of minoritj' rep- 
resentation has been incorporated into the 
organic law, each elector being allowed to oast as 
man}' votes for one legislative candidate as there 
are Representatives to be cliosen in his district; 
or he may divide his vote equallj* among all the 
tliree candidates or between two of them, as he 
may see fit. One of the provisions of the Consti- 
tution of 1870 is tlie inhibition of the General 
Assembly from passing private laws. Slunici- 
jialities are classified, and legislation is for all 
cities of a class, not for an individual corpora- 
tion. Individual citizens with a financial griev- 
ance must secure payment of their claims under 
the terms of some general a)ii)roiuiation. The 
sessions of the Legislature are not limited as to 
time, nor is there any restriction upon the power 
of the Executive to summon extra sessions. 
(See also Constitutional Conventions; Elections; 



Gm-ernors and other State Officers; Judicial 
System : Suffrage, Etc.) 

COOK, Burton C, lawyer and Congressman, 
was born in Monroe County, N. Y., May 11, 1819; 
completed his academic education at the Collegi- 
ate Institute in Rocliester, and after studying 
law, removed to Illinois (183.')), locating fir.st at 
Hennepin and later at Ottawa. Here he began 
the practice of his profession, and. in 184(i, was 
elected by the Legislature State's Attorney for 
the Ninth Judicial Di.strict, serving two j'ears, 
when, in 1848, he was re-elected by the people 
under the Constitution of that year, for four 
years. From 1852 to 1860. lie was State Senator, 
taking part in the election which resulted in 
making Lyman Trumbull United States Senator 
in 1855. In 18(J1 he served as one of the Peace 
Commissioners from Illinois in the Conference 
which met at Washington. He maj- be called 
one of the founders of the Republican party in 
this State, having been a member of the State 
Central Committee appointed at Bloomington in 
1856, and Ciiairman of the State Central Com- 
mittee in 1862. In 1804, he was elected to Con- 
gress, and re-elected in 1866, '68 and '70, but 
resigned in 1871 to accept the solicitorship of the 
Nortliwestern Railroad, wliieh he resigned in 
1886. He was an intimate friend of Abraham 
Lincoln, serving as a delegate to both the National 
Conventions wliich nominated him for the Presi- 
dency, and presenting his name at Baltimore in 
1864. His death occurred at Evanston, August 
18, 1894. 

COOK, Daniel Pope, early Congressman, was 
born in Scott County, Ky., in 1795, removed to 
Illinois and began the practice of law at Kaskas- 
kia in 1815. Early in 1816, he became joint owner 
and editor of "The Illinois Intelligencer,' and at 
the same time served as Auditor of Public 
Accounts by appointment of Governor Edwards ; 
the next year (1817) was sent by President Mon- 
roe as bearer of dispatches to John Quincy Adams, 
then minister to London, and, on his return, was 
appointed a Circuit Judge. On the admission of 
the State he was elected the first Attorney- 
General, but almost immediately resigned and, 
in Seiitember. 1819, was elected to Congress, serv- 
ing as Keijresentative until 1827. Having married 
a daughter of Governor Edwards, he became a 
resident of Edwardsville. He was a conspicuous 
opponent of the proposition to make Illinois a 
slave State in 1823-24, and did much to prevent 
the success of that scheme. He also bore a 
prominent part wliilc in Congress in .securing the 
donation of lands for the constiuction of the 



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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Illinois & Michigan Canal. He was distinguished 
for his eloquence, and it was during his first 
Congressional campaign that stump-speaking was 
introduced into the State. Suffering from 
consumption, he visited Cuba, and, after return- 
ing to his home at Edwardsville and failing to 
improve, he went to Kentucky, where he died, 
Oct. 16, 1827.— John (Cook), soldier, born at 
Edwardsville, 111., June 12, 182.5. the son of 
Daniel P. Cook, the second Congressman from 
Illinois, and grandson of Gov. Ninian Edwards, 
was educated by private tutors and at Illinois 
College; in 1855 was elected Mayor of Springfield 
and the following year Sheriff of Sangamon 
County, later serving as Quartermaster of the 
State. Raising a company promptly after the 
firing on Fort Sumter in 18(31, he was commis- 
sioned Colonel of the Seventh Illinois Volunteers 
— the first regiment organized in Illinois under 
the first call for troops by President Lincoln ; was 
promoted Brigadier-General for gallantry at Fort 
Donelson in March, 18G2 ; in 1864 commanded the 
District of Illinois, with headquarters at Spring- 
field, being mustered out. August, 1865. with the 
brevet rank of JIajor-General. General Cook was 
elected to the lower house of the General Assem- 
bly from Sangamon County, in 1868. During 
recent years his home has been in Michigan. 

COOK COUNTY, situated in the northeastern 
section of the State, bordering on Lake Michigan, 
and being the most easterly of the second tier of 
counties south of the Wisconsin State line. It 
has an area of 890 square miles ; population (1890), 
1,191,922; (1900), 1,838,735; county-seat, Chicago. 
The county was organized in 1831, having origi- 
nally embraced the counties of Du Page, "Will, 
Lake, McHenry and Iroquois, in addition to its 
present territorial limits. It was named in 
honor of Daniel P. Cook, a distinguished Repre- 
sentative of Illinois in Congress. (See Cook, 
Daniel P. ) The first County Commissioners were 
Samuel Miller, Gholson Kercheval and James 
Walker, who took the oath of office before Justice 
John S. C. Hogan, on March 8, 1831. AVilliam 
Lee was appointed Clerk and Archibalil Cly bourne 
Treasurer. Jedediah Wormley was first County 
Surveyor, and three election districts (Chicago, 
Du Page and Hickory Creek) were created. A 
scow ferry was established across the South 
Branch, with Mark Beaubien as ferryman. Only 
non-residents were retiuired to pay toll. Geolo- 
gists are of the opinion that, previous to the 
glacial epoch, a large portion of the county lay 
under the waters of Lake Michigan, which was 
connected with the Slississippi by the Des Plaines 



River. This theory is borne out by the finding 
of stratified beds of coal and gravel in the eastern 
and southern portions of the county, either under- 
Ij'ing the prairies or assuming the form of ridges. 
The latter, geologists maintain, indicate the exist- 
ence of an ancient key, and they conclude that, 
at one time, the level of the lake was nearly forty 
feet higher than at present. Glacial action is 
believed to have been very effective in establish- 
ing surface conditions in this vicinity. Lime- 
stone and building stone are quarried in tolerable 
abundance. Athens marble (white when taken 
out, but growing a rich yellow through exposure) 
is found in the southwest. Isolated beds of peat 
have also been found. The general surface is 
level, although undulating in some portions. The 
soil near the lake is sandy, but in the interior 
becomes a black mold from one to four feet in 
depth. Drainage is afforded by the Des Plaines, 
Chicago and Calumet Rivers, which is now being 
improved by the construction of the Drainage 
Canal. Manufactures and agriculture are the 
principal industries outside of the city of Chi- 
cago. (See also CIticago.) 

COOK COUNTY HOSPITAL, located in Chi 
cago and under control of the Commissioners of 
Cook Count}'. It was originally erected by the 
City of Chicago, at a cost of 880,000, and was 
intended to be used as a hospital for patients 
suffering from infectious diseases. For several 
years the building was unoccupied, but, in 1858, 
it was leased by an association of physicians, who 
opened a hospital, with the further purpose of 
affording facilities for clinical instruction to the 
.students of Rush Medical College. In 1803 the 
building was taken by the General Government 
for military purposes, being used as an ej'e and 
ear hosiaital for returning soldiers. In 1865 it 
reverted to the City of Chicago, and, in 1866, was 
purchased by Cook County. In 1874 the County 
Commissioners purchased a new and more spa- 
cious site at a cost of §145,000, and began the erec- 
tion of buildings thereon. The two principal 
pavilions were completed and occupied before the 
close of 1875; tlie clinical amphitheater and 
connecting corridors were built in 1876-77, and an 
administrative building and two additional 
pavilions were added in 1882-84. Up to that date 
the total cost of the buildings had been §719,574, 
and later additions and improvements have 
swelled the outlay to more than .^l, 000,000. It 
accommodates about 800 patients and constitutes 
a part of the county machinery for the care of 
the ])Oor. A certain number of beds are placed 
under the care of homeopathic physicians. The 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



121 



present (18^()) allopathic medical staff consists of 
fifteen jjhysicians, fifteen surgeons, one oculist 
and aurist and one pathologist ; the liomeopathic 
staff comprises five physicians and five surgeons. 
In addition, there is a large corps of intei'nes, or 
house physicians and surgeons, composed of 
recent graduates from the several medical col- 
leges, who gain their positions througli competi- 
tive examination and hold them for eighteen 
months. 

COOKE, Edward Dean, lawyer and Congress- 
man, born in Dubuque County. Iowa, Oct. 17, 
1849; was educated in the common schools and 
the high school of Dubuque ; studied law in that 
city and at Columbian University, Washington, 
DC, graduating from that institution with the 
degree of Bachelor of Laws, and was admitted to 
the bar in Washington in 1873. Coming to Chi- 
cago the same year, he entered upon the practice 
of his profession, which he pursued for the 
remainder of his life. In 1883 he was elected a 
Representative in the State Legislature from 
Cook County, serving one term ; was elected as a 
Republican to the Fifty-fourth Congress for the 
Sixth District (Chicago), in 1894. and re-elected in 
1896. His death occurred suddenly while in 
attendance on the extra session of Congress in 
Washington, June 24, 1897. 

COOLBAUGH, William Findlay, financier, was 
born in Pike Comity, Pa., July 1, 1821; at the 
age of 15 became clerk in a dry-goods store in 
Piiiladelphia, but, in 1842, opened a brancli 
establishment of a New York firm at Burlington, 
Iowa, where he afterwards engaged in the bank- 
ing business, also serving in the Iowa State 
Constitutional Convention, and, as the candidate 
of his party for United States Senator, being 
defeated by Hon. James Harlan by one vote. In 
1862 he came to Chicago and opened the banking 
house of W. F. Coolbaugh & Co., wliich, in 186,5, 
became the Union National Bank of Chicago. 
Later he became the first President of the Chi- 
cago Clearing House, as also of the Bankers' 
Association of tlie West and South, a Director of 
the Board of Trade, and an original incorporator 
of the Chamber of Commerce, besides being a 
member of the State Constitutional Convention 
of 1869-70. His death by suicide, at the foot of 
Douglas Monument, Nov. 14, 1877, was a shock to 
the whole city of Chicago. 

COOLEY, Horace S., Secretary of State, was 
born in Hartford, Conn., in 18()(), studied medi- 
cine for two years in early life, then went to Ban- 
gor, Maine, where he began the study of law; in 
1840 he came to Illinois, locating first at Rushville 



and finally in the city of Quiney ; in 1842 took a 
prominent part in tlie campaign which resulted 
in tlie election of Thomas Ford as Governor — also 
received from Governor Ciirlin an appointment as 
Quartermaster-General of the State. On tlie 
accession of Governor French in December, 1846, 
he was appointed Secretary of State and elected 
to the same office under the Constitution of 1848, 
dying before the expiration of liis term, April 2, 
1850. 

CORBUS, (Dr.) J. C, physician, was born in 
Holmes County, Ohio, in 1833, received his pri- 
mary education in the public schools, followed 
by an academic course, and began the study of 
medicine at Millersburg, finally graduating from 
the Western Reserve Medical College at Cleve- 
land. In 1855 he began practice at OrviUe, Ohio, 
but the same year located at Mendota, 111., soon 
thereafter removing to Lee County, where he 
remained until 1862. The latter year he was 
appointed Assistant Surgeon of the Seventy-fifth 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, but was soon pro- 
moted to the position of Surgeon, thougli com- 
pelled to resign the following year on account of 
ill health. Returning from the army, he located 
at Mendota. Dr. Corbus served continuously as a 
member of the State Board of Public Charities 
from 1873 until the accession of Governor Altgeld 
to the Governorship in 1893, when he resigned. 
He was also, for fifteen years, one of the Medical 
Examiners for his District under the Pension 
Bureau, and has served as a member of the 
Republican State Central Committee for the 
Mendota District. In 1897 he was complimented 
by Governor Tanner by reappointment to the 
State Board of Charities, and was made President 
of the Board. Early in 1899 he was appointed 
Superintendent of the Eastern Hospital for the 
Insane at Kankakee, as successor to Dr. William 
G. Stearns. 

CORXELL, Paul, real-estate operator and capi- 
talist, was born of English Quaker ancestry in 
Washington County, N. Y., August 5, 1822; at 9 
years of age removed with his step-father. Dr. 
Barry, to Ohio, and five years later to Adams 
County, 111. Here young Cornell lived the life of 
a farmer, working part of the year to earn money 
to send himself to school the remainder; also 
taught for a time, then entered the office of W. A. 
Richardson, at Rushville, Schuyler County, as a 
law student. In 1845 he came to Chicago, but 
soon after became a student in the law office of 
Wilson & Henderson at Joliet, and was admitted 
to practice in that city. Removing to Chicago in 
1847, he was associated, successively, with the late 



123 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



L. C. P. Freer, Judge James H. Collins and 
Messrs. Skinner & Hoyne; finally entered into a 
contract with Judge Skinner to perfect the title to 
320 acres of land held under tax-title within the 
present limits of Hyde Park, which he succeeded 
in doing by visiting the original owners, thereby 
securing one-half of the property in his own 
name. He thus became the founder of the village 
of Hyde Park, meanwhile adding to his posses- 
sions other lands, which increased vastly in value. 
He also e.stablished a watch factory at Cornell 
(now a part of Chicago), which did a large busi- 
ness until removed to California. Sir. Cornell 
was a member of the first Park Board, and there- 
foi'e has the credit of assisting to organize Chi- 
cago s extensive park system. 

COR WIN, Franklin, Congressman, was born at 
Lebanon, Ohio, Jan. 12, 1818, and admitted to the 
bar at the age of '21. While a resident of Ohio he 
served in both Houses of the Legislature, and 
settled in Illinois in 1857, making his home at 
Peru. He was a member of the lower house of 
the Twenty-fourth, Twenty-fifth and Twenty- 
sixth General Assemblies, being Speaker in 1867, 
and again in 1809. In 1872 lie was elected to 
Congress as a Republican, but, in 1874, was 
defeated by Alexander Campbell, who made the 
race as an Independent. Died, at Peru, 111., June 
15, 1879. 

COUCH, James, pioneer hotel-keeper, was born 
at Fort Edward, N. Y., August 31, 1800; removed 
to Chautauqua County, in the same State, where 
he remained until his twentieth year, receiving a 
fair English education. After engaging succes- 
sively, but with indifferent success, as hotel-clerk, 
stage-house keeper, lumber-dealer, and in the dis- 
tilling business, in 1836, in company with his 
younger lirother, Ira, he visited Chicago. They 
both decided to go into business there, first open- 
ing a small store, and later entering upon their 
hotel ventures which proved so eminently suc- 
cessful, and gave the Tremont House of Chicago 
so wide and enviable a reputation. Mr. Couch 
superintended for his brother Ira the erection, at 
various times, of many large business blocks in 
the city. Upon the death of his brother, in 1857, 
he was made one of the trustees of his estate, and, 
with other trustees, rebuilt the Tremont House 
after the Chicago fire of 1871. In April, 1892, 
while boarding a street car in the central iiart of 
the city of Chicago, he was run over b}- a truck, 
receiving injuries which resulted in his death 
the same day at the Tremont House, in the 92d 
year of his age. — Ira (Couch), younger brother of 
the preceding, was born in Saratoga County, 



N. Y., Nov. 22, 1806.- At the age of sixteen he 
was apprenticed to a tailor, and, in 1826, set up 
in business on his own account. In 1836, while 
visiting Chicago with his brother James, he 
determined to go into business there. With a 
stock of furnishing goods and tailors' supplies, 
ne\\'ly bought in New York, a small store was 
opened. This business soon disposed of, Mr. 
Couch, with his brother, obtained a lease of the 
old Tremont House, then a low frame building 
kejit as a saloon boarding house. Changed and 
refurnished, this was opened as a hotel. It was 
destroyed by fire in 1839, as was also the larger 
rebuilt structure in 1849. A second time rebuilt, 
and on a much larger and grander scale at a cost 
of §75,000, surpassinganything the West had ever 
known before, the Tremont House this time stood 
vmtil the Chicago fix-e in 1871, when it was again 
destroyed. Mr. Couch at all times enjoyed an 
immense patronage, and was able to accumulate 
(for that time) a lai'ge fortune. He i)urchased 
antl improved a large number of business blocks, 
then within the business center of the cit}'. In 
1853 he retired from active business, and, in con- 
sequence of impaired health, chose for the rest of 
his life to seek recreation in travel. In the 
winter of 1857, while with his family in 
Havana, Cuba, he was taken with a fever which 
soon ended his life. His remains now rest in a 
mausoleum of masonry in Lincoln Park, Chi- 
cago. 

COULTERVILLE,a town of Randolph County, 
at the crossing of the Centralia & Che.ster and 
the St. Louis & Paducah branch Illinois Central 
Railways, 49 miles southeast of St. Louis. Farm- 
ing and coal-mining are the leading industries. 
The town has two banks, two creameries, and a 
newspaper. Population (1890), 598; (1900), 650. 

COUNTIES, UNORGANIZED. (See Unorgan- 
ized Counties.) 

COWDEN, a village of Shelby County, at the 
intersection of the Baltimore & Ohio Southwest- 
ern and the Toledo, St. Louis & Western Rail- 
ways, 60 miles southeast of Springfield. Con- 
siderable coal is mined in the vi(unity ; has a 
bank and a weekly paper. Population' (1880), 
350; (1890), 702; (1900), 751. 

COWLES, Alfred, newspaper manager, was 
born in Portage County, Ohio, Slay 13, 1832, grew 
up on a farm and, after spending some time at 
Jlichigan University, entered the office of "The 
Cleveland Leader" as a clerk; in 1855 accepted a 
similar position on "The Chicago Tribune, " which 
had just been bought by Joseph Jledill and 
others, finally becoming a stockholder and busi- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



123 



ness manager of the paper, so remaining until his 
death in Chicago, Dec. 20, 1889. 

COX, Thomas, pioneer, Senator in the First 
General Assembly of Illinois (1818-22) from Union 
County, and a conspicuous figure in early State 
history ; was a zealous advocate of the policy of 
making Illinois a slave State; became one of the 
original proprietors and founders of the city of 
Springfield, and was appointed the first Register 
of the Land Office there, but was removed under 
charges of misconduct; after his retirement from 
the Land Office, kept a hotel at Springfield. In 
1836 he removed to Iowa (then a part of Wiscon- 
sin Territory), became a member of the first 
Territorial Legislature there, was twice re-elected 
and once Speaker of the House, being prominent 
in 1840 as commander of the "Regulators" who 
drove out a gang of murderers and desperadoes 
who had got possession at Bellevue, Iowa. Died, 
at Maquoketa, Iowa, 1843. 

COY, Irus, lawyer, was born in Chenango 
County, N. Y., July 2.5, 1833; educated in the 
common schools and at Central College, Cortland 
County, N. Y., gi'aduating in law at Albany in 
18.57. Then, having removed to Illinois, he 
located in Kendall County- and began practice; in 
1868 was elected to the lower house of the General 
Assembly and, in 1873, served as Presidential 
Elector on the Republican ticket; removed to 
Chicago in 1871, later serving as attorney of the 
Union Stock Yards and Transit Company. Died, 
in Chicago, Sept. 20, 1897. 

CRAFTS, Clayton E., legislator and politician, 
born at Auburn, Geauga County, Ohio, July 8, 
1848 ; was educated at Hiram College and gradu- 
ated from the Cleveland Law School in 1868, 
coming to Chicago in 1869. Mr. Crafts served in 
seven consecutive sessions of the General Assem- 
bly (1883-95, inclusive) as Representative from 
Cook County, and was elected by the Democratic 
majority as Speaker, in 1891, and again in '93. 

CRAIG, Alfred M., jurist, was born in Edgar 
County, 111., Jan. 1.5, 1831, graduated from Knox 
College in 18.53, and was admitted to the bar in 
the following year, commencing practice at 
Knoxville. He held the offices of State's 
Attorney and County Judge, and repi'esented 
Knox County in the Constitutional Convention 
of 18G9-70. In 1873 he was elected to the bench 
of the Supreme Court, as successor to Justice 
C. B. Lawrence, and was re-elected in '82 and 
'91 ; his present term expiring with the century. 
He is a Democrat in politics, but has been 
three times elected in a Republican judicial 
district. 



CRAWFORD, Charles H., lawyer and legisla- 
tor, was born in Bennington, Vt., but reared in 
Bureau and La Salle Counties, 111. ; has practiced 
law for twenty years in Cliicago, and been three 
times elected to the State Senate — 1884, '88 and 
'94 — and is author of the Crawford Primary Elec- 
tion Law. enacted in 188.5. 

CRAWFORD COUNTY, a southeastern county, 
bordering on the Wabash, li)0 miles nearly due 
south of Chicago — named for William H. Craw- 
ford, a Secretary of War. It has an area of 4.52 
square miles; population (1900), 19,340. The 
first settlers were the French, but later came 
emigrants from New England. The soil is rich 
and well adapted to the production of corn and 
wheat, which are the principal crops. The 
county was organized in 1817, Darwin being 
the first county-seat. The jiresent county-seat 
is Robinson, with a population (1890) of 1,387; 
centrally located and the point of intersection of 
two railroads. Other towns of importance are 
Palestine (population, 734) and Hutsonville (popu- 
lation, 583). The latter, as well as Robinson, is 
a grain-shipping point. The Embarras River 
crosses the southwest portion of the county, and 
receives the waters of Big and Honey Creeks and 
Bushy Fork. The county has no mineral 
resources, but contains some valuable woodland 
and many well cultivated farms. Tobacco, 
potatoes, sorghum and wool are among the lead- 
ing products. 

CREAL SPRINGS, a village of Williamson 
County, on the St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute 
Railroad ; has a bank and a weekly paper. Popu- 
lation (1890), 539; (1900), 940._ 

CREBS, John M., ex-Congressman, was born in 
Middleburg, Loudoun County, Va., April 7, 1830. 
When he was but 7 years old his parents removed 
to Illinois, where he ever after resided. At the 
age of 21 he began the study of law, and, in 1853, 
was admitted to the bar, beginning practice in 
White County. In 1863 he enlisted in the 
Eighty-seventh Illinois Volunteers, receiving a 
commission as Lieutenant-Colonel, participating 
in all the important movements in the Mississippi 
Valley, including the capture of Vicksburg, and 
in the Arkansas campaign, a part of the time 
commanding a brigade. Returning home, he 
resumed the practice of his profession. In 1860 
he was an unsuccessful candidate for State 
Superintendent of Public Instruction on the 
Democratic ticket. He was elected to Congress 
in 1868 and re-elected in 1870, and, in 1880, was a 
delegate to the Democratic State Convention. 
Died, June 26, 1890. 



lU 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



CREIGHTOX, James A., jurist, was born in 
Wliite County, III, March 7, 1846; in childhood 
removed with his jjarents to Wayne County, and 
was educated in the schools at Fairfield and at 
the Southern Illinois College, Salem, graduating 
from the latter in 1868. After teaching for a 
time while studying law, he was admitted to the 
bar in 1870, and opened an office at Fairfield, but, 
in 1877, removed to Springfield. In 1885 he was 
elected a Circuit Judge for the Springfield Cir- 
cuit, was re-elected in 1891 and again in 1897. 

CRERAK, John, manufacturer and philanthro- 
pist, was born of Scotch ancestry in New York 
City, in 1827 ; at 18 years of age was an employe 
of an iron-importing firm in that city, subse- 
quently accepting a position with Morris K. 
Jessup & Co., in the same line. Coming to 
Chicago in 1862, in partnership with J. McGregor 
Adams, he succeeded to the business of Jessup & 
Co. , in that city, also becoming a partner in the 
Adams & Westlake Company, iron manufactur- 
ers. He also became interested and an official in 
various other business organizations, including 
the Pullman Palace Car Company, the Chicago 
& Alton Railroad, the Illinois Trust and Savings 
Bank, and, for a time, was President of the Chi- 
cago & Joliet Railroad, besides being identified 
with various benevolent institutions and associ- 
ations. After the fire of 1871. he was intrusted 
by the New York Chamber of Commerce with 
the custody of funds sent for the relief of suffer- 
ers by that calamity. His integrity and business 
sagacity were universally recognized. After his 
death, which occurred in Chicago, Oct. 19, 
1889, it was found that, after making munificent 
bequests to some twenty religious and benevolent 
associations and enterprises, aggregating nearlj' 
a million dollars, besides liberal legacies to 
relatives, he had left the residue of his estate, 
amounting to some ¥3,000,000, for the purpose of 
founding a public library in the city of Chicago, 
naming thirteen of his most intimate friends as 
the first Board of Trustees. No more fitting and 
lasting monument of so noble and public-spirited 
a man could Jiave been devised. 

CRETE, a village of Will County, on the Chi- 
cago & Eastern Illinois Railroad, .SO miles south 
of Chicago. Population (1890), 642; (1900). 760. 

CROOK, George, soldier, was born near Day- 
ton, Ohio, Sept. 8, 1828; graduated at the United 
States Military Academy, West Point, in 1852, and 
was assigned as brevet Second Lieutenant to the 
Fourth Infantry, becoming full Second Lieuten- 
ant in 1853. In 1861 he entered the volunteer 
service as Colonel of the Thirtv-sixth Ohio Infan- 



try ; was promoted Brigadier-General in 1862 and 
Jlajor-General in 1864, being mustered out of the 
service, January, 1866. During the war he 
participated in some of the most important 
battles in West Virginia and Tennessee, fought at 
Chickamauga and Antietam, and commanded 
the cavalry in the advance on Richmond in the 
spring of 1865. On being mustered out of the 
volunteer service he returned to the regular 
army, was ajjpointed Lieutenant-Colonel of the 
Twentj'-third Infantry, and, for several years, was 
engaged in campaigns against the hostile Indians 
in the Northwest and in Arizona. In 1888 he 
was appointed Major-General and, from that time 
to his death, was in command of the Military 
Division of the Missouri, with headquarters at 
Chicago, where he died, March 19, 1890. 

CROSIAR, Simon, pioneer, was born near 
Pittsburg, Pa., in the latter part of the last 
century; removed to Ohio in 1815 and to Illinois 
in 1819, settling first at Cap au Gris, a French 
village on the Mississippi just above the mouth 
of the Illinois in what is now Calhoun County ; 
later lived at Peoria (1824), at Ottawa (1826), at 
Shippingport near the present city of La Salle 
(1829), and at Old Utica (1834); in the mean- 
while built one or two mills on Cedar Creek in 
La Salle County, kept a storage and commission 
house, and, for a time, acted as Captain of a 
steamboat plying on the Illinois. Died, in 1846. 

CRYSTAL LAKE, a village in McHenry 
County, at the intersection of two divisions of 
the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, 43 miles 
northwest of Chicago. Population (1880), 546; 
(1890), 781; (1900), 9.50. 

CUBA, a town in Fulton County, distant 38 
miles west-southwest of Peoria, and about 8 miles 
north of Lewistown. Tlie entire region (includ- 
ing the town) is underlaid with a good quality of 
bituminous coal, of which the late State Geologist 
Worthen asserted that, in seven townships of 
Fulton County, there are 9.000,000 tons to the 
square mile, within 150 feet of the surface. Brick 
and cigars are made here, and tlie town has two 
banks, a newspaper, three churches and good 
schools. Population (1890), 1,114; (1900), 1,198; 
(1903, school census), 1,400. 

CULLEN, William, editor and Congressman, 
born in the north of Ireland, March 4, 1826; while 
yet a child was brovight by his parents to Pitts- 
burg, Pa., where he was educated in the public 
schools. At the age of 20 he removed to 
La Salle County, 111, and began life as a farmer. 
Later he took up his residence at Ottawa. He 
has served as Sheriff of La Salle County, and held 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



125 



other local offices, and was for many years a part 
owner and senior editor of "The Ottawa Repub- 
lican." From 1881 to 1885, as a Republican, he 
represented the Eighth Illinois District in Con- 
gress. 

CULLOM, Richard Jforthoraft, farmer and 
legislator, was born in the State of Maryland, 
October 1, 1795, but early removed to AVayne 
Count}', Ky., where he was married to Miss 
Elizabeth Coffey, a native of North Carolina. In 
1830 he removed to Illinois, settling near "Wash- 
ington, Tazewell County, where lie continued to 
reside during the remainder of his life. Although 
a farmer by vocation, 3Ir. CuUom was a man of 
prominence and a recognized leader in public 
affairs. In 1836 he was elected as a Whig Repre- 
sentative in the Tenth General Assembly, serving 
in the same body with Abiaham Lincoln, of 
whom he was an intimate personal and political 
friend. In 18i0 he was chosen a member of the 
State Senate, serving in the Twelfth and Thir- 
teenth General Assemblies, and, in 1853, was 
again elected to the House. Mr. Cullom's death 
occurred in Tazewell Coimty, Dec. 4, 1872, his 
wife having died Dec. 5, 18(58. Mr. and Mrs. 
CuUom were the parents of Hon. Shelby M. 
Cullom. 

CULLOM, Shelby Moore, United States Sena- 
tor, was born in Wayne County. Ky., Nov. 22, 
1829. His parents removed to Tazewell County, 
111., in 1830, where his father became a member 
of the Legislature and attained prominence as a 
public man. After two years spent in Rock 
River Seminary at Jlount Morris, varied by some 
experience as a teacher, in 1853 the subject of 
this sketch, went to Springfield to enter upon the 
study of law in the office of Stuart & Edwards. 
Being admitted to the bar two years afterward, 
lie was almost immediately elected City Attor- 
nej', and, in 1856, was a candidate on the Fill- 
more ticket for Presidential Elector, at the same 
time being elected to the Twentieth General 
Assemblj' for Sangamon County, as he was again, 
as a Republican, in 1800. being supported alike by 
the Fillmore men and the Free-Soilers. At the 
session following the latter election, he was 
chosen Speaker of the House, which was his first 
important political recognition. In 18()2 he was 
appointed by President Lincoln a member of the 
War Claims Commission at Cairo, serving in this 
capacity with Governor Boutwell of Massachu- 
setts and Charles A. Dana of New York. He was 
also a candidate for the State Senate the same 
year, but then sustained his only defeat. Two 
years later (1861) he was a candidate for Con- 



gress, defeating his former preceptor, Hon. John 
T. Stuart, being re-elected in lS(i6. and again in 
18G8, the latter year over B. S. Edwards. He 
was a delegate to the National Republican Con- 
vention of 1872, and, as Chairman of the Illinois 
delegation, placed General Grant in nomination 
for the Presidency, holding the same position 
again in 1881 and in 1892; was elected to the Illi- 
nois House of Representatives in 1872 and in 1874, 
being chosen Speaker a second time in 1873, as he 
was the unanimous choice of his party for 
Speaker again in 1875; in 1876 was elected Gov- 
ernor, was re-eiocted in 1880, and, in 1883, elected 
to the United States Senate as successor to Hon. 
David Davis. Having had two re-elections since 
(1889 and '95), he is now serving his third term, 
which will expire in 1901. In 1898, by special 
appointment of President McKinley, Senator 
CuUom served upon a Commission to investigate 
the condition of the Hawaiian Islands and 
report a plan of government for this new division 
of the American Republic. Otlier important 
measures with which his name has been promi- 
nently identified have been the laws for the sup- 
pression of polygamy in Utah and for the creation 
of the Inter-State Commerce Commission. At 
present he is Chairman of the Senate Committee 
on Inter-State Commerce and a member of those 
on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs. His 
career has been conspicuous for his long public 
service, the large number of important offices 
which he has held, the almost unbroken uniform- 
ity of his success when a candidate, and his com- 
plete exemption from scandals of every sort. No 
man in the history of the State has been more 
frequently elected to the United States Senate, 
and only three — Senators Douglas, Trumbull and 
Logan — for an equal number of terms; though 
only one of these (Senator Trumbull) lived to 
serve out the full period for which he was 
elected. 

CUMBERLAND COUNTY, situated in the 
southeast quarter of the State, directly south of 
Coles County, from which it was cut off in 1842. 
Its area is 350 square miles, and population (1900), 
16,124. The county-seat was at Greenup until 
1855, when it was transferred to Prairie City, 
which was laid off in 1854 and incorporated as a 
town in 1866. The present county-seat is at 
Toledo (population, 1890, 670). The Embarras 
River crosses the county, as do also three lines of 
railroad. Neoga, a mining town, has iv popula- 
tion of 829. The county received its name from 
the Cumberland Road, which, as originally pro- 
jected, ijassed through it. 



126 



HISTORICAL EXC'YCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



CUMMIXS, (Rev.) David, Bishop of the Re- 
formed Protestant Episcopal Cliurch, was 
born near Smyrna, Del., Dec. 11, 1822; gradu- 
ated at Dickinson College, Pa., in 1841, and 
became a licentiate in the Methodist ministry, 
but, in 1840), took orders in the Episcopal 
Church; afterwards held rectorships in Balti- 
more, Norfolk. Richmond and the Trinity 
Episcopal Church of Chicago, in 1866 being con- 
secrated Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of 
Kentucky. As a recognized leader of the Low- 
Church or Evangelical party, he early took issue 
with the ritualistic tendencies of the High-Church 
party, and, having withdrawn from the Episcopal 
Church in 1873, became the first Bishop of the 
Reformed Episcopal organization. He was zeal- 
ous, eloquent and conscientious, but overtaxed liis 
strength in his new field of labor, dying at Luth- 
erville, Md.. June 26. 1876. A memoir of Bishop 
Cummins, by his wife, was publishedin 1878. 

CUMULATIVE ^OTE. (See Minority Repre- 
sentation. ) 

CURTIS, Harvey, clergyman and educator, was 
born In Adams, Jefferson County, N. Y., May 30, 
1806; graduated at Middlebury College, Vt., in 
1831, with the highest honors of his class; after 
three years at Princeton Theological Seminary, 
was ordained pastor of the Congregational 
church at Brandon, Vt.. in 1836. In 1841 he 
accepted an appointment as agent of the Home 
Missionary Society for Ohio and Indiana, between 
1843 and 18.j8 holding pastorates at Madison, 
Ind., and Chicago. In the latter year he was 
cliosen President of Knox College, at Galesburg, 
dying there, Sept. 18, 1802. 

CURTIS, William Elroy, journalist, was born 
at Akron, Ohio, Nov. 5, 18.50; graduated at 
Western Reserve College in 18.')1, meanwhile 
learning the art of typesetting ; later served as a 
reporter on "The Cleveland Leader" and, in 1872, 
took a subordinate position on "Tlie Cliicago 
Inter Ocean," finally rising to that of managing- 
editor. While on "The Inter Ocean" he accom- 
panied General Custer in his campaign against 
the Sioux, spent several months investigating 
the "Ku-Klux" and "White League" organiza- 
tions in the South, and, for some years, was "Tlie 
Inter Ocean" correspondent in Washington. 
Having retired from '"The Inter Ocean," he 
became Secretary of the "Pan-American Con- 
gress" in Washington, and afterwards made the 
tour of the United States witli the Soutli and 
Central American representatives in that Con- 
gress. During the World's Columbian Exposition 
in Chicago he had general su]>ervision of the 



Latin-American historical and archreological 
exhibits. Mr. Curtis has visited nearly every 
Central and South American country and has 
written elaborately on these subjects for the 
magazines and for publication in book form; has 
also published a "Life of Zachariah Chandler'' 
and a "Diplomatic History of the United States 
and Foreign Powers," For some time he was 
managing editor of "The Chicago News" and is 
now (1898) the Washington Correspondent of 
"The Chicago Record." 

CUSHMAN, (Col,) William H. W., financier 
and manufacturer, was born at Freetown, JIass., 
May 13, 1813 ; educated at the American Literary, 
Scientific and Military Academj', Norwicli, Vt. ; 
at 18 began a mercantile career at Middlebury, 
and, in 1824, removed to La Salle County, 111., 
where he opened a country store, also built a mill 
at Vermilionville ; later was identified with many 
large financial enterprises which generally 
proved successful, thereby accumulating a for- 
tune at one time estimated at .$3,000,000. He was 
elected as a Democrat to the Thirteenth and 
Fourteenth General Assemblies (1842 and '44) 
and, for several years, held a commission as 
Captain of the Ottawa Cavalry (militia). The 
Civil War coming on. he assisted in organizing 
the Fifty-third Illinois Volunteers, and was com- 
missioned its Colonel, but resigned Sept. 3, 1862. 
He organized and was principal owner of the 
Bank of Ottawa, which, in 1865, became the First 
National Bank of that city; was the leading 
spirit in the Hydraulic Company and the Gas 
Company at Ottawa, built and operated the 
Ottawa Machine Shops and Foundry, speculated 
largely in lands in La Salle and Cook Counties — 
his operations in the latter being especially large 
about Riverside, as well as in Chicago, was a 
principal stockholder in the bank of Cush- 
man & Hardin in Chicago, had large interests in 
the lumber trade in Michigan, and was one of 
the builders of the Chicago, Paducah & South- 
western Riiilroad. The Chicago fire of 1871, 
however, brought financial disaster upon him, 
which finally dissipated his fortune and de- 
stroyed his mental ami physical heiiltli. His 
death occurred at Ottawa, Oct. 28, 1878. 

DALE, Michael (}., lawyer, was born in Lan- 
caster, Pa., spent his childhood and youth in the 
public schools of his native city, except one year 
in West Cliester Academy, when he entered 
Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, graduating 
there in 1835. He then began the study of law 
and was admitted to tlie bar in 1837; coming to 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



127 



Illinois the following year, he was retained in a 
suit at Greenville. Bond County, which led to his 
employment in others, and finally to opening an 
office there. In 1839 he was elected Probate 
Judge of Bond County, I'emaining in office four- 
teen years, meanwhile being commissioned JIajor 
of the State Militia in 1844, and serving as mem- 
ber of a Militarj- Court at Alton in 1847 ; was also 
the Delegate from Bond County to the State Con- 
stitutional Convention of 1847. In 1853 he re- 
signed the office of County Judge in Bond County 
to accept that of Register of the Land office at 
Edwardsville, where he continued to reside, fill- 
ing the office of County Judge in Madison County 
five or six terms, besides occupying some subordi- 
nate positions. Judge Dale married a daughter 
of Hon. William L. D. Ewing. Died at Edwards- 
ville. April 1. 1895. 

DALLAS CITY, a town of Hancock County, at 
the intersection of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa 
Fe and the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- 
roads, 16 miles south of Burlington. It has man- 
ufactories of lumber, buttons, carriages and 
wagons, and two weekly newspapers. Popula- 
tion (1880), 829: (1890). 747; 1900), 970. 

DANEMIOWER, John Wilson, Arctic explorer, 
was born in Chicago, Sept. 30, 1849 — the son of 
W. W. Danenhower, a journalist. After passing 
through the schools of Chicago and Washington, 
he graduated from the United States Naval Acad- 
emy at Annapolis in 1870, was successively com- 
missioned as Ensign, Master and Lieutenant, and 
served on expeditions in the North Pacific and in 
the Mediterranean. In 1S78 he joined the Arctic 
steamer Jeannette at Havre. France, as second in 
command under Lieut. George W. De Long; pro- 
ceeding to San Francisco in July, 1879, the 
steamer entered the Arctic Ocean by way of 
Behring Straits. Here, having been caught in an 
ice-pack, the vessel was held twenty-two months. 
Lieutenant Danenhower meanwhile being dis- 
abled most of the time by ophthalmia. The crew, 
as last compelled to abandon the steamer, dragged 
their boats over the ice for ninetj'-five days until 
they were able to launch them in open water, 
but were soon separated by a gale. The boat 
commanded bj- Lieutenant Danenhower reached 
the Lena Delta, on the north coast of Siberia, 
where the crew were rescued by natives, landing 
Sept. 17; 1881. After an ineffectual search on 
the delta for the crews of the other two boats. 
Lieutenant Danenhower, with Ins crew, made 
the journey of G.OOO miles to Orenburg, finally 
arriving in the United States in June, 1882. He 
has told the story of the expedition in "The 



Narrative of the Jeannette," published in 1882. 
Died, at Annapolis, Md., April 20, 1887. 

DAXVERS, a village of McLean County, on the 
Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis 
Railway. The section is agricultural. The town 
has a bank and a newspaper. Population (1880), 
460; (1890), 506; (1900), 607. 

DANVILLE, the county-seat of Vermilion 
County, on Vermilion River and on five impor- 
tant lines of railroad; in rich coal-mining 
district and near large deposits of shale and 
soapstone, which are utilized in manufacture of 
sewer-pipe, paving and fire-clay brick. The city 
has car-shops and numerous factories, water- 
works, electric lights, paved streets, several 
banks, twenty-seven churches, five graded schools 
and one high school, and six newspapers, three 
daily. A Soldiers" Home is located three miles 
east of the city. Pop. (1890), 11,491 ; (1900), 16,354. 

DANVILLE, OLNEY, & OHIO RIVER RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Chicago & Ohio River Railroad.) 

DANVILLE, URBANA, BLOOMINOTON & 
PEKIN RAILROAD. (See Peoria & Eastern 
Railroad.) 

D'ARTAIGUIETTE, Pierre, a French com- 
mandant of Illinois from 1734 to 1736, having 
been appointed by Bienville, then Governor of 
Louisiana. He was distinguislied for gallantry 
and courage. He defeated the Natchez Indians, 
but, in an unsuccessful expedition against the 
Cliickasaws, was wounded, captured and burned 
at the stake. 

DA\ENP0RT, George, soldier, pioneer anj 
trader, born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1783, 
came to this country in 1804, and .soon aftei 
enlisted in the United States army, with the rani 
of sergeant. He served gallantly on various 
expeditions in the West, where he obtained a 
knowledge of the Indians which was afterward 
of great value to him. During the War of 1813 
his regiment was sent East, where he partici- 
pated in the defense of Fort Erie and in other 
enterprises. In 1815, his term of enlistment hav- 
ing expired and the war ended, he entered the 
service of the contract commissary. He selected 
the site for Fort Armstrong and aided in planning 
and supervising its construction. He cultivated 
friendly relations with the surrounding tribes, 
and, in 1818, built a double log house, married, 
and engaged in business as a fur-trader, near the 
site of the present citj" of Rock Island. He had 
the confidence and respect of the savages, was 
successful and his trading jwsts were soon scat- 
tered through Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. In 
1823 he piloted the first steamboat through the 



138 



HISTORICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



upper Mississippi, and, in 1835, was appointed tlie 
first postmaster at Rock Island, being the only 
white civilian resident there. In 1826 he united 
his business with that of the American Fur Com- 
pany, in whose service he remained. Although 
he employed every effort to induce President 
Jackson to make a payment to Black Hawk and 
his followers to induce tliem to emigrate across 
the Mississippi voluntarily, when that Chief 
commenced hostilities, Mr. Davenport tendered 
his services to Governor Reynolds, bj whom he 
was commissioned Quartermaster-General with 
the rank of Colonel. Immigration increased 
rapidly after the close of the Black Hawk War 
In 1835 a companj', of which he was a member, 
founded the town of Davenport, opposite Rock 
Island, which was named in his honor. In 1837 
and '42 he was largely instrumental in negoti- 
ating treaties by which the Indians ceded their 
lands in Iowa to the United States. In the 
latter year he gave up the business of fur-trading, 
having accumulated a fortune through hard 
labor and scrupulous integrit}', in the face often 
of grave perils. He had large business interests in 
nearly every town in his vicinity, to all of which 
he gave more or less personal attention. On the 
night of July 4, 1843, he was assassinated at his 
home by robbers. For a long time the crime was 
shrouded in mystery, but its perpetrators were 
ultimately detected and brought to punishment. 

DAVIS, David, jm-ist and United States 
Senator, was born in Cecil County, Md., JIarch 
8, 1815; pursued his academic .studies at Kenyon 
College, Ohio, and studied law at Yale. He settled 
at Bloomington, 111., in 1836, and, after practicing 
law there until 1844, was elected to the lower house 
of the Fourteenth General Assembly. After 
serving in the Constitutional Convention of 1847, 
he was elected Judge of the Eighth Judicial 
Circuit under the new Constitution in 1848, being 
re-elected in 1855 and '61. He was a warm, per- 
sonal friend of Abraham Lincoln, who, in 1862, 
placed him upon the bench of the United States 
Supreme Court. He resigned his high judicial 
honors to become United States Senator in 1877 
as successor to Logan's first term. On Oct. 13, 
1881, he was elected President pro tem. of the 
Senate, serving in this capacity to the end of his 
term in 1885. He died at his home in Blooming- 
ton, June 26, 1886. 

DAVIS, (ieorge K., lawyer and Congressman, 
was born at Three Rivers, Mass., January 3, 1840; 
received a common school education, and a 
classical course at Williston Seminary, Easthamp- 
ton, Mass. From 1862 to 1865 he served in the 



LTnion army, first as Captain in the Eighth 
Slassachusetts Infantry, and later as Major in the 
Third Rhode Island Cavalry. After the war he 
removed to Chicago, where he still resides. By 
profession he is a lawyer. He took a prominent 
part in the organization of the Chicago militia, 
was elected Colonel of the First Regiment, 
I. N. G., and was for a time the senior Colonel in 
the State service. In 1876 he was an unsuccessful 
Republican candidate for Congress, but was 
elected in 1878, and re-elected in 1880 and 1882. 
From 1886 to 1890 he was Treasurer of Cook 
County. He took an active and influential part 
in securing the location of the World's Columbian 
E.x])osition at Cliicago, and was Director-General 
of tlie Exposition from its incejition to its close, 
by his executive ability demonstrating the wis- 
dom of his selection. Died Nov. 25, 1899. 

DAVIS, Hasbrouck, soldier and journalist, was 
born at Worcester, Mass., April 23, 1827. being 
the son of John Davis, United States Senator and 
Governor of Massachusetts, known in his lifetime 
as "Honest John Davis." The son came to Chi- 
cago in 1855 and commenced the practice of 
law, in 1861 joined Colonel Voss in the organiza- 
tion of the Twelfth Illinois Cavalry, being elected 
Lieutenant-Colonel and, on the retirement of 
Colonel Voss in 1863, succeeding to the colonelcy. 
In March, 1865, he was brevetted Brigadier-Gen- 
eral, remaining in active service until August, 
1865, when he resigned. After the war he was. 
for a time, editor of "The Chicago Evening Post, " 
was City Attorney of the City of Chicago from 
1867 to '69, but later removed to Massachusetts 
Colonel Davis was drowned at sea, Oct. 19, 1870. 
bj' the loss of the steamship Cambria, while on a 
voyage to Europe. 

DAVIS, James M., early lawyer, was born in 
Barren County, Ky., Oct. 9, 1793, came to Illinois 
in 1817, located in Bond County and is said to 
have taught the first school in that county. He 
became a lawyer and a prominent leader of the 
Wliig part}-, was elected to the Thirteenth Gen- 
eral Assembly (1842) from Bond County, and to 
the Twenty-first from Montgomery in 1858, hav- 
ing, in the meantime, become a citizen of 
Hillsboro ; was also a member of the State Consti- 
tutional Convention of 1847. Mr. Davis was a 
man of striking personal appearance, being over 
six feet in height, and of strong individuality. 
After the dissolution of the Whig part}' he identi- 
fied himself with the Democracy and was an 
intensely bitter opponent of the war policy of 
the Government. Died, at Hillsboro, Sept. 17. 
1866. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



129 



DATIS, John A., soldier, was born in Craw- 
ford County, Pa., Oct. 2."), 1823; came to Stephen- 
son Count}', 111., in boyhood and served as 
Representative in tlie General Assembly of 1857 
and '59; in September, 1861, enlisted as a private, 
was elected Captain and, on the organization of 
the Forty-sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, at 
Camp Butler, was commissioned its Colonel. He 
participated in the capture of Fort Donelson, 
and in the battle of Shiloh was desperately 
wounded by a shot through the lungs, but 
recovered in time to join his regiment before the 
battle of Corinth, where, on Oct. i. 1862, he fell 
mortally wounded, dj-ing a few days after. On 
receiving a request from some of his fellow-citi- 
zens, a few days before his death, to accept a 
nomination for Congress in the Freeport District, 
Colonel Davis patriotically replied: "I can serve 
my country better in following the torn banner 
of my regiment in the battlefield." 

DAVIS, Levi, law^-er and State Auditor, was 
born in Cecil County, Md., July 20, 1806; gradu- 
ated at Jefferson College, Pa., in 1828, and was 
admitted to the bar at Baltimore in 1830. The 
following year he removed to Illinois, settling at 
Vandalia, then the capital. In 1835 Governor 
Duncan appointed him Auditor of Public 
Accounts, to which office he was elected by the 
Legislature in 183T, and again in 1838. In 
1816 he took up his residence at Alton. He 
attained prominence at the bar and was, for 
several years, attorney for the Chicago & Alton 
and St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Railroad 
Companies, in which he was also a Director. 
Died, at Alton, March 4, 1897. 

DAVIS, Nathan Smith, M.D., LL.D., physi- 
cian, educator and editor, was born in Chenango 
County, N. Y., Jan. 9, 1817; took a classical and 
scientific course in Cazenovia Seminary ; in 1837 
graduated from the College of Physicians and 
Surgeons, winning several prizes during his 
course; the same year began practice at Bing- 
hamton; spent two years (1847-49) in New York 
City, when he removed to Chicago to accept the 
chair of Physiology and General Pathology in 
Rush Medical College. In 1859 he accepted a 
similar position in the Chicago Medical College 
(now the medical department of Xorthwestera 
University), where he .still remains. Dr. Davis 
has not onlj' been a busy practitioner, but a volu- 
minous writer on general and special topics con- 
nected with his profession, having been editor at 
different times of several medical periodicals, 
including "The Chicago Medical Journal," "The 
Medical Journal and Examiner," and "The 



Journal of the American Medical Association. " 
He has also been prominent in State, National 
and International Medical Congresses, and is one 
of the founders of the Northwestern University, 
the Chicago Academy of Sciences, the Chicago 
Historical Society, the Illinois State Microscopi- 
cal Society and the Union College of Law, besides 
other scientific and benevolent associations. 

DAVIS, Oliver L., lawyer, was born in New 
York City, Deo. 20, 1819; after being in the 
employ of the American Fur Company some 
seven years, came to Danville, 111., in 1841 and 
commenced studying law the next year; was 
elected to the lower branch of the Seventeenth 
and Twentieth General Assemblies, first as a 
Democrat and next (18.56) as a Republican; 
served on the Circuit Bench in 1861-66, and again 
in 1873-79, being assigned in 1877 to the Appellate 
bench. Died, Jan. 12, 1892. 

DAWSON, John, early legislator, was born in 
Virginia, in 1791; came to Illinois in 1827, set- 
tling in Sangamon County; served five terms in 
the lower house of the General Assembly (1830, 
'34, '36, '38 and '46), diu'ing a part of the time 
being the colleague of Abraham Lincoln. He 
was one of the celebrated "Long Nine " who repre- 
sented Sangamon County at the time of the 
removal of the State capital to Springfield ; was 
also a member of the Constitutional Convention 
of 1847. Died, Nov. 12, 1850. 

DEAF AND DUMB, ILLINOIS INSTITU- 
TION FOR EDTCATION OF, located at Jack- 
sonville, established by act of the Legislature, 
Feb. 23, 1839, and the oldest of the State 
charitable institutions. Work was not begun 
until 1842, but one building was ready for 
partial occupancy in 1846 and was completed 
in 1849. (In 1871 this building, then known 
as the south wing, was declared uu.safe, and 
was razed and rebuilt.) The center building 
was completed in 1852 and the north wing in 
1857. Oblier additions and new buildings have 
been added from time to time, such as new dining 
halls, woi-kshops, barns, bakery, refrigerator 
house, kitchens, a gj'mnasium, separate cot- 
tages for the sexes, etc. At present (1895) the 
institution is probably the largest, as it is un- 
questionably one of the best conducted, of its class 
in the world. The number of pujiils in 1894 was 
716. Among its employes are men and women of 
ripe culture and experience, who have been con- 
nected with it for more than a quarter of a 
century. 

DE.VRBORN, Luther, lawyin- and legislator, 
was born at Plymoutli, N. 11, March 24, 1820, 



130 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



and educated in Plymouth schools and at New 
Hampton Academy ; in youth removed to Dear- 
born County, Ind., wliere he tauglit school and 
served as deputy Circuit Clerk; then came to 
Mason County, 111., and, in 1844, to Elgin. Here 
he was elected Sheriff and, at the expiration of 
his term. Circuit Clerk, later engaging in the 
banking business, which proving disastrous in 
1857, he returned to Mason County and began tlie 
practice of law. He then spent some years in 
Minnesota, finally returning to Illinois a second 
time, resumed practice at Havana, served one 
term in the State Senate (1876-80); in 1S84 
became member of a law firm in Chicago, but 
retired in 1887 to accept the attorneyship of the 
Chicago & Alton Railway, retaining this position 
until his death, which occurred suddenly at 
Springfield, April 5, 1889. For the last two years 
of his life Mr. Dearborn's residence was at 
Aurora. 

DECATUR, the county-seat of Macon County; 
39 miles east of Springfield and one mile north 
of the Sangamon River — also an important rail- 
way center. Three coal shafts are operated out- 
side the city. It is a center for tlie grain trade, 
having five elevators. Extensive car and repair 
shops are located there, and several important 
manufacturing industries flourish, among them 
three flouring mills. Decatur has paved streets, 
water-works, electric street railways, and excel- 
lent public schools, including one of the best and 
most noted high schools in the State. Four 
newspapers are published there, each issuing a 
daily edition. Pop., (1890), 16,841; (1900), 20,7.'34. 

DECATUR EDITORIAL C0> VEXTION. (See 
Anti-Nebraska Edituviul Convention.) 

DECATUR & EASTERN RAILWAY. (See 
Indiana, Decatur d- Western Eailiray.) 

DECATUR, MATTOOX & SOUTHERN RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Peoria, Decatur <£■ Evansrillc 
Haihraij.) 

DECATUR, SULLIVAN & JttATTOON RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Peoria, Decatur & Evansrille 
Railway.) 

DEEP SNOW, THE, an event occurring in the 
winter of 1830-31 and referred to by old settlers 
of Illinois as constituting an epoch in State his- 
tory. The late Dr. Julian M. Sturtevant. Presi- 
dent of Illinois College, in an address to the "Old 
Settlers" of Morgan County, a few years before 
his death, gave the following account of it: "In 
the interval between Christmas, 1830, and Janu- 
ary, 1831, snow fell all over Central Illinois to a 
depth of fully three feet on a level. Then came 
a rain with weather so cold that it froze as it 



fell, forming a crust of ice over this three feet of 
snow, nearly, if not quite, strong enough to bear 
a man, and finally over this crust there were a 
few inches of snow. The clouds passed away 
and the wind came down upon us from the north- 
west with extraordinary ferocity. For weeks — 
certainly not less than two weeks — the mercury 
in the thermometer tube was not, on any one 
morning, higher than twelve degrees below zero. 
This snow-fall produced constant sleighing for 
nine weeks." Other contemporaneous accounts 
say that this storm caused great suffering among 
both men and beasts. The scattered settlers, un- 
able to reach the mills or produce stores, were 
driven, in some cases, to great extremity for 
supplies; mills were stopped by the freezing up 
of streams, while deer and other game, sinking 
through the crust of snow, were easily captured 
or perished for lack of food. Birds and domestic 
fowls often suffered a like fate for want of sus- 
tenance or from the severity of the cold. 

DEERE, John, manufacturer, was born at 
Middlebury, Yt., Feb. 7, 1804; learned the black- 
smith trade, which he followed until 1838, when 
he came west, settling at Grand Detour, in Ogle 
County ; ten years later removed to Moline, and 
there founded the plow-works which bear his 
name and of which he was President from 1808 
until his death in 1886.— Charles H. (Deere), son 
of the preceding, was born in Hancock, Addison 
County Vt., March 28, 1837; educated in the 
common schools and at Iowa and Knox Acad- 
emies, and Bell's Commercial College, Chicago; 
became assistant and head book-keeper, travel- 
ing and purchasing agent of the Deere Plow 
Company, and, on its incorporation, Vice-Presi- 
dent and General Manager, until his father's 
death, when he succeeded to the Presidency. He 
is also the founder of the Deere & Mansur Corn 
Planter Works, President of the Moline Water 
Power Compan)-, besides being a Director in 
various other concerns and in the branch liouses 
of Deere & Co., in Kansas City, Des Moines, 
Council Bluffs and San Francisco. Notwith- 
standing his immense business interests, Mr. 
Deere has found time for the discharge of public 
and patriotic duties, as shown by the fact that he 
was for years a member and Chairman of the 
State Bureau of Labor Statistics ; a Commissioner 
from Illinois to the Vienna International Exposi- 
tion of 1873; one of the State Commissioners of 
the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893; a 
Presidential Elector for the State-at-large in 1888, 
and a delegate from his District to the National 
Republican Convention at St. Louis, in 1896. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



131 



DEERIXdi, William, manufacturer, was born 
at Pari:.. Oxford County, Maine, April '20. 182(), 
completed his education at the Readfield high 
school, in 1843, engaged actively iu manufactur- 
ing, and during his time has assisted in establish- 
ing several large, successful business enterprises, 
including wholesale and commission dry-goods 
houses in Portland. Maine, Boston and New York. 
His greatest work has been the building up of the 
Deering ^Manufacturing Company, a main feature 
of which, for tliirty years, has been the manu- 
facture of Marsh harvesters and other agricultural 
implements and appliances. This concern began 
operation in Chicago about 1870, at the present 
time (1899) occupying eighty acres in the north 
part of the city and emploj'ing some 4,000 hands. 
It is said to turn out a larger amount and greater 
variety of articles for the use of the agriculturist 
than any other establishment in the country, 
receiving its raw material from many foreign 
countries, including the Philippines, and distrib- 
uting its products all over the globe. Mr. Deer- 
ing continues to be President of the Company 
and a principal factor in the management of its 
immense business. He is liberal, public-spirited 
and benevolent, and his business career has been 
notable for the absence of controversies with his 
employes. He has been, for a number of years, 
one of the Trustees of the Northwestern Univer- 
sity at Evanston, and, at the present time, is 
President uf the Board. 

DE KALB, a city in De Kalb County, 58 miles 
west of Chicago. Of late years it has grown 
rapidly, largely because of tlie introduction of 
new industrial enterprises. It contains a large 
wire drawing plant, barbed wire factories, foun- 
dry, agricultural implement works, machine 
shop, slioe factory and several minor manufac- 
turing establishments. It has banks, four news- 
papers, electric street railwa}-, eight miles of 
paved streets, nine cliurches and three graded 
scliools. It is the site of the Northern State Nor- 
mal School, located in 189.5. Population (1880), 
1,598; (1.890), 2,.579; (1900), 5,904; (1903, est.), 8,000. 

DE KALB COUNTY, originally a portion of 
La Salle County, and later of Kane ; was organized 
in 1837, and named for Baron De Kalb, the 
Revolutionary patriot. Its area is 6,50 .square 
miles and population (in 1900), 31.75G. The land 
is elevated and well drained, lying between Fox 
and Rock Rivers. Prior to 1835 the land belonged 
to the Pottawatomie Indians, who maintained 
several villages and their own tribal government. 
No sooner had the aborigines been removed than 
white settlers appeared in large numbers, and. 



in September, 1835, a convocation was held on 
the banks of the Kishwaukee, to adopt a tempo- 
rarj' form of government. The public lands in the 
county were sold at auction in Chicago in 1843. 
Sycamore (originally called Orange) is the 
county-seat, and, in 1890, had a population of 
2,987. Brick buildings were first erected at 
Sycamore by J. S. Waterman and the brothers 
JIayo. In 1854, H. A. Hough established the 
first newspaper, "The Republican Sentinel." 
Other prosperous towns are De Kalb (population, 
2,579), Cortland, Malta and Somonauk. The sur- 
face is generally rolling, upland prairie, with 
numerous groves and wooded tracts along the 
principal streams. Various lines of railroad trav- 
erse the county, which embraces one of the 
wealthiest rural districts in the State. 

DE KALB & (iREAT WESTERN RAILROAD. 
(See Chicago Great Western Railway.) 

DELAVAy,a thriving city in Tazewell County, 
on the line of the Chicago ct Alton Railroad, at 
the point of its intersection with the Peoria and 
Pekin Division of the Illinois Central Railway, 34 
miles we.st- southwest of Bloomington and 24 
miles south of Peoria. Grain is extensively 
grown in the adjacent territory, and much 
shipped from Delavan. The place supports two 
banks, tile and brick factory, creamery, and two 
weekly papers. It also has five churches and a 
graded school. Pop. (1890), 1,176, (1900), 1,304. 

DEMENT, Henry Dodge, ex-Secretary of State, 
was born at Galena, 111., in 1840 — the son of 
Colonel John Dement, an early and prominent 
citizen of the State, who held the office of State 
Treasurer and was a member of the Constitu- 
tional Conventions of 1847 and 1870. Colonel 
Dement having removed to Dixon about 1845, the 
subject of this sketch was educated there and at 
Mount Morris. Having enlisted in the Thirteenth 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry in 18G1. he was elected 
a Second Lieutenant and soon promoted to First 
Lieutenant — also received from Governor Yates a 
complimentary commission as Captain for gal- 
lantry at Arkansas Post and at Chickasaw 
Bayou, where the commander of his regiment. 
Col. J. B. Wyman, was killed. Later he served 
with General Curtis in Mississippi and in the 
Fifteenth Army Corps in the siege of Vieksburg. 
After leaving the army he engaged in the manu- 
facturing business for some years at Dixon. Cap- 
tain Dement entered the State Legislature by 
election as Representative from Lee County in 
1872, was re-elected in 1874 and, in 1876. was pro- 
moted to the Senate, serving in the Thirtieth and 
Thirty-first General Assemblies. In 1880 he was 



132 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



chosen Secretary of State, and re-elected in 1884, 
serving eight years. The last public position held 
by Captain Dement was that of Warden of the 
State Penitentiary at Joliet, to which he was 
appointed in 1891, serving two years. His 
present home is at Oak Park, Cook County. 

DEMEXT, John, was born in Sumner County, 
Tenn., in April, 1804. When 13 years old he 
accompanied his parents to Illinois, settling in 
Franklin Count}', of which he was elected Sheriff 
in 1836, and which he represented in the General 
Assemblies of 1828 and '30. He served with 
distinction during the Black Hawk War, having 
previously had experience in two Indian cam- 
paigns. In 1831 he was elected State Treasurer 
by the Legislature, but, in 1836, resigned this 
office to represent Fayette County in the General 
Assemblj' and aid in the fight against the removal 
of the capital to Springfield. His efl:orts failing 
of success, he removed to the northern part of the 
State, finally locating at Dixon, where he became 
extensively engaged in manufacturing. In 1837 
President Van Buren appointed him Receiver of 
Public Sloneys. but he was removed by President 
Harrison in 1841 ; was reappointed by Polk in 
184.5, only to be again removed by Taylor in 1849 
and reappointed by Pierce in 18.58. He held the 
office from that date until it was abolished. He 
was a Democratic Presidential Elector in 1844; 
served in three Constitutional Conventions (1847, 
'63, and '70), being Temporary President of the 
two bodies last named. He %vas the father of 
Hon. Denry D. Dement, Secretary of State of Illi- 
nois from 1884 to 1888. He died at his home at 
Dixon, Jan. 16, 1883. 

DENT, Thomas, lawyer, was born in Putnam 
County, 111., Nov. 14, 1831; in his j'outh was 
employed in the Clerk's office of Putnam Countj', 
meanwhile studying law; was admitted to the 
bar in 1854, and, in 1856, opened an office in Chi- 
cago; is still in practice and has served as 
President, both of the Chicago Law Institute and 
the State Bar Association. 

1)ES PLAIXES, a village of Cook County, at the 
intersection of the Chicago & Northwestern and 
the Wisconsin Central Railroads, 17 miles north- 
west from Chicago; is a dairying region. Popu- 
lation (1880). 818; (1890), 986; (1900), 1.666. 

DES PLAINES RIVER, a branch of the Illinois 
River, which rises in Racine County, Wis., and, 
after passing through Kenosha County, in that 
State, and Lake County, 111., running nearly 
parallel to the west shore of Lake Michigan 
through Cook County, finally unites with the 
Kankakee, about 13 miles southwest of Joliet, by 



its confluence with the latter forming the Illinois 
River. Its length is about 150 miles. The 
Chicago Drainage Canal is constructed in the 
valley of the Des Plaines for a considerable por- 
tion of the distance between Chicago and Joliet. 

DEWEY, (Dr.) Richard S., physician, alienist, 
was born at Forest ville, N. Y., Dec. 6, 1845; after 
receiving his primary education took a two years' 
course in the literar}- and a three years' course in 
the medical department of the Jlichigan Univer- 
sity at Ann Arbor, graduating from the latter in 
1869. He then began practice as House Physician 
and Surgeon in the City Ho.spital at Brookh'n, 
N. Y., remaining for a year, after which he 
visited Europe inspecting hospitals and sanitary 
methods, meanwhile spending six months in the 
Prussian military service as Surgeon during the 
Franco-Prussian War. After the close of the 
war he took a brief course in the University of 
Berlin, when, returning to the United States, he 
was employed for seven years as Assistant Physi- 
cian in the Northern Hospital for the Insane at 
Elgin. In 1879 he was appointed Medical Super- 
intendent of the Eastern Hospital for the Insane 
at Kankakee, remaining until the accession of 
John P. Altgeld to the Governorship in 1893. 
Dr. Dewey's reputation as a specialist in the 
treatment of the insane has stood among the 
highest of his class. 

DE WITT COUNTY, situated in the central 
portion of the State ; has an area of 405 square 
miles and a population (1900) of 18,972. The land 
was originally owned bj- the Kickapoos and Potta- 
watomies, and not until 1820 did the first perma- 
nent white settlers occupy this region. The first 
to come were Felix Jones. Prettyman Marvel, 
William Cottrell, Samuel Glenn, and the families 
of Scott, Lundy and Coaps. Previously, how- 
ever, the first cabin had been built on the site of 
the present Farmer City by Nathan Clearwater. 
Zion Shugest erected the earliest grist-mill and 
Burrell Post the first saw-mill in the county. 
Kentuckians and Tennesseeans were the first im- 
migrants, but not until the advent of settlers from 
Ohio did permanent improvements begin to be 
made. In 1835 a school house and Presbj-terian 
church were built at Waynesville. The county 
was organized in 1839, and — with its capital 
(Clinton) — was named after one of New York's 
most distinguished Governors. It lies within the 
great "corn belt," and is well watered by Salt 
Creek and its branches. Most of the surface is 
rolling prairie, interspersed with woodland. 
Several lines of railway' (among them the Illinois 
Central) cross the county. Clinton had a popu- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



1 oo 
1 JO 



lation of 3,598 in 1890, and Farmer City, 1,307. 
Both are railroad centers and have considerable 
trade. 

DE WOLF, Calvin, pioneer and philanthropist, 
was born in Luzerne County, Pa., Feb. 18, 1815; 
taken early in life to Vermont, and, at 19 years of 
age, commenced teaching at Orwell, in that 
State; spent one year at a manual labor school 
in Ashtabula County, Ohio, and, in 1837, came to 
Chicago, and soon after began teaching in Will 
County, still later engaging in tlie same vocation 
in Chicago. In 1839 he commenced the studj- of 
law with Messrs. Spring & Goodrich and, in 1843, 
was admitted to practice. In 1854 he was 
elected a Justice of the Peace, retaining the 
position for a quarter of a century, winning for 
himself the reputation of a sagacious and incor- 
ruptible public officer. Mr. De Wolf was an 
original abolitionist and his home is said to have 
been one of the stations on the "underground 
railroad" in the days of slavery. Died Nov. 28. '99. 
DEXTER, Wirt, lawyer, born at Dexter, Mich., 
Oct. 25, 1831 ; was educated in the schools of his 
native State and at Cazenovia Seminary, N. Y. 
He was descended from a family of lawj-ers, his 
grandfather, Samuel Dexter, having been Secre- 
tary of War, and afterwards Secretary of the 
Treasury, in the cabinet of the elder Adams. 
Coming to Chicago at the beginning of his profes- 
sional career, Mr. Dexter gave considerable 
attention at first to his father's extensive lumber 
trade. He was a zealous and eloquent supporter 
of the Government during the Civil War, and 
was an active member of the Relief and Aid 
Society after the fire of 1871. His entire profes- 
sional life was spent in Chicago, for several years 
before his death being in the service of the Chi- 
cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company as 
its general solicitor and member of the executive 
committee of the Board of Directors. Died in 
Chicago, May 20, 1890. 

DICKEY, Hiig'Ii Thompson, jurist, was born in 
New York City, May 30, 1811; graduated from 
Columbia College, read law and was admitted to 
the bar. He visited Chicago in 1836, and four 
years later settled there, becoming one of its 
mo.st influential citizens. Upon the organization 
of the County Court of Cook County in 1845, 
Mr. Dickey was appointed its Judge. In Septem- 
ber, 1848, he was elected Judge of the Seventh 
Judicial Circuit, practically without partisan 
opposition, serving until the expiration of his 
term in 1853. He was prominently identified 
with several important commercial enterprises, 
was one of the founders of the Chicago Library 



Association, and one of the first Trustees of the 
Illinois General Hospital of the Lakes, now Mercy 
Hospital. In 1885 he left Chicago to take up his 
residence in hLs native city. New York, where he 
died, June 2, 1892. 

DICKEY, Tlieophiliis Ljie, lawyer and jurist, 
was born in Bourbon County, Ky., Nov. 12, 1812, 
the grandson of a Revolutionary soldier, gradu- 
ated at the Miami (Ohio) University, and re- 
moved to Illinois in 1834. settling at Macomb, 
McDonough County, wliere he was admitted to 
the bar in 1835. In 1831) he moved to Rushville, 
where he resided three years, a part of the time 
editing a Whig newspaper. Later he became a 
resident of Ottawa, and, at the opening of the 
Mexican V/ar, organized a company of volun- 
teers, of which he was chosen Captain. In 1861 
he raised a regiment of cavalry which was 
mustered into service as the Fourth Illinois 
Cavalry, and of wliich he was commissioned 
Colonel, taking an active part in Grant's cam- 
paigns in the West. In 1865 he resigned his 
commission and resumed the practice of his 
profession at Ottawa. In 1866 he was an 
unsuccessful candidate for Congressman for the 
State-at-large in opposition to John A. Logan, 
and, in 1868, was tendered and accepted the posi- 
tion of Assistant Attorney-General of the United 
States, resigning after eighteen montlis' service. 
In 1873 he removed to Chicago, and. in 1874, was 
made Corporation Counsel. In December, 1875, 
he was elected to the Supreme Court, vice W. K. 
McAllister, deceased ; was re-elected in 1879, and 
died at Atlantic City, July 22. 1885. 

DISCIPLES OF CHRIST, THE, known also as 
the Christian Church and as "Campbellites," 
having been founded by Alexander Campbell. 
Many members settled in Illinois in the early 
30's, and, in the central portion of the State, the 
denomination soon began to flourish greatly 
Any one was admitted to membership who made 
what is termed a scriptm-al confession of faith 
and was baptized by immersion. Alexander 
Campbell was an eloquent preacher and a man of 
much native ability, as well as a born conver- 
sationalist. The sect has steadily grown in 
nuiniiers and influence in the State. The L^nited 
States Census of 1890 showed 641 churches in the 
State, with 368 ministers and an aggregate mem- 
bership of 61,587, having 550 Sunday schools, with 
50,000 pupils in attendance. The value of the 
real property, which included 552 church edifices 
(with a seating capacity of 155,000) and 30 parson- 
ages, was 81,167,675. The denomination supports 
Eureka College, with an attendance of between 



134 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



400 and 500 students, while its assets are valued 
at §150,000. Total membership in the United 
States, estimated at 750,000. 

DIXOX, an incorporated city, the county-seat 
of Lee County. It lies on both sides of Rock 
River and is the point of intersection of the Illi- 
nois Central and the Chicago A: Northv.-estern 
Railroads; is 98 miles west of Chicago. Rock 
River furnishes abundant water power and the 
manufacturing interests of the city are very ex- 
tensive, including large plow works, wire-cloth 
factory, wagon factory; also has electric light 
and power plant, three shoe factories, planing 
mills, and a condensed milk factory. There are 
two National and one State bank, eleven 
churches, a hospital, and three newspapers. In 
schools the city particularly excels, having sev- 
eral graded (grammar) schools and two colleges. 
The Chautauqua Assembly holds its meeting here 
annually. Population (1890). 5,161; (1900), 7,917. 

DIXOX, John, pioneer — the first white settler 
in Lee County, 111., was born at Rye, West- 
chester County, N. Y., Oct. 9, 1784; at 21 removed 
to New York City, where he was in business some 
fifteen years. In 1820 he set out with his family 
for the West, traveling by land to Pittsburg, 
and thence by flat-boat to Shawneetown. Having 
disembarked his horses and goods here, he pushed 
out towards the northwest, passing the vicinity 
of Springfield, and finallj' locating on Fancy 
Creek, some nine miles north of the present site 
of tliat city. Here he remained some five years, 
in that time serving as foreman of the first Sanga- 
mon County Grand Jury. The new county of 
Peoria having been established in 1825. he was 
offered and accepted the appointment of Circuit 
Clerk, removing to Fort Clark, as Peoria was 
then called. Later he became contractor for 
carrying the mail on the newly established route 
between Peoria and Galena. Compelled to pro- 
vide means of crossing Rock River, lie induced a 
French and Indian half-breed, named Ogee, to 
take charge of a ferry at a point afterwards 
known as Ogee's Ferrj-. The tide of travel to the 
lead-mine region caused both the mail-route and 
the ferry to prove profitable, and. as tlie half- 
breed ferryman could not endure jjrosperity, Jlr. 
Dixon was forced to buy him out, removing liis 
familj- to this point in April, 1830. Here he 
established friendly relations with the Indians, 
and, during the Black Hawk War ,two years later, 
was enabled to render valuable service to the 
State. His .station was for many years one of 
the most important points in Northern Illinois, 
and among the men of national reputation wlio 



were entertained at different times at his home, 
may be named Gen. Zachary Taj-lor, Albert Sid 
ney Johnston, Gen. Winfield Scott, Jefferson 
Davis, Col. Robert Anderson, Abraliam Lincoln, 
Col. E. D. Baker and many more. He bought the 
land where Dixon now stands in 1835 and laid off 
the town; in 1838 was elected by the Legislature 
a member of the Board of Public Works, and. in 
18-10, secured the removal of the land office from 
Galena to Dixon. Colonel Dixon was a delegate 
from Lee County to the Republican State Con- 
vention at Bloomington, in May, 1850, and, 
although then considerably over 70 years of age, 
spoke from the same stand with Abraham Lin- 
coln, his presence producing much enthusiasm. 
His death occurred, July 6, 1876. 

DO AXE, John Wesley, merchant and banker, 
was born at Thompson, Windham County, Conn., 
March 23, 1833; was educated in the common 
schools, and, at 22 years of age, came to Chicago 
and opened a small grocery store which, by 1870, 
had become one of the most extensive concerns 
of its kind in the Northwest. It was swept out 
of existence bj' the fire of 1871, but was re-estab- 
lished and, in 1872, transferred to other parties, 
although Mr. Doane continued to conduct an 
importing business in many lines of goods used in 
the grocery trade. Having become interested in 
the Merchants' Loan & Trust Company, he was 
elected its President and has continued to act in 
that capacity. He is also a stockholder and a 
Director of the Pullman Palace Car Company, 
the Allen Paper Car Wheel Company and the 
Illinois Central Railroad, and was a leading 
promoter of the World's Columbian Exposition of 
1893 — being one of those wlio guaranteed the 
$5,000,000 to be raised by the citizens of Chicago 
to assure the success of the enterprise. 

DOLTO>' STATION, a village of Cook County, 
on the Chicago & Eastern Illinois, the Chicago & 
Western Indiana, and the Pittsburg, Cincinnati, 
Chicago & St. Louis Railroads. 16 miles south of 
Chicago; has a carriage factory, a weekly paper, 
churches and a graded school. Population (1880) 
448; (1890). 1.110; (1900), 1,229. 

DOXUOLA, a village in Union Covmty, on the 
Illinois Central Railroad, 27 miles north of Cairo. 
Population (1S80), .599; (1890), 733; (1900), 681. 

DOOLITTLE, James Rood, United States 
Senator, was born in Hampton, Washington 
County, N. Y., Jan 3, 1815; educated at Middle- 
bury and Geneva (now Hobart) Colleges, admitteil 
to the bar in 1837 and practiced at Rochester and 
Warsaw, N. Y. ; was elected District Attorney of 
Wyoming County, N. Y.. in 1845. .and in 1851 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



135 



removed to "Wisconsin; two years later was 
elected Circuit Judge, but resigned in 185G, and 
the following year was elected as a Democratic- 
Republican to the United States Senate, being 
re-elected as a Republican in 18G3. Retiring 
from public life in 1869, he afterwards resided 
chiefly at Racine, Wis., though practicing in the 
courts of Chicago. He was President of the 
National Union Convention at Philadelphia in 
186G, and of the National Democratic Convention 
of 1872 in Baltimore, which endorsed Horace 
Greeley for President. Died, at Edgewood, R. I., 
July 27, 1897. 

DORE, John Clark, first Superintendent of 
Chicago City Schools, was born at Ossipee, N. H., 
March 22, 1822; began teaching at 17 years of age 
and graduated at Dartmouth College in 1847; 
then taught several years and, in 18.^4, was 
offered and accepted the position of Superintend- 
ent of City Schools of Chicago, but resigned two 
years later. Afterwards engaging in business, 
he served as Vice-President and President of 
the Board of Trade, President of the Com- 
mercial Insurance Company and of the State 
Savings Institution; was a member of the State 
Senate, 1868-72, and has been identified with 
various benevolent organizations of the citj' of 
Chicago. Died in Boston. Mass., Dec, 14, 1900. 

DOUGHERTY, John, lawyer and Lieutenant- 
Governor, was born at Marietta, Ohio, Jlay 6, 
1806; brought by his parents, in 1808, to Cape 
Girardeau, Mo., where they remained until after 
the disastrous earthquakes in that region in 
1811-12, when, his father having died, his mother 
removed to Jonesboro, 111. Here he finally read 
law with Col. A. P. Field, afterwards Secretary 
of State, being admitted to the bar in 1831 and 
early attaining prominence as a successful 
criminal lawyer. He soon became a recognized 
political leader, was elected as a member of the 
House to the Eighth General Assembly (1832) 
and re-elected in 1834, '36 and '40, and again in 
18.')G, and to the Senate in 1843, serving in the 
latter body until the adoption of the Constitution 
of 1848. Originally a Democrat, he was, in 18.58, 
the Administration (Buchanan) candidate for 
State Treasurer, as opposed to the Douglas wing 
of the partj'. but, in 1861, became a strong sup- 
jiorter of Abraham Lincoln. He served as Presi- 
dential Elector on the ReiiubUcan ticket in 1864 
and in 1872 (the former year for the State- at- 
large), in 1868 was elected Lieutenant-Governor 
and, in 1877, to a seat on the criminal bench, 
serving until June, 1879. Died, at Jone.sboro, 
Sept. 7, 1879. 



DOUGLAS, John M., lawyer and Railway 
President, was born at Plattsburg, Clinton 
County, N. Y., August 23, 1819; read law three 
years in his native city, then came west and 
settled at Galena, 111., where he was admitted to 
the bjir in 1841 and began practice. In 1856 he 
removed to Chicago, and, the following year, 
became one of the .solicitors of the Illinois Central 
Railroad, with which he had been associated as 
an attornej- at Galena. Between 1861 and 1876 
he was a Director of the Company over twelve 
years ; from 1865 to 1871 its President, and again 
for eighteen months in 187.')-76, when he retired 
permanently. Mr. Douglas' contemporaries speak 
of him as a lawyer of great ability, as well 
as a capable executive officer. Died, in Chicago, 
Marcli 35, 1891. 

DOUGLAS, Steplien Arnold, statesman, was 
born at Brandon, Vt., April 23, 1813. In conse- 
quence of the death of his father in infancy, 
his earlj' educational advantages were limited. 
When fifteen he applied himself to the cabinet- . 
maker's trade, and, in 1830, accompanied his 
mother and step-father to Ontario County, N. Y. 
In 1832 he began the studj' of law, but started for 
the West in 1833. He taught school at Win- 
chester, 111., reading law at night and practicing 
before a Justice of the Peace on Saturdays. He 
was soon admitted to the bar and took a deep 
interest in politics. In 1835 he was elected Prose- 
cuting Attorney for Morgan County, but a few 
months later resigned this office to enter the 
lower house of the Legislature, to which he was 
elected in 1836. In 1838 he was a candidate for 
Congress, but was defeated by John T. Stuart, his 
Whig opponent ; was appointed Secretary of 
State in December, 1840, and, in February, 1841, 
elected Judge of the Supreme Court. He was 
elected to Congress in 1842, '44 and '46, and, in 
the latter year, was chosen United States Sena- 
tor, taking his seat March 4, 1847, and being 
re-elected in 1853 and '59. His last canvass was 
rendered memorable through his joint debate, in 
1858, before the people of the State with Abraham 
Lincoln, whom he defeated before the Legisla- 
ture. He was a candidate for the presidential 
nomination Viefore the Democratic National 
Conventions of 18.52 and '.56. In 1860, after having 
failed of a nomination for the Presidency at 
Charleston, S. C, through the operation of the 
"two thirds rule," he received the nomination 
from the adjourned convention held at Baltimore 
six weeks later — though not until the delegates 
from nearly all the Southern States had with- 
drawn, the seceding delegates afterwards nomi- 



136 



HISTORICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



nating John C. Breckenridge. Although defeated 
for tlie Presidencj- by Lincoln, his old-time 
antagonist, Douglas yielded a cordial support to 
the incoming administration in its attitude 
toward the seceded States, occupying a place of 
honor beside Mr. Lincoln on tlie portico of the 
capitol during the inauguration ceremonies. As 
politician, orator and statesman, Douglas had 
few superiors. Quick in perception, facile in 
expedients, ready in resources, earnest and 
fearless in utterance, he was a born "leader of 
men." His shortness of stature, considered in 
relation to his extraordinary mental acumen, 
gained for him the sobriquet of the "Little 
Giant." He died in Chicago, June 3, 1861. 

DOUGLAS COUNTY, lying a little east of the 
center of the State, embracing an area of 410 
square miles and having a population (1900) of 
19,097. The earliest land entry was made by 
Harrison Gill, of Kentucky, whose patent was 
signed by Andrew Jackson. Another early 
settler was John A. Eichman, a West Virginian, 
who erected one of the first frame houses in 
the county in 1829. The Embarras and Kas- 
kaskia Rivers flow through the county, which is 
also crossed by the Wabash and Illinois Central 
Railways. Douglas County was organized in 
1857 (being set off from Coles) and named in 
honor of Steplien A. Douglas, then United States 
Senator from Illinois. After a sharp struggle Tus- 
cola was made the county-seat. It has been 
visited by several disastrous conflagrations, but 
is a thriving town, credited, in 1890, with a 
population of 1,897. Other important towns are 
Areola (population, 1,733), and Camargo, which 
was originally known as New Salem. 

DOWNERS GROVE, village, Du Page County, 
on C, B. it Q. R. R., 21 miles south- southwest from 
Chicago, incorporated 1873; has water- works, elec- 
tric lights, telephone system, good schools, bank 
and a newspaper. Pop. (1890), 960; (1900), 2,103. 

DOWNING, Finis Ewing, ex-Congressman and 
lawyer, was born at Virginia, 111., August 24, 
1840 ; reared on a farm and educated in the public 
and private schools of his native town; from 1805 
was engaged in mercantile pursuits until 1880, 
when he was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court 
of Cass County, serving three successive terms; 
read law and was admitted to the bar in Decem- 
ber, 1887. In Augast, 1891, he became interested 
in "The Virginia Enquirer" (a Democratic 
paper), which he has since conducted; was 
elected Secretary of the State Senate in 1893, 
and, in 1894, was returned as elected to the Fifty- 
fourth Congress from the Sixteenth District by a 



plurality of forty votes over Gen. John I. Rinaker, 
the Republican nominee. A contest and recount 
of the ballots resulted, however, in awarding the 
seat to General Rinaker. In 1896 Mr. Downing 
was the nominee of his party for Secretary of 
State, but was defeated with the rest of liis ticket. 

DRAKE, Francis Marion, soldier and Governor, 
was born at Rushville, Schuj-ler County, 111., 
Dec. 30, 1830; early taken to Drakesville, Iowa, 
which liis father founded; entered mercantile 
life at 10 years of age ; crossed the plains to Cali- 
fornia in 1852, had experience in Indian warfare 
and, in 1859, established himself in business at 
Unionville, Iowa; served through the Civil War, 
becoming Lieutenant-Colonel and retiring in 
1865 with the rank of Brigadier-General by 
brevet. He re-entered mercantile life after the 
war, was admitted to the bar in 1866, subsequently 
engaged in railroad building and, in 1881, contrib- 
buted the bulk of the funds for founding Drake 
University; was elected Governor of Iowa in 
1895, serving until January, 1898. 

DRAPER, Andrew Sloan, LL.D., lawyer and 
educator, was born in Otsego County, N. Y., 
June 21, 1848 — being a descendant, in the eighth 
generation, from the "Puritan," James Draper, 
who settled in Boston in 1647. In 1855 Mr. 
Draper's parents settled in Albany, N. Y., where 
he attended school, winning a scholarship in the 
Albany Academy in 1863, and graduating from 
that institution in 1866. During the next four 
years he was employed in teaching, part of the 
time as an instructor at his alma mater ; but, in 
1871, graduated from the Union College Law 
Department, when he began practice. The rank 
he attained in the profession was indicated by 
his appointment by President Arthur, in 1884, 
one of the Judges of the Alabama Claims Com- 
mission, upon which he .served until the conclu- 
sion of its labors in 1886. He had previouslj' 
served in the Neve York State Senate (1880) and, 
in 1884, was a delegate to the Republican National 
Convention, also serving as Chairman of the 
Republican .State Central Committee the same 
year. After his return from Eui-ope in 1886, he 
served as State Superintendent of Public Instruc- 
tion of New York until 1892. and, in 1889, and 
again in 1890, was President of the National 
Association of School Su])erintendents. Soon 
after retiring from the State Superintendency in 
New York, he was chosen Superintendent of 
Public Schools for the city of Cleveland, Ohio, 
remaining in that position until 1894. when he 
was elected President of the University of Illinois 
at Champaign, where he now is. His adminis- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



137 



tration has been characterized by enterprise and 
sagacity, and has tended to promote the popular- 
ity and prosperity of the institution. 

DRESSER, Charles, clergyman, was born at 
Pomfret, Conn., Feb. 34, 1800; graduated from 
Brown University in 1823, went to Virginia, 
where he studied theology and was ordained a 
minister of the Prote.stant Episcopal Church. In 
1838 he removed to Springfield, and became rector 
of St. Paul's Episcopal Church there, retiring in 
1858. On Nov. 4, 1842, Mr. Dresser performed the 
ceremony vmiting Abraham Lincoln and Mary 
Todd in marriage. He died, March 2.'), 1865. 

DRUMMOXD, Thomas, jurist, was born at 
Bristol 'Mills. Lincoln County, Maine, Oct. 16, 
1809. After graduating from Bowdoin College, in 
1830, he studied law at Philadelphia, where he was 
admitted to the bar in 1833. He settled at 
Galena, 111., in 1835, and was a member of the 
General Assembly in 1840-41. In 1850 he was 
appointed United States District Judge for the 
District of Illinois as successor to Judge Nathaniel 
Pope, and four years later removed to Chicago. 
Upon the division of the State into two judicial 
districts, in 1855, he was assigned to the North- 
ern. In 1869 he was elevated to the bench of the 
United States Circuit Court, and presided over 
the Seventh Circuit, which at that time included 
the States of Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. In 
1884 — at the age of 75 — he resigned, livzng in 
retirement until his death, which occurred at 
Wheaton. Ill, May 15, 1890. 

DUBOIS, Jesse Kil^ore, State Auditor, was 
born, Jan. 14, 1811. in Lawrence County, 111., 
near Vincennes, Ind., where his father, Capt. 
Toussaint Dubois, had settled about 1780. The 
latter was a native of Canada, of French descent, 
and, after settling in the Northwest Territory, 
had been a personal friend of General Harrison, 
under whom he served in the Indian wars, 
including the battle of Tippecanoe. The .son 
received a partial collegiate education at Bloom- 
ington, Ind., but, at 24 years of age (1834), was 
electeil to the General Assembl)-, .serving in the 
same House with Abraham Lincoln, and being 
re-elected in 183G, '38, and '42. In 1841 he was 
appointed by President Harrison Register of the 
Land Office at Palestine, III, but .soon resigned, 
giving his attention to mercantile jjursuits until 
1849, when he was appointed Receiver of Public 
Moneys at Palestine, but was removed by Pierce 
in 1853. He was a Delegate to tlie first Repub- 
lican State Convention, at Blooniington. in 1856, 
and, on the recommendation of Mr. Lincoln, was 
nominated for Auditor of Public Accounts, 



renominated in 1860 and elected both times. In 
1864 he was a candidate for the nomination of 
his party for Governor, but was defeated by 
General Oglesby, serving, however, on the 
National Executive Committee of that year, and 
as a delegate to the National Convention of 1868. 
Died, at las liome near Springfield, Nov. 22, 1876. 
— Fred T. (Dubois), son of the preceding, was 
born in Crawford County, lU., May 29, 1851; 
received a common-school and classical educa- 
tion, graduating from Yale College in 1872 ; was 
Secretary of the Illinois Railway and Warehouse 
Commission in 1875-76 ; went to Idaho Territorj' 
and engaged in biisiness in 1880, was appointed 
United States Marshal there in 1883, serving until 
1886; elected as a Republican Delegate to the 
Fiftieth and Fifty -first Congre.sses, and, on the 
admission of Idaho as a State (1890), became 
one of the first United States Senators, his term 
extending to 1897. He was Chairman of the 
Idaho delegation in the National Republican 
Convention at Minneapolis in 1892, and was a 
member of the National Republican Convention 
at St. Louis in 1896, but seceded from that body 
with Senator Teller of Colorado, and has since 
cooperated with the Populists and Free Silver 
Democrats. 

DUCAT, Arthur Charles, soldier and civil 
engineer, was born in Dublin, Ireland, Feb. 24, 
1830, received a liberal education and became a 
civil engineer. He settled in Chicago in 1851, 
and six years later was made Secretary and Chief 
Surveyor of the Board of Under^vriters of that 
city. Wliile acting in tliis capacity, he virtually 
revised the schedule S3-stem of rating fire-risks. 
In 1861 he raised a company of 300 engineers, 
sappers and miners, but neither the State nor 
Federal authorities would accept it. Tliereupon 
he enlisted as a private in the Twelfth Illinois 
Volunteers, bub his ability earned him rapid 
promotion. He rose through the grades of Cap- 
tain, Major and Lieutenant-Colonel, to that of 
Colonel, and was brevette<l Brigadier-General in 
February, 1864. Compelled by sickness to leave the 
army. General Ducat returned to Chicago, 
re-entering the insurance field and finally, after 
holding various responsible positions, engaging 
in general business in that line. In 1875 he was 
entrusted with the task of reorganizing the State 
militia, which he performed with signal success. 
Died, at Downer's Grove, III, Jan. 29, 1896. 

DUELS A>D AXTI-DUELI\G LAWS. Al- 
though a majoritj' of the population of Illinois, 
in Territorial days, came from Soutliern States 
wliere the duel was widely regarded as the proper 



138 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



mode for settling "difBculties" of a personal 
character, it is a curious fact that so few " 'affairs 
of honor" (so-called) should have occurred on 
Illinois soil. The first "affair" of this sort of 
which either history or tradition has handed 
down any account, is said to have occurred 
between an EngUsh and a French officer at the 
time of the surrender of Fort Chartres to the 
British in 1765, and in connection with that 
event. The officers are said to have fought with 
small swords one Sunday morning near the Fort, 
when one of them was killed, but the name of 
neither the victor nor the vanquished has come 
down to the present time. Gov. John Reynolds, 
who is the authority for the story in his "Pioneer 
History of IlUnois," claimed to have received it 
in his boyhood from an aged Frenchman who 
represented that lie had seen the combat. 

An affair of less doubtful authenticity has come 
down to us in the history of the Territorial 
period, and, although it was at first bloodless, it 
finally ended in a tragedy. This was the Jones- 
Bond affair, which originated at Kaskaskia in 
1808. Rice Jones was the son of John Rice Jones, 
the first English-speaking lawyer in the "Illinois 
Country." The younger Jones is described as an 
exceptionally brilliant young man who, having 
studied law, located at Kaskaskia in 1806. Two 
years later he became a candidate for Represent- 
ative from Randolph County in the Legislature 
of Indiana Territory, of which Illinois was a part. 
In the course of the canva.ss which resulted in 
Jones' election, he became involved in a quarrel 
with Shadrach Bond, who was then a member of 
the Territorial Council from the same county, 
and afterwards became Delegate in Congress 
from Illinois and the first Governor of the State. 
Bond challenged Jones and the meeting took 
place on an island in the Mississippi between 
Kaskaskia and St. Genevieve. Bond's second 
was a Dr. James Dunlap of Kaskaskia, who 
appears also to have been a bitter enemy of Jones. 
The discharge of a pistol in the hand of Jones 
after the combatants had taken their places 
preliminary to the order to "fire," raised the 
question wliether it was accidental or to be 
regarded as Jones' fire. Dunlap maintained the 
latter, but Bond accepted the explanation of his 
adversary that the discharge was accidental, and 
the generosity whicli he displaj-ed led to expla- 
nations that averted a final exchange of shots. 
The feud thus started between Jones and Dunlap 
grew until it involved a large part of the com- 
munity. On Dec. 7, 1808, Dunlap shot down 
Jones in cold blood and without warning in 



tlie streets of Kaskaskia, killing him instantly. 
The murderer fled to Texas and was never heard 
of about Kaskaskia afterwards. This incident 
furnishes the basis of the most graphic chapter 
in Mrs. Catherwood's story of "Old Kaskaskia." 
Prompted by this tragical affair, no doubt, the 
Governor and Temtorial Judges, in 1810, framed a 
stringent law for the suppression of dueling, in 
which, in case of a fatal result, all parties con- 
nected with the affair, as principals or seconds, 
were held to be guilty of murder. 

Governor Reynolds furnishes the record of a 
duel between Thomas Rector, the member of a 
noted family of that name at Kaskaskia, and one 
Joshua Barton, supposed to have occurred some- 
time during the War of 1813, tliough no exact 
dates are given. This affair took place on the 
favorite dueling ground known as "Bloody 
Island," opposite St. Louis, so often resorted to 
at a later day, by devotees of "the code" in Mis- 
souri. Reynolds says that "Barton fell in the 
conflict." 

The next affair of wliich history makes men- 
tion grew out of a drunken carousel at Belleville, 
in February, 1819, whicli ended in a duel between 
two men named Alonzo Stuart and William 
Bennett, and the killing of Stuart by Bennett. 
The managers of the affair for the principals are 
said to have agreed that the guns should be loaded 
with blank cartridges, and Stuart was let into the 
secret but Bennett was not. When the order to 
fire came, Bennett's gun proved to have been 
loaded with ball. Stuart fell mortally wounded, 
expiring almost immediately. One report says 
that the duel was intended as a sham, and was so 
understood b}' Bennett, who was horrified bj- the 
result. He and his two seconds were arrested for 
murder, but Bennett broke jail and fled to 
Arkansas. The seconds were tried, Daniel P. 
Cook conducting the prosecution and Thomas H. 
Benton defending, the trial resulting in their 
acquittal. Two years later, Bennett was appre- 
hended by some sort of artifice, put on his trial, 
convicted and executed — Judge John Reynolds 
(afterwards Governor) presiding and pronouncing 
sentence. 

In a footnote to "The Edwards Papers," 
edited by the late E. B. Washburne, and printed 
under the auspices of the Chicago Histori(!al 
Society, a few years ago, Mr. Wasliburne relates 
an incident occurring in Galena about 1838, while 
"The Northwestern Gazette and Galena Adver- 
tiser" was under the cliarge of Sylvester M. 
Bartlett, who was afterwards one of the founders 
of "Tlie Quincy AVhig. " The story, as told by 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



139 



Mr. Washbiirne, is as follows: "David G. Bates 
(a Galena business man and captain of a packet 
plying between St. Louis and Galena) wrote a 
short communication for the paper reflecting on 
the character of John Turney, a prominent law- 
yer who had been a member of the House of 
Representatives in 1828-30, from the District 
composed of Pike, Adams, Fulton, Schuyler, 
Peoria and Jo Daviess Counties. Turney de- 
manded the name of the author and Bartlett gave 
up the name of Bates. Turney refused to take 
any notice of Bates and then challenged Bartlett 
to a duel, which was promptly accepted by Bart- 
lett. The second of Turney was the Hon. Joseph 
P. Hoge, afterward a member of Congress from 
the Galena District. Bartlett's second was 
William A. Warren, now of Bellevue, Iowa." 
(Warren was a prominent Union oflScer during 
the Civil War.) "The jjarties went out to the 
ground selected for the duel, in what was then 
Wisconsin Territory, seven miles north of Galena, 
and, after one ineffectual fire, the matter was 
compi-omised. Subsequently, Bartlett removed 
to Quincy. and was for a long time connected 
with the publication of 'The Quincy Whig.'" 

During the session of the Twelfth General 
Assembly (1841), A. R. Dodge, a Democratic 
Representative from Peoria County, feeling him- 
self aggrieved by some reflections indulged by Gen. 
John J. Hardin (then a Whig Representative 
from Morgan County) upon the Democratic party 
in connection with the partisan reorganization 
of the Supreme Court, threatened to "call out" 
Hardin. The affair was referred to W. L. D. 
Ewing and W. A. Richardson for Dodge, and 
J. J. Brown and E. B. Webb for Hardin, with 
the result that it was amicably adjusted "honor- 
ably to both parties." 

It was during the same session that John A. 
McCIernand, then a young and fiery member 
from Gallatin County — who had, two years 
before, been appointed Secretary of State by 
Governor Carlin, but had been debarred from 
taking the office by an adverse decision of the 
Supreme Court — indulged in a violent attack 
upon the Whig members of the Court based upon 
allegations afterwards shown to have been fur- 
nished by Theophilus W. Smith, a Democratic 
member of the same court. Smith having joined 
his associates in a card denying the truth of the 
charges, McClernand responded with the publi- 
cation of the cards of persons tracing the allega- 
tions directly to Smith him.self. This brought a 
note from Smith which JlcClernand construed into 
a challenge and answered with a prompt accept- 



ance. Attorney-General Lamborn, having got 
wind of the affair, lodged a complaint with a 
Springfield Justice of the Peace, which resulted 
in placing the pugnacious jurist under bonds to 
keep the peace, when he took his departure lor 
Chicago, and the "affair" ended. 

An incident of greater historical interest than 
all the others }"et mentioned, was the affair in 
which James Shields and Abraham Lincoln — the 
former the State Auditor and the latter at that 
time a young attorney at Sjtringfield — were con- 
cerned. A comnumicatioii in doggerel ver.se had 
appeared in "The Springfield Journal" ridiculing 
the Auditor. Shields made demand upon the 
editor (Mr. Simeon Francis) for the name of the 
author, and, in accordance with previous under- 
standing, the name of Lincoln was given. (Evi- 
dence, later coming to Light, showed that the real 
authors were Miss Mary Todd — who, a few months 
later, became Mrs. Lincoln — and Miss Julia Jayne, 
afterwards the wife of Senator Trumbull.) 
Shields, through John D. Whiteside, a former 
State Treasurer, demanded a retraction of the 
offensive matter — the demand being presented to 
Lincoln at Tremont, in Tazewell County, where 
Lincoln was attending court. Without attempt- 
ing to follow the affair through all its complicated 
details — Shields having assumed that Lincoln was 
the author without further investigation, and 
Lincoln refusing to make any explanation unless 
the first demand was withdrawn — Lincoln named 
Dr. E. H. Merriman as his second and accepted 
Shield's challenge, naming cavalry broadswords 
as the weapons and the Missouri shore, within 
three miles of the city of Alton, as the place. 
The principals, with their "friends," met at the 
appointed time and place (Sept. 23, 1842, opposite 
the city of Alton); but, in the meantime, mutual 
friends, having been apprised of what was going 
on, also appeared on the groimd and brought 
about explanations which averted an actual con- 
flict. Those especially instrumental in bringing 
about this result were Gen. John J. Hardin of 
Jacksonville, and Dr. R. W. English of Greene 
County, while John D. Whiteside, W. L. D. 
Ewing and Dr. T. M. Hope acted as represent- 
atives of Shields, and Dr. E. H. Merriman, 
Dr. A. T. Bledsoe and Willi.am Butler for Lincoln. 

Out of this affair, within the next few days, 
followed challenges from Shields to Butler and 
Whiteside to Merriman; but, although these were 
accepted, yet owing to some objection on the part 
of the challenging party to the conditions named 
by the party challenged, thereby resulting in de- 
lay, no meeting actually took place. 



140 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Another affair which bore important results 
without ending in a tragedy, occurred during the 
session of the Constitutional Convention in 1847. 
The parties to it were O. C. Pratt and Thompson 
Campbell — both Delegates from Jo Daviess 
County, and both Democrats. Some sparring 
between them over the question of suffrage for 
naturalized foreigners resulted in an invitation 
from Pratt to Campbell to meet him at the 
Planters' House in St. Louis, with an intimation 
that this was for the purpose of arranging the 
preliminaries of a duel. Both parties were on 
hand before the appointed time, but their arrest 
by the St. Louis authorities and putting them 
under heavy bonds to keep the peace, gave them 
an excuse for returning to their convention 
duties without coming to actual hostilities — if 
they had such intention. This was promptly 
followed by the adoption in Convention of the 
provision of the Constitution of 1848. disqualify- 
ing any person engaged in a dueling affair, either 
as principal or second, from holding any office of 
honor or profit in the State. 

The last and principal affair of this kind of 
historic significance, in which a citizen of Illinois 
was engaged, though not on Illinois soil, was that 
in which Congressman William H. Bissell, after- 
wards Governor of Illinois, and Jefferson Davis 
were concerned in February, 1850. During the 
debate on the "Compromise Mea.sures'" of that 
year. Congressman Seddon of Virginia went out 
of his way to indulge in implied reflections upon 
the courage of Northern soldiers as displayed on 
the battle-field of Buena Vista, and to claim for 
the Mississippi regiment commanded by Davis 
the credit of saving the day. Replying to these 
claims Colonel Bissell took occasion to correct the 
Virginia Congressman's statements, and especi- 
ally to vindicate the good name of the Illinois and 
Kentucky troops. In do'ing so he declared that, 
at the critical moment alluded to bj- Seddon, 
when the Indiana regiment gave way, Davis's 
regiment was not within a mile and a half of the 
scene of action. This was construed by Davis as 
a reflection upon his troops, and led to a challenge 
which was promptly accepted by Bissell, who 
named the soldier's weapon (the common army 
musket), loaded with ball and buckshot, with 
forty paces as the distance, with liberty to 
advance up to ten — otherwise leaving the pre- 
liminaries to be settled by his friends. The evi- 
dence manifested by Bissell that he was not to be 
intimidated, but was prepared to face death 
itself to vindicate his own honor and that of his 
comrades in the field, was a surprise to the South- 



em leaders, and they soon found a way for Davis 
to withdraw his challenge on condition that 
Bissell should add to his letter of acceptance a 
clause awarding credit to the Jtlississippi regi- 
ment for what they actually did, but without dis- 
avowing or retracting a single word he had 
uttered in his speech. In the meantime, it is said 
that President Taylor, who was the father-in-law 
of Davis, having been apprised of what was on 
foot, had taken precautions to prevent a meeting 
by instituting legal proceedings the night before 
it was to take place, though this was rendered 
unnecessary by the act of Davis himself. Thus, 
Colonel Bissell's position was virtually (though 
indirectly) justified by his enemies. It is true, 
he was violently assailed by his political opponents 
for alleged violation of the inhibition in the State 
Constitution against dueling, especially when he 
came to take the oath of office as Governor of 
Illinois, seven years later; but his course in "turn- 
ing the tables" against his fire-eating opponents 
aroused the enthusiasm of the North, while his 
friends maintained that the act having been 
performed beyond the jurisdiction of the State, 
he was technically not guilty of any violation of 
the laws. 

■While the provision in the Constitution of 1848, 
against dueling, was not re-incorporated in that 
of 1870, the laws on the subject are very strin- 
gent. Besides imposing a penalty of not less than 
one nor more than five years' imprisonment, or a 
fine not exceeding §3,000, upon any one who, as 
principal or second, participates in a duel with a 
deadly weapon, whether such duel proves fatal 
or not, or who sends, carries or accepts a chal- 
lenge: the law also provides that any one con- 
victed of such offense shall be disqualified for 
holding "any office of profit, trust or emolument, 
either civil or military, under the Constitution or 
laws of this State." Any person leaving the 
State to send or receive a challenge is subject to 
the same penalties as if the offense had been 
committed within the State ; and any person who 
may inflict ujion his antagonist a fatal wound, as 
the result of an engagement made in this State to 
fight a duel beyond its jurisdiction — when the 
person so wounded dies within this State — is held 
to be guilty of murder and subject to punishment 
for the same. The publishing of any person as a 
coward, or the applying to liim of opprobrious or 
abusive language, for refusing to accept a chal- 
lenge, is declared to be a criiue punishable by 
fine or imprisonment. 

DUFF, Andrew D., lawyer and Judge, was 
born of a familj' of jjioneer settlers in Bond 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



141 



County, 111., Jan. 24, 1820; was educated in the 
country schools, and, from 1843 to 1847, .spent his 
time in teaching and as a farmer. The latter 
year he removed to Benton, Franklin County, 
where he began reading law, but suspended his 
studies to enlist in the Mexican War, .serving as a 
private; in 1849 was elected County Judge of 
Franklin County, and, in the following year, was 
admitted to the bar. In 1861 he was elected 
Judge for the Twenty-sixth Circuit and re- 
elected in 1867, serving until 1873. He also 
served as a Delegate in the State Constitutional 
Convention of 1862 from the district comjiosed of 
Franklin and Jackson Counties, and, being a 
zealous Democrat, was one of the leaders in 
calling the mass meeting held at Peoria, in 
August, 1864, to protest against the policy of the 
Government in the prosecution of the war. 
About the close of his last term upon the bench 
(1873), he removed to Carbondale, where he con- 
tinued to reside. In his later years he be- 
came an Independent in politics, acting for 
a time in cooperation with the friends of 
temperance. In 1885 he was appointed by joint 
resolution of the Legislature on a commission to 
revise the revenue code of the State. Died, at 
Tucson, Ariz., June 2.5, 1889. 

DUNCAN, Joseph, Congressman and Gov- 
ernor, was born at Paris, Ky., Feb. 23, 1794; 
emigrated to Illinois in 1818, having previously 
served with distinction in the War of 1813, and 
been presented with a sword, by vote of Congress, 
for gallant conduct in the defense of Fort Stephen- 
son. He was commissioned Major-General of 
Illinois militia in 1823 and elected State Senator 
from Jackson County in 1824. He served in the 
lower house of Congress from 1837 to 1834, when 
he resigned his seat to occupy the gubernatorial 
chair, to which he was elected the latter year. He 
was the author of the first free-school law, 
adopted in 182.5. His executive policy was con- 
servative and consistent, and his administration 
successful. He erected the first frame building 
at Jacksonville, in 1834, and was a liberal friend 
of Illinois College at that place. In his personal 
character he was kindly, genial and unassuming, 
although fearless in the expression of his convic- 
tions. He was the Whi)^ candidate for Governor 
in 1842, when he met with his first political 
defeat. Died, at Jacksonville, Jan. 1.5, 1844, 
mourned by men of all parties. 

DUNCAN, Thomas, .soldier, was born in Kas- 
kaskia, 111., April 14, 1809; served as a private in 
tlie Illinois mounted volunteers during the Black 
Hawk War of 1832 ; also as First Lieutenant of 



cavalry in the regular army in the Mexican War 
(1846), and as Major and Lieutenant-Colonel 
diu-ing the War of the Rebellion, still later doing 
duty upon the frontier keeping the Indians in 
check. He was retired from active service in 
1873, and died in Washington, Jan. 7, 1887. 

DUNDEE, a town on Fox River, in Kane 
County, 5 miles (by rail) north of Elgin and 47 
miles west-northwest of Chicago. It has two 
distinct corporations — East and West Dundee — 
but is progre.ssive and united in action. Dairy 
farming is the principal industry of the adjacent 
region, and the town has two large milk-con- 
densing plants, a cheese factory, etc. It has good 
water power and there are flour and saw-mills, 
besides brick and tile-works, an.extensive nursery, 
two banks, six churches, a handsome high school 
building, a public library and one weekly paper. 
Population (1890), 2,023; (1900), 2,765. 

DUNHAM, John High, banker and Board of 
Trade operator, was born in Seneca County, 
N. Y., 1817; came to Chicago in 1844, engaged in 
the wholesale grocery trade, and, a few years 
later, took a prominent part in solving the ques- 
tion of a water supplj- for the city ; was elected to 
the Twentieth General Assembly (18.56) and the 
next year assisted in organizing the Merchants' 
Loan & Trust Company, of which he became the 
first President, retiring five years later and re- 
engaging in the mercantile business. While 
Hon. Hugh McCullough was Secretary of the 
Treasury, he was appointed National Bank 
Examiner for Illinois, serving until 1S66. He 
was a member of the Chicago Historical Society, 
the Academy of Sciences, and an early member 
of the Board of Trade. Died, April 38, 1893, 
leaving a large estate. 

DUNHAM, Ransom W., merchant and Con- 
gressman, was born at Savoy, Mass., March 21, 
1838 ; after graduating from the High School at 
Springfield, Mass., in 18.55, was connected with 
the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Com- 
pany until August, 1860. In 1857 he removed 
from Springfield to Chicago, and at the termina- 
tion of his connection with the Insurance Com- 
pany, embarked in the grain and provision 
commission business in that city, and, in 1882, 
was President of the Chicago Board of Trade. 
From 1883 to 1889 he represented the First Illinois 
District in Congress, after the expiration of his 
last term devoting his attention to his large 
private business. His death tot)k place suddenly 
at Springfield. Mass., August 19, 1896. 

DUNLAP, (ieor^e Lincoln, civil engineer and 
Railway Superiatendent, was born at Brunswick, 



142 



HISTOKICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Maine, in 1828 ; studied mathematics and engineer- 
ing at Gorham Academy, and, after several 
years' experience on the Boston & Maine and the 
New York & Erie Railways, came west in 1855 
and accepted a position as assistant engineer on 
what is now the Chicago & Northwestern Rail- 
road, finally becoming its General Superintend- 
ent, and, in foiuteen years of his connection with 
that road, vastly extending its lines. Between 
1872 and '79 he was connected with the Montreal 
& Quebec Railway, but the latter j'ear returned 
to Illinois and was actively connected with the 
extension of the Wabash system until his retire- 
ment a few years ago. 

DUNLAP, Henry M., liorticulturist and legis- 
lator, was born in Cook County, ill., No%'. 14, 
1853 — the son of M. L. Dunlap (the well-known 
"Rural"), who became a prominent horticulturist 
In Champaign Count}' and was one of the found- 
ers of the State Agricultural Society. The family 
having located at Savoy, Champaign Count}-, 
about 1857, the younger Dunlap was educated in 
the University of Illinois, graduating in the 
scientific department in 1875. Following in the 
footsteps of his father, he engaged extensively 
in fruit-growing, and has served in the office of 
both President and Secretary of the State Horti- 
cultiu-al Society, besides local offices. In 1892 he 
was elected as a Republican to the State Senate 
for the Tliirtieth District, was re-elected in 1896, 
and lias been prominent in State legislation. 

DUXLAP, Mathias Lane, horticulturist, was 
born at Cherry Valley, N. Y., Sept. 14, 1814- 
coming to La Salle County. 111., in 1835, he 
taught school the following winter; then secured 
a clerkship in Chicago, and later became book- 
keeper for a firm of contractors on the Illinois & 
Michigan Canal, remaining two years. Having 
entered a body of Government land in the western 
part of Cook County, he turned his attention to 
farming, giving a portion of his time to survey- 
ing. In 1845 he became interested in horticulture 
and, in a few years, built up one of the most 
extensive nurseries in the West. In 18.54 he was 
chosen a Representative in the Nineteenth Gen- 
eral Assembly from Cook County, and, at the 
following session, presided over the caucus which 
resulted in the nomination and final election of 
Lyman Trumbull to the United States Senate for 
the first time. Politically an anti-slavery Demo- 
crat, he espoused the cause of freedom in the 
Territories, while his house was one of the depots 
of the "underground railroad." In 18.55 he pur- 
chased a half-section of land near Champaign, 
whither he removed, two years later, for the 



prosecution of his nursery business. He was an 
active member, for many years, of the State Agri- 
cultural Society and au earnest supporter of the 
scheme for the estabhshment of an "Industrial 
University," which finally took form in the L^ni- 
versity of Illinois at Champaign. From 1853 to 
his death he was the agricultural correspondent, 
first of "The Chicago Democratic Press," and 
later of "The Tribune," writing over the nom de 
plmue of "Rural." Died, Feb. 14, 1875. 

DU PAGE COUXTT, organized in 1839, named 
for a river wliich flows through it. It adjoins 
Cook County on the west and contains 340 square 
miles. In 1900 its population was 28.196. The 
county-seat was originally at Xaperville, which 
was platted in 1842 and named in honor of Capt. 
Joseph Naper, who settled upon the site in 1831. 
In 1809 the county government was removed to 
Wheaton, the location of Wheaton College, 
where it yet remains. Besides Captain Naper, 
early settlers of prominence were Bailey Hobson 
(the pioneer in the township of Lisle), and Pierce 
Downer (in Downer's Grove). The chief towns 
are Wheaton (population, 1,622), Naperville 
(2,216), Hinsdale (1,.584), Downer's Grove (960), 
and Roselle ^450). Hinsdale and Roselle are 
largely populated by persons doing business in 
Chicago. 

DD (JUOIX, a city and railway junction in 
Perry County, 76 miles north of Cairo; has a 
foundry, machine shops, planing-mill. flour mills, 
salt works, ice factory, soda-water factory, 
creamery, coal mines, graded school, public 
library and four newspapers. Population (1890), 
4,052; (1900). 4,353; (1903, school censas), 5,207. 

DURBOROW, Allan Cathcart, ex-Congiess- 
man, was born in Philadelphia, Nov. 20, 1857. 
When five years old he accompanied his parents 
to Williamsport, Ind., where he received his 
early education. He entered the preparatory 
department of Wabash College in 1872, and 
graduated from the University of Indiana, at 
Bloomington, in 1877. After two years' residence 
in Indianapolis, he removed to Chicago, where he 
engaged in business. Always active in local 
poUtics, he was elected by the Democrats in 1890, 
and again in 1892, Representative in Congress 
from the Second District, retiring with the close 
of the Fifty-third Congress. Mr. Durborow is 
Treasurer of the Cliicago Air-Line Express Com- 
pany. 

DUSTIN, (Gen.) Daniel, soldier, was born in 
Topsham, Orange County, Vt., Oct. 5, 1820; 
received a common-school and academic educa- 
tion, graduating in medicine at Dartmouth Col- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



143 



lege in 1846. After practicing tliree j-ears at 
Corinth, Vt., he went to California in ISoO and 
engaged in mining, but three years later resumed 
the practice of his profession wliile conducting a 
mercantile business. He was subsequent!}' chosen 
to the California Legislature from Nevada 
County, but coming to Illinois in 1858, he 
engaged in the drug business at Sycamore, De 
Kalb County, in connection with J. E. El wood. 
On tlie breaking out of the war in 18lil, he sold 
out his drug business and assisted in raising the 
Eighth Regiment Illinois Cavalry, and was com- 
missioned Captain of Company L. The regiment 
was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and, 
in January, 1862, he was promoted to the position 
of Major, afterwards taking part in the battle of 
Manassas, and the great "seven days' fight" 
before Richmond. In September, 1862, the One 
Hundred and Fifth Regiment Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry was mustered in at Dixon, and Major 
Du.stin was commissioned its Colonel, soon after 
joining the Army of the Cumberland. After the 
Atlanta campaign he was assigned to the com- 
mand of a brigade in the Third Division of the 
Twelfth Army Corps, remaining in this position 
to the close of the war, meanwhile having been 
brevetted Brigadier-General for bravery displayed 
on the battle-field at Averysboro, N. C. He was 
mustered out at Washingttin, June 7, 1865, and 
took part in the gi-and review of the armies in 
that city which marked the close of the war. 
Returning to his home in De Kalb Coimty, he 
was elected County Clerk in the following 
November, remaining in office four years. Sub- 
sequentl}- he was chosen Circuit Clerk and ex- 
officio Recorder, and was twice thereafter 
re-elected — in 1884 and 1SS8. On the organization 
of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home at Quincy, in 
1885. he was appointed by Governor Oglesby one 
of the Trustees, retaining the position until his 
death. In May, 1890, he was appointed by 
President Harrison Assistant United States 
Treasurer at Chicago, but died in office while on 
a visit with his daughter at Carthage, JIo., March 
30, 1892. General Dustin was a JIasoii of high 
degree, and, in 1872, was chosen Right Eminent 
Commander of the Grand Commandery of the 
State. 

DWIGHT, a prosperous city in Livingston 
County. 74 miles, by rail, south-southwest of Chi- 
cago, 52 miles northeast of Bloomington, and 22 
miles east of Streator ; lias two banks, two weekly 
papers, six cliurches, five large warehouses, two 
electric light plants, complete water-works sys- 
tem, and four hotels. Tlie city is the center of a 



rich farming and stock-raising district. Dwight 
has attained celebrity as the location of the first 
of "Keeley Institutes," founded for the cure of 
the drink and morphine habit. Population 
(1890), 1,354; (1900), 2,015. These figures do not 
include the floating population, which is 
augmented by patients who receive treatment 
at the "Keeley Institute." 

I)YER, Charles Volney, M.l)., pioneer physi- 
cian, was born at Clarendon, Vt., June 12, 1808; 
graduated in medicine at Middlebury College, in 
1830: began practice at Newark, N. J., in 1831, 
and in Chicago in 1835. He was an uncomprom- 
ising opponent of slavery and an avowed sup- 
porter of the "underground railroad," and, in 
1848, received the support of the Free-Soil party 
of Illinois for Governor. Dr. Dyer was also one 
of the original incorporators of the North Chicago 
Street Railway Company, and liis name was 
prominently identified with manj' local benevo- 
lent enterprises. Died, in Lake View (then a 
suburb of Chicago), April 24, 1878. 

EARLVILLE, a city and railway junction in 
La Salle County, 52 miles northeast of Princeton, 
at the intersecting point of the Chicago, Burling- 
ton & Quincy and the Chicago & Northwestern 
Railroads. It is in the center of an agricultural 
and stock-raising district, and is an important 
shipping-point. It has seven churches, a graded 
school, one bank, two weekly newspapers and 
manufactories of plows, wagons and carriages. 
Population (18S0), 963; (1890), 1,058; (1900), 1,122. 

EAKLT, John, legislator and Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor, was born of American parentage and Irish 
ancestry in Essex County, Canada West, March 
17, 1828, and accompanied his parents to Cale- 
donia, Boone County. 111., in 1840. His boyhood 
was passed upon his father's farm, and in 3'outh 
he learned the trade (his father's) of carpenter 
and joiner. In 1852 he removed to Rockford, 
Winnebago County, and, in 1865, became State 
Agent of the New England Mutual Life Insur- 
ance Company. Between 1863 and 1866 he held 
sundry local offices, and, in 1809, was appointed 
by Governor Palmer a Trustee of the State 
Reform School. In 1870 he was elected State 
Senator and re-elected in 1874, serving in the 
Twenty -seventh. Twenty-eighth, Twenty-ninth 
and Thirtieth General Assemblies. In 1873 he 
was elected President pro tem. of the Senate, and, 
Lieut-Gov. Beveridge succeeding to the executive 
chair, lie became ex-officio Lieutenant-Governor. 
In 1875 he was again the Republican nominee for 
the Presidency of tlie Senate, but x-as defeated 



l-i4 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



by a coalition of Democrats and Independents. 
He died while a member of the Senate, Sept. 2, 
1877. 

EARTHQUAKE OF 1811. A series of the 
most remarkable earthquakes in the history of 
the Mississippi Valley began on the night of 
November 16, 1811, continuing for several months 
and finally ending with the destruction of Carac- 
cas, Venezuela, in March following. While the 
center of the earlier disturbance appears to have 
been in the vicinity of New Sladrid, in Southeast- 
ern Missouri, its minor effects were felt through 
a wide extent of country, especially in the 
settled portions of Illinois. Contemporaneous 
history states that, in the American Bottom, then 
the most densely settled portion of Illinois, the 
results were very perceptible. The walls of a 
brick house belonging to Mr. Samuel Judy, a 
pioneer settler in the eastern edge of the bottom, 
near Edwardsville, Madison County, were cracked 
by the convulsion, the effects being seen for more 
than two generations. Gov. John Reynolds, then 
a yovmg man of 23, living with his father's 
family in what was called the "Goshen Settle- 
ment," near Edwardsville, in his historj- of "My 
Own Times," says of it: "Our family were all 
sleeping in a log-cabin, and my father leaped out 
of bed, cr3'ing out, 'Tlie Indians are on the house. 
The battle of Tippecanoe had been recently 
fought, and it was supposed the Indians would 
attack the settlements. Not one in the family 
knew at that time it was an earthquake. The 
next morning another shock made us acquainted 
with it. . . . The cattle came running home 
bellowing with fear, and all animals were terribly 
alarmed. Our house cracked and quivered so we 
were fearful it would fall to the ground. In the 
American Bottom many chimneys were thrown 
down, and the church bell at Cahokia was 
sounded by the agitation of the building. It is 
said a shock of an earthquake was felt in Kaskas- 
kia in 1804, but I did not perceive it." Owing to 
the sparseness of the population in Illinois at that 
time, but little is known of the effect of the con- 
vulsion of 1811 elsewhere, but there are numerous 
"sink-holes" in Union and adjacent counties, 
between the forks of the Ohio and Mississippi 
Rivers, which probably owe their origin to tliis or 
some similar disturbance. "On the Kaskaskia 
River below Athens," saj's Governor Reynolds in 
his "Pioneer History," "the water and white .sand 
were thrown up through a fissure of the earth." 

EAST DUBUQUE, an incorporated city of Jo 
Daviess Countj', on the east bank of the IMissis- 
sippi, 17 miles (by rail) northeast of Galena. It 



is connected with Dubuque, Iowa, by a railroad 
and a wagon bridge two miles in length. It has 
a grain elevator, a box factory, a planing mill 
and manufactories of cultivators and sand drills. 
It has also a bank, two churches, good public 
schools and a weekly newspaper. Population 
(1880), 1.0.S7; (1890), l"o69; (1900), 1,140. 

EASTOX, (Col.) Rnfiis, pioneer, founder of the 
city of Alton; svas born at Litchfield, Conn., 
May 4, 1774; studied law and practiced two 
years in Oneida Count}', N. Y. ; emigrated to St. 
Louis in 1804, and was commissioned bj- President 
Jefferson Judge of the Territory of Louisiana, 
and also became the first Postmaster of St. Louis, 
in 1808. From 1814 to 1818 he served as Delegate 
in Congress from Missouri Territory, and, on the 
organization of the State of Missouri (1821), was 
appointed Attorney-General for the State, serving 
until 1826. His death occurred at St. Charles, 
Mo., July 5, 1834. Colonel Easton's connection 
with Illinois history is based chiefly upon the 
fact that he was the founder of the present city 
of Alton, which he laid out, in 1817, on a tract of 
land of which he had obtained possession at the 
mouth of the Little Piasa Creek, naming the 
town for his son. Rev. Thomas Lippincott, 
prominentlj' identified with the early history of 
that portion of the State, kept a store for Easton 
at Milton, on Wood River, about two miles from 
Alton, in the early " '20's." 

EAST ST. LOUIS, a flourishing city in St. Clair 
County, on the east bank of the Mississippi di- 
rectly opposite St. Louis; is the terminus of 
twenty-two railroads and several electric lines, 
and the leading commercial and manufacturing 
point in Southern Illinois. Its industries include 
rolling mills, steel, brass, malleable iron and 
glass works, grain elevators and flour mills, 
breweries, stockyards and packing houses. The 
city has eleven public and five parochial schools, 
one high school, and two colleges; is well sup- 
plied with banks and has one daily and four 
weekly papers. Population (1890), 15,169; (1900), 
29,65.j; (1903, est), 40,000. 

EASTERN HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE. 
The act for the establishment of this institution 
passed the General Assembly in 1877. Many 
cities offered inducements, by waj- of donations, 
for the location of the new hospital, but the site 
finally selected was a farm of 2.50 acres near Kan- 
kakee, and this was subsequently enlarged by the 
purchase of 327 additional acres in 1881. Work 
was begun in 1878 and the first patients received 
in December, 1879. The plan of the institution 
is, in many respects, unique. It comprises a 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



145 



general building, three stories high, capable of 
accommodating 300 to 400 patients, and a number 
of detached buildings, technically termed cot- 
tages, where various classes of insane patients may 
be grouped and receive the particular treatment 
best adapted to ensure their recovery. The plans 
were mainly worked out from suggestions by 
Frederick Howard Wines, LL. D.. then Secretary 
of the Board of Public Charities, and have 
attracted generally favorable comment both in 
this country and abroad. The seventy-five build- 
ings occupied for the various purposes of the 
institution, cover a quarter-section of land laid off 
in regular streets, beautified with trees, plants 
and flowers, and presenting all the appearance of 
a flourishing village witli numerous small parks 
adorned with walks and drives. The counties 
from which patients are received include Cook, 
Champaign, Coles, Cumberland, De Witt, Doug- 
las, Edgar, Ford, Grundy, Iroquois, Kankakee, 
La Salle, Livingston, Macon, McLean, Moultrie 
Piatt, Shelby, Vermilion and Will. The wliole 
number of patients in 1898 was 2,200, while the 
employes of all classes numbered .'iOO. 

EASTERN ILLINOIS NORMAL SCHOOL, an 
institution designed to qualify teachers for giving 
instruction in the public schools, located at 
Charleston, Coles County, under an act of the 
Legislature passed at the session of 1895. The 
act appropriated §.50,000 for the erection of build- 
ings, to which additional appropriations were 
added in 1897 and 1898, of §2.5,000 and .550,000, 
respectively, with $56,216.72 contributed by the 
city of Cliarleston, making a total of $181,216.73. 
The building was begun in 1896. the corner-stone 
being laid on May 27 of that year. There was 
delay in the progress of the work in consequence 
of the failure of the contractors in December, 
1896, but the work was resumed in 1897 and 
practically completed earlj- in 1899, with the 
expectation that the institution would be opened 
for the reception of students in September fol- 
lowing. 

EASTMAN, Zebina, anti-slavery journalist, 
was born at North Amherst, Mass., Sept. 8, 1815; 
became a printer's apprentice at 14, but later 
spent a short time in an acadeni}- at Hadley. 
Then, after a brief experience as an employe in 
the office of "The Hartford Pearl," at the age of 
18 he invested his patrimony of some $2,000 in 
the establishment of "The Free Press" at Fayette- 
ville. Vt. This venture proving unsuccessful, in 
1837 he came west, stopping a year or two at 
Ann Arbor, Jlich. In 1839 he visited Peoria by 
way of Chicago, working for a time on "The 



Peoria Register," but soon after joined Benjamin 
Lundy, who was preparing to revive his paper, 
"The Genius of Universal Emancipation," at 
Lowell. La Salle Count}'. This scheme was 
partially defeated by Lundy's earlj' death, but, 
after a few months' delay, Eastman, in conjunc- 
tion with Hooper Warren, began tlie publication 
of "The Genius of Liberty" as the successor of 
Lundy's paper, using the printing press which 
Warren had used in the office of "The Commer 
cial Advertiser, " in Chicago, a year or so before. In 
1843, at the invitation of prominent Abolitionists, 
the paper was removed to Chicago, where it was 
issued under the name of "The Western Citizen," 
in 1853 becoming "The Free West." and finally, 
in 18.56. being merged in "The Chicago Tribune." 
After the suspension of "The Free West," Mr. 
Eastman began the publication of "The Chicago 
Magazine," a literary and historical monthly, 
but it reached only its fifth number, when it was 
discontinued for want of financial "upport. In 
1861 he was appointed by President Lincoln 
United States Consul at Bristol, England, where 
he remained eight years. On his return from 
Europe, he took up his residence at Elgin, later 
removing to Maywood, a suburb of Chicago, 
where he died, June 14. 1883. During tlie latter 
years of his life Mr. Eastman contributed many 
articles of gi'eat historical interest to the Chi- 
cago press. (See Lundy, Benjamin, and Wcirrcn, 
Hooper. ) 

EBERHART, Johu .Frederick, educator and 
real-estate operator, was born in Mercer County, 
Pa., Jan. 21, 1829; commenced teaching at 16 
years of age, and, in 1853, graduated from Alle- 
gheny College, at Meadville, soon after becoming 
Principal of Albright Seminary at Berlin, in the 
same State ; in 1855 came west by way of Chicago, 
locating at Dixon and engaging in editorial work; 
a year later established "The Northwestern 
Home and School Journal, " wliich he published 
three years, in the meantime establishing and 
conducting teachers' institutes in Illinois, Iowa 
and Wisconsin. In 1859 he was elected School 
Commissioner of Cook County — a position which 
was afterwards changed to County Superintend- 
ent of Schools, and which he held ten years. Mr. 
Eberhart was largely instrumental in the estab- 
lishment of the Cook County Normal School. 
Since retiring from office he has been engaged in 
the real-estate business in Chicago. 

ECKHART, Bernard A., manufacturer and 
President of the Cliicago Drainage Board, was 
born in Alsace, France (now Germany), brought 
to America in infancy and reared on a farm in 



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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Vernon County, Wis. ; was educated at Milwau- 
kee, and, in 1868, became clerk in the office of the 
Eagle Milling Companj- of that citj-, afterwards 
serving as its Eastern agent in various seaboard 
cities. He finallj' established an extensive mill- 
ing business in Chicago, in which he is now 
engaged. In 1884 he served as a delegate to the 
National Waterway Convention at St. Paul and, 
in 1886, was elected to the State Senate, serving 
four years and taking a prominent part in draft- 
ing the Sanitary Drainage Bill passed by the 
Thirty-sixth General Assembly. He has also been 
prominent in connection with various financial 
institutions, and, in 1891, was elected one of the 
Trustees of the Sanitary District of Chicago, was 
re-elected in 189.5 and chosen President of the 
Board for the following year, and re-elected Pres- 
ident in December, 1898. 

EDBROOKE, Willoughby J,, Supervising 
Architect, was born at Deerfield, Lake County, 
111., Sept. 3, 184.3; brought up to the architectural 
profession by his father and under the instruc- 
tion of Chicago architects. During Mayor 
Roche's administration he held the position of 
Commissioner of Public Works, and, in April, 
1891, was appointed Supervising Architect of the 
Treasury Department at Washington, in tliat 
capacity supervising the construction of Govern- 
ment buildings at the World's Columbian Exposi- 
tion. Died, in Chicago, JIarch 26, 1896. 

EDDY, Henry, pioneer lawyer and editor, 
was born in Vermont, in 1798, reared in New 
York, learned the printer's trade at Pittsburg, 
served in the War of 1812, and was wounded in 
the battle of Black Rock, near Buffalo ; came to 
Shawneetown, 111., in 1818, where he edited "The 
Illinois Emigrant," the earliest paper in that 
part of tlie State ; was a Presidential Elector in 
1824, a Representative in the Second and Fif- 
teenth General Assemblies, and elected a Circuit 
Judge in 183.), but resigned a few weeks later. 
He was a Whig in politics. Usher F. Linder, in 
his "Reminiscences of the Early Bench and Bar 
of Illinois," says of Mr. Eddy: "When he 
addressed the court, he elicited tlie most profound 
attention. He was a sort of walking law library. 
He never forgot anything that he ever knew, 
whether law, jioetry or belles lettres. " Died, 
June 2!). 1849. 

EDDY, Thomas Mears, clergyman and author, 
was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, Sept. 7, 
1823; educated at Greensborough, Ind., and, from 
1843 to 1853, was a Methodist circuit preacher 
in that State, becoming Agent of the American 
Bible Society the latter year, and Presiding 



Elder of the Indianajwlis district until 1856, when 
he was appointed editor of "The Northwestern 
Christian Advocate," in Cliicago, retiring from 
tliat position in 1868. Later, he held pastorates 
in Baltimore and Wasliington, and was chosen 
one of the Corresponding Secretaries of tlie Mis- 
.sionary Society by the General Conference of 
1872. Dr. Eddy was a copious writer for the 
press, and, besides occasional sermons, published 
two volumes of reminiscences and personal 
sketches of prominent Illinoisans in the War of 
the Rebellion under the title of "Patriotism of 
Illinois" (1865). Died, in New York City, Oct. 
7, 1874. 

EDG-VR, Jobn, early settler at Kaskaskia, was 
born in Ireland and, during the American Revo- 
lution, served as an officer in the British navy, 
but married an American woman of great force 
of character who sympathized strongly with the 
patriot cause. Having become involved in the 
desertion of three British soldiers whom his wife 
had promised to assist in reaching the American 
camp, he was compelled to flee. A f ter remaining 
for a while in the American army, during which 
he became the friend of General La Fayette, he 
sought safety by coming west, arriving at Kas- 
kaskia in 1784. His property was confiscated, but 
his wife succeeded in saving some $12,000 from 
the wreck, with which she joined him two years 
later. He engaged in business and became an 
extensive land-owner, being credited, during 
Territorial days, with the ownership of nearh' 
50.000 acres situated in Randolph, Monroe, St. 
Clair, Madison, Clinton, Washington, Perry and 
Jackson Counties, and long kno\vn as the "Edgar 
lands." He also purchased and rebuilt a mill 
near Kaskaskia which had belonged to a French- 
man named Paget, and became a large shipper of 
flour at an early day to the Southern markets. 
When St. Clair County was organized, in 1790, he 
was appointed one of the Judges of the Common 
Pleas Court, and so appears to have continued 
for more than a quarter of a century. On the 
establishment of a Territorial Legislatiu-e for the 
Northwest Territory, he was chosen, in 1799. one 
of the members for St. Clair County — the Legis- 
lature holding its session at Chillicothe, in the 
pre.sent State of Ohio, under tlie administration 
of Governor St. Clair. He was also appointed a 
Major-General of militia, retaining the office foi 
many j-ears. General and Mrs. Eilgar were 
leaders of society at the old Territorial capital, 
and, on the visit of La Fayette to Kaskaskia in 
182.'). a reception was given at their house to tlie 
distinguished Frenchman, whose acquaintance 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



147 



they had made more than forty years before. He 
died at Kaskaskia. in 1832. Edgar Count}', in the 
eastern part of the State, was named in honor of 
General Edgar. He was Worshipful Master of 
tlie first Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted 
Masons in Illinois, constituted at Kaskaskia in 
1806. 

EDGAR COUiVTY, one of the middle tier of 
counties from north to south, lying on the east- 
ern border of the State; was organized in 1833, 
abd named for General Edgar, an early citizen of 
Kaskaskia. It contains 630 square miles, with 
a population (1900) of 28,273. The county is 
nearly square, well watered and wooded. Most 
of the acreage is under cultivation, grain-growing 
and stock-raising being the principal industries. 
Generally, the soil is black to a considerable 
depth, though at some points — especially adjoin- 
ing the timber lands in the east— tlie soft, brown 
clay of the subsoil comes to the surface. Beds of 
the drift period, one hundred feet deep, are found 
in the northern portion, and some twenty-five 
years ago a nearly perfect skeleton of a mastodon 
was exhumed. A bed of limestone, twenty-five 
feet thick, crops out near Baldwinsville and runs 
along Brouillet's creek to the State line. Paris, the 
county-seat, is a railroad center, and has a popu- 
lation of over 6,000. Vermilion and Dudley are 
prominent shipping points, while Chrisman, 
which was an unbroken prairie in 1872, was 
credited with a population of 900 in 1900. 

EDINBURG, a village of Christian County, on 
the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railway, 18 
miles southeast of Springfield; has two banks 
and one newspaper. The region is agricultural, 
though some coal is mined here. Population 
(1880), 551; (1890), 806; (1900), 1,071. 

EDSALL, James Kirtland, former Attorney 
General, was born at Windham, Greene County, 
N. Y., May 10, 1831. After passing through the 
common-schools, he attended an academy at 
Prattsville, N.Y. , supporting himself , meanwhile, 
by working upon a farm. He read law at Pratts- 
ville and Catskill, and was admitted to the bar at 
Albany in 1852. The next two years he spent in 
Wisconsin and Slinnesota, and, in 1854, removed 
to Leavenworth, Kan. He was elected to the 
Legislature of that State in 1853, being a member 
of the Topeka (free-soil) body when it was broken 
up by United States troops in 1856. In August, 
18.56, he settled at Dixon, 111., and at once 
engaged in practice. In 1863 lie was elected 
Mayor of that city, and, in 1870, was chosen State 
Senator, serving on the Committees on Munic- 
ipalities and Judiciary in the Twenty-seventh 



General Assembly. In 1872 he was elected 
Attorney-General on the Republican ticket and 
re-elected in 1876. At the expiration of his 
second term he took up liis residence in Chicago, 
where he afterwards devoted himself to the prac- 
tice of his profession, until his death, which 
occurred, June 20, 1893. 

EDUCATION. 

The first step in the direction of the establish- 
ment of a system of free schools for the region 
now comprised within the State of Illinois was 
taken in the enactment by Congress, on May 20, 
1785, of "An Ordinance for Ascertaining the 
mode of disposing of lands in the Western Terri- 
tory." This applied specifically to the region 
northwest of the Ohio River, which had been 
acquired through the conquest of the "Illinois 
Country" by Col. George Rogers Clark, acting 
under the auspices of the State of Virginia and 
by authority received from its Governor, the 
patriotic Patrick Henry. This act for the first 
time established the present system of township 
(or as it was then called, "rectangular") surveys, 
devised by Capt. Thomas Hutchins, wlio became 
the first Surveyor-General (or "Geographer," as 
the office was styled) of the United States under 
the same act. Its important feature, in this con- 
nection, was the provision "that there sliall be 
reserved the lot No. 16 of every township, for the 
maintenance of public schools within the to^\Ti- 
ship. " The same reservation (the term "section" 
being substituted for "lot" in the act of May 18, 
1796) was made in all subsequent acts for the sale 
of public lands — the acts of July 23, 1787, and 
June 20, 1788, declaring that "the lot No. 16 in 
each township, or fractional part of a township," 
shall be "given perpetually for the purpose con- 
tained in said ordinance" (i. e., the act of 1785). 
The next step was taken in the Ordinance of 1787 
(Art. HI.), in the declaration tliat. "religion, 
morality and knowledge being necessary for the 
happiness of mankind, schools and the means of 
education shall forever be encouraged." The 
reservation referred to in the act of 1785 (and 
subsequent acts) was reiterated in the "enabling 
act" passed by Congress, April 18, 1818, authoriz- 
ing the people of Illinois Territory to organize a 
State Government, and was formally accepted l)y 
the Convention which formed the first State 
Constitution. The enabling act also set apart one 
entire townsliip (in addition to one previously 
donated for the same purpose by act of Congress 
in 1804) for the use of a seminary of learning, 



148 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



together with three per cent of the net proceeds 

of the sales of public lands within the State, "to 
be appropriated by the Legislature of the State 
for the encouragement of learning, of which one- 
sixth part" (or one-half of one per cent) "shall 
be exclusively bestowed on a college or univer- 
sity." Thus, the plan for the establishment of a 
system of free public education in Illinois had its 
inception in the first steps for the organization of 
the Northwest Territory, was recognized in the 
Ordinance of 1787 %vhich reserved that Territory 
forever to freedom, and was again reiterated in 
the preliminary steps for the organization of the 
State Government. These several acts became 
the basis of that permanent provision for the 
encouragement of education known as the "town- 
ship," "seminary" and "college or university" 
funds. 

Early Schools. — Previous to this, however, a 
beginning had been made in the attempt to estab- 
lish schools for the benefit of the children of the 
pioneers. One John Seelej* is said to have taught 
the first American school within the territory of 
Illinois, in a log-cabin in Monroe Count}', in 1783, 
followed by others in the next twenty years in 
Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair and Madison Coun- 
ties. Seeley"s earliest successor was Francis 
Clark, who, in turn, was followed by a man 
named Halfpenny, who afterwards built a mill 
near the present town of Waterloo in Monroe 
County. Among the teachers of a still later period 
were John Boyle, a soldier in Col. George Rogers 
Clark's army, who taught in Randolph Comity 
between 1790 and -1800; John Atwater, near 
Edwardsville, in 1807, and John Messinger, a sur- 
veyor, who was a member of the Constitutional 
Convention of 1818 and Speaker of the first House 
of Representatives. The latter taught in the 
vicinity of Shiloh in St. Clair Comit}-, afterwards 
the site of Rev. John M. Peck's Rock Spring 
Seminary. The schools which existed during 
this period, and for many years after the organi- 
zation of the State Government, were necessarily 
few, widely scattered and of a very primitive 
character, receiving their support entirely by 
subscription from their patrons. 

First Free School L.4.W and Sales of 
School Lands. — It has been stated that the first 
free school in the State was established at Upper 
Alton, in 1821, but there is good reason for believ- 
ing this claim was based upon the power granted 
by the Legislature, in an act passed that year, to 
establish such schools there, which power was 
never carried into effect. The first attempt to 
establish a free-school system for the whole State 



was made in January, 1825, in the passage of a 
bill introduced by Joseph Duncan, afterwards a 
Congressman and Governor of tlie State. It 
nominally appropriated two dollars out of each one 
hundred dollars received in the State Treasury, 
to be distributed to those who had paid taxes or 
subscriptions for the support of schools. So 
small was the aggregate revenue of the State at 
that time (only a little over S60,000), that the 
sum realized from this law would have been but 
little more than Si, 000 per year. It remained 
praeticallj' a dead letter and was repealed in 1829, 
when the State inaugurated the policy of selling 
the seminary lands and borrowing the proceeds 
for the paj'ment of current expenses. In this 
waj' 43,200 acres (or all but four and a half sec- 
tions) of the seminary lands were disposed of, 
realizing less than S60,000. The first sale of 
township school lands took place in Greene 
County in 1831, and, two years later, the greater 
part of the school section in the heart of the 
present city of Chicago was sold, producing 
about §39,000. The average rate at which these 
sales were made, up to 1882, was §3. 78 per acre, 
and the minimum, 70 cents per acre. That 
these lands have, in very few instances, produced 
the results expected of them, was not so much 
the fault of the system as of those selected to 
administer it — whose bad judgment in premature 
sales, or whose complicity with the schemes of 
speculators, were the means, in many cases, of 
squandering what might otherwise have furnished 
a liberal provision for the support of public 
schools in many sections of the State. Mr. W. L. 
Pillsbury, at present Secretary of the University 
of Illinois, in a paper printed in the report of the 
State Superintendent of Public Instruction for 
188.5-80 — to which the ^vriter is indebted for many 
of the facts presented in this article — gives to 
Chicago the credit of establishing the first free 
schools in the State in 1834, while Alton followed 
in 1837, and Springfield and Jacksonville in 1840. 
Early Higher Institutions.— A movement 
looking to the establishment of a higher institu- 
tion of learning in Indiana Territory (of which 
Illinois then formed a part), was inaugurated by 
the passage, through the Territorial Legislature at 
Vincennes, in November, 1806, of an act incorpo- 
rating the University of Indiana Territory to be 
located at Vincennes. One provision of the act 
authorized the raising of $20,000 for tlie institu- 
tion by means of a lottery. A Board of Trustees 
was promptly organized, with Gen. William 
Henry Harrison, then the Territorial Governor, 
at its head ; but, beyond the erection of a building. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



149 



little progress was made. Twenty-one years 
later (18CT) the first successful attempt to found 
an advanced school was made by the indoiuitable 
Rev. John M. Peck, resulting in the establish- 
ment of his Theological Seminarj' and High 
School at Rock Springs, St. Clair County, which, 
in 1831, became the nucleus of Shurtleflf College at 
Upper Alton. In like manner, Lebanon Semi- 
nary, established in 1828, two j-ears later 
expanded into JIcKendree College, wliile instruc- 
tion began to be given at Illinois College, Jack- 
sonville, in December, 1829, as tlie outcome of a 
movement started by a band of young men at 
Yale College in 1827 — these several institutions 
being formally incorporated by the same act of 
the Legislature, passed in 1835. (See sketches of 
these Institutions.) 

Educational Conventions. — In 1833 there 
was held at Vandalia (then the State capital) the 
first of a series of educational conventions, wliich 
were continued somewhat irregularly for twenty 
years, and whose history is remarkable for tlie 
number of those participating in them who after- 
wards gained distinction in State and National 
history. At first these conventions were held at 
the State capital during the se.ssions of the Gen- 
eral Assembly, when the chief actors in them 
were members of that body and State officers, 
with a few other friends of education from tlie 
ranks of profe.ssioual or business men. At tlie 
convention of 1833, we find, among those partici- 
pating, the names of Sidnej' Breese, afterwards a 
United States Senator and Justice of the Supreme 
Court; Judges. D. Lockwood, then of the Supreme 
Court; W. L. D. Ewing, afterwards acting Gov- 
ernor and United States Senator; O. H. Browning, 
afterwards United States Senator and Secretary 
of the Interior; James Ilall and Jolm Rus.sell, 
the most notable writers in tlie State in their day, 
besides Dr. J. M. Peck, Archibald Williams, 
Benjamin Mills, Jesse B. Thomas, Henry Eddy 
and others, all prominent in their several dejiart- 
ments. In a second convention at the same 
place, nearly two years later, Abraham Lincoln, 
Stephen A. Douglas and Col. John J. Hardin 
were participants. At Springfield, in 1840, pro- 
fessional and literary men began to take a more 
prominent part, althougli the members of the 
Legislature were pre.sent iri considerable force. 
A convention held at Peoria, in 1844, was made 
up largely of professional teacliers and scliool 
officers, with a few citizens of local prominence ; 
and the same may be said of those held at Jack- 
sonville in 1845, and later at Chicago and other 
points. Various attempts were made to form 



permanent educational societies, finally result- 
ing, in December, 18,")4, in the organization of the 
".State Teachers" Institute," wliich, three years 
later, took the name of the "State Teachers' 
Association" — though an association of the same 
name was organized in 1836 and continued in 
existence several years. 

State Svperixtendent and School Jour- 
nals. — The appointment of a State Superintend- 
ent of Public Instruction began to be agitated as 
early as 1837, and was urged from time to time in 
memorials and resolutions by educational conven- 
tions, by the educational press, and in the State 
Legislature ; but it was not until February, 1854, 
that an act was passed creating the office, when 
the Hon. Ninian W. Edwards was appointed by 
Gov. Joel A. Matteson, continuing in office until 
his successor was elected in 1856. "The Common 
School Advocate"' was published for a year at 
Jacksonville, beginning with January, 1837; in 
1841 "The Illinois Common School Advocate" 
began publication at Springfield, but was discon- 
tinued after the issue of a few numbers. In 1855 
was established "The Illinois Teacher."' This 
was merged, in 1873, in "The Illinois School- 
master,"' wliich became the organ of the State 
Teachers' Association, so remaining several years. 
The State Teachers' Association has no ofllcial 
organ now, but the "Public School Journal"' is 
the chief educational iiublication of the State. 

Industrial Education. — In 1851 was insti- 
tuted a movement which, although obstructed for 
some time by partisan opposition, has been 
followed by more far-reaching results, for the 
countrj' at large, than anj' single measure in the 
hi.story of education since the act of 1785 setting 
apart one section in each townshiii for the support 
of public schools. This was the scheme formu- 
lated by the late Prof. Jonathan B. Turner, of 
Jacksonville, for a system of jiractical scientific 
education for the agricultural, mechanical and 
other industrial classes, at a Farmers" Convention 
held under the auspices of the Buel Institute (an 
Agricultural Society), at Granville, Putnam 
County, Nov. 18, 1851. While proposing a jilan 
for a "State University" for Illinois, it also advo- 
cated, from the outset, a "University for the 
industrial classes in each of the States," by way 
of supplementing the work which a "National 
Institute of Science," such as the Smithsonian 
Institute at Washington, was expected to accom- 
plish. The proposition attracted the attention 
of [x^rsons interested in the cause of industrial 
education in other State.s, especially in New 
York and some of the New England States, and 



150 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



received their hearty endorsement and cooper- 
ation. The Granville meeting was followed by a 
series of similar conventions held at Springfield, 
June 8, 1853 ; Chicago, Nov. 24, 1853 ; Springfield, 
Jan. 4, 1853, and Springfield, Jan, 1, 1855, at 
which the scheme was still further elaborated. 
At the Springfield meeting of January, 18.52, an 
organization was formed under the title of the 
"Industrial League of the State of Illinois," with 
a view to disseminating information, securing 
more thorough organization on the part of friends 
of the measure, and the employment of lecturers 
to address the people of tlie State on the subject. 
At the same time, it was resolved that "this Con- 
vention memorialize Congress for the purpose of 
obtaining a grant of public lands to establish and 
endow industrial institutions in each and every 
State in the Union." It is worthy of note that 
this resolution contains the central idea of the 
act passed by Congress nearly ten years after- 
ward, making appropriations of public lands for 
the establishment and support of industrial 
colleges in the several States, which act received 
the approval of President Lincoln, July 2, 1863 — 
a similar measure having been vetoed by Presi- 
dent Buchanan in February, 1859. The State 
was extensively canvassed by Professor Turner, 
Mr. Bronsou Murray (now of New York), the late 
Dr. R. C. Rutherford and others, in behalf of the 
objects of the League, and the Legislature, at its 
session of 1853, by unanimous vote in both houses, 
adopted the resolutions commending the measure 
and instructing the United States Senators from 
IlUnoi.s, and requesting its Representatives, to 
give it their support. Though not specifically 
contemplated at the outset of tlie movement, the 
Convention at Springfield, in January, 1855, pro- 
posed, as a part of the scheme, the establishment 
of a "Teachers' Seminary or Normal School 
Department," which took form in the act passed 
at the session of 1857, for the establishment of 
the State Normal School at Normal. Although 
delayed, as already stated, the advocates of indus- 
trial education in Illinois, aided by those of other 
States, finally triumphed in 1802, The lands 
received by the State as the result of this act 
amounted to 480, 000 acres, besides subsequent do- 
nations. (See University of Illinois; also Turner, 
Jonathan Baldwin.) On the foundation thus 
furnished was established, by act of the Legisla- 
ture in 1807, the "Illinois Industrial University" 
— now the Universit}- of Illinois — at Champaign, 
to say nothing of more than forty similar insti- 
tutions in as many ^States and Territories, based 
upon the same general act of Congress. 



Free-School System.— While there may be 
said to have been a sort of free-school system in 
existence in Illinois previous to 1855, it was 
limited to a few fortunate districts possessing 
funds derived from the sale of school-lands situ- 
ated within their respective limits. The system 
of free schools, as it now exists, based upon 
general taxation for the creation of a permanent 
school fund, had its origin in the act of that 
year. As already shown, the office of State 
Superintendent of Public Instruction had been 
created by act of the Legislature in February, 
1854, and the act of 1855 was but a natural corol- 
lary of the previous measure, giving to the people 
a uniform system, as the earlier one had provided 
an oflScial for its administration. Since then 
there have been many amendments of the school 
law, but tliese have been generally in the direc- 
tion of securing greater efficiency, but with- 
out departure from the principle of securing 
to all the children of the State the equal 
privileges of a common-school education. The 
development of the sj'stem began practically 
about 1857, and, in the next quarter of a 
century, the laws on the subject had grown 
into a considerable volume, while the number- 
less decisions, emanating from the office of the 
State Superintendent in construction of these 
laws, made up a volume of still larger proportions. 

The following comparative table of school 
statistics, for 1800 and 1800, compiled from the 
Reports of the State Superintendent of Public 
Instruction, will illustrate the growth of the 
system in some of its more important features: 

I860. 1896. 

Population 1,711,951 (est.) 4,250,000 

No. of Persons of School A«e (be- 
tween l! and 21) 'Sig.eol 1,384.367 

No. of Pupils enrolled »172.247 898,619 

School Districts 8,956 11,615 

Public Schools .. 9.162 12,623 

Graded " 294 1,837 

•' Public High Schools 272 

•' Sl'IiooI Houses built during 

thevear 557 267 

Whole No. of School Houses 8.221 12.6:t2 

No. of Male TeKchers 8,228 7.0.57 

Fwnale Teachers 6,485 18,359 

Whole No. of Teachers In Public 

schools 14,708 25.416 

Highest Montliiy Wages paid Male 

Teachers 1180.00 $300.00 

Hlffhest Monthly Wages paid 

Female Teacliers 75.00 280.00 

Lowest Monthly Wages paid Male 

Teachers 8.00 14.00 

Lowest Monthly Wages paid 

Female Teacners 4.00 10.00 

Average Monthly Wages paid Male 

Teachers 28.82 67.76 

Average Monthly Wages paid 

Female Teachers 18.80 50 63 

No. of Private Schools 500 2,619 

No of Pupils in Private Schools.... 29,264 139,969 
Interest on State and County Funds 

received 173.450.38 865,583.63 

Aniinnit of Income from Township 

Funds 322,852.00 899.614.20 

*Only white childreD were Included In these statistics for 
ISOO. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



151 



I860. 1896. 

Amount received from State Tax.. ( 690,000.00 J 1,000,000.00 
" " " Special Dis- 

trictTaxes 1,265.137.00 13,133,809.61 

Amount received from Bonds dur- 

ingmeyear 517,960.93 

Total Amount received during the 

year by School Districts 2,193,455.00 l-5,6O7.172.50 

Amount paid Male Teachers -.77'.i.s2y.H2 

" Female •■ 7,ls6.lii5.fi7 

Wholeamount paid Teachers ... 1,542,211.00 i»,95»,934.99 
Amount paid for new School 

Houses 348,728.00 1,873,757.25 

Amount paid for repairs and im- 
provements 1,070,755.09 

Amount paid for School Furniture. 24,837,00 154,836.64 
" " •• " Apparatus 8,563.00 164,298.92 
" '* " Books for Dis- 
trict Libraries .T0,12400 13,664.97 

Total E.xpeoditures 2.259.S68-(K) 14,614,627.31 

Estimated value of School Property 13,304,892.00 42,780,267.00 

" Libraries.. 377.819.00 

" " " Apparatus 607,389.00 

Tlie sums annually disbursed for incidental 
expenses oii account of superintendence and the 
cost of maintaining the higher institutions estab- 
lished, and partially or wholly supported by the 
State, increase the total expenditures by some 
§600,000 per annum. These higher institutions 
include the Illinois State Normal University at 
Xormal, the Southern Illinois Normal at Carbon- 
«lale antl the University of Illinois at Urbana; to 
tvhicli were added by the Legislature, at its ses- 
sion of 1893, the Eastern Illinois Normal School, 
afterwards established at Charleston, and tlie 
Northern Illinois Normal at De Kalb. These 
institutions, although under supervision of the 
State, are partly supported by tuition fees. (See 
description of these institutions under their 
several titles.) The normal schools — as their 
names indicate — are primarily designed for the 
training of teachers, although other classes of 
pupils are admitted under certain conditions, 
including the payment of tuition. At the Uni- 
versity of Illinois instruction is given in the clas- 
sics, the sciences, agriculture and the mechanic 
arts. In addition to these tlie State supports four 
other institutions of an educational ratlier tlian a 
custodial character — viz. : the Institution for the 
Education of the Deaf and Dumb and the Insti- 
tution for the Blind, at Jacksonville; the Asylum 
for the FeebleMinded at Lincoln, and the Sol- 
diers' Orphans' Home at Normal. The estimated 
value of the property connected with these 
several institutions, in addition to the value of 
school property given in the preceding table, will 
increase the total (exclusive of permanent funds) 
to S47,ir).-),374.!).i, of which S4,8T.-|,107,9.'") repre- 
sents propertj' belonging to the institutions above 
mentioned. 

PowEiis AND Duties of Superintendents 
AND Other School Officers. — Each county 
elects a County Superintendent of Schools, whose 
duty it is to visit schools, conduct teachers' insti- 
tutes, advise with teachers and school officers and 



instruct them in their respective duties, conduct 
examinations of persons desiring to become 
teachers, and exercise general supervision over 
school affairs within his county. The subordi- 
nate officers are Township Trustees, a Township 
Treasurer, and a Board of District Directors or — 
in place of the latter in cities and villages — Boards 
of Education. The two last named Boards have 
power to employ teachers and, generally, to super- 
vise the management of schools in districts. The 
State Superintendent is entrusted with general 
supervision of the common-stdiool system of the 
State, and it is his duty to advise and assist 
County Superintendents, to visit State Charitable 
institutions, to issue official circulars to teachers, 
school officers and otliers in regard to their rights 
and duties under the general school code; to 
decide controverted questions of school law, com- 
ing to him by appeal from County Superintend- 
ents and others, and to make full and detailed 
reports of the operations of his office to the 
Governor, biennially. He is also made ex-officio 
a member of tlie Board of Trustees of the Univer- 
sity of Illinois and of the several Normal Schools, 
and is emjjowered to grant certificates of two 
different grades to teachers — the higher grade to 
be valid during the lifetime of the holder, and 
the lower for two years. Certificates granted by 
County Superintendents are also of two grades 
and have a tenure of one and two years, respec- 
tively, in the county where given. The conditions 
for securing a certificate of the first (or two- 
years') grade, require that the candidate shall be 
of good moral character and qualified to teach 
ortliographj-, reading in English, penmanship, 
arithmetic, modern geography, English grammar, 
the elements of the natural sciences, the history 
of the United States, physiology and the laws of 
health. The second grade (or one-year) certifi- 
cate calls for examination in the branches just 
enumerated, except the n.atural sciences, physi- 
ology and laws of health ; but teachers employed 
exclusively in giving instruction in music, draw- 
ing, penmanship or other special branches, may 
take examinations in these branches alone, but 
are restricted, in teaching, to those in which they 
have been examined. — County Boards are 
empowered to establish County Normal Schools 
for the education of teachers for the common 
schools, and the mana.gement of such normal 
schools is place<l in the hands of a County Board 
of Education, to consist of not less than five nor 
more than eight persons, of whom the Chairman 
of the County Board and the County Superin- 
tendent of Schools shall be ex-officio members. 



152 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Boards of Education and Directors may establish 
kindergartens (wlien authorized to do so by vote 
of a majority of the voters of their districts), for 
children between the ages of four and six years, 
but the cost of supporting the same must be 
defrayed by a special tax. — A compulsory pro- 
vision of the School Law requires tliat each child, 
between the ages of seven and fourteen years, 
shall be sent to school at least sixteen weeks of 
each year, unless otherwise instructed in the 
elementary brandies, or disqualified by physical 
or mental disability. — Under the provisions of an 
act, passed in 1891, women are made eligible to 
any office created by the general or special school 
laws of the State, when twenty-one years of age 
or upwards, and otherwise possessing the same 
qualifications for the office as are prescribed for 
men. (For list of incumbents in the office of 
State Superintendent, see Superintendents of 
Public Instruction. ) 

EDWARDS, Arthur, D.D., clergyman, soldier 
and editor, was born at Norwalk, Ohio, Nov. 23, 
1834; educated at Albion, Mich., and the Wes- 
leyan University of Ohio, graduating from the 
latter in 1858 ; entered the Detroit Conference of 
the Methodist Episcopal Churcli the same year, 
was ordained in 1860 and, from 1861 until after 
the battle of Gettysburg, served as Chaplain of 
the First Michigan Cavalry, when he resigned to 
accept the colonelcy of a cavalrj' regiment. In 
1864, he was elected assistant editor of "The 
Northwestern Christian Advocate" at Chicago, 
and, on the retirement of Dr. Eddy in 18T'2, 
became Editor-in-chief, being re-elected every 
four years thereafter to the present time. He 
has also been a member of each General Confer- 
ence since 1873, was a member of the Ecumenical 
Conference at London in 1881, and has held other 
positions of prominence within the church. 

EDWARDS, Cyrus, pioneer lawyer, was born 
in Montgomery County, Md., Jan. 17, 1793; at the 
age of seven accompanied his parents to Ken- 
tucky, where he received his primary education, 
and studied law ; was admitted to the bar at Kas- 
kaskia. 111., in 1815, Ninian Edwards (of whom he 
was the youngest brother) being then Territorial 
Governor. During the next fourteen years lie 
resided alternately in Missouri and Kentucky, 
and, in 1829, took up his residence at Edwards- 
ville. Owing to impaired health lie decided to 
abandon his profession and engage in general 
business, later becoming a resident of Upper 
Alton. In 1832 lie was elected to the lower house 
of the Legislature as a Whig, and again, in 1840 
and '60, the last time as a Republican ; was State 



Senator from 1835 to "39, and was also the Whig 
candidate for Governor, in 1838, in opposition to 
Thomas Carlin (Democrat), who was elected. He 
served in the Black Hawk War, was a member of 
the Constitutional Convention of 1847, and espe- 
cially interested in education and in public chari- 
ties, being, for thirty-five j-ears, a Trustee of 
Shurtleff College, to which he was a most 
munificent benefactor, and which conferred on 
him the degree of LL.D. in 1852. Died at Upper 
Alton, September, 1877. 

EDWARDS, Ninian, Territorial Governor and 
United States Senator, was born in Montgomery 
County, Md., March 17, 1775; for a time had the 
celebrated William Wirt as a tutor, completing 
his course at Dickinson College. At the age of 19 
he emigrated to Kentucky, where, after squander- 
ing considerable money, he studied law and, step 
by step, rose to be Chief Justice of the Court of 
Appeals. In 1809 President Madison appointed 
him the first Territorial Governor of Illinois. 
This office he held until the admission of Illinois 
as a State in 1818, when he was elected United 
Sates Senator and re-elected on the completion of 
his first (the short) term. In 1826 he was elected 
Governor of the State, his successful administra- 
tion terminating in 1830. In 1832 he became a 
candidate for Congress, but was defeated by 
Charles Slade. He was able, magnanimous and 
incorruptible, although charged with aristocratic 
tendencies which were largely hereditary. Died, 
at his home at Belleville, on July 20, 1833, of 
cholera, the disease having been contracted 
through self-sacrificing efforts to assist sufferers 
from the epidemic. His demise cast a gloom 
over the entire State. Two valuable volumes 
bearing upon State liistor3', comprising his cor- 
respondence with many public men of his time, 
liave been published; the first under tlie title of 
"Historj- of Illinois and Life of Ninian Edwards,"' 
by his son, the late Ninian Wirt Edwards, and 
the other "The Edwards Papers," edited by tlie 
late Elihu B. Washburne, and printed under the 
auspices of the Chicago Historical Society. — 
^'inian Wirt (Edwards), son of Gov. Ninian 
Edwards, was born at Frankfort, Ky., April 15, 
1809, the year liis father became Territorial 
Governor of Illinois; spent his boyhood at Kas- 
kaskia, Edwardsville and Belleville, and was 
educated at Transylvania L'^niversity, graduating 
in 1838. He married Elizabeth P. Todd, a sister 
of Mrs. Abraliam Lincoln, was appointed Attor- 
ney-General in 1834, but resigned in 1835, when 
he removed to Springfield. In 1836 he was 
elected to the Legislature from Sangamon 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



153 



County, as the colleague of Abraham Lincohi. 
being one of the celebrated "Long Nine." anil 
was influential in securing the removal of the 
State capital to Springfiekl. He was re-elected 
to the House in 1838, to the State Senate in 1844, 
and again to the House in 1848; was also a mem- 
ber of the Constitutional Convention of 1847. 
Again, in 1850, he was elected to the House, but 
resigned on account of his change of politics 
from Whig to Democratic, and, in the election to 
fill the vacancy, was defeatetl by James C. Conk- 
Ung. He served as Superintendent of Public 
Instruction by appointment of Governor Matte- 
son, 18.54 o7, and,- in 1861, was appointed by 
President Lincoln, Captain Commissary of Sub- 
sistence, which position he filled until June, 1805, 
since which time he remained in private life. He 
is the author of the "Life and Times of Ninian 
Edwards" (18T0), which was prepared at the 
request of the .State Historical Society. Died, at 
Springfield, Sept. 2, 1889. — Benjamin (Stevenson 
(Edwards), lawj-er and jurist, another son of Gov. 
Ninian Edwards, was born at Edwardsville, 111., 
June 3, 1818, graduated from Yale College in 
1838, and was admitted to the bar the following 
year. Originally a Whig, he subsequently 
became a Democrat, was a Delegate to the Con- 
stitutional Convention of 1863, and, in 1868, was 
an unsuccessful candidate for Congress in opposi- 
tion to Shelby M. Cullom. In 1869 he was elected 
Circuit Judge of the Springfield Circuit, but 
within eighteen months resigned the position, 
preferring the excitement and emoluments of 
private practice to the dignity and scanty salary 
attaching to the bench. As a lawyer and as a 
citizen he was miiversally respected. Died, at 
his home in Springfield, Feb. 4, 1886, at the time 
of his decease being President of the Illinois 
State Bar Association. 

EDWARDS, Richard, educator, ex-Superin- 
tendent of Public Instruction, was born in Cardi- 
ganshire, Wales, Dec. 23. 1822; emigrated with 
his parents to Portage County, Ohio, and began 
life on a farm; later graduated at the State 
Normal School, Bridgevvater, Mass., and from 
the Polytechnic Institute at Troy, N. Y., receiv- 
ing the degrees of Bachelor of Science and Civil 
Engineer; served for a time as a civil engineer 
on the Boston water works, then beginning a 
career as a teacher which continued almo.st unin- 
terruptedly for thirty-five years. During tliis 
period he was connected with the Normal School 
at Bridgewater; a Boys' High School at Salem, 
and the State Normal at the same place, coming 
west in 1857 to establish the Normal School at St. 



Louis, Mo., still later becoming Principal of the 
St. Louis High School, and, in 1862, accepting the 
Presidency of the State Normal Universitj-, at 
Normal, 111. It was here where Dr. Edwards, 
remaining fourteen years, accomplished his 
greatest work and left his deepest impress upon 
the educational system of the State by personal 
contact with its teachers. The next nine years 
were spent as pastor of the First Congregational 
church at Princeton, when, after eighteen 
months in the service of Knox College as Finan- 
cial Agent, he was again called, in 1880, to a 
closer connection with the educational field by 
his election to the office of State Superintendent 
of Public Instruction, serving until 1891, when, 
having failed of a re-election, he soon after 
assumed the Presidency of Blackburn University 
at Carlinville. Failing health, however, com- 
pelled his retirement a year later, when he 
removed to Bloomington, which is now (1898) 
his place of residence. 

EDWARDS COUMY, situated in the south- 
eastern part of the State, between Richland and 
White on the north and south, and Wabash and 
Wayne on the east and west, and touching the 
Ohio River on its southeastern border. It was 
separated from Gallatin County in 1814, dm-ing 
the Territorial period. Its territory was dimin- 
ished in 1824 by the carving out of Waliash 
Count}^ The surface is diversified bj- i)rairie 
and timber, the soil fertile and well adapted to 
the raising of both wheat and corn. The princi- 
pal streams, besides the Ohio, are Bonpas Creek, 
on the east, and the Little Wabash River on the 
west. Palmyra (a place no longer on the map) 
was the seat for holding the first county couit, 
in 1815, John Mcintosh, ,Seth Gard and William 
Barney being the Jud.ges. Albion, the present 
county-seat (population, 937), was laid o>it by 
IMorris Birkbeck and George Flower (emigrants 
from England), in 1819, and settled largely by 
their countrymen, but not incorporated until 
1860. The area of the county is 220 square 
miles, and population, in 1900, 10,345. Grayville, 
with a population of 2,000 in 1890, is partly in 
this county, tliough mostly in White. Edwards 
County was named in honor of Ninian Edwards 
the Territorial Governor of Illinois. 

EDWARDSVILLE, the county-seat of Madison 
County, settled in 1812 and named in honor of 
Territorial Governor Ninian Edwards; is on four 
lines of railway and contiguous to two others, 18 
miles northeast of St. Louis. Edwardsville was 
the home of some of the most prominent men in 
the history of the State, including Governors EJ- 



154 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



wards, Coles, and others. It has pressed and 
sliale brickyards, coal mines, flour mills, machine 
shops, banks, electric street railway, water-works, 
schools, and churches. In a suljurb of the city 
(LeClaire) is a cooperative manufactory of sani- 
tary supplies, using large shops and doing a large 
business. Edwardsville has three newspapers, 
one issued semi-weekly. Population (l.siJO), 3,561 ; 
(1900), 4,1.57; with suburb (estimated), 5,000. 

EFFINCiHAM, an incorporated city, the county- 
seat of EfSugham County, 9 miles northeast from 
St. Louis and 199 southwest of Chicago; has four 
papers, creamery, milk condensory, and ice fac- 
tory. Population (1890), 3,200; (1900), 3,774. 

EFFINGHAM COUNTY, cut oflf from Fayette 
(and separately organized) in 1831 — named for 
Gen. Edward Effingham. It is situated in the 
central portion of the State, 63 miles northeast of 
St. Louis ; has an area of 490 square miles and a 
population (1900) of 20,465. T. M. Short, I. Fanchon 
and William I. Hawkins were the first Coimty 
Commissioners. Effingham, the county -seat, was 
platted by Messrs. Alexander and Little in 1854. 
Messrs. Gillenwater, Hawkins and Brown were 
among the earliest settlers. Several lines of rail- 
way cross the county. Agriculture and sheep- 
raising are leading industries, wool being one of 
the principal prodivcts. 

EGAN, William Bradsliaw, M.D., pioneer phy- 
sican, was born in Ireland, Sept. 28, 1808; spent 
some time during his youth in the study of sur- 
gery in England, later attending lectures at Dub- 
lin. About 1828 he went to Canada, taught for 
a time in the schools of Quebec and Montreal 
and, in 1830, was licensed by the Medical Board 
of New Jersey and began practice at Newark in 
that State, later practicing in New York. In 
1833 he removed to Chicago and was early recog- 
nized as a prominent plij'sician ; on July 4, 1836, 
delivered the address at the breaking of ground 
for the Illinois & Michigan Canal. During the 
early years of his residence in Chicago, Dr, Egan 
was owner of the block on which the Tremont 
House stands, and erected a number of houses 
there. He was a zealous Democrat and a delegate 
to the first Convention of that party, held at 
Joliet in 1843; was elected County Recorder in 
1844 and Representative in the Eighteenth Gen- 
eral Assembly (18.53-54). Died, Oct. 27, 1800. 

ELBURN, a village of Kane County, on the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railway, 8 miles west 
of Geneva. It has banks and a weekly news- 
paper. Population (1890), .584; (1900). 606. 

ELDORADO, a town in Saline County, on the 
Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis, the 



Louisville & Nashville, and the St. Louis, Alton 
& Terre Haute Railroads; has a bank and one 
newspaper; district argicultural. Population, 
(1900), 1,445. 

ELDRIDGE, Hamilton N., lawyer and soldier, 
was born at South Williamstown, Mass., August, 
1837; graduated at Williams College in the class 
with President Garfield, in 1850, and at Albany 
Law School, in 1857 ; soon afterward came to 
Chicago and began practice; in 1803 assisted in 
organizing the One Hundred and Twenty -seventh 
Illinois Volunteers, of which he was elected 
Lieutenant-Colonel, before the end of the year 
being promoted to the position of Colonel; dis- 
tinguished himself at Arkansas Post, Chicka- 
mauga and in the battles before Vicksburg, 
winning the rank of Brevet Brigadier-General, 
but, after two years' service, was compelled to 
retire on account of disability, being carried east 
on a stretcher. Subsequently he recovered suffi- 
ciently to resume his profession, but dieil in 
Chicago, Dec. 1, 1882, much regretted by a large 
circle of friends, with whom he was exceedingly 
popular. 

ELECTIONS. The elections of public ofticers 
in Illinois are of two general classes: (I) those 
conducted in accordance witli United States 
laws, and (II) those conducted exclusively under 
State laws. 

I. To the first class belong: (1) the election of 
United States Senators; (3) Presidential Elect- 
ors, and (3 ) Representatives in Congress. 1. 
(United States Senators). The election of 
United States Senators, while an act of the State 
Legislature, is conducted solely under forms pre- 
scribed by the laws of the United States. Tliese 
make it the duty of tlie Legislature, on the second 
Tuesday after convening at the session next pre- 
ceding the expiration of the term for which any 
Senator may have been chosen, to proceed to 
elect his successor in the following manner: 
Each House is required, on the day designated, in 
open session and by the viva voce vote of each 
member present, to name some person for United 
States Senator, the result of the balloting to be 
entered on the journals of the respective Houses. 
At twelve o'clock (M. ) on the day following the 
day of election, the members of the two Houses 
meet in joint assembly, when the journals of both 
Houses are read. If it appears that the same 
person has received a majority of all the votes in 
eacli House, he is declared elected Senator. If, 
however, no one has received such majorit)', or 
if either House has failed to take proceedings as 
required on the preceding day, then the members 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



155 



of the two Houses, in joint assembly, proceed to 
ballot for Senator by viva voce vote of members 
present. The person receiving a majority of all 
the votes cast— a majority of the members of 
both Houses being present and voting — is declared 
elected ; otherwise the joint assembly is renewed 
at noon each legislative day of the session, and at 
least one ballot taken until a Senator is chosen. 
When a vacancy exists in the Senate at the time 
of the assembling of the Legislature, the same 
rule prevails as to the time of holding an election 
to fill it; and, if a vacancy occurs during the 
session, the Legislature is required to proceed to 
an election on the second Tuesday after having 
received o'fficial notice of such vacancy. The 
tenure of a United States Senator for a full term 
is six years— the regular term beginning with a 
new Congress — the two Senators from each State 
belonging to different "classes," so that their 
terms expire alternately at periods of two and 
four years from each other. — 3. (Presidential 
Electors). The choice of Electors of President 
and Vice-President is made by popular vote 
taken quadrennially on the Tuesday after the 
first Monday in November. The date of such 
election is fixed by act of Congress, being the 
same as that for Congressman, although the State 
Legislature prescribes the manner of conducting 
it and making returns of the same. The number 
of Electors chosen equals the number of Senators 
and Representatives taken together (in 1899 it 
was twenty-four), and they are elected on a gen- 
eral ticket, a plurality of votes being sufficient to 
elect. Electors meet at the State capital on the 
second Monday of January after their election 
(Act of Congress, 1887), to cast the vote of the 
State — 3. (Members of Congress). The elec- 
tion of Representatives in Congress is also held 
under United States law, occurring biennially 
(on the even years) simultaneously with the gen- 
eral State election in November. Should Congress 
select a different date for such election, it would 
be the duty of the Legislature to recognize it by 
a corresponding change in the State law relating 
to the election of Congressmen. The tenure of a 
Congressman is two years, the election being by 
Districts instead of a general ticket, as in the 
ca.se of Presidential Electors — the term of each 
Representative for a full term beginning witli a 
new Congress, on the tth of March of the odd 
years following a general elet^tion. (See Con- 
gressional ApjMi-tionment.) 

11. All officers under the State Government— 
except Boards of Trastees of charitable and penal 
institutions or the heads of certain departments, 



which are made appointive by the Governor — are 
elected by popular vote. Apart from county 
officers they consist of three classes: (1) Legisla- 
tive; (2) Executive; (3) Judicial — which are 
chosen at different times and for different periods. 
1. (Legislature). Legislative officers consist of 
Senators and Representatives, chosen at elections 
held on the Tuesday after the first Monday of 
November, biennially. The regular term of a 
Senator (of whom there are fifty -one under the 
present Constitution) is four years; twenty-flve 
(those in Districts bearing even numbers) being 
chosen on the years in which a President and 
Governor are elected, and the other twenty-six at 
the intermediate period two years later. Thus, 
one-half of each State Senate is composed of what 
are called "hold-over" Senators. Representatives 
are elected biennialh^ at the November election, 
and hold office two years. The qualifications as 
to eligibility for a seat in the State Senate require 
that the incumbent shall be 25 years of age, 
while 21 years renders one eligible to a seat in 
the House — the Constitution requiring that each 
shall have been a resident of the State for five 
j-ears, and of the District for which he is chosen, 
two years next preceding his election. (See 
Legislative Apportionment and Minority Repre- 
sentation.) — 2. (Executive Officers). The 
officers constituting the Executive Department 
include the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, 
Secretary of State, Auditor of Public Accounts, 
Treasurer, Superintendent of Public Instruction, 
and Attornej' General. Each of these, except the 
State Treasurer, holds office four years and — with 
the exception of the Treasurer and Superintend- 
ent of Public Instruction — are elected at the 
general election at which Presidential Electors 
are chosen. The election of State Superintendent 
occurs on the intermediate (even) years, and that 
of State Treasurer every two years coincidently 
with the election of Governor and Superintendent 
of Public Instruction, respectively. (See Execu- 
tive Officers.) In addition to the State oflicers 
already named, three Trustees of the University 
of Illinois are elected biennially at the general 
election in November, each holding office for 
six years. These trustees (nine in number), 
with the Governor, Pre.sident of the State Board 
of Agriculture and the Superintendent of Public 
Instruction, constitute the Board of Trustees of 
the University of Illinois. — 3. (Judiciary). The 
Judicial Department embraces Judges of tlie 
Supreme, Circuit and County Courts, and such 
other subordinate officials as may be connected 
with the administration of justice. For the 



156 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



election of members of the Supreme Court the 
State is divided into seven Districts, eacli of 
which elects a Justice of the Supreme Court for 
a term of nine years. The elections in five of 
these — the First, Second, Third, Sixtli and 
Seventh — occur on the first Monday in June every 
ninth year from 1879, the last election having 
occurred in June, 1897. The elections in the 
other t -vo Districts occur at similar periods of nine 
years from 1876 and 1873, respectively — the last 
election in the Fourth District having occurred 
in June, 1893, and tliat in the Fifth in 1891,— 
Circuit Judges are chosen on the first Monday in 
June every six years, counting from 1873. Judges 
of the Superior Court of Cook County are elected 
every six years at the November election. — Clerks 
of the Supreme and Appellate Courts are elected 
at the November election for six years, the last 
election having occurred in 1896. Under the act 
of April 3, 1897, consolidating the Supreme 
Court into one Grand Division, the number of 
Supreme Court Clerks is reduced to one, although 
the Clerks elected in 1896 remain in oflice and liave 
charge of the records of their several Divisions 
until the expiration of their terms in 1902. The 
Supreme Court holds five terms annually at Spring- 
field, beginning, re.spectively, on the first Tue.sday 
of October, December, February, April and June. 

(Other Officers), (a) Members of the State 
Board of Equalization (one for every Congres- 
sional District) are elective every four years at 
the same time as Congressmen, (b) County 
officers (except County Commissioners not under 
township organization) hold office for four years 
and are chosen at the November election as 
follows: (1) At the general election at whicli 
the Governor is chosen — Clerk of the Circuit 
Court, State's Attorney, Recorder of Deeds (in 
counties having a population of 60,000 or over), 
Coroner and County Surveyor. (3) On inter- 
mediate years — Sheriff, County Judge, Probate 
Judge (in counties having a population of 70,000 
and over). County Clerk, Treasurer, Superintend- 
ent of Schools, and Clerk of Criminal Court of 
Cook County, (c) In counties not under town- 
ship organization a Board of County Commission- 
ers is elected, one being cliosen in November of 
each year, and each holding office three years, 
(d) Under the general law the polls open at 8 
a. m., and close at 7 p. m. In cities accepting an 
Act of the Legislatme passed in 1885, the hour of 
opening the polls is 6 a. m. , and of closing 4 p. m. 
(See also Australian Ballot.) 

ELECTORS, QUALIFICATIONS OF. (See 
Suffrage. ) 



ELGIJf, an important city of Northern Illinois, 
in Kane Coimty, on Fox River and the Chicago, 
Milwaukee & St. Paul and Chicago tt Northwest- 
ern Railroads, besides two rural electric lines, 36 
miles northwest of Chicago; has valuable water- 
power and over fifty manufacturing establish- 
ments, including the National Watch Factory and 
the Cook Publishing Company, both among the 
most extensive of their kind in the world; is al-so 
a great dairy center with extensive creameries 
and milk-condensing works. Tlie quotations of 
its Butter and Cheese Excliange are telegraplied 
to all the great commercial centers and regulate 
the prices of these commodities throughout the 
country. Elgin is the seat of the Northern (Illi- 
nois) Hospital for the Insane, and has a handsome 
Government (postoffice) building, fine public 
library and many handsome residences. It has 
had a rapid growth in the past twenty years. 
Population (1890), 17,833; (1900), 33,433. 

ELGIN, JOLIET & EASTERN RAILWAY. The 
main line of this road extends west from Dyer on 
the Indiana State line to Joliet, thence northeast ' 
to Waukegan. The total length of the line (1898) 
is 193.73 miles, of which 159.93 miles are in Illi- 
nois. The entire capital of the company, includ- 
ing stock and indebtedne.ss, amounted (1898), to 
§13,799,630— more than 871,000 per mile. Its total 
earnings in Illinois for the same year were 81,213,- 
026, and its entire expenditure in the State, 
§1,156,146. The company paid in taxes, the .same 
year, 848,876. Branch lines extend southerly 
from Walker Junction to Coster, where connec- 
tion is made with the Cleveland, Cincinnati, 
Chicago & St. Louis Railroad, and northwesterly 
from Normantown, on the main line, to Aurora. 
— (History). The Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Rail- 
way was chartered in 1.SS7 and absorbed the 
Joliet, Aurora & Northern Railway, from Joliet to 
Aurora (21 miles), wliich had been commenced in 
1886 and was completed in 1888, with extensions 
from Joliet to Spaulding, 111. , and from Joliet to 
McCool, Ind. In January, 1891, the Company 
purchased all the properties and franchises of the 
Gardner, Coal City & Normantown and the 
Waukegan & Southwestern Railway Companies 
(formerly operated under lease). The former of 
these two roads was chartered in 1889 and opened 
in 1890. Tlie system forms a belt line around 
Chicago, intersecting all railroads entering that 
city from every direction. Its traffic is chiefly 
in the transportation of freight. 

ELIZABETHTOWN, the county-seat of Hardin 
County. It stands on the north bank of the Ohio 
River, 44 miles above Paducah, Ky., and about 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



157 



125 miles southeast of Belleville; has a brick and 
tile factory, large tie trade, two churches, two 
flouring mills, a bank, and one newspaper. Pop- 
ulation (1890), 652; (1900), 668. 

ELKHART, a town of Logan County, on the 
Chicago & Alton Railroad, IS miles northeast of 
Springfield ; is a rich farming sectio^ ; has a coal 
shaft. Population (1890), 414; (1900), 553. 

ELKIN, William F., pioneer and early legisla- 
tor, was born in Clark County, Ky., April 13, 
1792; after spending several years in Ohio and 
Indiana, came to Sangamon County, 111., in 1825; 
was elected to the Sixth, Tenth and Eleventh 
General Assemblies, being one of the "Long 
Nine" from Sangamon County and, in 1861, was 
appointed by his former colleague (Abraham 
Lincoln) Register of the Land Office at Spring- 
field, resigning in 18T2. Died, in 1878. 

ELLIS, Edward F. TV., soldier, was born at 
Wilton, Maine, April 15, 1819; studied law and 
was admitted to the bar in Ohio ; spent three years 
(1849-52) in California, serving in the Legislature 
of that State in 1S51, and proving him.self an 
earnest opponent of slavery ; returned to Ohio the 
next year, and, in 1854, removed to Rockford, 111., 
where he embarked in the banking business. 
Soon after the firing on Fort Sumter, he organ- 
ized the Ellis Rifles, which having been attached 
to the Fifteenth Illinois, he was elected Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel of the regiment ; was in command at 
the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862. and was killed 
while bravely leading on his men. 

ELLIS, (Rev.) John Millot, early home mis- 
sionary, was born in Keene, N. II., July 14, 1793; 
came to Illinois as a home missionary of the 
Presbyterian Church at an early day, and served 
for a time as pastor of churches at Kaskaskia and 
Jacksonville, and was one of the influential 
factors in securing the location of Illinois Col- 
lege at the latter place. His wife also condvicted, 
for some years, a private school for young ladies 
at Jacksonville, which developed into the Jack- 
sonville Female Academy in 1833, and is still 
maintained after a history of over sixty years. 
Mr. Ellis was later associated with the establish- 
ment of Wabash College, at Crawfordsville, Ind., 
finally returning to New Hampshire, where, in 
1840. he was pastor of a church at East Hanover. 
In 1844 he again entered the .service of the Soci- 
ety for Promoting Collegiate and Theological 
Education in the West. Died. August 6, 1855. 

ELLSWORTH, Epiiraim Elmer, soldier, first 
victim of the Civil War, was l)orn at Mechanics 
ville, Saratoga County, N. Y., April 23, 1837. He 
came to Chicago at an early age, studied law. 



and became a patent solicitor. In 1860 he raised 
a regiment of Zouaves in Chicago, which became 
famous for the perfection of its discipline and 
drill, and of which he was commissioned Colonel. 
In 1861 he accompanied President Lincoln to 
Washington, going from there to New York, 
where he recruited and organized a Zouave 
regiment composed of firemen. He became its 
Colonel and the regiment was ordered to Alexan- 
dria, Va. While stationed there Colonel Ells- 
worth observed that a Confederate flag was 
flying above a hotel owned by one Jackson. 
Rushing to the roof, he tore it down, but before 
he reached the street was shot and killed by 
Jackson, who was in turn shot by Frank H. 
Brownell, one of Ellsworth's men. He was the 
first Union soldier killed in the war. Died, May 
24, 1861. 

ELMHURST (formerly Cottage Hill), a village 
of Du Page County, on the Chicago Great Western 
and 111. Cent. Railroads, 15 miles west of Chicago; 
is the seat of the Evangelical Seminary ; has elec- 
tric interurban line, two pajjers, stone quarry, 
electric light, water and sewerage systems, high 
school, and churches. Pop. (1900), 1,728. 

ELM H 001), a town of Peoria County, on the 
Galesburg and Peoria and Buda and Rushville 
branches of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
Railroad, 26 miles west-northwest of Peoria; the 
principal industries are coal-mining and corn and 
tomato canning; has a bank and one newspaper. 
Population (1890), 1,548; (1900), 1,.582. 

EL PASO, a city in Woodford County, 17 miles 
north of Bloomington, 33 miles ea.st of Peoria, at 
the crossing Illinois Central and Toledo, Peoria & 
Western Railroads; in agricultural district; has 
t%vo national banks, three grain elevators, two 
high schools, two newspapers, nine churches. 
Pop. (1890), 1,353; (1900), 1,441; (1903, est.), 1,600. 

EMBARRAS RIVER, rises in Champaign 
County and runs southward through the counties 
of Douglas, Coles and Cumberland, to Newton, in 
Jasper County, where it turns to the southeast, 
passing through Lawrence County, and entering 
the Wabash River about seven miles below Vin- 
cennes. It is nearly 1.50 miles long. 

EMMERSON, Charles, jurist, was born at North 
Haverhill. Grafton County, N. H.. April 15, 1811; 
came to Illinois in 183;i, first settling at Jackson- 
ville, where he spent one term in Illinois College, 
then studied law iit Springfield, ami, having been 
admitted to the bar, began practice at Decatur, 
where he spent the remainder of his life except 
three years (1847-50) during which he resided at 
Paris, Edgar County. In 18.50 he was elected to 



158 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



the Legislature, and, in 1853, to the Circuit bench, 
serving on the latter by re-election till 1867. The 
latter year he was a candidate for Justice of the 
Supreme Court, but was defeated by the late 
Judge Pinkney H. Walker. In 1869 he was 
elected to the State Constitutional Convention, 
but died in April, 1870, while the Convention was 
still in session. 

ENFIELD, a town of White County, at the 
intersection of the Louisville & Nashville with 
the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railway, 10 
miles west of Carmi; is the seat of Southern Illi- 
nois College. The town also has a bank and one 
newspaper. Population (1880), 717; (1890), 870; 
(1900), 971; (1903, est.), 1,000. 

ENGLISH, Joseph G., banker, was born at 
Rising Sun, Ind., Dec. 17, 1820; lived for a time 
at Perrysville and La Fayette in that State, finally 
engaging in merchandising in the former; in 
1853 removed to Danville, 111., where he formed 
a partnership with John L. Tincher in mercantile 
business; later conducted a private banking busi- 
ness and, in 1863, established the First National 
Bank, of which he has been President over twenty 
years. He served two terms as Mayor of Dan- 
ville, in 1872 was elected a member of the State 
Board of Equalization, and, for more than twenty 
years, has been one of the Directors of the Chicago 
& Eastern Railroad. At the present time Mr. 
English, having practically retired from busi- 
ness, is spending most of his time in the West. 

ENOS, Pascal Paoli, pioneer, was born at 
Windsor, Conn., in 1770; graduated at Dartmouth 
College in 1794, studied law, and, after sjiending 
some years in Vermont, where he served as High 
Sheriff of Windsor County, in September, 1815, 
removed West, stopping first at Cincinnati. A 
year later he descended the Ohio by fiat-boat to 
Shawneetown, 111., crossed the State by land, 
finally locating at St. Charles, Mo., and later at 
St. Louis. Then, having purchased a tract of land 
in Madison County, III., he remained there about 
two j'ears, when, in 1823, having received from 
President Monroe the appointment of Receiver of 
the newly established Land Office at Springfield, 
he removed thither, making it his permanent 
home. He was one of the original purchasers of 
the land on which the city of Springfield now 
stands, and joined with Maj. Elijah lies, John 
Taylor and Thomas Cox, the other patentees, in 
laying out the town, to which they first gave the 
name of Calhoun. Mr. Enos remained in olHce 
through the administration of President John 
Quincy Adams, but was removed by President 
Jackson for political reasons, in 1829. Died, at 



Springfield, April, 1832.— Pascal P. (Enos), Jr., 
eldest son of Mr. Enos, was born in St. Charles, 
Mo., Nov. 28, 1816; was elected Representative in 
the General Assembly from Sangamon County in 
1852, and served bj' appointment of Justice 
McLean of the Supreme Court as Clerk of the 
United States Circuit Court, being reappointed 
by Judge David Davis, dying in office, Feb. 17, 
1867. — Zimri A. (Enos), another son, was born 
Sept. 29, 1821, is a citizen of Springfield — has 
served as County Surveyor and Alderman of the 
city. — Julia R., a daughter, was born in Spring- 
field, Dec. 20, 1832, is the widow of the late O. M. 
Hatch, Secretary of State(1857-65). 

EPLER, Cyrus, lawyer and jurist, was born 
at Charleston, Clark County, Ind., Nov. 12, 
1825; graduated at Illinois College, Jackson- 
ville, studied law, and was admitted to the 
bar in 1852, being elected State's Attorney 
the same year; also served as a member 
of the General Assembly two terms (1857-61) 
and as Master in Chancery for Morgan County, 
1867-73. In 1873 he was elected Circuit Judge 
for the Seventh Circuit and was re-elected 
successively in 1879, "85 and "91, serving four 
terms, and retiring in 1897. During his entire 
jjrofessional and official career his home has been 
in Jacksonville. 

EQUALITY, a village of Gallatin County, on 
the Shawueetown Division of the Louisville & 
Nashville Railroad. 11 miles west-northwest of 
.Shawueetown. It was for a time, in early days, the 
countj'seat of Gallatin County and market for 
the salt manufactured in that vicinity. Some 
coal is mined in the neighborhood. One weekly 
paper is published here. Population (1880), 500; 
(1890), 622; (1900), 898. 

ERIE, a village of Whiteside Coimty, on the 
Rock Island and Sterling Division of the Chicago, 
Burlington & Quincy Railroad. 30 miles north- 
east of Rock Island. Population (1880), 537; 
(1890). ,535; (1900), 768. 

EUREKA, the county-.seat of Woodford County, 
incorporated in 1856, situated 19 miles east of 
Peoria; is in the heart of a rich stock-raising and 
agricultural district. The principal mechanical 
industry is a large canning factory. Besides 
having good grammar and high schools, it is also 
the seat of Eureka College, under the control of 
the Christian denomination, in connection with 
which are a Normal School and a Biblical Insti- 
tute. The town has a hand.soine courthouse and 
a jail, two weekly and one monthly paper. 
Eureka became the county-seat of Woodford 
County in 1896, the change from Metamora being 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



159 



due to the central location and more convenient 
accessibility of the former from all parts of the 
county. Population (1880), 1,185; (1890), 1,481; 
(1900). 1,661. 

EUREKA COLLEGE, located at Eureka. Wood- 
ford County, and chartered in 18.').'5, distinctively 
under the care and supervision of tlie "Cliri.stian" 
or "Campbellite" denomination. Tlie primary 
aim of its founders was to prepare young men for 
the ministry, while at the same time affording 
facilities for liberal culture. It was chartered in 
1855, and its growth, while gradual, lias been 
steady. Besides a preparatorj' department and a 
business school, the college maintains a collegiate 
department (with classical and scientific courses) 
and a theological school, the latter being designed 
to fit young men for the ministry of the denomi- 
nation. Both male and female matriculates are 
received. In 1896 there was a faculty of eigliteen 
professors and assistants, and an attendance of 
some 325 students, nearl}- one-third of whom 
were females. The total value of the institution's 
property is §144,000, which includes an endow- 
ment of .$45,000 and real estate valued at §85,000. 

EUSTACE, John \., lawyer and judge, was 
born in Philadelphia, Sept. 9, 1821 ; graduated 
from the University of Pennsylvania in 1839, and, 
in 1842, at the age of 21, was admitted to tlie bar, 
removing the same year to Dixon, 111., where he 
resided until his death. In 1856 he was elected 
to the General Assembly and, in 1857, became 
Circuit Judge, serving one term; was chosen 
Presidential Elector in 1864, and, in March, 1878, 
was again elevated to the Circuit Bench, vice 
Judge Heaton, deceased. He was elected to the 
same position in 1879, and re-elected in 1885, but 
died in 1888, three years before the expiration of 
his term. 

EVAXCiELICAL SEMI^VARY, an institution 
under the direction of the Lutheran denomina- 
tion, incorporated in 1865 and located at Elm- 
hurst, Du Page County. Instruction is given in 
the classics, theology, oratory and prejiaratory 
studies, by a faculty of eight teacliers. The 
number of pupils during the school year (1895-90) 
was 133 — all young men. It has property valued 
at S50.305. 

EVANS, Henry H., legislator, was born in 
Toronto, Can., Marcli 9, 183G; brought by his 
father (who was a native of Pennsylvania) to 
Aurora, 111., where the latter finally became fore- 
man of the Chicago. Burlington & ^uiiicy ma- 
chine shops at that place. In 1S62 young Evans 
enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth 
Illinois Volunteers, serving until the close of the 



war. Since the war he lias become most widely 
known as a member of the General Assemblj', hav- 
ing been elected first to the House, in 1876, and 
subsequently to the Senate every four years from 
1880 to the year 1898, giving him over twenty 
years of almost continuous service. He is a large 
owner of real estate and has been prominently 
connected with financial and otlier business 
enterprises at Aurora, including the Aurora Gas 
and Street Railway Companies ; also served with 
the rank of Colonel on the staffs of Governors 
Cullom, Hamilton, Fifer and Oglesby. 

EVAXS, (Rev.) Jervice G., educator and re- 
former, was born in Marshall County, 111., Dec. 
19, 1833; entered the ministry of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church in 18.54, and, in 1872, accepted 
the presidency of Hedding College at Abingdon, 
wliich he filled for six years. He then became 
President of Chaddock College at Quincy, but the 
following year returned to pastoral work. In 
1889 he again became President of Hedding Col- 
lege, where (1898) he still remains. Dr. Evans is 
a member of the Central Illinois (M. E.) Confer- 
ence and a leader in the proliibition movement ; 
has also produced a number of volumes on reli- 
gious and moral questions. 

EVANS, John, M.D., physician and Governor, 
was born at Wayuesville, Ohio, of Quaker ances- 
try, March 9, 1814; graduated in medicine at 
Cincinnati and began practice at Ottawa, 111., 
but soon returned to Ohio, finally locating at 
Attica, Ind. Here he became i)rominent in the 
establishment of the first insane hospital in In- 
diana, at Indianapolis, about 1841-42, becoming a 
resident of that city in 1845. Three years later, 
having accepted a chair in Rush Medical College, 
in Chicago, he removed thither, also serving for 
a time as editor of "The Northwestern Medical 
and Surgical Journal." He .served as a member 
of the Chicago City Council, became a successful 
o]3erator in real estate and in the promotion of 
various railroad enterjirises, and was one of the 
founders of the Northwestern University, at 
Evanston, serving as President of the Board of 
Trustees over forty years. Dr. Evans was one of 
the founders of the Republican party in Illinois, 
and a strong personal friend of President Lincoln, 
from whom, in 1862, he received the appointment 
of Governor of the Territory of Colorado, con- 
tinuing in oflSce until displaced by Andrew John- 
son in 1865. In Colorado he became a leading 
factor in the construction of some of the most 
important railroad lines in tliat section, including 
the Denver. Texas & Gulf Road, of wliich he was 
for many years the President. He was also 



160 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



prominent in connection with educational and 
church enterprises at Denver, wliich was his home 
after leaving Illinois. Died, in Denver, July 3, 1897. 
EVANSTON, a city of Cook County, situated 13 
miles north of Chicago, on the Chicago, Milwau- 
kee & St. Paul and the Chicago & Northwestern 
Railroads. The original town was incorporated 
Dec. 29, 1863, and, in Jlarch, 18G9, a special act 
was passed by the Legislature incorporating it as 
a city, but rejected by vote of the people. On 
Oct. 19, 1872, the voters of the corporate town 
adopted village organizations imder the General 
Village and City Incorporation Act of the same 
year. Since then annexations of adjacent terri- 
tory to the village of Evanston have taken place 
as follows: In January, 1873, two small districts 
by petition; in April, 1874, the village of North 
Evanston was annexed by a majority vote of the 
electors of both corporations; in April, 1886, 
there was another annexation of a small out-lying 
district by petition ; in February, 1892, the ques- 
tion of the annexation of South Evanston was 
submitted to the voters of both corporations and 
adopted. On JIarch 29, 1892, the question of 
organization under a city government was sub- 
mitted to popular vote of the consolidated corpo- 
ration and decided in the affirmative, the first 
city election taking place April 19, following. 
The population of the original corporation of 
Evanston, according to the census of 1890, was 
12,072, and of South Evanston, 3,205, making the 
total population of the new city 15,967. Judged 
by the census returns of 1900, the consolidated 
city has had a healthy growth in the past 
ten years, giving it, at the end of the 
century, a population of 19,259. Evanston is 
one of the most attractive residence cities in 
Northern Illinois and famed for its educational 
advantages. Besides having an admirable system 
of graded and high schools, it is the seat of the 
academic and theological departments of the 
Northwestern University, the latter being known 
as the Garrett Biblical Institute. The city has 
well paved streets, is lighted by both gas and 
electricity, and maintains its own system of 
water works. Prohibition is strictly enforced 
within the corporate limits under stringent 
municipal ordinances, and the charter of the 
Northwestern Universit3' forbidding tlie sale of 
intoxicants within four miles of that institution. 
As a consequence, it is certain to attract tlie 
most desirable class of people, whether consisting 
of those seeking permanent homes or simply 
contemplating temporary residence for the sake 
of educational advantages. 



EWING, William Lee Davidson, early lawyer 
and politician, was born in Kentucky in 1795, and 
came to Illinois at an earlj' daj-, first settling at 
Shawneetown. As early as 1820 he appears from 
a letter of Governor Edwards to President 5Ion- 
roe, to have been holding some Federal appoint- 
ment, presumably that of Receiver of Public 
Moneys in the Land Office at Vandalia, as con- 
temporary history shows tliat, in 1822, he lost a 
deposit of ■81,000 by the robbery of the bank there. 
He was also Brigadier-General of the State militia 
at an early day. Colonel of the "Spy Battalion"' 
during the Black Hawk War, and, as Indian 
Agent, superintended the removal of the Sacs 
and Foxes west of the Mississippi. Other posi- 
tions held by him included Clerk of the House of 
Representatives two sessions ( 1826-27 and 1828-29) ; 
Representative from the counties composing the 
Vandalia District in the Seventh General Assem- 
bly (1830-31), when he also became Speaker of the 
House; Senator from the same District in the 
Eighth and Ninth General Assemblies, of whieli 
he was chosen President pro tempore. While 
serving in this capacity he became ex-officio 
Lieutenant-Governor in consequence of the resig- 
nation of Lieut. -Gov. Zadoc Casey to acoept a 
seat in Congress, in March, 1833, and, in Novem- 
ber, 1834, assumed tlie Governorship as successor 
to Governor Rej'nolds, who had been elected to 
Congress to fill a vacancy. He served only fifteen 
days as Governor, when he gave place to Gov. 
Joseph Duncan, who had been elected in due 
course at the previous election. A year later 
(December, 1835) he was chosen United States 
Senator to succeed Elias Kent Kane, who had 
died in office. Failing of a re-election to the 
Senatorship in 1837, he was returned to the House 
of Representatives from his old district in 1838, 
as he was again in 1840, at each session being 
chosen Speaker over Abraham Lincoln, who was 
the Whig candidate. Dropping out of the Legis- 
lature at the close of his term, we find him at the 
beginning of the next session (December, 1842) in 
his old place as Clerk of the House, but, before 
the close of the session (in March, 1843), appointed 
Auditor of Public Accounts as successor to James 
Shields, who had resigned. While occupying the 
office of Auditor, Mr. Ewing died, March 25, 1846. 
His public career was :is imique as it was remark- 
able, in the number and character of the official 
positions held by him within a period of twenty- 
five years. 

EXECUTIYE OFFICERS. (See State officers 
under heads of "Gox-ernor," "Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor," etc.) 



HISTOWCAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



161 



EYE A\D EAR INFIRMARY, ILLINOIS 
CHARITABLE. This institution is an outgrowth 
of a private charity founded at Chicago, in 1858, 
by Dr. Edward L. Hohnes, a distinguished Chi- 
cago oculist. In 1871 the property of the in.stitu- 
tion was transferred to and acce|)ted by the State, 
the title was changed by the substitution of tlie 
word "Illinois" for "Chicago," and the Infirmary 
became a State institution. The fire of 1871 
destroyed the building, and, in 1873-74, the State 
erected another of brick, four stories in height, 
at the corner of West Adams and Peoria Streets, 
Chicago. The institution receives patients from 
all the counties of the State, tlie same receiving 
board, lodging, and medical aid. and (when neces- 
sary) surgical treatment, free of charge. The 
number of patients on Dec. 1, 1897, was 160. In 
1877 a free eye and ear dispensary was opened 
under legislative authority, which is under charge 
of some eminent Chicago specialists. 

FAIRBURY, an incorporated city of Livings- 
ton County, situated ten miles southeast of Pon- 
tiac, in a fertile and thickly -.settled region. Coal, 
sandstone, limestone, fire-clay and a micaceous 
quartz are found in the neighborhood. The 
town has banks, grain elevators, flouring mills 
and two weekly newspapers. Population (1880), 
2,140; (1890), 2,334; (1900), 3,187. 

FAIRFIELD, an incorporated city, the county- 
seat of Wayne County and a railway junction, 
108 miles southeast of St. Louis. The town has 
an extensive woolen factory and large flouring 
and saw mills. It also has four weekly papers 
and is an important fruit and grain-shipping 
point. Population (1880), 1,391; (1890), 1,881; 
(1900), 2,3.38. 

FAIRMOUNT, a village of Vermilion County, 
on the Wabash Railway, 13 miles west-southwest 
from Danville; industrial interests chiefly agri- 
cultural ; has brick and tile factory, a coal mine, 
stone quarry, three rural mail routes and one 
weekly paper. Population (1890), 649; (1900), 938. 

FALLOWS, (Rt. Rev.) Samuel, Bishop of Re- 
formed Protestant Episcopal Church, was born at 
Pendleton, near Manchester, England, Dec. 13, 
1835 ; removed with his parents to Wisconsin in 
1848, and graduated from the State University 
there in 18.59, during a part of his university 
course serving as pastor of a Methodist Episcopal 
church at Madison; was ne.xt Vice-President of 
Gainesville University till 18G1, when he was 
ordained to the Methodist ministry and became 
pastor of a church at Oshkosh. The following 
year he was appointed Chaplain of the Thirty- 



second Wisconsin Volunteers, but later assisted 
in organizing the Fortieth Wisconsin, of which 
he became Colonel, in 1865 being brevetted Briga- 
dier-General. On liis return to civil life he 
became a pastor in Milwaukee; was appointed 
State Superintendent of Public Instruction for 
Wisconsin to fill a vacancy, in 1871, and was twice 
re-elected. In 1874 lie was elected President of 
the Illinois Wesleyan University at Bloomington, 
111., remaining two years; in 1875 united with the 
Reformed Episcopal Church, soon after became 
Rector of St. Paul's Church in Chicago, and was 
elected a Bishop in 1876, also assuming the 
editorship of "The Appeal," the organ of the 
church. He served as Regent of the University 
of Wisconsin (1864-74), and for several years has 
been one of the Trustees of the Illinois State 
Reform School at Pontiac. He is the author of 
two or three volumes, one of them being a "Sup- 
plementary Dictionary," published in 1884. 
Bishop Fallows has had supervision of Reformed 
Episcopal Church work in the West and North- 
west for several years ; has also served as Chaplain 
of the Grand Army of the Republic for the 
Department of Illinois and of the Loyal Legion, 
and was Chairman of the General Committee of 
the Educational Congress during the World's 
Columbian Exposition of 1893. 

FARINA, a town of Fayette County, on the 
Chicago Division of the Illinois Central Railroad, 
39 miles northeast of Centralia. Agriculture and 
fruit-growing constitute the chief business of the 
section; the town has one newspaper. Popula- 
tion (1890). 618; (1900), 693; (1903, est). 800. 

FARMER CITY, a city of De Witt County, 25 
miles southeast of Bloomington, at the junction 
of the Springfield division of the Illinois Central 
and the Peoria division of the Cleveland, Cincin- 
nati, Chicago & St. Louis Railways. It is a 
trading center for a rich agricultm-al and stock- 
raising district, especially noted for rearing finely 
bred horses. The city has banks, two news- 
papers, churches of four denominations and good 
schools, including a high school. Population 
(1880), 1,289; (1890), 1.367; (1900), 1,664- 

FARMERS' INSTITUTE, an organization 
created by an act, approved June 24, 1895, de- 
signed to encourage practical education among 
farmers, and to assist in developing the agricul- 
tural, resources of the State. Its membership 
consists of three delegates from each county in 
the State, elected annually by the Farmers' 
Institute in such county. Its affairs are managed 
by a Board of Directors constituted as follows: 
The Superintendent of Public Instruction, the 



162 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Professor of Agriculture in the University of Illi- 
nois, and the Presidents of the State Board of 
Agriculture, Dair_ymen's Association and Horti- 
cultural Society, ex-officio, with one member from 
each Congressional District, chosen by the dele- 
gates from the district at the annual meeting of 
the organization. Annual meetings (between 
Oct. 1 and March 1) are required to be held, 
which shall continue in session for not less than 
three days. The topics for discussion are the 
cultivation of crops, the care and breeding of 
domestic animals, dairy husbandry, horticulture, 
farm drainage, improvement of highways and 
general farm management. The reports of the 
annual meetings are printed bj' the State to the 
number of 10,000, one-half of the edition being 
placed at the disposal of the Institute. Suitable 
quarters for the officers of the organization are 
provided in the State capitol. 

FARMINiiTON, a city and railroad center in 
Fulton County, 13 miles north of Canton and 22 
miles west of Peoria. Coal is extensively mined 
here; there are also brick and tile factories, a 
foundry, one steam flour mill, and two cigar 
manufactories. It is a large shipping-point for 
grain and live-stock. The town has two banks 
and two newspapers, five churches and a graded 
school. Population (IHOO). 1,375; (1903, est), 2,103. 

FARNSWORTH, Elon John, soldier, was born 
at Green Oak, Livingston Count}', Mich., in 1837. 
After completing a course in the public schools, 
he entered the University of Michigan, but left 
college at the end of his freshman year (18.58) to 
serve in the Quartermaster's department of the 
army in the Utah expedition. At the expiration 
of Ills term of service he became a buffalo hunter 
and a carrier of mails between the haunts of 
civilization and the then newly-discovered mines 
at Pike's Peak. Returning to Illinois, he was 
commissioned (1861) Assistant Quartermaster of 
the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, of which his uncle 
was Colonel. (See Farusworth, John FraiikUu.) 
He soon rose to a captaincy, distinguishing him- 
self in the battles of the Peninsula. In May, 
1863, he was appointed aid-de-camp to General 
Pleasanton, and, on June 39, 1863. was made a 
Brigadier-General. Fo\ir days later he was killed, 
while gallantly leading a charge at Gettj'sburg. 

FARNSWORTH, John Franklin, soldier ami 
former Congressman, was born at Eaton, Canada 
East, March 27, 1820; removed to Michigan in 
1834, and later to Illinois, settling in Kane 
County, where he practiced law for many years, 
making his home at St. Charles. He was elected 
to Congress in 1856, and re-elected in 1858. In 



September of 1861, he was commissioned Colonel 
of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry Volunteers, and 
was brevetted Brigadier-General in November, 
1862, but resigned, March 4, 1863, to take his seat 
in Congress to which he had been elected the 
November previous, by successive re-elections 
serving from 1863 to 1873. The latter years of 
his life were spent in Washington, where he died, 
July 14, 1897. 

FARWELL, Charles Benjamin, merchant and 
United States Senator, was born at Painted Post, 
N. Y., July 1, 1823; removed to Illinois in 1838, 
and, for six years, was employed in sui'veying 
and farming. In 1844 he engaged in the real 
estate business and in banking, at Chicago. He 
was elected Count}' Clerk in 1853, and re-elected 
in 1857. Later he entered into commerce, becom- 
ing a partner with his brother, John Villiers, in 
the firm of J. V. Farwell & Co. He was a mem- 
ber of the State Board of Equalization in 1867 ; 
Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of Cook 
County in 1868 ; and National Bank Examiner in 
1869. In 1870 he was elected to Congress as a. 
Republican, was re-elected in 1872, but was 
defeated in 1874, after a contest for the seat which 
was carried into the House at Washington. 
Again, in 1880, he was returned to Congress, 
making three fuU terms in that body. He also 
served for several years as Chairman of the 
Republican State Central Committee. After the 
death of Gen. John A. Logan he was (1887) 
elected United States Senator, his term expiring 
March 3, 1891. Mr. Farwell has since devoted 
his attention to the immense mercantile busi- 
ness of J. V. Farwell & Co. 

FARWELL, John Villiers, merchant, was born 
at Campbelltown, Steuben County, N. Y., July 
29, 1825, the son of a farmer; received a common- 
school education and, in 1838, removed with his 
father's family to Ogle County, 111. Here he 
attendetl Mount Morris Seminary for a time, but, 
in 1845, came to Chicago without capital and 
secured employment in the City Clerk's office, 
then became a book-keeper in the dry- goods 
establishment of Hamilton & White, and, still 
later, with Hamilton & Day. Having thus 
received his bent towards a mercantile career, he 
soon after entered the concern of AVadsworth & 
Phelps as a clerk, at a salary of §600 a year, but 
was admitted to a partnership in 1850, the title of 
the firm becoming Cooley, Farwell & Co., in 1860. 
About this time Marshall Field and Levi Z. Leiter 
became associated with the concern and received 
their mercantile training under the supervision 
of Mr. Farwell. In 1865 the title of the firm 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



163 



became J. V. Farwell & Co., but, in 1891, the firm 
was incoriwrated under the name of The J. V. 
Farwell Company, his brother, Charles B. Far- 
well, being a member. The subject of this .sketch 
has long been a {)r()miuent factor in religious 
circles, a leading spirit of the Young Men's 
Christian Association, and served as President of 
the Chicago Branch of the United States 
Christian Commission during the Civil War. 
Politically he is a Republican and serv-ed as Presi- 
dential Elector at the time of President Lincoln's 
second election in 1864; also served by appoint- 
ment of President Grant, in 1869, on the Board of 
Indian Commissioners. He was a member of the 
syndicate which erected the Texas State Capitol, 
at Austin, in that State; has been, for a number 
of years, Vice-President and Treasurer of the 
J. V. Farwell Company, and President of the 
Colorado Consolidated Land and "Water Company. 
He was also prominent in the organization of the 
Chicago Public Library, and a member of tlie 
IJnion League, the Chicago Historical Society 
and the Art Institute. 

FARWELL, William Washington, jurist, was 
born at Morrisville, Madison County, N. Y., Jan. 
5, 1817, of old Puritan ancestry ; graduated from 
Hamilton College in 1837, and was admitted to 
the bar at Rochester, N. Y., in 1841. In 1848 he 
removed to Chicago, but the following year went 
to CaUfornia, returning to his birthplace in 18.50. 
In 18.54 he again settled at Chicago and soon 
secured a prominent position at tlie bar. In 1871 
he was elected Circuit Court Judge for Cook 
County, and, in 1873, re-elected for a term of six 
years. During this period he sat chiefly upon 
the chancery side of the court, and, for a time, 
presided as Chief Justice. At the close of his 
second term he was a candidate for re-election as 
a Republican, but was defeated with the re- 
mainder of the ticket. In 1880 he was chosen 
Professor of Equit}' Jurisprudence in the Union 
College of Law (now the Nortliwestern Univer- 
sity Law School), serving until June, 1893, wlien 
he resigned. Died, in Cliicago, April 30, 1894. 

FAYETTE COUNTY, .situated about CO miles 
south of the geographical center of the State; 
was organized in 1831, and named for the French 
General La Fayette. It has an area of 720 square 
miles; population (1900), 28,065. The soil is fer- 
tile and a rich vein of bituminous coal underlies 
the county. Agriculture, fruit-growing and 
mining are the cluef industries. Tlie oUl, historic 
"Cumberland Road," the trail for all west-bound 
emigrants, crossed the county at an early date. 
Perryville was the first county -seat, but this town 



is now extinct. Vandalia, the present seat of 
county government (population, 2,144), stands 
upon a succession of hills upon the west bank of 
tlie Kaskaskia. From 1820 to 1839 it was the 
State Capital. Besides Vandalia the chief towns 
are Ramsej-, noted for its railroad ties and tim- 
ber, and St. Elmo. 

FEEBLE-MINDED CHILDREN, ASYLUM 
FOR. This institution, originally established as 
a sort of appendage to the Illinois Institution for 
the Deaf and Dumb, was started at Jacksonville, 
in 186.5, as an "experimental school, for the 
instruction of idiots and feeble-minded children." 
Its success having been assured, the scliool was 
placed upon an independent basis in 1871, and, 
in 1875, a site at Lincoln, Logan County, covering 
forty acres, was donated, and the erection of 
buildings begun. The original plan provided for 
a center building, with wings and a rear exten- 
sion, to cost §124.775. Besides a main or adminis- 
tration building, the institution embraces a 
school building and custodial hall, a hospital and 
industrial worksliop, and, during the past year, a 
chapel has been added. It has control of 890 
acres, of which 400 are leased for farming pur- 
poses, the rental going to the benefit of the insti- 
tution. The remainder is used for the purposes 
of the institution as farm land, gardens or pas- 
ture, about ninety acres being occupied by the 
institution buildings. The capacity of the insti- 
tution is about 700 inmates, with many applica- 
tions constantlj' on file for the admission of 
others for whom there is no room. 

FEEHAN, Patrick A., D.D., Archbishop of 
the Roman Catholic archdiocese of Chicago, and 
Metropolitan of Illinois, was born at Tipperary, 
Ireland, in 1829, and educated at Slaynooth 
College. He emigrated to the United States in 
1852, settling at St. Louis, and was at once 
appointed President of tiie Seminary of Caronde- 
let. Later he was made pastor of the Churcli of 
the Immaculate Conception at St. Louis, where 
he achieved marked distinction. In 18G5 he was 
consecrated Bishop of Nashville, managing the 
affairs of the diocese with gi'eat ability. In 1880 
Chicago was raised to an archiepiscopal see, with 
Suffragan Bishops at Alton and Peoria, and 
Bishop Feehan was consecrated its first Arch- 
bishop. His administration has been conserva- 
tive, yet efficient, and the archdiocese has greatly 
prospered under his rule. 

FELL, Jesse W., lawyer and real-estate opera- 
tor, was born in Chester County, Pa., about 1808; 
started west on foot in 1828, and, after spending 
some years at Steubenville, Ohio, came to Dela- 



164 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



van, 111., in 1832, and the next year located at 
Bloomiugton, being the first lawyer in that new 
town. Later he became agent for school lands 
and the State Bank, but failed financially in 
183". and returned to practice; resided several 
years at Payson, Adams County, but returning 
to Bloomington in 1855, was instrumental in 
securing the location of the Chicago & Alton 
Railroad through that town, and was one of the 
founders of the towns of Clinton, Pontiac, Lex- 
ington and El Paso. He was an intimate personal 
and political friend of Abraham Lincoln, and it 
was to him Mr. Lincoln addressed his celebrated 
personal biography ; in the campaign of 1860 he 
served as Secretary of the Republican State Cen- 
tral Committee, and, in 1862, was appointed by 
Mr. Lincoln a Paymaster in the regular army, 
serving some two years. Mr. Fell was also a zeal- 
ous friend of the cause of industrial education, 
and bore an important part in securing the 
location of the State Normal University at Nor- 
mal, of which city he was the founder. Died, at 
Bloomington, Jan. 25, 1887. 

FERGUS, Robert, early printer, was born in 
Glasgow, Scotland, August 4, 1815; learned the 
printer's trade in his native city, assisting in his 
youth in putting in type some of Walter Scott's 
productions and other works which now rank 
among English classics. In 1834 he came to 
America, finally locating in Chicago, where, 
with various partners, he pursued the business of 
a job printer continuously some fifty years — 
being the veteran printer of Chicago. He was 
killed by being run over by a railroad train at 
Evanston, July 23, 1897. The establishment of 
which he was so long the head is continued by 
his sons. 

FERSWOOD, a suburban station on the Chi- 
cago & Eastern Illinois Railroad, 12 south of ter- 
minal station; annexed to City of Chicago, 1891. 

FERRY, Elislia Peyre, politician, born in 
Monroe, Mich., August 9, 1825; was educated in 
his native town and admitted to the bar at Fort 
Wayne, Ind., in 1845; removed to Waukegan, 
111., the following year, served as Postmaster and, 
in 1856, was candidate on the Republican ticket 
for Presidential Elector; was elected Major of 
Waukegan in 1859, a member of the State Con- 
stitutional Convention of 1862, State Bank Com- 
missioner in 1861-63, Assistant Adjutant-General 
on the staff of Governor Yates during the war, 
and a delegate to the Republican National Con- 
vention of 1864. After the war he served as 
direct-tax Commissioner for Tennessee; in 1869 
was appointed Surveyor-General of Washington 



Territory and, in 1872 and '76, Territorial Got- 
ernor. On the admission of Washington as a 
State, in 1889, he was elected the first Governor. 
Died, at Seattle, Wash., Oct. 14, 1895. 

FEVRE RIVER, a small stream which rises in 
Southern Wisconsin and enters the Mississippi in 
Jo Daviess County, six miles below Galena, which 
stands upon its banks. It is navigable for steam- 
boats between Galena and its mouth. The name 
originally given to it by early French explorers 
was "Feve" (the French name for "Bean"), 
which has since been corrupted into its present 
form. 

FICKLIX, Orlando B., lawyer and politician, 
was born in Kentucky, Dec. 16, 1808, and 
admitted to the bar at Mount Carmel, Wabash 
County, 111., in March, 1830. In 1834 he was 
elected to the lower house of the Ninth General 
Assembly. After serving a term as State's 
Attorney for Wabash Countj-, in 1837 he removed 
to Charleston, Coles County, where, in 1838, and 
again in '42, he was elected to the Legislature, as 
he was for the last time in 1878. He was four 
times elected to Congress, serving from 1843 to 
'49, and from 1851 to '53 ; was Presidential Elector 
in 1856. and candidate for the same position on 
the Democratic ticket for the State-atlarge in 
1884; was also a delegate to the Democratic 
National Conventions of 1856 and '60. He was 
a member of the Constitutional Convention of 
1862. Died, at Charleston, May 5, 1886. 

FIELD, Alexander Pope, early legislator and 
Secretary of State, came to Illinois about the 
time of its admission into the Union, locating in 
Union County, which he represented in the Third, 
Fifth and Sixth General Assemblies. In the 
first of these he was a prominent factor in the 
ejection of Representative Hansen of Pike County 
and the seating of Shaw in his place, wliich 
enabled the advocates of slavery to secure the 
passage of a resolution submitting to the people 
the question of calling a State Constitutional 
Convention. In 1828 he was appointed Secretary 
of State by Governor Edwards, remaining in 
office under Governors Reynolds and Dun- 
can and through half the term of Governor 
Carlin, though the latter attempted to secure 
his removal in 1838 by the appointment of 
John A. McClernand — the courts, however, 
declaring against the latter. In November, 1840, 
the Governor's act was made effective by the 
confirmation, by the Senate, of Stephen A. Doug- 
las as Secretary in place of Field. Douglas 
held the office only to the following February, 
when he resigned to take a place on the Supreme 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



1G5 



bench and Lyman Trumbull was appointeil to 
succeed liim. Field (who had become a Whig) 
was appointed by President Harrison, in 1841, 
Secretary of Wisconsin Territory, later removed 
to St. Louis and finally to New Orleans, where he 
was at the beginning of the late war. In Decem- 
ber, 1863, he presented himself as a member of 
the Thirty-eighth Congress for Louisiana, but 
was refused his seat, though claiming in an elo- 
quent speech to have been a loyal man. Died, in 
New Orleans, in 1877. Mr. Field was a nephew 
of Judge Nathaniel Pope, for over thirty years on 
the bench of the United States District Court. 

FIELD, Eugene, journalist, humorist and poet, 
was born in St. Louis. Mo., Sept. 3, 1850. Left an 
orphan at an earlj' age, he was reared by a rela- 
tive at Amherst, Mass., and received a portion of 
his literary training at Monson and Williamstown 
in that State, completing his course at the State 
tJniversity of Missouri. After an extended tour 
through Europe in 1872-73, he began his journal- 
istic career at St. Louis, Mo., as a reporter on 
"The Evening Journal," later becoming its city 
editor. During the next ten years he was succes- 
sively connected with newspapers at St. Joseph, 
Mo., St. Louis, Kansas City, and at Denver, Colo., 
at the last named cit.v being managing editor of 
"The Tribune." In 1883 he removed to Chicago, 
becoming a special writer for "The Chicago 
News," his particular department for several 
years being a pungent, witty column with the 
caption, "Sharps and Flats." He wrote con- 
siderable prose fiction and much poetry, among 
the latter being successful translations of several 
of Horace's Odes. As a poet, however, he was 
best known through his short poems relating to 
childhood and home, which strongly appealed to 
the popular heart. Died, in Chicago, deeply 
mourned by a large circle of admirers, Nov. 4, 
1895. 

FIELD, Marshall, merchant and capitalist, was 
born in Conway, Mass., in 183.5, and grew up on 
a farm, receiving a common school and academic 
education. At the age of 17 he entered upon a 
mercantile career as clerk in a dry -goods store at 
Pittsfield, Mass., but, in 18.'56, came to Chicago 
and secured employment with Messrs. Cooley, 
Wadsworth & Co. ; in 1860 was admitted into 
partnership, the firm becoming Cooley, Farwell 
& Co., and still later, Farwell, Field & Co. The 
last named firm was dissolved and that of Field, 
Palmer & Leiter organized in 186.5. Mr. Palmer 
having retired in 1867. the firm was continued 
under the name of Field, Leiter & Co., until 1881, 
when Mr. Leiter retired, the concern being since 



known as Marshall Field & Co. The growth of 
the business of this great establishment is shown 
by the fact that, whereas its sales amounted 
before the fire to some §12,000,000 annually, in 
1895 they aggregated §40.000.000. Mr. Field's 
business career has been remarkable for its suc- 
cess in a city famous for its successful business 
men and the vastness of their commercial oper- 
ations. He has been a generous and discrimi- 
nating patron of important public enterprises, 
some of his more conspicuous donations being the 
gift of a 'tract of land valued at §300,000 and 
§100.000 in cash, to the Chicago University, and 
§1,000,000 to the endowment of the Field Colum- 
bian Museum, as a sequel to the World's Colum- 
bian Exposition. The latter, chiefly through the 
munificence of Mr. Field, promises to become one 
of the leading institutions of its kind in the 
United States. Besides his mercantile interests, 
Mr. Field has extensive interests in various finan- 
cial and manufacturing enterprises, including 
the Pullman Palace Car Company and the Rock 
Island & Pacific Railroad, in each of which he is 
a Director. 

FIFER, Joseph W., born at Stanton, Va., Oct. 
28, 1840; in 1857 he accompanied his father (who 
was a stone-mason) to McLean County, 111., and 
worked at tlie manufacture and laying of brick. 
At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted as a 
private in the Tliirty-third Illinois Infantry, and 
was dangerously wounded at the as.sault on Jack- 
son, Miss., in 1863. On the healing of his wound, 
disregarding the advice of family and friends, he 
rejoined his regiment. At tlie close of the war, 
when about 25 years of age, he entered the Wes- 
leyan University at Bloomington, where, by dint 
of hard work and frugality, while supporting 
himself in part by manual labor, he secured a 
diploma in 1868. He at once began the study of 
law, and, soon after his admission, entered upon a 
practice which subsequently proved both success- 
ful and lucrative. He was elected Corporation 
Counsel of Bloomington in 1871 and State's Attor- 
ney for McLean County in 1872, holding the latter 
oftice, through re-election, until 18H0, when he 
was chosen State Senator, serving in the Thirtj'- 
second and Thirty-third General Assemblies. In 
1888 he was nominated and elected Governor on 
the Republican ticket, but, in 1892, was defeated 
by John P. xVltgeld, the Democratic nominee, 
though running in advance of the national and 
the rest of the State ticket. 

FINERTY, John F., ex-Congressman and 
journalist, was born in Galway, Ireland. Sept. 
10, 1846. His studies were mainly prosecuted 



166 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



under priFate tutors. At the age of 16 he entered 
the profession of journahsm, and, in 1864, coming 
to America, soon after enlisted, serving for 100 
da3'S during the Civil War. in the Ninetj'-ninth 
New York Volunteers. Subsequently, having 
removed to Chicago, he was connected with "The 
Chicago Times" as a special correspondent from 
18T6 to 1881, and, in 1883, established "The Citi- 
zen," a weekly newspaper devoted to the Irish- 
American interest, which he continues to pub- 
lish. In 1882 he was elected, as an Independ- 
ent Democrat, to represent the Second Illinois 
District in tlie Forty-eighth Congress, but, run- 
ning as an Independent Republican for re-election 
in 1884. was defeated by Frank Lawler. Democrat. 
In 1887 he was appointed Oil Inspector of Clii- 
cago, and, since 1889, has held no public office, 
giving his attention to editorial work on his 
paper. 

FISHER, (Dr.) George, pioneer physician and 
legislator, was probably a native of Virginia, 
from which State he appears to have come to 
Kaskaskia previous to 1800. He became very 
prominent during the Territorial period; was 
appointed by William Henry Harrison, then 
Governor of Indiana Territory, the first Sheriff of 
Eandolph County after its organization in 1801 ; 
was elected from that county to the Indiana 
Territorial House of Representatives in 1805, and 
afterwards promoted to the Territorial Council ; 
was also Representative in the First and Third 
Legislatures of Illinois Territory (1813 and '16), 
serving as Speaker of each. He was a Dele- 
gate to the Constitutional Convention of 1818, but 
died on his farm near Kaskaskia in 1830. Dr. 
Fisher participated in the organization of the 
first Lodge of Free and Accepted IMasons in Illi- 
nois at Kaskaskia, in 180G, and was elected one 
of its officers. 

FISHERIES. The fisheries of Illinois center 
chiefly at Chicago, the catch being taken from 
Lake Michigan, and including salmon trout, 
white fish (the latter species including a lake 
herring), wall-eyed pike, three kinds of bass, 
three varieties of sucker, carp and sturgeon. The 
"fishing fleet" of Lake Michigan, properly so 
called, (according to the census of 1890) con- 
sisted of forty-seven steamers and one schooner, 
of which only one — a steamer of twent3'-six tons 
burtlien — was credited to Illinois. The same 
report showed a capital of .Su6,105 invested in 
land, buildings, wharves, vessels, boats and 
apijaratus. In addition to tlie "fishing fleet" 
mentioned, nearly 1,100 sail-boats and other vari- 
eties of craft are employed in the industry. 



sailing from ports between Chicago and Macki- 
nac, of which, in 1890, Illinois furnished 94, or 
about nine per cent. All sorts of apparatus ai'e 
used, but the principal are gill, fyke and pound 
nets, and seines. The total value of these minor 
Illinois craft, with tlieir equipment, for 1890, was 
nearly 818,000, the catch aggregating 722,830 
pounds, valued at between §34,000 and S35,000 
Of this draught, the entire quantity was either 
sold fresh in Chicago and adjacent markets, or 
shipped, either in ice or frozen. The Mississippi 
and its tributaries yield wall eyed pike, pike 
perch, buffalo fish, sturgeon, paddle fish, and 
other species available for food. 

FITHIA\, Georgre W., ex-Congressman, was 
born on a farm near Willow Hill, 111., July 4, 1854. 
His early education was obtained in the common 
schools, and he learned the trade of a printer at 
Mount Carmel. Wliile employed at the case he 
found time to study law, and was admitted to the 
bar in 1875. In 1876 he was elected State's 
Attorney for Jasper County, and re-elected in 
1880. He was prominent in Democratic politics, 
and, in 1888, was elected on the ticket of that 
party to represent the Sixteenth Illinois District 
in Congress. He was re-elected in 1890 and 
again in 1893, but, in 1894, was defeated by his 
Republican opponent. 

FITHIAN, (Dr.) William, pioneer physician, 
was born in Cincinnati. Ohio, in 1800; built the 
first houses in Springfield and Urbana in that 
State; in 1832 began the study of medicine at 
Urbana ; later practiced two years at Mechanics- 
burgh, and four years at Urbana, as partner of 
his preceptor; in 1830 came west, locating at 
Danville, Vermilion County, where he became a 
large land-owner; in 1833 served with the Ver- 
milion County militia in the Black Hawk War, 
and, in 1834, was elected Representative in the 
Ninth General Assemblj-, the first of which 
Abraham Lincoln was a member; afterwards 
served two terms in the State Senate from the 
Danville District (1838-46). Dr. Fithian was 
active in promoting the railroad interests of 
Danville, giving the right of way for railroad 
purposes througli a large body of land belonging 
to him, in Vermilion County. He was also a 
member of various medical associations, and, 
during his later j'ears, was tlie oldest practicing 
physician in the State. Died, in Danville, 111., 
April 5, 1890. 

FLAGG, Gershom, pioneer, was born in Ricli- 
mond, Vt., in 1792, came west in 1816, settling in 
Madison County, 111., in 1818, where he was 
known as an enterprising farmer and a prominent 



niSTOKK'AL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



167 



and influential citizen. Originally a Wliig, he 
became a zealous Republican on the organization 
of that party, dying in IS")".— Williird Cntting' 
(Flagg), sou of the preceding, was born in Jhuli- 
son County, 111., Sept 16, ISiO, spent his early life 
on his father's farm and in the common schools; 
from 1844 to '50 was a pupil in the celebrated 
high school of Edward Wyman in St. Louis, 
finally graduating with honors at Yale College, 
in 18.')4. During his college course he took a 
number of literary prizes, and, in his senior year, 
served as one of the editors of "The Yale Literary 
Magazine." Returning to Illinois after gradu- 
ation, he took charge of his father's farm, engaged 
extensively in fruit-culture and stock-raising, 
being the first to introduce the Devon breed of 
<5attle in Madison County in ISoO. He was a 
member of the Republican State Central Com- 
mittee in 1860 ; in 1862, by appointment of Gov. 
Yates, became Enrolling Officer for Jladison 
•County ; served as Collector of Internal Revenue 
for the Twelfth District, 1864-69, and, in 1S68, 
■was elected to the State Senate for a term of four 
3'ears, and, during the last session of his term 
(1872), took a prominent part in the revision of 
the school law ; was appointed a member of tlie 
first Board of Trustees of the Industrial Univer- 
:sity (now the University of Illinois) at Cham- 
paign, and reappointed in 187.5. Mr. Flagg was 
also prominent in agricultural and horticultural 
organizations, serving as Secretary of tlie State 
Horticultural Society from 1861 to "69, when he 
became its President. He was one of the origi- 
nators of the "farmers' movement," served for 
some time as President of "Tlie State Farmers' 
Association," wrote voluminously, and delivered 
4iddresses in various States on agi-icultural and 
horticultural topics, and, in 187.5, was elected 
President of the National Agricultural Congress. 
In his later years he was a recognized leader in 
the Granger movement. Died, at Mora, Madison 
County, III, April 5, 1878. 

FLEMINIJ, Robert K., pioneer printer, was 
born in Erie County, Pa., learned the printers' 
trade in Pittsburg, and, coming west while quite 
young, worked at his trade in St. Louis, finally 
removing to Kaskaskia, where he was placed in 
•control of the office of "The Repul)!ican Advo- 
cate," which had been establislie<l in 18215, by 
Elias Kent Kane. Tlie publication of "The 
Advocate" having been su.spended, he revived it 
in May. 1825, under the name of "The Kaskaskia 
Recorder," but soon removed it to Vandalia (then 
the State capital), and, in 1827, began the publi- 
cation of "The Illinois Corrector," at Edwards- 



ville. Two 3-ears later lie returned to Kaskaskia 
and resumed the publication of "The Recorder," 
but, in 18;!;!, was induced to remove his office to 
Belleville, where lie commenced the publication 
of "The St. Clair Gazette," followed by "The St. 
Clair Mercury," both of whic-h had a brief exist- 
ence. About 1843 he returned to the newspaper 
business as publisher of "The Belleville Advo- 
cate," which he continued for a number of years. 
He died, at Belleville, in 1874, leaving two sons 
who have been promineiitl}' identified with the 
history of journalism in .Southern Illinois, at 
Belleville and elsewliere. 

FLETCHER, Job, pioneer and early legislator, 
was born in Virginia, in 1793, removed to Sanga- 
mon County, 111., in 1819; was elected Represent- 
ative in 1826, and, in 1834, to the State Senate, 
serving in the latter body six years. He was one 
of the famous "Long Nine" which represented 
Sangamon Count}' in the Tenth General Assem- 
bly. Mr. Fletcher was again a member of the 
House in 1844-45. Died, in Sangamon County, 
in 1872. 

FLORA, a city in Harter Township, Clay 
County, on the Baltimore & Ohio Soutliwestern 
Railroad, 95 miles e.a.st of St. Louis, and 108 miles 
south-southeast of Springfield; lias barrel factory, 
flouring mills, cold storage and ice plant, three 
fruit-working factories, two banks, six churches 
and a weekly newspaper. Population (1890), 
1,695; (1900), 2 311 ; (1903, est.), 3.000. 

FLOWER, George, early English colonist, was 
born in Hertfordshire, England, about 1780 ; 
came to the United States in 1817, and was associ- 
ated with Morris Birkbeck in founding the 
"English Settlement" at Albion, Edwards 
County, 111. Being in affluent circumstances, he 
built an elegant mansion and stocked an exten- 
sive farm with blooded animals from England 
and other parts of Europe, but met with reverses 
wliich di.ssipated his wealth. In common with 
Mr. Birkbeck, he was one of the determined 
opponents of the attempt to establish slavery in 
Illinois in 1824, and did much to defeat that 
measure. He and his wife died on the same day 
(Jan. 15, 1862), while on a visit to a daughter at 
Grayville, 111. A book written by him— "History 
of the English Settlement in Edwards County, 
111." — and published in 1882, is a valuable contri- 
bution to the early history of that portion of the 
State. — Edward Fordliams (Flower), son of the 
preceding, was born in England, Jan. 31, 1805, 
but came with his father to Illinois in early life; 
later he returned to England and spent nearly 
half a century at Stratford on .\ von, where he 



168 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



was four times chosen Mayor of that borough 
and entertained many visitors from the United 
States to Shakespeare's birthplace. Died, March 
26, 1883. 

FOBES, Philena, educator, born in Onondaga 
County, N. Y., Sept. 10, 1811; was educated at 
Albany and at Cortland Seminary, Rochester, 
N. Y. ; in 1838 became a teacher in Monticello 
Female Seminary, then newly established at 
Godfrey. 111., under Rev. Theron Baldwin, Prin- 
cipal. On the retirement of Mr. Baldwin in 1843, 
Miss Fobes succeeded to the principalship, 
remaining until 1866, when she retired. For 
some years she resided at Rochester, N. Y., and 
New Haven, Conn., but, in 1886, she removed to 
Philadelphia, where she afterwards made her 
home, notwithstanding her advanced age, main- 
taining a lively interest in educational and 
benevolent enterprises. Miss Fobes died at Phila- 
delphia, Nov. 8, 1898, and was buried at New 
Haven, Conn. 

FOLEY, Thomas, Roman Catholic Bishop, born 
in Baltimore, Md., in 1823; was ordained a priest 
in 1846, and, two years later, was appointed Chan- 
cellor of the Diocese, being made Vicar-General 
in 1867. He was nominated Coadjutor Bishop of 
the Chicago Diocese in 1869 (Bishop Duggan hav- 
ing become insane), and, in 1870, was consecrated 
Bishop. His administration of diocesan work was 
prudent and eminently successful. As a man 
and citizen he won the respect of all creeds and 
classes alike, the State Legislature adopting 
resolutions of respect and regret upon learning 
of his death, which occurred at Baltimore, in 
1879. 

FORBES, Stephen Van Rensselaer, pioneer 
teacher, was born at Windham, Vt.. July 26, 1797; 
in his youth acquired a knowledge of surveying, 
and, having removed to Newburg (now South 
Cleveland), Ohio, began teaching. In 1829 he 
came west to Chicago, and having joined a sur- 
veying party, went to Louisiana, returning in 
the following year to Chicago, which then con- 
tained only three white families outside of Fort 
Dearborn. Having been joined by his wife, he 
took up his abode in what was called the "sut- 
ler's house" connected with Fort Dearborn; was 
appointed one of the first Justices of the Peace, 
and opened the first school ever taught in Chi- 
cago, all but three of his pupils being either 
half-breeds or Indians. In 1832 he was elected, as 
a Whig, the first Sheriff of Cook County; later 
preempted 160 acres of land where Riverside 
now stands, subsequently becoming owner of 
some 1,800 acres, much of which he sold, about 



1853, to Dr. W. B. Egan at 520 per acre. In 
1849, having been seized with the "gold fever," 
Mr. Forbes joined in the overland migration to 
California, but, not being successful, returned 
two years later by way of the Isthmus, and, hav- 
ing sold his possessions in Cook County, took up 
his abode at Newburg, Ohio, and resumed his 
occupation as a survej'or. About 1878 he again 
returned to Chicago, but survived only a short 
time, dying Feb. 17, 1879. 

FORD, Thomas, early lawyer, jurist and Gov- 
ernor, was born in Uniontown, Pa., and, in boy- 
hood, accompanied his mother (then a widow) to 
Missouri, in 1804. The family soon after located 
in Monroe County, 111. Largely through the 
efforts and aid of lus half-brother, George 
Forquer, he obtained a professional education, 
became a successful lawyer, and, early in life, 
entered the field of politics. He served as a 
Judge of the Circuit Court for the northern part 
of the State from 1835 to 1837, and was again 
commissioned a Circuit Judge for the Galena 
circuit in 1839; in 1841 was elevated to the bench 
of the State Supreme Court, but resigned the 
following year to accept the nomination of his 
party (the Democratic) for Governor. He was 
regarded as upriglit in his general policy, but he 
had a number of embarrassing questions to deal 
with during his administration, one of these 
being the ilormon troubles, in which he failed to 
receive the support of his own party. He was 
author of a valuable "History of Illinois," (pub- 
lished posthumously). He died, at Peoria, in 
greatly reduced circumstances, Nov. 3, 1850. The 
State Legislature of 1895 took steps to erect a 
monument over his gi-ave. 

FORD COUNTY, lies northeast of Springfield, 
was organized in 1859, being cut off from Vermil- 
ion. It is shaped like an inverted "T," and has 
an area of 490 square miles; population (1900), 
18,359. The first County Judge was David Pat- 
ton, and David Davis (afterwards of the United 
States Supreme Court) presided over the first 
Circuit Court. The surface of the county is level 
and the soil fertile, consisting of a loam from one 
to five feet in depth. There is little timber, nor 
is there any out-cropping of stone. The county 
is named in honor of Governor Ford. The county- 
.seat is Paxton, which had a population, in 1890, of 
2. 187. Gibson City is a railroad center, and has a 
population of 1,800. 

FORMAN, (Col.) Ferris, lawyer and soldier, 
was born in Tioga County, N. Y., August 25, 
1811 : graduated at Union College in 1832, studied 
law and was admitted to the bar in New Y'ork in 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



169 



1835, and in the United States Supreme Court in 
1836; the latter year came west and settled at 
Vandalia. 111., where he began practice; in 1844 
was elected to the State Senate for the district 
composed of Fayette, Effingham, Clay and Rich- 
land Counties, serving two years; before the 
expiration of his term (1846) enlisted for the 
Mexican War, and was commissioned Colonel of 
the Third Regiment Illinois Volunteers, and, 
after participating in a number of the most 
important engagements of the campaign, was 
mustered out at New Orleans, in May, 1847. Re- 
turning from the Mexican War, he brought with 
him and presented to the State of Illinois a 
six-pound cannon, which had been captured by 
Illinois troops on the battlefield of Cerro Gordo, 
and is now in the State Arsenal at Springfield. 
In 1848 Colonel Forman was chosen Presidential 
Elector for the State-atlarge on the Democratic 
ticket; in 1849 went to California, where he prac- 
ticed his profession until 1853, meanwhile serving 
as Postmaster of Sacramento City by appointment 
of President Pierce, and later as Secretary of 
State during the administration of Gov. John B. 
Weller (1858-60); in 18G1 officiated, by appoint- 
ment of the California Legislature, as Commis- 
sioner on the part of the State in fixing the 
boundary between California and the Territory 
of Utah. After the di.scharge of this duty, he 
was offered tlie colonelcy of the Fourth California 
Volunteer Infantrj', which he accepted, serving 
about twenty months, when he resigned. In 
1866 he resumed his residence at Vandalia, and 
served as a Delegate for Fayette and Effingham 
Counties in the Constitutional Convention of 
1869-70, also for several years thereafter held tlie 
office of State's Attorney for Fayette County. 
Later he returned to California, and, at the 
latest date, was a resident of Stockton, in that 
State. 

FORMA\, William S., ex-Congressman, was 
born at Natchez, Miss. , Jan. 20, 1847. When he 
was four years old, his father's family removed to 
Illinois, settling in Washington County, where 
he has lived ever since. By profession he is a 
lawyer, and he takes a deep interest in politics, 
local. State and National. He represented his 
Senatorial District in the State Senate in the 
Thirty-fourth and Thirty-fifth General Assem- 
blies, and, in 1888, was elected, as a Democrat, to 
represent the Eighteenth Illinois District in the 
Fifty-first Congress, being re-elected in 1890, and 
again in '92, but was defeated in 1894 for renomi- 
nation by John J. Higgins. who was defeated at 
the election of the same year by Everett J. Mur- 



phy. In 1896 Mr. Forman was candidate of the 
"Gold Democracy" for Governor of Illinois, 
receiving 8,100 votes. 

FORiJUER, George, early State officer, was 
born near Brownsville, Pa., in 1794 — was the son 
of a Revolutionary soldier, and older half-brother 
of Gov. Thomas Ford. He settled, with his 
mother (then a widow), at New Design, III., in 
1804. After learning, and, for several years, 
following the carpenter's trade at St. Louis, he 
returned to Illinois and purchased the tract 
whereon Waterloo now stands. Subsequently he 
projected the town of Bridgewater, on the Mis- 
sissippi. For a time he was a partner in trade of 
Daniel P. Cook. Being unsuccessful in business, 
he took up the study of law, in wliich he attained 
marked success. In 1834 he was elected to repre- 
sent Monroe County in the House of Represent- 
atives, but resigned in January of the following 
year to accept the position of Secretary of .State, 
to which he was appointed by Governor Coles, 
as successor to Morris Birkbeck, whom the 
Senate had refused to confirm. One ground for 
the friendship between him and Coles, no doubt, 
was the fact that they had been united in their 
opposition to the scheme to make Illinois a slave 
State. In 1828 he was a candidate for Congress, 
but was defeated by Joseph Duncan, afterwards 
Governor. At the close of the year he resigned 
the office of Secretary of State, but, a few weeks 
later (January, 1829), he was elected by the 
Legislature Attorney-General. This position he 
held until January, 1833, when he resigned, hav- 
ing, as it appears, at the previous election, been 
chosen State Senator from Sangamon County, 
serving in the Eightli and Ninth General Assem- 
blies. Before the close of his term as Senator 
(1835), he received the appointment of Register 
of tlie Land Office at Springfield, which appears 
to have been the last office held by him, as he 
died, at Cincinnati, in 1837. Mr. Forquer was a 
man of recognized ability and influence, an elo- 
quent orator and capable writer, but, in common 
with some of the ablest lawyers of tliat time, 
seems to have been mucli embarrassed l)y the 
smallness of his income, in spite of his ability 
and the fact that he was almost continually in 
office. 

FORREST, a village in Livingston County, at 
the intersection of the Toledo, Peoria & Western 
and the Wabash Railways, 75 miles east of Peoria 
and 16 miles southeast of Pontiac. Considerable 
grain is shipped from this point to the Chicago 
market. The village has several churches and a 
gradedschool. Population (1880), 375; (1900), 952. 



170 



HISTORICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



FORREST, Joseph K. C, journalist, was born 
in Cork, Ireland, Nov, 2G, 1«2U; came to Chicago 
in 1840, soon after securing employment as a 
writer on "The Evening Journal," and, later on, 
"The Gem of the Prairies," the predecessor of 
"The Tribune," being associated with the latter 
at the date of its establishment, in June, 1847. 
During the early years of his residence in Chi- 
cago, Mr. Forrest spent some time as a teacher. 
On retiring from "The Tribune," he became the 
associate of John Weutworth in the management 
of "The Chicago Democrat," a relation which 
was broken up liy the consolidation of the latter 
with "The Tribune, " in 1861. He then became 
the Springfield correspondent of "The Tribime," 
also holding a position on the staff of Governor 
Yates, and still later represented "The St. Louis 
Democrat" and "Chicago Times," as Washington 
correspondent ; assisted in founding "The Chicago 
Republican" (now "Inter Ocean"), in 186.5, and, 
some years later, became a leading writer upon 
the same. He served one term as Clerk of the 
city of Chicago, but, in his later years, and up to 
the period of his death, was a leading contributor 
to the columns of "The Chicago Evening News" 
over the signatures of "An Old Timer" and "Now 
or Never." Died, in Chicago, June 23, 1896. 

FORRESTON, a village in Ogle County, the 
terminus of the Chicago and Iowa branch of the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincj' Railroad, and 
point of intersection of tlie Illinois Central and 
the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railways; 107 
miles west by north from Cliicago. and 13 miles 
south of Freeport; founded in 1854. incorporated 
by special charter in 1868, and, under the general 
law, in 1888. Farming and stock-raising are the 
principal industries. The village has a bank, 
water-works, electric light plant, creamery, vil- 
lage hall, seven churches, a graded .school, and a 
newspaper. Population (1890), 1.118; (1900), 1,047. 

FORSYTHE, Albert P., ex Congressman, was 
born at New Richmond, Ohio, May 24, 1830; 
received his early education in the common 
schools, and at Asbury University. He was 
reared upon a farm and followed farming as liis 
life-work. During the War of the Rebellion he 
served in the Union army as Lieutenant. In 
politics he early became an ardent Nationalist, 
and was chosen President of the Illinois State 
Grange of the Patrons of Industrj-, in December, 
187.5, and again in Januarj', 1878. In 1878 he was 
elected to Congress as a Nationalist, but, in 1880, 
though receiving the nominations of the com- 
bined Republican and Greenback parties, was 
■defeated by Samuel W. Moulton, Democrat. 



FORT, Grecnl)iiry L., soldier and Congress- 
man, was bt)rn in Ohio, Oct. 17, 182.5, and, in 1834, 
removed with his i)arents to Illinois. In 18.50 he 
was elected .Sheriff of Putnam County ; in 1852, 
Clerk of the Circuit Coiu-t, and, having mean- 
while been admitted to the bar at Lacon, became 
County Judge in 1857, serving until 1861. In 
April of the latter year he enlisted under the first 
call for troops, by re-enlistments serving till 
March 24, 18G6. Beginning as Quartermaster of 
his regiment, he served as Chief Quartermaster of 
the Fifteenth Army Corps on the "March to the 
Sea," and was mustered out with tlie rank ot 
Colonel and Brevet Brigadier-General. On his 
return from the field, he was elected to the State 
Senate, serving in the Twenty-fifth and Twenty- 
sixth General Assemblies, and, from 1873 to 1881, 
as Representative in Congress. He died, at 
Lacon, June 13, 1883. 

FORT CHARTRES, a strong fortification 
erected by the French in 1718, on the American 
Bottom, 16 miles northwest from Kaskaskia. 
The soil on which it stood was alluvial, and the 
limestone of which its walls were built was 
quarried from an adjacent bluff. In form it was 
an irregular quadrangle, surrounded on three 
sides by a wall two feet two inches thick, and on 
the fourth by a ravine, which, during the spring- 
time, was full of water. During the period of 
French ascendency in Illinois, Fort Chartres was 
the seat of government. About four miles east 
soon sprang up the village of Prairie du Rocher 
(or Rock Prairie). (See Prairie du Rocher.) At 
the outbreak of the French and Indian War 
(17.56), the original fortification was repaired and 
virtually rebuilt. Its cost at that time is esti- 
mated to have amounted to 1,000,000 French 
crowns. After the occupation of Illinois by the 
British, Fort Chartres still remained the seat of 
government imtil 1772, when one side of the 
fortification was washed away by a freshet, and 
headquarters were transferred to Kaskaskia. 
The first common law court ever held in the Mis- 
sissippi Valley was establislied here, in 1768, by 
the order of Colonel Wilkins of the English 
army. The ruins of the old fort, situated in the 
northwest corner of Randolph County, once con- 
stituted an object of no little interest to anti- 
quarians, but the site has disappeared tluring the 
past generation by the encroachments of the 
Mississi])]ii. 

FORT DE.VRBORX, tlie name of a United 
States military post, established at the mouth of 
the Chicago River in 1803 or 1804, on a tract of 
land six miles sijuare conveyed by the Indians in 







EARLY HISTORIC SCENES, CHICAGO. 




EARLY HISTORIC SCii-NES, CHICAGO. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



171 



the treaty of Greenville, conclmled by General 
AVayne in lT9o. It originally consisted of two 
block houses located at oijposite angles (north- 
west and southeast) of a strong wooden stockade, 
■with the Commandant's quarters on the east side 
of the quadrangle, soldiers' barracks on the south, 
officers' barracks on the west, and magazine, 
contractor's (sutler's) store and general store- 
house on the north — all the buildings being con- 
structed of logs, and all, exce])t the block-houses, 
being entirely within the enclosure. Its arma- 
ment consisted of tliree light ijieces of artillery. 
Its builder and first commander was Capt. John 
"Whistler, a native of Ireland who had surrendered 
with Burgoyne, at Saratoga,, N. Y., and who 
subsequently became an American citizen, and 
served with distinction throughout the War of 
1813. He was succeeded, in ISIO, by Capt. 
Nathan Heald. As early as 1806 the Indians 
around the fort manifested signs of disquietude, 
Tecumseh, a few years later, heading an open 
armed revolt. In 1810 a council of Pottawato- 
mies, Ottawas and Chippewas was held at St. 
Joseph, Mich., at which it was decided not to 
join the confederacy proposed by Chief Tecumseh. 
In 1811 hostilities were precipitated by an attack 
upon the United States troops under Gen. 
William Henry Harrison at Tippecanoe. In 
April, 1812, hostile bands of Winnebagos appeared 
in the vicinitj' of Fort Dearborn, terrifying the 
settlers by their atrocities. Many of the whites 
sought refuge within the stockade. Within two 
months after the declaration of war against 
England, in 1812, orders were issued for the 
evacuation of Fort Dearborn and the transfer of 
the garrison to Detroit. The garrison at that 
time numbered about 70, including officers, a 
large number of the troops being ill. Almost 
simultaneously with the order for evacuation 
appeared bands of Indians clamoring for a dis- 
tribution of the goods, to which they claimed 
the3' were entitled under treaty stipulations. 
Knowing that he had but about forty men able 
to fight and that his march would be sadly 
hindered by the care of about a dozen women and 
twenty cliildren, the commandant hesitated. 
The Pottawatomies, through whose country he 
would have to pass, had always been friendly, and 
he waited. Within six days a force of .'500 or 600 
savage warriors had assembled around the fort. 
Among the leaders were the Pottawatomie chiefs, 
Black Partridge, Winnemeg and Topenebe. Of 
these, Winnemeg was friendlj'. It was he who 
had brought General Hull's orders to evacuate, 
and, as the crisis grew more and more dangerous, 



he offered sound advice. He urged instantaneous 
departure before the Indians had time to agree 
upon a line of action. But Captain Heald 
decided to distribute the stores among the sav- 
ages, and thereby secure from them a friendly 
escort to Fort Wayne. To this the aborigines 
readily assented, believing that thereby all the 
whisk5' and ammunition which they knew to be 
within the enclosure, would fall into their hands. 
Meanwhile Capt. William Wells, Indian Agent at 
Fort Wayne, had arrived at Fort Dearborn with 
a friendly force of Miamis to act as an escort. 
He convinced Captain Heald that it would be the 
height of folly to give the Indians liquor and gun- 
powder. Accordingly the commandant emptied 
the former into the lake and destroyed the latter. 
This was the signal for war. Black Partridge 
claimed he could no longer restrain his young 
braves, and at a council of the aborigines it was 
resolved to massacre the garrison and settlers. 
On the fifteenth of August the gates of the fort 
were opened and the evacuation began. A band 
of Pottawatomies accompanied the whites under 
the guise of a friendly escort. They soon deserted 
and, within a mile and a half from the fort, 
began the sickening scene of carnage known as 
the "Fort Dearborn Massacre." Nearly 500 
Indians participated, their loss being less than 
twenty. The Miami escort fled at the first 
exchange of shots. With but four exceptions 
the wounded white prisoners were dispatched 
with savage ferocity and promptitude. Those 
not wounded were scattered among various tribes. 
The next day the fort with its stockade was 
burned. In 1816 (after the treaty of St. Louis) 
the fort was rebuilt upon a more elaborate scale. 
The second Fort Dearborn contained, besides bar- 
racks and officers' quarters, a magazine and 
provision-store, was enclosed by a square stock- 
ade, and protected by bastions at two of its 
angles. It was again evacuated in 1828 and 
re-garrisoned in 1828. The troops were once 
more withdrawn in 1831, to return the following 
year during the Black Hawk War. The final 
evacuation occurred in 1836. 

FORT (iAGE, situated on the eastern bluffs of 
the Kaskaskia River, opposite the village of Kas- 
kaskia. It was erected and occujjied by the 
British in 1772. It was built of heavy, square 
timbers and oblong in shape, its dimensions being 
290x251 feet. On the night of July 4, 1778, it was 
captured by a detachment of American troops 
commanded bj' Col. George Rogers Clark, who 
held a commission from Virginia. The soldiers, 
with Simon Kenton at their head, were secretly 



173 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



admitted to the fort by a Pennsylvanian who 
happened to be within, and the commandant, 
Rocheblave, was surprised in bed, while sleeping 
with his wife by his side. 

FOKT JEFFERSON. I. A fort erected by Col. 
George Rogers Clark, under instructions from 
the Governor of Virginia, at the Iron Banks on 
the east bank of the Mississippi, below the mouth 
of the Ohio River. He promised lands to all 
adult, able-bodied white males who would emi- 
grate thither and settle, either with or without 
their families. Many accepted the offer, and 
a considerable colony was established there. 
Toward the close of the Revolutionary War, Vir- 
ginia being unable longer to sustain the garrison, 
the colony was scattered, many families going to 
Kaskaskia. II. A fort in the Miami valley, 
erected by Governor St. Clair and General Butler, 
in October, 1791. Within thirty miles of the 
post St. Clair's army, which had been badly 
weakened through desertions, was cut to pieces 
by the enemy, and the fortification was aban- 
doned. 

FORT MASSAC, an early French fortification, 
erected about 1711 on the Ohio River, 40 miles 
from its mouth, in what is now Massac County. 
It was the first fortification (except Fort St. 
Louis) in the "Illinois Country," antedating 
Fort Chartres by several years. The origin of 
the name is uncertain. The best authorities are 
of the opinion that it was so called in honor of 
the engineer who superintended its construction ; 
by others it has been traced to the name of the 
French Minister of Slarine ; others assert that it 
is a corruption of the word "Massacre," a name 
given to the locality because of the massacre 
there of a large number of French soldiers by the 
Indians. The Virginians sometimes spoke of it 
as the "Cherokee fort." It was garrisoned by 
the French until after the evacuation of the 
country under the terms of the Treaty of Paris. 
It later became a sort of depot for American 
settlers, a few families constantly residing within 
and around the fortification. At a very early 
day a military road was laid out from the fort to 
Kaskaskia, the trees alongside being utilized as 
milestones, the number of miles being cut with 
irons and painted red. After the close of the 
Revolutionary War, the United States Govern- 
ment strengthened and garrisoned the fort by 
way of defense against inroads by the Spaniards. 
With the cession of Louisiana to the United 
States, in 1803, the fort was evacuated and never 
re-garrisoned. According to the "American 
State Papers," during the period of the French 



occupation, it was both a Jesuit missionary 
station and a trading post. 

FORT SACKVILLE, a British fortification, 
erected in 1769, on the Wabash River a short 
distance below Vincennes. It was a stockade, 
with bastions and a few pieces of cannon. In 
1778 it fell into the hands of the Americans, and 
was for a time commanded by Captain Helm, 
with a garri.son of a few Americans and Illinois 
French. In December, 1778, Helm and one 
private alone occupied the fort and surrendered 
to Hamilton, British Governor of Detroit, who 
led a force into the country around Vincennes. 

FORT SHERIDAN, United States MiUtary 
Post, in Lake County, on the Milwaukee Division 
of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, 24 miles 
north of Chicago. (Highwood village adjacent 
on the south.) Population (1890), 4.t1 : (1900), 1,.')75. 

FORT ST. LOUIS, a French fortification on a 
rock (widely known as "Starved Rock"), which 
consists of an isolated cliff on the south side of 
the Illinois River nearly opposite Utica, in La 
Salle County. Its height is between 130 and 140 
feet, and its nearly round summit contains an 
area of about three-fourths of an acre. The side 
facing the river is nearlj' perpendicular and, in 
natural advantages, it is well-nigh impregnable. 
Here, in the fall of 1682, La Salle and Tonty 
began the erection of a fort, consisting of earth- 
works, palisades, store-houses and a block house, 
which also served as a dwelling and trading pjst. 
A windlass drew water from the river, and two 
small brass cannon, mounted on a parapet, com- 
prised the armament. It was solemnly dedicated 
by Fatlier Membre, and soon became a gathering 
place for the surrounding tribes, especially the 
Illinois. But Frontenao having been succeeded 
as Governor of New France by De la Barre, who 
was unfriendly to La Salle, the latter was dis- 
placed as Commandant at Fort St. Louis, while 
plots were laid to secure his downfall by cutting 
off his supplies and inciting the Iroquois to attack 
him. La Salle left the fort in 1083, to return to 
France, and, in 1702, it was abandoned as a 
military post, though it continued to be a trad- 
ing post until 1718, when it was raided by the 
Indians and burned. (See La Salle.) 

FORT WAYXE & CHICAGO RAILROAD. 
(See Pittsburg. Fort Waytie & Chicago Railway.) 

FORT WAYXE & ILLINOIS RAILROAD. (See 
Nexii York, Chicago & St. Louis Railway.) 

FORTIFICATIONS, PREHISTORIC. Closely 
related in interest to the works of the mound- 
builders in Illinois — though, probably, owing their 
origin to another era and an entirely different 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



173 



race — are those works which bear evidence of 
having been constructed for purposes of defense 
at some period anterior to the arrival of white 
men in the country. While there are no works 
in Illinois so elaborate in construction as those to 
which have been given the names of "Fort 
Ancient" on the Maumee in Ohio, "Fort Azatlan" 
on the Wabash in Indiana, and "Fort Aztalaii" 
on Rock River in Southern Wisconsin, there are 
a number whose form of construction shows that 
they must have been intended for warlike pur- 
poses, and that they were formidable of their 
kind and for the period in which thej' were con- 
structed. It is a somewhat curious fact that, 
while La Salle County is the seat of the first 
fortification constructed by the French in Illinois 
that can be said to have had a sort of permanent 
character ( see Fort St. Louis and Starred Rock), 
it is also the site of a larger number q{ prehistoric 
fortifications, whose remains are in such a state 
of preservation as to be clearly discernible, than 
any other section of the State of equal area. One 
of the most formidable of these fortifications is 
on the east side of Fox River, opposite the mouth 
of Indian Creek and some six miles northeast of 
Ottawa. This occupies a position of decided 
natural strength, and is surrounded by three lines 
of circumvallation, showing evidence of consider- 
able engineering skill. From the size of the trees 
within this work and other evidences, its age has 
been estimated at not less than 1,200 years. On 
the present site of the town of Marseilles, at the 
rapids of the Illinois, seven miles east of Ottawa, 
another work of considerable strength existed. 
It is also .said that the American Fur Company 
had an earthwork here for the protection of its 
trading station, erected about 1816 or '18, and 
consequently belonging to the present century. 
Besides Fort St. Louis on Starved Rock, the out- 
line of another fort, or outwork, who.se era has 
not been positively determined, about half a mile 
south of the former, has been traced in recent 
times. De Baugis, sent by Governor La Barre, of 
Canada, to succeed Tonty at Fort St. Louis, is said 
to have erected a fort on Buffalo Rock, on the 
opposite side of the river from Fort St. Louis, 
which belonged practically to the same era as the 
latter. — There are two points in Southern Illinois 
■where the aborigines had constructed fortifica- 
tions to which the name "Stone Fort" has been 
given. One of the.se is a hill overlooking the 
Saline River in the southern part of Saline 
County, where there is a wall or breastwork five 
feet in height enclosing an area of less than an 
acre in extent. The other is on the west side of 



Lusk's Creek, in Pope County, wliere a breast- 
work has been constructed bj' loosely piling up 
the stones across a ridge, or tongue of land, with 
vertical sides and surrounded by a bend of the 
creek. Water is easily obtainable from the creek 
below the fortified ridge. — The remains of an old 
Indian fortification were found by e;irly settlers 
of McLean County, at a point called "Old Town 
Timber," about 1833 to 183,5. It was believed 
then that it had been occupied by the Indians 
during the War of 1813. The story of the Indians 
was, that it was burned by General Harrison in 
1813; though this is improbable in view of the 
absence of any historical mention of the fact. 
Judge H. W. Beckwith, who examined its site in 
1880, is of the opinion that its history goes back 
as far as 17.52, and that it was erected by the 
Indians as a defense against the French at Kas- 
kaskia. There was also a tradition that there 
had been a French mission at this point. — One of 
the most interesting stories of early fortifications 
in the State, is that of Dr. V. A. Boyer, an old 
citizen of Chicago, in a paper contributed to the 
Chicago Historical Society. Although the work 
alluded to by him was evidently constructed after 
the arrival of the French in the country, the 
exact period to which it belongs is in doubt. 
According to Dr. Boyer, it was on an elevated 
ridge of timber land in Palos Township, in the 
western part of Cook County. He says: "I first 
saw it in 1833, and since then have visited it in 
company with other persons, some of whom are 
still living. I feel sure that it was not built dur- 
ing the Sac War from its appearance. ... It 
seems probable that it was the work of French 
traders or explorers, as there were trees a century 
old growing in its environs. It was evidently 
the work of an enlightened people, skilled in the 
science of warfare. ... As a strategic point it 
most completely commanded the surrounding 
country and the crossing of the swamp or 'Sag'." 
Is it improbable that this was the fort occupied 
by Colonel Durantye in 1095? The remains of a 
small fort, supposed to have been a French trad- 
ing post, were found by the pioneer settlers of 
Lake County, where the present city of Waukegan 
stands, giving to that place its first name of 
"Little Fort." This structure was seen in 1835 
by Col. William S. Hamilton (a son of Alexander 
Hamilton, first Secretary of the Treasury), who 
had served in the session of the General .Assembly 
of that year as a Representative from Sangamon 
County, and was then on his way to Green Bay, 
and the remains of the pickets or palisades were 
visible as late as 1835. While the date of its 



174 



IIISTOrtlCAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



erection is unknown, it probably belonged to the 
latter part of tlie eighteenth century. There is 
also a tradition that a fort or trading post, erected 
by a Frenchman named Garay (or GuarieJ stood 
on tlie North Branch of the Chicago River prior 
to the erection of the first Fort Dearborn in 1803. 

FOSS, (lieorfre Edmund, lawyer and Congress- 
man, was born in Franklin County, Vt., Jul}' 2, 
1863; graduated from Harvard University, in 
1885; attended the Columbia Law School and 
School of Political Science in New York City, 
finally graduating from the Union College of Law 
in Chicago, in 1889, when he was admitted to the 
bar and began practice. He never held any 
political office until elected as a Republican to 
the Fifty-fourth Congress (1894), from the 
Seventh Illinois District, receiving a majority of 
more than 8,000 votes over his Democratic and 
Populist competitors. In 1896 he was again the 
candidate of his party, and %vas re-elected by a 
majority of over 20,000, as he was a third time, 
in 1898, by more than 12.000 majority. In the 
Fifty-fifth Congress Mr. Foss was a member of tlie 
Committees on Naval Affairs and Expenditures in 
the Department of Agriculture. 

FOSTER, (Dr.) John Herbert, physician and 
educator, was born of Quaker ancestry at Hills- 
borough, N. H., March 8, 1796. His early years 
were spent on his father's farm, but at the age 
of 16 he entered an academy at Meriden, N. H., 
and, three years later, began teaching vv-ith an 
older brother at Schoharie, N. Y. Having spent 
some sixteen years teaching and practicing 
medicine at various places in his native State, in 
1832 he came west, first locating in Morgan 
County, 111. While there he took part in the 
Black Hawk War, serving as a Surgeon. Before 
the close of the year he was compelled to come to 
Chicago to look after the estate of a brother who 
was an officer in the army and had been killed by 
an insubordinate soldier at Green Bay. Having 
thus fallen lieir to a considerable amount of real 
estate, which, in subsequent years, largely 
appreciated in value, he became identified with 
earl}' Chicago and ultimately one of the largest 
real-estate owners of his time in the city. He 
was an active promoter of education during this 
period, serving on both City and State Boards. 
His death occurred. May 18, 1874, in consequence 
of injuries sustained by being throv,-u from a 
vehicle in which he was riding nine days previous. 

FOSTER, John Wells, author and scientist, 
was born at Brimlield, Mass., in 181,5, and edu- 
cated at Wesleyan University, Conn ; later studied 
law and was admitted to the bar in Ohio, but 



soon turned his attention to scientific pursuits, 
being employed for several years in the geological 
purvey of Ohio, during which he investigated the 
coal-beds of the State. Having incidentally 
devoted considerable attention to the study of 
metallurgy, he was employed about 1844 by 
mining capitalists to make the first systematic 
survey of the Lake Superior copper region, upon 
which, in conjunction with J. D. Whitney, he 
made a report which was published in two vol- 
umes in 18.50-51. Returning to Massachusetts, he 
participated in the organization of the "American 
Party" there, though we find him soon after 
breaking with it on the slavery question. In 
1855 he was a candidate for Congress in the 
Springfield (Mass.) District, but was beaten by a 
small majority. In 1858 he removed to Chicago 
and, for some time, was Land Commissioner of 
the Illinois Central Railroad. The latter years of 
his life were devoted chiefly to archaeological 
researches and writings, also serving for some 
years as Professor of Natural History in the (old) 
University of Chicago. His works include "Tlie 
Mississippi Valley ; its Physical Geography, Min- 
eral Resources," etc. (Chicago, 1869); "Mineral 
Wealth and Raih-oad Development," (New York, 
1873) ; "Prehistoric Races of the United States," 
(Chicago, 1873), besides contributions to numer- 
ous scientific periodicals. He was a member of 
several scientific associations and, in 1809, Presi- 
dent of the American Association for the Ad- 
vancement of Science. He died in Hyde Park, 
now a part of Cliicago, June 29, 1873. 

FOUKE, Philip B., lawyer and Congressman, 
was born at Kaskaskia, 111., Jan. 23, 1818; was 
chiefly self-educated and began his career as a 
clerk, afterwards acting as a civil engineer ; about 
1841-42 was associated with the publication of 
"The Belleville Advocate," later studied law, 
and, after being admitted to the bar, served as 
Prosecuting Attorney, being re-elected to tliat 
office in I8o0. Previous to this, liowever, he had 
been elected to the lower branch of the Seven- 
teenth General Assembly (18.50), and, in 1858, 
was elected as a Democrat to the, Thirty-sixth 
Congress and re-elected two years later. While 
still in Congress he assisted in organizing the 
Thirtieth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, of which 
he was commissioned Colonel, but resigned on 
account of ill-liealth soon after the battle of Sliiloh. 
After leaving tlie army he removed to New 
Orleans, where he was appointed Public Adminis- 
trator and practiced law for some time. He tlien 
took up the prosecution of the cotton-claims 
against the Mexican Government, in which he 



lILSTOltlCAL ENCYCLOPEDIA UF ILLINOIS. 



17& 



was engaged some seven years, finally removing 
to Washington City and making several trips to 
Europe in the interest of these suits. He won 
his cases, but died soon after a decision in his 
favor, largely in consequence of overtaxing his 
brain in their prosecution. His deatli occurred 
in Washington, Oct. 3, 1!ST6. wlien he was biuied 
in the Congressional Cemetery, President Grant 
and a number of Senators and Congressmen acting 
as pall-bearers at his funeral. 

FOWLER. Charlos Henry, Methodist Episcopal 
Bishop, born in Burfunl, Conn., August 11, lH.i~! ; 
was partially educated at Rock River Seminary, 
Mount Slorris, finally graduating at Genesee 
College, N. Y. , in 1859. He then began the study 
of 'law in Chicago, but, changing his purpose, 
entered Garrett Biblical Institute, at Evanston, 
graduating in 1861. Having been admitted to 
the Rock River Methodist Episcopal Conference 
he was appointed successively to Chicago cluuches 
till 1872; then became President of the North- 
western University, holding this office four years, 
when he was elected to the editorship of "The 
Christian Advocate" of New York. In 1884 he 
was elected and ordained Bishop. His residence 
is in San Francisco, his labors as Bisliop being 
devoted largel.v to tlie Pacific States. 

FOX RIVER (of Illinois)— called Pishtaka by 
the Indians — rises in Waukesha County, Wis., 
and, after running southward through Kenosha 
and Racine Counties in that State, passes into 
Illinois. It intersects McHenry and Kane Coun- 
ties and runs southward to the city of Aurora, 
below which point it flows southwestward, until 
it empties into the Illinois River at Ottawa. Its 
length is estimated at 220 miles. The chief 
towns on its banks are Elgin, Aurora and Ottawa. 
It art'ords abundant water power. 

FOXES, an Indian tribe. (See Sacs and 
Fo,res. ) 

FRANCIS, Simeon, pioneer journalist, was 
born at Wethersfield, Conn., May 14, 1796, 
learned the printer's trade at New Haven, and. in 
connection with a partner, piiblished a paper at 
Buffalo, N. Y. In consequence of the excitement 
growing out of the abduction of Morgan in 1828, 
(being a Mason) he was compelled to suspend, 
and, coming to Illinois in the fall of 1831, com- 
menced the publication of "The Sangamo" (now 
"The Illinois State") "Journal" at Springfield, 
continuing his connection therewith until 18,'>,'5, 
when he sold out to Messrs. Bailhache & Baker. 
Abraham Lincoln was his close friend and often 
wrote editorials for his paper. Mr. Francis was 
active in the organization of the State Agricul- 



tural Society (1853), .serving as its Recording 
Secretary for several years. In 185'J he moved to 
Portland, Ore., wliere he published "The Oregon 
Farmer," and served as President of the Oregon 
State Agricultural Societj-; in 1861 was ap- 
pointed by President Lincoln, Paymaster in the 
regular army, serving until 1870, when he retired 
on half-pay. Died, at Portland. Ore., Oct. 25, 
1873. — Allen (Francis), brother of tlie preceding, 
was born at Wethersfield, Conn., April 14, 1815; 
in 1834, joined his brother at Springfield, 111., and 
became a partner in the publication of "The 
Journal" until its sale, in 1855. In 1861 he was 
appointed United States Consul at Victoria, B. C, 
serving until 1871, when he engaged in the fur 
trade. Later he was United States Consul at 
Port Stanlej", Can., dying there, about 1887. — 
Josiali (Francis), cousin of the preceding, born 
at Wethersfield, Conn., Jan. 17, 1804; was early 
connected with "The Springfield Journal"; in 
1836 engaged in merchandising at Athens, Menard 
County ; returning to Springfield, was elected to 
the Legislature in 1840, and served one term as 
Maj'or of Springfield. Died in 1867. 

FRAXKLIX, a village of Morgan County, on 
the Jacksonville & St. Louis Railroad, 12 miles 
southeast of Jacksonville. The place has a news- 
paper and two banks; the surrounding country 
is agricultural. Population (1880), 316; (1890), 
578; (1900), 687. 

FRANKLIN COUNTY, located in the south- 
central part of the State ; was organized in 1818, 
and has an area of 430 square miles. Population 
(1900). 19,675. The county is well timbered and 
is drained by the Big Muddy River. The soil is 
fertile and the products include cereals, potatoes, 
sorghum, wool, pork and fruit. The county seat 
is Benton, with a population (1890) of 939. The 
count.v contains no large towns, although large, 
well-cultivated farms are numerous. The earli- 
est white settlers came from Kentucky and Ten- 
nessee, and the hereditary traditions of generous, 
southwestern hospitality are preserved among 
the residents of to-da}'. 

FRANKLIN GROVE, a town of Lee County, on 
Council Blulfs Division of the Oiicago & North- 
western Railway, 88 miles west of Cliicago. 
Grain, poultry, and live-stock are shipped from 
here. It has banks, water-works, high school, 
and a weekl.v paper. Population (1890), 736; 
(1900). 6S1. 

FRAZIER, Robert, a native of Kentucky, who 
came to .Southern Illinois at an early day and 
served as State Senator from Edwards County, in 
the Second and Third General Assemblies, in the 



176 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



latter being an opponent of the scheme to make 
Illinois a slave State. He was a farmer by occu- 
pation and, at the time he was a member of the 
Legislature, resided in what afterwards became 
Wabash County. Subsequentlj- he removed to 
Edwards County, near Albion, wliere he died. 
"Frazier's Prairie,"' in Edwards County, was 
named for him. 

FREEBURG, a village of St. Clair County, on 
the St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Railroad, 8 
miles southeast of Belleville. Population (1880), 
1,038: (1890), 848; (1900). 1,214. 

FREEMAN, Norman L., lawyer and Supreme 
Court Reporter, was born in Caledonia, Living- 
ston County, N. Y., May 9, 1823; in 1831 accom- 
panied his widowed mother to Ann Arbor, Mich., 
removing six years afterward to Detroit ; was edu- 
( cated at Cleveland and Ohio University, taught 
school at Lexington, Ky., while studying law, 
and was admitted to the bar in 1846 ; removed to 
Shawneetown, 111., in 18.51, was admitted to the 
Illinois bar and practiced some eight years. He 
then began farnaing in Marion County, Mo., but, 
in 1862, returned to Shawneetown and, in 1863, 
was appointed Reporter of Decisions by the 
Supreme Court of Illinois, serving until his 
death, which occurred at Springfield near the 
beginning of his sixth term in office, August 23, 
1894. 

FREE MASONS, the oldest secret fraternity in 
the State — known as the "Ancient Order of Free 
and Accepted Masons" — the first Lodge being 
instituted at Kaskaskia, June, 3, 1806, with Gen. 
John Edgar, Worshipful Master; Michael Jones, 
Senior Warden; James Galbraith, Junior War- 
den ; William Arundel, Secretary ; Robert Robin- 
son, Senior Deacon. These are names of persons 
who were, without exception, prominent in the 
early history of Illinois. A Grand Lodge was 
organized at Vandalia in 1822, with Gov. Shad- 
rach Bond as first Grand Master, but the organi- 
zation of the Grand Lodge, as it now exists, took 
place at Jacksonville in 1840. The number of 
Lodges constituting the Grand Lodge of Illinois 
in 1840 was six, with 1.57 members; the number 
of Lodges within the same jurisdiction in 1895 
was 713, with a membership of 50,727, of which 
47,335 resided in Illinois. The dues for 1895 
were 837,834. .50; the contributions to members, 
their %vidows and orphans, §25,038.41; to non- 
Biembers, S6.306..38, and to the Illinois Slasonic 
Orphans' Home, §1,315.80. — Apollo Commandery 
No. 1 of Kniglits Templar — the pioneer organi- 
zation of its kind in this or any neighboring 
State — was organized in Chicago, May 20, 1845, 



and the Grand Commandery of the order in Illi- 
nois in 18.57, with James V. Z. Blaney, Grand 
Commander. In 1895 it was made up of sixty- 
five subordinate commanderies, with a total 
membership of 9,355. and dues amounting to 
87,7.54.75. The principal officers in 1895-96 were 
Henry Himter Montgomery, Grand Commander; 
John Henry Witbeck, Grand Treasurer, and Gil- 
bert W. Barnard, Grand Recorder. — The Spring- 
field Chapter of Royal Arch -Masons was organized 
in Springfield, Sept. 17, 1841, and the Royal Arch 
Chapter of the State at Jacksonville, April 9, 
1850, the nine existing Chapters being formally 
chartered Oct. 14, of the same year. The number 
of subordinate Chapters, in 1895, was 186, with a 
total membership of 16,414. — The Grand Council 
of Royal and Select Masters, in 1894, embraced 32 
subordinate Councils, with a membersliip of 
2,318. 

FREEPORT, a city and railway center, the 
county-seat of Stephenson County. 121 miles west 
of Chicago; has good water-power from the Peca- 
tonica River, with several manufacturing estab- 
lishments, the output including carriages, 
wagon-wheels, wind-mills, coffee-mills, organs, 
piano-stools, leather, mineral paint, foundry pro- 
ducts, chicken incubators and vinegar. The Illi- 
nois Central Railroad has shops here and the city 
has a Government postoffice building. Popula- 
tion (1890), 10,189; (1900), 13.258. 

FREEPORT C0LLE(;E, an institution at Free- 
port, 111., incorporated in 1895; is co-educational ; 
had a faculty of six instructors in 1896, with 116 
pupils. 

FREER, Lemuel Covell Faine, early lawj'er, 
was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., Sept. 18, 
1815; came to Chicago in 1836, studied law and 
was admitted to the bar in 1840; was a zealous 
anti-slavery man and an active supporter of the 
Government during the War of the Rebellion; 
for many years was President of the Board of 
Trustees of Rush Medical College. Died, in 
Chicago, April 14, 1892. 

FRENCH, Augustus C, ninth Governor of 
Illinois (1846-.52), was born in New Hampshire, 
August 2, 1808. After coming to Illinois, he 
became a resident of Crawford County, and a 
lawyer by profession. He was a member of the 
Tenth and Eleventh General Assemblies, and 
Receiver, for a time, of the Land Office at Pales- 
tine. He served as Presidential Elector in 1844, 
was elected to the office of Governor as a Demo- 
crat in 1846 by a majority of nearly 17,000 over 
two competitors, and was the unanimous choice of 
his party for a second term in 1848. His adminis- 



k 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLIXOIS. 



177 



tration was free from scandals. He was appointed 
Bank Commissioner by Governor Matteson. and 
later accepted the chair of Law in McKeudree 
College at Lebanon. In 1858 he was the nominee 
of the Douglas wing of the Democratic party for 
State Superintendent of Public Instruction. 
ex-Gov. John Reynolds being the candidate of 
the Buchanan branch of the party. Both were 
defeated. His last public service was as a mem- 
ber from St. Clair County of the Constitutional 
Convention of 1863. Died, at Lebanon, Sept. 4, 
1864. 

FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. The first 
premonition of this struggle in the West was 
given in 1698, when two English vessels entered 
the mouth of the Mississippi, to take possession 
of the French Territory of Louisiana, which then 
included what afterward became the State of 
Illinois. This expedition, however, returned 
without result. Great Britain was anxious to 
have a colorable pretext for attempting to evict 
the French, and began negotiation of treaties 
with the Indian tribes as early as 1724, expecting 
thereby to fortify her original claim, which was 
based on the right of prior discoveiy. The 
numerous shiftings of the political kaleidoscope in 
Europe prevented any further steps in this direc- 
tion on the part of England until 1748-49, when 
the Ohio Land Company received a royal grant 
of 500,000 acres along the Ohio River, with exclu- 
sive trading privileges. The Company proceeded 
to explore and survey and, about 1753, established 
a trading post on Loramie Creek, 47 miles north 
of Dayton. The French foresaw that hostilities 
were probable, and advanced their posts as far 
east as the Allegheny River. Complaints by the 
Ohio Company induced an ineffectual remon- 
strance on the part of Virginia. Among the 
ambassadors sent to the French by the Governor 
of Virginia was George Washington, who thus, 
in early manhood, became identified with Illinois 
history. His report was of such a nature as to 
induce the erection of counter fortifications by 
the British, one of which (at the junction of the 
Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers) was seized 
and occupied by the French before its completion. 
Then ensued a series of engagements which, 
while not involving large forces of men, were 
fraught with grave consequences, and in which 
the French were generally successful. In 1755 
occurred "Braddock's defeat" in an expedition to 
recover Fort Duque.sne (where Pittsburg now 
stands), which had been captured by the French 
the previous year, and the Government of Great 
Britain determined to redouble its efforts. The 



final result was the termination of French domi- 
nation in the Ohio Valley. Later came the down- 
fall of French ascendency in Canada as the result 
of the battle of Quebec ; but the vanquished yet 
hoped to be able to retain Louisiana and Illinois. 
But France was forced to indemnify Si)ain for the 
loss of Florida, which it did by tlie cession of all 
of Louisiana lying west of the Mississippi (includ- 
ing the cit}' of New Orleans), and this virtually 
ended Frencli hopes in Illinois. The last military 
post in North America to be garrisoned. by French 
troops was Fort Chartres, in Illinois Territory, 
where St. Ange remained in command until its 
evacuation was demanded by the English. 

FRENCH GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. French 
Governors began to be appointed b_v the Company 
of the Indies (which see) in 1722, the "Illinois 
Country" having previously been treated as a 
dependency of Canada. The first Governor ( or 
"commandant") was Pierre Duque de Boisbriant. 
who was commandant for only three years, when 
he was summoned to New Orleans (1725) to suc- 
ceed de Bienville as Governor of Louisiana. Capt. 
du Tisne was in command for a short time after 
his departure, but was succeeded by another 
Captain in the royal arm}-, whose name is vari- 
ously spelled de Liette, de Lielte, De Siette and 
Delietto. He was followed in turn by St. Ange 
(the father of St. Ange de Bellerive), who died in 
1742. In 1732 the Company of the Indies surren- 
dered its charter to the crown, and the Governors 
of the Illinois Country were thereafter appointed 
directly by royal authority. Under the earlier 
Governors justice had been administered under 
the civil law; with the change in tlie method of 
appointment the code known as the "Common 
Law of Paris" came into effect, although not 
rigidly enforced because found in many particu- 
lars to bo ill-suited to the needs of a new country. 
The first of the Roj'al Governors was Pierre 
d' Artaguiette, who was appointed in 1734, but was 
captured while engaged in an expedition against 
the Chickasaws, in 1736, and burned at the stake. 
(See D'Arfat/iiictte.) He was followed by 
Alphonse de la Buissoniere, who was succeeded, 
in 1740, by Capt. Benoist de St. Claire. In 1742 
he gave way to the Chevalier Bertel or Bertliet, 
but was reinstated about 1748. The last of tlie 
French Governors of the "Illinois Country" was 
Louis St. Ange de Bellerive, who retired to St. 
Louis, after turning over the command to Cap- 
tain Stirling, the English officer sent to supersede 
him, in 1765. (St. Ange de Bellerive died. Dec. 
27, 1774.) The administration of the French 
commandants, vv-hile firm, was usually conserva- 



178 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



tive and benevolent. Local self-government was 
encouraged as far as practicable, and, wliile the 
Governors" power over commerce was virtually 
unrestricted, they interfered but little with the 
ordinarj' life of tlie people. 

FREW, Calvin Hamill, lawyer and State Sena- 
tor, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, educated at 
Finley (Ohio) High School, Beaver (Pa.) Academy 
and Vermilion Institute at Hayesville, Ohio. ; in 
1862 was Principal of the High School at Kalida, 
Ohio, where he began the study of law, which he 
continued the next two years with Messrs. Strain 
& Kidder, at Monmouth, III., meanwhile acting 
as Principal of a higli school at Young America ; 
in 1865 removed to Paxton, Ford County, which 
has since been his home, and the same year was 
admitted to the bar bj' the Supreme Court of Illi- 
nois. Mr. Frew served as Assistant Superintend- 
ent of Schools for Ford County (186.5-68) ; in 1868 
was elected Representative in the Twenty-sixth 
General Assembly, re-elected in 1870. and again 
in '78. While practicing law he has been con- 
nected with some of the most important cases 
before the courts in that section of tlie State, and 
his fidelity and skill in their management are 
testified by members of the bar, as well as 
Judges upon the bench. Of late j'ears he has 
devoted his attention to breeding trotting horses, 
with a view to the improvement of his health 
but not with the intention of permanently 
abandoning his profession. 

FRY, Jacob, pioneer and soldier, was born in 
Fayette County, Ky., Sept. 20, 1799; learned the 
trade of a carpenter and came to Illinois in 1819, 
working first at Alton, but, in 1820, took up his 
residence near the present town of Carrollton. in 
which he built the first house. Greene County 
was not organized until two years later, and this 
border settlement was, at that time, the extreme 
nortliern wliite settlement in Illinois. He served 
as Constable and Deput3' Sheriff (simultaneous!}-) 
for six years, and was then elected Sheriff, being 
five times re-elected. He served through the 
Black Hawk War (first as Lieutenant-Colonel and 
afterwards as Colonel), having in his regiment 
Abraham Lincoln, O. H. Browning, John Wood 
(afterwards Governor) and Robert Anderson, of 
Fort Sumter fame. In 1837 he was appointed 
Commissioner of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, 
and re appointed in 1839 and "41, later becoming 
Acting Commissioner, with authority to settle up 
the business of the former commission, wliich 
was that year legislated out of office. He was 
afterwards appointed Canal Trustee by Governor 
Ford, and, in 1847, retired from connection with 



canal management. In 18o0 he went to Cali- 
fornia, where he engaged in mining and trade 
for three years, meanwhile serving one term in 
the State Senate. In 1857 he was appointed Col- 
lector of the Port at Chicago by President Buch- 
anan, but was removed in 1859 because of his 
friendship for Senator Douglas. In 1860 he 
returned to Greene County ; in 1861, in spite of his 
advanced age, was commissioned Colonel of the 
Sixty-first Illinois Volunteers, and later partici- 
pated in numerous engagements (among them the 
battle of Sliiloh), was captured by Forrest, and 
ultimately compelled to resign because of im- 
paired health and failing eyesight, finally becom- 
ing totally blind. He died, June 27, 1881, and 
was buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery, near Spring- 
field. Two of Colonel Fry's sons achieved dis- 
tinction during the Civil War. — James Barnet 
(Fry), son of the preceding, was born at Car- 
rollton, 111.. Feb. 22. 1827: graduated at West 
Point Military Academy, in 1847, and was 
assigned to artillery service ; after a short experi- 
ence as Assistant Instructor, joined his regiment, 
the Third United States Artillery, in Mexico, 
remaining there through 1847-48. Later, he was 
employed on frontier and garrison duty, and 
again as Instructor in 1853-54, and as Adjutant of 
the Academy during 18,54-59; became Assistant 
Adjutant General, March 16, 1861, then served as 
Chief of Staff to General McDowell and General 
Buell (1861-62). taking part in the battles of Bull 
Run, Shiloh and Corinth, and in tlie campaign in 
Kentucky; was made Provost-Marshal-General 
of the L^nited States, in March, 1863, and con- 
ducted the drafts of that year, receiving the rank 
of Brigadier-General, April 21, 1864. He con- 
tinued in this office until August 30, 1866, during 
which time he put in the army 1,120.621 men, 
arrested 76,562 deserters, collected $20,366,316.78 
and made an exact enrollment of the National 
forces. After the war he served as Adjutant- 
General with the rank of Colonel, till June 1, 
1881, when he was retired at his own request. 
Besides his various oflicial reports, he publislied a 
"Sketch of the Adjutant-General's Department, 
United States Army, from 1775tol87.">," and"His- 
torj- and Legal Effects of Brevets in the Armies of 
Great Britain and the United States, from their 
origin in 1692 to the Present Time. " (1877). Died, 
in Newport, R. I., July 11, 1894.— TVllliam M. 
(Fry), another son, was Provost Marshal of the 
Nortli Illinois District during the Civil War, and 
rendered valuable service to the Government. 

FULLER, Allen Curtis, lawyer, jurist and 
Adjutant-General, was born in Farmington, 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



179 



Conn., Sept. 24, 1822; studied law at War.saw, 
N. Y., was admitted to practice, in 1846 came to 
Belvidere, Boone County, 111., and, after practic- 
ing there .some years, was elected Circuit Judge 
in 1861. A few months afterward he was induced 
to accept the office of Adjutant-General by 
appointment of Governor Yates, entering upon 
the duties of the office in November, 1861. At 
first it was understood that his acceptance was 
only temporary, so that he did not formally 
resign his place upon the bench until July, 1862. 
He continued to discharge tlie duties of Adjutant- 
General until January, 180.5, when, having been 
elected Repre.sentative in the General Assembly, 
he was succeeded in the Adjutant-Generars office 
by General Isham N. Haynie. He served as 
Speaker of the House during the following ses- 
sion, and as State Senator from 1867 to 1873 — 
in the Twenty-fifth, Twenty-sixth and Twenty- 
seventh General Assemblies. He was also elected 
a Republican Presidential Elector in 1860, and 
again in 1870. Since retiring from office. General 
Fuller has devoted his attention to the practice of 
his profession and looking after a large private 
business at Belvidere. 

FULLER, Charles E., lawyer and legislator, 
was born at Flora, Boone County, 111., March 31, 
1849; attended the district school until 12 years 
of age, and, between 1861 and '67, served as clerk 
in stores at Belvidere and Cherry Valley. He 
then spent a couple of years in the book business 
in Iowa, when i,1869) he began the study of law 
with Hon. Jesse S. Hildrup, at Belvidere, and 
was admitted to the bar in 1870. Since then 
Mr. Fuller has practiced his profession at Belvi- 
dere, was Corporation Attorney for that city in 
1875-76, the latter year being elected State's 
Attorney for Boone County. From 1879 to 1891 
he served continuously in the Legislature, first 
as State Senator in the Thirty -first and Thirty- 
second General Assemblies, then as a member of 
the House for three sessions, in 1888 being 
retiu-ned to the Senate, where he served the 
next two sessions. Mr. Fuller established a high 
reputation in the Legislature as a debater, and 
was the candidate of his party (the Republican) 
for Speaker of the House in 1885. He was also a 
delegate to the Republican National Convention 
of 1884. Mr. Fuller was elected Judge of the 
Circuit Court for the Seventeenth Circuit at the 
judicial election of June, 1897. 

FULLER, Melville Weston, eighth Chief Jus- 
tice of the United States Supreme Court, was 
born at Augusta, Maine, Feb. 11, 1833, graduated 
from Bowdoin College in 1853, was admitted to 



the bar in 1855, and became City Attorney of his 
native city, but resigned and removed to Chicago 
the following year. Through his mother's 
family he traces his descent back to the Pilgrims 
of the Mayflower. His literary and legal attain- 
ments are of a high order. In politics he has 
always been a strong Democrat. He served as a 
Delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 
1862 and as a member of the Legislature in 1863, 
after that time devoting his attention to the 
practice of his profession in Chicago. In 1888 
President Cleveland appointed him Chief Justice 
of the Supreme Court, since which time he has 
resided at Washington, although .still claiming a 
residence in Chicago, where he has considerable 
property interests. 

FULLERTOX, Alexander N., pioneer settler 
and lawyer, born in Chester, Vt., in 1804, was 
educated at Middlebury College and Litchfield 
Law School, and, coming to Chicago in 1833, 
finally engaged in real-estate and mercantile 
business, in which he was very successful. His 
name has been given to one of the avenues of 
Chicago, as well as associated with one of the 
prominent business blocks. He was one of the 
original members of the Second Presbyterian 
Church of that city. Died, Sept. 29, 1880. 

FULTON, a city and railway center in White- 
side County, 135 miles west of Cliicago, located 
on the Mississippi River and the Cliicago & 
Northwestern, the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy, and the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul 
Railways. It was formerly the terminus of a 
line of steamers which annually brought millions 
of bushels of grain down the Mississippi from 
Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois, returning 
with merchandise, agricultural implements, etc., 
but this river trade gradually died out, having 
been usurped by the various railroads. Fulton 
has extensive factories for the making of stoves, 
besides some important lumber industries. The 
Northern Illinois College is located here. Popu- 
lation (1890). 2,09i»; finilO), 2,08.5. 

FULTOX COUNTY, situated west of and bor- 
dering on the Illinois River; was originally a part 
of Pike County, but separately organized iu_1823 
— named for Robert Fulton. It has an area of 870 
square miles with a population (1900) of 40,201. 
The soil is rich, well watered and wooded. Drain- 
age is effected by the Illinois and Spoon Rivers 
(the former constituting its eastern boundary) 
and by Copperas Creek. Lewistown became the 
county-seat immediately after county organi- 
zation, and so remains to the present time (1899). 
The surface of the county at a distance from the 



180 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



river is generally flat, although along the Illinois 
there are bluffs rising to tlie lieight of 135 feet. 
The soil is rich, and underlying it are rich, work- 
able seams of coal. A thin seam of cannel coal 
has been mined near Avon, with a contiguous 
vein of fire-clay. Some of the earliest settlers were 
Messrs. Craig and Savage, who. in 1818. built a 
saw mill on Otter Creek; Ossian M. Ross and 
Stephen Dewey, who laid off Lewistown on his 
own land in 1822. The first hotel in the entire 
military tract was opened at Lewistown by Tru- 
man Phelps, in 1827. A flat-boat ferry across the 
Illinois was established at Havana, in 1823. The 
principal towns are Lewistown (population, 2,166), 
Farmington (1.375), and Vermont (1.158). 

FULTON COUXTY NARROW-GAU«E RAIL- 
WAY, a line extending from the west bank of the 
Illinois River, opposite Havana, to Galesburg, 
61 miles. It is a single-track, narrow-gauge 
(3- foot) road, although the excavations and 
embankments are being widened to accommodate 
a track of standard gauge. The grades are few, 
and, as a rule, are light, although, in one instance, 
the gradient is eighty-four feet to the mile. 
There are more than 19 miles of curves, the maxi- 
mum being sixteen degrees. The rails are of 
ii-on. thirtj'-five pounds to the yard, road not 
ballasted. Capital stock outstanding (1895), 
§636.794; bonded debt. §484.01)0; mi.soellaneous 
obligations. §462.362; total capitalization. §1,583,- 
156. The line from Havana to Fairview (31 miles) 
was chartered in 1 878 and opened in 1880 and the 
extension from Fairview to Galesburg chartered 
in 1881 and opened in 1882. 

FUNK, Isaac, pioneer, was born in Clark 
County. Ky., Nov. 17, 1797; grew up with meager 
educational advantages and. in 1823. came to Illi- 
nois, finally settling at what afterwards became 
known as Funk's Grove in McLean County. 
Here, with no other capital than industry, per- 
severance, and integrity, Mr. Funk began laying 
the foundation of one of the most ample fortunes 
ever acquired in Illinois outside the domain of 
trade or speculation. By agriculture and dealing 
in live stock, he became the possessor of a large 
area of the finest farming lands in the State, 
which he brought to a high state of cultivation, 
leaving an estate valued at his death at not less 
than §2.000.000. Mr. Funk served three sessions 
in the Genei-al As.sembly. first as Representative 
in the Twelfth (1840-42). and as Senator in the 
Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth (1862-66), dying 
before the close of his last term, Jan. 29. 1865. 
Originally a Whig in politics, he became a Repub- 
lican on tiie organization of that party, and gave 



a liberal and patriotic support to the Govemment 
during the war for the preservation of the Union. 
During the session of the Twenty-third General 
Assembly, in February, 1863, he delivered a 
speech in the Senate in indignant condemnation 
of the policy of the anti-war factionists, which, 
although couched in homely language, aroused 
the enthusiasm of the friends of the Government 
throughout the State and won for its author a 
prominent place in State history. — Benjamin F. 
(Funk), son of the preceding, was bom in Funk's 
Grove Township, McLean County, 111., Oct. 17, 
1838. After leaving the district schools, he 
entered the 'Wesleyan University at Blooming- 
ton, but suspended his studies to enter the army 
in 1862, enlisting as a private in the Sixty eighth 
Illinois Volunteers. After five months' service 
he was honorably discharged, and re-entered the 
University, completing a three-years' course. 
For three years after graduation he followed 
farming as an avocation, and, in 1869, took up 
his residence at Bloomington. In 1871 he was 
chosen Mayor, and served seven consecutive 
terms. He was a delegate to the National 
Republican Convention of 1888, and was the suc- 
cessful candidate of that party, in 1892, for Repre- 
sentative in Congress from the Fourteenth Illinois 
District. — Lafayette (Funk), another son of Isaac 
Funk, was a Representative from SIcLean County 
in the Thirty-third General Assembly and Sena- 
tor in the Thirty-fourth and Thirty-fifth. Other 
sons who have occupied seats in the same body 
include George W. , Representative in the Twenty- 
seventh, and Duncan M., Representative in the 
Fortieth and Forty-first Assemblies The Funk 
familj' have been conspicuous in the affairs of 
McLean County for a generation, and its mem- 
bers have occupied many other positions of im- 
portance and influence, besides those named, under 
the State, County and municipal governments. 

GAGE, Lyman J., Secretary of the Treasury, 
was born in De Ruyter, Madison County, N. Y., 
June 28. 1836; received a common school educa- 
tion in his native county, and, on the removal of 
his parents, in 1848, to Rome, N. Y. , enjoyed the 
advantages of instruction in an academj'. At 
the age of 17 he entered the emploj'ment of the 
Oneida Central Bank as oflSce-boy and general 
utility clerk, but, two years afterwards, came to 
Chicago, first securing employment in a planing 
mill, and, in 1858, obtaining a position as book- 
keeper of the Merchants' Loan and Trust Com- 
pany, at a salary of §500 a year. By 1861 he had 
been advanced to the position of cashier of the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



181 



concern, but, in 1868. be accepted the cashiership 
of the First National Bank of Chicago, of which 
he became the Vice-President in 1881 and, in 
1891, the President. Mr. Gage was also one of the 
prominent factors in securing the location of the 
World's Fair at Chicago, becoming one of the 
guarantors of the SIO.OOO.OOO promised to be raised 
by tlie city of Chicago, and being finally chosen 
the first President of the Exposition Company. 
He also presided over the bankers' section of tlie 
World's Congi-ess Auxiliary in 1893, and, for a 
number of years, was President of tlie Civic Feder- 
ation of Chicago. On the assumption of the 
Presidency by President McKinley, in March, 
1897, Mr. Gage was selected for the position of 
Secretary of the Treasury, which he has con- 
tinued to occupy up to the present time ( 1899). 

GALATIA, a village of Saline County, on the 
Illinois Central Railroad, 40 miles southeast of 
Duquoin; has a bank; leading industry is coal- 
mining. Population (1890), 519; (1900), 642. 

GALE, George Washington, D.D., LL.D., 
clergyman and educator, was born in Dutchess 
Countj', N. Y., Dec. 3, 1789. Left an orphan at 
eight years of age, he fell to the care of older 
sisters who inherited the vigorous character of 
their father, which they instilled into the son. 
He graduated at Union College in 1814, and, hav- 
ing taken a course in the Theological Seminary 
at Princeton, in 1816 was licensed by the Hudson 
Presbytery and assumed the charge of building 
up new churches in Jefferson County, N. Y., 
serving also for six years as pastor of the Presby- 
terian church at Adams. Here his labors were 
attended by a revival in which Charles G. Fin- 
ney, the eloquent evangelist, and other eminent 
men were converts. Having resigned his charge 
at Adams on account of illness, he spent the 
winter of 1823-24 in Virginia, where his views 
were enlarged by contact with a new class of 
people. Later, removing to Oneida County, 
N. Y., by his marriage with Harriet Selden he 
acquired a considerable property, insuring an 
income which enabled him to extend the field of 
his labors. The result was the establishment of 
the Oneida Institute, a manual labor school, at 
Whitesboro. with which he remained from 1827 
to 1834, and out of which grew Lane Seminary 
and Oberlin and Knox Colleges. In 1835 he con- 
ceived the idea of establishing a colony and an 
institution of learning in the West, and a com- 
mittee representing a party of proposed colonists 
was appointed to make a selection of a site, which 
resulted, in tlie following year, in the choice of 
a location in Knox County, III., including the 



site of the present city of Galesburg, which was 
named in honor of Mr. Gale, as the head of the 
enterprise. Here, in 1837, were taken the first 
practical steps in carrying out plans which had 
been previously matured in New York, for the 
establishment of an institution which first 
received the name of Knox Manual Labor Col- 
lege. The manual labor feature having been 
finally discarded, the institution took the name 
of Knox College in 1857. Mr. Gale was the lead- 
ing promoter of the enterprise, by a liberal dona- 
tion of lands contributing to its first endowment, 
and, for nearly a quarter of a centurj', being 
intimateh' identified with its history. From 
1840 to '42 he served in the capacity of acting 
Professor of Ancient Languages, and, for fifteen 
years thereafter, as Professor of Moral Philosophy 
and Rhetoric. Died, at Galesburg, Sept. 31. 1861. 
— William Selden (Gale), oldest son of the preced- 
ing, was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., Feb. 
15, 1822, came with his father to Galesburg, 111., 
in 1836, and was educated there. Having read 
law with the Hon. James Knox, he was admitted 
to the bar in 1845, but practiced only a few years, 
as he began to turn liis attention to measures for 
the development of the country. One of these 
was the Central Military Tract Railroad (now the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincj-), of which he was 
the most active promoter and a Director. He 
was also a member of the Board of Supervisors of 
Knox County, from the adoption of township 
organization in 18.53 to 189.5, with the exception 
of four years, and, during the long controversy 
which resulted in tlie location of tlie' county -seat 
at Galesburg, was the leader of the Galesburg 
part}', and subsequentlj- took a prominent part 
in the erection of public buildings there. Other 
positions held by him include the office of Post- 
master of the city of Galesburg. 1849-53; member 
of the State Constitutional Convention of 1862, 
and Representative in the Twenty-sixth General 
Assembly (1870-72); Presidential Elector in 1872; 
Delegate to the National Republican Convention 
of 1880; City Alderman, 1872-82 and 1891-95; 
member of the Commission apjiointed by Gov- 
ernor Oglesby in 1885 to revise the State Revenue 
Laws; by appointment of President Harri.son, 
Superintendent of the Galesburg Government 
Building, and a long term Trustee of the Illinois 
Hospital for the Insane at Rock Island, by 
appointment of Governor Altgeld. He has also 
been a frequent representative of his party 
(the Republican) in State and District Conven- 
tions, and, since 1861. has been an active and 
leading member of the Board of Trustees of 



182 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Knox College. Mr. Gale was married, Oct. 6, 
1845, to Miss Caroline Ferris, granddaughter of 
the financial representative of the Galesburg 
Colony of 1836, and has had eight children, of 
whom four are living. Died Sep. 1, 1900. 

G ALEXA,'the county -seat of Jo Daviess County, 
a city and port of entry, 1.50 miles in a direct line 
west by northwest of Cliicago; is located on 
Galena River, about 4^2 miles above its junction 
with the Jlississippi, and is an intersecting point 
for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, the North- 
western, and the Illinois Central Railroads, with 
connections by stub with the Chicago Great 
Western. It is built partially in a valley and 
partially on the bluffs which overlook the river, 
the Galena River being made navigable for ves- 
sels of deep draught by a system of lockage. The 
vicinity abounds in rich mines of sulphide of lead 
(galena), from which the city takes its name. 
Galena is adorned by handsome public and priv- 
ate buildings and a beautiful park, in which 
stands a fine bronze statue of General Grant, and 
a symmetrical monument dedicated to the sol- 
diers and sailors of Jo Daviess County who lost 
their lives during the Civil War. Its industries 
include a furniture factory, a table factory, two 
foundries, a tub factory and a carriage factory. 
Zinc ore is now being produced in and near the 
city in large quantities, and its mining interests 
will become vast at no distant day. It owns an 
electric light plant, and water is furnished from 
an artesian well 1,700 feet deep. Galena was one 
of the earliest towns in Northern Illinois to be 
settled, its mines having been worked in the lat- 
ter part of the seventeenth century. Many men 
of di.stinclion iu State and National affairs came 
from Galena, among whom were Gen. U. S. 
Grant, Gen. John A. Rawlins, Gen. John E. 
Smith, Gen. John C. Smith. Gen. A. L. Chetlain, 
Gen. John O. Duer, Gen. W. R. Rowley, Gen. E. 
D. Baker, Hon. E. B. Wasliburne, Secretary of 
State under Grant, Hon. Thompson Campbell, 
Secretary of State of Illinois, and Judge Drum- 
mond. Population (1890), 5,63.5; (1900), 5.005. 

GALENA & CHICAGO UNION RAILROAD. 
(See Cliicago cfr i\'()rlliirc::fcni Rdihray.) 

GALESBURG, the county -seat of Knox County 
and an important educational center. The first 
settlers were emigrants from the East, a large pro- 
portion of them being members of a colonj- organ- 
ized by Rev. George W. Gale, of Whitesboro, 
N. Y., in whose honor the original village was 
named. It is situated in the heart of a rich 
agricultural district 53 miles northwest of Peoria, 
99 miles northeast of Quincy and 163 miles south- 



west of Chicago; is an important raihvaj- center, 
being at the junction of the main line with two 
branch lines of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, 
and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroads. 
It was incorporated as a village in 1841, and as a 
city by .special charter in 1857. There are beauti- 
ful p.irks and the residence streets are well 
shaded, while 25 miles of street are paved with 
vitrified brick. The city owns a sj'stem of water- 
works receiving its supply from artesian wells 
and artificial lakes, has an efficient and well- 
equipped paid fire-department, an electric street 
car system with three suburban lines, gas and 
electric lighting systems, steam-heating plant, 
etc. It al.so has a number of flourishing mechan- 
ical industries, including two iron foundries, agri- 
cultural implement works, flouring mills, carriage 
and wagon works and a broom factory, besides 
other industrial enterprises of minor importance. 
The manufacture of vitrified paving brick is quite 
extensively carried on at plants near the city 
limits, the city itself being the shipping-point 
as well as the point of administrative control. 
The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad 
Company has shops and stockyards here, while 
considerable coal is mined in the vicinity. The 
public buildings include a courthouse, Govern- 
ment postofifice building, an opera house, nine- 
teen churches, ten public schools with a high 
school and free kindergarten, and a handsome 
public library building erected at a cost of SlOO,- 
000, of which one-half was contributed by Mr. 
Carnegie. Galesburg enjoys its chief distinction 
as the seat of a large number of high class liter- 
ary institutions, including Knox College (non- 
sectarian), Lombard University (Universalist), 
and Corpus Christi Lyceum and University, and 
St. Joseph's Academy (both Roman Catholic). 
Three interurban electric railroad lines connect 
Galesburg with neighboring towns. Pop. (1890), 
15.264; (1900), 18,607. 

GALLATIN COUNTY, one of three counties 
organized in Illinois Territory in 1812 — the others 
being Madis<jn and Johnson. Previous to that 
date the Territory had consisted of only two coun- 
ties, St. Clair and Randolph. The new county 
was named in honor of Albert Gallatin, then 
Secretary of the Treasury. It is situated on the 
Ohio and AVabash Rivers, in the extreme south- 
eastern part of the State, and has an area of 349 
square miles; population (1900), 15,836. The first 
cabin erected by an American settler was the 
home of Michael Sprinkle, who settled at Shaw- 
neetown in 1800. The place early became an 
important trading post and distributing point. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



183 



A ferry across the Wabash was establislied in 
1803, by Alexander Wilson, whose descendants 
conducted it for more than seventy-five years. 
Although Stephen Rector made a Government 
survey as early as 1807, tlie public lands were not 
placed on the market un#il 1818. Shawneetown, 
the county-seat, is the most important town, 
having a population of some 2,300. Bituminous 
coal is found in large quantities, and mining is 
an important industry. The prosperity of the 
county has been much retarded by floods, particu- 
larly at Shawneetown and Equality. At the 
former point the difference between high and 
low water mark in the Ohio River has been as 
much as fiftj'-two feet. 

GALLOWAY, Andrew Jackson, civil engineer, 
was born of Scotch ancestry in Butler County, 
Pa., Dec. 21, 1814; came with his father to Cory- 
don, Ind., in 1820, took a course in Hanover Col- 
lege, graduating as a civil engineer in 1837; then 
came to Mount Carmel. White County. 111., with 
a view to employment on projected Illinois rail- 
roads, but engaged in teaching for a j-ear, having 
among his pupils a number who have since been 
prominent in State affairs. Later, he obtained 
employment as an assistant engineer, serving for 
a time under William Gooding, Chief Engineer of 
the Illinois & Michigan Canal ; was also Assistant 
Enrolling and Engrossing Clerk of the State 
Senate in 1840-41. and held the same position in 
the House in 1846-47, and again in 1848-49, in the 
meantime having located a farm in La Salle 
County, where the present city of Streator stands. 
In 1849 he was appointed Secretary of the Canal 
Trustees, and, in 1851, became assistant engineer 
on the Illinois Central Railroad, later superin- 
tending its construction, and finally being trans- 
ferred to the land department, but retiring in 
1855 to engage in real-estate business in Chicago, 
dealing largely in railroad lands. Sir. Galloway 
was elected a County Commissioner for Cook 
County, and has since been connected with many 
measures of local importance. 

(JALVA, a town in Henry County, 45 miles 
southeast of Rock Island and 48 miles north- 
northwest of Peoria: the point of intersection of 
the Rook Island & Peoria and the Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Quincy Railways. It stands at the 
summit of the dividing riclge between the Missis- 
sippi and the Illinois Rivers, and is a manufac- 
turing and coal-mining town. It has eight 
churches, three banks, gooil scliools, and two 
weekly newspapers. The surrounding country 
is agricultural and we;iltliy. and is rich in coal. 
Poj)ulation (1800). 2,400; (1000), 2,682. 



GAHDXER, a village in Garfield Township, 
Grundy County, on the Chicago ife Alton Rail- 
road, Go miles soutli-southwest of Chicago and 26 
miles nortli-northeast of Pontiac; on the Kanka- 
kee and Seneca branch of the "Big Four," and 
the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern R. R. Coal-mining 
is tlie principal industry. Gardner has two 
banks, four churches, a high .school, and a weekly 
paper. Population (1890), 1.094; (1900). 1,036. 

GARDNER, COAL CITY & NORMANTOWN 
RAILWAY. (See Elgin, Joliet d- Eastern Rail- 
way. ) 

GARY, Joseph Easton, lawyer and jurist, was 
born of Puritan ancestry, at Potsdam, St. Law- 
rence County, N. Y., July 9, 1821. His early 
educational advantages were such as were fur- 
nished by district schools and a village academy, 
and, until he was 22 years old, he worked at the 
carpenter's bench. In 1843 he removed to St. 
Louis, Mo., where he studied law. After admis- 
sion to the bar, he practiced for five years in 
Southwest Missoui'i, thence going to Las Vegas, 
N. M., in 1849, and to San Francisco, Cal, in 
1853. In 1856 he settled in Chicago, where he 
has since resided. After seven years of active 
practice he was elected to the bench of the 
Superior Court of Cook County, where he has sat 
for thirty years, being four times nominated by 
both political parties, and his last re-election — for 
a term of six years, occurring in 1893. He pre- 
sided at the trial of the Chicago anarchists in 
1886— -one of the causes celebres of Illinois. Some 
of his rulings therein were sharplj- criticised, but 
he was upheld by the courts of appellate jurisdic- 
tion, and his connection with the case has given 
him world-wide fame. In November, 1888, the 
Supreme Court of Illinois transferred him to the 
bench of the Appellate Court, of which tribunal 
he has been three times Chief Justice. 

GASSETTE, Norman Theodore, real-estate 
operator, wasbornatTownsend,Vt., April21, 1839, 
came to Chicago at ten years of age, and, after 
spending a year at Shurtleff College, took a prepar- 
atory collegiate course at the Atwater Institute, 
Rochester, N. Y. In June, 1861, he enlisted as 
a private in the Nineteenth Regiment Illinois 
Volunteers, rising in the second year to the rank 
of First Lieutenant, and, at the battle of Chicka- 
mauga, by gallantry displayed while serving as 
an Aid-de-Camp, winning a recommendation 
for a brevet Lieutenant-Colonelcy. The war 
over, ho served one term as Clerk of the Circuit 
Court and Recorder, but later engaged in the real- 
e.state and loan business as tlie head of the exten- 
sive firm of Norman T. Cassette & Co. He was s. 



184 



HISTORICAL E]S;CYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Republicivn iu politics, active in Graml Army 
circles iiud pruiiiiueut as a Miisou, hoUliiig the 
jKisitiou of Eminent Graud Coninmndcr of 
Kni};hts Templar of Illinois on occasion of the 
Triennial Conclave in AVasliington iu 1SS9. He 
also had charge, as President of the JIasonic 
Fraternity Temple Association of Chicago, for 
some time prior to his decease, of the erection of 
the Masonic Temple of Chicago. Died, iu Chi- 
cago. March 00. 1891. 

(J.VTEWOOI), William JrlTcrson, early lawyer, 
was born in Warren (.'onnty, Ky., came to 
Franklin County, 111., in boyhmid, removed to 
Shawneetown in 1S03, where he taught school 
two or three ye!»rs while studying law; was 
admitted to the bar iu 1808. and served iu five 
General .Vssemblies — as Representative iu 18;)0-3'J, 
and as Senator, 1834-42. He is described as a man 
of fine education and brilliant talents. Died, 
Jan. 8. 1845. 

(J.VULT, John C, railway manager, was born 
at Hooksett. X. H., May 1, 1809; iu USIO entered 
the local freight office of the Mauchester & Law- 
rence Rjulroad. later becoming General Freight 
Agent of the Vermont Central. Coming to Chi- 
cago in 18r)9, he successively filled the p<.isitions 
of Superintendent of Transportation on the 
Galena «fc Chicago Union, and (after the consoli- 
dation of the latter with the Chicago & North- 
western), that of Division Superintendent, 
General Freight Agent and Assistant General 
Manager; Assistant General Slanager of the 
Chicago, Milwaukee i.^ St. Paul; General Mana- 
ger of theWakish (1879-83); Arbitrator for the 
trunk lines (1883-8,')), and General Manager of 
the Cincinnati. New Orleans & Texas Pacific 
(1883-90), when he retired. Died, in Chicago, 
August 09. 1891. 

GENERAL ASSEMBLIES. The following is a 
list of the General .Vssemblies which have met 
since the admission of Illinois as a State up to 
1898 — from the First to the Fortieth inclusive— 
with the more imjH-vrtant acts jvissed by each and 
the duration of their resi^vtive sessions: 

FiKST Ge.nek.vl Assembly held two sessions, 
the first convening at Kaskaskia, the State Capi- 
tal, Oct. 5, and adjourning Oct. 13, 1818. The 
second met. Jan. 4, 1819, continuing to March 31. 
Lieut-Gov. Pierre Menard presided over the Sen- 
ate, consisting of thirteen nieniliei-s, while John 
Messinger was choseu Sjieaker of the House, 
containing twenty-seven members. The most 
im|wrtant business transacted at the first session 
was the election of two United States Senators — 
Ninian Edwards and Jesse B. Thomas, Sr.— and 



the filling of minor State and judicial offices. At 
the second session a code of laws was enacted, 
copied chietly from the Virginia and Kentucky 
statutes, including the law concerning "negroes 
and nuilattoes, ■' which long remained on the 
statute book. An act was also jvissed apiKunting 
Commissioners to select a site for a new State 
Capital, which resulted in its location at Van- 
dalia. The sessions were held in a stone building 
with gambrel-roof pierced Viy dormer-windows, 
the Senate occupying the lower lloor and the 
House the vipiier. The length of the first session 
was nine days, and of the second eighty-seven — 
total, ninety -six days. 

Second Gener.vl Assembly convened at Van- 
dalia. Dec. 4, 1800. It consisted of fourteen 
Senators and twenty-nine Representatives. John 
McLean, of Gallatin County, was chosen Speaker 
of the House. A leading topic of discussion was 
the incorporation of a State Bank. Money was 
scarce and there was a strong jxipular demand 
for an increase of circulating medium. To 
appease this clamor, no less than to relieve traders 
and agriculturists, this General Assembly estal>- 
lished a State Bank (see State D(iitk), despite 
the earnest protest of McLean and the executive 
veto. A stay-law was also enacted at this session 
for the benefit of the debtor class. The number 
of memliei-s of the next Legislature was fixed at 
eighteen Senators and thirty-six Representatives 
— this pr<.>vision remaining in force until 1831. 
The session ended Feb. 15, having lasted seventy- 
four days. 

Third Geser.vl Assembly convened. Dec. 2, 
1800. Lieutenant-Governor Hubhird presided in 
the Senate, while in the organization of the 
lower house, "William M. Alexander was chosen 
Speaker. Governor Coles, in his inaugural, 
called attention to the existence of slavery in 
Illinois despite the Ordin.ance of 1T8T. and urged 
the adoption of repressive measures. Both 
branches of the Legislature being jiro-slavery in 
symi«thy, the Gi>vernor's adilress provoked 
bitter and determined opjxisition. On Jan. 9. 
1803, Jesse B. Thomas was re-elected Uniteii 
States Senator, defeating John Reynolds, Leonard 
White and Samuel D. Lockwood. After electing 
Mr. Thom.is and cluxising State officers, the 
General Assembly proceeded to discuss the major- 
ity and minority rejxirts of the committee to 
which had l>een referred the Governor's address. 
The minority report recommended the alK>lition 
of slavery, while that of the ir.ajority favored 
the adoption of a resolution calling a convention 
to amend the Constitution, the avowed object- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



185 



being to make Illinois a slave Slate. The latter 
report was adopted, but the pro-slavery party in 
the House lacked one vote of the nunil>er neces- 
sary to carry the resolution by the constitutional 
two-thirds majority. What followed lias always 
been rcK'^'ded as a blot upon the record of the 
Tliird (ieneral Assembly. Nicholas Hansen, who 
had b(>cri awarded the seat from Pike County 
at tlie beginning of the session after a contest 
brouglit by his opponent, John Shaw, was un- 
seated after the adoj)tion of a resolution to 
reconsider the vote by which he had been several 
weeks before declared elected. Shaw having 
thus been seated, the resolution was carried by 
the necessarj' twenty-four votes. Mr. Hansen, 
although previously regarded as a pro-slavery 
man, had voted with tlie minority when the 
resolution was first i)ut ujjon its passage. Hence 
followeil his deprivation of Lis seat. The triumjih 
of tlie friends of the convention was celebrated 
by what Gov. John Reynolds (himself a conven- 
tionist) characterized as "a wild and indecorous 
procession by torchlight and liquor." (See 
Slavei^y and Slave Laivs.) The session adjourned 
Feb. 18, having continued seventy-nine days. 

Fourth Ge.xeral Assembly. Tliis body held 
two sessions, the first being convened, Nov. l."), 
1824, by proclamation of the Executive, .some 
three weeks before the date for the regular 
session, in order to correct a defect in the law 
relative to counting the returns for Presidential 
Electors. Thomas JIather was elected Speaker 
of the Hou.se, while Lieutenant-Governor Hub- 
bard presided in the Senate. Having amended 
the law concerning the election returns for Presi- 
dential Electors, the A.ssembly proceeded to the 
election of two United States Senators — one to 
fill the unexpired term of ex-Senator Edwards 
(resigned) and the other for the full term begin- 
ning March 4, 182.5. John McLean was chosen 
for the first and Elias Kent Kane for the second. 
Five circuit judgeships were created, and it was 
provided that the bench of the Supreme Court 
sliould consist of four Judges, and that semi- 
annual .sessions of tliat tribunal sliould be held at 
tlie State capital. (See Judicitil Department.) 
The regular session came to an end. Jan. 18, 1825, 
but at its own request, the Lieutenant-Governor 
and acting Governor Hubbard re-convened the 
body in special session on Jan. 2, 1820, to enact a 
new apportionment law under the census of 1825. 
A sine die adjournment was taken, Jan. 28, 1826. 
One of the important acts of tlie regular session 
of 1825 was the adoption of the first free-school 
law in Illinois, the measure having been intro- 



duced by Joseph Duncan, afterwards Governor of 
tlie State. This Legislature was in se.ssion a total 
of ninety-two days, of which sixty-five were 
during the first session and twenty -seven during 
the second. 

Fifth (iE.vEKAL Assembly convened, Dec. 4, 
1820, Lieutenant-Governor Kinney presiding in 
the Senate and John McLean in tlie House. At 
tlie request of the Governor an investigation into 
the management of the bank at Edwardsville was 
had, resulting, however, in the exoneration of its 
officers. The circuit judgeships created by the 
preceding Legislature were abrogated and their 
incumbents legislated out of office. Tlie State 
was divided into four circuits, one Ju.stice of the 
Supreme Cf>urt being assigned to each. (See 
Judicial Depart tnent.) This General A.ssembly 
also elected a State Treasurer to succeed Abner 
Field, James Hall being chosen on the ninth 
ballot. The Supreme Court Judges, as directed 
by the preceding Legislature, presented a well 
digested report on the revision of tlie laws, which 
was adopted without material alteration. One of 
the important mea.sures enacted at this .session 
was an act establishing a State penitentiary, the 
funds for its erection being obtained by the 
sale of saline lands in Gallatin County. (See 
Alton Penitentiary; also Salt Manufacture.) 
The session ended Feb. 19 — having continued 
seventy-eight days. 

Sixth General Assembly convened, Dec. 1. 
1828. The Jackson Democrats liad a large major- 
ity in both houses. John SIcLean was, for the 
third time, elected Speaker of the House, and, 
later in the se.ssion. was elected United State* 
Senator by a unanimous vote. A Secretary of 
State, Treasurer and Attorney-General were also 
appointed or elected. The most important legis- 
lation of the session was as follows : Authorizing 
the sale of school lands and the borrowing of the 
proceeds from the school fund for the ordinary 
governmental expenses; providing for a return 
to the viva voce method of voting; creating a, 
fifth judicial circuit an<l appointing a Judge 
therefor ; providing for tlie appointment of Com- 
missioners to determine upon the route of the 
Illinois & Michigan Canal, to sell lands and com- 
mence its construction. The Assembly a<ljourned, 
Jan. 23, 1829, having been in session fifty-four days. 
Seventh General Assembly met, Dec. 6, 18.30. 
The newlj'-elected Lieutenant-Governor, Zadoc 
Casey, and William L. D. Ewing presided 
over the two houses, respectively. John Rey- 
nolds was Governor, and, the majority of the 
Senate being made up of his political adversaries. 



186 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



experienced no little difficulty in securing the 
confirmation of his nominees. Two United 
States Senators were elected: Elias K. Kane 
being chosen to succeed himself and John M. 
Robinson to serve the unexpired term of John 
McLean, deceased. The United States census of 
1830 gave Illinois three Representatives in Con- 
gress instead of one, and this General Assembly 
passed a re-apportionment law accordingly. The 
number of State Senators was increased to 
twenty-six, and of members of the lower house 
to fifty-five. The criminal code was amended by 
the substitution of imprisonment in the peni- 
tentiary as a penalty in lieu of the stocks and 
public flogging. This Legislature also authorized 
the borrowing of $100,OOU to redeem the notes of 
the State Bank which were to mature the follow- 
ing j-ear. The Assembly adjourned, Feb. 16, 1831, 
the session having lasted seventy -three da}"S. 

Eighth Gexer.\l Assembly. The session 
began Dec. 3, 1833, and ended March 2, 1833. 
William L. D. Ewing was chosen President pro 
tempore of the Senate, and succeeded Zadoc 
Casey as Lieutenant-Governor, the latter having 
been elected a Representative in Congress. 
Alexander M. Jenkins presided over the House as 
Speaker. This Legislature enacted the first gen- 
eral incorporation laws of Illinois, their provisions 
being applicable to towns and public libraries. 
It aLso incorporated several railroad companies, 
— one line from Lake Michigan to the Illinois 
River (projected as a substitute for the canal), 
one from Peru to Cairo, and another to cross the 
State, running through Springfield. Other char- 
ters were granted for shorter lines, but the incor- 
porators generally failed to organize under them. 
A notable inci dent in connection with this session 
was the attempt to impeach Theophilus W. Smith, 
a Justice of the Supreme Court. This was the first 
and last trial of this character in the State's his- 
tory, between 1818 and 1899. Failing to secure a 
conviction in the Senate (where the vote stood 
twelve for conviction and ten for acquittal, with 
four Senators excused from voting), the House 
attempted to remove him by address, but in this 
the Senate refused to concur. The first mechan- 
ics' lien law was enacted by this Legislature, 
as also a law relating to the "right of way" fov 
"public roads, canals, or other public works.'' 
The length of the session was ninety daj's. 

Ninth General Assembly. This Legislature 
held two sessions. The first began Dec. 1, 1834, 
and lasted to Feb. 13, 1835. Lieutenant-Governor 
Jenkins presided in the Senate and James Semple 
was elected Speaker of the House without oppo- 



sition. On Dec. 20, John M. Robinson was re- 
elected United States Senator Abraham Lincoln 
was among the new members, but took no con- 
spicuous part in the discussions of the body. Tlie 
principal public laws passed at this session were: 
Providing for the borrowing of §.500,000 to be 
used in the construction of the Illinois & Michi- 
gan Canal and the appointment of a Board of 
Commissioners to supervise its expenditure; 
incorporating the Bank of the State of Illinois ; 
and authorizing a loan of §12.000 by Cook County, 
at 10 per cent interest per annum from the 
county school fund, for the erection of a court 
house in that county. The second session of this 
Assembly convened. Dec. 7, 1835, adjourning, Jan. 
18, 1836. A new canal act was passed, enlarging 
the Commissioners' powers and pledging the faith 
of the State for the repayment of money bor- 
rowed to aid in its construction. A new appor- 
tionment law was also passed providing for the 
election of forty-one Senators and ninety-one 
Representatives, and W. L. D. Ewing was elected 
United States Senator, to succeed Elias K. Kane, 
deceased. The length of the first session was 
seventy-five days, and of the second forty-three 
days— total, 118. 

Tenth General Assembly, like its predeces- 
sor, held two sessions. The first convened Dec. 5, 
1836. and adjourned March 6, 1837. The Whigs 
controlled the Senate by a large majority, and 
elected William H. Davidson, of White County, 
President, to succeed Alexander M. Jenkins, who 
had resigned the Lieutenant-Governorship. (See 
Jenkins. Alexander M.) James Semple was 
re-elected Speaker of the House, which was 
fully two-thirds Democratic. This Legislature 
was remarkable for the number of its members 
who afterwards attained National prominence. 
Lincoln and Douglas sat in the lower house, both 
voting for the same candidate for Speaker — New- 
ton Cloud, an independent Democrat. Besides 
these, the rolls of this Assembly included the 
names of a future Governor, six future United 
States Senators, eight Congressmen, three Illinois 
Supreme Court Judges, seven State officers, and 
a Cabinet officer. The two absorbing topics for 
legislative discussion and action %vere the system 
of internal improvements and the removal of the 
State capital. (See Internal Improvement Policy 
and State Capitals.) The friends of Springfield 
finally effected such a combination that that city 
was selected as the seat of the State government, 
while the Internal Improvement Act was passed 
over the veto of Governor Duncan. A second 
session of tliis Legislature met on the call of the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



187 



Governor, July 10, 1837, and adjourned July 23. 
An act legalizing the suspension of State banks 
was adopted, but the recommendation of the Gov- 
ernor for the repeal of the internal improvement 
legislation was ignored. The length of the first 
session was ninety-two days and of tlie second 
thirteen — total 105. 

Eleventh General Assembly. This body 
held both a regular and a special session. Tlie 
former met Dec. 3, 1838, and adjourned March 4, 
1839. The Whigs were in a majority in both 
houses, and controlled the organization of the 
Senate. In the House, however, their candidate 
for Speaker — Abraliani Lincoln — failing to secure 
his full party vote, was defeated by W. L. D. 
Ewing. At this session §800,000 moro was appro- 
priated for the "improvement of waterwaj-s and 
the construction of railroads, " all etforts to put an 
end to, or even curtail, further expenditures on 
account of internal improvements meeting with 
defeat. An appropriation (the first) was made 
for a library for the Supreme Court; the Illinois 
Institution for the Education of the Deaf and 
Dumb was established, and the further issuance 
of bank notes of a smaller denomination than 85 
was prohibited. By this time the State debt had 
increased to over §13,000,000, and both the people 
and the Governor were becoming apprehensive as 
to ultimate results of this prodigal outlay. A 
crisis appeared imminent, and the Governor, on 
Dec. 9, 1839, convened the Legislature in special 
session to consider the situation. (This was the 
first session ever held at Springfield ; and, the new 
State House not being completed, the Senate, the 
House and the Supreme Court found accommo- 
dation in three of the principal church edifices.) 
The struggle for a change of State policy at this 
session was long and hard fought, no heed being 
given to party lines. The outcome was the vir- 
tual abrogation of the entire internal improve- 
ment system. Provision was made for the calling 
in and destruction of all unsold bonds and the 
speedy adjustment of all unsettled accounts of 
the old Board of Public Works, which was legis- 
lated out of ofiice. The special session adjourned 
Feb. 3, 1840. Length of regular session ninety- 
two days, of the special, fifty -seven— total, 149. 

Twelfth General Assembly. This Legisla- 
ture was strongly Democratic in both branches. 
It first convened, by executive proclamation, 
Nov. 23, 1840, the object being to provide for pay- 
ment of interest on the public debt. In reference 
to this matter the following enactments were 
made: xVuthorizing the hypothecation of .5300,000 
internal improvement bonds, to meet the interest 



due Jan. 1, 1841 ; directing the issue of bonds to 
be sold in the open market and the proceeds 
applied toward discharging all amounts due on 
interest account for which no other provision was 
made; levying a special tax of ten cents on the 
SlOU to meet the interest on the last mentioned 
class of bonds, as it matured. For the comple- 
tion of the Northern Cross Railroad (from Spring- 
field to Jacksonville) another appropriation of 
§100,000 was made. The called session adjourned, 
sine die, on Dec. 5, and the regular session began 
two days later. The Senate was presided over by 
the Lieutenant-Governor (Stinson H. Anderson), 
and William L. D. Ewing was cliosen Speaker of 
tlie House. The most vital issue was tlie propri- 
ety of demanding the surrender of the charter of 
the State Bank, with its branches, and here 
party lines were drawn. The Whigs finally 
succeeded in averting the closing of the institu- 
tions which had suspended specie payments, and 
in securing for those institutions the privilege of 
issuing small bills. A law reorganizing the judi- 
ciary was passed by the majority over the execu- 
tive veto, and in face of the defection of some of 
its members. On a partisan issue all the Circuit 
Judges were legislated out of office and five Jus- 
tices added to the bench of the Supreme Court. 
The session was stormy, and the Assembly ad- 
journed March 1, 1841. This Legislature was in 
session ninety-eight days — thirteen during the 
special .session and eighty-five during the regular. 
Thirteenth General Assembly consisted of 
forty-one Senators and 121 Representatives; con- 
vened, Dec. 5, 1843. The Senate and House were 
Democratic by two-thirds majority in each. 
Lieut. -Gov. John Moore was presiding officer of 
the Senate and Samuel Hackelton Speaker of the 
House, with W. L. D. Ewing, who had been 
acting Governor and United States Senator, as 
Clerk of the latter. Richard Yates, Isaac N. 
Arnold, Stephen T. Logan and Gu.stavus Koerner, 
were among the new members. The existing 
situation seemed fraught with peril. The State 
debt was nearly §14,000,000; immigration had 
been checked ; the State and Shawneetown banks 
had gone down and their currency was not worth 
fifty cents on the dollar ; Auditor's warrants were 
worth no more, and Illinois State bonds were 
quoted at fourteen cents. On Dec. 18, Judge 
Sidney Breese was elected United States Senator, 
having defeated Steplien A. Douglas for the 
Democratic caucus nomination, on tlie nineteenth 
ballot, by a majority of one vote. The State 
Bank (in which the State had been a large share- 
holder) was permitted to go into liquidation upon 



188 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



tlie surrender of State bonds in exchange for a 
like amount of bank stock owned by the State. 
The same conditional release was granted to the 
bank at Shawneetown. The net result was a 
reduction of the State debt by about $3,000,000. 
The Governor was authorized to negotiate a 
loan of $1,600,000 on the credit of the State, for 
the purpose of prosecuting the work on the canal 
and meeting the indebtedness already incurred. 
The Executive was also made sole "Fund Com- 
missioner" and, in that capacity, was empowered 
(in connection with the Auditor) to sell the 
railroads, etc., belonging to the State at public 
auction. Provision was also made for the redemp- 
tion of the bonds hypothecated with Macalister 
and Stebbins. (See Macalister and Stebbiyis 
Bonds.) The Congressional distribution of the 
moneys arising from the sale of public lands was 
acquiesced in, and the revenues and resources of 
the State were pledged to the redemption "of 
every debt contracted by an authorized agent for a 
good and valuable consideration." To establish 
a sinking fund to meet such obligation, a tax of 
twenty cents on every §100, payable in coin, was 
levied. This Legislature also made a re-appor- 
tionment of the State into Seven Congressional 
Districts. The Legislature adjourned, March 6, 
1843, after a session of ninety-two days. 

FoDRTEENTH Gener.\l ASSEMBLY convened 
Dec. 2, 1844, and adjourned March 3, 1845, the ses- 
sion lasting ninety-two days. The Senate was 
composed of twenty-six Democrats and fifteen 
Whigs; the House of eighty Democrats and 
thirty-nine Whigs. David Davis was among the 
new members. William A. Richardson defeated 
Stephen T. Logan for the Speakership, and James 
Semple was elected United States Senator to suc- 
ceed Samuel McRoberts, deceased. The canal 
law was amended by the passage of a supple- 
mental act, transferring the property to Trustees 
and empowering the Governor to complete the 
negotiations for the borrowing of $1,600,000 for 
its construction. The State revenue being in- 
sufficient to meet the ordinary expenses of the 
government, to say nothing of the arrears of 
interest on the State debt, a tax of three mills on 
each dollar's worth of property was imposed for 
184.T and of three and one-half mills thereafter. 
Of the revenue thus raised in 1845, one mill was 
set apart to pay the interest on the State debt 
and one and one-half mills for the same purpose 
from the taxes collected in 1846 "and forever 
thereafter." 

Fifteenth Ge.neral Assembly convened Dec. 
7, 1846. The farewell message of Governor Ford 



and the inaugural of Governor French were lead- 
ing incidents. The Democrats had a two-thirds 
majority in each house. Lieut. -Gov. Joseph B. 
Wells presided in the Senate, and Newton Cloud 
was elected Speaker of the House, the compli- 
mentary vote of the Whigs being given to Stephen 
T. Logan. Stephen A. Douglas was elected 
United States Senator, the whigs voting for Cyrus 
Edwards. State officers were elected as follows: 
Auditor, Thomas H. Campbell; State Treasurer, 
Milton Carpenter — both by acclamation; and 
Horace S Cooley was nominated and confirmed 
Secretary of State. A new school law was 
enacted ; the sale of the Gallatin County salines 
was authorized ; the University of Chicago was 
incorporated, and the Hospital for the Insane at 
Jacksonville established; the sale of the North- 
ern Cross Railroad was authorized; District 
Courts were established ; and provision was made 
for refunding the State debt. The Assembly 
adjourned, March 1, 1847, after a session of 
eighty-five days. 

Sixteenth General Assembly. This was the 
first Legislature to convene under the Constitu- 
tion of 1847. There were twenty-five members 
in the Senate and seventy-five in the House. 
The body assembled on Jan. 1, 1849, continu- 
ing in session until Feb. 12 — the session being 
limited by the Constitution to six weeks. Zadoc 
Casey was chosen Speaker, defeating Richard 
Yates by a vote of forty-six to nineteen. After 
endorsing the policy of the administration in 
reference to the Mexican War and thanking the 
soldiers, the Assembly proceeded to the election 
of United States Senator to succeed Sidney 
Breese. The choice fell upon Gen. James Shields, 
the other caucus candidates being Breese and 
McClernand, while Gen. William F. Thornton led 
the forlorn hope for the AVhigs. The principle of 
the Wilmot proviso was endorsed. The Governor 
convened the Legislature in special session on 
Oct. 22. A question as to the eligibility of Gen. 
Shields having arisen (growing out of his nativity 
and natui'alization), and the legal obstacles hav- 
ing been removed by the lapse of time, he was 
re-elected Senator at the special session. Outside 
of the pas.sage of a general law authorizing the 
incorporation of railroads, little general legisla- 
tion was enacted. The special session adjourned 
Nov. 7. Length of regular session forty-three 
days; special, seventeen — total sixty. 

Seventeenth Gener.\l Assembly convened 
Jan. 6, 1851, adjourned Feb. 17 — length of 
session forty-three days. Sidney Breese (ex- 
Senator) was chosen Speaker. The session was 



I 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



189 



cliaracterized by a vast amount of legislation, not 
all of which was well considered. By joint reso- 
lution of both houses the eador.sement of tlie 
AVilniot proviso at tlie previous session was 
rescinded. The first homestead exemption act 
was passed, and a stringent liquor law adopted, 
tlie sale of liquor in quantities less than one quart 
being prohibited. Township organization was 
authorized and what was virtually free-banking 
was sanctioned. The latter law was ratified by 
popular vote in November, 1851. An act incorpo- 
rating the Illinois Central Railroad was also 
passed at this session, the measure being drafted 
by James L. D. Morrison. A special session of 
this Assembly was held in 18.52 under a call by 
the Governor, lasting from June 7 to the 23d — 
seventeen days. The most important general 
legislation of the special session was the reappor- 
tionment of the State into nine Congressional 
Districts. This Legislature was in session a total 
of sixty days. 

Eighteenth General Assembly. The first 
(or regular) session convened Jan. 3, 18.53, and 
adjourned Feb. 14. The Senate was composed of 
twenty Democrats and five Whigs ; the House, of 
fift}--nine Democrats, sixteen Whigs and one 
"Free-Soiler. " Lieutenant-Governor Koerner 
presided in the upper, and ex-Gov. John Reynolds 
in the lower house. Governor Matteson was 
inaugurated on the t6th ; Stephen A. Douglas was 
re-elected United States Senator, Jan. 5, the 
Whigs casting a complimentary vote for Joseph 
Gillespie. More than 450 laws were enacted, the 
majority being "private acts. '" The prohibitory 
temperance legislation of the preceding General 
Assembly was repealed and the license system 
re enacted. This body also passed the famous 
"black laws" designed to prevent the immigration 
of free negroes into the State. The sum of 
§18,000 was appropriated for the erection and 
furnishing of an executive mansion ; the State 
Agricultural Society was incorporated; the re- 
mainder of tlie State lands was ordered sold, and 
any surplus funds in the treasury appropriated 
toward reducing the State debt. A special session 
was convened on Feb. 9, 1854, and adjourned 
JIarch 4 The most important measures adopted 
were ; a legislative re-apportionment, an act pro- 
viding for the election of a Superintendent of 
Public Instruction, and a charter for the Missis- 
sippi & Atlantic Railroad. The regular session 
lasted forty-three days, the special twenty-four 
— total, sixty-seven. 

Nineteenth Gener.\l Assembly met Jan. 1, 
1855, and adjourned Feb. 15 — the session lasting 



forty -six days. Thomas J. Turner was elected 
Speaker of the House. The political complexion 
of the Legislature was much mixed, among tlie 
members being old-line Whigs, Abolitionists, 
Free-Soilers, Know-Nothings, Pro-slavery Demo- 
crats and Anti-Nebraska Democrats. The 
Nebraska question was the leading issue, and in 
reference thereto the Senate stood fourteen 
Nebraska members and eleven anti-Nebraska ; the 
House, thirty-four straight-out Democrats, wliile 
the entire strength of the opposition was forty- 
one. A United States Senator was to be chosen 
to succeed Gen. James Shields, and the friends of 
free-soil had a clear majority of four on joint 
ballot. Abraham Lincoln was the caucus nomi- 
nee of the Whigs, and General Shields of tlie Demo- 
crats. The two houses met in joint session Feb. 8. 
The result of the first ballot was, Lincoln, forty- 
five; Shields, forty-one; scattering, thirteen; 
present, but not voting, one. Mr. Lincoln's 
strength steadily waned, then rallied slightly on 
tlie sixth and seventh ballots, but again declined. 
Shields' forty -one votes rising on the fifth ballot 
to forty -two, but having dropped on the next 
ballot to forty -one, his name was withdrawn and 
that of Gov. Joel A. Matteson substituted. Mat- 
teson gained until he received fortj'-seven votes, 
which was the limit of his strength. On the 
ninth ballot, Loncoln's vote having dropped to 
fifteen, his name was withdrawn at his own 
request, his support going, on the next ballot, to 
Lyman Trumbull, an anti-Nebraska Democrat, 
who received fifty-one votes to forty-seven for 
Matteson and one for Archibald Williams — one 
member not voting. Trumbull, having received 
a majority, was elected. Five members had 
voted for him from the start. These were Sena- 
tors John M. Palmer, Norman B. Judd and Burton 
C. Cook, and Representatives Henr.y S. Baker and 
George T. Allen. It had been hoped that they 
would, in time, come to the support of Mr. Lin- 
coln, but they explained that they had been 
instructed by their constituents to vote only for 
an anti-Nebraska Democrat. They were all sub- 
sequently prominent leaders in the Republican 
party. Having inaugurated its work by accom- 
plishing a political revolution, this Legislature 
proceeded to adopt several measures more or less 
railical in their tendency. One of these was the 
Maine liquor law, with the condition that it be 
submitted to popular vote. It failed of ratifica- 
tion by vote of the people at an election lield in 
tlie following June. A new common scliool law 
was enacted, and railroads were required to fence 
their tracks. The Assemblj- also adopted a reso- 



190 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



lution calling for a Convention to amend the Con- 
stitution, but tliis was defeated at tlie polls. 

Twentieth General Assembly convened Jan. 
5, 1857, and adjourned, sine die, Feb. 19. A 
Republican State administration, with Governor 
Bissell at its head, had just been elected, but the 
Legislature was Democratic in both branches. 
Lieut. -Gov. John Wood presided over tlie Senate, 
and Samuel Holmes, of Adams County, defeated 
Isaac N. Arnold, of Cook, for the Speakership of 
the House. Among the prominent members were 
Norman B. Judd, of Cook; A. J. Kuj-kendall, of 
Johnson; Shelby M. Cullom, of Sangamon; John 
A. Logan, of Jackson; William R. Morrison, of 
Monroe ; Isaac N. Arnold, of Cook ; Joseph Gilles- 
pie, of Madison, and S. W. Moulton, of Shelby. 
Among the important measures enacted by this 
General Assembly were the following: Acts 
establishing and maintaining free schools; estab- 
lishing a Normal University at Normal ; amending 
the banking law ; providing for the general incor- 
poration of railroads ; providing for the building 
of a new penitentiary ; and funding the accrued 
arrears of interest on the public debt. Length of 
session, forty-six days. 

TWESTY-FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY convened 

Jan. 3, 1859, and was in session for fifty-three 
days, adjourning Feb. 24. The Senate consisted 
of twenty-five, and the House of seventy-flve 
members. Tlie presiding officers were; — of the 
Senate, Lieut. -Gov. Wood; of the House, W. R. 
Morrison, of Monroe County, who defeated his 
Republican opponent, Vital Jarrot, of St. Clair, 
on a viva voce vote. The Governor's message 
showed a reduction of §1,106,877 in the State debt 
during two years preceding, leaving a balance of 
principal and arrears of interest amounting to 
§11,138.4.54. On Jan. 6, 1859, the Assembly, in 
joint session, elected Stephen A. Douglas to suc- 
ceed himself as United States Senator, by a vote 
of fifty-four to forty-six for Abraham Lincoln. 
The Legislature was thrown into great disorder 
in consequence of an attempt to prevent the 
receipt from the Governor of a veto of a legisla- 
tive apportionment bill which had been passed by 
the Democratic majority in the face of bitter 
opposition on the part of the Republicans, who 
denounced it as partisan and unjust. 

Twenty-second General Assembly convened 
in regular se.ssion on Jan. 7, 1861, consisting of 
twentj'-five Senators and seventy-five Represent- 
atives. For the first time in the State's history, 
the Democrats failed to control the organization 
of either house. Lieut. -Gov. Francis A. Hoffman 
presided over the Senate, and 8. M. Cullom, of 



Sangamon, was chosen Speaker of the House, the 
Democratic candidate being James W. Singleton. 
Thomas A. Marshall, of Coles County, was elected 
President pro tem. of the Senate over A. J. Kuy- 
kendall, of Jolmson. The message of the retiring 
Governor (John Wood) reported a reduction of 
the State debt, during four years of Republican 
administration, of 62,860,402, and showed the 
number of banks to be 110, whose aggregate cir- 
culation %vas §12,320,964. Lyman Trumbull was 
re-elected United States Senator on January 10, 
receiving fifty-four votes, to forty-six cast for 
Samuel S. Marshall. Governor Yates was inau- 
gurated, Jan. 14. The most important legislation 
of this session related to the following subjects: 
the separate property rights of married women; 
the encouragement of mining and the support of 
public schools ; the payment of certain evidences 
of State indebtedness ; protection of the purity of 
the ballot-box, and a resolution submitting to the 
people the question of the calling of a Convention 
to amend the Constitution. Joint resolutions were 
passed relative to the death of Governor Bissell ; 
to the appointment of Commissioners to attend a 
Peace Conference in Washington, and referring 
to federal relations. The latter deprecated 
amendments to the United States Constitution, but 
expressed a willingness to unite with any States 
which might consider themselves aggrieved, 
in petitioning Congress to call a convention 
for the consideration of such amendments, at the 
same time pledging the entire resources of Illi- 
nois to the National Government for the preser- 
vation of the Union and the enforcement of the 
laws. The regular session ended Feb. 22, having 
lasted forty-seven daj-s. — Immediately following 
President Lincoln's first call for volunteers to 
suppress tlie rebellion. Governor Yates recon- 
vened the General Assemblj- in special session to 
consider and adopt methods to aid and support 
the Federal authority in preserving the Union and 
protecting the rights and property of the people. 
The two houses assembled on April 23. On April 
25 Senator Douglas addressed the members on the 
issues of tlie day, in response to an invitation con- 
vej'ed in a joint resolution. Tlie special session 
closed May 3, 1861, and not a few of the legislators 
promptly volunteered in the Union army. 
Length of the regular session, forty -seven days; 
of the special, eleven — total fifty-eight. 

Twenty-third General Assembly was com- 
posed of twenty-five Senators and eighty-eight 
Representatives. It convened Jan. 5, 1863, and 
was Democratic in both branches. The presiding 
officer of the Senate was Lieutenant-Governor 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



191 



Hoffman; Samuel A. Buckmaster was elected 
Speaker of the House by a vote of fiftj- -three to 
twenty-five. On Jan. 12, William A. Richardson 
was elected United States Senator to succeed 
S. A. Douglas, deceased, the Republican nominee 
being Governor Yates, who received thirty-eiglit 
votes out of a total of 103 cast. Much of the time 
of the session was devoted to angry discussion of 
the policy of the National Government in the 
prosecution of the war. The views of the oppos- 
ing parties were expressed in majority and minor- 
ity reports from the Committee on Federal 
Relations — the former condemning and the latter 
upholding the Federal administration. The 
majority report was adopted in the House on 
Feb. 13, by a vote of fifty-two to twenty-eight, 
and the resolutions wliich it embodied were at 
once sent to the Senate for concurrence. Before 
they could be acted upon in that body a Demo- 
cratic Senator — J. M. Rodgers. of Clinton County 
— died. This left the Senate politically tied, a 
Republican presiding oflScer having the deciding 
vote. Consequently no action was taken at the 
time, and, on Feb. 14, the Legislature adjourned 
till June 2. Immediately upon re-assembling, 
joint resolutions relating to a sine die adjourn- 
ment were introduced in both houses. A disagree- 
ment regarding the date of such adjournment 
ensued, when Governor Yates, exercising the 
power conferred upon him by the Constitution in 
such cases, sent in a message (June 10, 1863) 
proroguing the General Assembly imtil "the 
Saturday next preceding the first Jlonday in 
January, 18G5. " The members of the Republican 
minority at once left the liall. The members of 
the majority convened and adjourned from day 
to day until June 24, when, having adopted an 
address to the people setting forth their grievance 
and denouncing the State executive, they took a 
recess until the Tuesday after the first Jlonday of 
January, 1864. The action of the Governor, hav- 
ing been submitted to the Supreme Court, was 
sustained, and no further session of this General 
Assembly was held. Owing to the prominence 
of political issues, no important legislation was 
effected at this session, even the ordinary appro- 
priations for the State institutions failing. This 
caused much embarrassment to the State Govern- 
ment in meeting current expenses, but banks and 
capitalists came to its aid, and no important 
interest was permitted to suffer. The total 
length of the session was fifty days — forty-one 
days before the recess and nine days after. 

Twenty-fourth General Assembly convened 
Jan. 2, 1865, and remained in session forty-six 



days. It consisted of twentj'-iive Senators and 
eighty-five Representatives. The Republicans 
had a majoritj' in botli houses. Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor Bross presided over the Senate, and Allen 
C. Fuller, of Boone County, was chosen Speaker 
of the House, over Ambrose M. Miller, Democrat, 
the vote standing 48 to 23. Governor Yates, in 
his valedictory message, reported that, notwith- 
standing the heavy expenditure attendant upon 
the enlistment and maintenance of troops, etc., 
the State debt had been reduced 8987,786 in four 
years. On Jan. 4, 1865, Governor Yates was 
elected to the United States Senate, receiving 
sixty-four votes to forty three cast for James C. 
Robinson. Governor Oglesby was inaugurated Jan. 
16. The Thirteenth Amendment to the United 
States Constitution was ratified by this Legisla- 
ture, and sundry special appropriations made. 
Among the latter was one of §3,000 toward the 
State's proportion for the establishment of a 
National Cemetery at Gettysburg; $25,000 for 
the purchase of the land on which is the tomb 
of the deceased Senator Douglas; besides sums 
for establisliing a home for Soldiers' Orplians and 
an experimental soliool for the training of idiots 
and feebleminded children. The first act for 
the registry of legal voters was passed at this 
session. 

Twenty-fifth General Assembly. This 
body held one regular and two special sessions. 
It first convened and organized on Jan. 7, 1867. 
Lieutenant Governor Bi'oss presided over the 
upper, and Franklin Corwin. of La Salle Countj', 
over the lower house. The Governor (Oglesby), 
in his message, reported a reductit)n of 82. 607. 958 
in the State debt during the two years preceding, 
and recommended various apiiropriations for pub- 
lic purposes. He also urged the calling of a Con- 
vention to amend the Constitution. On Jan. 15, 
Lyman Trumbull was chosen United States Sena- 
tor, the complimentary Democratic vote being 
given to T. Lyie Dickey, who received thirty- 
three votes out of 109. The regular session lasted 
fifty-three days, adjourning Feb. 28. The Four- 
teenth Amendment to the United States Constitu- 
tion was ratified and important legislation enacted 
relative to State taxation and the regulation of 
public warehouses; a State Board of Equalization 
of Assessments was established, and the office of 
Attorney-General created. (Under this law 
Robert G. Ingersoll was the first appointee.) 
Provision was made for the erection of a new 
State House, to establish a Reform School for 
Juvenile Offenders, and for the support of other 
State institutions. The first special session con- 



192 



HISTOrtlCAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



vened on June 11, IHOT, having been summoned 
to consider questions relating to internal revenue. 
The lessee of the penitentiary liaving surrendered 
his lease without notice, the Governor foimd it 
necessary to make immediate provision for the 
management of that institution. Not having 
included this matter in his original call, no ne- 
cessity then existing, he at once summoned a 
second special session, before the adjournment 
of the first. This convened on June 14, remained 
in session until June 28, and adopted what is 
substantially the present penitentiary law of the 
State. This General Assembly was in session 
seventy-one days — fifty-three at the regular, 
three at the first special session and fifteen at the 
second. 

Twenty-sixth General, Assembly convened 
Jan. 4, 18G9. The Republicans had a majority in 
each house. The newly elected Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor, John Dougherty, presided in the Senate, 
and Franklin Corwin. of Peru, was again chosen 
Speaker of the House. Governor Oglesby sub- 
mitted his final message at the opening of the 
session, showing a total reduction in the State 
debt during his term of §4,743,831. Governor 
John M. Palmer was inaugurated Jan. 11. The 
most important acts passed by this Legislature 
were the following: Calling the Constitutional 
Convention of 1869; ratifying the Fifteenth 
Amendment to the United States Constitution ; 
granting well behaved convicts a reduction in 
their terms of imprisonment ; for the prevention 
of cruelty to animals; providing for the regula- 
tion of freights and fares on railroads; estab- 
lishing the Southern Normal University; pro- 
viding for the erection of the Northern Insane 
Hospital; and establishing a Board of Com- 
missioners of Public Charities. The celebrated 
"Lake Front Bill," especially affecting the 
interests of the city of Chicago, occupied a 
great deal of time during this session, and 
though finally passed over the Governor's veto, 
was repealed in 1873. This session was inter- 
rupted by a recess which extended from llarch 
12 to April 13. The Legislature re-assem- 
bled April 14, and adjourned, sine die, April 20, 
liaving been in actual session seventy-four days. 

Twenty-seventh Gener.\l Assembly had 
four sessions, one regular, two special and one 
adjourned. The first convened Jan. 4, 1871, and 
adjourned on April 17, having lasted 104 days, 
when a recess was taken to Nov. 15 following. 
The body was made up of fifty Senators and 177 
Representatives. Tlie Republicans again con- 
trolled both houses, electing William M. Smith, 



Speaker (over William R. Morri.son, Democrat), 
while Lieutenant-Governor Dougherty presided in 
the Senate. The latter occupied the Hall of Rep- 
resentatives in the old State Capitol, while tlie 
House held its sessions in a new church edifice 
erected by the Second Presbyterian CliuTch. 
John A. Logan was elected United States Sena- 
tor, defeating Thomas J. Turner (Democrat) by a 
vote, on joint ballot, of 131 to 89. This was the 
first Illinois Legislature to meet after tlie adoption 
of the Constitution of 1870, and its time was 
mainly devoted to framing, discussing and pass- 
ing laws required by the changes in the organic 
law of the State. The first special session opened 
on May 24 and closed on June 22, 1871, continu- 
ing thirty days. It was convened by Governor 
Pahner to make additional approjjriatious for the 
necessary expenses of the State Government and 
for the continuance of work on the new State 
House. The purjjose of the Governor in sum- 
moning the second special session was to provide 
financial relief for the city of Chicago after tlie 
gi'eat fire of Oct. 9-11, 1871. Members were sum- 
moned by special telegrams and were in their 
seats Oct. 13, continuing in session to Oct. 24 
— twelve days. Governor Palmer had already 
suggested a plan by which the State might 
aid the stricken city without doing violence 
to either the spirit or letter of the new Con- 
stitution, which express!}' prohibited special 
legislation. Chicago had advanced S2,.')00,000 
toward the completion of the Illinois & Michigan 
Canal, under the pledge of the State tliat this 
outlay should be made good. The Legislature 
voted an appropriation sufficient to pay both 
principal and interest of this loan, amounting, in 
round numbers, to about §3.000,000. Tlie ad- 
journed session opened on Nov. 15, 1871, and came 
to an end on April 9, 1872 — having continued 147 
days. It was entirely devoted to considering and 
adopting legislation germane to tlie new Consti- 
tution. The total length of all sessions of this 
General Assembly was 293 days. 

Twenty'-eighth Gener.\l Assembly convened 
Jan. 8, 1873. It was composed of fifty -one Sena- 
tors and 153 Representatives; the upper liouse 
standing thirtj'-three Republicans to eighteen 
Democrats, and the lower, eighty-six Republicans 
to sixty-seven Democrats. The Senate chose 
John Earl}', of Winnebago, President pro tempore, 
and Shelby M. Culloui was elected Speaker of the 
Hou.se. Governor Oglesby was inaugurated Jan. 
13, but, eight days later, was elected to the United 
States Senate, being succeeded in the Governor- 
ship by Lieut. -Gov. John L. Beveridge. An 



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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



193 



■appropriation of §1,000,000 was made for carrying 
on the work on the new capitol and various other 
acts of a public character passed, tlie most impor- 
tant being an amendment of the railroad law of 
the previous session. On Maj' 6, the Legislature 
adjourned until Jan. 8, 187-1. The purpose of the 
recess was to enable a Commission on the Revision 
of the Laws to complete a report. The work was 
duly completed and nearly all the titles reported 
by the Commissioners were adopted at the 
adjourned session. An adjournment, sine die, 
was taken March 31, 1874 — the two sessions 
having lasted, respectively, 119 and 83 days — 
total 202. 

Twenty-ninth General Assembly convened 
Jan 6, 1875. While the Republicans had a plu- 
rality in both houses, they were defeated in an 
effort to secure their organization througli a 
fusion of Democrats and Independents. A. A. 
Glenn (Democrat) was elected President pro tem- 
pore of the Senate (becoming acting Lieutenant- 
Governor), and Elijah M. Haines was chosen 
presiding officer of the lower house. The leaders 
on both sides of the Chamber were aggressive, 
and the session, as a whole, was one of the most 
turbulent and di.sorderly in the history of the 
State. Little legislation of vital importance 
(outside of regular appropriation bills) was 
enacted. This Legislature adjourned, April l.'J, 
having been in session 100 days. 

Thirtieth General Assembly convened Jan. 
3; 1877, and adjourned, sine die, on May 24. The 
Democrats and Independents in the Senate united 
in securing control of that body, although the 
House was Republican. Fawcett Plumb, of La 
Salle County, was chosen President pro tempore 
of the upper, and James Shaw Speaker of the 
lower, house. The inauguration of State officers 
took place Jan. 8, Shelby M. Cullom becoming 
Governor and Andrew Shuman, Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor. This was one of the most exciting years 
in American political history Both of the domi- 
nant parties claimed to have elected the President, 
and the respective votes in the Electoral College 
were so close as to excite grave apjirehension in 
many minds. It was also the year for the choice 
of a Senator by the Illinois Legislature, and the 
attention of the entire country was directed 
toward this State. Gen. John M. Palmer was 
the nominee of the Democratic caucus and John 
A. Logan of the Republicans. On the twenty- 
fourth ballot the name of General Logan was 
withdrawn, most of the Republican vote going 
to Charles B. La^vrence, and the Democrats going 
■over to David Davis, who, although an original 



Republican and friend of Lincoln, and Justice of 
the Supreme Court by appointment of Mr. Lin- 
coln, had become an Independent Democrat. On 
the fortieth ballot (taken Jan. 2.5), Judge Davis 
received 101 votes, to 94 for Judge Lawrenoc 
(Republican) and five scattering, thus securing 
Davis' election. Not many acts of vital impor- 
tance were passed by this Legislature. Appellate 
Courts were established and new judicial districts 
created; the original jurisdiction of county 
courts was enlarged; better safeguards were 
thrown about miners ; measures looking at once 
to the supervision and protection of railroads were 
passed, as well as various laws relating chiefly to 
the police administration of the State and of 
municipalities. The length of the session was 
142 days. 

Thirty-first General Assembly convened 
Jan. 8, 1879, with a Republican majority in each 
house. Andrew Shuman, the newly elected Lieu- 
tenant-Governor, presided in the Senate, and 
William A. James of Lake County was chosen 
Speaker of the House. John M. Hamilton of 
McLean County (afterwards Governor), was 
chosen President pro tempore of the Senate. 
John A. Logan was elected United States Senator 
on Jan. 21, the complimentary Democratic vote 
being given to Gen. John C. Black. Various 
laws of public importance were enacted by this 
Legislature, among them being one creating the 
Bureau of Labor Statistics ; the first oleomargar- 
ine law; a drainage and levee act; a law for the 
reorganization of the militia; an act for the 
regulation of pawnbrokers; a law limiting the 
pardoning power, and various laws looking 
toward the supervision and control of railways. 
The session lasted 144 daj's, and the Assembly 
adjourned, sine die, May 31, 1879. 

Thirty SECOND Gener.\l Assembly convened 
Jan. 5, 1881, the Republicans having a majority 
in both branches. Lieutenant-Governor Hamil- 
ton presided in the Senate, William J. Campbell 
of Cook County being elected President pro tem- 
pore. Horace H. Thomas, also of Cook, was 
chosen Speaker of the House. Besides the rou- 
tine legislation, the most important measures 
enacted by this Assembly were l,iws to prevent 
the spread of pleuro-pneumonia among cattle; 
regulating the sale of firearms; providing more 
stringent penalties for the adulteration of food, 
drink or medicine; regulating the practice of 
pharmacy and dentistry; amending the revenue 
and school laws ; and requiring annu.al statements 
from official custodians of public moneys. The 
Legislature adjourned May 30, after having been 



194 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



in session 146 days, but was called together again 
in special session by the Governor on March 23, 
1883, to pass new Legislative and Congressional 
Apportionment Laws, and for the consideration 
of other subjects. The special session lasted 
forty-four days, adjourning ilay 5 — both sessions 
occupying a total of 190 days. 

Thirty-third General Assembly convened 
Jan. 3, 1883, with the Republicans again in the 
majority in both houses. William J. Campbell 
was re-elected President pro tempore of the 
Senate, but not until the sixty-first ballot, six 
Republicans refusing to be bound by the nomina- 
tion of a caucus held prior to their arrival at 
Springfield. Loren C. Collins, also of Cook, was 
elected Speaker of the House. The compliment- 
ary Democratic vote was given to Thomas M. Shaw 
in the Senate, and to Austin O. Sexton in the 
House. Governor CuUom, the Republican caucus 
nominee, was elected United States Senator, Jan. 
16, receiving a majority in each branch of the 
General Assembly. The celebrated "Harper 
High-License Bill," and the first "Compulsory 
School Law" were passed at this session, the 
other acts being of ordinary character. The 
Legislature adjourned June 18, having been in 
session 168 days. 

Thirty-fourth General Assembly convened 
Jan. 7, 1885. The Senate was Republican by a 
majority of one, there being twenty-six members 
of that party, twenty-four Demociats and one 
greenback Democrat. William J. Campbell, of 
Cook County, was for the third time chosen 
President pro tempore. The House stood seventy- 
six Republicans and seventy-si.x Democrats, with 
one member — Elijah M. Haines of Lake County — 
calling himself an "Independent." The contest 
for tlie Speakership continued until Jan. 29, 
when, neither party being able to elect its nomi- 
nee, the Democrats took up Haines as a candidate 
and placed him in the chair, with Haines' assist- 
ance, filling the minor offices with their own 
men. After the inauguration of Governor 
Oglesby, Jan. 30, the first business was the elec- 
tion of a United States Senator. The balloting 
proceeded until May 18, when John A. Logan re- 
ceived 103 votes to ninety-six for Lambert Tree and 
five scattering. Three members — one Republican 
and two Democrats — had died since the opening 
of the session ; and it was through the election of 
a Republican in place of one of the deceased 
Democrats, that the Republicans succeeded in 
electing their candidate. Tlie session was a 
stormy one throughout, the Speaker being, much 
of the time, at odds with the House, and an 



unsuccessful effort was made to depose him. 
Charges of bribery against certain members were 
preferred and investigated, but no definite result 
was reached. Among the important measures 
passed by this Legislature were the following ■. A 
joint resolution providing for submission of an 
amendment to the Constitution prohibiting con- 
tract labor in penal institutions; providing by 
resolution for the appointment of a non-partisan 
Commis-sion of twelve to draft a new revenue 
code ; the Crawford primary election law ; an act 
amending the code of criminal procedure ; estab- 
lishing a Soldiers' and Sailors' Home, subse- 
quently located at Quincy : creating a Live-Stock 
Commission and appropriating §531,713 for the 
completion of the State House. The Assembly 
adjourned, sine die, June 26, 1885, after a session 
of 171 days. 

Thirty-fifth General Assembly convened 
Jan. 5, 1887. The Republicans had a majority of 
twelve in the Senate and three in the House. 
For President pro tempore of the Senate, August 
W. Berggren was chosen; for Speaker of the 
House, Dr. William F. Calhoun, of De Witt 
County. The death of General Logan, which 
had occurred Dec. 26, 1886, was officially an- 
nounced by Governor Oglesby^ and. on Jan. 18, 
Charles B. Farwell was elected to succeed him as 
United States Senator. William R. Morrison and 
Benjamin W. Goodhue were the candidates of 
the Democratic and Labor parties, respectively. 
Some of the most Important laws passed by this 
General Assembly were the following: Amend 
ing the law relating to the spread of contagious 
diseases among cattle, etc. ; the Chase bill to 
prohibit book-making and pool-selling; regulat- 
ing trust companies; making the Trustees of 
the University of Illinois elective; inhibiting 
aliens from holding real estate, and forbidding 
the marriage of first cousins. An act virtually 
creating a new State banking .system was also 
passed, subject to ratification by popular vote. 
Other acts, having more particular reference to 
Chicago and Cook County, were: a law making 
cities and counties responsible for three-foxirths 
of the damage resulting from mobs and riots; the 
Merritt conspiracy law ; the Gibbs Jury Commis- 
sion law. and an act for the suppression of 
bucket-shop gambling. The session ended June 
15, 1887. having continued 163 days. 

Thirty-sixth General Assembly convened 

Jan. 7. 1889. in its first (or regular) se.ssion, the 

Republicans being largely in the majority. The 

. Senate elected Theodore S. Chapman of Jersey 

County, President pro tempore, and the House 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



195 



Asa C Matthews of Pike County. Speaker. Mr. 
Matthews was appointed First Comptroller of the 
Treasury by President Harrison, on May 9 (see 
Mitttheuv, Asa C), and resigned the Speakership 
on the following day. He was succeeded by 
James H. Miller of Stark County. Shelby M. 
Cullom was re-elected to the United States Senate 
on January 22, the Democrats again voting for 
ex-Gov. John M. Palmer. The "Sanitarj' Drain- 
age District Law," designed for the benefit of the 
city of Chicago, was enacted at this session ; an 
asj'lum for insane criminals was established at 
Chester ; the annexation of cities, towns, villages, 
etc., under certain conditions, was authorized; 
more stringent legislation was enacted relative to 
the circulation of obscene literature ; a new com- 
pulsory education law was passed, and the em- 
ployment on public works of aliens who had not 
declared their intention of becoming citizens was 
prohibited. This session ended. May 28. A 
special session was convened by Governor Fifer 
on July 24, 1890, to frame and adopt legislation 
rendered necessary by the Act of Congress locat- 
ing the World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago. 
Mr. Miller having died in the interim, William G. 
Cochran, of Moultrie County, was chosen Speaker 
of the House. The special session concluded 
Aug. 1, 1890, having enacted the following meas- 
ures; An Act granting the use of all State lands, 
(submerged or other) in or adjacent to Chicago, to 
the World's Columbian Exposition for a period to 
extend one year after the closing of the Exposi- 
tion; authorizing the Chicago Boards of Park 
Commissioners to grant the use of the public 
parks, or any part thereof, to promote the objects 
of such Exposition; a joint resolution providing 
for the submission to the people of a Constitu- 
tional Amendment granting to the city of Chicago 
the power (provided a majority of the qualified 
voters desired it) to issue bonds to an amount not 
exceeding So, 000, 000, the same to bear interest 
and the proceeds of their sale to be turned over 
to the Exposition Managers to be devoted to the 
use and for the benefit of the Exposition. (See 
also World's Columbian Exposition.) The total 
length of the two sessions was 150 days. 

Thirty-seventh General Assembly convened 
Jan. 7, 1891, and adjourned June 12 following. 
Lieut. -Gov. Ray presided in the Senate, Milton 
W. Matthews (Republican), of Urliana, being 
elected President pro tem. The Democrats had 
control in the House and elected Clayton E. 
Crafts, of Cook County, Speaker. The most 
exciting feature of the session was the election of 
a United States Senator to succeed Charles 15. 



Farwell. Neither of the two leading parties had 
a majority on joint ballot, tlie balance of power 
being held by three "Independent" members of 
the House, who had been elected as represent- 
atives of the Farmers' Mutual Benevolent Alli- 
ance. Richard J. Oglesby was the caucus 
nominee of the Republicans and John M. Palmer 
of the Democrats. For a time the Independents 
stood as a unit for A. J. Streeter, but later two of 
the three voted for ex-Governor Palmer, finally, 
on March 11, securing his election on the 154th 
ballot in joint session. Meanwhile, the Repub- 
licans had cast tentative ballots for Alson J, 
Streeter and Cicero J. Lindley, in hope of draw- 
ing the Independents to their support, but without 
effective result. The final ballot stood — Palmer, 
103 ; Lindley, 101, Streeter 1. Of 1,296 bills intro- 
duced in both Houses at this session, only 151 
became laws, the most important being: The 
Australian ballot law, and acts regulating build- 
ing and loan associations ; prohibiting the employ- 
ment of children under thirteen at manual labor; 
fixing the legal rate of interest at seven per cent; 
prohibiting the "truck system" of paying em- 
ployes, and granting the right of suffrage to 
women in the election of school officers. An 
amendment of the State Constitution permitting 
the submission of two Constitutional Amend- 
ments to the people at the .same time, was sub- 
mitted by this Legislature and ratified at the 
election of 1893. The session covered a period of 
l.'iT da3's. 

Thirty'-eighth General Assembly*. This 
body convened Jan. 4, 1893. The Democrats were 
in the ascendency in both houses, having a 
majority of seven in the Senate and of three in 
the lower house. Joseph R. Gill, the Lieutenant- 
Governor, was ex-officio President of tlie Senate, 
and John W. Coppinger, of Alton, was chosen 
President pro tem. Clayton E. Crafts of Cook 
Count}- was again chosen Speaker of the House. 
The inauguration of the new State officers took 
place on the afternoon of Tuesday, Jan. 10. This 
Legislature was in session 164 days, adjourning 
June 16, 1893. Not very much legislation of a 
general character was enacted. New Congres- 
sional and Legislative apportionments were 
passed, the former dividing the State into twenty- 
two districts; an Insurance Department was 
created; a naval militia was established; the 
scope of the juvenile reformatory was enlarged 
and the compulsory education law was amended. 

Thirty-ninth General Assembly. This 
Legislature held two sessions — a regular and a 
special. The former opened Jan. 9, 1895, and 



196 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



closed June 14, following. The political com- 
plexion of the Senate was — Republicans, thirty- 
three; Democrats, eighteen; of the House, 
ninety-two Republicans and sixty -one Democrats. 
John Meyer, of Cook County, was elected Speaker 
of the House, and Charles Bogardus of Piatt 
County, President pro tem. of the Senate. Acts 
were passed making appropriations for improve- 
ment of the State Fair Grounds at Springfield ; 
authorizing the establishment of a Western Hos- 
pital for the Insane (§100,000); appropriating 
$100,000 for a Western Hospital for the Insane; 
§65,000 for an Asylum for Incurable Insane ; S50,- 
000, each, for two additional Normal Schools — one 
in Northern and the other in Eastern Illinois; 
$35,000 for a Soldiers' Widows' Home — all being 
new institutions — besides $15,000 for a State 
exhibition at the Atlanta Exposition; §65,000 to 
mark, by monuments, the position of Illinois 
troops on the battlefields of Chickamauga, Look- 
out Mountain and Missionary Ridge. Other acts 
passed fixed the salaries of members of the Gen- 
eral Assembly at §1,000 each for each regular 
session; accepted the custody of the Lincoln 
monument at Springfield, authorized provision 
for the retirement and pensioning of teachers in 
public schools, and authorized the adoption of 
civil service rules for cities. The special session 
convened, pursuant to a call by the Governor, on 
June 25, 1895, took a recess. June 28 to July 9, 
re-assembled on the latter date, and adjourned, 
sine die, August 2. Outside of routine legisla- 
tion, no laws were passed except one providing 
additional necessary revenue for State pm'poses 
and one creating a State Board of Arbitration. 
The regular session continued 157 days and the 
special twenty -nine — total 186. 

Fortieth General Assembly met in regular 
session at Springfield, Jan. 6. 1897, and adjourned, 
sine die, June 4. The Republicans had a major- 
ity in both branches, the House standing eighty- 
eight Republicans to sixty-three Democrats and 
two Populists, and the Senate, thirty-nine Repub- 
licans to eleven Democrats and one Populist, 
giving the Republicans a majority on joint ballot 
of fifty votes. Both houses were promptly organ- 
ized by the election of Republican officers, Edward 
C. Curtis of Kankakee County being chosen 
Speaker of the House, and Hendrick V. Fisher, 
of Henry County, Pre.sident pro tem. of the Sen- 
ate. Governor Tanner and the other Republican 
State officers were formally inaugurated on 
Jan. 11, and, on Jan. 20, William E. Mason 
(Republi(!an) was chosen United States Senator 
to succeed John M. Palmer, receiving in joint 



session 125 votes to seventy-seven for John P. 
Altgeld (Democrat) . Among the principal laws 
enacted at this session were the following: An 
act concerning aliens and to regulate the right to 
hold real estate, and prescribing the terms and 
conditions for the conveyance of the same; 
empowering the Commissioners who were ap- 
pointed at the previous session to ascertain and 
mark the positions occupied by IlUnois Volunteers 
in the battles of Chickamauga, Lookout Moun- 
tain and Missionary Ridge, to expend the remain- 
ing appropriations in their hands for the erection 
of monuments on the battle-grounds ; authorizing 
the appointment of a similar Commission to 
ascertain and mark the positions held by Illinois 
troops in the battle of Shiloh ; to reimburse the 
University of Illinois for the loss of funds result- 
ing from the Spaulding defalcation and affirming 
the liability of the State for "the endowment 
fund of the University, amounting to §456,712.91, 
and for so much in addition as may be received 
in future from the sale of lands'"; authorizing 
the adoption of the "Torrens land-title system" in 
the conveyance and registration of land titles by 
vote of the people in any county ; the consolida- 
tion of the three Supreme Court Districts of the 
State into one and locating the Court at Spring- 
field; creating a State Board of Pardons, and 
prescribing the manner of applying for pardons 
and commutations. An act of this session, which 
produced much agitation and led to a great deal 
of discussion in the press and elsewhere, was the 
street railroad law empowering the City Council, 
or other corporate authority of any city, to grant 
franchises to street railway companies extending 
to fifty j-ears. This act was repealed by the 
General Assembly of 1899 before any street rail- 
way corporation had secured a francliise under it. 
A special session was called by Governor Tanner 
to meet Dec. 7, 1897, the proclamation naming 
five topics for legislative action. The session 
continued to Feb. 24, 1898, only two of the meas- 
ures named by the Governor in his call being 
affirmatively acted upon. These included: (1) an 
elaborate act prescribing the manner of conduct- 
ing primary elections of delegates to nominating 
conventions, and (2) a new revenue law regulat- 
ing the manner of assessing and collecting taxes. 
One provision of the latter law limits the valuation 
of property for assessment purposes to one-fifth 
its cash value. The length of the regular session 
was 150 days, and that of the special session 
eighty days — total. 230 days. 

GESESEO, a city in Henry Coimty, about two 
miles south of the Green River. It is on the Chi- 



HISTOllICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



197 



cago. Rock Island >& Pacific Railway, 23 miles 
east of Rock Island and To miles west of Ottawa. 
It is in the heart of a grain-growing region, and 
has two large grain elevators. Manufacturing is 
also carried on to a considerable extent here, 
furniture, wagons and farming implements con- 
stituting the chief output. Geneseo has eleven 
churches, a graded and a high school, a col- 
legiate institute, two banks, and two newspapers, 
one issuing a <laily edition. Population (1890), 
3,182; (1900), 3,356. 

GENEVA, a city and railway junction on Fox 
River, and the county-seat of Kane County; 35 
miles west of Chicago. It has a fine courthouse, 
completed in 1893 at a cost of §250,000, and 
numerous handsome churches and school build- 
ings. A State Reformatory for juvenile female 
offenders has been located here. There is an ex- 
cellent water-power, operating six manufac- 
tories, including extensive glucose works. The 
town has a bank, creamery, water-works, gas 
and electric light plant, and two weekly news- 
papers. The surrounding country is devoted to 
agriculture and dairy farming. Population 
(1880), 1,239; (1890), 1,692; (1900), 2,446. 

GENOA, a village of De Kalb County, on 
Omaha Division of the Chi., Mil. & St. Paul, the 
111. Cent, and Chi. & N.W. Railroads, 59 miles west 
of Chicago. Dairying is a leading industry; has 
two banks, shoe and telephone factories, and two 
new.spapers. Population (1890), 634; (1900), 1,140, 

GEOLOGICAL FORMATIONS. The geological 
structure of Illinois embraces a representation, 
more or less complete, of the whole paleonic 
series of formations, from the calciferous group 
of the Lower Silurian to the top of the coal meas- 
ures. In addition to these older rocks there is a 
limited area in the extreme southern end of the 
State covered with Tertiary deposits. Over- 
spreading these formations are beds of more 
recent age, comprising sands, clays and gravel, 
varying in thickness from ten to more than two 
hundred feet. These superficial deposits may be 
divided into Alluvium, Loess and Drift, and con- 
stitute the Quiiternary system of modern geolo- 
gists. 

Lower Siluri.\n System. — Under this heading 
may be noted three distinct groups: the Calcifer- 
ous, the Trenton and the Cincinnati. The first 
mentioned group comprises the St. Peter's Sand- 
stone and the Lower Magnesian Limestone. The 
former outcrops only at a single locality, in La 
Salle County, extending about two miles along 
the valley of the Illinois River in the vicinity of 
Utica. The thickness of the strata appearing 



above the surface is about 80 feet, thin bands of 
Magnesian limestone alternating with layers of 
Calciferous sandstone. Many of the lajers con- 
tain good hydraulic rock, which is utilized in the 
manufacture of cement. The entire thickness of 
the rock below the surface has not been ascer- 
tained, but is estimated at about 400 feet. The 
St. Peter's Sandstone outcrops in the valley of 
the Illinois, constituting the main portion of the 
bluffs from Utica to a point beyond Ottawa, and 
forms the "bed rock" in most of the northern 
townships of La Salle County. It also outcrops 
on the Rock River in the vicinity of Oregon City, 
and forms a conspicuous bluff on the Mississippi 
in Calhoun County. Its maximum thickness in 
the State may be estimated at about 200 feet. It 
is too incoherent in its texture to be valuable as 
a building stone, though some of the upper strata 
in Lee County have been utilized for caps and 
sills. It affords, however, a fine quality of sand 
for the manufacture of glass. The Trenton 
group, which immediately overlies the St. Peter's 
Sandstone, consists of tliree divisions. The low- 
est is a brown Magnesian Limestone, or Dolomite, 
usually found in regular beds, or strata, varying 
from four inches to two feet in thickness. The 
aggregate thickness varies from twenty feet, in 
the northern portion of the State, to sixty or 
seventy feet at the bluff in Calhoun County. At 
the quarries in La Salle County, it abounds in 
fossils, including a large Lituites and several 
specimens of Orthoceras, JIaclurea, etc. The 
middle division of the Trenton group consists of 
light gray, compact limestones in the southern 
and western parts of the State, and of light blue, 
thin-bedded, shaly limestone in the northern por- 
tions. The upper division is the well-known 
Galena limestone, the lead-bearing rock of the 
Northwest. It is a buff colored, porous Dolomite, 
sometimes arenaceous and unevenly textured, 
giving origin to a ferruginous, sandy clay when 
decomposed. The lead ores occur in crevices, 
caverns and horizontal seams. These crevices were 
probably formed by shrinkage of the strata from 
crystallization or by some disturbing force from 
beneath, and have been enlarged by decomposi- 
tion of the exposed surface. Fossils belonging to 
a lower order of marine animal than the coral are 
found in this rock, as are also marine shells, 
corals and crustaceans. Although this limestone 
crops out over a considerable portion of the terri- 
tory between the Mississippi and the Rock River, 
the productive lead mines are chiefly confined to 
Jo Daviess and Stephenson Counties. All the 
divisions of the Trenton group afford good build- 



198 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ing material, some of the rock being susceptible 
of a higli polisli and making a handsome, durable 
marble. About seventy feet are exposed near 
Thebes, in Alexander County. All through the 
Southwest this stone is known as Cape Girardeau 
marble, from its being extensively quarried at 
Cape Girardeau, Mo. The Cincinnati group 
immediately succeeds the Trenton in the ascend- 
ing scale, and forms the uppermost member of 
the Lower Silurian system. It usually consists of 
argillaceous and sandy shales, although, in the 
northwest portion of the State, JIagnesian lime- 
stone is found with the shales. The prevailing 
colors of the beds are light blue and drab, 
weathering to a light ashen gray. This group is 
found well exposed in the vicinity of Thebes, 
Alexander Count}', furnishing a durable building 
stone extensively used for foundation walls. 
Fossils are found in profusion in all the beds, 
many fine specimens, in a perfect state of preser- 
vation, having been exhumed. 

Upper Silurian System. — The Niagara group 
in Northern Illinois consists of brown, gray and 
buff magnesian limestones, sometimes evenly 
bedded, as at Joliet and Athens, and sometimes 
concretionary and brecciated, as at Bridgeport and 
Port Byron. Near Chicago the cells and pockets 
of this rock are filled with petroleum, but it has 
been ascertained that only the thirty upper feet 
of the rock contain bituminous matter. The 
quarries in Will and Jersey Counties furnish fine 
building and flagging .stone. The rock is of a 
light gray color, changing to buff on exposure. 
In Pike and Calhoun Counties, also, there are out- 
croppings of this rock and quarries are numerous. 
It is usually evenly bedded, the strata varying in 
thickness from two inches to two feet, and break- 
ing evenly. Its aggregate thickness in Western 
and Northern Illinois ranges from fifty to 1.50 
feet. In Union and Alexander Counties, in the 
southern part of the State, the Upper Silurian 
series consists chiefly of thin bedded gray or 
buff -colored limestone, silicious and cherty, flinty 
material largely preponderating over the lime- 
stone. Fossils are not abundant in this formation, 
although the quarries at Bridgeport, in Cook 
County, have afforded casts of nearly 100 species 
of marine organisms, the calcareous portion hav- 
ing been washed away. 

Devonian System.— This system is represented 
in Illinois by three well marked divisions, cor- 
responding to the Oriskany sandstone, the Onon- 
daga limestone and the Hamilton and Corniferous 
beds of New York. To these the late Professor 
Worthen, for many jears State Geologist, added, 



although with some hesitancj-, the black shale 
formation of Illinois. Although these comprise 
an aggregate thickness of over 500 feet, their 
exposure is limited to a few isolated outcroppings 
along the bluffs of the Illinois. Mississippi and 
Rock Rivers. The lower division, called "Clear 
Creek Limestone," is about 250 feet thick, and is 
only fomid in the extreme southern end of the 
State. It consists of chert, or impure flint, and 
thin-bedded silico-magnesian limestones, rather 
compact in texture, and of buff or light gra}' 
to nearly white colors. When decomposed by 
atmospheric influences, it forms a fine white clay, 
resembling common chalk in appearance. Some 
of the cherty beds resemble burr stones in poros- 
ity, and good mill-stones are made therefrom in 
Union County. Some of the stone is bluish-gray, 
or mottled and crystalline, capable of receiving 
a high polish, and making an elegant and durable 
building stone. The Onondaga group comprises 
some sixty feet of quartzose sandstone and 
striped silicious shales. The structure of the 
rock is almost identical with that of St. Peter's 
Sandstone. In the vicinity of its outcrop in 
Union County are found fine beds of potter's clay, 
also variegated in color. The rock strata are 
about twenty feet thick, evenly bedded and of a 
coarse, granular structure, which renders the 
stone valuable for heavy masonry. The group 
has not been found north of Jackson County. 
Large quantities of characteristic fossils abound. 
The rocks composing the Hamilton group are the 
most valuable of all the divisions of the Devonian 
system, and the outcrops can be identified only by 
their fossils. In Union and Jackson Counties it is 
found from eighty to 100 feet in thickness, two 
beds of bluish gray, fetid limestone being sepa- 
rated by about twenty feet of calcareous shales. 
Tlie limestones are highly bituminous. In Jersey 
and Calhoun Counties the group is onlj' six to 
ten feet thick, and consists of a hard, silicious 
limestone, passing at some points into a (luartzose 
sandstone, and at others becoming argillaceous, 
as at Grafton. The most northern outcrop is in 
Rock Island County, where tlie rock is concretion- 
ary in structure and is utilized for building pur- 
jioses and in the manufacture of quicklime. 
Fossils are numerous, among them being a few 
fragments of fishes, which are the oldest remains 
of vertebrate animals yet found in the State. 
The black shale piobably attains its m.aximum 
development in Union County, where it ranges 
from fifty to seventy-five feet in thickness. Its 
lower portion is a fine, black, laminated slate, 
sometimes closely resembling the bituminous 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OP ILLINOIS. 



109 



shales associated with tlie coal seams, which cir- 
cumstance has led to the fruitless expenditure of 
much time and money. The bituminous portion 
of the mass, on distillation, yields an oil closely 
resembling petroleum. Crystals of iron pyrites 
are abundant in the argillaceous portion of the 
group, which does noi, extend north of the coun- 
ties of Calhoun, Jersey and Pike. 

Lower Carboniferous System. — This is di- 
visible into tive groups, as follows; The Kinder- 
hook group, the Burlington limestone, and the 
Keokuk, St. Louis and Chester groups. Its 
greatest development is in the southern portion 
of the State, where it has a thickness of 1,400 or 
1,500 feet. It thins out to the northward so rapidly 
that, in the vicinity of the Lower Rapids on the 
Mississippi, it is onlj- 300 feet thick, while it 
wholly disappears below Rock Island. The Kinder- 
hook group is variable in its lithological charac- 
ter, consisting of argillaceous and sandy shales, 
with thin beds of compact and oolitic limestone, 
passing locally into calcareous shales or impure 
limestone. The entire formation is mainly a 
mechanical sediment, with but a very small por- 
tion of organic matter. The Burlington lime- 
stone, on the other hand, is composed almost 
entirely of the fossilized remains of organic 
beings, with barely enough sedimentary material 
to act as a cement. Its maximum thickness 
scarcely exceeds 200 feet, and its principal out- 
crops are in the counties of Jersey, Greene, Scott, 
Calhoun, Pike, Adams, Warren and Henderson. 
Tlie rock is usually a light gray, buff or brown 
limestone, either coarsely granular or crystalline 
in structure. The Keokuk group immediately 
succeeds the Burlington in the a.scending order, 
with no well defined line of demarcation, the 
chief points of difference between the two being 
in color and in the character of fossils found. At 
the upper part of this group is found a bed of 
calcareo-argillaceous shale, containing a great 
variety of geodes, which furnish beautiful cabinet 
specimens of crystallized quartz, chalcedony, 
dolomite and iron pyrites. In Jersey and Jlonroe 
Counties a bed of hydraulic limestone, adapted to 
the manufacture of cement, is found at the top of 
this formation. The St. Louis grou]) is partly 
a fine-grained or semi-crystallized bluisli-gray 
limestone, and partly concretionary, as around 
Alton. In the extreme southern part of the State 
the rock is highly bituminous and susceptible of 
receiving a high polish, being used as a black 
marble. Beds of magnesian limestone are found 
here and there, which furnish a good stone for 
foundation walls. In Hardin County, the rock 



is traversed by veins of fluor spar, carrj-ing 
galena and zinc blonde. The Cliester group is 
only found in the southern part of the State, 
thinning out from a thickness of eight hundred 
feet in Jackson and Randolph Counties, to about 
t«-enty feet at Alton. It consi.sts of hard, gray, 
crystalline, argillaceous limestones, alternating 
with sandy and argillaceous shales and sandstones, 
which locally replace each other. A few species 
of true carboniferous flora are found in the are- 
naceous shales and sandstones of this group, the 
earliest traces of pre-historic land plants found in 
the State. Outcrops extend in a narrow belt 
from the southern part of Hardin County to the 
southern line of St. Clair County, passing around 
the southwest border of the coal field. 

LTppER Carboniferous System.— This includes 
the Conglomerate, or "'Mill Stone Grit" of Euro- 
pean authors, and the true coal measures. In the 
southern portion of the State its greatest thick- 
ness is about 1,200 feet. It becomes thinner 
toward the north, scarcely exceeding 400 or 500 
feet in the vicinity of La Salle. The word "con- 
glomerate" designates a thick bed of sandstone 
that lies at the base of the coal measures, and 
appears to have resulted from the culmination of 
tlie arenaceous sedinaentary accumulations. It 
consists of massive quartzose sandstone, some- 
times nearly white, but more frequently stained 
red or brown by the ferruginous matter which 
it contains, and is frequently composed in 
part of rounded quartz pebbles, from the size 
of a pea to sevei'al inches in diameter. When 
highly ferruginous, the oxide of iron cements 
the sand into a hard crust on the surface 
of the rock, which successfully resists the de- 
nuding influence of the atmosphere, so that the 
rock forms towering cliffs on the banks of the 
stream along which are its outcrops. Its thickness 
varies from 200 feet in tlie southern part of the 
State to twenty-five feet in the northern. It has 
afforded a few species of fossil plants, but no 
animal remains. The coal measures of Illinois 
are at least 1,000 feet thick and cover nearly 
three-fourths of its entire area. The strata are 
horizontal, the dip rarely e.xcoeding si.x to ten 
feet to the mile. The formation is made up of 
sandstone, shales, thin beds of limestone, coal, 
and its associated fire clays. The thickness of 
the workable beds is from six to twenty-four 
inches in the upper measures, and from two to 
five feet in the lower measures. The fire clays, 
on which the coal seams usually rest, jirobably 
represent the ancient soil on which grew the 
trees and plants from which the coal is formed. 



200 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



When pure, these clays are valuable for the 
manufacture of fire brick, tile and common 
pottery. Illinois coal is wholly of the bitumi- 
nous variety, the metamorphic conditions which 
resulted in the production of anthracite coal in 
Pennsylvania not having extended to this State. 
Fossils, both vegetable and animal, abound in 
the coal measures. 

Terti.\ry System.— This system is represented 
only in the southern end of the State, where cer- 
tain deposits of stratified sands, shales and con- 
glomerate are found, which appear to mark the 
northern boundary of the great Tertiary forma- 
tion of the Gulf States. Potter's clay, lignite and 
silicious woods are found in the formation. 

Quaternary System. — This system embraces 
all the superficial material, including sands, clay, 
gravel and soil which overspreads the older for- 
mations in all portions of the State. It gives 
origin to the soil from which the agricultural 
wealth of Illinois is derived. It may be properly 
separated into four divisions: Post-tertiary 
sands, Drift, Loess and Alluvium. The first- 
named occupies the lowest position in the series, 
and consists of stratified beds of yellow sand and 
blue clay, of variable thickness, overlaid by a 
black or deep brown, loamy soil, in which are 
foiind leaves, branches and trunks of trees in a 
good state of preservation. Next above lie the 
drift deposits, consisting of blue, yellow and 
brown clays, containing gravel and boulders of 
various sizes, the latter the water-worn frag- 
ments of rocks, many of which have been washed 
down from the northern shores of the great 
lakes. This drift formation varies in thickness 
from twenty to 120 feet, and its accumulations 
are probably due to the combined influence of 
water currents and moving ice. The subsoil 
over a large part of the northern and central 
portions of the State is composed of fine brown 
clay. Prof. Desquereux (Illinois Geological Sur- 
Tey, Vol. I. ) accounts for the origin of this clay 
and of the black prairie soil above it, by attribut- 
ing it to the growth and decomposition of a 
peculiar vegetation. The Loess is a fine mechan- 
ical sediment that appears to have accumulated in 
some body of fresh water. It consists of marly 
sands and clays, of a thickness varying from five to 
sixty feet. Its greatest development is along the 
bluffs of the principal rivers. The fossils found 
in this formation consist chiefly of the bones and 
teeth of extinct mammalia, such as the mam- 
moth, mastodon, etc. Stone implements of 
[irimeval man are also discovered. The term 
alluvium is usually restricted to the deposits 



forming the bottom lands of the rivers and 
smaller streams. They consist of irregularly 
stratified sand, clay and loam, which are fre- 
quently found in alternate layers, and contain 
more or less organic matter from decomposed 
animal and vegetable substances. When suffi- 
ciently elevated, they constitute the richest and 
most productive farming lands in the State. 

GEORGETOWN, a village of Vermilion County, 
on the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis 
Railway, 10 miles south of Danville. It has a 
bank, telegraph and express office and a news- 
paper. Population (1890), 062; (1900), 988. 

GERMAN EVANGELICAL SCHOOL, located at 
Addison, Du Page County ; incorporated in 1852 ; 
has a faculty of three instructors and reports 187 
pupils for 1897-98, with a property valuation of 
S9,600. 

GERMANTOWN, a village of Vermilion County, 
and suburb of Danville ; is the center of a coal- 
mining district. Population (1880), 540; (1890), 
1,178; (1900), 1,783. 

GEST, William H., lawyer and ex-Congress- 
man, was born at Jacksonville, 111., Jan. 7, 1838. 
When but four years old his parents removed to 
Rock Island, where he has since resided. He 
graduated from Williams College in 1860, was 
admitted to the bar in 1862, and has always been 
actively engaged in practice. In 1886 he was 
elected to Congress by the Republicans of the 
Eleventh Illinois District, and was re-elected in 
1888, but in 1890 was defeated by Benjamin T. 
Cable, Democrat. 

GIBAULT, Pierre, a French priest, supposed to 
have been born at New Madrid in what is now 
Southeastern Missouri, early in the eighteenth 
century ; was Vicar-General at Kaskaskia, with 
ecclesiastical jurisdiction over the churches at 
Cahokia, St. Genevieve and adjacent points, at 
the time of the capture of Kaskaskia by Col. 
George Rogers Clark in 1778, and rendered Clark 
important aid in conciliating the French citizens 
of Illinois. He also made a visit to Vincennes and 
induced the people there to take the oath of allegi- 
ance to the new government. He even advanced 
means to aid Clark's destitute troops, but beyond 
a formal vote of thanks by the Virginia Legisla- 
ture, he does not appear to have received any 
recompense. Governor St. Clair, in a report to 
Thomas Jefferson, then Secretary of State, dwelt 
impressively upon the value of Father Gibault's 
services and sacrifices, and Judge Law said of 
him, "Next to Clark and (Francis) Vigo, the 
United States are indebted more to Father 
Gibault for the accession of the States comprised 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



201 



in what was the original Northwest Territory 
than to any other man." The date and place of 
his dcatli are unknown. 

GIBSON CITY, a town in Ford County, situ- 
ated on the I^ake Erie & Western Raih-oad, 34 
miles east of Bloomington, and at the intersec- 
tion of the Wabash Railroad and the Springfield 
Division of the Illinois Central. The principal 
mechanical industries are iron works, canning 
works, a shoe factory, and a tile factor}'. It has 
two banks, two newspapers, nine churches and 
an academy. A college is projected. Popula- 
tion (1890), 1,803: (1900). 2,0.54; (1903, est), 3,165. 

GILL, Joseph B., Lieutenant-Governor (1893- 
97), was born on a farm near JIarion, Williamson 
County, 111., Feb. 17, 18G2. In 1868 his father 
settled at Murphysboro, where Mr. Gill still 
makes his home. His academic education was 
received at the school of the Christian Brothers, 
in St. Louis, and at the Southern Illinois Normal 
University, Carbondale. In 1886 he graduated 
from the Law Department of the Michigan State 
University, at Ann Arbor. Returning home he 
purcha.sed an interest in "The Murphysboro Inde- 
pendent," which paper he conducted and edited 
up to Januarj', 1893. In 1888 he was elected to 
the lower house of the Legislature and re-elected 
in 1890. As a legislator he was prominent as a 
champion of the labor interest. In 1893 he was 
nominated and elected Lieutenant-Governor on 
the Democratic ticket, serving from January, 
1893, to "97. 

GILLESPIE, a village of Macoupin County, on 
the Cleveland, Cincinnati. Cliicago <t St. Louis 
Railway. 10 miles southwest of Litolifield. This 
is an agricultural, coal-mining and stock-raising 
region ; the town has a bank and a newspaper. 
Population (1H90), 948; (1900), 873. 

GILLESPIE, Joseph, lawyer and Judge, was 
born in New York City, August 22, 1809, of Irish 
parents, who removed to Illinois in 1819, settling 
on a farm near Edwardsville. After coming to 
Illinois, at 10 years, he did not attend school over 
two months. In 1827 he went to the lead mines 
at Galena, remaining until 1829. In 1831, at the 
invitation of Cyrus Edwards, he began the study 
of law, and was admitted to the bar in 1837, 
having been elected Probate Judge in 1836. He 
also served during two campaigns (1831 and '32) 
in the Black Hawk War. He was a Whig in 
politics and a warm personal friend of Abraham 
Lincoln. In 1840 he was elected to the lower 
house of the Legislature, serving one term, and 
was a member of the State Senate from 1847 to 
1859. In 1853 he received the few votes of the 



Whig members of the Legislatiire for United States 
Senator, in opposition to Stejjhen A. Douglas, 
and, in 1860, presided over the second Republican 
State Convention at Decatur, at which elements 
were set in motion which resulted in the nomi- 
nation of Abraham Lincoln for the Presidency 
for the first time, a week later. In 1861 he was 
elected Judge of the Twenty-fourth Judicial 
Circuit, and re-elected in 1867 for a second term, 
serving until 1873. Died, at hisjiome at Edwards- 
ville, Jan. 7, 188.1. 

GILLETT, John Dean, agriculturist and stock- 
man, was born in Connecticut, Ajjril 28, 1819; 
spent several years of his youtli in Georgia, but, 
in 1838, came to Illinois by way of St. Louis, 
finally reaching "Bald Knob," in Logan County, 
where an uncle of the same name resided. Here 
he went to work, and, by frugality and judicious 
investments, finally acquired a large body of 
choice lands, adding to his agricultural operations 
the rearing and feeding of stock for the Chicago 
and foreign markets. In this he was remarkably 
successful. In his later years he was President 
of a National Bank at Lincoln. At the time of 
his death, August 27, 1888, he was the owner of 
16,500 acres of improved lands in the vicinity of 
Elkhart, Logan County, besides large herds of 
fine stock, both cattle and horses. He left a large 
family, one of his daughters being the wife of 
the late .Senator Richard J. Oglesbj . 

GILLETT, Philip Goode, specialist and edu- 
cator, born in Madison, Ind., March 24, 1833; was 
educated at Asbury University, Greencastle, Ind., 
graduating in 1852, and the same year became an 
instructor in the Institution for the Education of 
the Deaf and Dumb in that State. In 1856 he 
became Principal of the Illinois Institution for 
the Education of the Deaf and Dumb at Jackson- 
ville, remaining there until 1893, when he 
resigned. Thereafter, for some years, he was 
President of the Association for the Promotion of 
Speech by the Deaf, with headquarters in Wash- 
ington, D. C, but later returned to Jacksonville, 
where he has since been living in retirement. 

GILLHAM, Daniel B., agriculturist and legis- 
lator, was born at a place now called Wanda, in 
Madison County, 111., April 29, 1826— his father 
being a farmer and itinerant Methodist preacli(>r. 
who belonged to one of the pioneer families in 
the American Bottom at an early day. The sub- 
ject of this sketch was educated in the common 
schools and at McKendree College, but did not 
graduate from the latter. In his early life he 
followed the vocation of a farmer and stock- 
grower in one of the most prosperous and highly 



203 



IILSTOUICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



cultivated portions of the American Bottom, a 
few miles below Alton, but, in 1872, removed to 
Alton, where he spent the remainder of his life. 
He became a member of the State Board of Agri- 
culture in 18(56, serving eight j-ears as Superin- 
tendent and later as its President; was also a 
Trustee of Shurtleff College some twenty-five 
years, and for a time President of the Board. In 
1870 he was elected to the lower branch of the 
Twenty-seventh General Assembly, an<l to the 
State Senate in 1883, serving a term of four years 
in the latter. On the night of March 17, 1890, he 
was assaulted by a burglar in his house, receiving 
a wound from a [listol-shot in consequence of 
which he died, April 6, following. Tlie identity 
of his assailant was never discovered, and the 
crime consequently went unpunished. 

GILMAN, a city in Iroquois County, at the 
intersection of the Illinois Central and tlie To- 
ledo, Peoria & Western Railways, 81 miles soutli 
by west from Chicago and 208 miles northeast 
of St. Louis. It is in the heart of one of the 
richest corn districts of tlie State and lias large 
stock-raising and fruit-growing interests It has 
an opera house, a public library, an extensive 
nursery, brick and tile works, a linseed oil mill, 
two banks and two weekly newspapers. Arte- 
sian well water is obtained by boring from 90 to 
200 feet. Population (1890), 1,112; (1900), 1,441. 

GILMAN, Arthur, was born at Alton, 111., June 
22, 1837, the son of Winthrop S. Oilman, of the 
firm of Oilman & Oodfrey, in whose warehouse 
the printing press of Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy was 
stored at the time of its destruction by a mob in 
1837 ; was educated in St. Louis and New York, 
began business as a banker in 1857, but, in 1870, 
removed to Cambridge, Mass., and connected 
himself with "The Riverside Press." Mr. Oilman 
was one of the prime movers in what is known as 
"The Harvard Annex" in the interest of equal 
collegiate advantages for women, and has written 
much for the periodical press, besides publishing 
a number of volumes in the line of history and 
English literature. 

GILMAN, CLINTON & SPRINGFIELD RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Tllinois Central Railroad.) 

GIRARD, a city in Macoupin County, on the 
Chicago & Alton Railroad, 25 miles south by west 
from Springfi'dd and 13 miles north-northeast of 
Carlinville. Cual-mining is carried on extensively 
here. The city also has a bank, five churches 
and a weekly newspaper. Population (1880), 
1,024; (1890), 1,524; (1900), 1,G61. 

GLENCOK, a village of Cook County, on the 
Milwaukee Division of the Chicago & Northwest- 



ern Railway, 19 miles north of Chicago. Popu- 
lation (1880), 387; (1890), 569; (1900), 1,020. 

GLENN, Archibald A., ex-Lieutenant-Oovernor, 
was born in Nicholas County, Kj-., Jan. 30, 1819. 
In 1828 his father's family removed to Illinois, 
settling first in Vermilion, and later in Schuyler 
County. At the age of 13, being forced to 
abandon school, for six years he worked upon the 
farm of his widowed mother, and, at 19. entered 
a i)rinting office at Rushville, where he learned 
the trade of compositor. In 1844 he published a 
Whig campaign paper, which was discontinued 
after the defeat of Henry Clay. For eleven 
years he was Circuit Clerk of Brown County, 
during which period he was admitted to the bar; 
was a member of the Constitutional Convention 
o' 1862, and of the State Board of Equalization 
from 1868 to 1872. The latter year he was elected 
to the State Senate for four years, and, in 1875, 
chosen its President, thus becoming es-ofBcio 
Lieutenant-Oovernor. He early abandoned legal 
practice to engage in banking and in mercan- 
tile investment. After the expiration of his term 
in the Senate, he removed to Kansas, where, at 
latest advices, he still resided. 

GLENN, John J., lawyer and jurist, was born 
in Ashland County, Ohio, March 2, 1831; gradu- 
ated from Miami University in 1856 and, in 1858, 
was admitted to the bar at Terre Haute, Ind. 
Removing to Illinois in 1860, he settled in Mercer 
Count}', a year later removing to Monmouth in 
Warren County, where he still resides. In 1877 
he was elected Judge of the Tenth Judicial Cir- 
cuit and re-elected in 1879, '85, '91, and "97. 
After his last election he served for some time, 
by appointment of the Supreme Court, as a mem- 
ber of the Ai^pellate Court for the Springfield 
District, but ultimately resigned and returned to 
Circuit Court dut)'. His reputation as a cool- 
headed, impartial Judge starids very high, and his 
name has been favorably regarded for a place on 
the Supreme Bench. 

GLOVER, Joseph Otis, lawyer, was born in 
Cayuga County, N. Y., April 13, 1810, and edu- 
cated in the high-school at Aurora in that State. 
In 1835 he came west to attend to a land case at 
Galena for his father, and, although not then a 
lawyer, he managed the case so successfully that 
he was asked to take charge of two others. This 
determined the bent of his mind towards tlie Ian-, 
to the stud}' of which he turned his attention 
under the preceptorship of the late Judge The- 
ophilus L. Dickey, then of Ottawa. Soon after 
being admitted to the bar in 1840, he formed a 
partnership with the late Burton C. Cook, which 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



203 



lasted over thirty years. In 1846 he was elected 
as a Democrat to the lower branch of the Fif- 
teenth General Assembly, but, on the rejjeal of 
the Jlissouri Compromise, he became one of the 
founders of the Republican party and a close 
friend of Abraham Lincoln, whom he entertained, 
at the time of his (Lincoln's) debate with Senator 
Douglas, at Ottawa, in 1858. In 1868 he served 
as Presidential Elector at the time of General 
Grant's first election to the Presidency, and the 
following year was apjxiinted United States Dis- 
trict Attorney for the Northern District, serving 
until 18T.5. In 1877 he was appointed by Gov- 
ernor CuUom a member of the Board of Railway 
and Canal Commissioners, of which he afterwar<ls 
became President, serving six years. Died, in 
Chicago. Dec. 10, 1893. 

tiODFRET, a village of Madi.son County, on the 
Chicago & Alton Railway, 5 miles north of Alton. 
It is the seat of Jlonticello Female Seminary, and 
named for Capt. Benjamin Godfrey, an early 
settler who was chiefly instrumental in founding 
that institution. Population (1890), 228. 

GODFREY, (Capt.) Benjamin, sea captain and 
philantlirojiist. was born at Chatham, Mass., Dec. 
4, 1794; at nine j-ears of age he ran away from 
home and went to sea, his first voyage being to 
Ireland, where he spent nine years. The War of 
1812 coming on, he returned home, spending a 
part of the next three years in the naval service, 
also gaining a knowledge of the science of navi- 
gation. Later, he became master of a merchant- 
vessel making voyages to Italy, Spain, the West 
Indies and other countries, finally, by shipwreck 
in Cuban waters, losing the bulk of his fortune. 
In 1824 he engaged in mercantile business at 
Matamoras, Mex., where he accumulated a hand- 
some fortune; but, in transferring it (amounting 
to some $200,000 in silver) across the country on 
pack-animals, he was attacked and robbed by 
brigands, with which that country was then 
infested. Resuming business at New Orleans, he 
was again successful, and. in 1832, came north, 
locating near Alton, 111., the next year engaging 
in the warehouse and commission business as the 
partner of Winthrop S. Gilman, under the name 
of Godfrey & Gilman. It was in the warehouse 
of this firm at Alton that the printing-press of 
Elijah P. Lovejoy was stored when it was seized 
and destroyed by a mob, and Lovejoy was killed, 
in October, 1837. (fiee Lorfjoi/. Elijiih P.) Soon 
after establishing himself at Alton, Captain God- 
frey made a donation of land and money for the 
erection of a young ladies" .seminary at tlie village 
of ^Jcidfrey, four miles from Alton. (See Monti- 



cello Female Seminary.) The first cost of the 
erection of buildings, borne by him, was $o3,000. 
The institution was opened, April 11, 1838, and 
Captain Godfrey continued to be one of its Trustees 
as long as he lived. He was also one of the lead- 
ing spirits in the construction of the Alton & 
Springfield Railroad (now a part of the Chicago 
& Alton), in which he invested heavily and un- 
profitably. Died, at Godfrey, April 13, 18G2. 

GOLCOXDA, a village and county -seat of Pope 
County, on the Ohio River, 80 miles northeast 
of Cairo; located in agricultural and mining dis- 
trict; zinc, lead and kaolin mined in the vicinity; 
has a courthouse, eight churches, schools, one 
bank, a newspaper, a box factory, flour and saw 
mills, and a fluor-spar factory. It is the termi- 
nus of a branch of the Illinois -Central Railroad. 
Population (1890). 1,174; (1900), 1,140. 

(iOLDZIER, Julius, ex-Congressman, was 
born at Vienna, Austria, Jan. 20, 1854, and 
emigrated to New York in 1866. In 1872 he 
settled in Chicago, where he was admitted 
to the bar in 1877, and where he has practiced 
law ever since. From 1890 to 1892 he was a 
member of the Chicago City Council, and, in 
1892, was the successful Democratic candidate 
in the Fourth District, for Congress, but was 
defeated in 1894 by Edward D. Cooke. At the 
Chicago city election of 1899 he was again re- 
turned to the Council as Alderman for the Thirty- 
second Ward. 

(JOODIXfl, James, pioneer, was born about 
1707, and, in 1832, was residing at Bristol, Ontario 
County, N. Y., when he removed to Cook County, 
111., settling in what was later called "Gooding's 
Grove," noiv a part of Will County. The Grove 
was also called the "Yankee Settlement," from 
the Eastern origin of the principal .settlers. Mr. 
Gooding was accompanied, or soon after joined, by 
three sons — James, Jr., Williatn and Jasper — and 
a nephew, Charles Gooding, all of whom became 
prominent citizens. The senior Gooiling died in 
1849, at the age of 82 years. — William ((Jooding), 
civil engineer, son of the preceding, was born at 
Bri.stol, Ontario County, N. Y., April 1, 1803; 
educated in the common schools and by private 
tuition, after which he divided his time chiefly 
between teaching and working on the farm of 
his father, James Gooding. Having devoted 
considerable attention to surveying and civil 
engineering, ho obtained employment in 1826 on 
the Welland Canal, where he remained three years. 
He then engaged in mercantile pursuits at Lock- 
port. N. Y., but sold out at the end of the first 
year and went to Ohio to engage in his profession. 



204 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Being unsuccessful in this, he accepted employ- 
ment for a time as a rodman, but later secured a 
position as Assistant Engineer on the Ohio Canal. 
After a brief visit to his father's in 1832, he 
returned to Ohio and engaged in business there 
for a short time, but the following year joined 
his father, who had previous!}' settled in a portion 
of what is now Will County, but tlien Cook, mak- 
ing the trip by the first mail steamer around the 
lakes. He at first settled at "Gooding's Grove" 
and engaged in farming. In 1836 he was ap- 
pointed Assistant Engineer on the Illinois & 
Michigan Canal, but, in 1842, became Chief Engi- 
neer, continuing in that position until the com- 
pletion of the canal in 1848, when he became 
Secretary of the Canal Board. Died, at Lockport, 
■Will County, in May, 1878. 

GOODRICH, Grant, lawyer and jurist, was 
born in Milton, Saratoga, County, N. Y. , August 
7, 1811 ; grew up in Western New York, studied 
law and came to Chicago in 1834, becoming one 
of the most prominent and reputable members of 
his profession, as well as a leader in many of the 
movements for the educational, moral and reli- 
gious advancement of the communitj'. He was 
one of the founders of tlie First Metliodist Epis- 
copal Church of Chicago, an active member of 
the Union Defense Committee during the war, an 
incorporator and life-long Trustee of the North- 
western University, and President of the Board 
of Trustees of Garrett Biblical Institute, besides 
being identified with many organizations of a 
strictly benevolent character. In 18.59 Judge 
Goodrich was elected a Judge of the newly organ- 
ized Superior Court, but, at the end of his term, 
resumed the practice of his profession. Died, 
March 1.5. 1889. • 

GORE, David, ex-State Auditor, was born in 
Trigg Count}-. Ky., Aprils, 1827; came with his 
parents to Madison County, III. , in 1834, and served 
in the Mexican War as a Quartermaster, afterwards 
locating in Macoupin County, where he has been 
extensively engaged in farming. In 1874 he was 
an xuisuccessful Greenback-Labor candidate for 
State Treasurer, in 1884 was elected to the State 
Senate from the Macoupin-Morgan District, and, 
in 1892, nominated and elected, as a Democrat, 
Auditor of Public Accounts, serving until 1897. 
For some sixteen years he was a member of the 
State Board of Agriculture, the last two years of 
that period being its President. His home is at 
Carlinville. 

GOUDY, Calvin, early printer and physician, 
was born in Ohio, June 2, 1814; removed with 
his parents, in cliildhood, to Indianapolis, and 



in 1832 to 'Vandalia, 111. , where he worked in the 
State printing office and bindery. In the fall of 
1833 the family removed to Jacksonville, and the 
following year lie entered Illinois College, being 
for a time a college-mate of Richard Yates, after- 
wards Governor. Here lie continued his vocation 
as a printer, working for a time on "Peck's 
Gazetteer of Illinois" and "Goudy's Almanac," 
of which liis father was publisher. In a.ssociation 
with a brotlier while in Jacksonville, he began 
the publication of "Tlie Common School Advo- 
cate," the pioneer publication of its kind in the 
Northwest, wliicli was continued for about a 
year. Later he studied medicine with Drs. Henry 
and Merriman in Springfield, finally graduating 
at the St. Louis Medical College and, in 1844. 
began practice at Taylorville ; in 1847 was elected 
Probate Judge of Christian County for a term of 
four years; in 1851 engaged in mercantile busi- 
ness, which he continued nineteen years. In 1856 
he was elected to tlie lower house of the General 
Assembly and, in the session of the following 
year, was a, leading supporter of the act estab- 
lishing the State Normal School at Normal, still 
later serving for some sixteen years on the State 
Board of Education. Died, at Taylorville, in 
1877. Dr. Goudy was an older brother of the late 
William C. Goudy of Chicago. 

GOTJDY, William C, lawyer, was born in 
Indiana, May 15, 1824; came to Illinois, with liis 
father, first to Vandalia and afterwards to Jack- 
sonville, previous to 1833, where the latter began 
the publication of "The Farmer's Almanac" — a 
well-known publication of that time. At Jack- 
sonville young Goudy entered Illinois College, 
graduating in 1845, when he began the study of 
law with Judge Stephen T. Logan, of Springfield; 
was admitted to the bar in 1847, and the next year 
began practice at Lewistown, Fulton County; 
served as State's Attorney (1852-55) and as State 
Senator (18.56-60); at the close of his term re- 
moved to Chicago, where he became prominent 
as a corporation and railroad lawyer, in 1886 be- 
coming (reneral Solicitor of the Chicago & North- 
western Raih'oad. During President Cleveland's 
first term, Mr. Goudy was believed to exert a 
large influence with the administration, and was 
credited with having been largely instrumental 
in securing the appointment of his partner, Mel- 
ville W. Fuller, Chief Justice of the Supreme 
Court. Died, April 27, 1893. 

GRAFF, Joseph V., lawyer and Congressman, 
was born at Terre Haute, Ind., July 1, 1854; after 
graduating from the Terre Haute high-school, 
spent one year in Wabash College at Crawfords- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



205 



ville, but did not graduate ; studied law and was 
admitted to the bar at Delavan, 111., in 1879; in 
189'J was a delegate to the Republican National 
Convention at Minneapolis, but, with the excep- 
tion of President of the Board of Education, 
never held any public office until elected to Con- 
gress from the Fourteentli Illinois District, as a 
Republican, in November, 1894. Mr. Graff was a 
successful candidate for re-election in 1896, and 
again in "98. 

GRAFTON, a town in Jersey County, situated 
on the Mississippi one and a half miles below the 
mouth of the Illinois River. The bluffs are high 
and fine river views are obtainable. A fine 
quality of fossiliferous limestone is quarried here 
and exported by the river. The town has a 
bank, three churches and a graded school. Pop- 
ulation (1880). 807, (1890), 937; (1900), 988. 

(iRAIN INSPECTION, a mode of regulating 
the grain-trade in accordance with State law, and 
under the general supervision of the Railroad and 
Warehouse Commission. The principal exec- 
utive officer of the department is the Chief 
Inspector of Grain, the expenses of whose adminis- 
tration are borne by fees. The chief business of 
the inspection department is transacted in Chi- 
cago, where the principal offices are located. (See 
Railroad and Warehouse Commission.) 

GRAMMAR, John, pioneer and early legislator, 
came to Southern Illinois at a very early date and 
served as a member of the Third Territorial 
Council for Johnson County (1816-18); was a 
citizen of Union County when it was organized 
in 1818, and served as State Senator from that 
county in the Third and Fourth General Assem- 
blies (1822-26), and again in the Seventh and 
Eighth General A.ssemblies (1830-34), for the Dis- 
trict composed of Union, Johnson and Alexander 
Counties. He is described as having been very 
illiterate, but a man of much shrewdness and 
considerable influence. 

GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC, a fra- 
ternal, charitable and patriotic association, 
limited to men who served in the Union army or 
navy during the Civil War, and received hon- 
orable discharge. Its founder was Dr. B. F. 
Stephenson, who served as Surgeon of the Four- 
teenth Illinois Infantry. In this task he had 
the cooperation of Rev, William J Rutledge, 
Chaplain of the same regiment. Col. John M. 
Snyder, Dr. James Hamilton. Maj. Robert M. 
Woods, Maj. Robert Allen, Col. Martin Flood, 
Col. Daniel Grass, Col. Edward Prince, Capt. 
John S. Phelps. Capt. John A. Lightfoot, Col. 
B. F. Smith, Maj. A. A. North, Capt. Henry E. 



Howe, and Col. B. F. Hawkes, all Illinois veter- 
ans. Numerous conferences were held at Spring- 
field, in this State, a ritual was prepared, and the 
first post was chartered at Decatur, 111., April 6, 
1866. The charter members were Col. I. C. Pugh, 
George R. Steele, J. W. Routh, Joseph Prior, 
J. H. Nale, J. T. Bishop, G. H. Dunning, B. F. 
Sibley, M. F. Kanan, C. Reibsame, I. N. Coltrin, 
and Aquila Toland. All but one of these had 
served in Illinois regiments. At first, the work 
of organization proceeded slowly, the ex-soldiers 
generally being somewhat doubtful of the result 
of the project; but, before July 12, 1866, the date 
fixed for the assembling of a State Convention to 
form the Department of Illinois, thirty-nine posts 
had been cliartered, and, by 1869, there were 330 
reported in Illinois. By October, 1866, Depart- 
ments had been formed in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, 
Wisconsin and Minnesota, and posts established 
in Oliio, Missouri, Kentucky, Arkansas, Massa- 
chussetts, New York, Pennsylvania, and the 
District of Columbia, and the first National 
Encampment was held at Indianapolis, November 
20 of that year. In 1894 there were 7,500 posts, 
located in every State and Territory of the Union, 
with a membership of 450,000. The scheme of 
organization provides for precinct. State and 
National bodies. The first are known as posts, 
each having a number, to which the name of 
some battle or locality, or of some deceased soldier 
may be prefixed; the second (State organizations) 
are known as Departments; and the supreme 
power of the Order is vested in the National En- 
campment, which meets annually. As has been 
said, the G. A. R. had its inception in Illinois. 
The aim and dream of Dr. Stephenson and his 
associates was to create a grand organization of 
veterans which, through its cohesion, no less than 
its incisiveness, should constitute a potential fac- 
tor in the inculcation and development of patriot- 
ism as well as mutual support. While he died 
•sorrowing that he had not seen the fruition of 
his hopes, the present has witnessed the fullest 
realization of his dream. (See Stephenson, B. F. ) 
The constitution of the order expressly prohibits 
any attempt to use the organization for partisan 
purposes, or even the discussion, at any meeting, 
of partisan questions. Its aims are to foster and 
strengthen fraternal feelings among members ; to 
assist comrades needing help or protection and 
aid comrades' widows and orphans, and to incul- 
cate unswerving loyalty. The "Woman's Relief 
Corps" is an auxiliary organization, originating 
at Portland, Maine, in 1869. The following is a list 
of Illinois Department Commanders, chronolog- 



206 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ically arranged: B. F. Stephenson (Provisional, 
1866), John M. Palmer (1866-68), Thomas O. 
Osborne (1869-70), Charles E. Lippincott (1871), 
Hubert Dilger (1872), Guy T. Gould (1873), Hiram 
Hilliard (1874-76), Joseph S. Reynolds (1877), 
T. B. Coulter (1878), Edgar D. Swain (1879-80), 
J. W. Burst (1881), Thomas G. Lawler (1882), 
S. A. Harper (1883), L. T. Dickason (1884). 
William W. Berry (1885), Philip Sidney Post 
(1886), A. C. Svveetser (1887), James A. Sexton 
(1888), James S. Martin (1889), William L. Distin 
(1890), Horace S. Clark (1891), Edwin Harlan 
(1892), Edward A. Blodgett (1893), H. H. 
McDowell (1894), W. H. Powell (1895), William 
G. Cochran (1896), A. L. Schimpff (1897), John 
C. Black (1898), John B. Inman (1899). The fol- 
lowing lUinoisans have held tlie position of Com- 
mander-in-Chief: S. A. Hurlbut. (two terms) 
1866-67; John A. Logan, (three terms) 1868-70; 
Thomas G. Lawler, 1894; James A. Sexton, 1898. 

GRAND PRAIRIE SEMINARY, a co educa 
tional institution at Onarga, Iroquois Countj', in- 
corporated in 1863 ; had a faculty of eleven teach- 
ers in 1897-98, with 285 pupils— 145 male and 140 
female. It reports an endowment of §10,000 and 
property valued at §55,000. Besides the usual 
classical and scientific departments, instruction 
is given in music, oratory, fine arts and prepara- 
tory studies. 

GRAND TOWER, a town in Jackson County, 
situated on the Mississippi River, 27 miles south- 
west of Carbondale ; the western terminus of the 
Grand Tower & Carbondale Railroad. It received 
its name from a high, rocky island, lying in the 
river opposite the village. It has four churches, 
a weekly newspaper, and two blast furnaces for 
iron. Population (1890). 624; (1900), 881. 

GRAND TOWER & CAPE GIRARDEAU 
RAILROAD. (See Chicago A Texas Railroad.) 

GR.\ND TOWER & CARBONDALE RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Chicago & Texas Railroad.) 

GRANGER, Flavel K., lawyer, farmer and 
legislator, was born in Wayne County, N. Y. , 
May 16, 1833, educated in public schools at Sodus 
in the same State, and settled at Waukegan, 111., 
in 1853. Here, having studied law. he was 
admitted to the bar in 1855, removing to Mc Henry 
County the same j'ear, and soon after engaging in 
the live-stock and wool business. In 1872 he was 
elected as a Republican Representative in the 
Twenty-eighth General Assembly, being succes- 
sively re-elected to the Twenty-ninth, Thirtieth 
and Thirty-first, and being chosen Temporary 
Speaker of the Twenty-ninth and Thirtieth. He 
is now a member of the State Senate for the 



Eighth District, having been elected in 1896. His 
home is at West McHenry. 

GR.\NT, Alexander Fraeser, early lawyer and 
jurist, was born at Inverness, Scotland, in 1804; 
came to Illinois at an early day and located at 
Shawneetown, where he studied law witli Henry 
Eddy, the pioneer lawyer and editor of that place. 
Mr. Grant is described as a man of marked ability, 
as were many of tlie early settlers of that region. 
In February, 1835, he was elected by the General 
Assembly Judge for the Third Circuit, as succes- 
sor to his preceptor, ilr. Eddy, but served only a 
few months, dying at Vandalia the same year. 

GRANT, L'ljsses Simpson, (originally Hiram 
Ulysses), Lieutenant - General and President, 
was born at Point Pleasant, Clermont County, 
Ohio, April 27, 1822 ; graduated from West 
Point Military Academy, in 1843, and served 
through the Mexican War. After a short resi- 
dence at St. Louis, he became a resident of Galena 
in 1860. His war-record is a glorious part of the 
Nation's history. Entering the service of the 
State as a clerk in the office of the Quartermaster- 
General at Springfield, soon after the breaking out 
of the war in 1861, and still later serving as a 
drill master at Camp Yates, in June following he 
was commissioned by Governor Yates Colonel of 
the Twenty-first Illinois Volunteers, which he 
immediately led into the field in the State of 
Missouri ; was soon after promoted to a Brigadier- 
Generalship and became a full Major-General of 
Volunteers on the fall of Forts Donelson and 
Henry, in Febiuary following. His successes at 
Fort Gibson, Raymond, Champion Hill, and Big 
Black River, ending with tlie capture of Vicks- 
burg, were the leading victories of the Union 
armies in 1863. His successful defense of Chat- 
tanooga was also one of his victories in the West 
in tlie same year. Commissioned a Major-General 
of the Regular Array after the fall of Vicksburg, 
he became Lieutenant-General in 1864, and, in 
5Iarch of that j'ear, assumed command of all the 
Northern armies. Taking personal command of 
the Army of the Potomac, he directed the cam- 
paign against Riclimond. which resulted in the 
final evacuation and downfall of the Confederate 
capital and the surrender of General Lee at 
Appomattox on April 8, lH(i5. In July, 1866, he 
was made General — the office being created for 
him. He also served as Secretary of War, ad 
interim, under President Johnson, from Au- 
gust, 1867, to January, 1868. In 1868 he was 
elected President of the United States and re- 
elected in 1872. His administration may not 
have been free from mistakes, but it was charac' 



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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



207 



terizeJ by patriotism and integrity of purpose. 
Duxing 1877-79 he made a toiir of the world, being 
received everywhere with tlie highest honors. In 
1880 his friends made an unsuccessful effort to 
secure his renomination as a Presidential candi- 
date on the Republican ticket. Died, at Mount 
McGregor, N. Y., July 23, 1885. His cliief literary 
work was his "Memoirs" (two volumes, 1885-8G), 
which was very extensively sold. 

GRAPE CREEK, a surburban mining village in 
Vermilion County, on the Big Vermilion River 
and the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad, six 
miles south of Danville. The chief industry is 
coal mining, which is extensively carried on. 
Population (1890). 778; (1900), 610 

GRATIOT, Charles, of Huguenot parentage, 
born at Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1752. After 
receiving a mercantile training in the counting 
house of an uncle in London, he emigrated to 
Canada, entering the employ of another uncle at 
Montreal. He first came to the "Illinois Coun- 
try" in 1775, as an Indian trader, remaining one 
year. In 1777 he returned and formed a partner- 
ship with David McRae and John Kay, two young 
Scotchmen from Montreal. He established depots 
at Cahokia and Kaskaskia. Upon the arrival of 
Col. George Rogers Clark, in 1778, he rendered 
that commander material financial assistance, 
becoming personally responsible for the supplies 
needed by the penniless American army. When 
the transfer of sovereignty took place at St. 
Louis, on March 10, 1804, and Louisiana Territory 
became a part of the United States, it was from 
the balcony of his house that the first American 
flag was unfurled in Upper Louisiana. In recom- 
pense for his liberal expenditure, he was promised 
30,000 acres of land near the present site of 
Louisville, but this he never received. Died, at 
St. Louis, April 21, 1817. 

GRATIER, Father Jacques, a Jesuit mission- 
ary, born in France, but at what date cannot be 
stated with certainty. After some years spent in 
Canada he was sent by liis ecclesiastical superiors 
to the IlUnois Mission (1G88), succeeding AUouez 
as Superior two years later, and being made 
Vicar-General in 1691. He labox-ed among the 
Miamis, Peorias and Kaskaskias — his most numer- 
ous conversions being among the latter tribe — as 
also among the Cahokias, Osages, Tamaroas and 
Missouris. It is said to have been largely through 
his influence that the Illinois were induced to 
settle at Kaskaskia instead of going south. In 
1705 lie received a severe wound during an attack 
by the Illinois Indians, incited, if not actually 
led, by one of their medicine men. It is said 



that he visited Paris for treatment, but failed 
to find a cure. Accounts of his death vary as 
to time and place, but all agree that it resulted 
from the wound above mentioned. Some of his 
biographers assert that lie died at sea; others 
that he returned from France, yet suffering from 
the Indian poison, to Louisiana in February, 
1708, and died near Mobile, Ala., the same year. 
GRAY, Elisha, electrician and inventor, was 
born at Baruesville, Ohio, August 3, 1835; after 
serving as an apprentice at various ti*ades, took a 
course at Oberlin College, devoting especial 
attention to the physical sciences, meanwhile 
supporting himself by manual labor. In 1865 he 
began his career as an electrician and, in 1867, 
received his first patent ; devised a method of 
transmitting telephone signals, and, in 1875, suc- 
ceeded in transmitting four messages simultane- 
ously on one wire to New York and Boston, a 
year later accomplishing the same with eight 
messages to New York and Philadelphia. Pro- 
fessor Gray has invented a telegraph switch, a 
repeater, enunciator and type-writing telegraph. 
From 1869 to '73 he was employed in the manu- 
facture of telegraph apparatus at Cleveland and 
Chicago, but has since been electrician of the 
Western Electric Company of Chicago. Ilis latest 
invention, the "telautograph" — for reproducing 
by telegraph the handwriting of the sender 
of a telegram — attracted great interest at the 
World's Columbian Exposition of 1893. He is 
author of "Telegraphy and Telephony" and 
"Experimental Researches in Electro-Harmonic 
Telegraph}- and Telephony." 

GR.AY, William C, Ph.D., editor, was born in 
Butler County, Ohio, in 1830; graduated from 
the Farmers' (now Belmont) College in 1850, 
read law and began secular editorial work in 
1852, being connected, in the next fourteen years, 
with "The Tiffin Tribune," "Cleveland Herald" 
and "Newark American." Then, after several 
years spent in general publishing business in 
Cincinnati, after the great fire of 1871 he came to 
Chicago, to take charge of "The Interior," the 
organ of the Presbyterian Church, which he has 
since conducted. The success of the paper under 
his management affords the best evidence of his 
practical good sense. He holds the degree of 
Ph.D., received from Wooster University in 1881. 
GR.iYVILLE, a city situated on the Irarder of 
White and Edwards Counties, lying chiefly in 
the former, on the Wabash River, 35 miles north- 
west of E^^ansville, Ind., 16 miles northeast of 
Carmi, and forty miles southwest of Vincennes. 
It is located in the heart of a heavily timbered 



2U8 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



region and is an important hard-wood market. 
Valuable coal deposits exist. The industries in- 
clude flour, saw and planing mills, stave factories 
and creamery. Tlie city has an electric light 
and water plant, two banks, eight churches, and 
two weekly papers. Population ^1900), 1,948. 

GRAYFILLE & MATTOOJf RAILROAD. (See 
Peoria, Decatur & Emnsville Railway.) 

GREATHOL'SE, Luclen, soldier, was born at 
Carlinville, 111., in 1843; graduated at Illinois 
Wesleyan University, Bloomington, and studied 
law ; enlisted as a private at the beginning of the 
War of the Rebellion and rose to the rank of 
Colonel of the Forty-eighth Illinois Volunteers; 
bore a conspicuous part in the movements of the 
Army of the Tennessee ; was killed in battle near 
Atlanta, Ga., June 21, 1804. 

GREAT WESTERN RAILROAD (of 1843 and 
'49). (See Illinois Central Railroad.) 

GREAT WESTERX RAILROAD (2). (See 
Wahash Railway. ) 

GREEN RIVER, rises in Lee County, and, 
after draining part of Bureau County, flows west- 
ward through Henry County, and enters Rock 
River about 10 miles east by south from Rock 
Island. It is nearly 120 miles long. 

GREEN, William H., State Senator and Judge, 
was born at Danville, Ky., Dec. 8, 1830. In 1847 
he accompanied his father's family to Illinois, 
and, for three years following, taught school, at 
the same time reading law. He was admitted to 
the bar in 1852 and began practice at Mount 
Vernon, removing to Metropolis the next year, 
and to Cairo in 1863. In 1858 he was elected to 
the lower house of the General Assembly, was 
re-elected in 1860 and, tvsfo years later, was 
elected to the State Senate for four years. In 
December, 1865, he was elected Judge of the 
Third Judicial Circuit, to fill the unexpired term 
of Judge Mulkey, retiring with the expiration of 
his term in 1867. He was a delegate to the 
National Democratic Conventions of 1860, '64, 
'68, '80, '84 and '88, besides being for many j-ears 
a member of the State Central Committee of that 
party, and also, for four terms, a member of the 
State Board of Education, of which he has been 
for several years the President. He is at present 
(1899) engaged in the practice of his profession at 
Cairo. 

GREENE, Henry Saclieveral, attorney, was 
born in the North of Ireland, July, 1833, brought 
to Canada at five years of age, and from nine com- 
jjelled to svipport himself, sometimes as a clerk 
and at others setting type in a printing office. 
After spending some time in Western New York, 



in 1853 he commenced the study of law at Dan- 
ville, Ind.. with Hugh Crea, now of Decatur, 111. ; 
four years later settled at Clinton, DeWitt 
County, where he taught and studied law with 
Lawrence Weldon, now of the Court of Claims, 
Washington. In 1859 he was admitted to the bar 
at Springfield, on the motion of Abraham Lin- 
coln, and was associated in practice, for a time, 
with Hon. Clifton H. Moore of Clinton; later 
served as Prosecuting Attorney and one term 
(1867-69) as Representative in the General Assem- 
bly. At the close of his term in the Legislature 
he removed to Springfield, forming a law partner- 
ship with Milton Hay and David T. Littler, under 
the firm name of Hay, Greene & Littler, still later 
becoming the head of the firm of Greene & 
Humphrey. From the date of his removal to 
Springfield, for some thirty j'ears his chief employ- 
ment was as a corporation lawyer, for the most 
part in the service of the Chicago & Alton and 
the Wabash Railways. His deatli occurred at his 
home in Springfield, after a protracted illness, 
Feb. 25, 1899. Of recognized ability, thoroughly 
devoted to his profession, high minded and honor- 
able in all his dealings, he commanded respect 
wherever he was known. 

GREENE, William G., pioneer, was born in 
Tennessee in 1812; came to Illinois in 1822 with 
his father (Bowling Greene), who settled in the 
vicinity of New Salem, now in Menard County. 
The younger Greene was an intimate friend and 
fellow-student, at Illinois College, of Richard 
Yates (afterwards Governor), and also an early 
friend and admirer of Abraham Lincoln, under 
whom he held an appointment in Utali for some 
years. He died at Tallula, Menard County, in 
1894. 

GREENFIELD, a city in the eastern part of 
Greene County, on tlie Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy and the Quincy, Carrollton & St. Louis 
Railways. 12 miles east of Carrollton and 55 miles 
north of St. Louis; is an agricultural, coal-mining 
and stock-raising region. The city has several 
churches, public schools, a .seminary, electric 
light plant, steam flouring mill, and one weekly 
paper. It is an important shipping point for 
cattle, horses, swine, corn, grain and produce. 
Population (1890), 1,131; (1900), 1,085. 

GREENE COUXTT, cut off fiom Madison and 
separately organized in 1821 ; has an area of 544 
scpiare miles; population (1000), 23,402; named 
for Gen. Nathaniel Greene, a Revolutionary sol- 
dier. The soil and climate are varied and adapted 
to a diversity of products, wheat and fruit being 
among the principal. Building stone and clay 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



209 



are abundant. Probably the first English-speak- 
ing settlers were David Stockton and James 
Whiteside, who located south of Macoupin Creek 
in June, 1817. Samuel Thomas and others 
(among them Gen. Jacob Fry) followed soon 
afterward. The Indians were numerous and 
aggressive, and had destroyed not a few of the 
monuments of the Government surveys, erected 
some years before. Immigration of the whites, 
however, was rapid, and it was not long before 
the nucleus of a village was established at Car- 
roUton, where General Fry erected the first house 
and made the first coffin needed in the settle- 
ment. This town, the county-seat and most 
important place in the county, was laid off by 
Thomas Carlin in 1831. Other flourishing towns 
are Whitehall (population. 1,061), and Roodliouse 
(an important railroad center) with a population 
of S.BfiO. 

GREENUP, village of Cumberland County, at 
intersection of the Vandalia Line and Evansville 
branch 111. Cent. Ry. ; in farming and fruit- 
growing region; has powder mill, bank, broom 
factory, five churches, public library and good 
schools. Population (1890), 858; (1900), 1,085. 

GREENVIEW, a village in Menard County, on 
the Jacksonville branch of the Chicago & Alton 
Railroad, 23 miles north-northwest of Springfield 
and 3(3 miles northeast of Jacksonville. It has a 
coal mine, bank, two weekly papers, seven 
churches, and a graded and high school. Popu- 
lation (1890), 1,100; (1900), 1,019; (1908), 1,245. 

GEEEIVVILLE, an incorporated city, the 
county-seat of Bond County, on the East Fork of 
Big Shoal Creek and the St. Louis, Vandalia & 
Terre Haute Railroad, 50 miles east-northeast of 
St. Louis; is in a rich agricultural and coal-min- 
ing region. Corn and wheat are raised exten- 
sively in the surrounding country, and there are 
extensive coal mines adjacent to the city. The 
leading manufacturing product is in the line of 
wagons. It is the seat of Greenville College (a 
coeducational institution) ; has several banks and 
three weekly newspapers. Population (1890), 
1,868; (1900). 3.504. 

GREENVILLE, TREATY OF, a treaty negoti- 
ated by Gen. Anthony Wayne with a number of 
Indian tribes (see Indian Treaties), at Green- 
ville, after his victory over the savages at the 
battle of Maumee Rapids, in August, 1795. This 
was the first treaty relating to Illinois lands in 
which a number of tribes united The lands con- 
veyed within the present limits of the State 
of Illinois were as follows: A tract six miles 
oquare at the mouth of the Chicago River; 



another, twelve miles sciuare, near the mouth of 
the Illinois River; another, six miles square, 
around the old fort at Peoria; the post of Fort 
Massac; the 150,000 acres set apart as bounty 
lands for the army of Gen. George Rogers Clark, 
and "the lands at all other places in the posses- 
sion of the French people and other white set- 
tlers among them, the Indian title to which has 
been thus extinguished. " On the other hand, the 
United States relinquished all claim to all other 
Indian lands north of the Ohio, east of the Mis- 
sissippi and south of the great lakes. The cash 
consideration paid by the Government was 
.?310,000. 

GREGG, David L., lawyer and Secretary of 
State, emigrated from Albany, N. Y., and began 
the practice of law at Joliet, 111., whei-e, in 1839, 
he also edited "The Juliet Courier," the first 
paper established in Will County. From 1843 to 
1846, he represented Will, Du Page and Iroquois 
Counties in the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Gen- 
eral Assemblies; later removed to Chicago, after 
which he served for a time as United States Dis- 
trict Attorney; in 1847 was chosen one of the 
Delegates from Cook County to the State Consti- 
tutional Convention of that year, and served as 
Secretary of State from 1850 to 1853, as successor 
to Horace S. Cooley, who died in office the former 
year. In the Democratic State Convention of 
1853, Mr. Gregg was a leading candidate for the 
nomination for Governor, though finally defeated 
by Joel A. Matteson; served as Presidential 
Elector for that year, and, in 1853, -^as appointed 
by President Pierce Commissioner to the Sandwich 
Islands, still later for a time acting as the minis- 
ter or adviser of King Kamehamaha IV, who died 
in 1863. Returning to California he was ap- 
pointed by President Lincoln Receiver of Public 
Moneys at Carson City, Nev., where he died, Dec. 
23, 1868. 

GREGORY, John Milton, clergyman and edu- 
cator, was born at Sand Lake, Rensselaer Co., 
N. Y., July 6, 1823; graduated from Union Col- 
lege in 1846 and, after devoting two years to the 
study of law, studied theology and entered the 
Baptist ministry. After a brief pastorate in the 
East he came West, becoming Principal of a 
classical school at Detroit. His ability as an 
educator was soon recognized, and, in 1858, he 
was elected State Superintendent of Public 
Instruction in Michigan, but declined a re-elec- 
tion in 1863. In 1854, he assisted in founding 
"The Michigan Journal of Education," of which 
he was editor-in-chief. In 1863 he accepted the 
Presidency of Kalamazoo College, and four years 



210 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



later was called to that of the newly founded 
University of Illinois, at Champaign, where he 
remained until 18^0. He was United States 
Commissioner to the Vienna Exposition in 1873, 
Illinois State Commissioner to the Paris Exposi- 
tion of 1878, also serving as one of the judges in 
the educational department of the Philadelphia 
Centennial of 1876. From 1883 to "85 he was a 
member of the United States Civil Service Com- 
mission. The degree of LL.D. was conferred 
upon him by Madison University (Hamilton, 
N. Y.) in 1866. While State Superintendent he 
published a "Compend of School Laws" of Michi- 
gan, besides numerous addresses on educational 
subjects. Other works of his are "Handbook of 
History" and "Map of Time" (Chicago, 1866) ; "A 
New Political Economy" (Cincinnati, 1882); and 
"Seven Laws of Teaching" (Chicago, 1883). 
While holding a chair as Professor Emeritus of 
Political Economy in the University of Illinois 
during the latter j-ears of his life, he resided in 
Washington, D. C, where he died, Oct. 20, 1898. 
By his special request he was buried on the 
grounds of the University at Champaign. 

GRESHAM, Walter Qulnton, soldier, jurist 
and statesman, was born near Lanesville, Harri- 
son County, Ind., March 17, 1832. Two years at 
a seminary at Corydon, followed by one year at 
Bloommgton University, completed his early 
education, which was commenced at the common 
schools. He read law at Corydon, and was 
admitted to the bar in 1853. In 1860 he was 
elected to the Indiana Legislature, but resigned 
to become Lieutenant-Colonel of the Thirty- 
eighth Indiana Volunteers, and was almost 
immediately commissioned Colonel of the Fifty- 
third Regiment. After the fall of Vicksburg he 
was promoted to a Brigadier-Generalship, and was 
brevetted Major-General on March 13, 1865. At 
Atlanta he was severely wounded, and disabled 
from service for a year. After the war he re- 
sumed practice at New Albany, Ind. His polit- 
ical career began in 1856, when he stumped his 
county for Fremont. From that time until 1893 
he was always prominently identified with the 
Republican party. In 1866 he was an unsuccess- 
ful Republican candidate for Congress, and, in 
1867-08, was the financial agent of liis State 
(Indiana) in New York. In 1869 President Grant 
appointed him Judge of the United States Dis- 
trict Court for Indiana. In 1883 he resigned this 
position to accept the portfolio of Postmaster-Gen- 
eral in the Cabinet of President Arthur. In July, 
1881, upon the death of Secretary Folger, he was 
made Secretary of the Treasury. In Oct. 1884, 



he was appointed United States Judge of the 
Seventh Judicial Circuit, and thereafter made 
his home in Chicago. He was an earnest advo- 
cate of tlie renomination of Grant in that year, 
but subsequently took no active personal part in 
politics. In 1888 he was the substantially unani- 
mous choice of Illinois Republicans for the Presi- 
dency, but was defeated in convention. In 1892 
he was tendered the Populist nomination for 
President, but declined. In 1893 President Cleve- 
land offered him the portfolio of Secretary of 
State, which he accepted, dying in office at 
Washington, D. C, May 28, 1895. 

GREUSEL, Nicholas, soldier, was born in Ger- 
many, July 4, 1817, the son of a soldier of Murat^ 
came to New York in 1833 and to Detroit, Mich., 
in 1835 ; served as a Captain of the First Michigan 
Volunteers in the Mexican War; in 1857, came to 
Chicago and was employed on the Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Quincy Railroad, until the firing on 
Fort Sumter, when he promptly enrolled himself 
as a private in a company organized at Aurora, 
of which he was elected Captain and attached to 
the Seventh Illinois (tliree-months' men), later 
being advanced to the rank of Major. Re-enlisting 
for three years, he was commissioned Lieutenant- 
Colonel, but, in August following, %vas commis- 
sioned Colonel of the Thirty-sixth Illinois; took 
part in the battles of Pea Ridge and Perryville 
and the campaign against Corinth ; compelled to 
resign on account of failing health, in February, 
1863, he removed to Mount Pleasant, Iowa, 
whence he returned to Aurora in 1893. Died at 
Aurora, April 35. 1896. 

GRIDLEY, Asahel, lawyer and banker, was 
born at Cazenovia, N. Y., April 21, 1810; was 
educated at Pompey Academy and, at the age of 
21, came to Illinois, locating at Bloomington and 
engaging in the mercantile business, which he 
carried on quite extensively some eight years. 
He served as First Lieutenant of a cavalry com- 
pany during the Black Hawk War of 1832, and 
soon after was elected a Brigadier-General of 
militia, thereby acciuiriug the title of "General." 
In 1840 he was elected to the lower branch of the 
Twelfth General Assembly, and soon after began 
to turn his attention to the study of law, subse- 
quently forming a partnership with Col. J. H. 
Wickizer, which continued for a number of years. 
Having been elected to the State Senate in 1850, 
he took a conspicuous part in the two succeeding 
sessions of the General Assembly in securing the 
location of the Chicago & Alton and the Illinois 
Central Railroads by way of Bloomington; was 
also, at a later period, a leading promoter of the 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



211 



Indiana, Bloomington & Western and other lines. 
In 1858 he joined J. Y. Scammon and J. H. Burch 
of Chicago, iu the establishment of the McLean 
County Bank at Bloomington, of \yhich he became 
President and ultimately sole proprietor ; also be- 
came proprietor, in 1857, of the Bloomington Gas- 
Light & Coke Company, which he managed some 
twenty-five years. Originally a Whig, he identi- 
fied himself with the Republican cause in 1856, 
serving upon the State Central Committee during 
the campaign of that year, but, iu 18T2, took 
part in the Liberal Republican movement, serv- 
ing as a delegate to the Cincinnati Convention, 
where he was a zealous supporter of David Davis 
for the Presidency. Died, at Bloomington, Jan. 
20, 1881. 

6RIER, (Col.) David Perkins, soldier and mer- 
chant, was born near Wilkesbarre, Pa. , in 1837 ; 
received a common school education and, in 
1852, came to Peoria, 111., where he engaged in 
the grain business, subsequently, in partnership 
with his brother, erecting the first grain-elevator 
in Peoria, with three or four at other points. 
Early in the war he recruited a company of which 
he was elected Captain, but, as the State quota 
was already full, it was not accepted in Illinois, 
but was mustered in, in June, as a part of the 
Eighth Missouri Volunteers. With this organi- 
zation he took part in the capture of Forts Henry 
and Donelson, the battle of Shiloh and the siege 
and capture of Corinth. In August, 1862, he was 
ordered to report to Governor Yates at Spring- 
field, and, on his arrival, was presented with a 
commission as Colonel of the Seventy-seventh 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, of which he retained 
command up to the siege of Vicksburg. During 
that siege he commanded a brigade and, in sub- 
sequent operations in Louisiana, was in command 
of the Second Brigade. Fourth Division of the 
Thirteenth Army Corps. Later he had command 
of all the troops on Dauphin Island, and took a 
conspicuous part in the capture of Fort Morgan 
and Mobile, as well as other operations in Ala- 
bama. He subsequently had command of a 
division until his muster-out, July 10, 1865, with 
the rank of brevet Brigadier-General. After tlie 
war, General Grier resumed his business as a 
grain merchant at Peoria, but, in 1879, removed to 
East St. Louis, where he had charge of the erection 
and management of the Union Elevator there — 
was also Vice-President and Director of the St. 
Louis Merchants' Exchange. Died, April 22, 
1891. 

GRIERSON, Benjamin H., soldier, was born in 
Pittsburg, Pa., July 8, 1826; removed in boyhood 



to TrumbuU County, Ohio, and, about 1850, to 
Jacksonville, 111., where he was engaged for a 
time iu teaching music, later embarking in the 
grain and produce business at Meredosia. He 
enlisted promptly at the beginning of the Civil 
War, becoming Aid-de-camp to General Prentiss 
at Cairo during the three-months' service, later 
being commissioned Major of the Sixth Illinois 
Cavalry. From this time his promotion was 
rapid. He was commissioned Colonel of the same 
regiment in March, 1862, and was commander of a 
brigade in December following. He was promi- 
nent in nearly all the cavalry skirmishes between 
Memphis and the Tennessee river, and, in April 
and May, 1863, led the famous raid from La 
Grange, Tenn., through the States of Mississippi 
and Louisiana to Baton Rouge in the latter— for 
the first time penetrating the heart of the Con- 
federacy and causing consternation among the 
rebel leaders, while materially aiding General 
Grant's movement against Vicksburg. This dem- 
onstration was generally regarded as one of the 
most brilliant events of the war, and attracted 
the attention of the whole country. In recog- 
nition of this service he was, on June 3, 1863, 
made a Brigadier-General, and May 27, 1865, a 
full Major-General of Volunteers. Soon after the 
close of the war he entered the regular army as 
Colonel of the Tenth United States Cavalry and 
was successively brevetted Brigadier- and Major- 
General for bravery shown in a raid in Arkansas 
during December, 1864. His subsequent service 
was in the West and Southwest conducting cam- 
paigns against the Indians, in the meanwhile 
being in command at Santa Fe, San Antonio and 
elsewhere. On the promotion of General Miles 
to a Major-Generalship following the death of 
Maj.-Gen. George Crook in Chicago, March 19, 
1890, General Grierson, who had been the senior 
Colonel for some j-ears, was promoted Brigadier- 
General and retired with that rank in July fol- 
lowing. His liome is at Jacksonville. 

(iRKiGS, Samuel Chapman, publisher, was 
born in Tolland, Conn., July 20, 1819; began 
business as a bookseller at Hamilton, N. Y., but 
removed to Chicago, where he established the 
largest bookselling trade in the Nortliwest. Mr. 
Griggs was a heavy loser by tlie fire of 1871, and 
the following year, having sold out to his part- 
ners, established himself in tlie publishing busi- 
ness, which he conducted until 189G, when he 
retired. The class of books i)ublished by hira 
include many educational and classical, witli 
others of a high order of merit. Died in Chi- 
cago, April 5, 1897. 



212 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



GRIGGSTILLE, a city in Pike County, on tlie 
Wabash Railroad, 4 miles west of the Illinois 
River, and 50 miles east of Quincy. Flour, camp 
stoves, and brooms are manufactured here. The 
city has cliurohes, graded schools, a public 
library, fair grounds, opera house, and a weekly 
newspaper. Population (1890), 1,400; (1900), 
1,404. 

GRIMSHAW, Jackson, lawyer and politician, 
was born in Philadelphia, Nov. 22, 1820, of Anglo- 
Irish and Revolutionary ancestry. He was par- 
tially educated at Bristol College, Pa., and began 
the study of law with his father, who was a lawyer 
and an author of repute. His professional studies 
were interrupted for a few years, during whicli he 
was employed at surveying and civil engineering, 
but he was admitted to the bar at Harrisburg, in 
1843. The same year he settled at Pittsfield, 111., 
where he formed a partnership with his brother, 
"William A. Grimshaw. In 1857 he removed to 
Quincy, where he resided for the remainder of his 
life. He was a member of the first Republican 
Convention, at Bloomington, in 185G, and was 
twice an unsuccessful candidate for Congress 
(1856 and '58) in a strongly Democratic District. 
He was a warm personal friend and trusted coun- 
sellor of Governor Yates, on whose staff he served 
as Colonel. During 1861 the latter sent 3Ir. 
Grimshaw to Washington with dispatches an- 
nouncing the capture of Jefferson Barracks, ilo. 
On arriving at Annapolis, learning that the rail- 
roads had been torn up by rebel sympathizers, he 
walked from that city to the capital, and was 
summoned into the presence of the President and 
General Scott with his feet protruding from his 
boots. In 1865 Mr. Lincoln appointed him Col- 
lector of Internal Revenue for the Quincy Dis- 
trict, which office he held until 1869. Died, at 
Quincy, Dec. 13, 1875. 

GRIMSHAW, William A., early lawyer, was 
born in Philadelphia and admitted to the bar 
in his native city at the age of 19; in 1833 came 
to Pike County, 111., where he continued to prac- 
tice until his death. He served in the State Con- 
stitutional Convention of 1847, and had the credit 
of preparing the article in the second Constitution 
prohibiting dueling. In 1864 he was a delegate 
to the Republican National Convention which 
nominated Mr. Lincoln for President a second 
time ; also served as Presidential Elector in 1880. 
He was, for a time, one of the Trustees of the 
Institution for the Deaf and Dumb at Jackson- 
ville, and, from 1877 to 1883, a member of the State 
Board of Public Charities, being for a time Presi- 
dent of the Board. Died, at Pittsfield, Jan. 7, 1895. 



GRINJi'ELL, Julius S., lawyer and ex-Judge, 
was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., in 1842, 
of New England parents, who were of French 
descent. He graduated from Middlebury College 
in 1866, and, two years later, was admitted to the 
bar at Ogdensburg, N. Y. In 1870 he removed to 
Chicago, where he soon attained a prominent 
position at the bar ; was elected City Attorney in 
1879, and re-elected in 1881 and 1883. In 1884 he 
was elected State's Attorney for Cook County, in 
which capacity he successfully conducted some 
of the most celebrated criminal prosecutions in 
the history of Illinois. Among these may be 
mentioned the cases against Joseph T. Mackin 
and William J. Gallagher, growing out of an 
election conspiracy in Chicago in 1884; the 
conviction of a number of Cook County Commis- 
sioners for accepting bribes in 1885, and tlie con- 
viction of seven anarchistic leaders charged %vith 
complicity in the Haymarket riot and massacre 
in Chicago, in May, 1886 — the latter trial being 
held in 1887.- The same j-ear (1887) he was 
elected to the Circuit bench of Cook County, but 
resigned his seat in 1890 to become counsel for 
the Chicago City Railway. Died, in Chicago, 
June 8, 1898. 

GROSS, Jacob, ex-State Treasurer and banker, 
was born in Germany, Feb. 11, 1840; having lost 
his father by death at 13, came to the United 
States two years later, spent a year in Chicago 
schools, learned the trade of a tinsmith and 
clerked in a store until August, 1862, wlien he 
enlisted in the Eighty-Second Illinois Volunteers 
(the second "Hecker Regiment"); afterwards par- 
ticipated in some of the most important battles 
of the war, including Chancellorsville, Gettys- 
burg, Lookout Jlountain, Resaca and others. At 
Dallas, Ga. , he had his right leg badly shattered 
by a bullet-wound above the knee, four successive 
amputations being found necessary in order to 
save his life. Having been discharged from the 
service in February, 1865, he took a course in a 
commercial college, became deputy clerk of the 
Police Court, served three terms as Collector of 
the West Town of Chicago, and an equal number 
of terms (12 years) as Clerk of the Circuit Court 
of Cook County, and, in 1884, was elected State 
Treasurer. Since retiring from the latter office, 
Mr. Gross has been engaged in the banking busi- 
ness, being President, for several years, of the 
Commercial Bank of Chicago. 

GROSS, William L., lawyer, was born in Her- 
kimer County. N. Y., Feb. 21, 1839, came with 
his father to Illinois in 1844. was admitted to the 
bar at Springfield in 1863, but almost immediately 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



213 



entered the service of the Government, and, a 
year later, was appointed by President Lincoln 
Captain and Assistant Quartermaster, and, under 
command of General Stager, assigned to the 
Department of the Ohio as Military Superintend- 
ent of Telegraphs. At tlie close of the war he 
was transferred to the Department of the Gulf, 
taking control of military telegraphs in that 
Department with headquarters at New Orleans, 
remaining until August, 1866, meanwhile being 
brevetted Major and Lieutenant-Colonel. For 
the next two years he occupied various positions 
in the civil telegraph sert-ice, but, in 1868, resumed 
the practice of law at Springfield, in conjunction 
with his brother (Eugene L. ) issuing the first 
volume of "Gross' Statutes of Illinois," followed 
in subsequent years bj' two additional volumes, 
besides an Index to all the Laws of the State. In 
1878 he was elected as a Republican to the General 
Assemblj' from Sangamon County, and, in 1884, 
was appointed by Governor Hamilton Circuit 
Judge to succeed Judge C. S. Zane, who had been 
appointed Chief Justice of Utah. Upon the organi- 
zation of the Illinois State Bar Association, Judge 
Gross became its first Secretarj-, serving until 
1883, when he was elected President, again serv- 
ing as Secretary and Treasurer in 1893-94. 

GROSSCUP, Peter Stenger, jurist, born in 
Ashland, Ohio, Feb, 15, 1852; was educated in the 
local schools and Wittenberg College, graduating 
from the latter in 1872 ; read law in Boston, Mass. , 
and settled down to practice in his native town, 
in 1874. He was a candidate for Congress in a 
Democratic District before he was 2.5 years old, 
but, being a Republican, was defeated. Two 
years later, being thrown by a reapportionment 
into the same district witli William McKinle}-, 
he put that gentleman in nominat ion for the seat 
in Congress to which he was elected. He re- 
moved to Chicago in 1883, and, for several years, 
was the partner of the late Leonard Swett ; in 
December, 1892, was appointed by President 
Harrison Judge of the United States District 
Court for tlie Northern District of Illinois as suc- 
cessor to Judge Henry W. Blodgett. On the 
death of Judge Showalter, in December, 1898, 
Judge Grosscup was appointed his successor as 
Judge of the L^nited States Circuit Court for the 
Seventh Judicial District. Although one of the 
youngest incumbents upon the bench of the 
United States Court, Judge Grosscup has given 
ample evidence of his ability as a jurist, besides 
proving himself in harmony with the progressive 
spirit of the time on questions of national and 
international interest. 



GRUNDY COUNTY, situated in the northeast- 
ern quarter of the State, having an area of 440 
square miles and a population (1900) of 24,136. 
The surface is mainly rolling prairie, beneath 
which is a continuous coal seam, three feet thick. 
Building stone is abundant (particularly near 
Morris), and there are considerable beds of pot- 
ter's clay. The county is crossed by the Illinois 
River and the Illinois & Michigan Canal, also by the 
Rock Island and the Chicago & Alton Railways. 
The chief occupation of the people is agriculture, 
although there are several manufacturing estab- 
lishments. The first white settler of whom any 
record has been preserved, was William Marquis, 
who arrived at the mouth of the Mazon in a 
"prairie schooner" in 1828. Other pioneers 
were Colonel Sayers, W. A. Holloway, Alex- 
ander K. Owen, John Taylor, James McCartney 
and Joab Chappell. The first public land sale 
was made in 1835, and, in 1841, the county was 
organized out of a part of La Salle, and named 
after Felix Grundy, the eminent Tennesseean. 
The first poUbook showed 148 voters. Morris 
was chosen the county-seat and has so re- 
mained. Its present population is 3,653. Another 
prosperous town is Gardner, with 1,100 inhab- 
itants. 

GULLIVER, John Putnam, D.D., LL.D., 
clergyman and educator, was born in Boston, 
Mass., May 12, 1819; graduated at Yale College, 
in 1840, and at Andover Theological Seminary in 
1845, meanwhile serving two years as Principal 
of Randolph Academy. From 1845 to 1865 he 
was pastor of a church at Norwich, Conn., in 
1865-68, of the New England Church, of Chicago, 
and, 1868-72, President of Knox College at Gales- 
burg, 111. The latter year he became pastor of 
the First Presbyterian Church in Binghamton, 
N. Y., remaining until 1878, when he was elected 
Professor of the "Relations of Christianity and 
Secular Science" at Andover, holding this posi- 
tion actively until 1891, and then, as Professor 
Emeritus, until his death, Jan. 25, 1894. He vras 
a member of the Corporation of Yale College 
and had been honored with the degrees of D.D. 
and LL.D. 

GURLEY, William F. E., State Geologist, was 
born at Oswego, N. Y., June 5, 1854; brought by 
his parents to Danville, 111., in 1864, and educated 
in the public schools of that city and Cornell 
University, N. Y. ; served as city engineer of 
Danville in 1885-87, and again in 1891-93. In 
July of the latter year he was appointed by Gov- 
ernor Altgeld State Geologist as successor to F^of. 
Joshua Lindahl. 



214 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



HACKER, John S., pioneer and soldier of the 
Mexican War, was born at Owensburg, Ky., 
November, 1797; in early life removed to Mis- 
souri, where he was employed in the stock and 
produce trade with New Orleans. Having married 
in 1817, he settled at Jonesboro, Union County, 
111., where he kept a tavern for a number of 
years, and was also engaged some thirty j-ears in 
mercantile business. It is said that he was 
unable to read until taught after marriage by his 
wife, who appears to have been a woman of 
intelligence and many graces. In 1824 he was 
elected Representative in the Fourth General 
Assembly and, in 1834, to the State Senate, serv- 
ing by re-election in 1838 until 1842, and being a 
supporter of the internal improvement scheme. 
In 1837 he voted for the removal of the State 
capital from Vandalia to Springfield, and, though 
differing from Abraham Lincoln politically, was 
one of his warm personal friends. He served in 
the War of 1812 as a private in the Missouri 
militia, and, in the Mexican AVar, as Captain of a 
company in the Second Regiment, Illinois Volun- 
teers—Col. W. H. Bissell's. By service on the 
staff of Governor Duncan, he had already obtained 
the title of Colonel. He received the nomination 
for Lieutenant-Governor from the first formal 
State Convention of the Democratic party in 
December, 1837, but the head of the ticket (Col. 
J. W. Stephenson) having withdrawn on account 
of charges connected with his administration of 
the Land Office at Dixon, Colonel Hacker also 
declined, and a new ticket was put in the field 
headed by Col. Thomas L. Carlin, which was 
elected in 1838. In 1849 Colonel Hacker made 
the overland journey to California, but returning 
■with impaired health in 1852, located in Cairo, 
where he held the position of Surveyor of the 
Port for three years, when he was removed by 
President Buchanan on account of his friendship 
for Senator Douglas. He also served, from 1854 
to '56, as Secretary of the Senate Committee on 
Territories under the Chairmanship of Senator 
Douglas, and, in 1856, as Assistant Doorkeeper of 
the House of Representatives in Washington. In 
1857 he returned to Jonesboro and spent the 
remainder of his life in practical retirement, 
dying at the home of his daughter, in Anna, May 
18, 1878. 

HADLEY, Wllllara F. L., lawyer and Con- 
gressman, was born near CoUinsville, 111., June 
15, 1847; grew up on a farm, receiving his educa- 
tion in the common schools and at McKendree 
College, where he graduated in 1867. In 1871 he 
graduated from the Law Department of the 



University of Jlichigan, and established him- 
self in the practice of his profession at 
Edwardsville. He was elected to the State Sen- 
ate from Madison County in 1886, serving four 
years, and was nominated for a second term, but 
declined; was a delegate-at-large to the Repub- 
lican National Convention of 1888, and, in 1895, 
was nominated and elected, in the Eigliteenth 
District, as a Republican, to the Fifty-fourth Con- 
gress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of 
Hon. Frederick Remann, who had been elected 
in 1894, but died before taking his seat. Mr. 
Hadley was a candidate for re-election in 1896, 
but was prevented by protracted illness from 
making a canvass, and suffered a defeat. He 
is a son-in-law of the late Edward M. West, 
long a prominent business man of Edwards- 
ville, and since his retirement from Congress, haa 
devoted his attention to his profession and the 
banking business. 

HAHNEMANN HOSPITAL, a homeopathic hos- 
pital located in Chicago. It was first opened with 
twenty beds, in November, 1870, in a block of 
wooden buildings, the use of which was given 
rent free by Mr. J. Young Scammon, and was 
known as the Scammon Hospital. After the fire 
of October, 1871, Mr. Scammon deeded the prop- 
erty to the Trustees of the Hahnemann Medical 
College, and the hospital was placed on the list 
of public charities. It also received a donation 
of §10,000 from the Relief and Aid Society, 
besides numerous private benefactions. In 
April, 1873, at the suggestion of Mr. Scammon, 
the name of the institution was changed to the 
Hahnemann Hospital, by which designation it 
has since been known. In 1893 the corner-stone 
of a new hospital was laid and the building com- 
pleted in 1894. It is seven stories in height, with 
a capacity for 225 beds, and is equipped with all 
the improved appliances and facilities for the 
care and protection of the sick. It has also about 
sixty private rooms for paying patients. 

HAHNEMANN MEDICAL COLLEGE, located 
in Chicago, chartered in 1834-35, but not organ- 
ized until 1860, when temporary quarters were 
secured over a drug-store, and the first college 
term opened, with a teaching faculty numliering 
nine professors, besides clinical lecturers, demon- 
strators, etc. In 1866-67 the institution moved 
into larger quarters and, in 1870, the corner-stone 
of a new college building was laid. The six suc- 
cee<ling years were marked by internal dis,sen- 
sion, ten of the professors withdrawing to 
establish a rival school. The faculty was cur- 
tailed in numbers and re-organized. In August, 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



215 



1892, the corner-stone of a second building was 
laid with ajjproijriate Masonic ceremonies, the 
new strurture occupying the site of the old. but 
being larger, better arranged and better equipped. 
Women were admitted as students in lSTO-71 and 
co-education of tlie sexes has ever since continued 
an established feature of the institution. For 
more than thirt}--tive years a free dispensary has 
been in operation in connection with the college. 
HAIJfES, John Charles, Mayor of Chicago and 
legislator, was born in Oneida County, N. Y., 
May 26, 1818; came to Chicago in 1835, and, for 
the next eleven years, was employed in various 
pursuits; served three terms (1848-54) in the City 
Council; was twice elected Water Commissioner 
(1853 and "56), and, in 1858, was chosen Mayor, 
serving two terms. He also serve<i as Delegate 
from Cook County in the Constitutional Conven- 
tion of 1869-70, and, in 1874, was elected to the 
State Senate from the First District, serving in 
the Twenty-ninth and Thirtieth General Assem- 
blies. At the session of 1877 he received sixty- 
nine votes for the seat in the United States 
Senate to which Judge David Davis was after- 
wards elected. Mr. Haines was a member of the 
Chicago Historical Society, was interested in the 
old Chicago West Division Railway and President 
of the Savings Institute. During his later years 
he was a resident of Waukegan, dying there, 
July 4, 1896. — Elijah Middlebrook (Haines), 
brother of the preceding, lawyer, politician 
and legislator, was born in Oneida County, N. Y., 
April 21, 1822; came to Illinois in boj'hood, locat- 
ing first at Chicago, but, a year later, went to 
Lake County, where he resided until his death. 
His education, rudimentary, classical and profes- 
sional, was self-acquired. He began to occupy 
and cultivate a farm for himself before attaining 
his majority ; studied law, and, in 1851, was 
admitted to the bar, beginning practice at Wau- 
kegan; in 1860 opened an office in Chicago, still, 
however, making his home at Waukegan. In 
1855 he published a compilation of the Illinois 
township laws, followed by a "Treatise on the 
Powers and Duties of Justices of the Peace. " He 
made similar compilations of the township laws 
of Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Missouri. 
By nature Mr. Haines was an agitator, and his 
career as a politician both checkered and unique. 
Originally a Democrat, he abandoned that or- 
ganization upon the formation of the Republican 
party, and was elected by the latter to the Legis- 
lature from Lake County in 1858. '60 and "62. In 
1867 he came into prominence as an anti-monopo- 
list, and on this issue was elected to the Consti- 



tutional Convention of 1869-70. In 1870 he was 
again chosen to the Legislature as an "independ- 
ent," and, as such, re-elected in '74, '82, '84, '86 and 
'88, receiving the support, however, of the Demo- 
crats in a District normally Republican. He 
served as Speaker during the sessions of 1875 and 
'85, the party strength in each of these Assemblies 
being so equall}' divided that he either held, or 
was able to control, the balance of power. He 
was an adroit parliamentarian, but his decisions 
were the cause of much severe criticism, being 
regarded by both Democrats and Republicans as 
often arbitrary and unjust. The two sessions 
over which he presided were among the stormiest 
in the State's history. Died, at Waukegan, April 
25, 1889. 

HALE, Albert, pioneer clergyman, was born 
at Glastonbury, Conn., Nov. 29, 1799; after some 
years spent as a clerk in a country store at 
Wethersfield, completed a course in the theolog- 
ical department of Yale College, later serving as a 
home missionary, in Georgia ; came to Illinois in 
1831, doing home missionary work in Bond 
County, and, in 1833, was sent to Chicago, where 
his open candor, benignity and blameless conduct 
enabled him to exert a powerful influence over 
the drunken aliorigines who constituted a large 
and menacing class of the population of what 
was then a frontier town. In 1839 he assumed 
the pastorate of the Second Presbyterian Church 
in Springfield, continuing that connection until 
1865. From that time until his death, his life 
was largely devoted to missionary work among 
the extremely poor and the pariahs of society. 
Among these he wielded a large influence and 
always commanded genuine respect from all 
denominations. His forte was love rather than 
argument, and in this lay the secret of his suc- 
cess. Died, in Springfield, Jan. 30, 1891. 

HALE, (Dr.) Edwin M., physician, was born 
in Newport, X. II., in 1829, commenced the study 
of medicine in 1848 and, in 1850, entered the 
Cleveland Homeopathic College, at the end of the 
session locating at Jonesville, Mich. From 1855 
he labored in the interest of a representation of 
homeopathy in the University of Michigan. 
When this was finally accomplished, he was 
offered the chair of JIatcria Medica and Thera- 
peutics, but was compelled to decline in conse- 
quence of having been elected to the same position 
in the Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago. 
In 1876 he made a visit to Europe, and. on his 
return, severed his connection with the Hahne- 
mann and accepted a similar position in the Chi- 
cago Homeopathic College, where he remained 



216 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



five years, when he retired with tlie rank of Pro- 
fessor Emeritus. Dr. Hale was the author of 
several volumes held iu high esteem by members 
of the profession, and maintained a high reputa- 
tion for professional skill and benevolence of 
character. He was a member of the Chicago 
Academy of Sciences and an honorary member of 
various home and foreign associations. Died, in 
Chicago, Jan. 18, 1899. 

HALL, (Col.) Cyrus, soldier, was born in Fay- 
ette County, 111., August 29, 1822— the son of a 
pioneer who came to Illinois about the time of 
its admission as a State. He served as Second 
Lieutenant in the Third Illinois Volunteers (Col. 
Foreman's regiment), during the Mexican War, 
and, in 1860, removed to Shelbyville to engage in 
hotel-keeping. The Civil War coming on, he 
raised the first company for the war in Shelby 
County, which was attached to the Fourteenth 
Illinois (Col. John M. Palmer's regiment); was 
promptly promoted from Captain to Major and 
finally to Lieutenant-Colonel, on the promotion 
of Palmer to Brigadier-General, succeeding to 
command of the regiment. The Fourteenth 
Eegiment having been finally consolidated with 
the Fifteenth, Lieutenant-Colonel Ilall was 
transferred, with the rank of Colonel, to the 
command of the One Hundred and Forty-fourth 
Illinois, wdiicli he resigned in March, 18G1, was 
brevetted Brigadier-General for gallant and 
meritorious service in the field, in March, 186.5, 
and mustered out Sept. 10, 1865. Returning to 
Shelbyville, he engaged in the furniture trade, 
later was appointed Postmaster, serving some ten 
years and until his death, Sept. 6, 1878. 

HALL, James, legislator, jurist. State Treasurer 
and author, was born in Philadelphia, August 
19, 1793; after serving in the War of 1813 and 
spending some time with Com. Stephen Decatur 
in the Mediterranean, in 181.5, he studied law, 
beginning practice at Shawneetown, in 1820. 
He at once assumed prominence as a citizen, was 
appointed State's Attorney in 1831, and elevated 
to the bench of the Circuit Court in 1825. He 
was legislated out of ofiSce two j-ears later and 
resumed private practice, making his home at 
Vandalia, where he was associated with Robert 
Blackwell in the publication of "The Illinois 
Intelligencer." The same year (1827) he was 
elected by the Legislature State Treasurer, con- 
tinuing in office four years. Later he removed to 
Cincinnati, where he died, July 5, 1868. He con- 
ducted "The Western Monthly Magazine," the 
fir.st periodical published in Illinois. Among his 
published volumes may be mentioned "Tales of 



the Border," "Notes on the Western States," 
"Sketches of the West," "Romance of Western 
History," and "History of the Indian Tribes." 

HAMER, Thomas, soldier and legislator, was 
born in Union County, Pa., June 1, 1818; came 
to Illinois in 1846 and began business as a mer- 
chant at Vermont, Fulton Count}'; in 1863 
assisted in recruiting the Eighty-fourth Illinois 
Volunteers and was elected Lieutenant-Colonel; 
was wounded in the battle of Stone River, re- 
turned to duty after partial recovery, but was 
finally compelled to retire on account of disabil- 
ity. Returning home he resumed business, but 
retired in 1878 ; was elected Representative in the 
General Assembly in 1886 and to the Senate in 
1888, and re-elected to the latter in 1893, making 
ten years of continuous service. 

HAMILTON, a city in Hancock County, on the 
Mississippi River opposite Keokuk, Iowa ; at junc- 
tion of the Toledo, Peoria & Western and Keokuk 
branch of the Wabash Railway. Its position at 
the foot of the lower rapids insures abundant 
water power for manufacturing purposes. An 
iron railroad and wagon bridge connects the Illi- 
nois city with Keokuk. It has two banks, elec- 
tric lights, one newspaper, six churches, a high 
school, and an apiary. The surrounding country 
is a farming and fruit district. A sanitarium 
is located here. Population (1890), 1,801; (1900), 
1,344. 

HAMILTON, John B., M.D, LL.D., surgeon, 
was born of a pioneer family in Jersey County, 
III, Dec. 1, 1847, his grandfather, Thomas M. 
Hamilton, having removed from Ohio in 1818 to 
Jlonroe County, 111., where the father of the sub- 
ject of this sketch was born. The latter (Elder 
Benjamin B. Hamilton) was for fifty years a 
Baptist preacher, chiefly in Greene County, and, 
from 1863 to '6"), Chaplain of the Sixty-fir.st Illi- 
nois Volunteers. Young Hamilton, having re- 
ceived his literary education at home and with a 
classical teacher at Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1803 
began the study of medicine, and the following 
year attempted to enlist as a soldier, but was 
rejected on account of being a minor. In 1869 he 
graduated from Rush Medical College in Chicago, 
and, for the next five years, was engaged in gen- 
eral practice. Then, having passed an examina- 
tion before an Army Examining Board, he was 
appointed Assistant Surgeon in the regular army 
with the rank of First Lieutenant, serving suc- 
cessively at Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis; Fort 
Colville, Washington, and in the Marine Hospital 
at Boston ; in 1879 became Supervising Surgeon- 
General as successor to Gen. John M. Woodworth 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



217 



and, during the yellow-fever epidemic in the 
South, a few years later, rendered efiieient service 
in checking the spread of the disease by taking 
charge of the camp of refugees from Jacksonville 
and other stricken points. Resigning the position 
of Surgeon-General in 1891, he took charge of the 
Marine Hospital at Chicago and became Pro- 
fessor of Surgery in Rush Medical College, besides 
holding other allied positions ; was also editor of 
"The Journal of the American Medical Associ- 
ation." In 1896 he resigned his position in the 
Medical Department of the United States Army, 
in 1897 was appointed Superintendent for the 
Northern Hospital for the Insane at Elgin, but 
died, Dec. 24, 1898. 

HAMILTON, John L., farmer and legislator, 
was born at Newry, Ireland. Nov. 9, 1829; emi- 
grated to Jersey County, 111., in 1851, where he 
began life working on a farm. Later, lie followed 
the occupation of a farmer in Mason and Macou- 
pin Counties, finally locating, in 18G4, iu Iroquois 
County, which has since been his home. After 
filling various local offices, in 1875 he was elected 
County Treasurer of Iroquois County as a Repub- 
lican, and twice re-elected (1877 and '79), also, in 
1880, being Chairman of the Republican County 
Central Committee. In 1884 he was elected to 
the House of Representatives, being one of the 
"103" who stood by General Logan in the mem- 
orable Senatorial contest of 1885; was re-elected 
in 1886, and again returned to the same body in 
1890 and '98. 

HAMILTON, John Marshall, lawyer and ex- 
Governor, was born in Union County, Ohio, May 
28, 1847; when 7 years of age, was brought to 
Illinois by his father, who settled on a farm in 
Marshall County. In 1864 (at the age of 17) he 
enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-first Illi- 
nois Volunteers — a 100-day regiment. After 
being mustered out, he matriculated at the Wes- 
leyan (Ohio) University, from which he gradu- 
ated in 1868. For a year he tauglit school at 
Henry, and later became Professor of Languages 
at the Weslej'an (111.) University at Blooming- 
ton. He was admitted to the bar in 1870, and has 
been a successful practitioner at the bar. In 
1876 he was elected State Senator from McLean 
County, and, in 1880, Lieutenant-Governor on the 
ticket with Gov. Shelby M. Cullom. On Feb. 6, 
1883, he was inaugurated Governor, to succeed 
Governor Cullom, who had been chosen United 
States Senator. In 1884 he was a candidate for 
the gubernatorial nomination before the Repub- 
lican State Convention at Peoria, but tliat body 
selected exGov. and ex-Senator Richard J. 



Oglesby to head the State ticket. Since then 
Governor Hamilton lias been a prominent practi- 
tioner at the Chicago bar. 

HAMILTON, Richard Jones, pioneer lawyer, 
was born near Danville, Ky., August 21, 1799; 
studied law and, about 1820, came to Jonesboro, 
Union County, 111., in company with Abner Field, 
afterwards State Treasurer ; in 1821 was appointed 
cashier of the newly established Branch State 
Bank at Brownsville, Jackson County, but, in 
1831, removed to Chicago, Governor Reynolds 
having appointed him the first Probate Judge of 
Cook County. At the same time he also held the 
oflSces of Circuit and County Clerk, Recorder and 
Commissioner of School lands — the sale of the 
Chicago school section being made under his 
administration. He was a Colonel of State militia 
and, in 1832, took an active part in raising volun- 
ters for defense during the Black Hawk War; 
also was a candidate for the colonelcy of the 
Fifth Regiment for the Mexican War (1847), 
but was defeated by Colonel Newby. In 1856 
he was an unsuccessful candidate for Lieu- 
tenant-Governor on the Democratic ticket. Died, 
Dec. 26, 1860. 

HAMILTON, WlUiam Stephen, pioneer — son 
of Alexander Hamilton, first United States Secre- 
tary of the Treasury — was born in New York 
City, August 4, 1797; spent three years (1814-17), 
at West Point ; came west and located at an early 
day at Springfield, 111. ; was a deputy surveyor of 
public lands, elected Representative from Sanga- 
mon County, in the Fourth General Assembly 
(1824-26); in 1827 removed to the Lead Mine 
region and engaged in mining at "Hamilton's 
Diggings" (now Wiota) in southwest Wisconsin, 
and occasionally practiced law at Galena ; was a 
member of the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature 
of 1843-43, emigrated to California in 1849, and 
died in Sacramento, Oct. 9, 1850, where, some 
twenty years later, a monument was erected to 
his memory. Colonel Hamilton was an aid-de- 
camp of Governor Coles, who sent him forward 
to meet General La Fayette on his way from New 
Orleans, on occasion of La Fayette's visit to Illi- 
nois in 1825. 

HAMILTON COUNTY, situated in tlie south- 
eastern part of the State; has an area of 440 
square miles, and population (1900) of 20,197 — 
named for Alexander Hamilton. It was organ- 
ized in 1821, with McLeansboro as the county- 
seat. The surface of the county is rolling and 
the fertile soil well watered and drained by 
numerous creeks, flowing east and south into the 
Wabash, which constitutes its southeastern 



218 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



boundary. Coal crops out at various points in 
the southwestern portion. Originally Hamilton 
County was a dense forest, and timber is still 
abundant and saw-mills numerous. Among the 
hard woods found are black and white oak. black 
walnut, ash and hickory. The softer woods are 
in unusual variety. Corn and tobacco are the 
principal crops, although considerable fruit is 
cultivated, besides oats, winter wheat and pota- 
toes. Sorghum is also extensively produced 
Among the pioneer settlers was a Mr. Auxier (for 
whom a water course was named), in 1815; Adam 
Crouch, the Biggerstaffs and T Stelle, in 1818, 
and W. T. Golson and Louis Baxter, in 1821. 
The most important town is McLeansboro, whose 
population in 1890 was l,3.">.j. 

H.\MMOND, Charles Goodrich, Railway Mana- 
ger, was born at Bolton, Conn., June 4, 1804, 
spent his youth in Chenango County, N. Y., 
where he became Principal of the Whitesboro 
Seminary (in which he was partially educated), 
and entered mercantile life at Canandaigua; 
in 1834 removed to Michigan, where he held 
various offices, including member of the Legisla- 
ture and Auditor; in 1853 completed the con- 
struction of the Michigan Central Railroad (the 
first line from the East) to Chicago, and took up 
his residence in that city. In 1855 he became 
Superintendent of the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy Railroad, but soon resigned to take a 
trip to Europe for the benefit of his health. 
Returning from Europe in 18G9, lie accepted the 
Superintendenc}' of the Union Pacific Railroad, 
but was compelled to resign by failing health, later 
becoming Vice-President of the Pullman Palace 
Car Company. He was Treasurer of the Chicago 
Ralief & Aid Society after the fire of 1871, and 
one of the founders of the Chicago Theological 
Seminary (Congregational) ; also President, for 
several years, of the Chicago Home for the Friend- 
less. Died, April 15, 1884. 

HAMPSHIRE, a village of Kane County, on 
the Omaha Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee 
& St. Paul Railway, 51 miles west-northwest from 
Chicago. There are brick and tile works, a large 
canning factory, pickle factory, and machine 
shop; dairy and stock interests are large. The 
place has a bank, electric lights and water-works, 
and a weekly paper. Pop. (1890), 006; (1900), 760. 

HANCOCK COUNTY, on the western border of 
the State, bounded on the west by the Mississippi 
River; was organized in 1835 and named for John 
Hancock ; lias an area of 7G9 scjuare miles ; popu- 
lation (1900), 33,315. Its early settlers were 
chiefly from the Middle and Southern States, 



among them being I. J. Waggen. for nearly sixty 
years a resident of Montebello Township. Black 
Hawk, the famous Indian Chief, is reputed to 
have been born within tlie limits of Camp Creek 
Township, in this county. Fort Edwards was 
erected on the present site of Warsaw, soon after 
the War of 1813, but was sliorth' afterwards evac- 
uated. Abraham Lincoln, a cousin of the Presi- 
dent of that name, was one of the early settlers. 
Among the earliest were John Day, Abraliam 
Brewer, Jacob Compton, D. F. Parker, the Dixons, 
Mendenlialls, I^ogans, and Luther Whitney. 
James White. George Y. Cutler and Henry Nich- 
ols were the first Commissioners. In 1839 the 
Mormons crossed the Mississippi, after being 
expelled from Missouri, and founded the city of 
Nauvoo in this county. (See Mormons, Xauvoo.) 
Carthage and Appanoose were surveyed and laid 
out in 1835 and 1836. A ferry across the Missis- 
sippi was established at Montebello (near the 
present site of Hamilton) in 1839, and another, 
two years later, near the site of old Fort Edwards. 
The county is crossed by six lines of railway, has 
a fine public school system, numerous thriving 
towns, and is among the wealthy counties of the 
State. 

HAXDY, Moses Purnell, journalist, was born 
at Warsaw, Mo., April 14, 1847; before he was 
one year old was taken back to Maryland, his 
parents' native State. He was educated at Ports- 
mouth. Va. , and was a student at the Virginia 
Collegiate Institute at the breaking out of the 
Civil War, when he joined the Confederate army 
at tlie age of seventeen. When the war ended 
Handy found himself penniless. He was school- 
teacher and book-canvasser by turns, meantime 
writing some for a New York paper. Later he 
became a clerk in the office of "The Christian 
Observer" in Richmond. In 1867, by some clever 
reporting for "The Richmond Dispatch," he was 
able to secure a regular position on the local staff 
of that paper, quickly gaining a reputation as a 
successful reporter, and, in 1869, becoming city 
editor. From this time until 1887 his promotion 
was rapid, being employed at different times upon 
many of the most prominent and influential 
papers in the East, including "The New York 
Tribune," "Richmond Enquirer," and, in Phila- 
delphia, upon "The Times," "The Press" and 
"Daily News." In 1893. at the request of Director- 
General Davis of the World's Columbian Exposi- 
tion. Mr. Handy accepted the position of Cliief of 
the Department of Publicity and Promotion, pre- 
ferring this to the Consul-Generalship to Egyjit, 
tendered him about the same time by President 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



219 



Harrison. Later, as a member of the National 
Commission to Europe, he did much to arouse the 
interest of foreign countries in the Exposition. 
For some time after the World's Fair, he was 
associate editor of "The Chicago Times-Herald." 
In 1897, having been appointed by President 
JIcKinley United States Commissioner to the 
Paris Exposition of 1900, he visited Paris. Upon 
his return to this country he found himself in 
very poor health, and went Soutli in a vain 
attempt to regain his lost strength and vigor, but 
died, at Augusta, Ga., Jan. 8, 1898. 

HANKS^ Dennis, pioneer, born in Hardin 
County, Ky., Ma3- 1.5, 1799; was a cousin of the 
mother of Abraham Lincoln and, although ten 
years the senior of the latter, was his intimate 
friend in boj'hood. Being of a sportive disposi- 
tion, he often led the future President in boyish 
pranks. About 1818. he joined the Lincoln house- 
hold in Spencer County. Ind., and finally married 
Sarah Johnston, the step-sister of Mr. Lincoln, 
the families removing to Macon County. 111., 
together, in 1830. A year or so later. Mr. Hanks 
removed to Coles County, where he remained 
until some three years before liis death, when he 
went to reside with a daughter at Paris. Edgar 
County. It has been claimed that he first taught 
the youthful Abraham to read and write, and 
this has secured for him the title of Mr. Lincoln's 
teacher. He has also been credited with having 
once saved Lincoln from death by drowning while 
crossing a swollen stream. Austin Gollaher, a 
school- and play-mate of Lincoln's, has also made 
the same claim for himself — the two stories pre- 
sumably referring to the same event After the 
riot at Charleston, III., in March, 1863, in which 
several persons were killed. Hanks made a visit 
to President Lincoln in Washington in the inter- 
est of some of the arrested rioters, and, although 
they were not immediately released, the fact that 
they were ordered returned to Charleston for 
trial and finally escaped punishment, has been 
attributed to Hanks' influence with the President. 
He died at Paris. Edgar County, Oct. 31. 1893. in 
the 94th year of his age. as the result of injuries 
received from being run over bj' a buggy while 
returning from an Emancipation-Day celebra- 
tion, near that city, on the 22d day of September 
previous. 

HAXKS, John, pioneer, a cousin of the mother 
of Abraham Lincoln, was born near Bardstown. 
Ky., Feb. 9, 1802; joined the Lincolns in Spencer 
County, Ind., in 1822. and made his home with 
them two years; engaged in flat boating, making 
numerous trips to New Orleans, in one of them 



being accompanied by Abraham Lincoln, then 
about 19 years of age, who then had his feelings 
aroused against slavery by his first siglit of a 
slave-mart. In 1828 Mr. Hanks removed to 
Macon County, III., locating about four miles 
west of Decatur, and it was partly through his 
influence that the Lincolns were induced to emi- 
grate to the same locality in 1830. Hanks liad 
cut enough logs to build the Lincolns a liouse 
when they arrived, and these were hauled by 
Abraham Lincoln to the site of the house, which 
was erected on the north bank of the Sangamon 
River, near the present site of Harristown. Dur- 
ing the following summer he and Abraham Lin- 
coln worked together splitting rails to fence a 
portion of the land taken up by the elder Lincoln 
— some of these rails being tlie ones displayed 
during the campaign of 1860. In 1831 Hanks and 
Lincoln worked together in the construction of a 
flat-boat on the Sangamon River, near Spring- 
field, for a man named Off utt, which Lincoln took 
to New Orleans — Hanks only going as fat as 
St. Louis, when he returned home. In 1832, 
Hanks served as a soldier of the Mexican War in 
the company commanded by Capt. I. C. Pugh, 
afterwards Colonel of the Fort3'-first Illinois 
Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. He 
followed the occupation of a farmer until 1850, 
wlien he went to California, where he spent three 
years, returning in 1853. In 1861 he enlisted as 
a soldier in the Twenty-first Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry (afterwards commanded by General 
Grant), but being already 59 years of age, was 
placed by Grant in charge of the baggage-train, 
in which capacity he remained two j'ears, serving 
in Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky, 
Alabama and Mississippi. While Grant was with 
the regiment. Hanks had charge of the staff team. 
Being disabled by rheumatism, he was finally 
discharged at Winchester, Tenn. He made 
three trips to California after the war. Died, 
July 1, 1891. 

HANNIIUL & >'APLES R.\ILROAD. (See 
Wabash Railroad.) 

HANOJJ, Martin, pioneer, was born near Nash- 
ville. Tenn., April, 1799; came with his father to 
Gallatin County, Illinois Territory, in 1812, and, 
in 1818, to what is now a portion of Christian 
County, being the first white settler in that 
region. Died, near .Sharpsburg. Cliristian Comity, 
April 5. 1879. 

HANOVER, a village in Jo Daviess County, on 
Apple River, 14 miles soutli-southeast of (Jalena. 
It lias a woolen factory, besides five churches and 
a graded school. Tlie Township (also called Han- 



220 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



over) extends to the Mississippi, and lias a popu- 
lation of about 1.700. Population of the village 
(1890), 743; (1900), 785. 

HARDIN, the county-seat of Calhoun County, 
situated in Hardin Townsliip. on the west bank 
of the Illinois River, some 30 miles northwest of 
Alton. It has two churches, a graded school and 
two newspaper offices. Population (1880), 500; 
(1890), 311; (1900). 494. 

HARDIN, John J., lawyer. Congressman and 
soldier, was born at Frankfort, Ky., Jan. 6, 1810. 
After graduating from Transylvania University 
and being admitted to the bar, he began practice 
at Jacksonville, 111., in 1830; for several years he 
was Prosecuting Attorney of Morgan County, 
later being elected to the lower house of the 
Legislature, where he served from 1836 to '42. 
The latter year he was elected to Congress, his 
term expiring in 1845. During the later period 
of his professional career at Jacksonville he was 
the partner of David A. Smith, a prominent law- 
yer of that city, and had Richard Yates for a 
pupil. At the outbreak of the Mexican War he 
was commissioned Colonel of the First Illinois 
Volunteers (June 30, 1846) and was killed on the 
second day of the battle of Buena Vista (Feb. 27, 
1847) while leading the final charge. His remains 
were brought to Jacksonville and buried with 
distinguished honors in the cemetery there, his 
former pupil, Richard Yates, delivering the fu- 
neral oration. — Gen. Martin D. (Hardin), soldier, 
son of the preceding, was born in Jacksonville, 111., 
June 26, 1837 ; graduated at West Point Military 
Academy, in 1859, and entered the service as 
brevet Second Lieutenant of the Third Artillery, 
a few months later becoming full .Second Lieu- 
tenant, and, in May, 1861, First Lieutenant. 
Being assigned to the command of volunteer 
troops, he passed through various grades until 
May, 1864, when he was brevetted Colonel of 
Volunteers for meritorious conduct at North 
River, Va. , became Brigadier-General of Volun- 
teers, July 2, 1864, was brevetted Brigadier- 
General of the regular army in March, 1865, 
for service during the war, and was finallj- mus- 
tered out of the volunteer service in January, 
1866. He continued in the regular service, how- 
ever, until December 15, 1870, when he was 
retired with the rank of Brigadier-General. 
General Hardin lost an arm and suffered other 
wounds during the war. His home is in Chicago. 
— Ellen Hardin (Walworth), author, daughter of 
Col. John J. Hardin, was born in Jacksonville, 
111., Oct. 20, 1832, and educated at the Female 
Seminary in that place ; was married about 1854 



to Mansfield Tracy Walworth (son of Chancellor 
R. H. Walworth of New York). Her husband 
became an author of considerable repute, chiefly in 
the line of fiction, but was assassinated in 1873 by 
a son who was acquitted of the charge of murder 
on the ground of insanity. Mrs. Walworth is a 
leader of the Daughters of the Revolution, and 
has given much attention, of late years, to literary 
pursuits. Among her works are accounts of the 
Burgoj-ne Campaign and of the battle of Buena 
Vista — the latter contributed to "The Magazine 
of American History"; a "Life of Col. John J. 
Hardin and History of the Hardin Family," 
besides a number of patriotic and miscellaneous 
poems and essays. She served for several years 
as a member of the Board of Education, and was 
for six years principal of a young ladies' school 
at Saratoga Springs, N. Y. 

HARDIN COUNTY, situated on the southeast 
border of the State, and bounded on the east and 
south by the Ohio River. It has an area of 194 
square miles, and was named for a county in 
Kentucky. The surface is broken by ridges and 
deep gorges, or ravines, and well timbered with 
oak, hickory, elm. maple, locust and cotton- 
wood. Corn, wheat and oats are the staple 
agricultural products. The minerals found are 
iron, coal and lead, Ijesides carboniferous lime- 
stone of the Keokuk group. Elizabethtown is 
the county-seat. Population (1880), 6,024; (1890), 
7,234; (1900), 7,448. 

HARDING, Abner Clark, soldier and Member 
of Congress, born in East nami)ton, Middlesex 
County, Conn., Feb. 10, 1807; was eilucated chiefly 
at Hamilton Academy, N. Y., and, after practic- 
ing law for a time, in Oneida Count)', removed to 
Illinois, resuming practice and managing several 
farms for twenty-five years. He was also a mem- 
ber of the State Constitutional Convention of 
1847 from Warren County, and of the lower 
branch of the Sixteenth General Assembly 
(1848-50). Between 1850 and 1860 he was engaged 
in railroad enterprises. In 186, he enlisted as a 
private in the Eighty-third Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry, was commissioned Colonel and, in less 
than a year, was piomoted to Brigadier-General. 
In 1864 he was elected to Congress and re-elected 
in 1866. He did much for the development of the 
western part of the State in the construction of 
railroads, the Peoria & Oquawka (now a part of 
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy) being one of 
the lines constructed by him. He left a fortune 
of about $2,000,000, and, before his death, en- 
dowed a professorship In Monmouth College 
Died, July 19, 1874. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



231 



HARGRAVE, Willis, pioneer, came from Ken- 
tucky to Illinois in 18Ui. settling near Carmi in 
White County ; serveJ in the Thir<l Territorial 
Legislature (1817-18; and in the First General 
Assembly of the State (1818-30). His business- 
life in Illinois was devoted to farming and salt- 
manufacture. 

HARLA\, James, statesman, was born in Clark 
County, 111., August 25, 18'.20; graduated at Asbury 
University, Ind. ; was State Su[)eri?iten(lent of 
Public Instruction in Iowa (1847), President of 
Iowa Wesleyan University (IS.'iS), United States 
Senator (185.)-65), Secretary of the Interior 
(186.5-66), but re-elected to the Senate the latter 
j-ear, and, in 1869, chosen President of Iowa Uni- 
versity. He was also a member of the Peace 
Confei-ence of 1861, and a delegate to the Phila- 
delphia Loyalists" Convention of 1866; in 1873, 
after leaving the Senate, was editor of "The 
Wa.shiugton Chronicle," and, from 1882 to 1885, 
presiding Judge of the Court of Commissioners of 
the Alabama Claims. A daugliter of ex-Senator 
Harlan married Hon. Robert. T. Lincoln, son of 
President Lincoln, and (1889-93) United States 
Minister to England. Mr. Harlan's home is at 
Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Died, Oct. 5, 1899. 

HARLAN, Justin, jurist, was born in Ohio 
about 1801 and, at the age of 25, .settled in Clark 
County, 111. ; served in the Black Hawk War of 
1833 and, in 183.5, was appointed a Justice of the 
Circuit Court; was a Delegate to the Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1847 and the following year 
was elected to the Circuit bench under the new 
Constitution, being re-elected in 18.5.5. In 1863 
he was appointed by President Lincoln Indian 
Agent, continuing in office until 1865; in 1872 
was elected County Judge of Clark County. 
Died, while on a visit in Kentucky, in March, 
1879. 

HARLOW, George H., ex-Secretary of State, 
born at Sacketfs Harbor. N. Y., in 1830, removed 
to Tazewell County, 111., in 1854, and engaged in 
business as a commission merchant ; also served 
a term as Mayor of Pekin. For many years he 
took a prominent part in the history of the State. 
Early in the '60's he was one of seven to organize, 
at Pekin, the "Union League of America," a 
patriotic secret organization sworn to preserve 
the Union, working in harmony with the war 
party and against the "Sons of Liberty." In 
1862 he enlisted, and was about to go to the front, 
when Governor Yates requested him to remain at 
home and continue his effective work in the 
Union League, saying that he could accomplish 
more for the cau.se in this wav than in the field. 



Accordingly Mr. Harlow continued to Labor as an 
organizer, and the League became a i)owerful 
factor in State jiolitics. In 1865 he was made 
First Assistant Secretary of the State Senate, 
but soon after became Governor Oglesby's private 
secretary. For a time he also served as Inspector- 
General on the Governor's staff, and had charge 
of the troops as they were mustered out. During 
a portion of Mr. Rummel's term ( 1809-73) as Secre- 
tary of State, he served as Assistant Secretary, 
and, in 1873, was elected as successor to Secretary 
Rummel and re-elected in 1876. While in Spring- 
field he acted as correspondent for several news- 
papers, and, for a year, was city editor of "The 
Illinois State Journal." In 1881 he took up his 
residence in Chicago, where he was engaged at 
different periods in the commission and real 
estate business, but has been retired of late j'ears 
on account of ill health. Died May 16, 1900. 

HARPER, William H., legislator and commis- 
sion merchant, born in Tippecanoe Count}', Ind., 
May 4, 1845; was brought by his parents in boy- 
hood to Woodford County, 111., and served in the 
One Hundred and Forty-fifth Illinois Voluniteers ; 
took a course in a commercial college and engaged 
in the stock and grain-shipping business in Wood- 
ford County until 1868, when he entered upon the 
commission business in Chicago. From 1873 to 
'75 he served, by appointment of the Governor, 
as Chief of the Grain Inspection Department of 
the city of Chicago; in 1882 was elected to the 
Thirty -third General Assembly and re-elected in 
1884. During his first term in the Legislature, 
Mr. Harper introduced and secured the pas.sage 
of the "High License Law," which has received 
his name. Of late years he has been engaged in 
the grain commission business in Chicago. 

HARPER, WiUiam Rainey, clergyman and 
educator, was born at New Concord, Ohio, July 
26, 18.56; graduated at Muskingum College at the 
age of 14, delivering the Hebrew oration, this 
being one of the principal commencement honors 
in that institution. After three years' private 
study he took a post-graduate course in philology 
at Yale, receiving the degree of Ph. D. , at the age 
of 19. For several years he was engaged in 
teaching, at Macon, Tenn., and Denison Uni- 
versity, Ohio, meanwhile continuing liis philo- 
logical studies and devoting special attention to 
Hebrew. In 1879 ho accepted the chair of 
Hebrew in the Baptist Union Theological Semi- 
nary at Morgan Park, a suburb of Chicago. Here 
he laid the foundation of the "inductive method" 
of Hebraic study, which rapidly grew in fa%-or. 
The school by correspondence was known as the 



222 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



"American Institute of Hebrew," and increased 
so rapidly that, by 1885, it had enrolled 800 stu- 
dents, from all parts of the world, many leading 
professors co-operating. In 1886 be accepted the 
professorship of Semitic Language and Literature 
at Yale University, having in the previous year 
become Principal of the Chautauqua College of 
Liberal Arts, and, in 1891, Principal of the 
entire Chautauqua system. During the winters 
of 1889-91, Dr. Harper delivered courses of lec- 
tures on the Bible in various cities and before 
several universities and colleges, having been, 
in 1889, made Woolsey Professor of Biblical 
Literature at Yale, although still filling his 
former chair. In 1891 he accepted an invitation 
to the Presidency of the then incipient new Chi- 
cago University, which has rapidly increased in 
wealth, extent and influence. (See UniversHy 
of Chicago.) He is also at present (1899) a mem- 
ber of the Chicago Board of Education. Dr. 
Harper is the author of numerous philological 
text- books, relating chiefly to Hebrew, but ap- 
plying the "inductive method" to the study of 
Latin and Greek, and has also sought to improve 
the study of English along these same lines. In 
addition, he has edited two scientific periodicals, 
and published numerous monographs. 

HARRIS, Thomas L., lawyer, soldier and Mem- 
ber of Congress, was born at Norwich, Conn., 
Oct. 29, i8l6; graduated at Trinity College. Hart- 
ford, in 1841, studied law with Gov. Isaac Toucey, 
and was admitted to the bar in Virginia in 1842, 
the same year removing to Petersburg, Menard 
County, 111. Here, in 1845, he was elected School 
Commissioner, in 1846 raised a company for the 
Mexican War, joined the Fourth Regiment (Col. 
E. D. Baker's) and was elected Major. He was 
present at the capture of Vera Cruz and the 
battle of Cerro Gordo, after the wounding of 
General Shields at the latter, taking command of 
the regiment in place of Colonel Baker, who had 
assumed command of the brigade. During his 
absence in the army (1846) he was chosen 
to the State Senate; in 1848 was elected to 
the Thirty-first Congress, but was defeated by 
Richard Yates in 1850; was re-elected in 1854, 
'56, and '58, but died Nov. 24, 1858, a few days after 
his fourth election and before completing his 
preceding term. 

HARRIS, William Logan, Methodist Episcopal 
Bishop, born near Mansfield. Ohio, Nov. 14, 1817; 
was educated at Norwalk Seminary, licensed to 
preach in 1836 and soon after admitted to the 
Michigan Conference, being transferred to the 
Ohio Conference in 1840. In 1845-46 he was a 



tutor in the Ohio Wesleyan University; then, 
after two years' pastoral work and some three 
years as Principal of Baldwin Seminar}-, in 18.51 
returned to the Wesleyan, filling the position 
first of Principal of the Academic Department 
and then a professorship; was Secretary of the 
General Conferences (18.56-72) and, during 1860-72, 
Secretary of the Church Missionary Society ; in 
1872 was elected Bishop, and visited the Methodist 
Mission stations in China, Japan and Europe; 
joined the Illinois Conference in 1874, remaining 
until his death, which occurred in New York, 
Sept. 2, 1887. Bishop Harris was a recognized au- 
thority on Methodist Church law, and published 
a small work entitled "Powers of the General 
Conference" (18.59), and, in connection with 
Judge William J. Henry, of this State, a treatise 
on "Ecclesiastical Law," having special refer- 
ence to the Methodist Church. 

HARRISBURG, county seat of Saline County, 
on the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. 
Louis Railway, 70 miles northeast of Cairo The 
region is devoted to agriculture and fruit-grow- 
ing, and valuable deposits of salt, coal and iron 
are found. The town has flour and saw mills, 
coal mines, dairy, brick and tile works, carriage 
and other wood-working establishments, two 
banks and three weekly newspapers. Population 
(1890), 1,723; (1900), 2.203. 

HARRISON, Carter Henry, politician, Con- 
gressman and Mayor of Chicago, was born in 
Fayette County, Ky., Feb. 15, 1825; at the age of 
20 years graduated from Yale College and began 
reading la%v, but later engaged in farming. After 
spending two years in foreign travel, he entered 
the Law Department of Transylvania University, 
at Lexington, Ky.. and, after graduation, settled 
at Cliicago, where he soon became an operator in 
real estate. In 1871 he was elected a Commis- 
sioner of Cook County, serving three years. In 
1874 he again visited Europe, and, on his return, 
was elected to Congress as a Democrat, being 
re-elected in 1876. In 1879 he was chosen Mayor 
of Chicago, filling that office for four successive 
biennial terms, but was defeated for re-election 
in 1887 by his Republican competitor, John A. 
Roche. He was the Democratic candidate for 
Governor in 1888, but failed of election. lie 
thereafter made a trip around the world, and. on 
his return, published an entertaining account of 
his journej' under the title, "A Race with the 
Sun." In 1891 he was an Independent Demo- 
cratic candidate for the Chicago mayoralty, but 
was defeated by Hempstead Washburne. Rejiub- 
Ucan. In 1893 he received the regular nomina- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



22;i 



tion of his party for the office, and was elected. 
In 11592, in connection witli a few associates, he 
purchased tlie plant of "The Chicago Times, ' ' plac- 
ins his sons in charge. He was a man of strong 
character and intense personality, making warm 
friends and bitter enemies ; genial, generous and 
kmdly, and accessible to any one at all times, at 
either his office or his home. Taking advantage 
of this latter trait, one Prendergast, on the night 
of Oct. 28, 1893 — immediately following the clos- 
ing exercises of the World's Columbian Exposition 
— gained admission to his residence, and, without 
the slightest provocation, shot him down in his 
library. He lived but a few hours. The assassin 
was subsequently tried, convicted and hung. 

Harrison, carter Henry, Jr., son of the 
preceding, was born in Chicago, April 23, 1860, 
being a lineal descendant of Benjamin Harrison, 
an early Colonial Governor of Virginia, and lat- 
erally related to the signer of the Declaration 
of Independence of that name, and to President 
William Henr}- Harrison. Mr. Harrison was 
educated in the public schools of Chicago, at tlie 
Gymnasium. Altenburg, Germany, and St. Igna- 
tius College, Chicago, graduating from the latter 
in 1881. Having taken a course in Yale Law 
School, he began practice in Chicago in 1883, 
remaining until 1889, when he turned his atten- 
tion to real estate. His father having purchased 
the "Chicago Times'" about 1892, he became 
associated with the editorship of that paper and, 
for a time, had charge of its publication until its 
consolidation with "The Herald" in 189."). In 
1897. he received the Democratic nomination for 
Mayor of Chicago, his popularity being shown by 
receiving a majority of tlie total vote. Again 
in 1099, he was re-elected to the same office, 
receiving a plurality over his Republican com- 
petitor of over 40,000. Mayor Harri.son is one of 
the youngest men who ever held the office. 

HARRISON, William Henry, fir.st Governor of 
Indiana Territory (including tlie present State of 
Illinois), was born at Berkeley, Va., Feb 9, 17T3, 
being the son of Benjamin Harrison, a signer of 
the Declaration of Independence; was educated 
at Hampden Sidney College, and began the study 
of medicine, but never finished it. In 1791 he 
was commissioned an Ensign in the First U. S. 
Infantry at Fort Washington (the present site of 
Cincinnati), was promoted a Lieutenant a j'ear 
later, and, in 1797, assigned to command of the 
Fort with the rank of Captain. He had pre- 
viously served as Aid-de-Camp to Gen. Wayne, 
by whom he was complimented for gallantry at 
the battle of Miami. In 179S he was appointed by 



President Adams Secretary of the Northwest 
Territory, but resigned in 1799 to become Dele- 
gate in Congress; in 1800 he was appointed Gov- 
ernor of the newly created Territory of Indiana, 
serving by reappointment some 12 years. During 
his incumbency and as Commissioner, a few years 
later, he negotiated many important treaties 
with the Indians. In 1811 he won the decisive 
victory over Chief Tecuin.seh and his followers 
at Tippecanoe. Having been made a Brigadier- 
General in the War of 1812, he was promoted to 
Major-General in 1813 and, as Commander of the 
Army of the Northwest, he won the important 
battle of the Thames. Resigning his commission 
in 1814, he afterwards served as Representative 
in Congress from Ohio (1816-1819); Presidential 
Elector in 1820 and 1824; United States Senator 
(1824-1828), and Minister to the United States of 
Colombia (1828-29). Returning to the United 
States, he was elected Clerk of the Court of Com- 
mon Pleas of Hamilton County, serving twelve 
years. In 1836 lie was an unsuccessful Whig^ 
candidate for President, but was elected in 1840, 
dying in Washington City, April 4, 1841, just onfr 
month after his inauguration. 

HARTZELL, William, Congressman, was born 
in Stark County, Ohio, Fel). 20, 1837. When he 
was three years old his parents removed to Illi 
nois, and, four years later (1844) to Texas. In 
18,53 he returned to Illinois, settling in Randolpli 
County, which became liis permanent home. He 
was brought up on a farm, but graduated at Mc- 
Kendree College, Lebanon, in June, 1859. Five 
years later he was admitted to the bar, and began 
practice. He was Representative in Congress for 
two terms, being elected as a Democrat, in 1874, 
and again in 1876. 

HARVARD, an incorporated city in McHenry 
County, 63 miles northwest of Chicago on the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railway. It has elec- 
tric light plant, artesian water system, hardware 
and bicycle factories, malt house, cold storage 
and packing plant, a flouring mill, a carriage- 
wheel factory and two weekly papers. The 
region is agricultural. Population (1890), 1,967; 
(1900), 2,602. 

HASKELL, Harriet Newell, educator and third 
Principal of Muiiticello Female Seminary, was 
bornat Wahllioro, Lincoln County, Maine. Jan. 14, 
1835; educated at Castleton Seminary, Vt., and 
Mount Holyoke Seminarj', Mass., graduating 
from the latter in 1855. Later, she served as 
Principal of high schools in Maine and Boston 
until 1862, when she was called to the principal- 
ship of Castleton Seminary. She resiirned tliii 



224 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



position in 1867 to assume a similar one at Monti- 
cello Female Seminary, at Godfrey, 111., where 
she has since remained. The main building of 
this institution liaving been burned in Novem- 
ber, 1889, it was rebuilt on an enlarged and 
improved plan, largely through the earnest efforts 
of Miss Haskell. (See Monticello Female Semi- 
nary.) 

HATCH, Ozias Mather, Secretary of the State 
of Illinois (1857-'6o), was born at Hillsborough 
Center, N. H., April 11, ISU, and removed to 
Griggsville, 111., in 1836. In 1829 he began life as 
a clerk for a wholesale and retail grocer in Bos- 
ton. From 1836 to 1841 he was engaged in store- 
keeping at GriggsviUe. In the latter year he was 
appointed Circuit Court Clerk of Pike County, 
holding the oflSce seven years. In 1858 he again 
embarked in business at Meredosia, 111. In 1850 
he was elected to the Legislature, serving one 
term. An earnest anti slavery man, he was, in 
1856, nominated by the newly organized Repub- 
lican party for Secretary of State and elected, 
being re-elected in 1860, on the same ticket with 
Mr. Lincoln, of whom he was a warm personal 
friend and admirer. During the war he gave a 
zealous and effective support to Governor Yates' 
administration. In 1864 he declined a renomi- 
nation and retired from political life. He was an 
original and active member of the Lincoln Monu- 
ment Association from its organization in 1865 to 
his death, and, in company with Gov. R. J. 
Oglesby, made a canvass of Eastern cities to col- 
lect funds for statuary to be placed on the monu- 
ment. After retiring from office he was interested 
to some extent in the banking business at Griggs- 
ville, and was influential in securing the con- 
struction of the branch of the M'abash Railway 
from Naples to Hannibal, Mo. He was. for over 
thirty-five years, a resident of Springfield, dying 
tnere, Marcli 12, 1893. 

HATFIELD, (Rev.) Robert Miller, clergy- 
man, was born at Mount Pleasant, Westchester 
County, N. Y., Feb. 19, 1819; in early life enjoyed 
only such educational advantages as could be 
obtained while living on a farm ; later, was em 
ployed as a clerk at White Plains and in New 
York City, but, in 1841, was admitted to the 
Providence Methodist Episcopal Conference, dur- 
ing the next eleven years supplying churches in 
Rhode Island and Massachusetts. In 1852 he 
went to Brooklyn and occupied pulpits in that 
vicinity until 1865, when he assumed the pastor- 
ship of the Wabash Avenue Metliodist Episcopal 
Church in Chicago, two years later going to the 
Centenary Church in tlie same city. He subse- 



quently had charge of churches in Cincinnati and 
Philadelphia, but. returning to Illinois in 1877. 
he occupied pulpits for the next nine years in 
Evanston and Chicago. In 1886 he went to Sum- 
merfield Methodist Episcopal Church, Brookl3-n, 
wliich was his last regular charge, as, in 1889, he 
became Financial Agent of the Northwestern 
University at Evanston, of which he had been a 
Triistee from 1878. As a temporary supply for 
pulpits or as a speaker in popular assemblies, his 
services were in constant demand during this 
period. Dr. Hatfield served as a Delegate to the 
General Conferences of 1860, "64, '76, '80 and "84, 
and was a leader in some of the most important 
debates in those bodies. Died, at Evanston, 
March 31. 1891. 

HATTOX, Frank, journalist and Postmaster- 
General, was born at Cambridge, Ohio, April 28, 
1846; entered his father's newspaper office at 
Cadiz, as an apprentice, at 11 years of age. be- 
coming foreman and local editor ; in 1862, at the 
age of 16, he enlisted in the Ninety-eighth Ohio 
Infantry, but, in 1864, was transferred to the One 
Hundred and Eighty-fourth Ohio and commis- 
sioned Second Lieutenant — his service being 
chiefly in the Army of the Cumberland, but par- 
ticipating in Sherman's March to the Sea. After 
the war he went to Iowa, whither his father had 
preceded him, and where he edited "The Mount 
Pleasant Journal" (1869-74) ; then removed to Bur- 
lington, where he secured a controlling interest 
in "The Hawkeye, " which he brought to a point 
of great prosperity ; was Postmaster of that city 
under President Grant, and, in 1881, became 
First Assistant Postmaster-General. On the 
retirement of Postmaster-General Gresham in 
1884, he was appointed successor to the latter, 
serving to the end of President Arthur's adminis- 
tration, being the youngest man who ever held 
a cabinet position, except Alexander Hamilton. 
From 1882 to 1884, Mr. Hatton managed "The 
National Republican" in Washington; in 1885 
removed to Cliicago, where he became one of the 
proprietors and editor-in-chief of "The Evening 
Mail"; retired from the latter in 1887, and, pur- 
cha.sing the plant of "The National Republican" 
in Washington, commenced the publication of 
"The Washington Post, "with which he was con- 
nected until his death, April 30, 1894. 

HAVANA, the county-seat of Mason County, an 
incorporated city founded in 1827 on the Illinois 
River, opposite the mouth of Spoon River, and a 
point of junction for three railways. It is a ship- 
ping-point for corn and osage orange hedge 
plants. A number of manufactories are located 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



225 



here. The city has several churches, three pub- 
lic schools and three newspapers. Population 
(1890). 2,.52,j; (1900), 3,268. 

HAVANA, RAMOUL & EASTERN RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Illinois Central Railroad.) 

HAVEN, Erastus Otis, Methodist Episcojial 
Bishop, was born in Boston, Mass.. Nov. 1, 1820; 
graduated at the Wesleyan University in 1842. 
and taught in various institutions in Massachu- 
setts and New York, meanwhile studying theol- 
ogy. In 1848 he entered the Methodi.st ministry 
as a member of the New York Conference: five 
years later accepted a professorship in Michigan 
University, but resigned in 1856 to become editor 
of "Zion's Herald," Boston, for seven years — in 
that time serving two terms in the State Senate 
and a part of the time being an Overseer of Har- 
vard University. In 1863 he accepted the Presi- 
dency of Northwestern University at Evanston, 
111. ; in 1872 became Secretary of the IMethodist 
Board of Education, but resigned in 1874 to 
become Chancellor of Syracuse University. N.Y. 
In 1880 he was elected a Bishop of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. Died, in Salem, Oregon, in 
August. 1881. Bishop Haven was a man of great 
versatility and power as an orator, wrote much 
for the periodical press and published several 
volumes on religious topics, besides a treati.se on 
rhetoric. 

HAVEN, Luther, educator, was born near 
Framingham, Mass., August 6, 1806. With a 
meager country-school education, at the age of 
17 he began teaching, continuing in this occupa- 
tion six or seven 3-ears, after which he spent 
three years in a more liberal course of study in a 
private academy at Ellington. Conn. He was 
next employed at Leicester Academy, first as a 
teacher, and, for eleven years, as Principal. He 
then engaged in mercantile pursuits until 1849, 
W'hen he removed to Chicago. After several 
years spent in manufacturing and real-estate 
business, in IS'A he became proprietor of "The 
Prairie Farmer," of which he remained in con- 
trol until 18.58. Mr. Haven took an active interest 
in public affairs, and was an untiring worker for 
the promotion of popular education. For ten 
years following 18.53. he was officially connected 
with the Chicago Board of Education, being for 
four years its President. The comptrollersliip of 
the city was offered him in 1860, but declined. 
During the war he was a zealous supporter of the 
Union cause. In October, 1861, he was appointed 
by President Lincoln Collector for the Port of 
Cliicago, and Sub-Treasurer of the United States 
for the Dcpartiii'.'iit of tlio Northwest, serving in 



this capacity during a part of President Johnson's 
administration. In 1866 he was attacked with 
congestion of the lungs, dying on March 6. of 
that year. 

HAWK, Robert M. A., Congressman, was born 
ill Hancock County, Ind., .-VpriPJS, 1,839; came to 
Carroll County. 111., in boyhood, where he attended 
the common schools and later graduated from Eu- 
reka College. In 1862 he enlisted in the Union 
army, was commissioned First Lieutenant, next 
promoted to a Captaincy and, finally, brevetted 
Major for soldierly conduct in the field. In 1865 
he was elected County Clerk of Carroll County, 
and three times re-elected, serving from 1865 to 
1879. The latter year he resigned, having been 
elected to Congress on the Republican ticket in 
1878. In 1880 he was re-elected, but died before 
the expiration of his term, his successor being 
Robert R. Hitt, of Mount Morris, who was chosen 
at a special election to fill the vacancy. 

HAWLEY, John B., Congressman and Fir?:; 
Assistant Secretarj' of the Treasury, was born i.i 
Fairfield County, Conn., Feb. 9, 1831; accompu- 
nied his parents to Illinois in childhood, residin;; 
in his early manhood at Carthage, Hancoc'.; 
County. At the age of 23 (1804) he was admitte 1 
to the bar and began practice at Rock Islami. 
From 1856 to 1860 he was State's Attorney oi 
Rock Island Coiinty. In 1861 he entered tho 
Union army as Captain, but was so severely 
wounded at Fort Donelson (1862) that he wa^i 
obliged to quit the service. In 1865 President 
Lincoln appointed him Postmaster at Rock Island, 
but one j'ear afterward lie was removed by Presi- 
dent Johnson. In 1868 he was elected to Congress 
as a Republican, being twice re-elected, and, in 
1876, was Presidential Elector on the Ha3-es- 
Wheeler ticket. In the following year he was 
appointed by President Hayes First Assistant 
Secretary of the Treasury, serving until 1880, 
when he resigned. During the last six years of 
his life he was Solicitor for the Chicago & North- 
western Railroad, with headquarters at Omaha, 
Neb. Died, at Hot Springs. South Dakota, May 
24, 1895. 

HAY, John, autlior, diplomatist and Secretary 
of State, was born in Salem, Ind., Oct. 8, 1838, of 
Scottish ancestry; graduated at Brown Univer- 
sity, 1858, and studied law at Springfield, 111., his 
father, in the meantime, having become a resi- 
dent of Warsaw, 111, ; was admitted to practice 
in 1861, but immediately went to Washington as 
assistant private .secretary of President Lincoln, 
acting part of the time as the President's aid-de- 
camp, also serving for some time under General 



226 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Hunter and Gilmore, witli the rank of Major and 
Adjutant-General. After President Lincoln's 
assassination he served as Secretary of Legation 
at Paris and Madrid, and as Charge d' Affaires at 
Vienna; was also editor for a time of "The Illi- 
nois State Journal" at Si^ringfield, and a leading 
editorial %vriter on "The New York Tribune." 
Colonel Haj''s more important literary works 
include "CastiUan Days, " ' "Pike Count}' Ballads, ' ' 
and the ten-volume "History of the Life and 
Times of Abraham Lincoln," written in collabo- 
ration with John G. Nicolay. In 187.5 he settled 
at Cleveland, Ohio, but, after retiring from "The 
New York Tribune," made Washington his home. 
In 1897 President McKinley appointed him Am- 
bassador to England, where, by his tact, good 
judgment and sound discretion manifested as a 
diplomatist and speaker on public occa.sions. he 
won a reputation as one of the most able and ac- 
complished foreign representatives America has 
produced. His promotion to the position of 
Secretary of State on the retirement of Secretary 
William R. Day, at the close of the Spauisli- 
American War. in September, 1898, followed 
naturally as a just tribute to the rank which he 
had won as a diplomatist, and was universally 
approved throughout the nation. 

HAY, John B., ex-Congi'essman, was born at 
Belleville, 111., Jan. 8, 1834; attended the com- 
mon schools and worked on a farm until he was 
16 years of age, when he learned the printer's 
trade. Subsequently he studied law, and won 
considerable local prominence in his profession, 
being for eight years State's Attornej' for the 
Twenty-fourth Judicial Circuit. He served in 
the Union army during the War of the Rebellion, 
and, in 1868, was elected a Representative in the 
Forty-first Congress, being re-elected in 1870. 

HAY, Milton, lawyer and legislator, was born 
in Fayette County, Ky., July 3, 1817; removed 
with his father's family to Springfield, 111. , in 
1832 ; in 1838 became a student in the law office 
of Stuart & Lincoln; was admitted to the 
bar in 1840, and began practice at Pittsfield, 
Pike County. In IS.'iS he returned to Springfield 
and formed a partnership with Judge Stephen 
T. Logan (afterwards his father-in-law), which 
ended by the retirement of the latter from prac- 
tice in 1861. Others who were associated with 
him as partners, at a later date, were Hon. Shelby 
M. Cullom, Gen, John M. Palmer, Heniy S. 
Greene and D. T. Littler. In 1869 he was elected 
a Delegate to the State Constitutional Convention 
and, as Chairman of the Committee on Revenue 
and member of the Judiciary Committee, was 



prominent in shaping the Constitution of 1870. 
Again, as a member of the lower brancli of the 
Twenty-eighth General Assembly (1873-74), he 
assi-sted in revising and adapting the laws to the 
new order of things under the new Constitution. 
The estimate in which he was Jield by his a.s.soci- 
ates is shown in the fact that he was a member 
of the Joint Committee of five appointed by the 
Legislature to revise the revenue laws of the 
State, which was especially complimented for 
the manner in which it performed its work by 
concurrent resolution of the two houses. A con- 
servative Republican in politics, gentle and unob- 
trusive in manner, and of calm, dispassionate 
judgment and unimpeachable integrity, no man 
was more frequently consulted by State execu- 
tives on questions of great delicacy and public 
importance, during the last thirty years of his 
life, than Mr. Haj-. In 1881 he retired from the 
active prosecution of his profession, devoting his 
time to the care of a handsome estate. Died, 
Sept. 1.-), 1893. 

HAYES, Philip C, ex-Congressman, was born 
at Gran by. Conn., Feb. 3, 1833. Before he was a 
year old his parents removed to La Salle County, 
111. , where the first twenty j'ears of his life were 
spent upon a farm. In 1860 he graduated from 
Oberlin College, Ohio, and, in April, 1861, en- 
listed in the Union army, being commissioned 
successively. Captain, Lieutenant-Colonel and 
Colonel, and finally brevetted Brigadier-General. 
After the wa,r he engaged in journalism, becom- 
ing the publisher and senior editor of "The Morris 
Herald," a weekly periodical issued at Morris, 
Grundy County. In 1872 he was a delegate to the 
National Republican Convention at Philadelphia 
Avhich renominated Grant, and represented his 
district in Congress from 1877 to 1881. Later he 
became editor and part proprietor of "The Repub- 
lican" at Joliet, 111., but retired some years since. 

HAYES, Samuel Snowden, lawyer and politi- 
cian, was born at Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 25, 1820; 
settled at Shawneetown in 1838, and engaged in 
the drug business for two years; then began the 
study of law and was admitted to practice in 
1843, settling first at Mount Vernon and later at 
Carmi. He early took an interest in politics, 
stumping the southern counties for the Demo- 
cratic party in 1843 and '44. In 1845 he was a 
delegate to the Memphis Commercial Convention 
and, in 1846, was elected to the lower House of 
the State Legislature, being re-elected in '48. In 
1847 he raised a company for service in the 
Mexican War, but, owing to its distance from 
the seat of government, its muster rolls were not 



II 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



227 



received until the quota of the State had been 
filled. The same year he was cliosen a Delegate 
to the State Constitutional Convention for White 
Countj', and, in 1848, was a Democratic Presi- 
dential Elector. About 1852 he removed to Chi- 
cago, where he was afterwards City Solicitor and 
(1862-65) Citj' Comptroller. He was a delegate 
to the National Democratic Conventions at 
Charleston and Baltimore in 18G0, and an earnest 
worker for Douglas in the campaign which fol- 
lowed. While in favor of the Union, he was 
strongly opposed to the policy of the administra- 
tion, particularly in its attitude on the question 
of slavery. His last public service was as a Dele- 
gate from Cook Countj' to the State Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1869-70. His talents as an 
orator, displayed both at the bar and before popu- 
lar assemblies, were of a very high order. 

HATMARKET RIOT, THE, an anarchistic 
outbreak wliieli occurred in Chicago on the 
evening of ilay 4, 1886. For several days prior, 
meetings of dissatisfied workingmen had been 
addressed by orators who sought to inflame the 
worst passions of their hearers. The excitement 
(previously more or less under restraint) culmi- 
nated on the date mentioned. Haymarket 
Square, 'in Chicago, is a broad, open space formed 
by the widening of West Randolph Street for an 
open-air produce-market. An immense concourse 
assembled there on the evening named ; inflam- 
matory speeches were made from a cart, which 
was used as a sort of improvised platform. Dur- 
ing the earlier part of the meeting the Mayor 
(Carter H. Harrison) was present, but upon his 
withdrawal, the oratory became more impassioned 
and incendiary. Towards midnight, some one 
whose identity has never been thoroughl}' proved, 
threw a dynamite bomb into the ranks of the 
police, who, under command of Inspector Jolin 
Bonfield, had ordered the dispersal of the crowd 
and were endeavoring to enforce the command. 
Simultaneously a score of men lay dead or bleed- 
ing in the street. The majority of the crowd 
fled, pursued by the officers. Numerous arrests 
followed during the night and the succeeding 
morning, and search was made in the office of 
the principal Anarchistic organ, which resulted 
in the discovery of considerable evidence of an 
incriminating character. A Grand Jury of Cook 
County found indictments for murder against 
eight of the suspected leaders, all of whom were 
convicted after a trial extending over several 
months, both the State and the defense being 
represented by some of the ablest counsel at the 
Chicago bar. Seven of the accused were con- 



demned to death, and one (Oscar Neebe) was 
given twenty years' imprisonment. The death 
sentence of two — Sanuiel Fielden and Justus 
Schwab— was subsequently commuted by Gov- 
ernor Oglesby to life-imprisonment, but executive 
clemency was extended in 1893 by Governor 
Altgeld to all three of those serving terms in the 
penitentiary. Of those condemned to execution, 
one (Louis Linng) committed suicide in the 
county .jail by exploding, between Ids teeth, a 
small dynamite bomb which he had surrepti- 
tiou.sly obtained; the remaining four (August 
Spies, Albert D. Parsons, Louis ICugel and Adoli>h 
Fischer) were hanged in the county-jail at 
Chicago, on November 14, 1887. The affair 
attracted wide attention, not only throughout the 
United States but in other countries also. 

HAYJflE, Istaam Nicolas, soldier and Adju- 
tant-General, was born at Dover, Tenn., Nov. 18, 
1824; came to Illinois in boyhood and received 
but little education at school, but worked on a 
farm to obtain means to study law, and was 
licensed to practice in 1846. Throughout the 
Mexican War he .served as a Lieutenant in the 
Sixth Illinois Volunteers, but, on his return, 
resumed practice in 1849, and, in 1850, was 
elected to the Legislature from JIarion County. 
He graduated from tlie Kentucky Law School in 
1853 and, in 1856, was appointed Judge of the 
Court of Common Pleas at Cairo. In 1860 he was a 
candidate for Presidential Elector on the Doug- 
las ticket. In 1861 he entered the army as 
Colonel of the Forty-eighth Illinois Infantry, 
which he had assisted in organizing. He partici- 
pated in the battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh, 
and was severely wounded at the latter. In 1862 
he was an unsuccessful candidate for Congress as 
a War Democrat, being defeated by W. J. Allen, 
and the same year was commissioned Brigadier- 
General of Volunteers. He resumed practice at 
Cairo in 1864, and, in 1865, was appointed by 
Governor Oglesby Adjutant-General as successor 
to Adjutant-General Fuller, but died in office, at 
Springfield, Novemljer, 1868. 

HATWARI) COLLECiE AND COMMERCIAL 
SCHOOL, at Fairfield, Wayne County ; incorpo- 
rated in 1886; is co-educational ; had 160 pupils in 
1898, witli a faculty of nine instructors. 

HEACOCK, Russell E., pioneer lawyer, was 
born in Litchfield, Conn., in 1770; having lest his 
father at 7 years of age, learned the carpenter's 
trade and came west early in life; in 1806 was 
studying law in Missouri, and, two years later, 
was licensed to practice in Indiana Territory, of 
which Illinois then formed a part, locating first 



228 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



at Kaskaskia and afterwards at Jonesboro, in 
Union County; in 1803 went to Buffalo, N. Y., 
but returned west in 1827, arriving where Chi- 
cago now stands on July 4; in 1828 was living 
inside Fort Dearborn, but subsequeutlj' located 
several miles up the South Brancli of the Chicago 
River, where he opened a small farm at a place 
which went by the name of "Heacock's Point." 
In 1831 he obtained a license to keep a tavern, in 
1833 became a Justice of the Peace, and, in 1835, 
had a law office in the village of Chicago. He 
took a prominent part in the organization of Cook 
County, invested liberally in real estate, but lost 
it in the crash of 1837. He was disabled by par- 
alysis in 1843 and died of cholera, June 28, 18-19. 
— Reuben E. (Heacock), a son of Mr. Heacock, 
was member of the State Constitutional Conven- 
tion of 1847, from Cook County. 

HEALTH, BOARD OF, a bureau of the State 
Government, created b.y act of May 25, 1877. It 
consists of seven members, named by the Gov- 
ernor, who hold office for seven jears. It is 
charged with "general supervision of the inter- 
ests connected with the health and life of the 
citizens of the State. " All matters pertaining to 
quarantine fall within its purview, and in this 
respect it is invested vrith a power which, while 
discretionary, is well-nigh autocratic. The same 
standard holds good, altliough to a far less ex- 
tent, as to its supervisory power over conta- 
gious diseases, of man or beast. The Board also 
has a modified control over medical practitioners, 
under the terms of the statute popularly known 
as the "Medical Practice Act." Through its 
powers thereunder, it has kept out or expelled 
from the State an army of irregular practition- 
ers, and has done much toward raising the stand- 
ard of professional qualification. 

HEALY, (ieorg'e P. A., artist, was born in 
Boston, July l.j, 1808, and early manifested a 
predilection for art, in which he was encouraged 
by the painter Scully. He struggled iu the face 
of difficulties until 1836, when, having earned 
some money by his art, he went to Europe to 
study, spending two years in Paris and a like 
period in London. In 1855 he came to Chicago, 
contemplating a staj- of three weeks, but re- 
mained until 1867. During this time he is said 
to have painted 575 portraits, many of them 
being likenesses of prominent citizens of Chicago 
and of the State. Many of his pictures, deposited 
in the rooms of the Chicago Historical Society 
for safekeeping, were destroyed by the fire of 
1871. From 1869 to '91 his time was spent chiefly 
in Rome. During his several visits to Europe he 



painted the portraits of a large number of royal 
personages, including Louis Phillippe of France, 
as also, in this country, the portraits of Presidents 
and other distinguished persons. One of his his- 
torical pictures was "Webster Replying to 
Hayne," in which 150 figures are introduced. A 
few years before his death, Mr. Healy donated a 
large number of his pictures to the Newberry 
Library of Chicago. He died in Chicago, June 
24, 1894. 

HEATOX, William Weed, lawyer and jurist, 
was born at Western, Oueida County, N. Y., 
April 18, 1814. After completing his academic 
studies he engaged, for a short time, in teaching, 
but soon began tha study of law, and, in 1838, 
was admitted to the bar at Terre Haute, Ind. In 
1840 he removed to Dixon, 111., where he resided 
until his death. In 1861 he was elected Judge of 
the Circuit Court for the Twenty -second Circuit, 
and occupied a seat upon the bench, through 
repeated re-elections, until his death, which 
occurred Dec. 26, 1877, while serving as a mem- 
ber of the Appellate Court for the First District. 

HECKER, Friedrlch Karl Franz, German pa- 
triot and soldier, was born at Baden, Germany, 
Sept. 28, 1811. He attained eminence in his 
native country as a lawyer and politician ; %vas a 
member of the Baden Assembly of 1843 and a 
leader in the Diet of 1846-47, but, in 1848, was 
forced, with many of his compatriots, to find a 
refuge in the United States. In 1849 he settled 
as a farmer at Summerfield, in St. Clair County, 
111. He took a deep interest iu politics and, being 
earnestlj' opposed to slavery, ultimately joined 
the Republican party, and took an active part in 
the campaigns of 1856 and "60. In 1861 lie ^yas 
commissioned Colonel of the Twenty-fourth Illi- 
nois Volunteers, and was later transferred to the 
command of the Eighty-second. He was a brave 
soldier, and actively participated in the battles 
of Mi-ssionary Ridge and Chancellorsville. In 
1864 he resigned his commission and returned to 
his farm in St. Clair County. Died, at St. Louis, 
Mo., March 24, 1881. 

HEDDI>'(ji COLLEGE, an institution incorpo- 
rated in 1875 and conducted under the auspices of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Abingdon, 
Knox County, 111. ; has a faculty of seventeen 
instructors, and reports (1895-96), 403 students, 
of whcmi 212 were male and 181 female. The 
branches taught include the sciences, the classics, 
music, fine arts, oratory and preparatory courses. 
The institution has funds and endowment 
amounting to §55,000, and property valued at 
$158,000. 



IILSTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



229 



HEMPSTEAD, Charles S., pioneer lawyer ami 
first Mayor of Galeua, was boru at Hebron, Tol- 
land County, Conn., Sept. 10, 1794 — the son of 
Steplien HenipsteaJ, a patriot of the Revolution. 
In 1809 he came west in company with a brother, 
descending the Ohio River in a canoe from Mari- 
etta to Shawneetown, and making his way across 
the "Illinois Country" on foot to Kaskaskia and 
finally to St. Louis, where he joined another 
l)rother (Edwanl). with wliom he soon began the 
study of law. Uaving been admitted to the bar 
in both Missouri Territory and Illinois, he re- 
moved to St. Genevieve, where he held the office 
of Prosecuting Attorney by appointment of the 
Governor, but returned to St. Louis in 1818-19 
and later became a member of the Jlissouri Legis- 
lature. In 1829 Mr. Hempstead located at Galena, 
111., which continued to be his home for the re- 
mainder of his life, and where he was one of the 
earliest and best known lawj-ers. The late Minis- 
ter E. B. Washburne became a clerk in Sir. 
Hempstead's law office in 1840, and, in 1845, a 
partner. Jlr. Hempstead was one of the pro- 
moters of the old Chicago & Galena Union Rail- 
road (now a part of the Chicago & Northwestern), 
serving upon the first Board of Directors; was 
elected the first Mayor of Galena in 1841, and, in 
the early daj's of the Civil War, was appointed 
by President Lincoln a Paymaster in the Army. 
Died, in Galena, Deo. 10, 1874. — Edward (Hemp- 
stead), an older brother of the preceding, already 
mentioned, came west in 1804, and, after holding 
various positions at Vincennes. Indiana Territory, 
under Gov. William Henry Harrison, located at 
St Louis and became the first Territorial 
Delegate in Congress from Missouri Territory 
(1811-14). His death occurred as the result of an 
accident, August 10, 1817. — Steplien (Hemp- 
stead), another member of this historic family, 
was Governor of Iowa from 18,50 to '54. Died, 
Feb. IG, 1SS3. 

HENDERSON, Thomas J., ex-Congressman, 
was born at Brownsville, Tenn., Nov. 19, 1824; 
came to Illinois in 1837, and was reared upon a 
farm, but received an academic education. In 
1847 he was elected Clerk of the County Com- 
missioners' Court of Stark Count}', and, in 1849, 
Clerk of the County Court of the same county, 
serving in that capacity for four )'ears. Mean- 
while he had studied law and had been admitted 
to the bar in 1852. In 1855 and '.56 he was a 
member of the lower house of the Legislature, 
and State Senator from 1857 to '60. He entered 
the Union army, in 1863, as Colonel of the One 
Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Volunteers, and 



served >mtil the close of the war, being brevetted 
Brigadier-General in January, 1865. He was a 
Republican Presidential Elector for the State at,- 
large in 1868, and, in 1874, was elected to Congress 
from the Seventh Illinois District, serving con- 
tinuously until March. 1895. His home is at 
Princeton. 

HENDERSON, William H., politician and legis- 
lator, was born in Garrard County, Ivy., Nov. 16, 
1793. After serving in the War of 1812, he settled 
in Tennessee, where he held many positions of 
public trust, including that of State Senator. In 
1836 he removed to Illinois, and, two years later, 
was elected to the General Assembly as Repre- 
sentative from Bureau and Putnam Counties, 
being re-elected in 1840. In 1842 he was the 
unsuccessful Whig candidate for Lieutenant- 
Governor, being defeated by John Moore. In 
1845 he migrated to Iowa, where he died in 1864. 

HENDERSON COUNTY, a county comprising 
380 square miles of territory, located in the west- 
ern section of the State and bordering on the Mis- 
sissippi River. The first settlements were made 
about 1827-28 at Yellow Banks, now Oquawka. 
Immigration was checked by the Black Hawk 
War, but revived after the removal of the Indians 
across the Mississippi. The county was set off 
from Warren in 1841, with Oquawka as the 
county-seat. Population (1880), 10,722; (1800), 
9,876. The soil is fertile, and underlaid by lime- 
stone. The surface is undulating, and well tim- 
bered. Population (lUOO). 10,836 

HENNEPIN, the county-seat of Putnam 
County, situated on the left bank of the Illinois 
River, about 28 miles below Ottawa, 100 miles 
southwest of Chicago, and 3 miles southeast of 
Bureau Junction. It has a courthouse, a bank, 
two grain elevators, three churches, a graded 
school, a newspaper. It is a prominent shipping 
point for produce by the river. The Hennepin 
Canal, now in process of construction from the 
Illinois River to the Mississippi at the mouth of 
Rock River, leaves the Illinois about two miles 
above Hennepin. Population (1880), 623; (1890), 
574; (1900). 523, 

HENNEPIN, Lonis, a Franci.scan (Recollect) 
friar and explorer, born at Atli, Belgium, about 
1640. After several years of clerical service in 
Belgium and Holland, he was ordered (1675) by 
his ecclesiastical superiors to proceed to Canada. 
In 1679 he accompanied La Salle on his explo- 
rations of the great lakes and the upper Missis- 
sippi. Having reached the Illinois by way of 
Lake Michigan, early in the followingyear (1680;, 
La Salle proceeded to construct a fort on the east 



230 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



side of the Illinois River, a little below the 
present site of Peoria, which afterwards received 
the name of Fort CreveCoeur. In February, 
1680, Father Hennepin was dispatched by La 
Salle, with two companions, by way of the 
mouth of the Illinois, to explore the upper Mis- 
sissippi. Ascending the latter stream, his party 
was captured by the Sioux and carried to tlie 
villages of that tribe among the Minnesota lakes, 
but finally rescued. During his captivity he 
discovered the Falls of St. Anthony, which he 
named. After his rescue Hennepin returned to 
Quebec, and thence sailed to France. There he 
published a work describing La Salle's first 
expedition and his own explorations. Although 
egotistical and necessarily incorrect, this work 
was a valuable contribution to history. Because 
of ecclesiastical insubordination he left France 
for Holland. In 1697 he published an extraordi- 
nary volume, in which he set forth claims as a 
discoverer which have been wholly discredited. 
His third and last work, published at Utrecht, in 
1698, was entitled a "New Voyage in a Country 
Larger than Europe." It was a compilation 
describing La Salle's voyage to the mouth of the 
Mississippi. His three works have been trans- 
lated into twenty-four different languages. He 
died, at Utrecht, between 1702 and 1705. 

HENNEPIN CANAL. (See Illinois & Missis- 
sippi Canal.) 

HENRY, a city in Marshall County, situated on 
the west bank of the Illinois River and on the 
Peoria branch of the Chicago, Rock Island & 
Pacific Railway, 33 miles north-northeast of 
Peoria. There is a combination railroad and 
wagon bridge, lock and dam across the river at 
this point. The city is a thriving commercial 
center, among its industries being grain eleva- 
tors, flour mills, and a windmill factory ; has 
two national banks, eight churches and two 
newspapers. Population (1880), 1,728; (1890) 
1..512: (1900), 1,637. 

HENRY, James D., pioneer and soldier, was born 
in Pennsylvania, came to Illinois in 1822, locating 
at Edwardsville, where, being of limited educa- 
tion, he labored as a mechanic dui'ing the day 
and attended school at night; engaged in mer- 
chandising, removed to Springfield in 1826, and 
was soon after elected Sheriff ; served in the Win- 
nebago War (1827) as Adjutant, and, in the 
Black Hawk War (1831-32) as Lieutenant-Colonel 
and Colonel, finallj^ being placed in command of 
a brigade at the battle of Wisconsin and the Bad 
Axe, his success in both winning for him great 
popularity. His exposures brought on disease of 



the lungs, and. going South, he died at New 
Orleans. March 4, 1834. 

HENRY COUNTY, one of the middle tier of 
counties of Northern Illinois, near the western 
border of the State, having an area of 830 square 
miles, — named for Patrick Henry. The Ameri- 
can pioneer of the region was Dr. Baker, who 
located in 1835 on what afterwards became the 
town of Colona. During the two years following 
several colonies from the eastern States settled at 
different points (Geneseo, Wethersfield, etc.;. 
The act creating it was passed in 1825, though 
organization was not completed until 1837. The 
first county court was held at Dayton. Subse- 
quent county-seats liave been Richmond (1837) ; 
Geneseo (1840); Morristown (1842); and Cam- 
bridge (1843). Population (1870), 36,.597; (1890), 
33,338; (1900), 40,049. 

HERNDON, Archer G., one of the celebrated 
"Long Nine" members of the General Assembly 
of 1836-37, was born in Culpepper Count j', Va., 
Feb. 13, 1795; spent his youth in Green Count}', 
Ky., came to Madison County, 111., 1820, and to 
Sangamon in 1821, becoming a citizen of Spring- 
field in 1825, where he engaged in mercantile 
business ; served eight years in the State Senate 
(1834-42), and as Receiver of the Land Office 
1842-49. Died, Jan. 3, 1867. Mr. Herndpn was 
the father of William H. Herndon, the law part- 
ner of Abraham Lincoln. 

HERNDON, William H., lawyer, was born at 
Greensburg, Ky., Dec. 25, 1818; brought to Illi- 
nois by his father. Archer G. Herndon, in 1820, 
and to Sangamon Count}' in 1821 ; entered Illinois 
College in 1836, but remained only one year on 
account of his father's hostility to tlie supposed 
abolition influences prevailing at that institution ; 
spent several years as clerk in a store at Spring- 
field, studied law two years with the firm of Lin- 
coln & Logan (1842-44), was admitted to the bar 
and became the partner of Mr. Lincoln, so con- 
tinuing until the election of the latter to the 
Presidency. Mr. Herndon was a radical oppo- 
nent of slavery and labored zealously to promote 
the advancement of his distinguislied partner. 
The offices he held were those of City Attorney, 
Mayor and Bank Commissioner under three Gov- 
ernors. Some years before his death he wrote, 
and, inconjunction with Jesse W.Weik, published 
a Life of Abraham Lincoln in tliree volumes — 
afterwards revised and issued in a two-volume 
edition by the Messrs. Appleton, New York. 
Died, near Springfield, March 18. 1891. 

HERRINGTON, Aiiirnstus M., lawyer and poli- 
tician, was born at or near Meadville, Pa., in 1823; 



II 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



231 



when ten years of age was brought by his father 
to Chicago, the family removing two years later 
(1835) to Geneva, Kane County, where the elder 
Herrington opened the first store. Augustus was 
admitted to the bar in 1844 ; obtained great promi- 
nence as a Democratic politician, serving as 
Presidential Elector for the Stateat-large in 
1856, and as a delegate to Democratic National 
Conventions in 1860, "64, '68, '76 and '80, and was 
almost invariably a member of the State Conven- 
tions of his party during the same period. He 
also served for many years as Solicitor of the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. Died, at Ge- 
neva, Kane County, August 14, 1883.— James 
(Herrington) , brother of the preceding, was born 
in Mercer County, Pa., June 6, 1824; came to 
Chicago in 1833, but, two years later, was taken 
by his parents to Geneva, Kane County. In 1843 
he was apprenticed to the printing business on 
the old "Chicago Democrat" (John Wentworth, 
publisher) , remaining until 1848, when he returned 
to Geneva, where he engaged in farming, being 
also connected for a year or two with a local 
paper. In 1849 he was elected County Clerk, re- 
maining in office eight years; also served three 
terms on the Board of Supervisors, later serving 
continuously in the lower branch of the General 
Assembly from 1873 to 1886. lie was also a mem- 
ber of the State Board of Agriculture and a fre- 
quent delegate to Democratic State Conventions. 
Died, July 7, 1890.— James Herrington, Sr., 
father of the two preceding, was a Representative 
in the Fifteenth General Assembly (1846-48) for 
the District embracing the counties of Kane, 
McHenry, Boone and De Kalb. 

HERTZ, Henry L., ex-State Treasurer, was 
born at Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1847; gradu- 
ated from the University of Copenhagen in 1866, 
and after pursuing the study of medicine for two 
years, emigrated to this country in 1869. After 
various experiences in selling sewing-machines, 
as bank-clerk, and as a farm-hand, in 1876 Mr. 
Hertz was employed in the Recorder's office of 
Cook County; in 1878 was record-writer in the 
Criminal Court Clerk's office ; in 1884 was elected 
Coroner of Cook County, and re-elected in 1888. 
In 1892, as Republican candidate for State Treas- 
urer, he was defeated, but, in 1896, again a 
candidate for the same office, was elected by a 
majority of 115.000. serving until 1899. He is 
now a resident of Chicago. 

HESIXG, Antone Caspar, journalist and politi- 
cian, was born in Pru.ssia in 1823; left an orphan at 
the age of 15, he soon after emigrated to America, 
landing at Baltimore and going thence to Cin- 



cinnati. From 1840 to 1842 he worked in a gro- 
cery store in Cincinnati, and later opened a small 
hotel. In 1854 he removed to Chicago, where he 
was for a time engaged in the manufacture of 
brick. In 1860 he was elected Sheriff of Cook 
County, as a Republican. In 1862 he purchased 
an interest in "Tlie Chicago Staats Zeitung," 
and in 1867 became sole proi)rietor. In 1871 he 
admitted his son, Washington Hesing, to a part- 
nership, installing him as general manager. 
Died, in Chicago, March 31, 1895.— Washington 
(Hesing), son of the preceding, was born in Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio, May 14, 1849. educated at Chicago 
and Yale College, graduating from the latter in 
1870. After a year spent in study abroad, he 
returned to Chicago and began work upon "Tlie 
Staats Zeitung, " later becoming managing editor, 
and finally editor-in-chief. While yet a young 
man he was made a member of the Chicago 
Board of Education, but declined to serve a 
second term. In 1872 he entered actively into 
politics, making speeches in both English and 
German in support of General Grant's Presi- 
dential candidacy. Later ho affiliated with the 
Democratic party, as did his father, and, in 1893, 
was an unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic 
nomination for the Chicago mayoralty, being 
defeated by Carter H. Harrison. In December, 
1893, he was appointed by President Cleveland 
Postmaster of the city of Chicago, serving four 
years. His administration was characterized by 
a high degree of efficiency and many improve- 
ments in the service were adopted, one of the 
most important being the introduction of postal 
cars on tlie street-railroads for the collection of 
mail matter. In April, 1897, he became an Inde- 
pendent candidate for Mayor, but was defeated 
by Carter H. Harrison, the regular Democratic 
nominee. Died, Dec. 18, 1897. 

HEYWORTH, a village of McLean County, on 
the Illinois Central Railway, 10 miles south of 
Blooniington; has a bank, cliurches, gas wells, 
and a newspaper. Pop. (1S90), 566; (1900), 683. 

HIBBARD, Homer Nash, lawyer, was born at 
Bethel, Windsor County, Vt., Nov. 7, 1824, his 
early life being spent upon a farm and in attend- 
ance upon the common schools. After a short 
term in an academy at Randolph, Vt. , at the age 
of 18 he began the study of law at Rutland— also 
fitting himself for college with a private tutor. 
Later, having obtained means by teaching, he 
took a course in Castleton Academy and Ver- 
mont University, graduating from the latter in 
1850. Then, having spent some years in teach- 
ing, he entered the Dane Law School at Harvard, 



232 



HISTOrJCx\.L ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



later continuing his studies at Burlington and 
finally, in the fall of \ii~>3. removing to Chicago. 
Here he opened a law office in connection witli 
his old classmate, the late Judge John A. Jame- 
son, but earl}- in the following year xemoved to 
Freeport, wliere he subsequenth' served as City 
Attorney, Master in Chancer}^ and President of 
the City School Board. Returning to Chicago in 
18C0, he became a member of the law firm of 
Cornell. Jameson & Hibbard. and .still later the 
head of tlie firm of Hibbard. Rich & Xoble. In 
1870 he was appointed by Judge Drummond 
Register in Bankruptcy for the Chicago District, 
serving during the life of the law. He was also, 
for some time, a Director of the National Bank 
of Illinois, and Vice-President of the American 
Insurance Company. Died, Nov. 14, 1897. 

HICKS, Stephen ti., lawyer and soldier of 
three wars, was born in Jackson County, Ga., 
Feb. 22, 1807— the son of John Hicks, one of the 
seven soldiers killed at tlie battle of New Orleans, 
Jan. 8, 181.5. Leaving the roof of a step-father 
at an early age, he found his way to Illinois, 
working for a time in the lead mines near Galena, 
and later at the carpenter's trade with an imcle ; 
served as a Sergeant in the Black Hawk War, 
finally locating in Jefferson County, where he 
studied law and was admitted to the bar. Here 
he was elected to the lower bi-anch of the Twelfth 
General Assembly (1840) and re-elected succes- 
sively to the Tliirteenth and Fourteenth. Early 
in the Jlexican War (1840) he recruited a com- 
pan}- for the Third Regiment, of whicli he was 
chosen Captain, a year later becoming Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel of the Sixth. At the beginning of 
the Civil War Colonel Hicks was practicing his 
profession at Salem, Marion County. He 
promptly raised a company which became a part 
of the Fortieth Regiment Volunteer Infantry, of 
which he was commissioned Colonel. The regi- 
ment saw active service in the campaign in West- 
ern Tennessee, including tlie battle of Slnloh, 
where Colonel Hicks was dangerously wounded 
through the lungs, only recovering after some 
months in hospital and at his home. He rejoined 
his regiment in July following, but found him- 
self compelled to accept an honorable discharge, 
a few months later, on account of disability. 
Having finally recovered, he was restored to his 
old command, and served to the close of the war. 
In October, 1803, he was placed in command at 
Paducah, Ky., where he remained eighteen 
months, after which he was transferred to Colum- 
bus, Ky. While in command at Paducah, the 
place was desperately assaulted by the rebel 



Colonel Forrest, but successfully defended, the 
rebel assailants sustaining a loss of some 1,200 
killed and wounded. After the war Colonel 
Hicks retui-ned to Salem, where he died, Dec. 14, 
1869, and was buried, in accordance with his 
request, in the folds of the American flag. Born 
on Washington's birthday, it is a somewhat 
curious coincidence that the death of this brave 
soldier should have occurred on the anniversary 
of that of the "Father of His Country.'" 

HUiBEE, Chaiincey L., lawyer and Judge, was 
born in Clermont County. Ohio, Sept. 7, 1821, 
and settled in Pike County, 111., in 1844. He 
early took an interest in politics, being elected to 
the lower house of the Legislature in 18.54, and 
two years later to the State Senate. In 1861 he 
was elected Judge of the Fifth Circuit Court, and 
was re-elected in 1867, '73, and '79. In 1877, and 
again in "79, he was assigned to the bench of the 
Appellate Court. Died, at Pittsfield, Dec. 7, 1884. 

HltlGIXS, Van Hollis, lawyer, was born in 
Genessee County. N. Y. . and received his early 
education at Auburn and Seneca Falls ; came to 
Chicago in 1837 and, after spending some time as 
clerk in his brother's store, taught some months 
in Vermilion County: then went to St. Louis, 
where he spent a year or two as reporter on ''The 
Missouri Argus," later engaging in commercial 
pursuits; in 1842 removed to Iroquois County, 
111. , where he read law and was admitted to the 
bar; in 184.5, establislied him.self in practice in 
Galena, served two years as City Attorney there, 
but returned to Chicago in 18.52, where he contin- 
ued to reside for the remainder of his life. In 18.58 
he was elected as a Republican Representative in 
the Twenty-first General Assembly ; served sev- 
eral years as Judge of the Chicago City Court, 
and was a zealous supporter of the Government 
during the War of the Rebellion. Judge Higgins 
was successful as a lawyer and business man, and 
was connected witli a munber of important busi- 
ness enterprises, especially in connection with 
real-estate operations ; was also a member of sev- 
eral local societies of a professional, social and 
patriotic character. Died, at Darien, Wis., April 
17. 1893. 

HIGGINSON, Charles M., civil engineer and 
Assistant Railway President, was born in Chica- 
go, July 11, 1840 — the sonof tleorgeM.Uigginson, 
who located in Chicago about 1843 and engaged 
in the real-estate business; was educated at the 
Lawrence Scientific School. Cambridge, Mass., 
and entered the engineering ilepartment of the 
Burlington & Missouri River Railroad in 1867, 
remaining until 1875. He then became the pur- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



233 



chasing agent of the Toledo, Peoria & AVarsaw 
Railroad, but. a year later, returned to Chirago, 
and soon after assumed the same position in con- 
nection with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, 
being transferred to the Auditorship of the 
latter road in 1879. Later, he became assistant 
to President Ripley of the Atchison. Topeka & 
Santa Fe Line, where he remained until his 
death, which occurred at Riverside. 111., May G, 
ISflO. Mr. Higginson was, for several years. 
President of the Chicago Academy of Sciences, 
and a member of the Board of Managers of the 
Young Men's Christian Association of Chicago. 

HIGH, James L., lawyer and author, was born 
at Belleville, Ohio, Oct. 6, 1844; in boyhood came 
to Wisconsin, and graduated at Wisconsin State 
University, at Madison, in 18G4, also serving for 
a time as Adjutant of the Fort_y-ninth Regiment 
Wisconsin Volunteers ; studied law at the Jlichi- 
gan University Law School and, in 18G7, came to 
Chicago, where he began practice. He spent the 
winter of 1871-73 in Salt Lake City and, in the 
absence of the United States District Attorney, 
conducted the trial of certain Mormon leaders for 
connection with the celebrated Mountain Meadow 
Massacre, also acting as correspondent of "The 
New York Times,'' his letters being widely 
copied. Returning to Chicago he took a high 
rank in his profession. He was the author of 
several volumes, including treatises on "The Law 
of Injunctions as administered in the Courts of 
Englandand America, " and "Extraordinary Legal 
Remedies, Mandamus, Quo Warranto and Prohibi- 
tions,"" which are accepted as high authority with 
the profession. In 1870 he published a revised 
edition of Lord Erskinfi"s Works, including all 
his legal arguments, toget'.ier with a memoir of 
his life. Died, Oct. 3, 1898. 

H KiHL.VND, a city in the southeastern part of 
Madi.son County, founded in 183G and located on 
the Vandalia line, 33 miles east of St. Louis. Its 
manufacturing industries include a milk-con- 
densing plant, creamery, flour and planing mills, 
breweries, embroidery works, etc. It contains 
several cluirches and schools, a Roman Catliolic 
Seminary, a hospital, and has three new.spapers — 
one German. The early settlers were Germans 
of the most thrifty and enterprising classe.s. 
The surrounding countrj' is agricultural. Popu- 
lation (1880), 1,960; (1890), 1,857; (1900, decennial 
censu.s), 1,970. 

HIGHLAND PARK, an incorporated city of 
Lake County, on the Chicago & Nortliwestern 
Railroad, 33 miles north-northwest of Cliicago. 
It has a salubrious site on a bluff 100 feet above 



Lake Michigan, and is a favorite residence and 
health resort. It has a large hotel, several 
chui-ches, a military academy, and a weekly 
paper. Two Waukegan papers issue editions 
here. Population (1890), 2,163; (1900), 3,80G. 

HILDRUP, Jesse S., lawyer and legislator, 
was born in Middletown, Conn., March 14, 1833 ; at 
15 removed to the State of New York and after- 
wards to Harrisburg, Pa. ; in 18G0 came to Belvi- 
dere. 111., where he began the practice of law, 
also serving as Corporation Trustee and Township 
Supervisor, and, during the latter years of the 
war, as Deputy Provost Marshal. His first im- 
portant elective ofHce was that of Delegate to the 
State Constitutional Convention of 1870, but he 
was elected Representative in the General Assem- 
bly the same year, and again in 1873. While in 
the House he took a prominent part in the legis- 
lation which resulted in the organization of the 
Railroad and Warehouse Board. Mr. Hildrup 
was also a Republican Presidential Elector in 
18G8, and United States Marshal for the Northern 
District of Illinois from 1877 to 1881. During 
the last few years much of his time has been 
spent in California for the benefit of the health 
of some members of his familj'. 

HILL, Charles Augustus, ex-Congressman, 
was born at Truxton, Cortland County, N. Y. , 
August 23, 1833. He acquired his early education 
by dint of hard labor, and much privation. In 
1854 he removed to Illinois, settling in Will 
County, where, for several years, he taught 
school, as he had done while in New Yt)rk. 
Meanwhile he read law, his last instructor being 
Hon, H. C. Newcomb, of Indianapolis, where he 
was admitted to the bar. He returned to Will 
County in 18G0, and, in 1862, enlisted in the 
Eighth Illinois Cavalrj', participating in the 
battle of Antietam. Later he was commissioned 
First Lieutenant in the First United States Regi- 
ment of Colored Troops, with which he remained 
until the close of the war, rising to the rank of 
Captain. In 1865 he returned to Joliet and to the 
practice of his profession. In 18G8 he was elected 
State's Attorney for the district comprising Will 
and Grundy Counties, but declined a renomina- 
tion. In 1888 he was the successful Republican 
candidate for Congress from the Eighth Illinois 
District, but was defeated for re-election in 1890 
by Lewis Steward, Democrat. 

HILLSBiUlO, an incorpoi'ated city, the county- 
seat of Montgomery County, on the Cleveland, 
Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway, 67 
miles northeast of St. Louis. Its manufactures 
are tlour. brick and tile, carriages and harness. 



234 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



furniture and woolen goods. It has a high 
soliool, banks and two weekly newspapers. The 
surrounding region is agricultural, though con- 
siderable coal is mined in the vicinity. Popula- 
tion (18S0), 3,808; (1890), 2,500; (1900), 1,937. 

HINCKLEY, a village of De Kalb County, on 
the Rochelle Division of the Chicago, Burlington 
& Quincy Railroad, 18 miles west of Aurora; in 
rich agricultural and dairying region ; has grain 
elevators, brick and tile works, water system and 
electric light plant. Pop. (1890), 496; (1900), 587. 

HIXRICHSEN, William H., ex-Secretary of 
State and ex-Congressman, was born at Franklin, 
Morgan County, 111., May 27, 1850; educated at 
the University of Illinois, spent four years in the 
office of his father, who was stock-agent of the 
Wabash Railroad, and six years (1874-80) as 
Deputy Sheriff of Morgan County ; then went 
into the newspaper business, editing the Jackson- 
ville "Evening Courier," until 188G, after which 
he was connected with "The Quincy Herald." to 
1890, when he returned to Jacksonville and re- 
sumed his place on "The Courier. " He was Clerk 
of the House of Representatives in 1891, and 
elected Secretary of State in 1892. serving until 
January, 1897. Mr. Hinrichsen has been a mem- 
ber of the Democratic State Central Committee 
since 1890, and was Chairman of that body dur- 
ing 1894-96. In 1896 Mr. Hinrichsen was the 
nominee of his party for Congress in the Six- 
teenth District and was elected by over 6,000 
majority, but failed to secure a renomination in 
1898. 

HINSDALE, a village in Du Page County and 
popular residence suburb, on the Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Quincy Railroad, 17 miles west-south- 
west of Chicago. It has four churches, a graded 
school, an academy, electric light plant, water- 
works, sewerage system, ami two weekly news- 
papers. Population (1890), 1,584; (1900). 2.578. 

HITCHCOCK, Charles, lawyer, was born at 
Hanson, Plymouth County, Mass., April 4, 1827; 
studied at Dartmouth College and at Harvard 
Law School, and was admitted to the bar in 1854, 
soon afterward establishing himself for the prac- 
tice of his profession in Chicago. In 1869 Mr. 
Hitchcock was elected to the State Constitutional 
Convention, which was the onlj* important pub- 
lic office that he held, though his capacity was 
recognized by his election to the Presidency of 
that body. Died, Jlay 6, 18S1. 

HITCHCOCK, Luke, clergj'man, was born 
April 13, 1813, at Lebanon, N. Y.. entered the 
ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 
1834, and, after supplying various charges in 



that State during the next five years, in 1839 
came to Chicago, becoming one of the most 
influential factors in the Methodist denomination 
in Northern Illinois. Between that date and 
1860 he was identified, as regular pastor or Pre- 
siding Elder, with churches at Dixon, Ottawa, 
Belvidere, Rockford, Mount Morris, St. Charles 
and Chicago (the old Clark Street church), with 
two years' service (1841-43) as agent of Rock 
River Seminary at Mount Morris — his itinerant 
labors being interrupted at two or three periods 
by ill-health, compelling him to assume a super- 
annuated relation. From 1852 to '80, inclusive, 
he was a delegate everj' four years to the General 
Conference. In 1860 he was appointed Agent of 
the Western Book Concern, and, as the junior 
representative, was placed in charge of the 
depository at Chicago — in 1868 becoming the 
Senior Agent, and so remaining until 1880. His 
subsequent service included two terms as Presid- 
ing Elder for the Dixon and Chicago Di-stricts; 
the position of Superintendent of the Chicago 
Home Jlissionary and Church Extension Society ; 
Superintendent of the Wesley Hospital (which he 
assisted to organize), his last position being that 
of Corresponding Secretary of the Superannu- 
ates' Relief Association. He was also influential 
in securing the establishment of a church paper 
in Chicago and the founding of the Northwestern 
University and Garrett Biblical Institute. Died, 
while on a visit to a daughter at East Orange, 
N. J., Nov. 12, 1898. 

HITT, Daniel F., civil engineer and soldier, 
was born in Bourbon County, Ky., June 13, 1810 
— the son of a Methodist preacher who freed his 
slaves and removed to Urbana, Ohio, in 1814. In 
1829 the son began the study of engineering and, 
removing to Illinois the following year, was ap- 
pointed Assistant Engineer on the Illinois & 
MicJiigan Canal, later being employed in survey- 
ing some sixteen years. Being stationed at 
Prairie du Chien at the time of the Black Hawk 
War (1832), he was attached to the Stephenson 
Rangers for a year, but at the end of that period 
resumed surveying and, having settled in La 
Salle County, became the first Surveyor of that 
countj'. In 1861 he joined Colonel Cushman, of 
Ottawa, in the organization of the Fifty-third 
Illinois Volunteers, was mustered into the service 
in JIarch, 1SG2, and conimissioned its Lieutenant- 
Colonel. The regiment took part in various 
battles, including those of Shiloh, Corinth and 
La Grange, Tenn. In the latter Colonel Hitt 
received an injury bj- being thrown from his 
hor.se which compelled his resignation and from 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLIXOIS. 



235 



which he never fully recovered. Returning to 
Ottawa, he continued to reside there until his 
death. May 11, 1899. Colonel Hitt was father of 
Andrew J. Hitt, General Superintendent of the 
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, and 
uncle of Congressman Robert R. Hitt of Mount 
Morris. Originally a Democrat, he allied himself 
with the Republican party on the breaking out 
of the Civil War. He was a thirty -second degree 
Mason and prominent in (Irand Army circles. 

HITT, Isaac R., real-estate operator, was born 
at Boonsboro, Md., June 2, 1828; in 1845 entered 
the freshman class at Asbury University, Ind., 
graduating in 1849. Tlien, removing to Ottawa, 
111., he was engaged for a time in farming, but, 
in 1852, entered into the forwarding and com- 
mission business at La Salle. Having meanwhile 
devoted some attention to real-estate law, in 1853 
he began buying and selling real estate while 
continuing his farming operations, adding thereto 
opal-mining. In May, 1856, he was a delegate 
from La Salle County to tlie State Convention at 
Bloomington which resulted in the organization 
of the Republican party in Illinois. Removing 
to Chicago in 1860, he engaged in the real-estate 
business there; in 1862 was appointed on a com- 
mittee of citizens to look after the interests of 
wounded Illinois soldiers after the battle of Fort 
Donelson, in that capacity visiting hospitals at 
Cairo, Evansville, Paducah and Nashville. Dur- 
ing the war he engaged to some extent in the 
business of prosecuting soldiers' claims. Mr. 
Hitt has been a member of both the Chicago and 
the National Academy of Sciences, and, in 1869, 
was appointed by Governor Palmer on the Com- 
mission to lay out the park system of Chicago. 
Since 1871 he has resided at Evanston, where he 
aided in the erection of the Woman's College in 
connection with the Northwestern University. 
In 1876 he was appointed by the Governor agent 
to prosecute the claims of the State for swamp 
lands .within its limits, and has given much of 
his attention to that business since. 

HITT, Kobert Roberts, Congressman, was born 
at Urbana, Ohio, Jan. 16, 1834. When he was 
three years Old his parents removed to Illinois, 
settling in Ogle County. His education was 
acquired at Rock River Seminary (now Mount 
Morris College), and at De Pauw Univer.?ity, Ind. 
In 1858 Mr. Hitt was one of the reporters who 
reported the celebrated debate of tliat year 
between Lincoln and Douglas. From December, 
1874, until March, '81, he was connected with the 
United States embassy at Paris, serving as First 
Secretary of Legation and Charge d'Affaires ad 



interim. He was Assistant Secretary of State in 
1881, but resigned the post in 1882. having been 
elected to Congress from the Sixth Illinois Dis- 
trict to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death 
of R. M. A. Hawk. By eiglit successive re-elec- 
tions lie has represented the District continuously 
since, his career being conspicuous for long serv- 
ice. In that time he has taken au important 
part in the deliberations of the House, serving as 
Chairman of many important committees, not- 
ably that on Foreign Affairs, of which he has 
been Cliairman for several terms, and for which 
his diplomatic experience well qualifies him. In 
1898 he was appointed by President McKinley a 
member of the Committee to visit Hawaii and 
report upon a form of government for that por- 
tion of the newly acquired national domain. Jlr. 
Hitt was strongly supported as a candidate for 
the United States Senate in 1895, and favorably 
considered for the position of Minister to Eng- 
land after tlie retirement of Secretary Day in 
1898. 

HOBART, Horace R., was born in Wisconsin 
in 1839 ; graduated at Beloit College and, after a 
brief experience in newspaper work, enlisted, in 
1861, in the First Wisconsin Cavalry and was 
assigned to duty as Battalion Quartermaster. 
Being wounded at Helena, Ark., he was com- 
pelled to resign, but afterwards served as Deputy 
Provost Marshal of the Second Wisconsin Dis- 
trict. In 1866 he re-entered newspaper work as 
reporter on "The Chicago Tribune," and later 
was associated, as city editor, with "The Chicago 
Evening Post" and "Evening Mail"; later was 
editor of "The Jacksonville Daily Journal" and 
"The Chicago Morning Courier, " also being, for 
some j'ears from 1869, Western Manager of the 
American Press Association. In 1876, Mr. Hobart 
became one of the editors of "Tlie Railway Age" 
(Cliioago), with which he remained until the 
close of the year 1898, when he retired to give his 
attention to real-estate matters. 

HOFFMAX, Francis A., Lieutenant-Governor 
(1861-65), was born at Ilerford, Prussia, in 1822, 
and emigrated to America in 1839, reacliing Chica- 
go the same year. Tliere he became a boot-black in 
a leading hotel, but within a month was teaching 
a small German school at Dunkley's Grove (now 
Addison), Du Page County, and later oflSciating 
as a Lutheran minister. In 1847 he represented 
that county in the River and Harbor Convention 
at CIn'cago. In 1852 he removed to Cliicago, and, 
the following year, entered the City Council. 
I>ater. he embarked in the real-estate business, 
and, in 1854, opened a banking house, but was 



23G 



IIISTOlilCAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



forced to assign in 1861. He early became a 
recognized anti-slavery leader and a contributor 
to the German jiress, and, in 18.-)G, was nominated 
for Lieutenant-Governor on the lirst Republican 
State ticket with William H. Bissell, but was 
found ineligible by reason of his short residence 
in the United States, and withdrew, giving place 
to John Wood of Quincy. In 1860 he was again 
nominated, and having in the meantime become 
eligible, was elected. In 1864 he was a Repub- 
lican candidate for Presidential Elector, and 
assisted in Mr. Lincoln's second election. He 
was at one time Foreign Land Commissioner for 
the Illinois Central Railroad, and acted as Consul 
at Chicago for several German States. For a 
number of years past Mr. Hoffman has been 
editor of an agricultural paper in Southern 
Wisconsin. 

H0G.4>', John, clergyman and earlj- politician, 
was born in the city of Mallow, County of Cork, 
Ireland, Jan. 2, 180.5; brought in childhood to 
Baltimore, Md., and having been left an orphan at 
eight years of age, learned the trade of a shoe- 
maker. In 1826 he became an itinerant Metho- 
dist preacher, and, coming west the same year, 
preached at various points in Indiana, Illinois 
and Missouri. In 1830 he was married to Miss 
Mary Mitchell West, of Belleville, 111., and soon 
after, having retired from the itinerancy, engaged 
in mercantile business at Edwardsville and Alton. 
In 1836 he was elected Representative in the 
Tenth General Assembly from Madison County, 
two years later was appointed a Commissioner of 
Public Works and, being re-elected in 1840. was 
made President of the Board; in 1841 was ap- 
pointed by President Harrison Register of the 
Land Office at Dixon, where he remained until 
184.5. During the anti-slavery excitement which 
attended the assassination of Elijah P. Lovejoy 
in 1837, he was a resident of Alton and was re- 
garded by the friends of Lovejoy as favoring the 
pro-slavery faction. After retiring from the 
Land Office at Dixon, he removed to St. Louis, 
where he engaged in the wholesale grocerj' busi- 
ness. In his early political life he was a Whig, 
but later co-operated with the Democratic party ; 
in 1857 he was appointed bj- President Buchanan 
Postmaster of the city of St. Louis, serving until 
the accession of Lincoln in 1861 ; in 1864 was 
elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-ninth Con- 
gress, serving two years. He was also a delegate 
to the National Union (Democratic) Convention 
at Philadelphia in 1866. After his retirement 
from the Methodist itinerancy he continued to 
officiate as a "local" preacher and was esteemed 



a speaker of Unusual eloquence and ability. His 
death occurred, Fel>. 5, 181)2. He is author of sev- 
eral volumes, including "The Resources of Mis- 
.souri, "' "Commerce and Manufactures of St. 
Louis," and a "Hi.story of Methodism." 

HOGE, Joseph P., Congressman, was born in 
Ohio early in the century and came to Galena, 
111., in 1836, where he attained prominence as a 
lawyer. In 1842 he was elected Rejiresentative 
in Congress, as claimed at the time by the aid of 
the 3Iormon vote at Nauvoo, serving one term. 
In 1853 he went to San FrancLsco, Cal., and be- 
came a Judge in that State, dying a few j-ears 
since at the age of over 80 j'ears. He is repre- 
sented to have been a man of much ability and a 
graceful and eloquent orator. Mr. Hoge was a 
son-in-law of Thomas C. Browne, one of the Jus- 
tices of the first Supreme Court of Illinois who 
held office until 1848. 

HOLLISTER, (Dr.) John Hamilton, physi- 
cian, was born at Riga, N. Y., in 1824; was 
brought to Romeo, Mich., by his parents in in- 
fancy, but his father having died, at the age of 17 
went to Rochester, N. Y. , to be educated, finally 
graduating in medicine at Berkshire College, 
Mass., in 1847, and beginning practice at Otisco, 
Mich. Two years later he removed to Grand 
Raijids and, in 1855, to Chicago, where he held, 
for a time, the position of demonstrator of anat- 
omy in Rush Medical College, and, in 1856. be- 
came one of the founders of the Chicago Medical 
College, in which he has held various chairs. He 
also served as Surgeon of Mercy Hospital and 
was, for twenty years. Clinical Professor in the 
same institution; was President of the State 
Medical Society, and, for twenty years, its Treas- 
urer. Other positions held by him have been 
those of Trustee of the American Medical Associ- 
ation and editor of its journal. President of the 
Young Men's Christian Association and of the 
Chicago Congregational Club. He has also been 
prominent in Sunday School and churck*vvork in 
connection with the Armour Mission, with which 
he has been associated for many years. 

HOME FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS, (FE- 
MALE). The establishment of this institution 
was authorized bj' act of June 22, 1893, which 
appropriated $7.5,000 towards its erection and 
maintenance, not more than .$15,000 to be ex- 
pended for a site. (See also State Guardians for 
Oirla. ) It is designed to receive girls between the 
ages of 10 and 16 committed thereto by any court 
of record upon conviction of a misdemeanor, the 
term of commitment not to be less than one 
year, or to exceed minority. Justices of the 



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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



i37 



Peace, liowever, may send giris for a term not 
less than three months. The act of incorporation 
provides for a commutation of sentence to be 
earned by good conduct and a i)rolongation of 
the sentence by bad behavior. Tlie Trustees are 
empowered, in their discretion, either to appren- 
tice the girls or to adopt them out during their 
minority. Temporary tjuarters were furnished 
for the Home during the first two years of its 
existence in Cliicago, but permanent buildings 
for the institution have been erected on the 
banks of Fox River, near Geneva, in Kane Countj'. 

HOMER, a village in Champaign County, on 
the Wabash Railway, '20 miles west-southwest 
from Danville and about 18 miles east-soutlieast 
from Champaign. It supports a carriage factor}-; 
also has two banks, several churches, a seminary, 
an opera house, and one weekly paper Tlie 
region is chiefly agricultural. Population (1880), 
924; (1890), 917; (1900), 1,080. 

HOMESTEAD LAWS. In general such laws 
have been defined to be "legislation enacted to 
secure, to some extent, the enjo^-ment of a home 
and shelter for a family or individual by exempt- 
ing, under certain conditions, the residence occu- 
pied bj- the family or individual, from liability to 
be sold for the payment of the debts of its owner, 
and by restricting his rights of free alienation." 
In Illinois, this exemption extends to the farm 
and dwelling thereon of every householder hav- 
ing a family, and occupied as a residence, 
whether owned or possessed under a lease, to the 
value of SI. 000. The exemption continues after 
death, for the benefit of decedent's wife or hus- 
band occupying the homestead, and al.so of the 
children, if any, until the youngest attain the 
age of 21 years. Husband and wife must join in 
releasing the exemption, but the property is 
always liable for improvements thereon. — In 1862 
Congress passed an act known as the "Homestead 
Law" for the protection of the rights of settlers 
on public lands under certain restrictions as to 
active occupancy, under which most of that 
class of lands since taken for settlement have 
been imrchased. 

HOMEWOOD, a village of Cook County, on the 
Illinois Central Railway, 23 miles south of Chi- 
cago. Population, (1900), 3.52. 

HOOLEY, Richard M., theatrical manager, 
was born in Ireland, April 13, 1822; at the age of 
18 entered the theater as a musician and, four 
years later, came to America, soon after forming 
an association with E. P. Christy, the originator 
of negro minstrelsy entertainments wliich went 
under liis name. In 1848 Mr. Hooley conducted 



a company of minstrels through the principal 
towns of England, Scotland and Ireland, and to 
some of the chief cities on the continent; re- 
turned to America five years later, and subse- 
quently managed houses in San Francisco, 
Philadelphia, Brooklyn and New York, finally 
locating in Chicago in 1869, where he remained 
the rest of his life, — his theater becoming one of 
the most wideh- known and popular in the city. 
Died, Sept. 8, 1893. 

HOOPESTON, a prosperous city in Vermilion 
County, at the intersection of the Chicago & East- 
ern Illinois and tlie Lake Erie «t We.stern Rail- 
roads, 99 miles south of Chicago. It has grain 
elevators, a nail factory, brick and tile works, 
carriage and machine shops, and two large can- 
ning factories, besides two banks and one daily 
and three weekly newspapers, several churches, 
a high school and a business college. Population 
(1890), 1,911; (1900), 3,823; (1904), about 4,.')00. 

HOPKIXS, Albert J., Congressman, was born 
in De Kalb County, III, August 1.5, 1846. After 
graduating from Hillsdale College, Mich., in 1870, 
he studied law and began practice at Aurora. 
He rapidly attained prominence at the bar, and, 
in 1872, was elected .State's Attorney for Kane 
County, serving in that capacity for four years. 
He is an ardent Republican and higli in the 
party's councils, liaving been Chairman of the 
State Central Committee from 1878 to 1880, and a 
Presidential Elector on the Blaine & Logan 
ticket in 1884. T!ie same year he was electe<l to 
the Forty-ninth Congress from the Fiftli District 
(now the Eighth) and has been continuously re- 
elected ever since, receiving a clear majority in 
1898 of more than 18,000 votes over two competi- 
tors. At present (1898) he is Chairman of the 
Select House Committee on Census and a member 
of the Committees on Ways and Means, and Mer- 
chant Marine and Fisheries. In 1896 he was 
strongly supported for the Republican nomina- 
tion for Governor. 

HOUGHTOX, Horace Hoekinjr, jiioneer printer 
and journalist, was born at Springfield, Vt., Oct. 
26, 1806, spent his youth on a farm, and at eight- 
een began learning the printer's trade in the oflSce 
of "The Woodstock Overseer" ; on arriving at his 
majority became a journeyman printer and, in 
1828, went to New York, sijending some time in 
the employment of the Harper Brothers. After 
a brief season spent in Boston, he took charge of 
"The Statesman" at Castleton, Vt., but, in 1834, 
again went to New York, taking with him a 
device for throwing the printed sheet od the 
press, which was afterwards adopted on the 



238 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Adams and Hoe printing presses. His next 
move was to Marietta, Ohio, in 1834:, thence by 
way of Cincinnati and LouisTille to St. Louis, 
working for a time in the office of the old "St. 
Louis Republican." He soon after went to 
Galena and engaged in lead-mining, but later 
became associated with Sylvester M. Bartlett in 
the management of "The Northwestern Gazette 
and Galena Advertiser," finally becoming sole 
proprietor. In 1843 he sold out the paper, but 
resumed his connection with it the following 
3-ear, remaining imtil 18G3, when he finally sold 
out. He afterwards spent some time on the 
Pacific slope, was for a time American Consul to 
the Sandwich Islands, but finally returned to 
Galena and, during the later years of his life, 
was Postmaster there, dying April 30, 1879. 

HOVEY, Charles Edward, educator, soldier 
and lawyer, was born in Orange County, Vt., 
April 26, 1827 ; graduated at Dartmouth College in 
1853, and became successively Principal of high 
schools at Farmington, JIass., and Peoria, 111. 
Later, he assisted in organizing the Illinois State 
Normal School at Normal, of which he was 
President from 1857 to 1861 — being also President 
of the State Teachers" Association (1856), mem- 
ber of the State Board of Education, and, for some 
years, editor of "The Illinois Teacher." In Au- 
gust, 1861, he assisted in organizing, and was com- 
missioned Colonel of, the Thirty-third Illinois 
Volunteers, known as the "Normal" or "School- 
Masters' Regiment," from the fact that it was 
composed largely of teachers and young men 
from the State colleges. In 1862 he was promoted 
to the rank of Brigadier-General and, a few 
months later, to brevet Major-General for gallant 
and meritorious conduct. Leaving tlie military 
service in May, 1863, he engaged in the practice 
of law in Washington, D. C. Died, in Washing- 
ton, Nov. 17, 1897. 

HOWLAXD, George, educator and author, was 
born (of Pilgrim ancestry) at Conway, Mass., 
July 30, 1824. After graduating from Amherst 
College in 1850, he devoted two years to teaching 
in the public schools, and three years to a tutor- 
ship in his Alma Mater, giving instruction in 
Latin, Greek and French. He began the study 
of law, but, after a year's reading, he abandoned 
it, removing to Chicago, where he became Assist- 
ant Principal of the city's one high school, in 
1858. He became its Principal in 1860, and, in 
1880, was elected Superintendent of Chicago City 
Schools This position he filled xmtil August, 
1891, when he resigned. He also served as Trus- 
tee of Amherst College for several years, and as a 



member of the Illinois State Board of Education, 
being President of that bodj- in 1883. As an 
author he was of some note; his work being 
chiefly on educational lines. He published a 
translation of the .iEneid adapted to the use of 
schools, besides translations of some of Horace's 
Odes and portions of the Iliad and Odyssey. He 
was also the author of an English grammar. 
Died, in Chicago. Oct. 21, 1892. 

HOTXE, Philip A., lawyer and United States 
Commissioner, was born in New York City, Nov. 
20, 1824; came to Chicago in 1841, and, after 
spending eleven years alternately in Galena and 
Chicago, finally located permanently in Chicago, 
in 1852; in 1853 was elected Clerk of the Record- 
er's Court of Chicago, retaining the position five 
years; was admitted to the bar in March, 1856, 
and appointed United States Commissioner the 
same year, remaining in office until his death, 
Nov. 3, 1894. Mr. Hoyne was an officer of the 
Chicago Pioneers and one of the founders of the 
Union League Club. 

HUBBARD, Gurdou Saltonstall, pioneer and 
Indian trader, was born at Windsor, Vt., August 
22, 1802. His early youth was passed in Canada, 
chiefly in the employ of the American Fur Com- 
pany. In 1818 he first visited Fort Dearborn, and 
for nine years traveled back and forth in the 
interest of his employers. In 1827, having em- 
barked in business ou his own account, he estab- 
lished several trading posts in Illinois, becoming 
a resident of Chicago in 1832. From tliis time 
forward he became identified with the history 
and development of the State. He served with 
distinction during the Black Hawk and Winne- 
bago Wars, was enterprising and public-spirited, 
and did much to promote the early development 
of Chicago. He was elected to the Legislature 
from Vermilion County in 1833, and, in 1835, 
was appointed by Governor Duncan one of the 
Commissioners of the Illinois & Michigan Canal. 
Died, at Chicago, Sept. 14, 1880. From the time 
he became a citizen of Chicago, for fifty years, 
no man was more active or public-spirited 
in promoting its commercial development and 
general prosperitj'. He was identified with 
almost every branch of business upon which its 
growth as a commercial city dei)ended, from that 
of an earl}' Indian trader to that of a real-estate 
operator, being manager of one of the largest pack- 
ing houses of his time, as well as promoter of 
early railroad enterprises. A zealous Republican, 
he was one of the most earnest supporters of 
Abraham Lincoln in the campaign of 1860, was 
prominently identified with every local measure 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



239 



for the maintenance of the Union caase, and, for 
a year, held a commission as Captain in the 
Eighty-eighth Regiment Illinois Vohinteers. 
known as the "Second Board of Trade Regiment." 

HUGHITT, Mai-Tin, Raihvay President, ivas 
born, August, 1837, and, in 1800, began his rail- 
road experience on the Chicago & Alton Railway 
as Suiierinteudent of Telegraph and Train-de- 
spatcher. In 1802 he entered the service of the 
Illinois Central Compan}- in a similar capacity, 
still later occupying the positions of Assistant 
Superintendent and General Superintendent, re- 
maining in tlie latter from 1865 to 1870, when he 
resigned to become Assistant General Manager 
of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul. In 1872 
he became associated with the Chicago Si North- 
western Railroad, in connection with which he 
has held the positions of Superintendent, General 
Manager, Second Vice-President and President — 
the last of which (1899) he still occupies. 

HULETT, Alta M., lawj^er, was born near 
Rockford. 111., June 4, 1854; early learned teleg- 
raphj- and became a successful operator, but sub- 
sequenth' engaged in teaching and the study of 
law. In 1872, having passed the required exami- 
nation, she applied for admission to the bar, but 
was rejected on account of sex. She then, in 
conjunction with Mrs. Bradwell and others, 
interested herself in securing the passage of an 
act by the Legislature giving women the right 
that had been denied her, which having been 
accomplished, she went to Chicago, was admitted 
to the bar and began practice. Died, in Cali- 
fornia, March 27, 1877. 

HUNT, Daniel D., legislator, was born in 
Wyoming County, X. Y., Sept. 19, 1835, came to 
De Kalb Count}-, 111., in 1857, and has since been 
engaged in hotel, mercantile and farming busi- 
ness. He was elected as a Republican Represent- 
ative in the Thirty-fifth General Assembly in 
1886, and re elected" in 1888. Two years later he 
was elected to the State Senate, re-elected in 
1894, and again in 1898 — giving him a continuous 
service in one or the other branch of the General 
Assemblj' of sixteen years. During the session 
of 1895. Senator Hunt was especially active in 
the legislation which resulted in the location of 
the Northern Illinois Normal Institute at De 
Kalb. 

HUNT, Georpre, lawyer and ex-Attorney-Gen- 
eral, was born in Knox Count}', Ohio, in 1841 ; 
having lost both parents in childhood, came, 
with an uncle, to Edgar Count}', 111., in 1855. In 
July, isfil, at the age of 20, he enlisted in tlie 
Twelfth Illinois Infantry, re-enlisting as a veteran 



in 1864, and rising from the ranks to a captaincy. 
After the close of the war, he studied law, was 
admitted to the bar, and, locating at Paris, Edgar 
County, soon acquired a large practice. He was 
elected State Senator on the Republican ticket in 
1874, and re-elected in 1878 and "82. In 1884 he 
received his first nomination for Attorney-Gen- 
eral, was renominated in 1888, and elected botli 
times, serving eight years. Among the im- 
portant questions with which General Hunt had 
to deal during his two terms were the celebrated 
"anarchist cases" of 1887 and of 1890-92. In the 
former the condemned Chicago anarchists applied 
through their counsel to the Supreme Court of 
the United States, for a writ of error to the Su- 
preme Court of Illinois to compel the latter to 
grant them a now trial, which was refused. The 
case, on the part of the State, was conducted l)y 
General Hunt, while Gen. B. F. Butler of Massa- 
chusetts, John I^andolph Tucker of Virginia, 
Roger A. Pryor of New York, and Messrs. W. P. 
Black and Solomon of Chicago appeared for the 
plaintiffs. Again, in 1890, Fielden and Schwab, 
who had been condemned to life imprisonment, 
attempted to secure their release — the former by 
an application similar to that of 1887, and the 
latter by appeal from a decision of Judge Gresham 
of the United States Circuit Court refusing a 
writ of habeas corpus. The final hearing of 
these cases was had before the Supreme Court of 
the United States in January, 1892, General 
Butler again appearing as leading counsel for tlie 
plaintiffs — but with the same result as in 1887. 
General Hunt's management of these cases won 
for him much deserved commendation both at 
home and abroad. 

HUNTER, Andrew J., was born in Greencastle, 
Ind., Dec. 17, 1831, and removed in infancy by 
his parents, to Edgar County, this State. His 
early education was received in the common 
schools and at Edgar Academy. He commenced 
his business life as a civil engineer, but, after 
tliree years spent in that profession, began the 
study of law and was admitted to the bar. He 
has since been actively engaged in practice at 
Paris, Edgar County. From 1864 to 1868 he repre- 
sented that county in the State Senate, and, in 
1870, led the Democratic forlorn hope in the Fif- 
teenth Congressional District against General 
Jesse H. Moore, and rendered a like service to his 
party in 1883, when Jo.seph G. Cannon was his 
Republican antagonist. In ISSO he was elected 
Judge of the Kdgar County Court, and, in 1890, 
was re-elected, but resigned this office in 1892, 
having been elected Congi-essman for tlie State- 



240 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



at-large on the Democratic ticket. He was a can- 
didate for Congress from the Nineteenth District 
again in 1896, and was again elected, receiving a 
majority of 1,200 over Hon. Benson Wood, his 
Republican opponent and immediate predecessor. 
HUXTER, (Gen.) David, soldier, was born in 
Washington, D. C, July 21, 1802; graduated at 
the United States Military Academy in 1822, 
and assigned to the Fifth Infantry with the rank 
of Second Lieutenant, becoming First Lieutenant 
in 1828 and Captain of Dragoons in 183.3. During 
this period he twice crossed the plains to the 
Rocky Mountains, but, in 1836, resigned his com- 
mission and engaged in business in Chicago, 
Re-entering the service as Paymaster in 1842, he 
was Chief Paymaster of General Wool's command 
in the Mexican War, and was afterwards stationed 
at New Orleans, AVashington, Detroit, St. Louis 
and on the frontier. He was a personal friend of 
President Lincoln, whom he jiocompanied when 
the latter set out for Washington in February, 
18G1, but was disabled at Buffalo, having his 
collar-bone dislocated by the crowd. He was 
appointed Colonel of the Sixth United States 
Cavalr}', May 14, 1861, three days later commis- 
sioned Brigadier-General and, in August, made 
Major-General. In the Manassas campaign he 
commanded the main column of McDowell's 
army and was severely wounded at Bull Run; 
served under Fremont in Missouri and succeeded 
him in command in November, 1861, remaining 
until March, 1862. Being transferred to the 
Department of the South in May following, he 
issued an order declaring the persons held as 
slaves in Georgia, Florida and South Carolina 
free, which order was revoked by President Lin- 
coln ten days later. On account of the steps 
taken by him for the organization of colored 
troops, Jefferson Davis issued an order declaring 
him, in case of capture, subject to execution as 
a felon. In May, 1864, he was placed in com- 
mand of the Department of the West, and, in 

1865, served on various courts-martial, being 
President of the commission that tried Mr. Lin- 
coln's assassins ; was brevetted Major-General in 
March, 186.5, retired from active service Jidy, 

1866, and died in Washington, Feb. 2, 1886. Gen- 
eral Hunter married a daughter of John Kinzie, 
the first permanent citizen of Chicago. 

HURD, Harvey B., lawyer, was born in Fair- 
field County, Conn., Feb. 24, 1827. At the age of 
15 he walked to Bridgeport, where he began life 
as ofBce-boy in "The Bridgeport Standard," a 
jovirnal of pronounced Whig proclivities. In 
1844 he came to Illinois, entering Jubilee College, 



but, after a brief attendance, came to Chicago in 
1846. There he found temporary employment 
as a compositor, later commencing the study of 
law, and being admitted to the bar in 1848. A 
portion of the present city of Evanston is built 
upon a 248-acre tract owned and subdivided by Mr. 
Hurd and. his partner. Always in sympathy 
with the old school and most radical type of 
Abolitionists, he took a deep interest in the Kan- 
sas-Missouri troubles of 1856, and became a mem- 
ber of the "National Kansas Committee" 
appointed by the Buffalo (N. Y. ) Convention, of 
which body he was a member. He was chosen 
Secretary of the executive committee, and it is 
not too much to say that, largely through his 
earnest and poorly requited labors, Kansas was 
finally admitted into the Union as a free State. 
It was mainly through his efforts that seed for 
planting was gratuitously distributed among the 
free-soil settlers. In 1869 he was appointed a 
member of the Commission to revise the statutes 
of Illinois, a large part of the work devolving 
upon him in consequence of the withdrawal of 
his colleagues. The revision was completed in 
1874, in conjunction with a Joint Committee of 
Revision of both Houses appointed by the Legis- 
lature of 1873. While no statutory revision has 
been ordered by subsequent Legislatures, Mr. 
Hurd has carried on the same character of work 
on independent lines, issuing new editions of the 
statutes from time to time, which are regarded as 
standard works by the bar. In 1875 he was 
nominated by the Republican party for a seat on 
the Supreme bench, but was defeated by the late 
Judge T. Lyle Dickey. For several years he 
filled a chair in the facultj- of the Union College 
of Law. His home is in Evanston. 

HURLBl'T, Stephen A., soldier. Congressman 
and Foreign Minister, was born at Charleston, 
S. C, Nov. 29, 1815, received a thorough liberal 
education, and was admitted to the bar in 1837. 
Soon afterwards he removed to Illinois, making 
his home at Belvidere. He was a member of the 
Constitutional Convention of 1.847, in 1848 was an 
unsuccessful candidate for Presidential Elector 
on the Whig ticket, but, on the organization of 
the Republican party in 1856, promptly identified 
himself with that party and was elected to the 
lower branch of the General Assembly as a 
Republican in 1858 and again in 1860. During 
the War of the Rebellion he served with distinc- 
tion from May, 1861, to July, 1865. He entered 
the service as Brigadier-General, commanding 
the Fourth Division of Grant's army at Pittsburg 
Landing; was made a Major-General in Septem- 



tr. 

> 

m 

r, 

> 

o 




HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



241 



her, 1862, and later assigned to the command of 
the Sixteenth Army Corps, at Memphis, and sub- 
sequently to the command of the Department of 
the Gulf (1864-65). After the close of the war he 
served another term in tlie General Assembly 
(1867), was chosen Presidential Elector for the 
Stateat-large in 1868, and, in 1869, was appointed 
by President Grant Minister Resident to the 
United States of Colombia, serving until 1873. 
The latter year he was elected Representative to 
Congress, and re-elected two years later. In 
1876 lie was a candidate for re-election as an 
independent Republican, but was defeated by 
William Lathrop, the regular nominee. In 1881 
he was appointed Minister Resident to Peru, and 
died at Lima, March 27, 1883. 

HUTCHINS, Thomas, was born in Monmouth, 
N. J., in 1730, died in Pittsburg, Pa., April 28, 
1789. He was the first Government Surveyor, fre- 
quently called the "Geographer"; was also an 



officer of the Sixtieth Royal (British) regiment, 
and assistant engineer under Bouquet. At the 
outbreak of the Revolution, wliile stationed at 
Fort Chartres, he resigned his commission be- 
cause of his sympathj' with the patriots. Three 
years later he was charged witli being in treason- 
able correspondence with Franklin, and im- 
prisoned in the Tower of London. He is said to 
have devised the present system of Government 
survej's in this country, and his services in carry- 
ing it into effect were certainly of great value. 
He was the author of several valuable works, the 
best known being a "Topographical Description 
of Virginia." 

HUTSONVILLE, a village of Crawford County, 
on the Cleveland, Cincinnati. Chicago & St. 
Louis Railway, and the Wabash River, 34 miles 
south of Paris. The district is agricultural. The 
town has a bank and a weekly paper. Population 
(1890), 583; (1900), 743. 



ILLIN"OIS. 

(general history.) 



Illi.vois is the twenty -first State of the Federal 
Union in the order of its admission, the twentieth 
in present area and the third in point of popula- 
tion. A concise history of the region, of which it 
constituted the central portion at an early period, 
will be found in the following pages: 

The greater part of the territory now comprised 
within the State of Illinois was known and at- 
tracted eager attention from the nations of the 
old world — especially in France, Germany and 
England — before the close of the third quarter of 
the seventeenth centur3'. More than one hun- 
dred years before the struggle for American Inde- 
pendence began, or the geographical division 
known as the "Territory of the Northwest" had 
an existence; before the names of Kentucky, 
Tennessee, Vermont or Ohio had been heard of, 
and while the early settlers of New England and 
Virginia were still struggling for a foothold 
among the Indian tribes on the Atlantic coast, 
the "Illinois Country" occupied a place on the 
maps of North America as distinct and definite 
as New York or Pennsylvania. And from tliat 
time forward, until it assumed its position in tlie 
Union with the rank of a State, no other section 
has been the theater of more momentous and 
stirring events or has contributed more material, 
affording interest and instruction to the archseol- 
ogist, the ethnologist and the historian, than 



that portion of the American Continent now 
known as the "State of Illinois." 

The "Illinois Country."— What was known 
to the early French explorers and their followers 
and descendants, for the ninety years which 
intervened between the discoveries of Joliet and 
La Salle, down to the surrender of this region to 
the English, as the "Illinois Country," is de- 
scribed with great clearness and definiteness by 
Capt. Philip Pittman, an Englisli engineer who 
made the first survey of the Mississippi River 
soon after the transfer of the French possessions 
east of the Mississippi to the British, and who 
published the result of his observations in London 
in 1770. In this report, which is evidently a 
work of the highest authenticity, and is the more 
valuable because written at a transition period 
when it was of the first importance to preserve 
and hand down the facts of early Frencli history 
to tlie new occupants of the soil, tlie boundaries 
of the "Illinois Country" are defined as follows: 
"The Country of the Illinois is bounded by the 
Mississippi on the west, by tlie river Illinois on 
tlie north, by the Ouabache and Miamis on the 
east and the Ohio on the south." 

From tliis it would appear that the country lying 
between the Illinois and the Mississippi Rivers to 
tlie west and northwest of the former, was not 
considered a part of the "Illinois Country," and 



242 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



this agrees generally with the records of the 
early Frencli explorers, except that they regarded 
the region which comprehends the site of the 
present city of Chicago — the importance of which 
appears to have been appreciated from the first 
as a connecting link between the Lakes and the 
upper tributaries of the rivers falling into the 
Gulf of Mexico — as belonging thereto 

Origin of the Name. — The "Country" appears 
to have derived its name from Inini, a word of 
Algonquin origin, signifying "the men." eu- 
phemized by the French into lUini with the 
suffix ois. signifying "tribe." The root of the 
term, applied both to the country and the Indians 
occupying it, has been still further defined as "a 
perfect man" (Haines on "Indian Names"), and 
the derivative has been used by the French 
chroniclers in various forms though always with 
the same signification — a signification of which 
the earliest claimants of the appellation, as well 
as their successors of a different race, liave not 
failed to be duly proud. 

BotJND.vRiES AND AREA. — It is this region 
which gave the name to the State of which it 
constituted so large and important a part. Its 
boundaries, so far as the Wabash and the Ohio 
Rivers (as well as the Mississippi from the mouth 
of the Ohio to the mouth of the Illinois) are con- 
cerned, are identical with those given to the 
"Illinois Country" by Pittman. The State is 
bounded on the north by Wisconsin ; on the east 
by Lake Michigan, the State of Indiana and the 
Wabash River; soutlieast by the Ohio, flowing 
between it and the State of Kentucky ; and west 
and southwest by the Mississippi, which sepa- 
rates it from the States of Iowa and Missouri. A 
peculiarity of the Act of Congress defining the 
bovindaries of the State, is the fact that, while 
the jurisdiction of Illinois extends to the middle 
of Lake Michigan and also of tlie channels of the 
Wabash and the Mississippi, it stops at the north 
bank of the Ohio River; this seems to have been 
a sort of concession on the part of the framers of 
the Act to our proud neighbors of tlie "Dark and 
Bloody Ground." Geographicall}', the State lies 
between the parallels of 36' 59' and 43' 30' north 
latitude, and the meridian of 10° 30' and 14° of 
longitude west from the city of Washington. 
From its extreme southern limit at the mouth of 
the Ohio to the Wisconsin boundary on the north, 
its estimated length is 38,') miles, with an extreme 
breadth, from the Indiana State line to the Mis- 
sissippi River at a point between Quincy and 
Warsaw, of 218 miles. Owing to the tortuous 
course of its river and lake boundaries, which 



comprise about tliree-fourths of the whole, its 
physical outline is e.xtremely irregular. Between 
the limits described, it has an estimated area of 
56,6.50 square miles, of which 630 square miles is 
water — the latter being chiefly in Lake Michigan. 
This area is more than one and one-half times 
that of all New England (Maine being excepted), 
and is greater than that of any other State east 
of the Mississippi, except Michigan, Georgia and 
Florida — Wisconsin lacking only a few hundred 
square miles of the same. 

When these figures are taken into account 
some idea may be formed of the magnificence of 
the domain comprised within the limits of the 
State of Illinois — a domain larger in extent than 
that of England, more than one-fourth of that of 
all France and nearly half that of the British 
Islands, including Scotland and Ireland. The 
possibilities of such a country, possessing a soil 
unequaled in fertility, in proportion to its area, 
by any other State of the Union and with re- 
sources in agriculture, manufactures and com- 
merce unsurpassed in any country on the face of 
the globe, transcend all human conception. 

Streams and Navigation. — Lying between 
the Mississippi and its chief eastern tributary, the 
Ohio, with the Wabash on the east, and inter- 
sected from northeast to southwest by the Illinois 
and its numerous aflluents, and with no moun- 
tainous region within its limits, Illinois is at once 
one of the best watered, as well as one of the most 
level States in the Union. Besides the Sanga- 
mon, Kankakee, Fox and Des Plaines Rivers, 
chief tributaries of the Illinois, and the Kaskaskia 
draining tlie region between the Illinois and the 
Wabash, Rock River, in the northwestern portion 
of the State, is most important on account of its 
valuable water-power. All of these streams were 
regarded as navigable for some sort of craft, dur- 
ing at least a portion of the year, in the early 
history of the country, and with the magnificent 
Mississippi along the whole western border, gave 
to Illinois a larger extent of navigable waters 
than that of any other single State. Although 
practical navigation, apart from the lake and by 
natural water courses, is now limited to the Mis- 
sissippi, Illinois and Ohio — making an aggregate 
of about 1,000 miles — the importance of the 
smaller streams, when the people were dependent 
almost wholly upon some means of water com- 
munication for tlie transportation of lieavy com- 
modities as well as for travel, could not be 
over-estimated, and it is not without its effect 
upon the productiveness of the soil, now that 
water transportation has given place to railroads. 



IIISTOrjL'AL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



243 



The whole number of streams shown upon the 
best maps exceeds 280. 

Topography. — -In physical conformation the 
surface of the State presents the aspect of an 
incUueJ plane with a moderate descent in the 
general direction of the streams toward the south 
and southwest. Cairo, at the extreme southern 
end of the State and the point of lowest depres- 
sion, has an elevation above sea-level of about 
300 feet, while the altitude of Lake Michigan at 
Chicago is 5S3 feet. The greatest elevation is 
reached near Scale's Mound in the northwestern 
part of the State — 1,257 feet— while a spur from 
the Ozark Mountains of Missouri, projected across 
the southern part of the State, rises in Jackson 
and Union Counties to a height of over 900 feet. 
The eastern end of this spur, in the northeast 
corner of Pope County, reaches an elevation of 
1,046 feet. South of this ridge, the surface of 
the country between the Ohio and Mississippi 
Rivers was originally covered with dense forests. 
These included some of the most valuable species 
of timber for lumber manufacture, such as the 
different varieties of oak, walnut, poplar, ash, 
sugar-maple and cypress, besides elm, linden, 
hickory, honey-locust, pecan, hack-berry, cotton- 
wood, sj'camore, sassafras, black-gum and beech. 
The native fruits included the persimmon, wild 
plum, grape and paw-paw, with various kinds of 
berries, such as blackberries, raspberries, straw- 
berries (in the prairie districts) and some others. 
Most of the native growths of woods common to 
the south were found along the streams farther 
north, except the cypress beech, pecan and a few- 
others. 

Pr.\iries. — A peculiar feature of the country, 
in the middle and northern portion of the State, 
which e.xcited the amazement of early explorers, 
was the vast extent of the prairies or natural 
meadows. The origin of these has been attrib- 
uted to various causes, such as some peculiarity of 
the soil, absence or excess of moisture, recent 
upheaval of the surface from lakes or some other 
bodies of water, the action of fires, etc. In many 
sections there appears little to distinguish the 
soil of the prairies from that of the adjacent 
woodlands, that may not be accounted for by the 
character of their vegetation and other causes, 
for the luxuriant growtli of native grasses and 
other productions has demonstrated that they do 
not lack in fertility, and the readiness with 
which trees take root when artificially propa- 
gated and protected, has shown that there is 
nothing in the soil Itself unfavorable to their 
growth. Whatever may have been the original 



cause of the prairies, however, there is no doubt 
that annually recurring fires have had muclj to 
do in perpetuating tlieir existence, and even 
extending tlieir limits, as the absence of the same 
agent has tended to favor the encroachments of 
the forests. While originally regarded as an 
obstacle to the occupation of the country by a 
dense population, there is no doubt that their 
existence has contributed to its rapid develop- 
ment when it was discovered with what ease 
these apparent wastes could be subdued, and how 
productive they were capable of becoming when 
once brought under cultivation. 

In spite of the uniformity in altitude of the 
State as a whole, many sections present a variety 
of surface and a mingling of plain and woodland 
of the most pleasing character. This is espe- 
cially the case in some of the prairie districts 
where the undulating landscape covered with 
rich herbage and brilliant flowers must have 
presented to the first explorers a scene of ravish- 
ing beauty, which has been enhanced rather than 
diminished in recent times by the hand of culti- 
vation. Along some of the streams also, espe- 
cially on the upper Mississippi and Illinois, and 
at some points on the Ohio, is found scenery of 
a most picturesque variety. 

Anim.\ls, etc.— From this description of the 
country it will be easy to infer what must liave 
been the varieties of the animal kingdom which 
here found a home. These included the bufl'alo, 
various kinds of deer, the bear, panther, fox, 
wolf, and wild-cat, while swans, geese and ducks 
covered the lakes and streams. It was a veritable 
paradise for game, both large and small, as well 
as for their native hunters. "One can scarcely 
travel," wrote one of the earliest priestly explor- 
ers, "without finding a prodigious nniltitude of 
turkeys, that keep together in flocks often to the 
number of ten hundred." Beaver, otter, and 
mink were found along the streams. Most of 
these, especially the larger species of game, have 
disappeared before the tide of civilization, but the 
smaller, such as quail, prairie chicken, duck and 
the different varieties of fish in the streams, pro- 
tected by law during certain seasons of tlie year, 
continue to exist in considerable numbers. 

Soil .\ni) Clim.\te.— The capabilities of the 
soil in a region thus situated can be readilj' under- 
stood. In proportion to the extent of its surfac^e, 
Illinois has a larger area of cultivable land than 
any other State in the Union, with a soil of supe- 
rior quality, much of it unsurpassed in natural 
fertility. This is especially true of the ".\merican 
Bottom," a region extending a distance of ninety 



244 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



miles along the east bank of the Mississippi, from 
a few miles below Alton nearly to Chester, and 
of an average width of five to eight miles. This 
was the seat of the first permanent white settle- 
ment in the Mississippi Valley, and portions of it 
have been under cultivation from one hundred to 
one hundred and fifty years without exhaustion. 
Other smaller areas of scarcelj' less fertility are 
found both upon the bottom-lands and in the 
prairies in the central portions of the State. 

Extending through five and one-half degrees of 
latitude, Illinois has a great variety of climate. 
Though subject at times to sudden alternations 
of temperature, these occasions liave been rare 
since the country has been thoroughly settled. 
Its mean average for a series of years has been 48° 
in the northern part of the State and 56° in the 
southern, differing little from other States upon 
the same latitude. The mean winter temper- 
ature has ranged from 25° in the north to 34° in 
the south, and the summer mean from 07° in the 
north to 78' in the south. The extreme winter 
temperature has seldom fallen below 20° below 
zero in the northern portion, wliile the highest 
summer temperature ranges from 95° to 102°. 
The average difference in temperature between 
the northern and southern portions of the State 
is about 10°, and the difference in the progress of 
the seasons for the same sections, from four to six 
weeks. Such a wide variety of climate is favor- 
able to the production of nearly all the grains 
and fruits peculiar to the temperate zone. 

Contest for Occupation. — Three powers 
early became contestants for the supremacy on 
the North American Continent. The first of 
these was Spain, claiming possession on the 
ground of the discovery by Columbus ; England, 
basing her claim upon the discoveries of the 
Cabots, and France, maintaining her right to a 
considerable part of the continent by virtue of 
the discovery and exploration by Jacques Cartier 
of the Gulf and River St. Lawrence, in 1534-35, 
and the settlement of Quebec by Champlain 
seventy-four years later. The claim of Spain 
was general, extending to both North and South 
America; and, while she early established her 
colonies in Mexico, the West Indies and Peru, 
the country was too vast and her agents too busy 
seeking for gold to interfere materially with her 
competitors. The Dutch, Swedes and Germans 
established small, though flourishing colonies, but 
they were not colonizers nor were thej' numeric- 
ally as strong as their neighbors, and their settle- 
ments were ultimately absorbed by the latter. 
Both the Spaniards and the French were zealous 



in proselyting the aborigines, but while the 
former did not hesitate to torture their victims 
in order to extort their gold while claiming to 
.save their souls, the latter were more gentle and 
beneficent in their policy, and, by their kindness, 
succeeded in winning and retaining the friend- 
ship of the Indians in a remarkable degree. They 
were traders as well as missionaries, and this fact 
and the readiness with which they adapted them- 
selves to the habits of those whom they found in 
possession of the soil, enabled them to make the 
most extensive explorations in small numters 
and at little cost, and even to remain for un- 
limited periods among their aboriginal friends. 
On the other hand, the English were artisans and 
tillers of the soil with a due proportion engaged 
in commerce or upon the sea; and, while they 
were later in planting their colonies in Virginia 
and New England, and less aggressive in the 
work of exploration, they maintained a sorer 
foothold on the soil when they had once estab- 
lished themselves. To this fact is due the per- 
manence and steady growth of the English 
colonies in the New World, and the virtual domi- 
nance of the Anglo-Saxon race over more than 
five-sevenths of the North American Continent — 
a result which has been illustrated in the history 
of every people that has made agriculture, manu- 
factures and legitimate commerce the basis of 
their prosperity. 

Early Explokatioxs. — The French explorers 
were the first Europeans to visit the "Country of 
the Illinois," and, for nearly a century, they and 
their successors and descendants held undisputed 
possession of the country, as well as the greater 
part of the Jlississippi Valley. It is true that 
Spain put in a feeble and indefinite claim to this 
whole region, but she was kept too busy else- 
where to make her claim good, and, in 1763, she 
relinquished it entirely as to the Mississippi 
Valley and west to the Pacific Ocean, in order to 
strengthen herself elsewhere. 

There is a peculiar coincidence in the fact that, 
while the Engli.sh colonists wlio settled about 
Massaclui.setts Bay named that region "New 
England," tlie French gave to their possessions, 
from the St. Lawrence to the mouth of the Mis- 
sissippi, the name of "New France," and the 
Spaniards called all the region claimed by them, 
extending from Panama to Puget Sound, "New 
Spain. " The boundaries of each were verj' indefi- 
nite and often conflicting, but were settled by the 
treaty of 17G3. 

As early as 1634, Jean Nicolet, coming by way 
of Canada, discovered Lake Michigan — then 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



245 



called by the French, "Lac des Illinois" — entered 
Green Bay and visited some of the tribes of 
Indians in that region. In 1641 zealous mission- 
aries liad reached the Falls of St. Mary (called by 
the Frencli "Sault Ste. Marie"), and, in 16.58, two 
French fur-traders are alleged to have penetrated 
as far we.st as "La Pointe" on Lake Superior, 
where they opened up a trade with the Sioux 
Indians and wintered in the neighborhood of the 
Apostle Islands near wliere the towns of Ashland 
and Bayfield, Wis., now stand. A few years later 
(1665), Fathers AUouez and Dablon, French mis- 
sionaries, visited the Ghippewas on the southern 
shore of Lake Superior, and missions were estab- 
lished at Green Bay, Ste. Marie and La Pointe. 
About the same time the mission of St. Ignace 
was established on the north shore of the Straits 
of Mackinaw (spelled by the French "Michilli- 
macinac"). It is also claimed that the French 
traveler, Radisson, during the year of 1658-59, 
reached the upper Mississippi, antedating the 
claims of Joliet and Marquette as its discoverers 
by fourteen years. Nicholas Perrot, an intelli- 
gent chronicler who left a manuscript account of 
his travels, is said to have made extensive explor- 
ations about the head of the great lakes as far 
south as the Fox River of Wisconsin, between 
1670 and 1690, and to liave held an important 
conference with representatives of numerous 
tribes of Indians at Sault Ste. Marie in June, 
1671. Perrot is also said to have made the first 
discovery of lead mines in the West. 

Up to this time, Iiowever, no white man appears 
to have reached the "Illinois Country," though 
much had been heard of its beauty and its wealth 
in game. On May 17, 1673, Louis Joliet, an enter- 
prising explorer who had already visited the Lake 
Superior region in searcli of copper mines, under 
a commission from the Governor of Canada, in 
company with Father Jacques Marquette and 
five voyageurs, with a meager stock of provisions 
and a few trinkets for trading with the natives, 
set out in two birch-bark canoes from St. Ignace 
on a tour of exploration southward. Coasting 
along the west shore of Lake Michigan and Green 
Bay and through Lake Winnebago, they reached 
the country of the Mascoutins on Fox River, 
ascended that stream to the portage to the Wis- 
consin, then descended the latter to tlie Mis- 
sissippi, which they discovered on June 17. 
Descending the Mississippi, which they named 
"Rio de la Conception," they passed the mouth of 
the Des Moines, where they are supposed to have 
encountered the first Indians of the Illinois 
tribes, by whom the}' were hospitably enter- 



tained. Later they discovered a rude painting 
upon the rocks on the east side of the river, 
which, from the description, is supposed to have 
been the famous "Piasa Bird," which was still to 
be seen, a short distance above Alton, within the 
present generation. (See Piasa Bird, The 
Legend of.) Passing the mouth of the Jlissouri 
River and the present site of the city of St. 
Louis, and continuing past the mouth of the 
Ohio, they finally reached what JIarquette called 
the village of the Akanseas, which has been 
assumed to be identical with the mouth of the 
Arkansas, though it has been questioned whether 
they proceeded so far south. Convinced that the 
Mississippi "had its mouth in Florida or the Gulf 
of Mexico, ' ' and fearing capture by the Spaniards, 
they started on their return. Reaching the 
mouth of the Illinois, they entered that stream 
and ascended past the village of the Peorias and 
the "Illinois town of the Kaskaskias" — the 
latter being about where the town of Utica, La 
Salle County, now stands — at each of which they 
made a brief stay. Escorted by guides from the 
Kaskaskias, tliey crossed the portage to Lake 
Michigan where Cliicago now stands, and re- 
turned to Green Bay, which they reached in the 
latter part of September. (See Joliet and Mar- 
quette. ) 

The next and most important expedition to Illi- 
nois — important because it led to the first per- 
manent settlements — was undertaken by Robert 
Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, in 1679. This eager 
and intelligent, but finally unfortunate, discov- 
erer had spent several years in exploration in 
the lake region and among the streams south of 
the lakes and west of the Alleghenies. It has 
been claimed that, during this tour, he descended 
the Ohio to its junction with the Mississippi; 
also that he reached the Illinois by way of the 
head of Lake Slichigan and the Chicago portage, 
and even descended the Mississippi to the 36th 
parallel, antedating Marquette's first visit to 
that stream V)y two years. The chief authority 
for this claim is La Salle's biographer, Pierre 
Jlargry, wlio bases his statement on alleged con- 
versations with La Salle and letters of his friends. 
Tlie ab.sence of any allusion to these discoveries 
in La Salle's own papers, of a later date, addressed 
to the King, is regarded as fatal to this claim. 
However this may have been, there is conclusive 
evidence that, during this period, he met with 
Joliet while tlie latter was returning from one of 
his trips to the Lake Superior country. With an 
imagination fired by what he then learned, he 
made a vLsit to his native country, receiving a 



246 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLIXOIS. 



liberal grant from the French Government which 
enabled him to carry out his plans. With the 
aid of Henry de Tonty, an Italian who afterward 
accompanied him in his most important expedi- 
tions, and who proved a most valuable and effi- 
cient co-laborer, imder the auspices of Frontenac, 
then Governor of Canada, he constructed a small 
vessel at the foot of Lake Erie, in which, with a 
company of thirty-four persons, he set sail on 
the seventh of August, 1679, for the West. This 
vessel (named the "Griffon") is believed to have 
been the first sailing-vessel that ever navigated 
the lakes. His object was to reach the Illinois, 
and he carried with him material for a boat 
which he intended to put together on that 
stream. Arriving in Green Bay early in Septem- 
ber, by way of Lake Huron and the straits of 
Mackinaw, he disembarked his stores, and, load- 
ing the Griffon with furs, started it on its return 
with instructions, after discharging its cargo at 
the starting point, to join him at the head of 
Lake Jlichigan. With a force of seventeen men 
and three missionaries in four canoes, he started 
southward, following the western shore of Lake 
Michigan past the mouth of the Chicago River, 
on Nov. 1, 1679, and reached the mouth of 
the St. Joseph River, at the southeast corner of 
the lake, which had been selected as a rendez- 
vous. Here he was joined by Tonty, three weeks 
later, with a force of twenty Frenchmen who 
had come by the eastern shore, but the Griffon 
never was heard from again, and is supposed to 
have been lost on the return voyage. While 
waiting for Tonty he erected a fort, afterward 
called Fort Miami. The two parties here united, 
and, leaving four men in charge of the fort, with 
the remaining thirty-three, he resumed his 
journey on the third of December. Ascending 
the St. Joseph to about where South Bend, Ind., 
now stands, he made a portage with his canoes 
and stores across to the headwaters of the Kan- 
kakee, which he descended to the Illinois. On 
the first of January he arrived at the great Indian 
town of the Kaskaskias, which Marquette had 
left for the last time nearly five years before, but 
found it deserted, the Indians being absent on a 
hunting expedition. Proceeding down the Illi- 
nois, on Jan. 4, 1680, he passed through Peoria 
Lake and the next morning reached the Indian 
village of that name at the foot of the lake, and 
established friendly relations with its people. 
Having determined to set up his vessel here, he 
constructed a rude fort on the eastern bank of 
the river about four miles south of the village. 
With the exception of the cabin built for Mar- 



quette on the South Branch of the Chicago River 
in the winter of 1674-75, this was probably the 
first structure erected by white men in Illinois. 
This received the name "Creve-Coeur — "Broken 
Heart" — which, from its subsequent history, 
proved exceedingly appropriate. Having dis- 
patched Father Louis Hennepin with two com- 
panions to the Upper Mississippi, by way of the 
mouth of the Illinois, on an expedition which 
resulted in the discovery of the Falls of St. 
Anthony, La Salle started on his return to 
Canada for additional assistance and the stores 
which he had failed to receive in consequence of 
the loss of the Griffon. Soon after his depar- 
ture, a majority of the men left with Tonty at 
Fort Creve-Coeur mutinied, and, having plundered 
the fort, partially destroyed it. This compelled 
Tont}' and five companions who had remained 
true, to retreat to the Indian village of the Illi- 
nois near "Starved Rock," between where the 
cities of Ottawa and La Salle now stand, where 
he spent the summer awaiting the return of La 
Salle. In September, Tonty's Indian allies hav- 
ing been attacked and defeated by the Iroquois, 
he and his companions were again compelled to 
flee, reaching Green Bay the next spring, after 
having spent the winter among the Pottawato- 
mies in the present State of Wisconsin. 

During the next three years (1681-83) La Salle 
made two other visits to Illinois, encountering 
and partially overcoming formidable obstacles at 
each end of the journey. At the last visit, in 
company with the faithful Tonty, whom he had 
met at Mackinaw in the spring of 1681, after a 
separation of more than a year, he extended his 
exploration to the mouth of the Mississippi, of 
which he took formal possession on April 9, 1683, 
in the name of "Louis the Grand, King of France 
and Navarre." This was the first expedition of 
white men to pass down the river and determine 
the problem of its discharge into the Gulf of 
Mexico. 

Returning to Mackinaw, and again to Illinois, 
in the fall of 1682, Tonty set about carrying into 
effect La Salle's scheme of fortifying ' 'The Rock, " 
to which reference has been made under the 
name of ' 'Starved Rock. ' ' The buildings are said 
to have included store-houses (it was intended as 
a trading post), dwellings and a block-house 
erected on the summit of the rock, and to which 
the name of "Fort St. Louis" was given, while a 
village of confederated Indian tribes gathered 
about its base on the south which bore the name 
of La Vantum. According to the historian, 
Parkman, the population of this colony, in the 





LA SAI,I,E. 



HKNRY DE TONTY. 




FT. DEARBORN FROM THE WEST, 1808. 





WAR EAGLE. 



CIIIEI'" ClllCAGOl'. 





FURT DEARBORN, 2D, IN 1S53, FROM THK SOUTHWEST. 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



247 



days of its greatest prosperity, was not less than 
20,000. Tonty retained his headquarters at Fort 
St. Louis for eighteeu years, during which he 
made extensive excursions throughout the West. 
The proprietorship of the fort was granted to 
him in 1G90, but, in 1702, it was ordered by the 
Governor of Canada to be discontinued on the 
plea 'that the charter had been violated. It con- 
tinued to be used as a trading post, however, as 
late as 1718, when it was raided by the Indians 
and burned. (See La Salle; Tonty; Hennepin, 
and Starved Rock. ) 

Other explorers who were the contemporaries 
or earlj- successors of Marquette, Joliet, La Salle, 
Tonty, Hennepin and their companions in the 
Northwest, and many of whom are known to have 
visited the "Illinois Country, " and probably all 
of whom did so, were Daniel Grej-solon du Lhut 
(called by La Salle, du Luth), a cousin of Tonty, 
who was the first to reach the Mississippi directly 
from Lake Superior, and from wliom the city of 
Duluth has been named ; Henry Joutel, a towns- 
man of La Salle, who was one of the survivors of 
the ill-fated Matagorda Bay colony; Pierre Le 
Sueur, the discoverer of the Minnesota River, 
and Baron la Hontan, who made a tour through 
Illinois in 1688-89, of which he published an 
account in 1703. 

Chicago River early became a prominent point 
in the estimation of the French explorers and 
was a favorite line of travel in reaching the Illi- 
nois by way of the Des Plaines, though probably 
sometimes confounded with other streams about 
the head of the lake. The Calumet and Grand 
Calumet, allowing easy portage to the Des Plaines, 
were also used, while the St. Joseph, from which 
portage was had into the Kankakee, seems to 
have been a part of the route first used by La 
Salle. 

Aborigines and Early Missions.— When the 
early French explorers arrived in the "Illinois 
Country" they found it occupied by a number of 
tribes of Indians, the most numerous being the 
"Illinois," which consisted of several families or 
bands that spread themsel vesover the country on 
both sides of the Illinois River, extending even 
west of the Mississippi ; the Piankeshaws on the 
east, extending beyond the present western 
boundary of Indiana, and the Miamis in the 
northeast, with whom a weaker tribe called the 
Weas were allied. The Illinois confederation 
included the Kaskaskias, Peorias, Cahokias, 
Tamaroas and Mitchiganiies — the last being the 
tribe from which Lake Jlichigan took its name. 
(See Illinois Indians. ) There seems to have been 



a general drift of some of the stronger tribes 
toward the south and ea.st about tliis time, as 
Allouez represents that he found the Miamis and 
their neighbors, the Mascoutins, about Green Bay 
when he arrived there in 1670, At the same 
time, tliere is evidence that the Pottawatomies 
were located along the southern sliore of Lake 
Superior and about the Sault Ste. Marie (now 
known as "Tlie Soo"), though within the next 
fifty years they had advanced southward along 
the western shore of Lake Michigan until they 
reached where Chicago now stands. Other tribes 
from the north were the Kickapoos, Sacs and 
Foxes, and Winnebagoes, while the Shawnees 
were a branch of a stronger tribe from the south- 
east Charlevoix, who wrote an account of liis 
visit to the "Illinois Country" in 1721, says: 
"Fifty years ago the Miamis were settled on the 
southern extremity of Lake Michigan, in a place 
called Chicago from the name of a small river 
which runs into the lake, the source of which is 
not far distant from that of the River Illinois." 
It does not follow necessarily that this was the 
Chicago River of to-day, as the name appears to 
have been applied somewhat indefinitely, by the 
early explorers, both to a region of country 
between the head of the lake and the Illinois 
River, and to more than one stream emptying 
into the lake in that vicinity. It has been con- 
jectured that the river meant by Charlevoix 
was the Calumet, as his description would apply 
as well to that as to the Chicago, and there is 
other evidence that the Miamis, who were found 
about the mouth of the St. Joseph River during 
the eighteenth century, occupied a portion of 
Southern Michigan and Northern Indiana, ex- 
tending as far east as the Scioto River in Ohio. 

From the first, the Illinois seem to have con- 
ceived a strong liking for the French, and being 
pressed by the Iroquois on the east, the Sacs and 
Foxes, Pottawatomies and Kickapoos on the 
north and the Sioux on the west, by the begin- 
ning of the eighteenth century we find them, 
much reduced in numbers, gathered about the 
French settlements near the mouth of the Kas- 
kaskia (or Okaw) River, in the western part of 
the present counties of Randolph, Monroe and St. 
Clair. In spite of the zealous efforts of the mis- 
sionaries, the contact of the.se tribes with the 
whites was attended with the usual results — 
demoralization, degradation and gradual extermi- 
nation. The latter result was hastened by the 
frequent attacks to which they were exposed 
from their more warlike enemies, so that by the 
latter part of the eighteenth century, they were 



248 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



reduced to a few hvmdred dissolute and depraved 
survivors of a once vigorous and warlike race. 

During the early part of the French occupation, 
there arose a chief named Chicagou (from whom 
the city of Chicago received its name) who ap- 
pears, like Red Jacket, Tecumseh and Logan, to 
have been a man of unusual intelligence and 
vigor of character, and to have exercised great 
influence with his people. In 1725 he was sent to 
Paris, %vhere he received the attentions due to a 
foreign potentate, and, on his return, was given a 
command in an expedition against the Chicka- 
saws, who had been making incursions from the 
south. 

Such was the general distribution of the Indians 
in the northern and central portions of the State, 
within the first fifty years after the arrival of the 
French. At a later period the Kickapoos ad- 
vanced farther south and occupied a considerable 
share of the central portion of the State, and even 
extended to the mouth of the Wabash. The 
southern part was roamed over by bands from 
beyond the Ohio and the Mississippi, including 
the Cherokeesand Chickasaws, and the Arkansas 
tribes, some of whom were verj' powerful and 
ranged over a vast extent of country. 

The earliest civUized dwellings in Illinois, after 
the forts erected for purposes of defense, were 
undoubtedly the posts of the fur-traders and the 
missionary stations. Fort Miami, the first mili- 
tarj' post, established by La Salle in the winter 
of 1679-80, was at the mouth of the St. Joseph 
River within the boundaries of what is now the 
State of Slichigan. Fort Creve-Cceur, partially 
erected a few months later on the east side of the 
Illinois a few miles below where the city of 
Peoria now stands, was never occupied. Mr. 
Charles Ballance, the historian of Peoria, locates 
this fort at the present village of AVesley, in 
Tazewell County, nearly opposite Lower Peoria. 
Fort St. Louis, built by Tonty on the summit of 
"Starved Rock," in the fall and winter of 1682, 
was the second erected in the "Illinois Coiintry," 
but the first occupied. It has been claimed that 
Marquette established a mission among the Kas- 
kaskias, opposite "The Rock," on occasion of his 
first visit, in September, 1673, and that he re- 
newed it in the spring of 1675, when he visited 
it for the last time. It is doubtful if this mission 
was more than a season of preaching to the 
natives, celebrating mass, administering baptism, 
etc. ; at least the story of an established mission 
has been denied. That this devoted and zealous 
propagandist regarded it as a mission, however, 
is evident from his own journal. He gave to it 



the name of the "Mission of the Immaculate 
Conception,"' and, although he was compelled by 
failing health to abandon it almost immediately, 
it is claimed that it was renewed in 1677 by 
Father AUouez, who had been active in founding 
missions in the Lake Superior region, and that it 
was maintained until the arrival of La Salle in 
1680. The hostility of La Salle to the Jesuits led 
to Allouez' withdrawal, but he subsequently 
returned and was succeeded in 1688 by Father 
Gravier, whose labors extended from Mackinaw 
to Biloxi on the Gulf of Mexico. 

There is evidence that a mission had been 
established among the Miamis as early as 1698, 
under the name "Chicago," as it is mentioned by 
St. Cosme in the report of his visit in 1699-1700. 
This, for the reasons already given showing the 
indefinite use made of the name Chicago as 
applied to streams about the head of Lake ilichi- 
gan, probably referred to some other locality in 
the vicinity, and not to the site of the present 
city of Chicago. Even at an earlier date there 
appears, from a statement in Tonty's Memoirs, to 
have been a fort at Chicago — probably about the 
same locality as the mission. Speaking of his 
return from Canada to the "Illinois Country" in 
1685, he says: "I embarked for the Illinois 
Oct. 30, 1685, but being stopped by the ice, I 
was obliged to leave my canoe and proceed by 
land. After going 120 leagues. I arrived at Fort 
Chicagou, where M. de la Durantaye com- 
manded." 

According to the best authorities it was during 
the year 1700 that a mission and permanent settle- 
ment was established by Father Jacques Pinet 
among the Tamaroas at a village called Cahokia 
(or "Sainte Famille de Caoquias"), a few miles 
south of the present site of the city of East St. 
Louis. This was the first permanent settlement 
by Europeans in Illinois, as that at Kaskaskia on 
the Illinois was broken up the same year. 

A few months after the establishment of the 
mission at Cahokia (which received the name of 
"St. Sulpice"), but during the same year, the 
Kaskaskias, having abandoned their village on 
the upper Illinois, were induced to settle near the 
mouth of the river which bears their name, and 
the mission and village — the latter afterward 
becoming the first capital of the Territory and 
State of Illinois — came into being. This identity 
of names has led to some confusion in determin- 
ing the date and place of the first permanent 
settlement in Illinois, the date of Marquette's 
first arrival at Kaskaskia on the Illinois being 
given b}- some authors as that of the settlement 



I 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



2-49 



at Kaskaskia on the Mississippi, twenty-seven 
years later. 

Period of French .Occupation.— As may be 
readily inferred from the methods of French 
colonization, the first permanent settlements 
gathered about the missions at Cahokia and Kas- 
kaskia, or rather were parts of them. At later 
periods, but during the French occupation of the 
country, other villages were established, the 
most important being St. Philip and Prairie du 
Rocher; all of these being located in the fertile 
valley now known as the "American Bottom," 
between the older towns of Cahokia and Kaskas- 
kia. There were several Indian villages in the 
vicinity of the French settlements, and this 
became, for a time, the most populous locality in 
the Mississippi Valley and the center of an active 
trade carried on with the settlements near the 
mouth of the Mississipj)i. Large quantities of 
the products of the country, such as flour, bacon, 
pork, tallow, lumber, lead, peltries, and even 
wine, were transported in keel-boats or batteaus 
to New Orleans; rice, manufactured tobacco, 
cotton goods and such other fabrics as the simple 
wants of the people required, being brought back 
in return. These boats went in convoys of seven 
to twelve in number for mutual protection, three 
months being required to make a trip, of which 
two were made annually — one in the spring and 
the other in the autumn. 

The French possessions in North America went 
under the general name of "New France, " but their 
boundaries were never clearly defined, though an 
attempt was made to do so through Commission- 
ers who met at Paris, in 17.52. They were under- 
stood by the French to include the valley of the 
St. Lawrence, with Labrador and Nova Scotia, to 
the northern boundaries of tlie British colonies; 
the region of the Great Lakes ; and the Valley of 
the Mississippi from the headwaters of the Ohio 
westward to the Pacific Ocean and south to the 
Gulf of Mexico. While these claims were con- 
tested by England on the east and Spain on the 
southwest, they comprehended the very heart of 
the North American continent, a region unsur- 
passed in fertility and natural resources and 
now the home of more than half of the entire 
population of the American Republic. That 
the French should have reluctantly yielded 
up so magnificent a domain is natural. And 
yet they did this by the treaty of 1763, sur- 
rendering the region east of the Mississippi 
(except a comparatively small di.strict near 
the mouth of that stream) to England, and the 
remainder to Spain — an evidence of the straits to 



%vhich they had been reduced by a long series of 
devastating wars. (See French and Indian 
Wars. ) 

In 1712 Antoine Crozat, under royal letters- 
patent, obtained from Louis XIV. of France a 
monopoly of the commerce, with control of the 
country, "from the edge of the sea (Gulf of 
Mexico) as far as the Illinois." This grant hav- 
ing been surrendered a few years later, was re- 
newed in 1717 to the "Company of the West," of 
which the celebrated John Law was the head, 
and under it jurisdiction was exercised over the 
trade of Illinois. On September 27 of the same 
year (1717), the "Illinois Country," which had 
been a dependency of Canada, was incorporated 
with Louisiana and became part of that province. 
Law's company received enlarged powers under 
the name of the "East Indies Company," and 
although it went out of existence in 1721 with 
the opprobrious title of the "South Sea Bubble," 
leaving in its wake hundreds of ruined private 
fortunes in France and England, it did much to 
stimulate the population and development of the 
Mississippi Valley. During its existence (in 1718) 
New Orleans was founded and Fort Chartres 
erected, being named after the Due de Chartres, 
son of the Regent of France. Pierre Duque Bois- 
briant was the first commandant of Illinois and 
superintended the erection of the fort. (See Fort 
Chartres.) 

One of the privileges granted to Law's com- 
pany was the importation of slaves; and under 
it, in 1721, Philip F. Renault brought to the 
country five hundred slaves, besides two hundred 
artisans, mechanics and laborers. Two years 
later he received a large grant of land, and 
founded the village of St. Philip, a few miles 
north of Fort Chartres. Thus Illinois became 
slave territory before a white settlement of any 
sort existed in what afterward became the slave 
State of Missouri. 

During 1721 the country under control of the 
East Indies Company was divided into nine civil 
and military districts, each presided over by a 
commandant and a judge, with a superior coun- 
cil at New Orleans. Of these, Illinois, the largest 
and, next to New Orleans, the most populous, 
was the seventh. It embraced over one-half the 
present State, with the country west of the Mis- 
ssisippi, between the Arkansas and the 43d degree 
of latitude, to the Rocky Mountains, and included 
the present States of Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, 
Kansas and parts of Arkansas and Colorado. In 
1732. the Indies Company surrendered its charter, 
and Louisiana, including the District of Illinois, 



250 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



was afterwards governed by officers appointed 
directly by the crown. (See French Governors.) 

As early as September, 1699, an attempt was 
made by an expedition fitted out by the English 
Government, under command of Captains Barr 
and Clements, to take possession of the country 
about the mouth of the Mississippi on the ground 
of prior discover j-; but they found the French 
under Bienville already- in possession at Biloxi, 
and they sailed away without making any further 
effort to carry the scheme into effect. Jlean- 
while, in the early part of the next century, the 
English were successful in attaching to their 
interests the Iroquois, who were the deadly foes 
of the French, and held possession of Western 
New York and the region around the headwaters 
of the Ohio River, extending their incursions 
against the Indian allies of the French as far west 
as Illinois. The real struggle for territory be- 
tween the English and French began with the 
formation of the Ohio Land Company in 1748-49, 
and the grant to it by the English Government 
of half a million acres of land along the Ohio 
River, with the exclusive right of trading with 
the Indian tribes in that region. Out of this 
grew the establishment, in the next two years, of 
trading posts and forts on the Miami and JIaumee 
in Western Ohio, followed by the protracted 
French and Indian War, which was prosecuted 
with varied fortunes until the final defeat of the 
French at Quebec, on the thirteenth of Septem- 
ber, 1759, which broke their power on the Ameri- 
can continent. Among those who took part in 
this struggle, was a contingent from the French 
garrison of Fort Chartres. Neyon de Villiers, 
commandant of the fort, was one of these, being 
the only survivor of seven brothers who partici- 
pated in the defense of Canada. Still hopeful of 
saving Louisiana and Illinois, he departed with 
a few followers for New Orleans, but the treaty 
of Paris, Feb. 10, 1763, destroyed all hope, for by 
its terms Canada, and all other territory east of 
the Mississippi as far south as the northern 
boundary of Florida, was surrendered to Great 
Britain, while the remainder, including the vast 
territory between the Mississippi and the Rocky 
Mountains, was given up to Spain. 

Thus the "Illinois Country" fell into the hands 
of the British, although the actual transfer of 
Fort Chartres and the country dependent upon it 
did not take place until Oct. 10, 1765, when its 
veteran commandant, St. Ange — who had come 
from Vincennes to assume command on the 
retirement of Villiers, and who held it faithfully 
for the conqueror — surrendered it to Capt. 



Thomas Stirling as the representative of the Eng- 
lish Government. It is worthy of note that this 
was the last place on the North American con- 
tinent to lower the French flag. 

British Occup.^tion. — The delay of the British 
in taking possession of the "Illinois Country," 
after the defeat of the French at Quebec and the 
surrender of their possessions in America by the 
treaty of 1763, was due to its isolated position 
and the difficulty of reaching it with sufficient 
force to establish the British authority. The 
first attempt was made in the spring of 1764, 
when Maj. Arthur Loftus, starting from Pensa- 
cola, attempted to ascend the Mississippi with a 
force of four hundred regulars, but, being met 
by a superior Indian foi'ce, was compelled to 
retreat. In August of the same year, Capt 
Thomas Morris was dispatched from Western 
Pennsylvania with a small force "to take posses- 
sion of the Illinois Country." This expedition 
got as far as Fort Miami on the Maumee, when its 
progress was arrested, and its commander nar- 
rowly escaped death. The next attempt was 
made in 1765, wlien Maj. George Croghan, a Dep- 
uty Superintendent of Indian affairs whose name 
has been made historical by the celebrated speech 
of the Indian Chief Logan, was detailed from 
Fort Pitt, to visit Illinois. Croghan being detained, 
Lieut. Alexander Frazer, who was to accompany 
him, proceeded alone. Frazer reached Kaskas- 
kia, but met with so rough a reception from 
both the French and Indians, that he thought it 
advisable to leave in disguise, and escaped by 
descending the Mississippi to New Orleans. 
Croghan started on his journey on the fifteenth 
of May, proceeding down the Ohio, accompanied 
by a party of friendly Indians, but having been 
captured near the mouth of the Wabash, he 
finally returned to Detroit without reaching his 
destination. The first British official to reach 
Fort Chartres was Capt. Thomas Stirling. De- 
scending the Ohio with a force of one hundred 
men, he reached Fort Chartres, Oct. 10, 1705, and 
received the surrender of the fort from the faith- 
ful and courteous St. Ange. It is estimated that 
at least one-third of the French citizens, includ- 
ing the more wealthy, left rather than become 
British subjects. Those about Fort Chartres left 
almost in a body. Some joined the French 
colonies on the lower Mississippi, while others, 
crossing the river, settled in St. Genevieve, then 
in Spanish territory. Mucli the larger number 
followed St. Ange to St. Louis, which had been 
established as a trading post by Pierre La Clede, 
during the previous year, and which now received 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



251 



what, in these later days, would be called a great 
"boom." 

Captain Stirling was relieved of his command 
at Fort Chartres, Dec. 4, by Maj. Robert Farmer. 
Other British Commandants at Fort Chartres 
were Col. Edward Cole, Col. John Reed, Colonel 
Wilkins, Capt. Hugh Lord and Francois de Ras- 
tel, Chevalier de Rocheblave. The last had been 
an officer in the French army, and, having resided 
at Kaskaskia. transferred his allegiance on occu- 
pation of the country by tlie British. He was the 
last official representative of the British Govern- 
ment in Illinois. 

The total population of the French villages in 
Illinois, at the time of their transfer to England, 
has been estimated at about 1.600, of which 700 
were about Kaskaskia and 450 in the vicinity of 
Caliokia. Captain Pittman estimated the jjopu- 
lation of all the French villages in Illinois and on 
the Wabash, at the time of Ins visit in 1770, at 
about 3,000. Of St. Louis — or "Paincourt," as it 
was called — Captain Pittman said: "There are 
about forty private houses and as many families." 
Most of these, if not all, had emigrated from the 
French villages. In fact, although nominally in 
Spanish territory, it was essentially a French 
town, protected, as Pittman said, by "a French 
garrison" consisting of "a Captain-Commandant, 
two Lieutenants, a Fort Major, one Sergeant. 
one Corporal and twenty men." 

Action of Continental Congress. — The first 
official notice taken of the "Illinois Country" by 
the Continental Congress, was the adoption by 
that body, July 13, 1775, of an act creating three 
Indian Departments — a Northern, Middle and 
Southern. Illinois was assigned to the second, 
with Benjamin Franklin and James Wilson, of 
Pennsylvania, and Patrick Henry, of Virginia, 
as Commissioners. In April, 1776, Col. George 
Morgan, who had been a trader at Kaskaskia, was 
appointed agent and successor to these Commis- 
sioners, with headquarters at Fort Pitt. The 
promulgation of the Declaration of Independence, 
on the Fourth of July, 1776, and the events im- 
mediately preceding and following that event, 
directed attention to the colonies on the Atlantic 
coast; yet the frontiersmen of Virginia were 
watching an opportunity to deliver a blow to the 
Government of King George in a quarter where 
it was least expected, and where it was destined 
to have an immense influence upon the future of 
the new nation, as well as that of the American 
continent. 

Col. George Rogers Clark's Expedition. 
— During the year 1777, Col. George Rogers Clark, 



a native of Virginia, then scarcely twenty-five 
years of age, having conceived a plan of seizing 
tlie settlements in tlie Mississippi Valley, sent 
trusty spies to learn the sentiments of the people 
and the condition of affairs at Kaskaskia. The 
report brought to him gave him encouragement, 
and, in December of the same year, he laid before 
Gov. Patrick Henrj-, of Virginia, his plans for 
the reduction of the posts in Illinois. These were 
approved, and, on Jan. 3, 1778, Clark received 
authority to recruit seven companies of fifty men 
each for three months' service, and Governor 
Ilanry gave him §6,000 for expenses. Proceeding 
to Fort Pitt, he succeeded in recruiting three 
companies, who were directed to rendezvous at 
Corn Island, opposite the present city of Louis- 
ville. It has been claimed that, in order to 
deceive the British as to his real destination, 
Clark authorized the announcement that the 
object of the expedition was to protect the .settle- 
ments in Kentucky from the Indians. At Corn 
Island another company was organized, making 
four in all, under the command of Captains Bow- 
man, Jlontgomery, Helm and Harrod, and having 
embarked on keel-boats, they passed the Falls of 
the Ohio, June 34. Reaching tlie Island at the 
moutli of the Tennessee on the 88th. lie was met 
by a party of eight American hunters, who had 
left Kaskaskia a few days before, and who, join- 
ing his command, rendered good service as 
guides. He disembarked his force at the mouth 
of a small creek one mile above Fort Massac, 
June 29, and, directing his course across the 
country, on the evening of the sixth day (July 4, 
1778) arrived within three miles of Kaskaskia. 
The surprise of the unsuspecting citizens of Kas- 
kaskia and its small garrison was complete. His 
force having, under cover of darkness, been 
fen'ied across the Kaskaskia River, about a mile 
above the town, one detachment surrounded the 
town, while the other seized the fort, capturing 
Rocheblave and his little command without fir- 
ing a gun. The famous Indian fighter and 
hunter, Simon Kenton, led the way to the fort. 
This is supposed to have been what Cajitain Pitt- 
man called the "Jesuits' house," which had been 
sold bj' the French Government after the country 
was ceded to England, the Jesuit order having 
been suppressed. A wooden fort, erected in 1736, 
and known afterward by the British as Fort 
Gage, had stood on the bluff opposite the town, 
but, according to Pittman, this was burnt in 1766, 
and there is no evidence that it was ever rebuilt. 
Clark's expedition was thus far a complete suc- 
cess. Rocheblave, proving recalcitrant, was 



252 



HISTOlilCAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



placed in irons and sent as a prisoner of war to 
Williamsburg, while his slaves were confiscated, 
the proceeds of their sale being divided among 
Clark's troops. The inhabitants were easily 
conciliated, and Cahokia having been captured 
without bloodshed, Clark turned his attention to 
Vincennes. Through the influence of Pierre 
Gibault — the Vicar-General in charge at Kaskas- 
kia — the people of V'incennes were induced to 
swear allegiance to the United States, and, 
although the place was afterward captured by a 
British force from Detroit, it was, on Feb. 
34, 1779, recaptured by Colonel Clark, together 
with a body of prisoners but little smaller than 
the attacking force, and S,'jO,000 worth of prop- 
erty. (See Clark, Col. George Rogers.) 

Under Government of Virginia. — Seldom 
in the history of the world have such important 
results been achieved by such insignificant instru- 
mentalities and with so little sacrifice of life, as 
in this almost bloodless campaign of the youthful 
conqueror of Illinois. Having been won largely 
through Virginia enterprise and valor and by 
material aid furnished through Governor Henry, 
the Virginia House of Delegates, in October, 
1778, proceeded to assert the jurisdiction of that 
commonwealth over the settlements of the North- 
west, by organizing all the country west and 
north of the Ohio River into a count}' to be called 
"Illinois," (see Illinois County), and empowering 
the Governor to appoint a "County-Lieutenant or 
Commandant-in-Chief to exercise civil author- 
ity during the pleasure of the appointing power. 
Thus "Illinois County" was older than the States 
of Ohio or Indiana, while Patrick Henry, the elo- 
quent orator of the Revolution, became ex-officio 
its first Governor. Col. John Todd, a citizen of 
Kentucky, was appointed "County-Lieutenant," 
Dec. 12, 1778, entering upon his duties in 
May following. The militia was organized. 
Deputy -Commandants for Kaskaskia and Cahokia 
appointed, and the first election of civil oflicers 
ever had in Illinois, was held under Colonel 
Todd's direction. His record-book, now in posses- 
sion of the Chicago Historical Society, shows 
that he was accustomed to exercise powers 
scarcely inferior to those of a State Executive. 
(See Todd, Col. John.) 

In 1783 one "Thimothe Demunbrunt" suli- 
scribed himself as "Lt. comd'g jiar interim, etc." 
— but tlie origin of his authority is not clearly 
understood. He assumed to act as Commandant 
until the arrival of Gov. Arthur St. Clair, first 
Territorial Governor of the Northwest Territory, 
in 1790. After the close of the Revolution, courts 



ceased to be held and civil affairs fell into great 
disorder. "In effect, there was neither law nor 
order in the 'Illinois Country' for the seven 
years from 1783 to 1790." 

During the progress of the Revolution, there 
were the usual rumors and alarms in the "Illinois 
Country" peculiar to frontier life in time of war. 
The country, however, was singularly exempt 
from any serious calamity such as a general 
massacre. One reason for this was the friendly 
relations which had existed between the French 
and their Indian neighbors previous to the con- 
quest, and which the new masters, after the cap- 
ture of Kaskaskia, took pains to perpetuate. 
Several movements were projected by the British 
and their Indian allies about Detroit and in Can- 
ada, but they were kept so busy elsewhere that 
they had little time to put their plans into execu- 
tion. One of these was a proposed movement 
from Pensacola against the Spanish posts on the 
lower Mississippi, to punish Spain for having 
engaged in the war of 1779, but the promptness 
with which the Spanish Governor of New Orleans 
proceeded to capture Fort Manchac, Baton Rouge 
and Natchez from their British possessors, con- 
vinced the latter that this was a "game at which 
two could play." In ignorance of these results, 
an expedition, 730 strong, composed largely of 
Indians, fitted out at Mackinaw under command 
of Capt. Patrick St. Clair, started in the early 
part of May, 1780, to co-operate with the expedition 
on the lower Mississippi, but intending to deal a 
destructive Ijlow to the Illinois villages and the 
Spanish towns of St. Louis and St. Genevieve on 
the way. This expedition reached St. Louis, May 
26, but Col, George Rogers Clark, having arrived 
at Cahokia with a small force twenty-four liours 
earlier, ])repared to co-operate with the Spaniards 
on the western shore of the Mississippi, and tlie 
invading force confined their depredations to kill- 
ing seven or eight villagers, and then beat a 
hasty retreat in the direction thej' had come. 
These were the last expeditions organized to 
regain the "Country of the Illinois" or capture 
Spanish posts on the Mississippi. 

Expeditions Afi.\ixsT Fort St. Joseph. — An 
expedition of a different sort is worthy of mention 
in this connection, as it originated in Illinois. 
This consisted of a company of seventeen men, 
led by one Thomas Brady, a citizen of Cahokia, 
who, marching across the country, in the month 
of October, 1780, after the retreat of Sinclair, 
from St. Louis, succeeded in surprising and cap- 
turing Fort St. Joseph about where La Salle had 
erected Fort Miami, near the mouth of the St. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



253 



Joseph River, a hundred years before. Brady 
and his party captured a few British prisoners, 
and a large quantity of goods. On their return, 
•nliile encamped on the Calumet, they were 
attacked by a band of Pottawatomies. and all 
were killed, wounded or taken prisoners except 
Brady and two others, who escaped. Early in 
January, 1781, a party consisting of sixty-five 
whites, organized from St. Louis and Cahokia, 
with some 200 Indian.s, and headed by Don 
Eugenio Poui're, a Spaniard, started on a second 
expedition against Fort St. Joseph. By silencing 
the Indians, whom they met on their wa}', with 
promises of plunder, they were able to reach the 
fort without discovery, captured it and, raising 
the Spanish flag, formally took possession in the 
name of the King of Spain. After retaining pos- 
session for a few da}-s, the party returned to St. 
Louis, but in negotiating the treaty of peace at 
Paris, in 1783, this incident was made the basis 
of a claim put forth by Spain to ownership of 
the "Illinois Country" "by right of conquest." 

The Territorial Period. — At the very outset 
of its existence, the new Government of the 
United States was confronted with an embarrass- 
ing question which deeply affected the interests 
of the territory of which Illinois formed a part. 
This was the claim of certain States to lands 
lying between their western boundaries and the 
Mississippi River, then the western boundary of 
the Republic. These claims were based either 
upon the terms of their original charters or upon 
the cession of lands by the Indians, and it was 
under a claim of the former character, as well as 
by right of conquest, that Virginia assumed to ex- 
ercise authority over the "Illinois Country" after 
its capture by the Clark expedition. This con- 
struction was opposed by the States which, from 
their geographical position or other cause, had 
no claim to lands beyond their own boundaries, 
and the controversy was waged with considerable 
bitterness for several years, proving a formidable 
obstacle to the ratification of the Articles of Con- 
federation. As early as 1779 the subject received 
the attention of Congress in the adoption of a 
resolution requesting the States having such 
claims to "forbear settling or issuing warrants 
for unappropriated lands or granting the same 
during the continuance of the present (Revolu- 
tionary) War." In the following j'ear, New York 
authorized her Delegates in Congress to limit its 
boundaries in such manner as they might think 
expedient, and to cede to the Government its 
claim to western lands. The case was further com- 
plicated by the claims of certain land companies 



which had been previously organized. New York 
filed her cession to the General Government of 
lands claimed by her in October, 1782, followed 
by Virginia nearly a year later, and by Massa- 
chusetts and Connecticut in 1785 and 1786. Other 
States followed somewhat tardily, Georgia being 
the last, in 1802. The only claims of this charac- 
ter affecting lands in Illinois were those of Vir- 
ginia covering the southern part of the State, and 
Connecticut and Massachusetts applying to the 
northern portion. It was from the splendid 
domain north and west of the Ohio thus acquired 
from Virginia and other States, that the North- 
west Territory was finally organized. 

Ordinance of 1787. — The first step was taken in 
the passage by Congress, in 1784, of a resolution 
providing for the temporary government of the 
Western Territory, and this was followed three 
years later by the enactment of the celebrated 
Ordinance of 1787. While this latter document 
contained numerous provisions which marked a 
new departure in the science of free government 
— as, for instance, that declaring that "religion, 
morality and knowledge being necessary to good 
government and the happiness of mankind, 
schools and the means of education shall forever 
be encouraged" — its crowning feature was the 
sixth article, as follows: "There shall be neither 
slavery nor involuntary servitude in the said 
Territory, otherwise than in the punishment of 
crime, whereof the party shall have been duly 
convicted." 

Although there has been considerable contro- 
versy as to the authorship of the above and other 
provisions of this immortal document, it is 
worthy of note that substantiall_v the same lan- 
guage was introduced in the resolutions of 1784, 
by a Delegate from a slave State — Thomas Jeffer- 
son, of Virginia —though not, at that time, 
adopted. Jefferson was not a member of the 
Congress of 1787 (being then Minister to France), 
and could have had nothing directly to do v.-ith 
the later Ordinance; yet it is evident that the 
principle which he had advocated finally received 
the approval of eight out of the thirteen States, — 
all that were represented in that Congress — includ- 
ing the slave States of Virginia. Delaware, North 
Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. (See 
Ordinance of 17S7.) 

Northwest Territory Organized. — Under 
the Ordinance of 1787, organizing the Northwest 
Territory, Gen. Arthur St. Clair, who had been a 
soldier of the Revolution, was appointed the 
first Governor on Feb. 1, 1788, with AVinthrop 
Sargent, Secretary, and Samuel Holden Parsons, 



254 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



James Mitchell Varnum and John Cleves 
Symmes, Judges. All these were reappointed by 
President Washington in 1789. The new Terri- 
torial Government was organized at Marietta, a 
settlement on the Ohio. July 1.5, 1788, but it was 
nearly two years later before Governor St. Clair 
visited Illinois, arriving at Kaskaskia, Slarch 5, 
1790. The County of St. Clair (named after him) 
. was organized at this time, embracing all the 
settlements between the Wabash and the Missis- 
sippi. (See St. Clair County.) He found the 
inhabitants generally in a deplorable condition, 
neglected by the Government, the courts of jus- 
tice practically abolished and many of the citizens 
sadly in need of the obligations due them from 
the Government for supplies furnished to Colonel 
Clark twelve years before. After a stay of three 
months, the Governor returned east. In 1795, 
Judge Turner held the first court in St. Clair 
County, at Cahokia, as the county-seat, although 
both Cahokia and Kaskaskia had been named as 
county-seats by Governor St. Clair. Out of the 
disposition of the local authorities to retain the 
official records at Cahokia, and consequent dis- 
agreement over the county-seat question, at least 
in part, grew the order of 1795 organizing the 
second county (Randolph), and Kaskaskia became 
its county-seat. In 1796 Governor St. Clair paid 
a second visit to Illinois, accompanied by Judge 
Symmes, who held court at both county-seats. 
On Nov. 4, 1791, occurred the defeat of Gov- 
ernor St. Clair, in the western part of the present 
State of Ohio, by a force of Indians under com- 
mand of Little Turtle, in which the whites sus- 
tained a heavy loss of both men and property — 
an event which had an unfavorable effect upon 
conditions throughout the Northwest Territory 
generally. St. Clair, having resigned his com- 
mand of the army, was succeeded by Gen. 
Anthony Wayne, who, in a vigorous campaign, 
overwhelmed the Indians with defeat. This 
resulted in the treaty with the Western tribes at 
Greenville, August 3, 1795, which was tlie begin- 
ning of a period of comparative peace with the 
Indians all over the Western Country. (See 
Waijne, (Gen.) Anthony.) 

First Territorial Legislation.— In 1798, the 
Territory having gained the requisite population, 
an election of members of a Legislative Council 
and House of Representatives was held in accord- 
ance with the provisions of the Ordinance of 1787. 
This was the first Territorial Legislature organized 
in the history of the Republic. It met at Cincin- 
nati, Feb. 4, 1799, Shadrach Bond being the 
Delegate from St. Clair County and John Edgar 



from Ri^ndolph. Gen. William Henry HarrLson, 
who had succeeded Sargent as Secretarj' of the 
Territorj-, June 20, 1798, was elected Delegate to 
Congress, receiving a majority of one vote over 
Arthur St. Clair. Jr., son of the Governor. 

Ohio and Indiana Territories. — By act of 
Congress. May 7, 1800, the Northwest Territory 
was divided into Ohio and Indiana Territories; 
the latter embracing the region west of the pres- 
ent State of Ohio, and having its capital at "Saint 
Vincent" (Vincennes). May 13, William Henry 
Harrison, who had been the first Delegate in Con- 
gress from the Northwest Territory, was ap- 
pointed Governor of Indiana Territory, which at 
first consisted of three counties : Knox, St. Clair 
and Randolph — the two latter being within the 
boundaries of the present State of Illinois. Their 
aggregate population at this time was estimated 
at less than 5,000. During his administration 
Governor Harrison concluded thirteen treaties 
with the Indians, of which six related to the ces- 
sion of lands in Illinois. The first treaty relating 
to lands in Illinois was that of Greenville, con- 
cluded by General Wayne in 1795. By this the 
Government acquired six miles square at the 
mouth of the Chicago River; twelve miles square 
at the mouth of the Illinois ; six miles square at 
the old Peoria fort ; the post of Fort Massac ; and 
150,000 acres assigned to General Clark and his 
soldiers, besides all other lands "in possession of 
the French people and all other wliite settlers 
among them, the Indian title to which had been 
thus extinguished." (See Indian Treaties; also, 
Greenville, Treaty of .) 

During the year 1803, the treaty with France 
for the purchase of Louisiana and West Florida 
was concluded, and on March 26, 1804, an act was 
passed by Congress attaching all that portion of 
Louisiana lying north of the thirty-third parallel 
of latitude and west of the Mississippi to Indiana 
Territory for governmental purposes. This in- 
cluded the present States of Arkansas, Missouri, 
Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, the two 
Dakotas and parts of Colorado, Wyoming and Jlon- 
tana. Tliis arrangement continued only until 
the following March, when Louisiana was placed 
under a separate Territorial organization. 

P'or four years Indiana Territory was governed 
under laws framed by the Governor and Judges, 
but. the population having increased to the re- 
quired number, an election was held. Sept. 
11, 1804. on tlie proposition to advance tlie gov- 
ernment to the "second grade" by the election of 
a Territorial Legislature. The smallness of the 
vote indicated the indifference of the people on 



I 



UISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



255 



the subject Out of 400 votes cast, the proposition 
received a majority of 138. Tlie two Illinois 
couuties cast a total of 1-1'2 votes, of which St. 
Clair furnished 81 and Randolph (il. The former 
gave a majority of 37 agaiust the measure and 
the latter 19 in its favor, showing a net negative 
majority of 18. The adoption of the proposition 
was due, therefore, to the affirmative vote in the 
other counties. There were in the Territory at 
this time six counties; one of these (Wayne) was 
in Michigan, which was set off, in 1805, as a sep- 
arate Territorj'. At the election of Delegates to 
a Territorial Legislature, held Jan. 3, 180.5, Shad- 
rach Bond, Sr., and AVilliam Biggs were elected 
for St. Clair County and George Fisher for Ran- 
dolph. Bond having meanwhile become a mem- 
ber of the Legislative Council, Shadrach Bond, 
Jr.. was chosen his successor. The Legislature 
convened at Vincennes, Feb. 7, 1805, but only 
to recommend a list of persons from whom 
it was the duty of Congress to select a Legislative 
Council. In addition to Bond, Pierre Menard 
was chosen for Randolph and John Hay for St. 
Clair. 

Illinois Territory Organized.— Tlie Illinois 
counties were represented in two regular and one 
special session of the Territorial Legislature dur- 
ing the time they were a part of Indiana Terri- 
tory. By act of Congress, which became a law 
Feb. 3, 1809, the Territory was divided, the west- 
ern part being named Illinois. 

At this point the history of Illinois, as a sepa- 
rate political division, begins. While its bounda- 
ries in all other directions were as now, on the 
north it extended to the Canada line. From 
what has already been said, it appears that the 
earliest white settlements were established by 
French Canadians, chiefly at Kaskaskia, Cahokia 
and the other villages in the southern part of the 
American Bottom. At the time of Clark's in- 
vasion, there were not known to have been more 
than two Americans among these people, except 
such hunters and trappers as paid them occasional 
visits. One of the earliest American settlers in 
Southern Illinois was Capt. Nathan Hull, who 
came from Massachusetts and settled at an early 
day on the Ohio, near where Golconda now 
stands, afterward removing to the vicinity of 
Kaskaskia, where he died in 180G. In 1781, a 
company of immigrants, consisting (with one or 
two exceptions) of members of Clark's command 
in 1778, arrived with their families from Mary- 
land and Virginia and established themselves on 
the American Bottom. The "New Design" set- 
tlement, on the boundary line between St. Clair 



and Monroe Counties, and the first distinctively 
American colony in the "Illinois Country," was 
established by this party. Some of its members 
afterward became iirominent in the history of the 
Territory and the State. William Biggs, a mem- 
ber of the first Territorial Legislature, with 
others, settled in or near Kaskaskia about 1783, 
and William Arundel, the first American mer- 
chant at Cahokia, came there from Peoria during 
the same year. Gen. John Edgar, for many years 
a leading citizen and merchant at the capital, 
arrived at Kaskaskia in 1784, and William Mor- 
rison, Kaskaskia's principal merchant, came from 
Philadelphia as early as 1790, followed some years 
afterward by several brothers. James Lemen 
came before the beginning of the present cen- 
tury, and was the founder of a large and influ- 
ential family in the vicinity of Shiloh, St. Clair 
County, and Rev. David Badgley headed a colony 
of 154 from 'Virginia, ' who arrived in 1797. 
Among other prominent arrivals of this period 
were John Rice Jones, Pierre Menard (first 
Lieutenant-Governor of the State). Shadrach 
Bond, Jr. (first Governor), John Hay, John 
Messinger, William Kinney, Capt. Joseph Ogle; 
and of a later date, Nathaniel Pope (afterward 
Secretary of the Territory, Delegate to Congress, 
Justice of the United States Court and father of 
the late Maj.-Gen. John Pope). Elias Kent Kane 
(first Secretary of State and afterward United 
States Senator), Daniel P. Cook (first Attorney- 
General and second Representative in Congress), 
George Forquer (at onetime Secretary of State), 
and Dr. George Fisher— all prominent in Terri- 
torial or State history. (See biographical 
sketches of these early settlers under their re- 
spective names.) 

The government of the new Territor.v was 
organized by the appointment of Ninian Ed- 
%vards, Governor; Nathaniel Pope, Secretary, 
and Alexander Stuart, Obadiah Jones and Jesse 
B. Thomas, Territorial Judges. (See Edwards, 
Ninian.) Stuart having been transferred to 
Missouri, Stanley Griswold was appointed in 
his stead. Governor Edwards arrived at Kas- 
kaskia, the capital, in June, 1809. At tliat 
time the two counties of St. Clair and Randolph 
comprised the settled portion of the Territory, 
with a white population estimated at about 9,000. 
The Governor and Judges immediatelj- proceeded 
to formulate a code of laws, and tlie appoint- 
ments made by Secretary Pope, who had i)receded 
the Governor in his arrival in the Territory, were 
confirmed. Benjamin H. Doyle was the first 
Attorney-General, but he resigned in a few 



256 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



months, when the place was offered to John J. 
Crittenden — the well-known United States Sen- 
ator from Kentucky at the beginning of the 
Civil War — but by him declined. Thomas T. 
Crittenden was then appointed. 

An incident of the year 1811 was the battle of 
Tippecanoe, resulting in the defeat of Tecumseh, 
the great chief of the Shawnees, bj' Gen. William 
Henry Harrison. Four companies of mounted 
rangers were raised in Illinois this year imder 
direction of Col. William Russell, of Kentucky, 
who built Camp Russell near Edwardsville the 
following year. They were commanded by Cap- 
tains Samuel Whiteside, William B. Whiteside, 
James B. Jloore and Jacob Short. The memo- 
raljle eartliquake which had its center about New 
Madrid, Mo., occurred in December of this 
year, and was quite violent in some portions of 
Southern Illinois. (See Earthquake of ISll. ) 

War op 1812. — During the following year the 
second war with England began, but no serious 
outbreak occurred in Illinois until August, 1812, 
when the massacre at Fort Dearborn, where 
Chicago now stands, took place. This had long 
been a favorite trading post of the Indians, at 
first under French occupation and afterward 
under the Americans. Sometime during 1803-04, 
a fort had been built near the mouth of Chicago 
River on the south side, on land acquired from the 
Indians by the treaty of Greenville in 179.5. (See 
Fort Dearborn.) In the spring of 1812 some 
alarm had been caused by outrages committed by 
Indians in the vicinity, and in the early part of 
August, Capt. Nathan Heald. commanding the 
garrison of less than seventy-five men, received 
instructions from General Hull, in command at 
Detroit, to evacuate the fort, disposing of the 
public property as he might see fit. Friendlj- 
Indians advised Heald either to make prepara- 
tions for a vigorous defense, or evacuate at once. 
Instead of this, he notified the Indians of his in- 
tention to retire and divide the stores among 
them, with the conditions subsequently agreed 
upon in council, that his garrison should be 
afforded an escort and safe passage to Fort 
Wayne. On the 14th of August he proceeded to 
distribute the bulk of the goods as promised, but 
the ammunition, guns and liquors were de- 
stroyed. This he justified on the ground that a 
bad use would be made of them, while the 
Indians construed it as a violation of the agree- 
ment. The tragedy which followed, is thus de- 
scribed in Mo.ses' "History of Illinois;" 

"Black Partridge, a Pottawatomie Chief, who 
had been on terms of friendship with the whites. 



appeared before Captain Heald and informed 
him plainly that his young men intended to 
imbrue their hands in the blood of the whites; 
that he was no longer able to restrain them, and, 
surrendering a medal he had worn in token of 
amitj', closed by saying: "I will not wear a 
token of peace while I am compelled to act as an 
enemy.' In the meantime the Indians were riot- 
ing upon the provisions, and becoming so aggres- 
sive in tlieir bearing that it was resolved to march 
out the next day. The fatal fifteenth arrived. 
To each soldier was distributed twentj'-five 
rounds of reserved ammunition. The baggage 
and ambulance wagons were laden, and the gar- 
rison slowly wended its way outside the protect- 
ing walls of the fort — the Indian escort of 300 
following in the rear. What ne.\t occurred in 
this disastrous movement is narrated by Captain 
Heald in his report, as follows; 'The situation of 
the country' rendered it necessary for us to take 
the l)each, with the lake on our left, and a high 
sand bank on our right at about three bundled 
j-ards distance. We had proceeded about a mile 
and a half, when it was discovered (by Captain 
Wells) that the Indians were prepared to attack 
us from behind the bank. I immediately marched 
up with the company to the top of the bank, 
when the action commenced; after firing one 
round, we charged, and the Indians gave way in 
front and joined those on our flanks. In about fif- 
teen minutes they got possession of all our horses, 
provisions and baggage of every description, and 
finding the Miamis (who had come from Fort 
Wayne with Captain AVells to act as an escort) 
did not assist us, I drew off the few men I had 
left and took possession of a small elevation in 
the open prairie out of shot of the bank, or any 
other cover. The Indians did not follow me liut 
assembled in a body on top of the bank, and after 
some consultation among themselves, made signs 
for me to a]>proach them. I advanced toward 
them alone, and was met by one of the Potta- 
watomie chiefs called Black Bird, with an inter- 
preter. After shaking hands, he requested ni.e to 
surrender, promising to spare the lives of all the 
prisoners. On a few moments' consideration I 
concluded it would be most prudent to com])ly 
with this request, although 1 did not put entire 
confidence in his pi-omise. The troops had made 
a brave defense, but what coidd so small a force 
do against such overu-lielming numbers? It was 
evident witli over half their number dead upon 
the field, or wounded, further resistance would 
be hopeless. Twenty-six regulars and twelve 
militia, with two women anil twelve children, 
were killed. Among the slain were Captain 
Wells, Dr. Van Voorhis and Ensign George 
Ronan. (Cajrtain Wells, wlien young, had been 
captured by Indians and had married among 
them.) He (Wells) was familiar with all the 
wiles, stratagems, as well as the vindictivene.ss 
of the Indian cluu-acter, and when the conflict 
began, he .said to his niece (Mrs. Heald), by 
whose side he was standing, ■\Ve have not the 
slightest chance for life; we m\ist part to meet 
no more in this world. God liless you." With 
these words he dashed forwanl into the thickest 
of the fight. He refused to he taken prisoner, 
knowing what his fate would he, when a young 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



257 



red-skin out liim down with his tomahawk, 
jumiied uiiou his body, cut out his heart and ate 
a portion of it with siivage delight. 

"The prisoners taken were Captain Heald and 
wife, both wounded. Lieutenant Hehn, also 
wounded, anil wife, with twentj-five non-coin- 
missioued officers and privates, and eleven women 
and children. The loss of the Indians was fifteen 
killed. Mr. Kinzie's family had been entrusted 
to tlie care of some friendly Indians and were not 
with the retiring garrison. The Indians engaged 
in this outrage were principally Pottawatomies, 
with a few Chippewas. Otta\\'as, Winnebagoes, 
and Kickapoos. Fort Dearborn was jjluudered 
and burned on the next morning." (See Fort 
Dearborn: also ]Var of ISIH.) 

Thus ended the most bloody tragedy that ever 
occurred on the soil of Illinois with Americans as 
victims. The place where this affair occurred, 
as described by Captain Heald, was on the lake 
shore about the foot of Eighteenth Street in 
the present city of Chicago. After the destruction 
of the fort, the site of the present city of Chicago 
remained unoccupie<l until 1816. when the fort 
was rebuilt. At that time the bones of the vic- 
tims of the massacre of 1812 still lay bleaching 
upon the sands near the lake shore, but they 
were gathered up a few years later and buried. 
The new fort continued to be occupied somewhat 
irregularly until 1837, when it was finally aban- 
doned, there being no longer any reason for 
maintaining it as a defense against the Indians. 

Other Events of the Wak. — The part played 
by Illinois in the War of 1813, consisted chiefly 
in looking after the large Indian population 
within and near its borders. Two expeditions 
were undertaken to Peoria Lake in the Fall of 
1812; the first of these, under the direction of 
Governor Edwards, burned two Kickapoo vil- 
lages, one of them being that of "Black Part- 
ridge," who had befriended the whites at Fort 
Dearborn. A few weeks later Capt. Thomas E. 
Craig, at the head of a company of militia, made a 
descent upon the ancient French village of Peoria, 
on the pretext that the inhabitants had har- 
bored hostile Indians and fired on his boats. He 
burned a part of the town and, taking the people 
as prisoners down the river, put them ashore 
below Alton, in the beginning of winter. Both 
these affairs were severely censured. 

There were expeditions against the Indians on 
the Illinois and Upper Mississippi in 1813 and 
1814. In the latter j'ear, Illinois troops took part 
with credit in two engagements at Rock Island — 
the last of these being in co-operation with regu- 
lars, under command of Maj. Zachary Taylor, 
afterwards President, against a force of Indians 
supported by the British. Fort Clark at Peoria 



was erected in 1813, and Fort Edwards at War- 
saw, opposite the mouth of the Des Moines, at 
the close of the campaign of 1814. A council 
with the Indians, conducted by Governors 
Edwards of Illinois and Clarke of Missouri, and 
Auguste Chouteau, a merchant of St. Louis, as 
Government Commissioners, on the Mississippi 
just below Alton, in July, 1815, concluded a 
treaty of peace with the principal Northwestern 
tribes, thus ending the war. 

First Territorial Legislature.— By act of 
Congress, adopted May 21, 1812, the Territory of 
Illinois was raised to the second grade— i. e., em- 
powered to elect a Territorial Legislature. In 
September, three additional counties — Madison, 
Gallatin and Johnson — were organized, making 
five in all, and, in October, an election for the 
choice of five members of the Council and seven 
Representatives was held, resulting as follows: 
Comicilmen— Pierre Menard of Randolph County ; 
William Biggs of St. Clair; Samuel Judy of 
Madison; Thomas Ferguson of Johnson, and 
Benjamin Talbot of Gallatin. Representatives- 
George Fisher of Randolijh : Joshua Oglesby and 
Jacob Short of St. Clair; William Jones of Madi- 
son; Philip Trammel and Alexander Wilson of 
Gallatin, and John Grammar of Johnson. The 
Legislature met at Kaskaskia, Nov. 25, the Coun- 
cil organizing with Pierre Menard as President 
and John Thomas, Secretary; and the House, 
with George Fisher as Speaker and William C. 
Greenup, Clerk. Shadrach Bond was elected the 
first Delegate to Congress. 

A second Legislature was elected in 1814, con- 
vening at Kaskaskia, Nov. 14. Menard was con- 
tinued President of the Council during the whole 
Territorial period; while George Fisher was 
Speaker of each House, except the Second. The 
county of Edwards was organized in 1814, and 
White in 1815. Other counties organized under 
the Territorial Government were Jackson, Mon- 
roe, Crawford and Pope in 1810; Bond in 1817, 
and Franklin, Union and Washington in 1818, 
making fifteen in all. Of these all but the 
three last-named were organized previous to the 
passage by Congress of the enabling act author- 
izing the Territory of Illinois to organize a State 
government. In 1816 the Bank of Illinois was 
established at Shawneetown, with branches at 
Edwardsville and Kaskaskia. 

Early Towns.— Besides the French villages in 
the American Bottom, there is said to have been 
a French and Indian village on the west bank of 
Peoria Lake, as early as 1711. This site appears 
to have been abandoned about 1775 and a new 



258 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



village established on the present site of Peoria 
soon after, which was maintained until 1812, 
when it was broken up by Captain Craig. Other 
early towns were Shawneetown, laid out in 1808 ; 
Belleville, established as the county-seat of St. 
Clair County, in 1814; Edwardsville, founded in 
1815; Upper Alton, in 1816, and Alton, in 1818. 
Carmi, Fairfield, Waterloo, Golconda, Lawrence- 
ville. Mount Carmel and "Vienna also belonged to 
this period; while Jacksonville, Springfield and 
Galena were settled a few years later. Chicago 
is mentioned in "Beck's Gazetteer" of 1823, as "a 
village of Pike County." 

Admission as a State.— The preliminary steps 
for the admission of Illinois as a State, were taken 
in the passage of an Enabling Act by Congress, 
April 13, 1818. An important incident in this 
connection was the amendment of tlie act, mak- 
ing the parallel of 43' 30' from Lake Michigan to 
the Mississippi River the northern boundary, 
instead of a line extending from the southern 
extremity of the Lake. This was obtained 
through the influence of Hon. Nathaniel Pope, 
then Delegate from Illinois, and b}- it the State 
secured a strip of country fifty-one miles in 
width, from the Lake to the Mississippi, embrac- 
ing what have since become fourteen of the most 
populous counties of the State, including the city 
of Chicago. The political, material and moral 
results which have followed this important act, 
have been tlie subject of much interesting dis- 
cussion and cannot be easily over-estimated. 
(See Northern Botindary Question; also Pope, 
Nathaniel.) 

Another measure of great importance, which Mr. 
Pope secured, was a modification of the provision 
of the Enabling Act requiring the appropriation of 
five per cent of the proceeds from the sale of pub- 
lic lands within the State, to the construction of 
roads an<l canals. The amendment which he 
secured authorizes the ajiplication of two-fifths 
of this fund to the making of roads leading to the 
State, but requires "the residue to be appropri- 
ated by the Legislature of the State for the 
encouragement of learning, of which one-sixth 
part shall be exclusively bestowed on a college or 
university." This was the beginning of that 
system of liberal encouragement of education by 
the General Government, which has been at- 
tended with such beneficent results in the younger 
States, and has reflected so much honor upon the 
Nation. (See Education; Railroads, and Illinois 
<fc Michigan Canal.) 

The Enabling Act required as a precedent con- 
dition that a census of the Territory, to be taken 



that year, should show a population of 40,000. 
Such a result was shown, but it is now confessed 
that the number was greatly exaggerated, the 
true population, as afterwards given, being 34,020. 
According to the decennial census of 1820, the 
population of the State at that time was 55,162. 
If there was any short-coming in this respect in 
1818, the State has fully compensated for it by 
its unexampled growth in later j-ears. 

An election of Delegates to a Convention to 
frame a State Constitution was held July 6 to 8, 
1818 (extending through three days), thirty-three 
Delegates being chasen from the fifteen counties 
of the State. The Convention met at Kaskaskia, 
August 3, and organized b}' the election of Jesse 
B. Thomas, President, and William C. Greenup, 
Secretary, closing its labors, August 26. The 
Constitution, which was modeled largely upon 
the Constitutions of Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana, 
was not submitted to a vote of the people. (See 
Constitutional Com-entions, especially Conven- 
tion of ISIS. ) Objection was made to its accept- 
ance by Congress on the ground that the 
population of the Territory was insufficient and 
that the prohibition of slavery was not as ex- 
plicit as required by the Ordinance of 1787; but 
these arguments were overcome and the docu- 
ment accepted by a vote of 117 j'eas to 34 nays. 
The onlj' officers whose election was provided for 
by popular vote, were the Governor, Lieutenant- 
Governor, Sheriffs, Coroners and County Commis- 
sioners. The Secretary of State, State Treasurer, 
Auditor of Public Accounts, Public Printer and 
Supreme and Circuit Judges were all appointive 
eitlier by the Governor or General Assembly. 
The elective franchise was granted to all white 
male inliabitants. above the age of 21 years, who 
had resided in the State six months. 

The first State election was held Sept. 17, 
1818, resulting in the choice of Shadrach Bond 
for Governor, and Pierre Menard, Lieutenant- 
Governor. Tlie Legislature, chosen at the same 
time, consisted of thirteen Senators and twenty- 
seven Representatives. It commenced its session 
at Kaskaskia, Oct. 5, 1818, and adjourned after a 
session of ten days, awaiting the formal admis- 
sion of the State, which took place Dec. 3. A 
second session of the same Legislature was held, 
extending from Jan. 4 to March 31, 1819. 
Risdon Moore was Speaker of the first House. 
The other State officers elected at the first ses- 
sion were Elijah C. Berry, Auditor ; John Thomas, 
Treasurer, and Daniel P. Cook, Attorney-General. 
Elias Kent Kane, having been appointed Secre- 
tary of State by the Governor, was confirmed by 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



259 



the Senate. Ex-Governor Edwards and Jesse B. 
Thomas were elected United States Senators, tlie 
former drawing the short term and serving one 
year, when he was re-elected. Thomas served 
two terms, retiring in 1829. The first Supreme 
Court consisted of Joseph Phillips, Chief Justice, 
with Thomas C. Browne, William P. Foster and 
John Reynolds. Associate Justices. Foster, who 
was a mere adventurer without any legal knowl- 
edge, left the State in a few months and was 
succeeded by William Wilson. (See State Officers. 
United States Senators, and Judiciary.) 

Menard, who served as Lieutenant-Governor 
four years, was a noteworthy man. A native of 
Canada and of French descent, he came to Kas- 
kaskia in 1790, at the age of 24 years, and 
engaged in mercantile pursuits. He was hos- 
pitable, frank, liberal and enterprising. The fol- 
lowing story related of him illustrates a pleas- 
ant feature of his character; "At one time there 
was a scarcity of salt in the country, and Menard 
held the only supply outside of St. Louis. A 
number of his neighbors called upon him for 
what they wanted ; he declined to let them know 
whether he could supply them or not, but told 
them to come to his store on a certain day, when 
he would inform them. They came at the time 
appointed, and were seated. Menard passed 
around among them and inquired of each, 'You 
got money?' Some said they had and some that 
they had not, but would pay as soon as they 
killed their hogs. Those who had money he 
directed to range themselves on one side of the 
room and those who had none, on the other. Of 
course, those who had tlie means expected to get 
the salt and the others looked very much dis- 
tressed and crestfallen. Menard then spoke up 
in his brusque way, and said, 'You men who got 
de money, can go to St. Louis for your salt. 
Dese poor men who got no money shall have my 
salt, by gar.' Such was the man — noble-hearted 
and large-minded, if unpolished and uncouth." 
(See Menard. Pierre.) 

Removal of the Capital to Vandalia. — 
At the second session of the General Assembly, 
five Commissioners were appointed to select a 
new site for the State Capital. What is now the 
city of Vandalia was .selected, and, in December, 
1820, the entire archives of the State were re- 
moved to the new capital, being transported in 
one small wagon, at a cost of $2.5.00, under the 
supervision of the late Sidney Breese. who after- 
wards became United States Senator and Justice 
of the Supreme Court. (Hee State Caj^itals.) 

During the session of the Second General 



Assembl}-, which met at Vandalia, Dec. 4, 
1820, a bill was passed establishing a State Bank 
at Vandalia, with branches at Shawneetown, 
Edwardsville and Brownsville. John McLean, 
who had been the first Representative in Con- 
gress, was Speaker of the House at this session. 
He was twice elected to the United States Senate, 
though he served only about two years, dying in 
1S30. (See State Bank.) 

Introduction of the Slavery Question. — 
The second State election, which occurred in 
August, 1822, proved the beginning of a turbu- 
lent period through the introduction of some 
exciting questions into State politics. There 
were four candidates for gubernatorial honors in 
the field: Chief-Justice Phillips, of the Supreme 
Court, supported by the friends of Governor 
Bond; Associate-Justice Browne, of the same 
court, supported by the friends of Governor 
Edwards; Gen. James B. Moore, a noted Indian 
fighter and the candidate of the "Old Rangers," 
and Edward Coles. The latter was a native of 
Virginia, who had served as private secretary of 
President Monroe, and had been employed as a 
special messenger to Russia. He had made two 
visits to Illinois, the first in 1815 and the second 
in 1818. The Convention to form a State Constitu- 
tion being in session at the date of the latter 
visit, he took a deep interest in the discussion of 
the slavery question and exerted his influence in 
securing the adoption of the prohibitory article 
in the organic law. On April 1, 1819, he started 
from his home in Virginia to remove to Edwards- 
ville, 111., taking with him his ten slaves. The 
journey from Brownsville, Pa., was made in 
two flat-boats to a point below Louisville, where 
he disembarked, traveling by land to Edwards- 
ville. While descending the Ohio River he sur- 
prised his slaves by announcing that they were 
free. The scene, as described by himself, was 
most dramatic. Having declined to avail them- 
selves of the privilege of leaving him, he took 
them with him to his destination, where he 
eventually gave each head of a family ICO acres 
of land. Arrived at Edwardsville, he assumed 
the position of Regi.ster of the Land Office, to 
which he had been appointed by President Mon- 
roe, before leaving Virginia. 

The act of Coles with reference to his slaves 
established his reputation as an opponent of 
slavery, and it was in this attitude that he stood 
as a candiilate for Governor — both Phillips and 
Browne being friendly to "the institution," 
which had had a virtual existence in the "Illinois 
Country" from the time Renault brought 500 



260 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



slaves to the vicinity of Kaskaskia, one hun- 
dred j'ears before. Although the Constitution 
declared that "neither slavery nor involuntary 
servitude shall hereafter be introduced into the 
State," this had not been eflfectual in eliminating 
it. In fact, while this language was construed, 
so long as it remained in the Constitution, as 
prohibiting legislation authorizing the admission 
of slaves from without, it was not regarded as 
inimical to the institution as it already existed ; 
and, as the population came largely from the 
slave States, there had been a rapidly growing 
sentiment in favor of removing the inhibitory 
clause. Although the pro-slavery party was 
divided between two candidates for Governor, 
it had hardly contemplated the possibility of 
defeat, and it was consequently a surprise when 
the returns showed that Coles was elected, receiv- 
ing 2,854 votes to 3,687 for Phillips, 2.443 for 
Browne and C22 for Moore — Coles' plurality 
being 167 in a total of 8,606. Coles thus became 
Governor on less than one-third of the popular 
vote. Daniel P. Cook, who had made the race 
for Congress at the same election against 
McLean, as an avowed opponent of slavery, was 
successful by a majority of 876. (See Coles, 
Edivard; also Cook, Daniel Pope.) 

The real struggle was now to occur in the Legis- 
lature, which met Dec. 2, 1822. The House 
organized with William M. Alexander as Speaker, 
while the Senate elected Thomas Lippincott 
(afterwards a prominent Presbyterian minister 
and the father of the late Gen. Charles E. Lippin- 
cott), Secretary, and Henry S. Dodge, Enrolling 
and Engrossing Clerk. The other State officers 
appointed by the Governor, or elected by the 
Legislature, were Samuel D. Lockwood, Secretary 
of State; Elijah C. Berry, Auditor; Abner Field, 
Treasurer, and James Turney, Attorney-General. 
Lockwood had served nearly two years previously 
as Attorney-General, but remained in the office 
of Secretary of State only three months, when he 
resigned to accept the position of Receiver for 
the Land Office. (See Lockwood, Samuel Drake. ) 

The slavery question came up in the Legisla- 
ture on the reference to a special committee of a 
portion of the Governor's message, calling atten- 
tion to the continued existence of slavery in spite 
of the ordinance of 1787, and recommending that 
steps be taken for its extinction. Majority and 
minority reports were submitted, the former 
claiming the right of the State to amend its Con- 
stitution and thereby make such disposition of 
the slaves as it saw proper. Out of this grew a 
resolution submitting to the electors at the next 



election a proposition for a convention to revise 
the Constitution. This passed the Senate by the 
necessary two-thirds vote, and, having come up 
in the House (Feb. 11, 1823), it failed by a single 
vote — Nicholas Hansen, a Representative from 
Pike County, whose seat had been unsuccessfully 
contested by John Shaw at the beginning of the 
session, being one of those voting in the negative. 
The next day, without further investigation, the 
majority proceeded to reconsider its action in 
seating Hansen two and a half months previ- 
ously, and Shaw was seated in his place ; though, 
in order to do this, some crooked work was nec- 
essary to evade the rules. Shaw being seated, 
the submission resolution was then passed. No 
more exciting campaign was ever had in Illinois. 
Of five papers then published in the State, "The 
Edwardsville Spectator," edited by Hooper 
Warren, opposed the measure, being finally rein- 
forced by "The Illinois Intelligencer," which had 
been removed to Vandalia; "The Illinois Gaz- 
ette," at Shawneetown, published articles on 
both sides of the question, though rather favoring 
the anti-slavery cause, while "The Republican 
Advocate," at Kaskaskia, the organ of Senator 
Elias Kent Kane, and "The Republican," at 
Edwardsville, under direction of Judge Theophi- 
lus W. Smith, Emanuel J. West and Judge 
Samuel IMcRoberts (afterwards United States 
Senator), favored the Convention. The latter 
paper was established for the especial purpose of 
supporting the Convention scheme and was 
promptly discontinued on the defeat of the meas- 
ure. (See ]\'ewspapers. Early.) Among other 
supporters of the Convention proposition were 
Senator Jesse B. Thomas, John McLean, Richard 
M. Young, Judges Phillips, Browne and Reynolds, 
of the Supreme Court, and many more ; while 
among the leading champions of the opposition, 
were Judge Lockwood, George Forquer (after- 
ward Secretary of State), Morris Birkbeck, George 
Churchill, Thomas Mather and Rev. Thomas Lip- 
pincott. Daniel P Cook, then Representative in 
Congress, was the leading champion of freedom 
on the stump, while Governor Coles contributed 
the salary of his entire term (S4,000), as well as 
his influence, to the support of the cause. Gov- 
ernor Edwards (then in the Senate) was the owner 
of slaves and occupied a non-committal position. 
The election was held August 2. 1824, resulting in 
4,972 votes for a Con%'ention, to 6,640 against it, 
defeating the proposition by a majority of 1,668. 
Considering the size of the aggregate vote 
(11,612), the result was a decisive one. By it 
Illinois escaped the greatest danger it ever en- 



niSTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



261 



cotintered previous to the War of the Rebellion. 
(See Slavery and Slave Laws. ) 

At the same election Cook was re-elected to 
Congress by 3.016 majority over Shadrach Bond. 
The vote for President was divided between John 
Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay 
and William H. Crawford— Adams receiving a 
plurality, but much below a majority. The Elect- 
oral College failing to elect a President, the 
decision of the question passed into the hands of 
the Congressional House of Representatives, 
when Adams was elected, receiving the vote of 
Illinois through its only Representative, Mr. Cook. 

During the remainder of his term, Governor 
Coles was made the victim of much vexatious 
litigation at the hands of his enemies, a verdict 
being rendered against him in the sum of $2,000 
for bringing his emancipated negroes into the 
State, in violation of the law of 1819. The Legis- 
lature having passed an act releasing him from 
the penalty, it was declared unconstitutional by 
a malicious Circuit Judge, though his decision 
was promptly reversed by the Supreme Court. 
Having lived a few years on his farm near 
Edwardsville, in 1833 he removed to Philadelphia, 
where he spent the remainder of his days, his 
death occurring there, July 7, 1868. In the face 
of opprobrium and defamation, and sometimes in 
danger of mob violence. Governor Coles per- 
formed a service to the State which has scarcely 
yet been fully recognized. (See Coles. Edward.) 

A ridiculous incident of the closing year of 
Coles' administration was the attempt of Lieut. - 
Gov. Frederick Adolphus Hubbard, after having 
tasted the sweets of executive power during the 
Governor's temporary absence from the State, to 
usurp the position after the Governor's return. 
The ambitious aspirations of the would-be usurper 
were suppressed by the Supreme Court. 

An interesting event of the year 1825, was the 
visit of General La Fayette to Kaskaskia. He 
was welcomed in an address by Governor Coles, 
and the event was made the occasion of much 
festivity by the French citizens of the ancient 
capital. (See La Fayette, Visit of .) 

The first State House at Vandalia having been 
destroyed by fire, Dec. 9, 1823, a new one was 
erected during the following year at a cost of 
$12,381.50, toward which the people of Vandalia 
contributed $5,000. 

Edwards' Administr.\tion. — The State elec- 
tion of 1826 resulted in again calling Ninian 
Edwards to the gubernatorial chair, which he 
had filled during nearly the whole of the exist- 
ence of Illinois as a Territory. Elected one of the 



first United States Senators, and re-elected for a 
second term in 1819, he had resigned this office in 
1824 to accept the position of Minister to Mexico, 
by appointment of President Slonroe. Having 
become involved in a controversy with William 
H. Crawford, Secretary of the Treasury, he 
resigned the Mexican mission, and, after a period 
of retirement to private life for the first time 
after he came to Illinois, he appealed to the 
people of the State for endorsement, with the 
result stated. His administration was unevent- 
ful except for the "Winnebago War," which 
caused considerable commotion on the frontier, 
without resulting in much bloodshed. Governor 
Edwards was a fine specimen of the "old school 
gentleman" of that period — dignified and polished 
in his manners, courtly and precise in his address, 
proud and ambitious, with a tendency to the 
despotic in his bearing in consequence of having 
been reared in a slave State and his long connec- 
tion with the executive office. His early educa- 
tion had been under the direction of the 
celebrated William Wirt, between whom and 
himself a close friendship existed. He was 
wealthy for the time, being an extensive land- 
owner as well as slave-holder and the proprietor of 
stores and mills, whicli were managed by agents, 
but he lost heavily by bad debts. He was for 
many years a close friend of Hooper Warren, the 
pioneer printer, furnisliing the material with 
which the latter published his papers at Spring- 
field and Galena. At the expiration of his term 
of office near the close of 1830, he retired to his 
home at Belleville, where, after making an un- 
successful campaign for Congress in 1833, in 
which he was defeated by Charles Slade, he 
died of cholera, July 20, 1833. (See Edwards, 
Ninian.) 

William Kinney, of Belleville, who was a can- 
didate for Lieutenant-Governor on the ticket 
opposed to Edwards, was elected over Samuel M. 
Thompson. In 1830, Kinney became a candidate 
for Governor but was defeated by John Reynolds, 
known as the "Old Ranger." One of the argu- 
ments used against Kinney in this campaign was 
that, in the Legislature of 1823, he was one of 
three members who voted against the Illinois & 
Michigan Canal, on the ground that "it (the 
canal) would make an opening for the Yankees 
to come to the country." 

During Edwards' administration the first steps 
were taken towards the erection of a State peni- 
tentiary at Alton, funds therefor being secured 
by the sale of a portion of the saline lands in Gal- 
latin County. (See Alton Penitentiary.) The first 



262 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Commissioners having charge of its construction 
were Shadrach Bond, William P. McKee and 
Dr. Gershom Jayne — the last-named the father of 
Dr. William Jayne of Springfield, and father-in- 
law of the late Senator Lyman Trumbull. 

Governor Reynolds — Black Hawk War. — 
The election of 1830 resulted in the choice of John 
Reynolds for Governor over William Kinney, by 
a majority of 3,899, in a total vote of 49,051, 
while Zadoc Casey, the candidate on the Kinney 
ticket, was elected Lieutenant-Governor. (See 
Reynolds, John.) 

The most important event of Reynolds' admin- 
istration was the "Black-Hawk War." Eight 
tliousand militia were called out during this war 
to reinforce 1,500 regular troops, the final result 
being the driving of 400 Indians west of the Mis- 
sissippi. Rock Island, which had been the favor- 
ite rallying point of the Indians for generations, 
was the central point at the beginning of this 
war. It is impossible to give the details of this 
complicated struggle, whicli was protracted 
through two campaigns (1831 and 1832), though 
there was no fighting worth speaking of except 
in the last, and no serious loss to the whites in 
that, except the surprise and defeat of Stillman's 
command. Beardstown was the base of opera- 
tions in each of these campaigns, and that city 
has probably never witnessed such scenes of 
bustle and excitement since. The Indian village 
at Rock Island was destroyed, and the fugitives, 
after being pursued through Northern Illinois 
and Southwestern Wisconsin without being 
allowed to surrender, were driven beyond the 
Mississippi in a famishing condition and with 
spirits completely broken. Galena, at that time 
the emporium of the "Lead Mine Region," and 
the largest town in the State north of Springfield, 
was the center of great excitement, as the war 
was waged in the region surrounding it. (See 
Black Hawk War.) Although cool judges have 
not regarded this campaign as reflecting honor 
upon either the prowess or the magnanimity of 
the whites, it was remarkable for the number of 
those connected with it wliose names afterwards 
became famous in the history of the State and 
the Nation. Among them were two who after- 
wards became Presidents of the United States — 
Col. Zachary Taylor of the regular army, and 
Abraham Lincoln, a Captain in the State militia 
— besides Jefferson Davis, then a Lieutenant in 
the regular army and afterwards head of the 
Southern Confederacy; three subsequent Gov- 
ernors — Duncan, Carlin and Ford — besides Gov- 
ernor Reynolds, who at that time occupied tlie 



gubernatorial chair; James Semple, afterwards 
United States Senator; John T. Stuart, Lincoln's 
law preceptor and partner, and later a Member 
of Congress, to say nothing of many others, who, in 
after years, occupied prominent positions as mem- 
bers of Congress, the Legislature or otherwise. 
Among the latter were Gen. John J. Hardin; 
the late Joseph Gillespie, of Edwardsville; Col. 
John Dement; William Thomas of Jackson- 
ville; Lieut. -Col. Jacob Fry; Henry Dodge and 
others. 

Under the census of 1830, Illinois became 
entitled to three Representatives in Congress 
instead of one, by whom it had been represented 
from the date of its admission ;is a State. Lieu- 
tenant-Governor Casey, having been elected to 
the Twenty-third Congress for the Second Dis- 
trict under the new apportionment, on March 1, 
1833, tendered his resignation of the Lieutenant- 
Governorship, and was succeeded by William L. 
D. Ewing, Temporary President of the Senate. 
{SeeA2}portion)nent, Congressional; Casey, Zadoc, 
and Representatives in Congress.) Within two 
weeks of the close of his term (Nov. 17, 1834), 
Governor Reynolds followed the example of his 
associate in office by resigning the Governorship 
to accept the seat in Congress for the First (or 
Southern) District, which had been rendered 
vacant by the death of Hon. Charles Slade, the 
incumbent in office, in July previous. This 
opened the way for a new promotion of acting 
Lieutenant-Governor Ewing, who thus had the 
distinction of occupying the gubernatorial office 
for the brief space of two weeks. (See Reynolds, 
John, and Slade, Charles. ) 

Ewing probably held a greater variety of 
offices under the State, than any other man who 
ever lived in it. Repeatedly elected to each 
branch of the General Assembly, he more than 
once filled the chair of Speaker of the House and 
President of the Senate ; served as Acting Lieu- 
tenant Governor and Governor by virtue of the 
resignation of his superiors; was United States 
Senator from 1835 to 1837; still later became 
Clerk of the House where he had presided as 
Speaker, finally, in 1843, being elected Auditor of 
Public Accounts, and dying in that office three 
years later. In less than twenty years, he held 
eight or ten different offices, including the high- 
est in the State. (See Emng, William Lee David- 
son. ) 

Duncan's Administration. — Joseph Duncan, 
who had served the State as its only Represent- 
ative in three Congresses, was elected Governor, 
August, 1834, over four competitors— William 



i 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



a03 



Kinney, Robert K. SIcLaughlin, James Evans 
and W. B. Archer. (See Dnneaii, Joseph.) 

His administration was made memorable by 
the large number of distinguished men who 
either entered public life at this period or gained 
additional prominence by their connection with 
public affairs. Among these were Abraham Lin- 
coln and Stephen A. Douglas; Col. E. D. Baker, 
who afterward and at different times represented 
Illinois and Oregon in the councils of the Nation, 
and who fell at Ball's Bluff in 1862; Orville H. 
Browning, a prospective United States Senator 
and future cabinet officer; Lieut. -Gov. John 
Dougherty; Gen. James Shields, Col. John J. 
Hardin, Archibald Williams, Cyrus and Ninian 
W. Edwards; Dr. John Logan, father of Gen. 
John A. Logan; Stephen T. Logan, and many 
more. 

During this administration was begun that 
gigantic scheme of "internal improvements," 
which proved so disastrous to the financial inter- 
ests of the State. The estimated cost of the 
various works undertaken, was over §11,000,000, 
and though little of substantial value was real- 
ized, yet, in 18.52, the debt (principal and inter- 
est) thereby incurred (including that of the 
canal), aggregated nearly §17,000,000. The col- 
lapse of the scheme was, no doubt, hastened by 
the unexpected suspension of specie payments 
b}' the banks all over the country, which followed 
soon after its adoption. (See Internal Improve- 
ment Policy; also State Debt.) 

Capital Removed to Springfield. — At the 
session of the General Assembly of 1836-37, an act 
was passed removing the State capital to Spring- 
field, and an appropriation of §50,000 was made to 
erect a building ; to this amount the city of Spring- 
field added a like sum, besides donating a site. In 
securing the passage of these acts, the famous 
"Long Nine," consisting of A. G. Herndon and 
Job Fletcher, in the Senate; and Abraham Lin- 
coln, Ninian W. Edwards, John Dawson, Andrew 
McCormick, Dan Stone, William F. Elkin and 
Robert L. Wilson, in the House — all Representa- 
tives from Sangamon County — played a leading 
part. 

The Murder of Lovejoy. — An event occurred 
near the close of Governor Duncan's term, which 
left a stain upon the locality, but for which liis 
administration had no direct responsibility ; to- 
wit, tlie murder of Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy, by a 
pro-slavery mob at Alton. Lovejoy was a native 
of Maine, who, coming to St. Louis in 1827, had 
been employed upon various papers, the last 
being "The St. Louis Observer." The outspoken 



hostility of this paper to slavery aroused a bitter 
local opposition wliich led to its removal to 
Alton, where the first number of "The Alton 
Observer'' was issued, Sept. 8, 1836, though not 
until one press and a considerable portion of tlie 
material had been destroyed by a mob. On the 
night of August 31, 1837, tliere was a second 
destruction of the material, when a third press 
having been procured, it was taken from the 
warehouse and thrown into the Mississippi. A 
fourth press was ordered, and, pending its 
arri%'al, Lovejoy appeared before a public meet- 
ing of his opponents and, in an impassioned 
address, maintained his riglit to freedom of 
speech, declaring in conclusion: "If the civil 
authorities refuse to protect me, I must look to 
God ; and if I die, I have determined to make my 
grave in Alton." These words proved prophetic. 
Tlie new press was stored in the warehouse of 
Godfrey, Gillman & Co. , on the night of Nov. 6, 
1837. A guard of sixty volunteers remained 
about the liuilJing the next day, but when night 
came all but nineteen retired to their homes. 
During tlie night a mob attacked the building, 
when a shot from the inside killed Lyman Bishop. 
An attempt was then made by the rioters to fire 
the warehouse by sending a man to the roof. To 
dislodge the incendiary, Lovejoy, with two 
others, emerged from the building, when two or 
three men in concealment fired upon hihi, the 
shots taking effect in a vital part of his body, 
causing his death almost instantly. He was 
buried the following day without an inquest. 
Several of the attacking party and the defenders 
of the building were tried for riot and acquitted 
— the former probably on account of popular 
sympathy with the crime, and the latter because 
they were guiltless of any crime except that of 
defending private property and attempting to 
preserve the law. The act of firing the fatal 
shots has been charged upon two men — a Dr. 
Jennings and his comrade. Dr. Beall. The 
former, it is said, was afterwards cut to pieces in 
a bar-room fight in Vicksburg, Miss., while the 
latter, having been captured by Comanche 
Indians in Texas, was burned alive. On the 
other hand, Lovejoy has been honored as a 
martyr and the sentiments for which he died 
have triumphed. (See Lovejoy, Elijah Parish; 
also Alton Riots.) 

Carlin Succeeds to the Governorship. — 
Duncan was succeeded by Gov. Thomas Carlin. 
who was chosen at the election of 1838 over 
Cyrus Edwards (a younger brotlier of Gov. 
Ninian Edwards), who was the Whig candidate. 



264 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



The successful candidate for Lieutenant-Governor 
was Stinson H. Anderson of Jefferson County. 
(See CarliH,(Gov. ) Thomas; Andcrnon. Stinson H. ) 

Among the members of the Legislature chosen 
at this time we find the names of Orville H. 
Browning, Robert Blackwell, George Churcliill, 
William G. Gatewood, Ebenezer Peck (of Cook 
County), William A. Richardson, Newton Cloud, 
jAsse K. Dubois, O. B. Ficklin, Vital Jarrot, 
John Logan, William F. Thornton and Archibald 
Williams — all men of prominence in the subse- 
quent history of the State. This was the last 
Legislature that assembled at Vandalia, Spring- 
field becoming the capital, July 4, 1839. The 
corner-stone of the first State capitol at Spring- 
field was laid with imposing ceremonies, July 4, 
1837,, Col. E. D. Baker delivering an eloquent 
address. Its estimated cost was $130,000, but 
$240,000 was expended upon it before its com- 
pletion. 

An incident of this campaign was the election 
to Congress, after a bitter struggle, of John T, 
Stuart over Stephen A. Douglas from the Tliird 
District, by a majority of fourteen votes. Stuart 
was re-elected in 1840, but in 1843 he was suc- 
ceeded, under a new apportionment, by Col. John 
J. Hardin, while Douglas, elected from the 
Quincy District, then entered the National Coun- 
cils for the first time. 

Field-McClern.\nd Contest. — An exciting 
event connected with Carlin's administration was 
the attempt to remove Alexander P. Field from 
the office of Secretary of State, which he had 
held since 1828. Under the Constitution of 1818, 
this office was filled by nomination by the Gov- 
ernor "with the advice and consent of the 
Senate." Carlin nominated John A. McCler- 
nand to supersede Field, but the Senate refused to 
confirm the nomination. After adjournment of 
the Legislature, McClernand attempted to obtain 
possession of the office by writ of quo warranto. 
The Judge of a Circuit Court decided the case in 
his favor, but this decision was overruled by the 
Supreme Court. A special session having been 
called, in November, 1840, Stephen A. Douglas, 
then of Morgan County, was nominated and con- 
firmed Secretary of State, but held the position 
only a few months, when he resigned to accept a 
place on the Supreme bench, being succeeded as 
Secretary by Lyman Trumbull. 

Supreme Court Revolutionized. — Certain 
decisions of some of the lower courts about this 
time, bearing upon the suffrage of aliens, excited 
the apprehension of the Democrats, who had 
heretofore been in political control of the State, 



and a movement was started iti the Legislature 
to reorganize tlie Supreme Court, a majority of 
wliom were Whigs. The Democrats were not 
unanimous in favor of the measure, but, after a 
bitter struggle, it was adopted, receiving a bare 
majority of one in the House. Under this act 
five additional Judges were elected, viz. : Thomas 
Ford, Sidney Breese, Walter B. Scales, Samuel 
H. Treat and Stephen A. Douglas — all Demo- 
crats. Mr. Ford, one of the new Judges, and 
afterwards Governor, has characterized this step 
as "a confessedly violent and somewhat revolu- 
tionary measure, which could never have suc- 
ceeded except in times of great party excite- 
ment." 

The great Whig mass-meeting at Springfield, 
in June, 1840, was an incident of the political 
campaign of that year. No such popular assem- 
blage had ever been seen in the State before. It 
is estimated that 20.000 people — nearly five per 
cent of the entire population of the State — were 
present, including a large delegation from Chi- 
cago who marched overland, under command of 
the late Maj-Gen. David Hunter, bearing with 
them many devices so popular in that memorable 
campaign. 

Ford Elected Governor. — Judge Thomas 
Ford became the Democratic candidate for Gov- 
ernor in 1842, taking the place on the ticket of 
Col. Adam W. Snyder, who had died after nomi- 
nation. Ford was elected by more than 8,000 
majority over ex-Governor Duncan, the Whig 
candidate. John Moore, of McLean County (who 
had been a member of the Legislature for several 
terms and was afterwards State Treasurer), 
was elected Lieutenant-Governor. (See Ford, 
Thomas; Snyder, Adam W., and Moore, John.) 

Emb.\rr.\ssing Questions. — The failure of the 
State and the Shawneetown banks, near the close 
of Carlin's administration, had produced a condi- 
tion of business depression that was felt all over 
the State. At the beginning of Ford's adminis- 
tration, the State debt was estimated at S15.(W7,- 
950 — within about one million of the highest 
point it ever reached — while the total population 
was a little over half a million. In addition to 
these drawbacks, the Mormon question became a 
source of embarrassment. This people, after 
having been driven from Missouri, settled at 
Nauvoo, in Hancock County ; they increased 
rapidly in numbers, and. by the arrogant course 
of their leaders and their odious doctrines — 
especially with reference to "celestial marriage, " 
and their assumptions of authority — aroused the 
bitter hostility of neighboring communities not 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



265 



of their faith. The popular indignation became 
greatly intensified by the course of unscrupulous 
politicians and the granting to the Mormons, by 
the Legislature, of certain charters and special 
privileges. Various charges were made against 
the obnoxious sect, including rioting, kidnap- 
ing, robbery, counterfeiting, etc., and the Gov- 
ernor called out the militia of the neighboring 
counties to preserve the peace. Joseph Smith — 
the founder of the sect — with his brother H}Tum 
and three others, were induced to svirrender to 
the authorities at Carthage, on the 23d of June, 
1844, under promise of protection of their per- 
sons. Then the charge was changed to treason 
and they were thrown into jail, a guard of eight 
men being placed about the building. A con- 
siderable portion of the militia had disbanded and 
returned home, while others were openly hostile 
to the prisoners. On June 27 a band of 150 
disguised men attacked the jail, finding little 
opposition among those set to guard it. In 
the assault which followed both of the Smiths 
were killed, while John Taylor, another of 
the prisoners, was wounded. The trial of the 
murderers was a farce and they were acquitted. 
A state of virtual war continued for a year, 
in which Governor Ford's avithority was openly 
defied or treated with contempt by those whom 
he had called upon to preserve the peace. In 
the fall of 1845 the Mormons agreed to leave 
the State, and the following spring the pilgrim- 
age to Salt Lake began. Gen. John J. Hardin, 
who afterward fell at Buena Vista, was twice 
called on by Governor Ford to head parties of 
militia to restore order, while Gen. Mason Bray- 
man conducted the negotiations which resulted 
in the promise of removal. The great body of 
the refugees spent the following winter at Coun- 
cil Bluffs, Iowa, arriving at Salt Lake in June 
following. Another considerable body entered 
the service of the Government to obtain safe con- 
duct and sustenance across the plains. While 
the conduct of the Mormons during their stay 
at Nauvoo was. no doubt, very irritating and 
often lawless, it is equally true that the dis- 
ordered condition of affairs was taken advantage 
of by unscrupulous demagogues fur dishonest 
purposes, and this episode has left a stigma 
upon the name of more than one over-zealous anti- 
Mormon hero. (See Mormoits; Smith. Joscjili.) 

Though Governor Ford's integrity and ability 
in certain directions have not been questioned, 
his administration was not a successful one, 
largely on account of the conditions which pre- 
vailed at the time and the embarrassments which 



he met from his own party. (See Ford. Thomas.) 
Mexican War.— A still more tragic chapter 
opened during the last year of Ford's administra- 
tion, in the beginning of the war with Mexico. 
Three regiments of twelve months' volunteers, 
called for by the General Government from the 
State of Illinois, were furnished with alacrity, 
and many more men offered their services than 
could be accepted. The names of their respective 
commanders — Cols. John J. Hardin, William H. 
Bissell and Ferris Forman — have been accorded 
a high place in the annals of the State and the 
Nation. Hardin was of an honorable Kentucky 
family ; he had achieved distinction at the bar 
and served in the State Legislature and in Con- 
gress, and his death on the battlefield of Buena, 
Vista was universally deplored. (See Hardin, 
John J. ) Bissell afterward served with distinc- 
tion in Congress and was the first Republican 
Governor of Illinois, elected in 185fi. Edward D. 
Baker, then a Whig member of Congress, re- 
ceived authority to raise an additional regiment, 
and laid the foundation of a reputation as broad 
as the Nation. Two other regiments were raised 
in the State "for the war" during the next year, 
led respectively by Col. Edward W. B. Newby and 
James Collins, beside four independent companies 
of mounted volunteers. The whole number of 
volunteers furnislied by Illinois in this conflict 
was 6,123, of whom 80 were killed, and 183 
wounded, 12 dying of their wounds. Their loss 
in killed was greater than that of any other 
State, and the number of wounded only exceeded 
by those from South Carolina and Penn.sylvania. 
Among other lUinoisaus who participated in this 
struggle, were Thomas L. Harris, William A. 
Richardson, J. L. D. Morrison, Murray F. Tuley 
and Charles C. P. Holden, while still others, 
either in the ranks or in subordinate positions, 
received the "baptism of fire" which prepared 
them to win distinction as commanders of corps, 
divisions, brigades and regiments during the War 
of the Rebellion, including such names as John 
A. Logan, Richard J. Oglesby, Benjamin M. 
Prentiss. James D. Morgan, W. 11. L. Wallace 
(who fell at Pittsburg Landing), Stejihen G. 
Hicks, Michael K. Lawler, Leonard F. Ross, 
Isham N. Haynie, Theophilus Lyle Dickey, 
Dudley Wickersham. Isaac C. Pugh, Thomas II. 
Flynn, J. P. Post, Nathaniel Niles. W, K. Morri- 
son, and others. (See Mexican War.) 

French's Administration-M assac Rebellion. 
— Except for the Mexican War, which was still 
in progress, and acts of mob violence in certain 
portions of the State — especially by a band of self- 



266 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



styled "regulators" in Pope and Massac Counties 
— the administration of Augiastus C. French, 
which began with the close of the year 1846, was 
a quiet one. French was elected at the previous 
August election by a vote of 58.700 to 36,775 for 
Thomas M. Kilpatrick, the Whig candidate, and 
5,112 for Richard Eels, the Free-Soil (or Aboli- 
tion) candidate. The Whigs held their first State 
Convention this year for the nomination of a 
State ticket, meeting at Peoria. At the same 
election Abraham Lincoln was elected to Con- 
gress, defeating Peter Cartwriglit. the famous 
pioneer Methodist preacher, who was the Demo- 
cratic candidate. At tlie session of the Legisla- 
ture which followed, Stephen A. Douglas was 
elected to the United States Senate as successor 
to James Semple. 

New Convention Movement. — Governor 
French was a native of New Hampshire, born 
August 2, 1808; he had practiced his profession 
as a lawyer in Crawford County, had been a 
member of the Tenth and Eleventh General 
Assemblies and Receiver of the Land Office at 
Palestine. The State had now begun to recover 
from the depression caused by the revei'ses of 
1837 and subsequent years, and for some time its 
growth in population had been satisfactory. The 
old Constitution, however, had been felt to be a 
hampering influence, especially in dealing with 
the State debt, and, as early as 1842, the question 
of a State Convention to frame a new Constitu- 
tion had been submitted to popular vote, but was 
defeated by the narrow margin of 1,039 votes. 
The Legislature of 1844-45 adopted a resolution 
for resubmission, and at the election of 1846 it 
was approved by the people by a majority of 
85,326 in a total vote of 81,352. The State then 
contained ninety-nine counties, with an aggregate 
population of 662,150. The assessed valuation of 
property one year later was §92,206,493, while 
the State debt was §16,661,795 — or more than 
eighteen per cent of the entire assessed value of 
the property of the State. 

Constitutional Convention of 1847. — The 
election of members of a State Convention to 
form a second Constitution for the State of Illi- 
nois, was held April 19, 1847. Of one hundred 
and sixt}--two members chosen, ninety-two were 
Democrats, leaving seventy members to all 
shades of the opposition. The Convention 
assembled at Springfield, June 7, 1847; it was 
organized by the election of Newton Cloud, Per- 
manent President, and concluded its labors after 
a session of nearly three months, adjourning 
August 31. The Constitution was submitted to 



a vote of the people, Jlarch 6, 1848, and was rati- 
fied by 59,887 votes in its favor to 15,859 against. 
A special article prohibiting free persons of color 
from settling in the State was adopted by 49,060 
votes for, to 20,883 against it: and another, pro- 
viding for a two-mill tax, by 41,017 for, to 30,586 
against. The Constitution went into effect April 
1, 1848. (See Constitutions; also Constitutional 
Convention of 1S47.) 

The provision imposing a special two-mill tax, 
to be applied to the payment of the State in- 
debtedness, was the means of restoring the State 
credit, while that prohibiting the immigration 
of free persons of color, though in accordance 
with the spirit of the times, brought upon the 
State much opprobrium and was repudiated 
with emphasis during the War of the Rebellion. 
The demand for retrenchment, caused bj' the 
financial depression following the wild legislation 
of 1837. led to the adoption of many radical pro- 
visions in the new Constitution, some of which 
were afterward foimd to be serious errors open- 
ing the way for grave abuses. Among these 
was the practical limitation of the biennial ses- 
sions of the General Assembly to forty-two days, 
while the per diem of members was fixed at two 
dollars. The salaries of State officers were also 
fixed at what would now be recognized as an 
absurdly low figure, that of Governor being 
§1,500: Supreme Court Judges, §1,200 each; Cir- 
cuit Judges, §1,000; State Auditor, §1,000; Secre- 
tary of State, and State Treasurer, §800 each. 
Among less objectionable provisions were those 
restricting the right of suffrage to white male 
citizens above the age of 21 years, which excluded 
(except as to residents of the State at the time of 
the adoption of tlie Constitution) a class of 
unnaturalized foreigners who had exercised the 
privilege as "inhabitants" imder the Constitu- 
tion of 1818; providing for the election of all 
State, judicial and county officers bj- popular 
vote; prohibiting the State from incurring in- 
debtedness in excess of §50,000 without a special 
vote of the people, or granting the credit of the 
State in aid of any individual association or cor- 
poration; fixing the date of the State election 
on the Tuesdaj- after the first Monday in Novem- 
ber in every fourth year, instead of the first. 
Mondaj' in August, as had been the rule under 
the old Constitution. The tenure of office of all 
State officers was fixed at four years, except that 
of State Treasurer, which was made two years, 
and the Governor alone was made ineligible to 
immediate re-election. The number of members 
of the General Assembly was fixed at twenty-five 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



267 



in the Senate and seventy-five in the Ilouse, 
subject to a certain specified ratio of in- 
crease when tlie population should exceed 
1,000,000. 

As the Constitution of 1818 had been modeled 
upon the form then most popular in the Southern 
States — especially with reference to the large 
number of officers made appointive by the Gov- 
ernor, or elective by the Legislature — so the new 
Constitution was, in some of its features, more in 
harmony with those of other Northern States, 
and indicated the growing influence of New Eng- 
land sentiment. This was especially the case 
with reference to the section providing for a sys- 
tem of township organization in the several 
counties of the State at the pleasure of a majority 
of the votei's of each county. 

Elections of 1848. — Besides the election for 
the ratification of the State Constitution, three 
other State elections were held in 1848, viz.: (1) 
for the election of State officers in August; (2) 
an election of Judges in September, and (3) the 
Presidential election in November. At the first 
of these. Governor French, wliose first term had 
been cut short two years by the adoption of the 
new Constitution, was reelected for a second 
term, practically without opposition, the vote 
against him being divided between Pierre Menard 
and Dr. C. V. Dyer. French tlius became his 
own successor, being the first Illinois Governor 
to be re-elected, and, though two years of his 
first term had been cut off by the adoption of the 
Constitution, he served in the gubernatorial 
office six years. The other State officers elected, 
were William McMurtry, of Knox, Lieutenant- 
Goveinor ; Horace S. Cooley, of Adams, Secretary 
of State; Thomas H. Campbell, of Randolph, 
Auditor; and Milton Carpenter, of Hamilton, 
State Treasurer — all Democrats, and all but 
McMurtry being their own successors. At the 
Presidential election in November, the electoral 
vote was given to Lewis Cass, the Democratic 
candidate, who received .56,300 votes, to .'53,047 
for Taylor, the Whig candidate, and 15,774 for 
Martin Van Buren, the candidate of the Free 
Democracy or Free-Soil party. Tlius, for the first 
time in the history of tlie State after 1824, the 
Democratic candidate for President failed to 
receive an absolute majority of the popular vote, 
being in a minority of 12,.')21. wliile having a 
plurality over the Whig candidate of 3,2.53. The 
only noteworthy results in the election of Con- 
gressmen this j'ear were the election of Col. E. D. 
Baker (Wliig), from the Galena District, and 
that of Maj. Thomas L. Harris (Democrat), from 



the Springfield District. Both Baker and Harris 
had been soldiers in the Mexican War, which 
probably accounted for their election in Districts 
usually opposed to them politically. Tlie other 
five Congressmen elected from the State at the 
same time — including John Wentworth, then 
chosen for a fourth term from the Chicago Dis- 
trict — were Democrats. The Judges elected to 
the Supreme bench were Lyman Trumbull, from 
the Southern Division ; Samuel H. Ti-eat, from 
the Central, and John Dean Caton, from the 
Northern — all Democrats. 

A leading event of this session was the election 
of a United States Senator in place of Sidney 
Breese. Gen. James Shields, wlio had been 
severely wounded on the battle-field of Cerro 
Gordo ; Sidney Breese, wiio had been the United 
States Senator for six years, and John A. Mo- 
Clernand, then a member of Congress, were 
arrayed against each other before the Democratic 
caucus. After a bitter contest, Shields was 
declared the choice of his party and was finally 
elected. He did not immediately obtain liis seat, 
however. On presentation of his credentials, 
after a heated controversy in Congress and out of 
it, in which he injudiciously assailed his prede- 
cessor in very intemperate language, he was 
declared ineligible on the ground that, being of 
foreign birth, the nine years of citizeu.sliip 
required by the Constitution after naturalization 
had not elapsed previous to his election. In 
October, following, the Legislature was called 
together in special session, and. Shields' disabil- 
ity having now been removed by the expiration 
of the constitutional period, he was re-elected, 
thougli not without a renewal of the bitter con- 
test of the regular session. Another noteworthy 
event of this special session was the adoption of 
a joint resolution favoring the principles of the 
"Wilmot Proviso." Although tliis was rescinded 
at the next regular session, on the ground tliat the 
points at issue had been settled in the Compro- 
mise measm-es of 1850, it indicated the drift of 
sentiment in Illinois toward opposition to the 
spread of the institution of slavery, and this was 
still more strongly empliasized by the election of 
Abraham Lincoln in 1860. 

Illinois Centr.\l Railroad.— Two important 
measures which passed the General Assembly at 
the session of 1851, were the Free-Banking Law, 
and the act incorporating the Illinois Central 
Railroad Company. Tlie credit of first suggest- 
ing this great tliorouglifare lias been claimed for 
William Smith Waite, a citizen of Bond County, 
111., as early as 1835, although a special charter 



268 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS 



for a road over a part of this line had been passed 
by the Legislatui'e in 183-1. W. K. Aokerman, in 
his "Historical Sketch"' of tlie Illinois Central 
Railroad, awards the credit of originating this 
enterprise to Lieut. -Gov. Alexander 31. Jenkins, 
in the Legishiture of 1832, of which he was a 
member, and Speaker of the House at the time. 
He afterwards became President of the first Illi- 
nois Central Railroad Company, organized under 
an act passed at the session of 1830, which pro- 
vided for the construction of a line from Cairo to 
Peru, 111., but resigned the next j-ear on the sur- 
render by the road of its charter. The first step 
toward legislation in Congress on this subject 
was taken in the introduction, by Senator Breese, 
of a bill in March, 1843; but it was not until 1850 
that the measure took the form of a direct grant 
of lands to the State, finallj- passing the Senate 
in May, and the House in September, following. 
The act ceded to the State of Illinois, for the pur- 
pose of aiding in the construction of a line of 
railroad from the junction of the Ohio and Mis- 
sissippi, with branches to Chicago and Dubuque, 
Iowa, respectively, alternate sections of land on 
each side of said railroad, aggregating 2,595,000 
acres, the length of tlie main line and branches 
exceeding seven hundred miles. An act incorpo- 
rating the Illinois Central Railroad Company 
passed the Illinois Legislature in February, 1851. 
The company was thereupon promptly organized 
with a number of New York capitalists at its 
head, including Robert Schuyler, George Gris- 
wold and Gouverneur Morris, and the grant was 
placed in the liands of trustees to be used for the 
purpose designated, under the pledge of the 
Company to build the road by July 4, 1854, and 
to pay seven per cent of its gross earnings into 
the State Treasury perpetually. A large propor- 
tion of the line was constructed througli sections 
of country either sparsely settled or wholly 
unpopulated, but which have since become 
among the richest and most populous portions of 
the State. The fund already received by the State 
from the road exceeds the amount of the State 
debt incurred under the internal improvement 
scheme of 1837. (See Illinois Central Railroad.) 
Election op 1852. — Joel A. Matteson (Demo- 
crat) was elected Governor at the November 
election, in 1852, receiving 80,645 votes to 64,405 
for Edwin B. Webb, Whig, and 8,809 for Dexter 
A. Knowlton, Free-Soil. The other State oflScers 
elected, were Gustavus Koerner, Lieutenant- 
Governor ; Alexander Starne, Secretary of State ; 
Thomas H. Campbell, Auditor ; and John Moore, 
Treasurer. The Whig candidates for these 



offices, respectively, were James L. D. 5Iorrison, 
Buckner S. Morris. Charles A. Betts and Francis 
Arenz. John A. Logan appeared among the new 
members of the House chosen at this election as 
a Representative from Jackson County ; while 
Henry W. Blodgett, since United States District 
Judge for the Northern District of Illinois, and 
late Counsel of the American Arbitrators of the 
Behring Sea Commission, was the only Free-Soil 
member, being the Representative from Lake 
County. John Reynolds, who had been Gov- 
ernor, a Justice of the Supreme Court and Mem- 
ber of Congress, was a member of the House and 
was elected Speaker. (See 'iVebb, Edwin B.; 
Knowlton, Dexter A.; Koerner, Gustarus: Starne, 
Alexander: Moore. John; Morrison, James L. D.; 
3Iorris, Buckner S.; Arenz, Francis A.; Blodgett 
Henry TT") 

Redcction of State Debt Begins.— The 
State debt reached its maximum at the beginning 
of Matteson's administration, amounting to 
§16,724,177, of which §7,259,822 was canal debt. 
The State had now entered upon a new and pros- 
perous period, and, in the next four years, the 
debt was reduced by the sum of §4,564,840, 
leaving the amount outstanding, Jan. 1, 1857, 
§12,834,144. The three State institutions at 
Jacksonville — the Asylums for the Deaf and 
Dumb, the Blind and Insane — had been in suc- 
cessful operation several years, but now internal 
dissensions and dissatisfaction with their man- 
agement seriously interfered with their prosperity 
and finally led to revolutions which, for a time, 
impaired their usefulness. 

Kansas-Nebraska Excitement. — During Mat- 
teson's administration a period of political ex- 
citement began, caused by the introduction in 
the United States Senate, in January, 1854, by 
Senator Douglas, of Illinois, of the bill for the 
repeal of the Missouri Compromise — otherwise 
known as the Kansas- Nebraska Bill. Although 
this belongs rather to National history, tlie 
prominent part played in it b}' an Illinois states- 
man who had won appla\ise three or four years 
before, by the service he had performed in secur- 
ing the passage of the Illinois Central Railroad 
grant, and the effect which his course had in 
revolutionizing the politics of the State, justifies 
reference to it here. After a debate, almost 
unprecedented in bitterness, it became a law. 
May 30, 1854. The agitation in Illinois was 
intense. At Chicago, Douglas was practically 
denied a hearing. Going to Springfield, where 
the State Fair was in progress, during the first 
week of October, 1854, he made a speech in the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



269 



State Capitol in his defense. This was replied to 
hy Abraliam Lincoln, then a private citizen, to 
whom Douglas made a rejoinder. Speeches were 
also made in criticism of Douglas' position by 
Judges Breese and Trumbull (both of whom had 
been prominent Democrats), and other Demo- 
cratic leaders were understood to be ready to 
assail the champion of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill, 
though tliey afterwards reversed their position 
under partisan pressure and became supporters of 
the measure. The first State Convention of the 
opponents of the Nebraska Bill was held at the 
same time, but the attendance was small and the 
attempt to effect a permanent organization was 
not successful. At the session of the Nineteenth 
General Assembly, which met in January, fol- 
lowing, Lyman Trumbull was chosen the first 
Republican United States Senator from Illinois, 
in place of General Shields, whose term was about 
to expire. Trumbull was elected on the tenth 
ballot, receiving fifty-one votes to forty-seven 
for Governor Matteson, though Lincoln had led 
on the Republican side at every previous ballot, 
and on the first had come within six votes of an 
election. Although he was then the choice of a 
large majority of the opposition to the Demo- 
cratic candidate, when Lincoln saw that the 
original supporters of Trumbull would not cast 
their votes for himself, he generously insisted 
that his friends should suppoi-t his rival, thus 
determining the result. (See 3Iatteson, Joel A.; 
TrumhuU, Lyman, and Lincoln, Abraliam.) 

Decatur Editorial Convention.— On Feb. 
22, 1856, occurred the convention of Anti-Neb- 
raska (Republican) editors at Decatur, which 
proved the first effective step in consolidating 
the opposition to the Kansas-Nebraska Bill into a 
compact political organization. The main busi- 
ness of this convention consisted in the adoption 
of a series of resolutions defining the position of 
their authors on National questions — especially 
with reference to the institution of slavery — and 
appointing a State Convention to be held at 
Bloomington, May 29, following. A State Cen- 
tral Committee to represent the new party was 
also appointed at this convention. With two or 
three exceptions the Committeemen accepted and 
joined in the call for the State Convention, which 
was held at the time designated, when the first 
Republican State ticket was put in the field. 
Among the distinguished men who participated 
in this Convention were Abraham Lincoln, O. H. 
Browning, Richard Yates, Owen Lovejoy, John 
M. Palmer, Isaac N. Arnold and John Went- 
worth. Palmer presided, while Abraham Lin- 



coln, who was one of the chief speakers, was one 
of the delegates appointed to the National Con- 
vention, held at Philadelphia on the ITth of June. 
The candidates put in nomination for State offices 
were ; William H. Bissell for Governor : Francis 
A. Hoffman for Lieutenant-Governor (afterward 
replaced by John Wood on account of Hoffman's 
ineligibility); Ozias M. Hatch for Secretary of 
State; Jesse K. Dubois for Auditor; James H. 
Jliller for State Treasurer, and William H. Powell 
for Superintendent of Public In.struction. The 
Democratic ticket was composed of William A. 
Richardson for Governor; R. J. Hamilton, Lieu- 
tenant-Governor; W. H. Snyder, Secretary of 
State ; S. K. Casey, Auditor ; John Moore, Treas- 
urer, and J. H. St. Slatthew, Superintendent of 
Public Instruction. The American organization 
also nominated a ticket headed by Buckner S. 
Morris for Governor. Although the Democrats 
carried the State for Buchanan, their candidate 
for President, by a plurality of 9,ir)9, the entire 
Republican State ticket was elected by pluralities 
ranging from 3,031 to 20,213— the latter being the 
majority for Miller, candidate for State Treas- 
urer, whose name was on both the Republican and 
American tickets. (See Anti-Nebraska Editorial 
Convention, and Bloomington Convention of 
1S56. ) 

Administration of Governor Bissell. — 
With the inauguration of Governor Bissell, the 
Republican party entered upon the control of the 
State Government, which was maintained with- 
out interruption until the close of the administra- 
tion of Governor Fifer, in January, 1893 — a period 
of thirty-six years. On account of physical disa- 
bility Bissell's inauguration took place in the 
executive mansion, Jan. 12, 18.')7. He %vas 
immediately made the object of virulent personal 
abuse in the House, being charged with perjury 
in taking the oath of office in face of the fact 
that, vv-hile a member of Congress, he had accepted 
a challenge to fight a duel with Jefferson Davis. 
To this, the reply was made that the offense 
charged took place outside of the State and be- 
yond the legal jurisdiction of the Constitution of 
Illinois, (^ee Bissell, William H.) 

While the State continued to prosper under 
Bissell's administration, the most important 
events of tliis period related rather to general 
than to State policy. One of these was the deliv- 
ery by Abraham Lincoln, in the Hall of Repre- 
sentatives, on the evening of June 17, 1858, of the 
celebrated speech in whi<di he announced the 
doctrine that "a house divided against itself can- 
not stand." This was followed during the next 



270 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



few months by the series of memorable debates 
between those two great champions of their 
respective parties — Lincoln and Douglas — which 
attracted the attention of the whole land. The 
result was the re-election of Douglas to the 
United States Senate for a third term, but it 
also made Abraham Lincoln President of the 
United States. (See Lincoln and Douglas 
Debates.) 

About the middle of Bissell's term (February, 
1859), came the discovery of what has since been 
known as the celebrated "Canal Scrip Fraud." 
This consisted in the fraudulent funding in State 
bonds of a large amount of State scrip which had 
been issued for temporary purposes during the 
construction of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, 
but which had been subsequently redeemed. A 
legislative investigation proved the amount ille- 
gally funded to have been S323, 182, and that the 
bulk of the bonds issued therefor — so far as they 
could be traced — had been delivered to ex-Gov. 
Joel A. Matteson. For this amount, with ac- 
crued interest, he gave to the State an indemnity 
bond, secured by real-estate mortgages, from 
which the State eventually realized §238,000 out 
of §255,000 then due. Further investigation 
proved additional frauds of like character, aggre- 
gating §165,346, which the State never recovered. 
An attempt was made to prosecute Matteson 
criminally in the Sangamon County Circuit 
Court, but the grand jury failed, by a close vote, 
tolind an indictment against him. (See Canal 
Serial Fraud.) 

An attempt was made during Bissell's adminis- 
tration to .secure the refunding (at par and in 
violation of an existing law) of one hundred and 
fourteen §1.000 bonds hypothecated with Macalis- 
ter & Stebbins of New York in 1841. and for 
which the State had received an insignificant 
consideration. The error was discovered when 
new bonds for the principal had been issued, but 
the process was immediately stopped and the 
new bonds surrendered — the claimants ' being 
limited by law to 28.64 cents on the dollar. This 
subject is treated at length elsewhere in this vol- 
ume. (See Macalisler & Stebbins Bonds. ) Governor 
Bissell's administration was otherwise unevent- 
ful, although the State continued to prosper 
under it as it had not done since the "internal 
improvement craze" of 1837 had resulted in im- 
posing such a burden of debt upon it. At the 
time of his election Governor Bissell was an 
invalid in consequence of an injury to his spine, 
from which he never recovered. He died in 
ofiBce, March 18, 1860, a little over two months 



after having entered upon the last year of his 
term of office, and was succeeded by Lieut. -Gov. 
John Wood, who served out the unexpired term. 
(See Bissell, ^Villiam H.; also Wood. John.) 

Political Campaign of 1860. — The political 
campaign of 1860 was one of unparalleled excite- 
ment throughout the nation, but especially in 
Illinois, which became, in a certain sense, the 
chief battle-ground, furnishing the successful 
candidate for the Presidency, as well as being the 
State in which the convention which nominated 
him met. The Repubhcan State Convention, 
held at Decatur, May 9, put in nomination 
Richard Yates of Morgan County, for Governor; 
Francis A. Hoffman for Lieutenant-Governor, 
O. M. Hatch for Secretary of State, Jesse K. 
Dubois for Auditor, William Butler for Treasurer, 
and Newton Bateman for Superintendent of Pub- 
lic Instruction. If this campaign was memorable 
for its excitement, it was also memorable for the 
large number of National and State tickets in the 
field. The National Republican Convention 
assembled at Chicago, May 16, and, on the third 
ballot, Abraham Lincoln was nominated for 
President amid a whirlwind of enthusiasm unsur- 
passed in the history of National Conventions, of 
which so many have been held in the "conven- 
tion city" of the Northwest. The campaign was 
what might have been expected from such a 
beginning. Lincoln, though receiving consider- 
ably less than one-half the popular vote, had a 
plurality over his highest competitor of nearly 
half a million votes, and a majority in the elect- 
oral colleges of fifty-seven. In Illinois he 
received 172,161 votes to 160,215 for Douglas, his 
leading opponent. The vote for Governor stood : 
Yates (Republican), 172,196; Allen (Douglas- 
Democrat), 159,253; Hope (Breckinridge-Demo- 
crat), 2,049; Stuart (American), 1,626. 

Among the prominent men of different parties 
who appeared for the first time in the General 
Assembly chosen at this time, were William B. 
Ogden, Richard J. Oglesby, Washington Bushnell, 
and Henry E. Dummer, of the Senate, and Wil- 
liam R. Archer, J. Russell Jones, Robert H. 
McClellan, J. Young Scammon, William H. 
Brpwn, Lawrence Weldon, N. M. Broadwell, and 
John Scholfield, in the House. Shelbj' M. Cul- 
lom, who had entered the Legislature at the 
previous session, was re-elected to this and was 
chosen Speaker of the House over J. W. Single- 
ton. Lyman Trumbull was re-elected to the 
United States Senate by the votes of the Repub- 
licans over Samuel S. Marshall, the Democratic 
candidate. 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



271 



Beginning of the Rebellion. — Almost simul- 
taneously with the accession of the new State 
Government, and before the inauguration of the 
President at Washington, began that series of 
startling events which ultimately culminated in 
the attempted secession of eleven States of the 
Union — the first acts in the great drama of war 
which occupied the attention of the world for the 
next four j'ears. On Jan. 14, 1861, the new 
State administration was inaugurated ; on Feb. 2, 
Commissioners to the futile Peace Conven- 
tion held at Washington, were appointed from 
Illinois, consisting of Stephen T. Logan. John M. 
Palmer, ex-Gov. John Wood, B. C. Cook and T. J. 
Turner; and on Feb. 11, Abraham Lincoln 
took leave ofhis friends and neighbors at Spring- 
field on his departure for Washington, in that 
simple, touching speech wliich has taken a place 
beside his inaugural addresses and his Gettysburg 
speech, as an American classic. The events 
which followed ; the firing on Fort Sumter on the 
twelfth of April and its surrender ; the call for 
75,000 troops and the excitement which prevailed 
all over the country, are matters of National his- 
tory. Illinoisans responded with promptness and 
enthusiasm to the call for six regiments of State 
militia for three months' service, and one week 
later (April 21), Gen. R. K. Swift, of Chicago, at 
the head of seven companies numbering 59,5 men, 
was en route for Cairo to execute the order of the 
Secretary of War for the occupation of that 
place. Tlie offer of military organizations pro- 
ceeded rapidly, and by the eighteenth of April, 
fifty companies had been tendered, while the 
public-spirited and patriotic bankers of the prin- 
cipal cities were offering to supply the State with 
monej- to arm and equip the hastily organized 
troops. Following in order the six regiments 
which Illinois had sent to the Mexican War, 
those called out for the three montlis' service in 
1861 were numbered consecutively from seven to 
twelve, and were commanded by the following 
officers, respectively: Cols. John Cook, Richard 
J. Oglesby, Eleazer A. Paine, James D. Morgan, 
W. H. L. Wallace and John McArthur, with 
Gen. Benjamin M. Prentiss as brigade com- 
mander. The rank and file numbered 4,680 men, 
of whom 2,'000, at the end of their term of serv- 
ice, re-enlisted for three years. (See ]yar of the 
Rebellion.) 

Among the many who visited the State Capitol 
in the early months of war to offer their services 
to the Government in suppressing the Rebellion, 
one of the most modest and unassuming was a 
gentleman from Galena who brought a letter of 



introduction to Governor Yates from Congress- 
man E. B. Washburne. Though he had been a 
Captain in the regular army and had seen service 
in the war with Mexico, he set up no pretension 
on that account, but after days of patient wait- 
ing, was given temporary employment as a clerk 
in the office of the Adjutant-General, Col. T. S. 
Mather. Finally, an emergency having arisen 
requiring the services of an oflScer of military 
experience as commandant at Camp Yates (a 
camp of rendezvous and instruction near Spring- 
field), he was assigned to tlie place, rather as an 
experiment and from necessity tlian from convic- 
tion of any peculiar fitness for the position. 
Having acquitted himself creditably here, he was 
assigned, a few weeks later, to the command of a 
regiment (The Twenty-first Illinois Volunteers) 
which, from previous bad management, had 
manifested a mutinous tendency. And thus 
Ulysses S. Grant, the most successful leader of 
the war, the organizer of final victory over the 
Rebellion, the Lieutenant-General of the armies 
of the Union and twice elected President of the 
United States, started upon that career which 
won for him the plaudits of the Nation and the 
title of the grandest soldier of his time. (See 
Grant, Ulysses S.) 

The responses of Illinois, under the leadership 
of its patriotic "War Governor," Richard Yates, 
to the repeated calls for volunteers through the 
four years of war, were cheerful and prompt. Illi- 
nois troops took part in nearly every important 
battle in the Mississippi Valley and in many of 
those in the East, besides accompanying Sher- 
man in his triumphal "March to the Sea. " Illi- 
nois blood stained the field at Belmont, at 
Wilson's Creek, Lexington, Forts Donelson and 
Henry ; at Shiloh, Corinth, Nashville, Stone River 
and Chickamauga; at Jackson, during the siege 
of Vicksburg, at AUatoona Pass, Kenesaw Moun- 
tain, Resaca, Peach Tree Creek and Atlanta, in 
the South and West; and at Cliancellorsville. 
Antietam, Gettysburg, Petersburg and in the 
battles of "the Wilderness" in Virginia. Of all 
the States of the Union, Illinois alone, up to 
Feb. 1, 1864, presented the proud record of hav- 
ing answered every call upon her for troops 
without a draft. The whole number of enlist- 
ments from the State under the various calls from 
1861 to 1865, according to tlie records of the War 
Department, was 255,057 to meet quotas aggre- 
gating 214,496. The ratio of troops furnished to 
population was 15.1 per cent, which was only 
exceeded by the District of Columbia (which 
had a large influx from the States), and Kansas 



273 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



and Nevada, each of %vliicli had a much larger 
proportion of adult male population. The whole 
number of regimental organizations, according 
to the returns in the Adjutant Generars office, 
was 151 regiments of infantry (numbered con- 
secutively from the Sixth to tlie One Hundred 
and Fifty -seventh), 17 regiments of cavalry and 3 
regiments of artillery, besides 9 independent bat- 
teries. Tlie total losses of Illinois troops, officially 
reported by the War Department, were 34,834 
(13.05 per cent), of which 5,874 were killed in 
battle, 4,020 died of wounds, 22,786 died of disease, 
and 2,154 from other causes. Besides the great 
Commander-in-Chief, Abraham Lincoln, and 
Lieut. -Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, Illinois furnished 
11 full Major-Generals of volunteers, viz.: 
Generals John Pope, John A. McClernand, S. A. 
Hurlbut, B, M. Prentiss, John M. Palmer, R. J. 
Oglesby, John A. Logan, John M. Schofield, Giles 
A. Smith, Wesley Merritt and Benjamin H. 
Grierson ; 20 Brevet Major-Generals ; 24 Brigadier- 
Generals, and over 120 Brevet Brigadier-Generals. 
(See sketches of these officers under their respec- 
tive names. ) Among the long list of regimental 
officers who fell upon the field or died from 
wounds, appear tlie names of Col. J. R. Scott of 
the Nineteenth ; Col. Thomas D. Williams of the 
Twenty-fifth, and Col. F. A. Harrington of the 
Twenty-.seventh — all killed at Stone River; Col. 
John W. .S. Alexander of the Twenty-first; Col. 
Daniel Gilmer of the Thirty-eighth; Lieut. -Col. 
Duncan J. Hall of the Eighty-ninth ; Col. Timothy 
O'Meara of the Ninetieth, and Col. Holden Put- 
nam, at Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge; 
Col. John B. Wyman of tlie Thirteenth, at 
Cliickasaw Bayou; Lieut. -Col. Thomas W. Ross, 
of the Thirty-second, at Shiloh; Col. John A. 
Davis of the Forty -sixth, at Hatcliie; Col. Wil- 
liam A. Dickerman of the One Hundred and 
Third, at Resaca; Col. Oscar Harmon, at Kene- 
saw; Col. John A. Bross, at Petersburg, besides 
Col. Mihalotzy, Col. Silas Miller, Lieut. -Col. 
Melancthon Smith, Maj. Zenas Applington, Col. 
John J. Jludd, Col. Mattliew H. Starr, Maj. Wm. 
H. Medill, Col. Warren Stewart and many more 
on other battle-fields. (Biographical sketches of 
many of these officers will be foimd under the 
I)roper heads elsewhere in this volume.) It 
would be a grateful task to record here the names 
of a host of others, who, after acquitting them- 
selves bravely on the field, survived to enjoy the 
l)laudits of a grateful people, were this within 
the design and scope of the present work. One 
of the most brilliant exploits of the War was the 
raid from La Grange, Tenn., to Baton Rouge, 



La., in May, 1803, led by Col. B. H. Grierson, of 
the Sixth Illinois Cavalry, in co-operation with 
the Seventh under command of Col. Edward 
Prince. 

COXSTITUTION.\L CONVENTION OF 1862. — An 

incident of a diff'erent character was the calling 
of a convention to revise the State Constitu- 
tion, which met at Springfield, Jan. 7, 1862, A 
majority of this body was composed of those 
opposed to the war policy of the Government, 
and a disposition to interfere with the affairs of 
the State administration and the General Gov- 
ernment was soon manifested, which was resented 
by the executive and many of the soldiers in the 
field. The convention adjourned March 24, and 
its work was submitted to vote of the people, 
June 17, 1862, when it was rejected by a majority 
of more than 16,000, not counting the soldiers in 
the field, who were permitted, as a matter of 
policy, to vote upon it. but who were practically 
unanimous in opposition to it. 

Death op Douglas. — A few days before this 
election (June 3, 1862), United States Senator 
Stephen A. Douglas died, at the Tremont House 
in Chicago, depriving the Democratic party of 
the State of its most sagacious and patriotic 
adviser. (See Douglas, Stephen A.) 

Legisl.4^ture of 1863. — Another political inci- 
dent of this period grew out of the session of the 
General Assembly of 1863. Tliis body having 
been elected on the tide of the political revulsion 
which followed the issuance of President Lin- 
coln's preliminary Proclamation of Emancipation, 
was Democratic in both brandies. One of its 
first acts was the election of William A. Richard- 
son United States Senator, in place of O. H. 
Browning, who had been appointed by Governor 
Yates to the vacancy caused by the death of 
Douglas. This Legislature early showed a tend- 
ency to follow in the footsteps of the Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1862, by attempting to 
cripple the State and General Governments in 
the prosecution of tlie war. Resolutions on the 
subject of the war, which the friends of the 
Union regarded as of a most mischievous charac- 
ter, were introduced and passed in the House, but 
owing to the death of a member on the majority 
side, they failed to pa.ss the Senate. These 
denounced the suspension of the writ of habeas 
corpus; condemned "the attempted enforcement 
of compensated emancipation" and "the transpor- 
tation of negroes into the State;" accu.sed the 
General Government of "usurpation," of "sub- 
verting the Constitution" and attempting to 
establish a "consolidated military despotism;" 



niSTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



273 



charged that the war had been "diverted from its 
first avowed object to that of subjugation and 
the abolition of slavery;" declared the belief of 
the authors that its "further prosecution .... 
cannot result in the restoration of the Union 
.... unless the President's Emancipation Proc- 
lamation be withdrawn;" appealed to Congress 
to secure an armistice with the rebel States, and 
closed by appointing six Commissioners (who 
were named) to confer with Congress, with a 
view to the holding of a National Convention to 
adjust the differences between the States. These 
measures occupied the attention of the Legisla- 
ture to the exclusion of subjects of State interest, 
.so that little legislation was accomplished — not 
even the ordinary appropriation bills being passed. 

Legislature Prorogued.— At this juncture, 
the two Houses having disagreed as to the date 
of adjournment, Governor Yates exercised the 
constitutional prerogative of proroguing them, 
which he did in a message on June 10, declaring 
them adjourned to the last day of their constitu- 
tional term. The Republicans accepted the result 
and withdrew, but the Democratic majority in 
the House and a minority in the Senate continued 
ill session for some days, without being able to 
transact any business except the filing of an 
empty protest, when they adjourned to the first 
Jlonday of January, 1864. The excitement pro- 
duced by this affair, in the Legislature and 
throughout the State, was intense ; but the action 
of Governor Yates was sustained by the Supreme 
Court and the adjourned session was never held. 
The failure of the Legislature to make provision 
for the expenses of the State Government and the 
relief of the soldiers in the field, made it neces- 
sary for Governor Yates to accept that aid from 
the public-spirited bankers and capitalists of the 
State which was never wanting when needed 
during this critical period. (See Twenty-Third 
General Assembly.) 

Peace Conventions.— Largely attended "peace 
conventions" were held during this j'ear, at 
Springfield on June 17, and at Peoria in Septem- 
ber, at which resolutions opposing the "further 
offensive prosecution of the war" were adopted. 
An immense Union mass-meeting was also held 
at Springfield on Sept. 3, which was addressed 
by distinguished speakers, including both Re- 
publicans and War-Democrats. An important 
incident of this meeting was the reading of the 
letter from President Lincoln to Hon. James C. 
Conkling, in which he defended his war policy, 
and especially his Emancipation Proclamation, 
in a characteristically logical manner. 



Political Campaign op 1864.— The year 1864 
was full of exciting political and military events. 
Among the former was the nomination of George 
B. McClellan for President by the Democratic Con- 
vention held at Chicago, August 29, on a platform 
declaring the wara "failure" as an "experiment" 
for restoiin.L; Mie Union, and demanding a "cessa- 
tion of hostilities" witha view to a convention for 
the restoration of peace. Mr. Lincoln had lieen 
renominated by the Republicans at Philadelphia, 
in June previous, with Andrew Johnson as the 
candidate for Vice-President. The leaders of the 
respective State tickets wei'e Gen. Richard J. 
Oglesb}', on the part of the Republicans, for Gov- 
ernor, with William Bross. for Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor, and James C. Robinson as the Democratic 
candidate for Governor. 

Camp Douglas Conspiracy. — For months 
rumors had been rife concerning a conspiracy of 
rebels from the South and their sympathizers in 
the North, to release the rebel prisoners confined 
in Camp Douglas, Chicago, and at Rock Island, 
Springfield and Alton — aggregating over 25,000 
men. It was charged that the scheme was to be 
put into effect simultaneously with the Novem- 
ber election, but the activity of the military 
authorities in arresting the leaders and seizing 
their arms, defeated it. The investigations of a 
military court before whom a number of the 
arrested parties were tried, proved the existence 
of an extensive organization, calling itself 
"American Knights" or "Sons of Liberty," of 
which a number of well-known politicians in 
Illinois were members. (See Camp Doughis 
Conspiracy.) 

At the November election Illinois gave a major- 
ity for Lincoln of 30,7.56, and for Oglesby, for 
Governor, of 33,675, with a proportionate major- 
ity for the rest of the ticket. Lincoln's total vote 
in the electoral college was 213, to21 for McClellan. 

Legislature of 1865. — The Republicans had a 
decided majority in both branches of the Legis- 
lature of 1865, and one of its earliest acts was the 
election of Governor Yates, United States Sena- 
tor, in place of William A. Richardson, who had 
been elected two years before to the seat formerly 
lield by Douglas. This was the last public posi- 
tion held by the popular Illinois "War Gov- 
ernor." During his official term no more popular 
public servant ever occupied the executive chair 
— a fact demonstrated by the promptness with 
which, on retiring from it, he was elected to the 
United States Senate. His personal and political 
integrity was never questioned by his most bitter 
J -ilitical opponents, while those wlu) had known 



2:i 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



him longest and most intimately, trusted him 
most implicitly. The service which he performed 
in giving direction to the patriotic sentiment of 
the State and in marshaling its heroic soldiers 
for the defense of tlie Union can never be over- 
estimated. (See Yates, Richard.) 

Oglesby's Administration. — Governor Ogles- 
by and the other State officers were inaugu- 
rated Jan. 17, 1865. Entering upon its duties 
with a Legislature in full sympathy with it, the 
new administration was confronted by no such 
difficulties as those witli which its predecessor 
had to contend. Its head, who had been identi- 
fied with the war from its beginning, was one of 
the first lUinoisans promoted to the rank of 
Major-General, was personally popular and 
enjoyed the confidence and respect of the people 
of the State. Allen C. Fuller, who had retired 
from a position on the Circuit bench to accept 
that of Adjutant-General, which he held during 
the last three years of the war, was Speaker of 
the House. This Legislature was the first among 
those of all the States to ratify the Thirteenth 
Amendment of the National Constitution, abolish- 
ing slavery, which it did in both Houses, on the 
evening of Feb. 1, 1865 — the same day tlie resolu- 
tion had been finally acted on by Congress and 
received the sanction of the President. The 
odious "black laws," which had disgraced the 
State for twelve years, were wiped from the 
statute-book at this session. The Legislature 
adjourned after a session of forty-six da^'s, leav- 
ing a record as creditable in the disposal of busi- 
ness as that of its j'redecessor had been discredit- 
able. (See Ofjleshij. Richard J.) 

Assassination of Lincoln. — The war was now 
rapidly approaching a successful termination. 
Lee had surrendered to Grant at Appomattox, 
April 9, 1865, and the people were celebrating 
this event with joyful festivities tlirough all the 
loyal States, but nowhere with more enthusiasm 
than in Illinois, the home of the two great 
leaders — Lincoln and Grant. In the midst of 
these jubilations came the assassination of Presi- 
dent Lincoln by Jolin Wilkes Booth, on the 
evening of April 14, 1865, in Ford's Theater, 
Washington. The appalling news was borne on 
the wings of the telegraph to every corner of the 
land, and instantly a nation in rejoicing was 
changed to a nation in mourning. A pall of 
gloom hung over every part of the land. Public 
buildings, business houses and dwellings in every 
city, village and hamlet throughout the loj'al 
States were draped with the insignia of a univer- 
sal sorrow. Millions of strong men, and tender, 



patriotic women who had given their husbands, 
sons and brothers for the defense of the Union, 
wept as if overtaken by a great personal calam- 
it}'. If the nation mourned, much more did Illi- 
nois, at the taking off of its chief citizen, the 
grandest character of the age, who had served 
both State and Nation with such patriotic fidel- 
ity, and perished in the very zenith of his fame 
and in the hour of his country's triumph. 

The Funeral. — Then came the son-owful 
march of the funeral cortege from AVashington 
to Springfield — the most impressive spectacle 
witnessed since the Day of the Crucifixion. In 
all this, Illinois bore a conspicuous part, as on the 
fourth day of May, 1865, amid the most solemn 
ceremonies and in the presence of sorrowing 
thousands, she received to her bosom, near his 
old home at the State Capital, the remains of the 
Great Liberator. 

The part which Illinois played in the great 
struggle has already been dwelt upon as fully as 
the scope of this work will permit. It only 
remains to be said that the patriotic service of 
the men of the State was grandly supplemented 
by the equally patriotic service of its women in 
"Soldiers' Aid Societies," "Sisters of the Good 
Samaritan," "Needle Pickets," and in sanitary 
organizations for the purpose of contributing to 
the comfort and health of the soldiers in camp 
and in hospital, and in giving them generous 
receptions on tlieir return to their homes. The 
work done by these organizations, and by indi- 
vidual nurses in the field, illustrates one of the 
brightest pages in the history of the war. 

Election of 1866. — The administration of Gov- 
ernor Oglesby was as peaceful as it was prosper- 
ous. The chief political events of 1866 were the 
election of Newton Bateman, State Superintend- 
ent of Public Instruction, and Gen. Geo. W. 
Smith, Treasurer, wliile Gen. John A. Logan, as 
Representative from the State-at-large. re-entered 
Congress, from which he had retired in 1861 to 
enter the Union army. His majority was un- 
precedented, reaching 55,987. The Legislature 
of 1867 re elected Judge Trumbull to the United 
States Senate for a third term, his chief competi- 
tor in the Republican caucus being Gen. John M. 
Palmer. The Fourteenth Amendment to the 
National Constitution, conferring citizenship 
upon persons of color, was ratified by this Legis- 
lature. 

Election of 1868.— The Republican State Con- 
vention of 1868. held at Peoria, Jlay 6, nominated 
the following ticket: For Governor. John M. 
Palmer, Lieutenant-Governor, John Dougherty; 



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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



275 



Secretary of State. Edward Rummell; Auditor, 
Charles E. Lippincott. State Treasurer, Erastus N. 
Bates; Attorney General. Wasluugton Buslinell. 
John R. Eden, afterward a member of Congress 
for three terms, headed the Democratic ticket as 
candidate for Governor, with William H. Van 
Epps for Lieutenant-Governor. 

The Republican National Convention was held 
at Chicago, May 21, nominating Gen. U. S. Grant 
for President and Schuyler Colfax for Vice- 
President. They were opposed by Horatio 
Seymour for President, and F. P. Blair for Vice- 
President. The result in November was the 
election of Grant and Colfax, who received 214 
electoral votes from 26 States, to 80 electoral 
votes for Seymour and Blair from 8 States — three 
States not voting. Grant's majority in Illinois 
was 51,150. Of course the Republican State 
ticket was elected. The Legislature elected at 
the same time consisted of eighteen Republicans 
to nine Democrats in the Senate and fifty-eight 
Republicans to twenty seven Democrats in the 
House. 

Palmer's Administration. — Governor Palm- 
er's administration began auspiciously, at a time 
when the passions aroused by the war were sub- 
siding and the State was recovering its normal 
prosperity. (See Palmer, John M.) Leading 
events of the next four years were the adoption 
of a new State Constitution and the Chicago fire. 
The first steps in legislation looking to the con- 
trol of railroads were taken at the session of 

1869, and although astringent law on the subject 
passed both Houses, it was vetoed by the Gov- 
ernor. A milder measure was afterward enacted, 
and, although superseded by the Constitution of 

1870, it furnished the key-note for nmch of the 
legislation since had on the subject. The cele- 
brated "Lake Front Bill," conveying to the city 
of Chicago and the Illinois Central Railroad the 
title of the State to certain lands included in 
what was known as the "Lake Front Park," was 
passed, and although vetoed by the Governor, 
was re-enacted over his veto. This act was 
finally repealed by the Legislature of 1873, and 
after many years of litigation, the rights claimed 
under it by the Illinois Central Railroad Com- 
pany have been recently declared void by the 
Supreme Court of the United States. The Fif- 
teenth Amendment of the National Constitution, 
prohibiting the denial of the right of suffrage to 
"citizens of the United States .... on account 
of race, color or previous condition of servitude," 
was ratified by a strictly party vote in each 
House, on March 5. 



The first step toward the erection of a new 
State Capitol at Sprinj^fielil had been taken in an 
appropriation of $450,000, at the session of 1867, 
the total cost being limited to .53,000.000. A 
second appropriation of •'?6.50,00u was made at the 
session of 1869. The Constitution of 1870 limited 
the cost to §3,500,000, but an act passed by the 
Legislature of 1883, making a final appropriation 
of §531,712 for completing and furnishing the 
building, was ratified by the people in 1884. The 
original cost of the l)uilding and its furniture 
exceeded $4,000,000. (See State Houses. ) 

The State Convention for framing a new Con- 
stitution met at Springfield, Dec. 13, 1869. 
It consisted of eighty-five members — forty-four 
Republicans and forty-one Democrats. A num- 
ber classed as Republicans, however, were elected 
as "Independents" and co-operated with the 
Democrats in the organization. Charles Hitch- 
cock was elected President. The Convention 
terminated its labors, May 13, 1870; the Constitu- 
tion was ratified by vote of the people, July 3, 
and went into effect, August 8, 1870. A special 
provision establishing the principle of "minority 
representation" in the election of Representatives 
in the General Assembly, was adopted by a 
smaller vote than the main instrument. A lead- 
ing feature of the latter was the general restric- 
tion upon special legislation and the enumeration 
of a large variety of subjects to be provided for 
under general laws. It laid the basis of our 
present railroad and warehouse laws; declared 
the inviolability of the Illinois Central Railroad 
tax; prohibited the sale or lease of the Illinois 
& Michigan Canal without a vote of the people; 
prohibited municipalities from becoming sub- 
scribers to the stock of any railroad or private 
corporation; limited the rate of taxation and 
amount of indebtedness to be incurred ; required 
tlie enactment of laws for the protection of 
miners, etc. The restriction in the old Constitu- 
tion against the re-election of a Governor as his 
own immediate successor was removed, but placed 
upon the office of State Treasurer. The Legisla- 
ture consists of 204 members— 51 Senators and 153 
Representatives — one Senator and three Repre- 
sentatives being chosen from each district. (See 
Constitutional Convention of 1SG0-7U; also Con- 
stitution of 1S70.) 

At the election of 1870, General Logan was re- 
elected Congressman-at-large by 24,672 majority; 
Gen. E. N. Bates, Treasurer, and Newton Bate- 
man, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. 

Legislature op 1871.— The Twentysevnnth 
General Assembly (1871), in its various sessions, 



276 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



spent more time in legislation than any other in 
the history of the State — a fact to be accounted 
for, in part, by the Chicago Fire and the exten- 
sive revision of the laws required in consequence 
of the adoption of the new Constitution, Besides 
the regular session, there were two special, or 
called, sessions and an adjourned session, cover- 
ing, in all, a period of 292 days. This Legislature 
adopted the system of "State control" in the 
management of the labor and discipline of the 
convicts of the State penitentiary, which was 
strongly urged by Governor Palmer in a special 
message. General Logan having been elected 
United States Senator at this session. Gen. John 
L. Beveridge was elected to the vacant position 
of Congressman-at-large at a special election held 
Oct. 4. 

Chicago Fire of 1871.— The calamitous fire 
at Chicago, Oct. 8-9, 1871, though belonging 
rather to local than to general State history, 
excited the profound sympathy, not only of the 
people of the State and the Nation, but of the 
civilized world. The area burned over, including 
streets, covered 2,124 acres, with 13,500 buildings 
out of 18,000, leaving 92,000 persons homeless. 
The loss of life is estimated at 250, and of prop- 
erty at .$187,927,000. Governor Palmer called the 
Legislature together in special session to act upon 
the emergency, Oct. 13, but as the State was pre- 
cluded from affording direct aid, the plan was 
adopted of reimbursing the city for the amount 
it had expended in the enlargement of the Illinois 
& Michigan Canal, amounting to !J2,955,340. 
The unfortunate shooting of a citizen by a cadet 
in a regiment of United States troops organized 
for guard duty, led to some controversy between 
Governor Palmer, on one side, and the Mayor of 
Chicago and the military authorities, including 
President Grant, on the other; but the general 
verdict was, that, while nice distinctions between 
civil and miUtary authority may not have been 
observed, the service rendered by the military, in 
a great emergency, was of the highest value and 
was prompted by the best intentions. (See Fire 
of 1S71 under title Chicago.) 

Political C.^mpaign of 1872.— The political 
campaign of 1872 in Illinois resulted in much con- 
fusion and a partial reorganization of parties. 
Dissatisfied with the administration of President 
Grant, a number of the State officers (including 
Governor Palmer) and otlier prominent Repub- 
licans of the State, joined in what was called the 
"Liberal Republican" movement, and supported 
Horace Greeley for the Presidency. Ex-Gov- 
ernor Oglesby again became the standard-bearer 



of the Republicans for Governor, with Gen. John 
L. Beveridge for Lieutenant-Governor. At the 
November election, the Grant and "Wilson (Repub- 
lican) Electors in Illinois received 241,944 votes, 
to 184,938 for Greeley, and 3,138 for OConor. 
Tlie pluralitj' for Oglesby, for Governor, was 
40,690. 

Governor Oglesby "s second administration was 
of brief duration. Within a week after his in- 
auguration he was nominated by a legislative 
caucus of his party for United States Senator to 
succeed Judge Trumbull, and was elected, receiv- 
ing an aggregate of 117 votes in the two Houses 
against 78 for Trumbull, who was supported by 
the party whose candidates he had defeated at 
three previous elections. (See Oglesby. Richard J. ) 
Lieutenant-Governor Beveridge thus became 
Governor, filling out the unexpired term of his 
chief. His administration was high-minded, 
clean and honorable. (See Beveridge, John L.) 

Republican Reverse of 1874. — The election 
of 1874 resulted in the first serious reverse the 
Republican party had experienced in Illinois 
since 1862. Although Thomas S. Ridgway, the 
Republican candidate for State Treasurer, was 
elected by a plurality of nearly 35.000, by a com- 
bination of the opposition, S. M. Etter (Fusion) 
was at the same time elected State Superintend- 
ent, while the Fusionists secured a majority in 
each House of the General Assembly. After a 
protracted contest, E. M. Haines — who had been 
a Democrat, a Republican, and had been elected 
to this Legislature as an "Independent" — was 
elected Speaker of the House over Shelby M. Cul- 
lom, and A. A. Glenn (Democrat) was chosen 
President of the Senate, thus becoming ex-officio 
Lieutenant-Governor. The session which fol- 
lowed — especially in the House — was one of the 
most turbulent and disorderly in the history of 
the State, coming to a termination, April 15, 
after having enacted very few laws of any im- 
portance. (See Twenty-ninth General Assembly.) 

Campaign of 1876. — Shelby M. CuUom was the 
candidate of the Republican party for Governor 
in 1876, with Rutherford B. Hayes heading the 
National ticket. The excitement which attended 
the campaign, the closeness of the vote between 
the two Presidential candidates — Hayes and 
Tilden — and the determination of the result 
through the medium of an Electoral Commission, 
are fresh in the memory of the present gener- 
ation. In Illinois the Republican plurality for 
President was 19.631, but owing to tlie combina- 
tion of the Democratic and Greenback vote on 
Lewis Steward for Governor, the majority for 










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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



277 



CuUom was reduced to 6,798. The other State 
officers elected were: Andrew Shumau, Lieu- 
tenant-Governor; George H. Harlow, Secretary 
of State; Thomas B. Needles, Auditor; Edward 
Rutz, Treasurer, and James K. Edsall, Attorney- 
General. Each of tiiese had pluralities exceeding 
20,000, except Needles, who, having a single com- 
petitor, had a smaller majority tlian CuUom. 
The new State House was occupied for tlie first 
time by the State officers and the Legislature 
chosen at this time. Although tlie Republicans 
had a majority in the House, the Independents 
held the "balance of power" in joint session of 
the General Assembly. After a stubborn and 
protracted struggle in tlie effort to choose a 
United States Senator to succeed Senator John A. 
Logan, David Davis, of Bloomington, was 
elected on the fortieth ballot. He had been a 
Whig and a warm personal friend of Lincoln, by 
whom he was appointed Associate Justice of the 
Supreme Court of the United States in 1863. His 
election to the United States Senate by the Demo- 
crats and Independents led to his retirement from 
the Supreme bench, thus preventing his appoint- 
ment on the Electoral Commission of 1877 — a cir- 
cumstance which, in the opinion of many, may 
have had an important bearing upon the decision 
of that tribunal. In the latter part of his term 
he served as President pro tempore of the Senate, 
and more frequently acted with the Repulilicans 
than with their opponents. He supported Blaine 
and Logan for President and Vice-President, in 
1884. (See Diiris, David.) 

Strike op 1877. — The extensive railroad strike, 
in July, 1877, caused widespread demoralization 
of business, especially in the railroad centers of 
the State and througliout the country generally. 
The newly-organized National Guard was called 
out and rendered efficient service in restoring 
order. Governor Cullom's action in the premises 
was prompt, and has been generally commended 
as eminently wise and discreet. 

Election of 1878. — Four sets of candidates 
were in the fieUl for tlie offices of State Treasurer 
and Superintendent of Public Instruction in 1878 
— Republican, Democratic, Greenback and Pro- 
hibition. The Republicans were successful, Gen. 
John C. Smith being elected Treasurer, and 
James P. Slade, Superintendent, by pluralities 
averaging about 3.5,000. The same party also 
elected eleven out of nineteen members of Con- 
gress, and, for the first time in six years, secured 
a majority in each branch of tlie General Assem- 
bly. At the .se.ssion of this Legislature, in Janu- 
ary following, John A. Logan was elected to the 



United States Senate as successor to Gen. R. J. 
Oglesby, whose term expired in March following. 
Col. William A. James, of Lake County, served 
as Speaker of the House at this session. ^See 
Smith. John Corsvii: Shulc, James P.; also Thirty- 
first General Assembly. ] 

Camp.\ign op 1880. — The political campaign 
of 1880 is memorable for the determined struggle 
made by the friends of General Grant to secure 
his nomination for the Presidency for a third 
term. The Republican State Convention, begin- 
ning at Springfield, May 19, lasted three days, 
ending in instructions in favor of General Grant 
by a vote of 399 to 285. These were nullified, 
however, by the action of the National Conven- 
tion two weeks later. Governor CuUom was 
nominated for reelection ; John M. Hamilton for 
Lieutenant-Governor ; Henry D. Dement for Sec- 
retary of State ; Charles P. Swigert for Auditor ; 
Edward Rutz (for a third term) for Treasurer, 
and James McCartney for Attorney-General. 
(See Dement, Henry D.; Swigert, Charles P.; 
Rutz, Edward, und McCartney, James.) Ex-Sena- 
tor Trumbull headed the Democratic ticket as its 
candidate for Governor, with General L. B. Par-- 
sons for Lieutenant-Governor. 

The Republican National Convention met in 
Chicago, June 2. After tliirty-six ballots, in 
which 306 delegates stood unwaveringly by Gen- 
eral Grant, James A. Garfield, of Ohio, was 
nominated, with Chester A. Arthur, of New 
York, for Vice-President. Gen. Winfield Scott 
Hancock was the Democratic candidate and Gen. 
James B. Weaver, the Greenback nominee. In 
Illinois, 623,1.56 votes were cast, Garfield receiv- 
ing a plurality of 40,716. The entire Republican 
State ticket was elected by nearly the same plu- 
ralities, and the Republicans again liad decisive 
majorities in both branches of the Legislature. 

No startling events occurred during Governor 
Cullom's second term. The State continued to 
increase in wealth, population and prosperity, 
and the heavy debt, by which it had been bur- 
dened thirty years before, was practically "wiped 
out." 

Election of 1882.— At the election of 1883, 
Gen. John C. Smith, who had been elected State 
Treasurer in 1878, was re-elected for a second 
term, over Alfred Orendorff, while Charles T. 
Strattan, the Republican candidate for State 
Superintendent of Public Instruction, was de- 
feated bj' Henry Raab. The Republicans again 
had a majority in each House of the General 
Assembly, amounting to twelve on joint ballot. 
Loren C. Collins was elected Speaker of the 



278 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



House. In the election of United States Senator, 
which occurred at tliis session, Governor Cullom 
■was chosen as the successor to David Davis, Gen. 
John M. Palmer receiving the Democratic vote. 
Lieut. -Gov. John M. Hamilton thus became Gov- 
ernor, nearly in the middle of his term. (See 
Cullom, Shelby M.; Hamilton, John M.; Collins, 
Loren C, and Eauh, Heni-y.) 

The "Harper High License Law," enacted by 
the Thirty-third General Assembly (18S3), has 
become one of the permanent features of the Illi- 
nois statutes for the control of the liquor traffic, 
and has been more or less closely copied in other 
States. 

Political Campaign of 1884.— In 1884, Gen. 
R. J. Oglesby again became the choice of the 
Republican party for Governor, receiving at 
Peoria the conspicuous compliment of a nomina- 
tion for a third term, by acclamation. Carter H. 
Harrison was the candidate of the Democrats. 
The Republican National Convention was again 
held in Chicago, meeting June 3, 1884; Gen. John 
A. Logan was the choice of the Illinois Repub- 
licans for President, and was put in nomination 
in the Convention by Senator Cullom. The 
choice of the Convention, however, fell upon 
James G. Blaine, on the fourth ballot, his leading 
competitor being President Arthur. Logan was 
then nominated for Vice-President by acclama- 
tion. 

At the election in November the Republican 
party met its first reverse on the National battle- 
field since 1856, Grover Cleveland and Thomas A. 
Hendricks, the Democratic candidates, being 
elected President and Vice-President by the nar- 
row margin of less than 1,200 votes in the State 
of New York. The result was in doubt for sev- 
eral days, and the excitement throughout the 
country was scarcely less intense than it had 
been in the close election of 1876. The Green- 
back and Prohibition parties botli had tickets in 
Illinois, polling a total of nearly 23,000 votes. 
The plurality in the State for Blaine was 2.5,118. 
The Republican State officers elected were Richard 
J. Oglesby, Governor; John C. Smith, Lieuten- 
ant-Governor; Henry D. Dement, Secretary of 
State; Charles P. Swigert, Auditor; Jacob Gross, 
State Treasurer; and George Hunt, Attorne}'- 
General — receiving pluralities ranging from 14.- 
000 to 25,000. Botlx Dement and Swigert were 
elected for a second time, while Gross and Hunt 
were chosen for first terms. (See Gross, Jacob, 
and Hunt, George. ) 

Chicago Election Frauds. — An incident of 
this election was the fraudulent attempt to seat 



Rudolph Brand (Democrat) as Senator in place of 
Henry \V. Leman, in the Sixth Senatorial Dis- 
trict of Cook County. The fraud was exposed 
and Joseph C. Mackin, one of its alleged perpe- 
trators, was sentenced to the penitentiarj' for four 
years for perjury growing out of the investiga- 
tion. A motive for this attempted fraud was 
found in the close vote in the Legislature for 
United States Senator — Senator Logan being a 
candidate for re-election, while the Legislature 
stood 103 Republicans to 100 Democrats and two 
Greenbackers on joint ballot. A tedious contest 
on the election of Speaker of the House finally 
resulted in the success of E. M. Haines. Pending 
the struggle over the Senatorship, two seats in 
the House and one in the Senate were rendered 
vacant by death — the deceased Senator and one of 
the Representatives being Democrats, and the 
other Representative a Republican. The special 
election for Senator resulted in filling the vacancy 
with a new member of the same political faith as 
liis predecessor ; but both vacancies in the House 
were filled by Republicans. The gain of a Repub- 
lican member in place of a Democrat in the 
House was brought about by the election of 
Cai^tain William H. Weaver Representative from 
the Thirty-fourth District (composed of Mason, 
Menard, Cass and Schuyler Counties) over the 
Democratic candidate, to fill the vacancy caused 
by the death of Representative J. Henry Shaw, 
Democrat. This was accomplished by what is 
called a "still hunt" on the part of the Repub- 
licans, in whicli the Democrats, being taken by 
surprise, sufl'ered a defeat. It furnished the sen- 
sation not only of the session, but of special elec- 
tions generally, especially as every county in the 
District was strongly Democratic. This gave the 
Republicans a majority in each House, and the 
re-election of Logan followed, though not until 
two months had been consumed in the contest. 
(See Logan, John A.) 

OOLESBYS Third Term. — The only disturbing 
events during Governor Oglesby 's third term were 
strikes among the quarrymen at Joliet and 
Lemont, in May, 1885 ; by the railroad switchmen 
at East St. Louis, in April, 1886, and among the 
employes at the Union Stock- Yards, in November 
of the same year. In each case troops were called 
out and order finally restored, but not until sev- 
eral persons had been killed in the two former, 
and both strikers and employers had lost heavily 
in the interruption of business. 

At tlie election of 1886, .John R. Tanner and 
Dr. Richard Edwards (Republicans) were respec- 
tively elected State Treasurer and State Superin- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



279 



Pendent of Public Instruction, by 34,81G plurality 
for the former and 29.928 for the latter. (See 
Tanner, Julia li.; Edwards, lilchard.) 

In the Thirty-fifth General Assembly, which 
met Januarj-, 1887, the Republicans had a major- 
ity in each House, and Charles B. Farwell was 
elected to the United States Senate in place of 
Gen. John A. Logan, deceased. (See Farwell, 
Charles B.) 

FiFER Elected Governor. — The political 
■campaign of 1888 was a spirited one, though less 
bitter than the one of four j-ears previous. Ex- 
Senator Joseph AV. Fifer, of McLean County, and 
Ex-Gov. John M. Palmer were pitted against each 
other as opposing candidates for Governor. (See 
Fifer, Joseph It'.) Prohibition and Labor tickets 
■were also in the field The Republican National 
Convention was again held in Chicago, June 
20-25, resulting in the nomination of Benjamin 
Harrison for President, on the eighth ballot. The 
delegates from Illimiis, with two or three excep- 
tions, voted steadilj' for Judge Walter Q. 
■Gresliam. (See Gresham, Walter Q.) Grover 
Cleveland headed the Democratic ticket as a 
candidate for re-election. At the November elec- 
tion, 747,683 votes were cast in Illinois, giving 
the Republican Electors a plurality of 22,104. 
Fifer's plurality over Palmer was 12, .547, and that 
of the remainder of the Republican State ticket, 
still larger. Those elected were Lyman B. Ray, 
Lieutenant-Governor; Isaac N. Pear.son, Secre- 
tary of State ; Gen. Charles W. Pavey, Auditor ; 
Charles Becker, Treasurer, and George Hunt, 
Attorney-General. (See Ray, Lyman B.; Pear- 
son, Isaac N.; Pavey, Charles TT'; and Becker, 
Charles.) The Republicans secured twenty -six 
majority on joint ballot in the Legislature — the 
largest since 1881. Among the acts of the Legis- 
lature of 1889 were the re-election of Senator 
CuUom to the United States Senate, ])ractically 
w'thout a contest; the revision of tlie compulsory 
education law, and the enactment of the Chicago 
drainage law. At a special session held in July, 
1890, the first steps in the preliminary legislation 
looking to the holding of the World's Columbian 
Exposition of 1893 in the city of Chicago, were 
taken. (See Wo)-ld's Cohunhian E.r2)osition.) 

Republican Defe.\t of 1890. — The campaign 
of 1890 resulted in a defeat for the Republicans on 
both the State and Legislative tickets. Edward 
S. Wilson was elected Treasurer by a plurality of 
9,847 and Prof. Henry Raab, who had been Super- 
intendent of Public Instruction between 1883 and 
1887, was elected for a second term by 34,043. 
Though lacking two of an absolute majority on 



joint ballot in the Legislature, the Democrats 
were able, with the aid of two members belonging 
to the Farmers' Alliance, after a prolonged and 
exciting contest, to elect Ex-Gov. John M. 
Palmer United States Senator, as successor to 
C. B. Farwell. The election took place on March 
11, resulting, on the 1.54th ballot, in 103 votes for 
Palmer to 100 for Cicero J. Lindley (Republican) 
and one for A. J. Streeter. (See Palmer, John M.) 
Elections of 1892.— At the elections of 1892 
the Republicans of Illinois sustained their first 
defeat on both State and National issues since 
18.5G. The Democratic State Convention was 
held at Springfield, April 27, and that of the 
Republicans on May 4. The Democrats put in 
nomination John P. Altgeld for Governor; 
Joseph B. Gill for Lieutenant-Governor; WilUam 
H. Hinrichsen for Secretary of State; Rufus N. 
Ramsay for State Treasurer; David Gore for 
Auditor ; Maurice T. Moloney for Attorney-Gen- 
eral, with John C. Black and Andrew J. Hunter 
for Congressmen-at-large and three candidates for 
Trustees of the University of Illinois. The can- 
didates on the Republican ticket were : For Gov- 
ernor, Joseph W. Fifer; Lieutenant-Governor, 
Lyman B. Ray ; Secretary of State, Isaac N. Pear- 
son; Auditor, Charles W. Pavey; Attorney-Gen- 
eral, George W. Prince; State Treasurer, Henry 
L, Hertz ; Congressmen-at-large, George S. Willits 
and Richard Yates, with three University Trus- 
tees. The first four were all incumbents nomi- 
nated to succeed themselves. The Republican 
National Convention held its session at Minneapo- 
lis June 7-10, nominating President Harrison for 
re-election, while that of the Democrats met 
in Chicago, on June 21, remaining in session 
until June 24, for the third time choosing, as its 
standard-bearer, Grover Cleveland, with Adlai T. 
Stevenson, of Bloomington, 111., as his running- 
mate for Viee-President. The Proliibitiou and 
People's Party also had complete National and 
State tickets in the field. The State camjjaign 
was conducted with great vigor on both sides, the 
Democrats, under the leadership of Altgeld, mak- 
ing an especially bitter contest upon some features 
of the compulsory school law, and gaining many 
, votes from the ranks of the German-Republicans. 
The result in the State showed a plurality for 
Cleveland of 20,993 votes out of a total 873, (i4G— 
the combined Prohibition and People's Party vote 
amounting to 48,077. The votes for the respec- 
tive heads of the State tickets were: Altgeld 
(Dem.), 42.5.498; Fifer (Rep.), 402,6.59; Link 
(Pro.). 2.5.628 ;Barnet (Peo.), 20, 108— plurality for 
Altgeld, 22,808. The vote for Fifer was the high- 



280 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



est given to any Republican candidate on eitlier 
the National or the State ticket, leading that of 
President Harrison by nearly 3,400, while the 
vote for Altgeld, though falling behind that of 
Cleveland, led the votes of all his associates on the 
Democratic State ticket with the single exception 
of Ramsay, the Democratic Candidate for Treas- 
urer. Of the twenty-two Representatives in 
Congress from the State chosen at this time, 
eleven were Republicans and eleven Democrats, 
including among the latter the two Congressmen 
from the State-at-large. The Thirty-eighth Gen- 
eral Assembly stood twenty-nine Democrats to 
twenty-two Republicans in the Senate, and 
seventy-eight Democrats to seventy-five Republic- 
ans in the House. 

The administration of Governor Fifer — the last 
in a long and unbroken line under Republican Gov- 
ernors — closed with the financial and industrial 
interests of the State in a prosperous condition, 
the State out of debt with an ample surplus in its 
treasury. Fifer was the first private soldier of 
the Civil War to be elected to the Governorship, 
though the result of the next two elections have 
shown that he was not to be the last — both of his 
successors belonging to the same class. Governor 
Altgeld was the first foreign-born citizen of the 
State to be elected Governor, though the State 
has had four Lieutenant-Governors of foreign 
birth, viz. : Pierre Menard, a French Canadian ; 
John Moore, an Englishman, and Gustavus 
Koerner and Francis A. Hoffman, both Germans. 

Altgeld's Administration. — The Thirty- 
eighth General Assembly began its session, Jan. 
4, 1893, the Democrats having a majority in each 
House. (See Thirty-eighth General AssemlAy.) 
The inauguration of the State oflicers occurred on 
January 10. The most important events con- 
nected witli Governor Altgeld's administration 
were the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893, 
and the strike of railway employes in 1894. Both 
of these have been treated in detail under their 
proper heads. (See World's Columbian Exposi- 
tion, and Labor Troubles.) A serious disaster 
befell the State in the destruction by fire, on the 
night of Jan. 3, 1895, of a portion of the buildings 
connected with the Southern Hospital for the 
Insane at Anna, involving a loss to the State of 
nearly §'200,000, and subjecting the inmates and 
officers of the institution to great risk and no 
small amount of suffering, although no lives were 
lost. The Thirty-ninth General Assembly, which 
met a few days after the fire, made an appropri- 
ation of $171,970 for the restoration of the build- 
ings destroyed, and work was begim immediately. 



The defalcation of Charles W. Spalding, Treas- 
urer of the University of Illinois, which came to 
light near the close of Governor Altgeld's term, 
involved the State in heavy loss (the exact 
amount of which is not even yet fully known), 
and operated unfortunately for the credit of the 
retiring administration, in view of the adoption of 
a policy which made the Governor more directly 
responsible for the management of the State in- 
stitutions than that pursued by most of his prede- 
cessors. The Governor's course in connection 
with the strike of 1894 was also severely criticised 
in some quarters, especially as it brought him in 
opposition to the policy of the National adminis- 
tration, and exposed him to the charge of sympa- 
thizing with the strikers at a time when they 
were regarded as acting in open violation of law. 

Election of 1894.— The election of 1894 showed 
as surprising a reaction against the Democratic 
party, as that of 1893 had been in an opposite 
direction. The two State offices to be vacated 
this year — State Treasurer and State Superintend- 
ent of Public Instruction — were filled by the elec- 
tion of Republicans by unprecedented majorities. 
The plurality for Henry Wulff for State Treas- 
urer, was 133,437, and that in favor of Samuel M. 
Inglis for State Superintendent of Public Instruc- 
tion, scarcely 10,000 less. Of twenty-two Repre- 
sentatives in Congress, all but two returned as 
elected were Republicans, and these two were 
unseated as the result of contests. The Legisla- 
ture stood thirty-three Republicans to eighteen 
Democrats in the Senate, and eighty-eight Repub- 
licans to sixty-one Democrats in the House. 

One of the most important acts of the Thirty- 
ninth General Assembly, at the following session, 
Avas the enactment of a law fixing the compensa- 
tion of members of the General Assembh- at §1,000 
for each regular session, with five dollars per day 
and mileage for called, or extra, sessions. This 
Legislature also passed acts making appropriations 
for the erection of buildings for the use of the 
State Fair, which had been permanently located 
at Springfield ; for the establishment of two ad- 
ditional hospitals for the insane, one near Rock 
Island and the other (for incurables) near Peoria; 
for the Northern and Eastern Illinois Normal 
Schools, and for a Soldiers' Widows' Home at 
Wilmington. 

Permanent Location of the State Fair. — 
In consequence of the absorption of public atten- 
tion — especially among the industrial and manu- 
facturing classes — by the World's Columbian 
Exposition, the holding of the Annual Fair of the 
Illinois State Board of Agriculture for 1893 was 



2 



r 
r 



a 

IP 



V. 

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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



281 



oniittetl for tlie first time since tlie Civil War. 
Tlie initial steps were taken by the Board at its 
annual meeting in Springfield, in January of that 
year, looking to the permanent location of the 
Fair ; and, at a meeting of the Board held in Chi- 
cago, in October following, formal specifications 
were adopted prescribing the conditions to be met 
in securing tlie prize. These were sent to cities 
intending to compete for the location as the basis 
of proposals to be submitted by them. Responses 
were received from the cities of Bloomington, 
Decatur, Peoria and Springfield, at the annual 
meeting in January, 1894, with the result tliat, 
on the eighth ballot, the bid of Springfield was 
accepted and the Fair permanently located at 
that place by a vote of eleven for Springfield to 
ten divided between five other points. The 
Springfield proposal provided for conveyance to 
the State Board of Agriculture of 15.5 acres of 
land — embracing the old Sangamon County Fair 
Grounds immediately north of the city — besides 
a cash contribution of $50,000 voted by the San- 
gamon County Board of Supervisors for the 
erection of permanent buildings. Other contri- 
butions increased the estimated value of the 
donations from Sangamon County (including the 
land) to .S139,800, not including the pledge of the 
cit}' of Springfield to pave two streets to the gates 
of the Fair Grounds and furnish water free, be- 
sides an agreement on the part of the electric 
light company to furnish light for two years free 
of charge. The construction of buildings was 
begun the same year, and the first Fair held on 
the site in September following. Additional 
buildings have been erected and other improve- 
ments introduced each year, until the grounds 
are now regarded as among the best equipped for 
e.xhibition purposes in the United States. In the 
meantime, the increasing success of the Fair 
from year to year has demonstrated the wisdom 
of the action taken by the Board of Agriculture 
in the matter of location. 

Campaign of 1896. — The political campaign 
of 1896 was one of almost unprecedented activity 
in Illinois, as well as remarkable for the variety 
and character of the issues involved and the 
number of party candidates in the field. As 
usual, the Democratic and the Republican parties 
were the chief factors in the contest, although 
there was a wide diversity of sentiment in each, 
which tended to the introduction of new issues 
and the organization of parties on new lines. 
The Republicans took the lead in organizing for 
the canvass, holding their State Convention at 
Springfield on April 29 and 30, while the Demo- 



crats followed, at Peoria, on June 23. The former 
put in nomination John R. Tanner for Governor ; 
William A. Northcott for Lieutenant-Governor; 
James A. Rose for Secretary of State; James S. 
McCullough for Auditor; Henry L. Hertz for 
Treasurer, and Edward C. Akin for Attorney- 
General, with Mary Turner Carriel, Thomas J. 
Smyth and Francis M. McKay for University 
Trustees. The ticket put in nomination by the 
Democracy for State officers embraced John P. 
Altgeld for re-election to the Governorship ; for 
Lieutenant-Governor, Monroe C. Crawford; Sec- 
retary of State, Finis E. Downing: Auditor, 
Andrew L. Maxwell; Attorney -General, George 
A. Trude, witli three candidates for Trustees. 

The National Republican Convention met at St. 
Louis on June 16, and, after a three days' session, 
put in nomination William SIcKinley, of Ohio, 
for President, and Garret A. Hobart, of New 
Jersey, for Vice-President; while their Demo- 
cratic opponents, following a policy which had 
been maintained almost continuously by one or 
the other party since 1860, set in motion its party 
machinery in Chicago — holding its National Con- 
vention in that city, July 7-11, when, for the first 
time in the history of the nation, a native of 
Illinois was nominated for the Presidency in the 
person of William J. Bryan of Nebraska, with 
Artliur Sewall, a ship-builder of Maine, for the 
second place on the ticket. The main issues, as 
enunciated in tlie platforms of the respective 
parties, were industrial and financial, as shown by 
the prominence given to the tariff and monetary 
questions in each. This was the natural result of 
the business depression which had prevailed since 
1893. While the Republican platform adhered to 
the traditional position of the party on the tariff 
issue, and declared in favor of maintaining the 
gold standard as the basis of the monetary system 
of the country, that of the Democracy took a new 
departure by declaring unreservedly for the "free 
and unlimited coinage of both silver and gold at 
the present legal ratio of 16 to 1;" and this be- 
came the leading issue of the campaign. The 
fact that Thomas E. Watson, of Georgia, who 
had been favored by the Populists as a candidate 
for Vice President, and was afterwards formally 
nominated by a convention of tliat party, with 
Mr. Bryan at its head, was ignored by the Chi- 
cago Convention, led to much friction between 
the Populist and Democratic wings of the party. 
At the same time a very considerable body — in 
influence and political prestige, if not in numbers 
— in the ranks of the old-line Democratic party, 
refused to accept the doctrine of the free-silver 



■282 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



section on the monetary question, and, adopting 
the name of "Gold Democrats,'' put in nomination 
a ticket composed of John M. Palmer, of Illinois, 
for President, and Simon B. Buckner, of Ken- 
tucky, for Vice-President. Besides these, the Pro- 
hibitionists, Nationalists, Socialist-Labor Party 
and "Middle-of-the-Road" (or "straight-out"") 
Populists, had more or less complete tickets in the 
field, making a total of seven sets of candidates 
appealing for the votes of the people on issues 
assumed to be of National importance. 

The fact that the two great parties — Democratic 
and Republican — established their principal head- 
quarters for the prosecution of the campaign in 
Chicago, had the effect to make that city and 
the State of Illinois the center of political activ- 
ity for the nation. Demonstrations of an impos- 
ing character were held by both parties. At the 
November election the Republicans carried the 
day by a plurality, in Illinois, of 141,517 for their 
national ticket out of a total of 1.090,869 votes, 
while the leading candidates on the State ticket 
received the following pluralities: John R. Tan- 
ner (for Governor), 113,381; Northcott (for Lieu- 
tenant-Governor), 137,354; Rose (for Secretary of 
State), 130,611; McCuUough (for Auditor), 138,- 
013; Hertz (for Treasurer), 116,064; Akin (for 
Attorney -General), 133,650. The Republicans also 
elected seventeen Representatives in Congress to 
three Democrats and two People"s Party men. 
The total vote cast, in this campaign, for the "Gold 
Democratic"" candidate for Governor was 8,100. 

Gov. Tanner"s Administration — The Fortieth 
•General Assembly met Jan. 6, 1897, consisting of 
eiglity-eight Republicans to sixty-three Demo- 
crats and two Populists in the House, and tliirty- 
nine Republicans to eleven Democrats and one 
Populist in the Senate. The Republicans finally 
gained one member in each house by contests. 
Eilward C. Curtis, of Kankakee County, was 
chosen Speaker of the House and Hendrick V. 
Fisher, of Henry County, President pro tem. of 
the Senate, with a full set of Republican officers 
in the subordinate positions. The inauguration 
of the newly elected State officers took place on 
the lltli, the inaugural address of Governor 
Tanner taking strong ground in favor of main- 
taining the issues indorsed by the people at the 
late election. On Jan. 20, William E. Mason, 
of Chicago, was elected United States Senator, as 
the successor of Senator Palmer, whose term was 
about to expire. Mr. Mason received the full 
Republican strength (125 votes) in the two 
Houses, to the 77 Democratic votes cast for John 
P. Altgeld. (See Fortieth General Assembly. ) 



Among the principal measures enacted by the 
Fortieth General Assembly at its regular session 
were: The "Torrens Land Title Sjstem, " regu- 
lating the conveyance and registration of land 
titles (which see) ; the consolidation of the three 
Supreme Court Districts into one and locating the 
Supreme Court at Springfield, and the Allen 
Street-Railroad Law, empowering City Councils 
and other corporate authorities of cities to grant 
street railway franchises for a period of fifty 
years. On Deo. 7, 1897, the Legislature met in 
special session under a call of the Governor, nam- 
ing five subjects upon which legislation was sug- 
gested. Of tliese only two were acted upon 
affirmatively, viz. : a law prescribing the manner 
of conducting the election of delegates to nomi- 
nating political conventions, and a new revenue 
law regulating the assessment and collection of 
taxes. The main feature of the latter act is the 
requirement that property shall be entered upon 
the books of the assessor at its cash value, subject 
to revision by a Board of Review, the basis of 
valuation for purposes of taxation being one-fifth 
of this amount. 

The Spanish-American War. — The most not- 
able event in the history of Illinois during the 
year 1898 was the Spanish-American War, and 
the part Illinois played in it. In this contest 
lUinoisans manifested the same eagerness to 
serve their country as did their fathers and fel- 
low citizens in the War of the Rebellion, a third 
of a century ago. Tlie first call for volunteers 
was responded to with alacrity by the men com- 
posing the Illinois National Guard, seven regi- 
ments of infantry, from the First to Seventh 
inclusive, besides one regiment of Cavalry and 
one Battery of Artillery — in all about 9,000 men 
— being mustered in between May 7 and May 21. 
Althougli only one of these — the First, under the 
command of Col. Henry L. Turner of Chicago — 
saw practical service in Cuba before the surrender 
at Santiago, others in camps of instruction in the 
South stood ready to respond to tlie demand for 
their service in the field. Under the second call 
for troops two other regiments — the Eighth and 
the Ninth — were organized and the former (com- 
posed of Afro-Americans officered by men of 
their own race) relieved the First Illinois on guard 
duty at Santiago after the surrender. A body of 
engineers from Company E of tlie Second United 
States Engineers, recruited in Chicago, were 
among the first to see service in Cuba, wliile 
man)- Illinoisans belonging to tlie Naval Reserve 
were assigned to duty on United States war 
vessels, and rendered most valuable service in the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



283 



naval engagements in Cuban waters. Tlie Third 
Regiment (Col. Fred. Heiinitt) also took part in 
the movement for the occupation of Porto Rico. 
Tiie several regiments on their return for muster- 
out, after the conclusion of terms of peace with 
Spain, received most enthusiastic ovations from 
their fellow-citizens at home. Besides the regi- 
ments mentioned, several Provisional Regiments 
were organized and stood ready to respond to the 
call of the Government for their services had the 
emergency required. (See War, The Spanish 
American.) 

Labor Disturbances. — The principal labor 
disturbances in the State, under Governor Tan- 
ner's administration, occurred during the coal- 
miners' strike of 1897, and the lock-out at the 
Pana and Virden mines in 1898. The attempt to 
introduce colored laborers from the South to 
operate these mines led to violence between the 
adherents of the "Miners' Union" and the mine- 
owners and operators, and their employes, at 
these points, during whicli it was necessary to 
call out the National Guard, and a number of 
lives were sacrificed on both sides. 

A flood in the Ohio, during the spring of 1898, 
caused the breaking of the levee at Shawneetown, 
111., on the 3d day of April, in consequence of 
which a large proportion of the city was flooded, 
many homes and business houses wrecked or 
greatly injured, and much other property de- 
stroj-ed. The most serious disaster, however, was 
the loss of some twenty-five lives, for the most 
part of women and children who, being surprised 
in their homes, were unable to escape. Aid was 
promptly furnished by the State Government in 
the form of tents to shelter the survivors and 
rations to feed them ; and contributions of money 
and provisions from the citizens of the State, col- 
lected by relief organizations during the next two 
or three months, were needed to moderate the 
suffering. (See Iniindationfi, Remarkable.) 

Campaign of 1898.— The political campaign of 
1898 was a quiet one, at least nominally conducted 
on the same general issues as that of 1896, al- 
though the gradual return of business prosperity 
had greatly modified the intensity of interest 
with which some of tlie economic questions of 
the preceding campaign had been regarded. The 
onl)' State oflScers to be elected were a State- 
Treasurer, a Superintendent of Public Instruction, 
and three State University Trustees — the total 
vote cast for the former being 878,623 against 
1,090,869 for President in 1896. Of the former, 
Floyd K. Whittemore (Republican candiiUite for 
State Treasurer) received 448,940 to 405,490 for 



M. F. Dunlap (Democrat), with 24,193 divided 
between three other candidates; while Alfred 
Bayliss (Republii^an) received a plurality of 
68,899 over his Democratic competitor, with 23,- 
190 votes cast for three others. The Republican 
candidates for University Trustees were, of course, 
elected. The Republicans lost heavily in their 
representation in Congress, thougli electing thir- 
teen out of twenty -two members of the Fifty- 
sixth Congress, leaving nine to their Democratic 
opponents, who were practically consolidateil in 
tliis campaign with the Populists. 

FoRTV-FiRST General Assembly.— The Forty- 
first General Assembly met, Jan. 4, 1899, and 
adjourned, April 14, after a session of 101 days, 
with one exception (that of 187.5), the shortest 
regular session in the history of the State Gov- 
ernment since the adoption of the Constitution of 
1870. The House of Representatives consisted of 
eighty-one Republicans to seventy-one Democrats 
and one Prohibitionist; and the Senate, of thirty- 
four Republicans to sixteen Democrats and one 
Populist — giving a Republican majority on joint 
ballot of twentj'-six. Of 176 bills which passed 
both Houses, received the approval of the Gov- 
ernor and became laws, some of tlie more impor- 
tant were the following: Amending the State 
Arbitration Law by extending its scope and the 
general powers of the Board ; creating the office 
of State Architect at a salary of 8.5,000 per annum, 
to furnish plans and specifications for public 
buildings and supervise the construction and 
care of the same ; authorizing the consolidation 
of the territory of cities under township organi- 
zation, and consisting of five or more Congres- 
sional townships, into one township ; empowering 
each Justice of the Supreme Court to employ a 
private secretary at a salary of •$2,000 per annum, 
to be paid by the State; amending the State 
Revenue Law of 1898; authorizing the establish- 
ment and maintenance of parental or truant 
schools; and empowering the State to establish 
Free Employment Oflices, in the proportion of one 
to each city of .'50,000 inliabitants, or three in 
cities of 1,000,000 and over. An act was also 
passed requiring the Secretary of State, when an 
amendment of the State Constitution is to be 
voted upon by the electors at any general elec- 
tion, to prepare a statement setting forth the pro- 
visions of the same and furnish copies thereof to 
each County Clerk, whose duty it is to have said 
copies published and posted at the places of voting 
for the information of voters. One of the most 
important acts of this Legislature was the repeal, 
by a practicallj- unanimous vote, of the Street- 



284 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



railway Franchise Law of the previous session, 
tlie provisions of wliich, empowering City Coun- 
cils to grant street-railway franchises extending 
over a period of fifty years, had been severely 
criticised by a portion of the press and excited 
intense hostility, especially in some of the larger 
cities of tlie State. Although in force nearly two 
years, not a single corporation had succeeded in 
obtaining a franchise under it. 

A Retrospect and a Look into The Future.^ 
The history of Illinois has been traced concisely 
and in outline from the earliest period to the 
present time. Previous to the visit of Joliet and 
Marquette, in 1673, as unknown as Central Africa, 
for a century it continued the hunting ground of 
savages and the home of wild animals common to 
the plains and forests of the Mississippi Valley. 
The region brought under the influence of civili- 
zation, such as then existed, comprised a small 
area, scarcely larger than two ordinarily sized 
counties of the present day. Thirteen years of 
nominal British control (1765-78) saw little change, 
except the exodus of a part of the old French 
population, who preferred Spanish to British rule. 

The period of development began with the 
occupation of Illinois by Clark in 1778. That 
saw the "Illinois County," created for the gov- 
ernment of the settlements northwest of the 
Ohio, expanded into five States, Avith an area of 
250,000 square miles and a population, in 1890, of 
13,500,000. In 1880 the population of the State 
equaled that of the Thirteen Colonies at the 
close of the Revolution. The eleventh State in 
the Union in this respect in 18.50, in 1890 it had 
advanced to third rank. With its unsurpassed 
fertility of soil, its inexhaustible supplies of fuel 
for manufacturing purposes, its system of rail- 
roads, surpassing in extent that of any other State, 
there is little risk in predicting that the next 
forty years will see it advanced to second, if not 
first rank, in both wealth and population. 

But if the development of Illinois on material 
lines has been marvelous, its contributions to the 
Nation in philanthropists and educators, soldiers 
and statesmen, have rendered it conspicuous. A 
long list of these might be mentioned, but two 
names from the ranks of Illinoisans have been, by 
common consent, assigned a higher place than all 
others, and have left a deeper impress upon the 
history of the Nation than any others since tlie 
days of Washington. These are, Ulys.ses S. Grant, 
the Organizer of Victory for the Union arms 
and Conqueror of the Rebellion, and Abraham 
Lincoln, the Great Emancipator, the Preserver of 
the Republic, and its Martyred President. 



CHKONOLOGICAL RECORD. 

Important Events in Illinois History, 

1673.— Joliet and Marquette reach Illinois from Green Bay by 
way of the Upper Mississippi and lUiuuis Rivers, 

1674-5.— Marquette makes a second visit to Illinois and spends 
the winter on the present site of Chicago. 

1680. — La Salle and Toiity descend the Illinois to Peoria Lake. 

1681.— Tonty begins the erection of Fort St. Louis on ■' Starved 
Rock " in La Salle County. 

1682.— La Salle and Tonty descend the Illinois and Mississippi 
Rivers to the mouth of the latier.and take possession 
< April 9, 1682) in the name of the King of France, 

1700.— First permanent French settlement in Illinois and Mis- 
sion of St. Sulpice established at C:ih<^»kia. 

1700.— Kaskaskia Indians remove from the Upper Illinois and 
locate near the mouth of the Kaskaskia River. French 
settlement established here the same year becomes tbe 
town of Kaskaskia and future capital of Illinois. 

1718.— The Hrst Fort Chartres. erected near Kaskaskia. 

1718.— Fort St. Louis, on the Upper Illinois, burned by ludians. 

1754.— Fort Chartres rebuilt and strengthened. 

1765.— The Illinois country surrendered by the French to the 
British under the treaty of 176:(. 

1778.— i. Inly 4) Col. George Rogers Clark, at the head of an expe- 
(iiiioii organized under authority of Gov. Patrick IIt*nry of 
Virginia, arrives at Kaskaskia. The occupatiouof Illinois 
by ihe American troops follows. 

1778.— Illinois County created by Act of the Virginia House of 
Delegates, for the government of the settlements north- 
west of the Ohio River. 

I787.--Congress adopts the Ordinance of 1787, organizing the 
Northwest Territory, embracing the present States of 
Ohio, Indiana. Illinois. Michigan and Wisconsin. 

1788.— General Arthur St. Clair appointed Governor of North- 
west Territory. 

1790.— St Clair County organized. 

1795.— Randolph County organized. 

1800.— Northwest Territory divided into Ohio and Indiana Ter- 
ritories, Illinois being embraced in the latter. 

1809.— Illinois Territory set oflT from Indiana, and Ninian 
Edwards appointed Governor. 

1818.— (Dec. a I Illinois admitted as a State. 

1820. -State capital removed from Kaskaskia to Vandalia. 

1822-24.— Unsuccessful attempt to make Illinois a slave State. 

1825.— (April ;iO) General La Fayette visits Kaskaskia. 

1832.— Black Hawk War. 

1839.— I July 4 I Springfield becomes the third capital of the State 
under an Act of Ihe Legislature passed in 1»37. 

1848.— The second Constitution adopted, 

1S60.— Abraham Lincoln is elected President. 

ISiil.— War of the Rebellion begins. 

1663.— 1 Jan. li Lincoln issues his tinal Proclamation of Eman- 
cipation. 

18G4,— Lincoln's second election to the Presidency. 

!S(i5,— I April 141 Abraliam Lincohi assassinated in Washington. 

18(i5.— 1 .May 4i President Lincoln's funeral in Springfield. 

J865 — The'War of the Rebellion ends. 

ISfW.-Gen. U. S. Grant elected to the Presidency. 

1870.- The third State Constitution adopted. 



POPULATION OF ILLINOIS 
At Each Deccjinial Census from 1810 to 1900* 



1810 |23) 12,282 

1«2U t24) 55.1(12 

1830 (20) 157.445 

1840 (14) 47f..!83 

1850 (11) 851,470 



1860 (41.. 
1870 (4).. 
ISNO 1 4 I.. 
1890 (3).. 



1.711.951 

2.o:ilt.s;il 

31.77.^71 

3S-J(i.r,l 

1900 (3 ) i .821 ,550 



Note.- Figures in parenthesis indicate the rank of the State 
in order of population. 



ILLINOIS CITIES 
Haling a Population of lo,ooo and Over (1900). 



Name. Population. 

Chicago .- 1,698.765 

Peoria 56,100 

Quincy 36.252 

Springfield 34.159 

Rockford 31 .(V51 

Joliet 29,353 

East St. Louis 29,655 

Aurora 24,147 

Bloomington 23.286 

Elgin 22,433 

Decatur 20.7.>1 

Rock Island 19,498 

Evaustou 19,269 



Name. Population. 
Galesburg 18.607 



Belleville 

Mollne 

Danville 


.... 17.481 
.... 17^:48 
16.354 






Alton 


14 210 




.... 14.079 




13,595 


Freeport 


13 258 

12,566 


Ottawa 

La Salle.. 


.... 10.588 
.... 10,446 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



285 



INDEX. 



This index rolatesexclualvely to matter embrarprt in the article under the title "Illinois." Subjects of general State history 
will be fouud treated at length, under topical heads, in the body of the Encyclopedia. 



Admission of Illiiioia aa a State. 25S. 
Altt;eld, John P., administration as Gov- 
ernor. 27y-»U; defeated for re-election, llsl. 
Anderson. Stinson H,.2ti4. 
Anti-NebraaUa Editorial Convention. '.iafi. 
Anti-slavery contest of ls'.:2-24; defeat of a 

convention scheme. 2ri0. 
Baker, Col. E. D.. 2ti;t; orator at laying 

the corner-stone of State capitnl, •2,M. 
Bateman, Newton, State Superintendent 

of Public Instruction, 270.-74,275. 

Beveridge, John 1,., Congressman and 

Limitenant-Hovernor; becomes Governor 

by resignation of Governor Oglesby,276. 

Birkhpck, Morris, 2f)0. 

Bissell, William H., Colonel in Mexican 

War. 265; (Governor, 2tiy; death, 27U. 
Black Hawk War. 262. 
Blodgptt, Hetiry W., Free Soil member of 

the Legislature. 263. 
Bloorningtun Convention (18561,269. 
Boi.shrlant. tlrst French Commandant, 249. 
Bond, iShadrach, 265; Delegate in Congress, 

257; first Governor, 258. 
Breese. Sidney, 259. 
Browne. Thomas C. 260. 
Browning, OrvUle H., in Bloomington 

Convention, 2ti9; U. 8. Senator. 27-1. 
Cahokia, tirst French settlement at, 252, 
Camp Douglas conspiracy, 273. 
Canal .Scrip Fi ami, 270. 
Carlin, Tlionias. elected Goverr.or, 263. 
Casey, Zadoc, elected to Congress; re- 
signs the Lieutenant-Oovernorship, 262. 
Charlevoix visits Illinois, 247 
Chicago and Calumet Rivers, importance 

of in estimation of early explorers, 247. 
Chicago election frauds, 278. 
Chicago, fire of 1871,2:6. 
Chicagou, Indian Chief for whom Chicago 

was named. 248. 
Clark, Col. George Rogers, expedition to 

Illinois; capture of Kaskaskia. 251. 
Coles, Edward, emancipates his slaves; 
candidate for Guvenmr, 2.59; his election, 
26D; persecuted by his enemies. 2til. 
Constitutional Cnnvflntion of 1S18, 258. 
Constitutional Conventiunof 1847,266. 
Constitutional Convention of 18G2, 272. 
Constitutional ('onventionof 1870.275. 
Cook, Daniel P., 255; Attorney-General, 

2.38; elei-ted to Congress. 260-61. 
Craig. Capt. Thoma.s. expedition against 

Indians at Peoria. 257. 
Cullom. Shelby M., Speaker of General As- 
sembly, 27ii; elected Governor, 276; fea- 
tures of bis aiiministratlou; re-elected, 
277; ele'-tHd to U. S. Senate. 278. 
Davis. David, United States Senator, 277. 
Douglas, Stephen A.. 26:i; Justice Supreme 
Court, 264, U.S. Senator, 266; debates 
with Lincoln. 268-70; re-elected U. S. Sen- 
ator. 270; death, 272. 
Duncan, Jnsepn. Governor; character of 

his administration, 262-03. 
Early towns. 258. 
Earthquake of 1811.256. 
Edwards. Ninlan, Governor Illinois Terri- 
tory, 255. elected U. s. Senator. 259; 
elected Governor; administration auU 
death, 261. 
Ewing, William L. D.. becomes acting 
Governor; orcuparit of many otHces, 262. 
Explorers, earl v French, 244-6. 
Farwell, Charles B.,279. 
Field- McClernand contest. 264. 
Fifer. Joseph W., elected Governor. 279, 
Fisher, Dr. George. Speaker of Territorial 

Hitusefif Ri'prHsentatives, 2.J7. 
Ford, Tlnmia.s, Governor; embarrassing 

qnijaiiinis of his administration, 264. 
Fort Chartres, surrendered to British, 260. 
Fort lii-arborn mu-ssacre, 256-57. 
FortOage biirni'd, 251. 
Fort Massac, starting point on the Ohio of 

Clark's expedition, 251. 
Fort St. Louts, 240; raided and burned by ' 

Indians, 247. 
Franklin, Benjamin, Indian Conamissloner 

for Illinois In 1776.251. 
French, Augustus C. Governor, 265-7. 
French and Indian War, 250. 



French occuDaflon: settlement about Kas- 
kH.skia and Cuhokia, 249. 

French villages, population of in 1765,251. 

Gibault. Pierre. 2.i2. 

Grant, Ulysses S.. arrival at Springfield; 
Colonel of Twenty-tirst Illinois Volun- 
teers. 271 : elected President . 275. 

Gre.sham, Walter Q,, supporteil by Illinois 
Republicans for the Presidency, 279. 

Hamilton, John M.. Lieutenant-Governor, 
277; succeeds Gov. Cullom,278. 

Hansen-Shaw contest, 260. 

Hardin, John J.. 263; elected to Congress, 
264; killed at Buena Vista, 265. 

Harrison. William Henry, first Governor 
of Indiana Territory, 254. 

Henry, Patrick, Indian Commissioner for 
Illinois Country; assists in planning 
Clark's expedition. 251; ex-ufflcio Gov- 
ernor of territory northwest of the Ohio 
Ri ver 

Illinois, its rank in order of admission into 
the Union, area and populatioji, 241; In- 
dian origin of the name: boundaries and 
area; geographical location; navigable 
eiream-s, 242; topography, fauna and 
flora, 243; soil and climate. 243-44; con- 
test for occupation, 244: part of Louisi- 
ana ill 1721. 249; surrendered to the 
British in 1765, 251; under government of 
Virginia. 252; part of Indiana Territory, 
254; Territorial Government organized; 
Ninian Edwards appointed Governor, 
255; admitted as a State, 258 

Illinois it Michigan Canal, 261. 

Illinois Central Railroad. 267-68. 

■Illinois Country," boundaries defined by 
Captain Pittman, 241; Patrick Heury, 
first American Governor. 252. 

Illinois County organized by Virginia 
Hou.se of Delegates. 252. 

Illinois Territory organized; first Territo- 
rial officers. 255. 

Indiana Territory organized. 254; first 
Territorial Legislature elected, 255. 

Indian tribes; location in Illinois. 247. 

Internal improvement scheme, 263. 

Joliet, Louis, accompanied by Marquette, 
visits Illinois in 1073.245. 

Kane. Elias Kent, 258. 

Kansas-Nebraska contest, 268. 

Kaskaskia Indians remove from Upper 
Illinois to mouth of Kaskaskia, 248. 

Kenton, Simon, guide for Clark's expedi- 
tion against Kaskaskia, 251, 

Labor disturbances, 270,280,283. 

La Fayette, visit of, to Kaskaskia, 261. 

La Salle, expedition to Illinois in 1679-80, 
245; builds Fort Miami, near mouth of 
St. Joseph; disaster of Fort Creve-CVeur; 
erection of Fort St. Louis, 2-Ki. 

Lincoln, Abraham, Representative In the 
General Assembly. 263; elected to Con- 
gress, 266; unsuccessful candidate for 
the United States Senate; member of 
Bloomington Convention of 1.^56; 
" House divided-against-itself " speech, 
269; elected President, 270: departure for 
Washington, 271; elected for a Recond 
term, 273; a-ssassination and funeral, 274. 

Lincoln- Douglas debates. 270. 

Lockwood, Samuel D., Attorney-General; 
Secretary of State: opponent of pro- 
slavery convention scheme. 260. 

Logan. Gen. John A., prominent Union 
soldier. 272; Congres3raan-at-large.274-76; 
elected United States Senator. 276; Re- 
publican nominee for Vice-President; 
tliird election as Senator, 278. 
"Long Nlne,"263. 

Louismria united with Illinois. 254, 

Lovejcty. Elijali P., murdere*! at Alton. 203. 

Macalister andStebbins bonds. 270. 
Marquette. Father Jacques isee Joliet i ; 
his mission among the Kiuskaskias. 248. 

Mason, William E.. U. S, Senator, 2«2. 

McLean, John, Speaker; first Representa- 
tive in Congress: U.S Senator; death. 2ti5. 

Menard. Pierre, 2.55; President of Terri- 
torial Counril, 257; elected Lieutenant- 
Governor. 258; anecdote of, 259. 
Mexican War. 265. 



Morgan. Col. George, Indian Agent at Kas- 

ksi-skia in 1776, 2-31. 
M'jrmon War, 264-65. 
New Design Settlement, 255. 
New l''raiice,244. 249. 
Nicolef. Jean, French explorer, 244-5- 

Northwest Territory organized: Gen. Ar- 
thur St. Clair appfiinted Governor, 253; 
first Territorial Legislature; separated 
into Territories of tJhio and Indiana. 254. 

Oglesby, Richard J., soldier in Civil War, 
271; elected Governor, 274; second elec- 
tion; chosen U. S. Senator, 276; third 
election to governorship, 278. 

Ordinance of 1787.253. 

" Paincourt " (early name for St Louis) 
settled by French from Illinois, 251. 

Palmer, John M., member of Peace Con- 
ference of 1861, 271; elected Governor; 
prominent events of his administration, 
-75; unsuccessfnl Democratic candidate 
for Governor; elected U. 8. Senator, 27U; 
candidate for President. 282. 

Peace Conference of 1861.271. 

Peace conventions of 1863, 273. 

Perrot. Nicliolas. explorer, 245. 

Pittman, Capt. Philip, defines the bounda- 
ries of the "Illinois Country," 241. 

Pope, Nathaniel, Secretary of IllinoisTer- 
ritory, 255; Delegate in Congress: serv- 
ice in fixing northern boundary, 258. 

Prairies, origin of, 243. 

Randolph County organized. 254. 

Renault, Philip F,. first importer of Afri- 
can slaves to Illinois. 249, 

Republican State Convention of 1850.269. 

Reynolds. John, elected Governor: resigns 
to take seat in Congress, 262; Speaker of 
Illinois House of Representatives, 268. 

Richardson, William A., candidate for 
Governor, 270; U.S. Senator. 272. 

Rocbeblave, Chevalier de, last British 
Commandant in Illinois. 251; sent as a 
prisoner of war to Williamsburg, 252. 

Shawneetown Bank, 257. 

Shawneetown fiood, 283. 

Shields, Gen. James, 263; elected U. S. Sen- 
ator, 267; defeated for re-election, 269. 

Southern Hospital for Insane burned, 280. 

Spanish-American War, 2.'*l. 

Springfield, third State capital, 263; erec- 
tion of new Slate <'apitol at, authorizeu 
275; State Bank, 259. 

St. Clair, Arthur, first Governor of North- 
west Territory, 253; visits Illinois, 254. 

•St. Clair County organized, 254. 

State debt reaches its maximum, 268. 

State Fair permanently located, 281. 

Streams and navigation. 242. 

Supreme Ci»urt revolutionized. 2fi4. 

Tarjrier, John R., State Treasurer, 278; 
elected Governor. 281-2. 

Thomas, Jesse B., 255; President of Con- 
stitutional Convention of I.S18, 268; 
elected United States Senator, 269. 

Todd, Col, John. County-Lieutenant of Illi- 
nois County, 252. 

Tiinty. Henry de(see La Salle). 

Treaty with Indians near Alton, 257. 

Trumhull. Lymun, Secretary of State. 264; 
elei'ted United Slates Senator. 269-70; 
Democratic candidate for Governor. 277. 

Vandalia, the second State capital, 259. 

War of 1812, 256; expeditions to Peoria 
Lake, 257. 

War of the Rebellion; some prominent 
Illinois actors; number of troops fur- 
nished by Illinois; important battles par- 
ticipated in, 271 72; some oUicers who 
fell;, Grierson raid. 272. 

Warren, Hooper, editor Edwards ville 
Speeiator. 260. 

Wa\iie. tien Anthony, 254. 

Whig tniiss-nieetlng at Springfield, 264. 

Wiliuot Proviso, action of Illinoig Legisla- 
ture upiui, 207. 

Wood, John, Lieutenant Governor, fills 
Hissell's unexpired term, 270, 

Yates, Richard, at Bloomington Conven- 
tion of 1856. 269; Governor. 270: prorogues 
Legislature of 1803; elected United States 
Senator, 273. 



286 



HISTOKICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ILE8, Elijah, pioneer merchant, was born in 
Kentucky, Marcli 28, 1796 ; received the rudiments 
of an education in two %viuters' schooling, and 
began his business career by purchasing 100 head 
of yearling cattle upon which, after herding 
them three years in the valleys of Eastern Ken- 
tucky, he realized a profit of nearly 63,000. In 
1818 he went to St. Louis, then a French village 
of 2,500 inhabitants, and, after spending three 
years as clerk in a frontier store at "Old Frank- 
lin, " on the Missouri River, nearlj' opposite the 
present town of Boonville, in 1821 made a horse- 
back tour through Central Illinois, finally locating 
at Springfield, which had just been selected by 
a board of Commissioners as the temporary 
county-seat of Sangamon County. Here he soon 
brought a stock of goods by keel-boat from St. 
Louis and opened the first store in the new town. 
Two years later (1823), in conjunction with 
Pascal P. Enos, Daniel P. Cook and Thomas Cox, 
he entered a section of land comprised within the 
present area of the city of Springfield, which 
later became tlie permanent county-seat and 
finally the State capital. Jlr. lies became the 
first postmaster of Springfield, and, in 1826, was 
elected State Senator, served as Major in the 
Winnebago War (1827), enlisted as a private in 
the Black Hawk War (1831-32), but was soon 
advanced to the rank of Captain. In 1830 he 
sold his store to Jolin Williams, who had been 
his clerk, and, in 1838-39, built the "American 
House," whicli afterwards became the temporary 
stopping-place of many of Illinois' most famous 
statesmen. He invested largely in valuable 
farming lands, and, at his death, left a large 
estate. Died, Sept. 4, 1883. 

ILLINOIS ASYLUM FOR IIVCITRABLE IN- 
SANE, an institution founded under an act of the 
General Assembly, passed at the session of 1895, 
making an appropriation of $65,000 for the pur- 
chase of a site and the erection of buildings with 
capacity for the accommodation of 200 patients. 
The institution was located by the Trustees at 
Bartonville, a subvirb of the city of Peoria, and 
the erection of buildings begun in 1896. Later 
these were found to be located on ground which 
had been undermined in excavating for coal, and 
their removal to a difi^erent location was under- 
taken in 1898. The institution is intended to 
relieve the other hospitals for the Insane by the 
reception of patients deemed incurable. 

ILLINOIS AND MICHIGAN CANAL, a water- 
way connecting Lake Michigan witli the Illinois 
River, and forming a connecting link in the 
water-route between the St. Lawrence and the 



Gulf of Mexico. Its summit level is about 580 
feet above tide water. Its point of beginning is 
at the South Branch of the Chicago River, about 
five miles from the lake. Thence it flows some 
eight miles to the valley of the Des Plaines, fol- 
lowing the valley to the mouth of the Kankakee 
(forty-two miles), thence to its southwestern 
terminus at La Salle, the head of navigation on 
the Illinois. Between these points the canal has 
four feeders— the Calumet, Des Plaines, Du Page 
and Kankakee. It passes through Lockport, 
Joliet, Morris, and Ottawa, receiving accessions 
from the waters of the Fox River at the latter 
point. The canal proper is 96 miles long, and it 
has five feeders whose aggregate length is 
twenty-five miles, forty feet wide and four feet 
deep, with four aqueducts and seven dams. The 
difference in level between Lake Michigan and 
the Illinois River at La Salle is one hundred and 
forty-five feet. To permit the ascent of vessels, 
there are seventeen locks, ranging from tliree 
and one half to twelve and one-half feet in lift, 
their dimensions being 110x18 feet, and admitting 
the passage of boats carrj'ing 150 tons. At Lock- 
port, Joliet, Du Page, Ottawa and La Salle are 
large basins, three of which supply power to fac- 
tories. To increase the water supply, rendered 
necessary by the high summit level, pumping 
works were erected at Bridgeport, having two 
thirty-eight foot independent wheels, each capa- 
ble of delivering (through buckets of ten feet 
length or width) 15,000 cubic feet of water per 
minute. These pumping works were erected in 
1848, at a cost of §15,000, and were in almost con- 
tinuous use imtil 1870. It was soon found that 
these machines might be utilized for the benefit 
of Chicago, by forcing the sewage of the Chicago 
River to the summit level of the canal, and allow- 
ing its place to be filled by pure water from the 
lake. This pumping, however, cost a large sum, 
and to obviate this expense §3,955,340 was ex- 
pended by Chicago in deepening the canal be- 
tween 1805 and 1871, so that the sewage of the 
south division of the city might be carried through 
the canal to the Des Plaines. This sum was 
returned to the City by the State after the great 
fire of 1871. (As to further measures for carry- 
ing off Chicago sewage, see Chicago Drainage 
Canal.) 

In connection with tlie canal three locks and 
dams have been built on the Illinois River, — one 
at Henry, about twenty-eight miles below La 
Salle ; one at the mouth of Copperas Creek, about 
sixty miles below Henry; and another at La 
Grange. The object of these works (the first 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



287' 



two being practically an extension of the canal) 
is to furnish slack-water navigation through- 
out the year. The cost of that at Henry (8400,000) 
was defrayed by direct appropriation from the 
State treasury. Copperas Creek dam cost §410,831, 
of which amount the United States Government 
paid S6'3,360. The General Government also con- 
structed a dam at La Grange and appropriated 
funds for the building of another at Kampsville 
Landing, with a view to making the river thor- 
oughly navigable the j'ear round. The beneficial 
results expected from these works have not been 
realized and their demolition is advocated. 

History. — The early missionaries and fur- 
traders first directed attention to the nearness of 
the waters of Lake Michigan and the Illinois. 
The project of the construction of a canal was 
made the subject of a report by Albert Gallatin, 
Secretary of the Treasury in 1808, and, in 1811, a 
bill on the subject was introduced in Congress in 
connection with the Erie and other canal enter- 
prises. In 1823 Congress granted the riglit of 
way across the public lands "for the route of a 
canal connecting the Illinois River with the 
south bend of Lake Michigan," which was fol- 
lowed five years later by a grant of 300,000 acres 
of land to aid in its construction, wliich was to 
be undertaken by the State of Illinois. The 
earliest surveys contemplated a channel 100 miles 
long, and the original estimates of cost varied 
between §639,000 and $716,000. Later surveys 
and estimates (1833) placed the cost of a canal 
forty feet wide and four feet deep at §4,040,000. 
In 1836 another Board of Commissioners was 
created and survej's were made looking to the 
construction of a waterway sixty feet wide at the 
surface, thirty-six feet at bottom, and six feet in 
depth. Work was begun in June of that year; 
was suspended in 1841 ; and renewed in 1846, 
when a canal loan of 81,000,000 was negotiated. 
The channel was opened for navigation in April, 
1848, by which time the total outlay had reached 
§6,170,226. By 1871, Illinois had liquidated its 
entire indebtedness on account of tlie canal and 
the latter reverted to the State. The total cost 
up to 1879 — including amount refunded to Chi- 
cago — was 89,513,831, while the sum returned to 
the State from earnings, sale of canal lands, etc., 
amounted to 88,819,731. In 1883 an offer was 
made to cede the canal to the United States upon 
condition that it should be enlarged and ex- 
tended to the Mississippi, was repeated in 1887, 
but has been declined. 

ILLINOIS AND MISSISSIPPI CAJf AL (gener- 
ally known as "Hennepin Canal"), a projected 



navigable water-waj- in course of construction 
(1899) by the General Government, designed to 
connect the Upper Illinois witli the Mississippi 
River. Its object is to furnish a continuous 
navigable water-channel from Lake Michigan, at 
or near Chicago, by way of the Illinois & Michi- 
gan Canal (or the Sanitary Drainage Canal) and 
the Illinois River, to the Mississippi at the mouth 
of Rock River, and finally to the Gulf of Mexico. 

The Route. — The canal, at its eastern end, 
leaves the Illinois River one and three-fourths 
miles above the city of Hennepin, where the 
river makes the great bend to the south. Ascend- 
ing the Bureau Creek valley, the route passes 
over the dividing ridge between the Illinois River 
and the Mississippi to Rock River at the mouth 
of Green River; thence by slack- water down 
Rock River, and around the lower rapids in that 
stream at Milan, to tlie Mississippi. The esti- 
mated length of the main channel between its 
eastern and western termini is seventy-five miles 
— the distance having been reduced by changes 
in the route after the first survey. To this is to 
be added a "feeder" extending from the vicinity 
of Sheffield, on the summit-level (twenty-eight 
miles west of the starting point on the Illinois), 
north to Rock Falls on Rock River opposite the 
city of Sterling in Whiteside County, for the 
purpose of obtaining an adequate supply of water 
for the main canal on its highest level. The 
length of this feeder is twenty-nine miles and, as 
its dimensions are the same as those of the main 
channel, it will be navigable for vessels of the 
same class as the latter. A dam to be constructed 
at Sterling, to turn water into tlie feeder, will 
furnish slack-water navigation on Rock River to 
Dixon, practically lengthening the entire route 
to that extent. 

History. — The subject of such a work began to 
be actively agitated as early as 1871, and, under 
authority of various acts of Congress, preliminary 
surveys began to be made by Government engi- 
neers that year. In 1890 detailed plans and esti- 
mates, based upon tliese preliminary survey's, 
were submitted to Congress in ac<^ordance with 
the river and harbor act of August, 1888. This 
report became tho basis of an appropriation in 
the river and harbor act of Sept. 19, 1890, for 
carrying the work into practical execution. 
Actual work was begun on tlie western end of tlie 
canal in July, 1893, and at the eastern end in the 
spring of 1894. Since then it has been prosecuted 
as continuously as the appropriations made by 
Congress from year to year would permit. Ac- 
cording to the report of Major Marshall, Chief of 



288 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Engineers in charge of the work, for the fiscal 
year ending June 30, 1898, the construction of the 
canal around tlie lower rapids of Rock River (four 
and one-half miles), with three locks, three 
swing bridges, two dams, besides various build- 
ings, was completed and that portion of the canal 
opened to navigation on April IT. 1895. In the 
early part of 1899, the bulk of the excavation 
and masonry on the eastern section was practi- 
cally completed, the feeder line under contract, 
and five out of the eighteen bridges required to 
be constructed in place; and it was estimated 
that the whole line, with locks, bridges, culverts 
and aqueducts, will be completed within two 
years, at the farthest, by 1902. 

Dimensions, Methods of Construction, Cost. 
ETC. — As already stated, the length of the main 
line is seventy-five miles, of %vhich twenty-eight 
miles (the eastern section) is east of the junction 
of the feeder, and forty-seven miles (the western 
section) west of that point — making, with the 
twenty -nine miles of feeder, a total of one hun- 
dred and four miles, or seven miles longer than 
the Illinois & Michigan Canal. The rise from the 
Illinois River datum to the summit-level on the 
eastern section is accomplished by twenty-one 
locks with a lift of six to fourteen feet each, to 
reach an altitude of 196 feet; while the descent 
of ninety-three feet to the low-water level of the 
Mississippi on the western end is accomplished 
through ten locks, varying from six to fourteen 
feet each. The width of the canal, at the water 
surface, is eighty feet, with a depth below the 
surface-line of seven feet. The banks are rip- 
rapped with stone the entire length of the canal. 
The locks are one hundred and seventy feet long, 
between the quoins, by thirty-five feet in width, 
admitting the passage of vessels of one hundred 
and forty feet in length and thirty-two feet beam 
and each capable of carrj'ing six hundred tons of 
freight. 

The bulk of the masonry employed in the con- 
struction of locks, as well as abutments for 
bridges and aqueducts, is solid concrete manufac- 
tured in place, while the lock-gates and aque- 
ducts proper are of steel — the use of tliese 
materials resulting in a large saving in the first 
cost as to the former, and securing greater solid- 
ity and permanence in all. The concrete work, 
already completed, is found to have withstood 
the effects of ice even more successfully than 
natural stone. Tlie smaller culverts are of iron 
piping and the framework of all the bridges of 
steel. 

The earlier estimates placed the entire cost of 



construction of the canal, locks, bridges, build- 
ings, etc., at 55,008,000 for the main channel and 
$1,858,000 for the Rock River feeder— a total of 
§6,926,000. This lias been reduced, however, by 
changes in the route and unexpected saving in 
the material employed for masonry work. The 
total expenditure, as shown by official reports, 
up to June 30, 1898, was §1,748,905.13. The 
amount expended up to March 1, 1899, approxi- 
mated §2,500,000, while the amount necessary to 
complete the work (exclusive of an unexpended 
balance) was estimated, in round numbers, at 
§3,500,000. 

The completion of this work, it is estimated, 
will result in a saving of over 400 miles in water 
transportation between Chicago and the western 
terminus of the canal. In order to make the 
canal available to its full capacity between lake 
points and the Mississippi, the enlargement of 
the Illinois & Michigan Canal, both as to width 
and depth of channel, will be an indispensable 
necessity ; and it is anticipated that an effort will 
be made to secure action in this direction by the 
Illinois Legislature at its next session. Another 
expedient likely to receive strong support will be, 
to induce the General Government to accept the 
tender of the Illinois & Michigan Canal and, by 
the enlargement of the latter through its whole 
length — or, from Lockport to the Illinois River 
at La Salle, with the utilization of the Chicago 
Drainage Canal — furnish a national water-way 
between the lakes and the Gulf of Mexico of 
sufficient capacity to accommodate steamers and 
other vessels of at least 600 tons burthen. 

ILLINOIS BAND, THE, an association consist- 
ing of seven young men, then students in Yale 
College, who, in the winter of 1828-29, entered 
into a mutual compact to devote their lives to the 
promotion of Christian education in the West, 
especially in Illinois. It was composed of Theron 
Baldwin, John F. Brooks, Mason Grosvenor, 
Elisha Jenney, William Kirby, Julian M. Sturte- 
vant and Asa Turner. All of these came to Illi- 
nois at an early day, and one of the first results 
of their efforts was the founding of Illinois Col- 
lege at Jacksonville, in 1829, witli which all 
became associated as members of the first Board 
of Trustees, several of them so remaining to the 
close of their lives, while most of them were con- 
nected with the institution for a considerable 
period, either as members of the faculty or finan- 
cial agents — Dr. Sturtevant having been Presi- 
dent for tliirty-two years and an instructor or 
professor fifty-six years. (See Bahlwin. Theron; 
Brooks, John F.; and Sturtevant, Julian M.) 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



289 



ILLIXOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD, a corpo 
ration oontroUinK the ])rinri|ial line of railroad 
extending through the entire length of the State 
from north to south, besides numerous side 
branches acquired by lease during the past few 
years. The main lines are made up of three gen- 
eral' divisions, extending from Chicago to Cairo, 
111. (364.73 miles); from Centralia to Dubuque, 
Iowa, (340.77 miles), and from Cairo to New 
Orleans, La. (547.79 miles) — making a total of 
1,253.29 miles of main line, of which 705.5 miles 
are in Illinois. Besides this the company con- 
trols, through lease and stock ownership, a large 
number of lateral branches wliich are operated 
by the company, making the total mileage 
officially reported up to June 30, 1898, 3,130.21 
miles. — (History.) The Illinois Central Railroad 
is not only one of the lines earliest projected in 
the history of the State, but has been most inti- 
mately connected with its development. The 
project of a road starting from the mouth of the 
Ohio and extending northward through the State 
is said to have been suggested by Lieut. -Gov. 
Alexander JI. Jenkins as early as 1832; was 
advocated by the late Judge Sidney Breese and 
others in 1835 under the name of the Wabash & 
Mississippi Railroad, and took the form of a 
charter granted by the Legislature in January, 
1836, to the first "Illinois Central Railroad Com- 
pany," to construct a road from Cairo to a point 
near the southern terminus of the Illinois &• 
Michigan Canal. Nothing was done under this 
act, although an organization was effected, with 
Governor Jenkins as President of the Company. 
The Company surrendered its charter the next 
year and tlie work was undertaken by the State, 
under the internal improvement act of 1837, and 
considerable money expended without complet- 
ing any portion of the line. The State having 
abandoned the enterprise, the Legislature, in 
1843, incorporated the "(jreat Western Railway 
Company" under wliat came to be known as the 
"Holbrook cliarter, " to be organized under the 
auspices of the Cairo City & Canal Company, 
the line to connect the termini named in the 
cliarter of 1836, via Vandalia. Shelbyville, 
Decatur and Bloomington. Considerable money 
was expended under this charter, but the scheme 
again failed of completion, and the act was 
repealed in 1845. A charter under the same 
name, with some modification as to organization, 
was renewed in 1849.— In January, 1850, Senator 
Douglas introduced a bill in the United States 
Senate making a grant to the State of Illinois of 
alternate sections of land along the line of a 



pro])Osed road extending from Cairo to Duluth in 
the northwest corner of the State, with a branch 
to Chicago, wliich bill passed the Senate in May 
of the same year and the House in Se])tember, 
and became the basis of the Illinois Central Hail- 
road Company as it exists to day. Previous to 
the passage of this act. however, the Cairo City 
& Canal Company had been induced to execute a 
full surrender to the State of its rights and privi- 
leges under the "Holbrook charter." This was 
followed in February. 1851, by the act of the 
Legislature incorporating the Illinois Central 
Railroad Company, and assigning thereto (under 
specified conditions) the grant of lands received 
from the General Government. This grant 
covered alternate sections within six miles of the 
line, or the equivalent thereof (when such lands 
veere not vacant), to be placed on lands within 
fifteen miles of the line. The number of acres 
thus assigned to the Company was 2,595,000, 
(about 3,840 acres per mile), wliich were con- 
veyed to Trustees as security for the performance 
of the work. An engineering party, organized 
at Chicago, May 21, 1851, began the pcelim- 
inary survey of the Chicago branch, and 
before the end of the year the whole line was 
surveyed and staked out The first contract for 
grading was let on March 15, 1852, being for that 
portion between Chicago and Kensington (then 
known as Calumet). 14 miles. This was opened 
for traffic. May 24, 18.52, and over it the Michigan 
Central, wliich had been in course of construction 
from the east, obtained trackage rights to enter 
Chicago. Later, contracts were let for other 
sections, some of them in June, and the last on 
Oct. 14, 1852. In May, 1853, the section from 
La Salle to Bloomington (61 miles) was com- 
pleted and opened for business, a temporary 
bridge being constructed over the Illinois near 
La Salle, and cars hauled to the top of the bluff 
with chains and cable by means of a stationary 
engine. In July, 1854, the Chicago Division was 
put in operation to Urbana, 128 miles; the main 
line from Cairo to La Salle (301 miles), completed 
Jan. 8, 1855, and the line from La Salle to Duluth 
(now East Dubuque), 146.73 miles, on June 12, 
1855— the entire road (705.5 miles) being com- 
pleted, Sept. 27. 1856.— (FiNANCi.\L Statement.) 
The share capital of tlie road was originally 
fixed at .$17,000,000, but previous to 1809 it had 
been increased to $25,500,000, and during 1873-74 
to .?29.000,000. The present capitalization (1898) 
is .$103,352,593, of which $52,500,000 is in stock, 
$.52,680,925 in bonds, and $51,307,000 in miscel- 
laneous obligations. The total cost of the road 



•290 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



in Illinois, as shown by a report made in 1889, was 
§3.5.110,609. By the terms of its charter the 
corporation is exempt from taxation, but in lieu 
thereof is required to pay into the State treasury, 
semi-annually, seven per cent upon the gross 
earnings of the line in Illinois. The sum thus 
paid into the State treasury from Oct. 31, 18.55, 
when the first payment of §29,751.59 was made, 
up to and including Oct. 31, 1898. aggregated 
§17,315,193.24. The last payment (October, 1898), 
amounted to .§334,527.01. The largest payment 
in the history of the road was that of October, 
1893, amounting, for the preceding six months, to 
§450,176.34. The net income of the main line in 
Illinois, for the year ending June 30, 1898, was 
§13,299,021, and the total expenditures within the 
State §12,831,161.— (Leased Lines) The first 
addition to the Illinois Central System was made 
in 1867 in the acquisition, by lease, of the Dubuque 
& Sioux City Railroad, extending from Dubuijue 
to Sioux Falls, Iowa. Since then it has extended 
its Iowa connections, by the construction of new 
lines and the acquisition or extension of others. 
The most important addition to the line outside 
of the State of Illinois was an arrangement 
effected, in 1872, with the New Orleans, Jackson & 
Great Northern, and the Mississippi Central Rail- 
roads — with which it previously had traffic con- 
nections — giving it control of a line from Jackson, 
Tenn., to New Orleans, La. At first, connection 
was had between the Illinois Central at Cairo and 
the Southern Divisions of the system, by means 
of transfer steamers, but subsequently the gap 
was filled in and the through line opened to traffic 
in December, 1873. In 1874 the New Orleans, 
Jackson & Great Northern and tlie Mississippi 
Central roads were consolidated under the title 
of the New Orleans, St. Louis & Chicago Railroad, 
but the new corporation defaulted on its interest 
in 1876. The Illinois Central, which was the 
owner of a majority of the bonds of the constitu- 
ent lines which went to make up the New Orleans, 
St. Louis & Chicago Railroad, then acquired 
ownership of the wliole line by foreclosure pro- 
ceedings in 1877, and it was reorganized, on Jan. 
1, 1878, under the name of the Chicago, St. Louis 
& New Orleans Railroad, and placed in charge of 
one of the Vice-Presidents of the Illinois Central 
Company. — (Illinois Branches.) The more im- 
portant branches of the Illinois Central within the 
State include: (1) The Springfield Division from 
Chicago to Springfield (111.47 miles), chartered 
in 1867, and opened in 1871 as the Gilman, Clinton 
& Springfield Railroad; passed into the hands of 
a receiver in 1873, sold under foreclosure in 1876, 



and leased, in 1878, for fifty years, to the Illinois 
Central Railroad: (2) Tlie Rantoul Division from 
Leroy to the Indiana State line (66.21 miles in 
Illinois), chartered in 1876 as the Havana, Ran- 
toul & Eastern Railroad, built as a narrow-gauge 
line and operated in 1881 ; afterwards changed to 
standard-gauge, and controlled by the Wabash, 
St. Louis & Pacific until May, 1884, when it passed 
into the hands of a receiver ; in December of the 
same year taken in charge by the bondholders ; in 
1885 again placed in the hands of a receiver, and, 
in October, 1886, sold to the niinois Central : (3) 
The Chicago, Havana & Western Railroad, from 
Havana to Champaign, with a branch from White- 
heath to Decatur (total, 131.62 miles), constructed 
as the western extension of the Indianapolis, 
Bloomington & Western, and opened in 1873 ; sold 
under foreclosure in 1879 and organized as the 
Champaign, Havana & Western; in 1880 pur- 
chased by the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific ; in 
1884 taken possession of by the mortgage trustees 
and, in September, 1886, sold under foreclosure to 
the Illinois Central Railroad: (4) The Freeport 
Division, from Chicago by way of Freeport to 
Madison, Wis. (140 miles in Illinois), constructed 
under a cliarter granted to the Chicago, Madison 
& Northern Railroad (which see), opened for 
traffic in 1888, and transferred to the Illinois 
Central Railroad Companj' in January, 1889: (5) 
The Kankakee & Southwestern (131.26 miles), 
constructed from Kankakee to Bloomington 
under the charters of tlie Kankakee & Western 
and the Kankakee & Southwestern Railroads; 
acquired by the Illinois Central in 1878, begun in 
1880, and extended to Bloomington in 1883 ; and 
(6) The St. Louis. Alton & Terre Haute (which 
see under its old name). Other Illinois branch 
lines of less importance embrace the Blue Island ; 
the Chicago & Texas ; the Slound City ; the South 
Chicago; the St. Louis, Belleville & Southern, 
and the St. Charles Air-Line, which furnislies 
an entrance to the City of Chicago over an ele- 
vated track. The total length of these Illinois 
branches in 1898 was 919.72 miles, with the main 
lines making the total mileage of the company 
within the State 1,624.22 miles. For several j-ears 
up to 1895 the Illinois Central had a connection 
with St. Louis over the line of the Terre Haute & 
Indianapolis from Effingham, but this is now 
secured by way of the Springfield Division and 
the main line to Pana, whence its trains pass over 
the old Indianapolis & St. Louis — now the Cleve- 
land, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway. 
Between June 30, 1897 and April 30. 1898, branch 
lines in the Southern States (chiefly in Kentucky 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



291 



and Tennessee), to the extent of 670 miles, were 
added to the Illinois Central Sj-stem. The Cairo 
Bridge, constructed across the Ohio River near 
its moutli, at a cost of $3,000,000. for the purpose of 
connecting the Northern and Southern Divisions 
of the Illinois Central System, and one of the 
most stupendous structures of its kind in the 
world, belongs wholly to tlie Illinois Central 
Railroad Company. (.See Cairo Bridge.) 

ILLINOIS COLLEGE, an institution of learn- 
ing at Jacksonville, 111., which was the first to 
graduate a collegiate class in the histor5' of the 
State. It had its origin in a movement inaugu- 
rated about 1827 or 1828 to secure the location, at 
some point in Illinois, of a seminary or college 
which would give the youth of the State the 
opportunity of acquiring a higher education. 
Some of the most influential factors in this move- 
ment were already citizens of Jacksonville, or 
contemplated becoming such. In January, 1828, 
the outline of a plan for such an institution was 
drawn up by Rev. John M. Ellis, a home missionary 
of the Presbj-terian Church, and Hon. Samuel D. 
Lockwood, then a Justice of the Supreme Court 
of the State, as a basis for soliciting subscriptions 
for the organization of a stock-company to carry 
the enterprise into execution. The plan, as then 
proposed, contemplated provision for a depart- 
ment of female education, at least until a separate 
institution could be furnished — which, if not a 
forerunner of the co-educational system now so 
much in vogue, at least foreshadowed the estab- 
lishment of the Jacksonville Female Seminary, 
which soon followed the founding of the college. 
A few mouths after these preliminary steps were 
taken, Mr. Ellis was brought into communication 
with a group of young men at Yale College (see 
"Illinois Band") who had entered into a com- 
pact to devote their lives to the cause of educa- 
tional and missionary wtirk in tlie West, and out 
of the union of tliese two forces, soon afterwards 
effected, grew Illinois College. The organization 
of the "Illinois" or "Yale Band," was formally 
consummated in February. 1829, and before the 
close of the year a fund of §10,000 for the purpose 
of laying the foundation of the proposed institu- 
tion in Illinois had been pledged by friends of 
education in the East, a beginning had been made 
in the erection of buildings on the present site of 
Illinois College at Jacksonville, and, in Decem- 
ber of the same year, the work of instruction of 
a preparatory class had been begun by Rev. Julian 
M. Sturtevant, who had taken the place of "avant- 
courier" of the movement. A year later (1831) 
Rev. Edward Beecher, the oldest son of the inde- 



fatigable Lyman Beecher, and brother of Henry 
Ward — already tlien well known as a leader in 
the ranks of those opposed to slavery — had be- 
come identified with the new enterprise and 
assumed the position of its first President. Such 
was the prejudice against "Yankees" in Illinois 
at that time, and the jealousy of theological influ- 
ence in education, that it was not until 183,5 that 
the friends of the institution were able to secure 
a charter from the Legislature. An ineffectual 
attempt had been made in 1830. and when it was 
finally granted, it was in the form of an "omni- 
bus bill" including three other institutions, but 
with restrictions as to the amount of real estate 
that might be held, and prohibiting the organiza- 
tion of theological departments, both of which 
were subsequently repealed. (See Early Col- 
leges.) The same year the college graduated its 
first class, consisting of two members — Richard 
Yates, afterwards War Governor and United 
States Senator, and Rev. Jonathan Spillman, the 
composer of "Sweet Afton." Limited as was this 
first output of alumni, it was politically and 
morally strong. In 1843 a medical department 
was established, but it was abandoned five years 
later for want of adequate support. Dr. Beecher 
retired from the Presidency in 1844, when he vv-as 
succeeded by Dr. Sturtevant, who continued in 
that capacity until 1876 (thirty-two years), when 
he became Professor Emeritus, remaining until 
1885 — his connection with the institution cover- 
ing a period of fiftj'-six years. Others who have 
occupied the position of President include Rufus 
C. Crampton (acting), 1876-82; Rev. Edward A. 
Tanner, 1882-92; and Dr. John E. Bradley, the 
incumbent from 1892 to 1899. Among the earli- 
est and influential friends of the institution, 
besides Judge Lockwood already mentioned, may 
be enumerated sucli names as Gov. Joseph Dun- 
can, Thomas Mather, Winthrop S. Gilman, 
Frederick Collins and William H. Brown (of 
Chicago), all of whom were members of the early 
Board of Trustees. It was found necessary to 
maintain a preparatory department for many 
years to fit pupils for the college classes proper, 
and, in 1866, Whipple Academy was established 
and provided with a separate building for this 
purpose. The standard of admission to the col- 
lege course has been gradually advanced, keeping 
abreast, in this respect, of other American col- 
leges. At present the institution has a faculty of 
1.5 members and an endowment of some §1.50, 000, 
with a library (1898) numbering over 15,000 vol- 
umes and property valued at $360,000. Degrees 
are conferred in both classical and scientific 



292 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



courses in the college proper. The list of alumni 
embraces some 750 names, including many who 
have been prominent in State and National 
affairs. 

ILLINOIS COUNTY, the name given to the 
first civil organization of the territory northwest 
of the Oliio River, after its conquest by Col. George 
Rogers Clark in 1778. This was done by act of 
the Virginia House of Delegates, passed in 
October of the same year, which, among other 
things, provided as follows: "The citizens of the 
commonwealth of Virginia, who are already set- 
tled, or shall hereafter settle, on the western side of 
the Ohio, shall be included in a distinct county 
which shall be called Illinois County; and the 
Governor of this commonwealth, with the advice 
of the Council, may appoint a County-Lieutenant 
or Commandant-iu-chief of the county during 
pleasure, who shall take the oath of fidelity to 
this commonwealth and the oath of oiSce accord- 
ing to the form of their own religion. And all 
civil offices to which the inhabitants have been 
accustomed, necessary for the preservation of the 
peace and the administration of justice, shall be 
chosen by a majority of the citizens of their re- 
spective districts, to be convened for that purpose 
by the County-Lieutenant or Commandant, or his 
deputy, and shall be commissioned by said 
County-Lieutenant.'' As the Commonwealth of 
Virginia, by virtue of Colonel Clark's conquest, 
then claimed jurisdiction over the entire region 
west of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi, 
Illinois County nominally embraced the territory 
comprised within the limits of the present States 
of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wiscon- 
sin, though tlie settlements were limited to the 
vicinity of Kaskaskia, Vincennes (in the present 
State of Indiana) and Detroit. Col. John Todd, 
of Kentucky, was appointed by Gov. Patrick 
Henry, the first Lieutenant-Commandant under 
this act, holding office two years. Out of Illinois 
County were subsequently organized the follow- 
ing counties by "order" of Gov. Arthur St. Clair, 
after his assumption of the duties of Governor, 
following the pas.sage, by Congress, of the Ordi- 
nance of 1787, creating the Northwest Territory, 



viz. : 
Name 
Wa.shingtOQ 
HamiUuu 

St. Clair 

Knox 
Randolph 



Countv-Seat 

Marietta 
Cincinnati 

SCabukia 
Prairie du Rocher 
Ka£l£asl<iH 
Post St. Vincennes 
Kaskaslcia 



Date of Oroaxization 

July 27, 1788 
Jan. •!, 1790 

April 27, 1790 

June 20. 1790 
Oct. 5, 1795 



Washington, originally comprising the State of 
Ohio, was reduced, on the organization of Hamil- 
ton County, to the eastern portion, Hamilton 



County embracing the west, with Cincinnati 
(originally called "Losantiville," near old Fort 
Wasliington) as the county-seat. St. Clair, the 
third county organized out of this territory, at 
first had virtually three county-seats, but divi- 
sions and jealou.sies among the people and officials 
in reference to the place of deposit for the records, 
resulted in the issue, five jears later, of an order 
creating the new county of Randolph, the second 
in the "Illinois Country" — these (St. Clair and 
Randolph) constituting the two counties into 
which it was divided at the date of organization 
of Illinois Territory. Out of these events grew 
the title of "Mother of Counties" given to Illinois 
Count)' as the original of all the counties in the 
five States northwest of the Ohio, while St. Clair 
County inherited the title as to the State of 
Illinois. (See Illinois: also St. Clair, Arthur, 
and Todd, (Col ) John.) 

ILLIXOIIS FARMERS' R.VILROAD. (See 
Jacksonville <Sr St. Louis Railu-ay.) 

ILLINOIS FEMALE COLLEGE, a flourishing 
institution for the education of women, located 
at Jacksonville and incorporated in 1847. While 
essentially unsectarian in teaching, it is con- 
trolled by the Methodist Episcopal denomination. 
Its first charter was granted to the "Illinois Con- 
ference Female Academy" in 1847, but four years 
later the charter was amended and the name 
changed to the present cognomen. The cost of 
building and meager support in early years 
brouglit on bankruptt^y. The friends of the insti- 
tution rallied to its support, however, and the 
purchasers at the foreclosure sale (all of whom 
were friends of Methodist education) donated the 
property to what was technically a new institu- 
tion. A second charter was obtained from the 
State in 1863, and the restrictions imposed upon 
the grant were such as to prevent alienation of 
title, by either conveyance or mortgage. While 
the college has only a small endowment fund 
(§2,000) it owns §60,000 worth of real property, 
besides §9,000 invested in apparatus and librarj-. 
Preparatory and collegiate departments are main- 
tained, both classical and scientific courses being 
established in the latter. Instruction is also 
given in fine arts, elocution and music. The 
faculty (1898) numbers 15, and there are about 170 
students. 

ILLINOIS FEMALE REFORM SCHOOL. (See 
Home for Femali' Offenders.) 

ILLINOIS INDIANS, a confederation belong- 
ing to the Algonquin family and embracing five 
tribes, viz. : the Cahokias, Kaskaskias, Mitcha- 
gamies, Peorias and Tamaroas. They early occu- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



293 



pied Illinois, with adjacent portions of Iowa, 
Wisconsin and Missouri. Tlie name is derived 
from mini, "man,'" the Indian ])hiral "ek" being 
changed by the French to "ois. " They were 
intensely warlike, being almost constantly in 
conflict with the Winnebagoes, the Iroquois, 
Sioux and other tribes. They were migratory 
and depended for subsistence largelj' on the sum- 
mer and winter hunts. They dwelt in rudely 
constructed cabins, each accommodating about 
eight families. They were always faithful allies 
of the French, whom they heartily welcomed in 
1CT3. French missionaries labored earnestly 
among them — notably Fathers Marquette, AUouez 
and Gravier — who reduced their language to 
grammatical rules. Their most distinguished 
Chief was Chicagou, who was sent to France, 
where he was welcomed with the honors accorded 
to a foreign prince. In their wars with the 
Foxes, from 1713 to 1719, they suffered severely, 
their numbers being reduced to 3,000 souls. The 
assassination of Pontiac by a Kaskaskian in 1765, 
was avenged bj' the lake tribes in a war of ex- 
termination. After taking part with the Miamis 
in a war against the United States, they partici- 
pated in the treaties of Greenville and Vincennes, 
and were gradually removed farther and farther 
toward the West, the small remnant of about 175 
being at present (1896) on the Quayjaw reservation 
in Indian Territory. (See also Cahokias; Foxes; 
Iroquois: Kaskaskkis: Mitchagamies: Peorias; 
Tdmaroas: and Winnebagoes.) 

ILLINOIS IXSTITlTIOJf FOR THE EDU- 
CATION OF THE BLIND, located at Jackson- 
ville. The institution had its inception in a school 
for the bUnd, opened in that town in 1847, by 
^amuel Bacon, who was himself blind. The 
State Institution was created by act of the Legis- 
lature, passed Jan. 13, 1849, which was introduced 
by Richard Yates, then a Representative, and 
was first opened in a rented house, early in 1850, 
under the temporary supervision of Mr. Bacon. 
Soon afterward twenty-two acres of ground were 
purchased in the eastern part of the city and the 
erection of permanent buildings commenced. By 
January, 1854, they were ready for use, but fif- 
teen years later were destroyed by fire. Work on 
a new building was begun without unnecessary 
delay and the same was completed by 1874. 
Numerous additions of wings and shops have 
since been made, and the institution, in its build- 
ings and appointments, is now one of the most 
complete in the country. Instruction (as far as 
practicable) is given in rudimentary English 
branches, and in such mechanical trades and 



avocations as may best qualify the inmates to be- 
come self-supporting upon their return to active 
life. 
ILLINOIS MASONIC ORPHANS' HOME, an 

institution established in the city of Chicago 
under the auspices of the Masonic Fraternity of 
Illinois, for the purpose of furnishing a home for 
the destitute children of deceased members of the 
Order. The total receipts of the institution, dur- 
ing the year 1895, were §39,204.98, and the 
expenditures, $37,358.70. The number of bene- 
ficiaries in the Home, Dec. 31, 1895, was 61. The 
Institution owns real estate valued at §75,000. 

ILLINOIS MIDLAND RAILROAD. (See Terre 
Haute & Peoria Railroad.) 

ILLINOIS RIVER, the most important stream 
within the State ; has a length of about 500 miles, 
of which about 345 are navigable. It is formed 
by the junction of the Kankakee and Des Plaines 
Rivers at a point in Grundy County, some 45 
miles southwest of Chicago. Its course is west, 
then southwest, and finally south, until it 
empties into the Mississippi about 30 miles north 
of the mouth of the Missouri. The Illinois & 
Michigan Canal connects its waters with Lake 
Michigan. Marquette and Joliet ascended the 
stream in 1673 and were probably its first white 
visitants. Later (1679-83) it was explored by 
La Salle, Tontj', Hennepin and others. 

ILLINOIS RIYER RAILROAD. (See Chicago, 
Peoria & St. Louis Railroad of Illinois.) 

ILLINOIS SANITARY COMMISSION, a vol 
untary organization formed pursuant to a sug- 
gestion of Governor Yates, shortly after the 
battle of Fort Donelson (1862). Its object was 
the relief of soldiers in actual service, wliether on 
the march, in camp, or in hospitals. State Agents 
were appointed for the distribution of relief, for 
which purpose large sums were collected and dis- 
tributed. The work of the Commission was later 
formally recognized by the Legislature in the 
enactment of a law authorizing the Governor to 
appoint "Military State Agents," who should 
receive compensation from the State treasury. 
Many of these "agents" were selected from the 
ranks of the workers in the Sanitary Commission, 
and a great impetus was thereby imparted to its 
voluntary work. Auxiliarj' associations were 
formed all over the State, and funds were readily 
obtained, a considerable proportion of wliich was 
derived from "Sanitary Fairs." 

ILLINOIS SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE AND 
MANUAL TRAINING FOR ROYS, an institution 
for the training of dependent boys, organized 
under the act of March 28, 1895, which was in 



294 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



effect a re-enactment of the statute approved in 
1883 and amended in 1885. Its legally defined 
object is to provide a home and proper training 
for such boys as may be committed to its charge. 
Commitments are made by the County Courts of 
Cook and contiguous counties. Tlie school is 
located at Glenvvood, in the county of Cook, and 
was first opened for the reception of inmates in 
1888. Its revenues are derived, in part, from 
voluntary contributions, and in part from pay- 
ments by the counties sending boys to the institu- 
tion, which payments are fixed by law at ten 
dollars per mouth for each boy, during the time 
he is actually an inmate. In 1898 nearly one-half 
of the entire income came from the former 
source, but the surplus remaining in the treasury 
at the end of any fiscal year is never large. The 
school is under the inspectional control of the 
State Commissioners of Public Charities, as 
though it were an institution founded and main- 
tained by the State. The educational curriculum 
closely follows that of the ordinary grammar 
schools, pupils being trained in eight grades, sub- 
stantially along the lines established in the public 
schools. In addition, a military drill is taught, 
with a view to developing physical strength, 
command of limbs, and a graceful, manly car- 
riage. Since the Home was organized there have 
been received (down to 1899), 2,333 boys. The 
industrial training given the inmates is both 
agricultural and mechanical, — the institution 
owning a good, fairly-sized farm, and operating 
well equipped industrial shops for the education 
of pupils. A fair proportion of the boys devote 
themselves to learning trades, and not a 
few develop into excellent workmen. One of the 
purposes of tlie school is to secure homes for those 
thought likely to prove creditable members of 
respectable households. During the eleven years 
of its existence nearly 2,200 boys have been placed 
in homes, and usually with the most satisfactory 
results. The legal safeguards thrown around 
the ward are of a comprehensive and binding 
sort, so far as regards tlie parties who take the 
children for either adoption or apprenticeship^ 
the welfare of the ward always being the object 
primarily aimed at. Adoption is preferred to 
institutional life by the administration, and the 
result usually justifies their judgment. Many of 
the pupils are returned to their families or 
friends, after a mild course of correctioual treat- 
ment. The system of government adopted is 
analogous to that of the "cottage plan" employed 
in many reformatory institutions throughout the 
country. An "administration building'' stands 



in the center of a group of structures, each of 
which has its own individual name: — Clancy 
Hall, Wallace, Plymouth, Beecher, Pope, Windsor, 
Lincoln, Sunnyside and> Sheridan. While never 
a suppliant for benefactions, the Home has always 
attracted the attention of philanthropists who 
are interested in the care of society's waifs. The 
average annual number of inmates is about 21'). 

ILLINOIS WESLEYA> UMVERSITY, the 
leading educational institution of the Methodist 
Church in Illinois, south of Chicago; incorpo- 
rated in 18,'j3 and located at Bloomington. It is 
co-educational, has a faculty of 34 instructors, 
and reports 1,100 students in 1890 — 458 male and 
648 female. Besides the usual literary and scien- 
tific departments, instruction is given in theology, 
music and oratory. It also has preparatory and 
business courses. It has a library of 6,000 vol- 
umes and reports funds and endowment aggre- 
gating §187,999, and property to the value of 
$380,999. 

ILLINOIS & INDIANA RAILROAD. (See 
Indiana, Decatur cir ^\'est(^rn Railwaij.) 

ILLINOIS & SOUTHEASTERN RAILROAD. 
(See Baltimore ct Ohio Suuthicoitern liailrixid.) 

ILLINOIS & SOUTHERN IOWA RAILROAD. 
(See ]Vabash Railroad.) 

ILLINOIS & ST. LOUIS RAILROAD & COAL 
COMPANY. (See Louisville, Evansville & St. 
Louis (consolidated) Railroad.) 

ILLINOIS & WISCONSIN RAILROAD. (See 
Chicago &• Xorthu-estern Railway.) 

ILLIOPOLIS, a village in Sangamon County, 
on the Wabash Railway, 20 miles east of Spring- 
field. It occupies a position nearly in the geo- 
graphical center of the State and is in the heart 
of what is generally termed the corn belt of Cen- 
tral Illinois. It has banks, several churches, a 
graded school and three newspapers. Population 
(1880), 680; (1890), 089; (1900), 744. 

INDIAN MOUNDS. (See Mound-Builders, 
Works of The.) 

INDIAN TREATIES. The various treaties 
made by the General Government with the 
Indians, which affected Illinois, may be summa- 
rized as follows; Treaty of Greenville, August 3, 
1795— ceded 11,808,409 acres of land for the sum 
of $210,000; negotiated by Gen. Anthony Wayne 
with the Delawares, Ottawas, Miamis, Wyandots, 
Shawnees, Pottawatomies, Chippewas, Kaskas- 
kias, Kickapoos, Piankesbaws and Eel River 
Indians: First Treaty of Fort Wayne, June 7, 
1803 — ceded 2,038,400 acres in consideration of 
$4,000; negotiated by Governor Harrison with 
the Delawares, Kickapoos, Miamis, Pottawato- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



295 



mies, and Shawnees : First Treaty of Vincennes, 
August 13, 1803— ceded 8,911,850 acres for $12, 000; 
negotiated by Governor Harrison with the Caho- 
kias, Kaskaskias and Jlitchagamies . First Treaty 
of St. Louis, Nov. 3, 1804— ceded 14,803,520 acres 
in consideration of §22,234; negotiated by Gov- 
ernor Harrison with the Sacs and Foxes: Second 
Treaty of Vincennes, Dec. 30, 1805— ceded 2,G76,150 
acres for §4, 100; negotiated by Governor Harrison 
with the Piankeshaws: Second Treaty of Fort 
Wayne, Sept. 80, 1809 — ceded 2,900,000 acres; 
negotiated by Governor Harrison with the Dela- 
wares. Eel River, Miamis, Pottawatomies and 
Weas: Third Treaty of Vincennes, Dec. 9, 1809 
—ceded 138,240 acres for §27,000; negotiated by 
Governor Harrison with the Kickapoos: Second 
Treaty of St. Louis, Aug. 24, ISIG— ceded 1,418,400 
acres in consideration of §12,000; negotiated by 
Governor Edwards, William Clark and A. Chou- 
teau with the Chippewas, Ottawas and Pottawato- 
mies: Treaty of Edwardsville, Sept. 30, 1818— 
ceded 6,865,280 acres for §6,400; negotiated by 
Governor Edwards and A. Chouteau with tlie 
Illinois and Peorias: Treaty of St. Mary's, Oct. 
2, 1818- ceded 11,000,000 acres for §33,000; nego- 
tiated by Gen. Lewis Cass and others with the 
Weas: Treaty of Fort Harrison, Aug. 30, 1819— 
negotiated by Benjamin Parke with the Kicka- 
poos of the Vermilion, ceding 3,173,120 acres for 
$23,000; Treaty of St. Joseph, Sept. 20, 1828— 
ceded 990,720 acres in consideration of §189,795; 
negotiated by Lewis Cass and Pierre Menard with 
the Pottawatomies: Treaty of Prairie du Cliieu, 
Jan. 2, 1830— ceded 4,160,000 acres for §390,601; 
negotiated by Pierre Menard and others with 
the Cluppewas, Ottawas and Pottawatomies: 
First Treaty of Chicago, Oct. 20, 1832— ceded 
1,536,000 acres for §400,348; negotiated with 
the Pottawatomies of the Prairie: Treaty of 
Tippecanoe, Oct. 27, 1832 — by it the Pottawato- 
mies of Indiana ceded 737,000 acres, in consider- 
ation of §406, 121 : Second Treaty of Chicago, Sept. 
26, 1833 — by it the Chippewas, Ottawas and Pot- 
tawatomies ceded 5,104,960 acres for §7,624,289; 
Treaties of Fort Armstrong and Prairie du Cliien, 
negotiated 1829 and '32— by winch the Winne- 
bagoes ceded 10,346,000 acres in exchange for 
§5,195,252: Second Treaty of St. Louis, Oct. 27, 
1832 — the Kaskaskias and Peorias ceding 1,900 
acres in consideration of §155,780. (See also 
Oreenville, Treaty of.) 

INDIAN TRIBES. (See Algonquim: Illinois 
Indimis; Kaskaakian; Kickapoos; Miamis; Oufa- 
gamies; Piankeshaws; Pottawatomies; Sacs and 
Foxes; Weas; Winnebagoes.) 



INDIANA, BLOOMINGTON & WESTERN 
RAILWAY, (See Peoria <& Eastern Railroad.) 

INDIANA, DECATUR & WESTERN RAIL- 
WAY. The entire length of line is 152.5 miles, of 
which 75.75 miles (with yard-tracks and sidings 
amounting to 8 86 miles) lie within Illinois. It 
extends from Decatur almost due east to the 
Indiana State line, and has a single track of 
standard gauge, with a right of way of 100 feet 
The rails are of steel, well adapted to the traffic, 
and the ballasting is of gravel, earth and cinders. 
The bridges (chiefly of wood) are of standard 
design and well maintained. The amount of 
capital stock outstanding (1898) is §1,824,000, or 
11,998 per mile; total capitalization (including 
stock and all indebtedness) 3,733,983. Tlie total 
earnings and income in Illinois, §240,8.50. (His- 
tory.) The first organization of this road em- 
braced two companies — the Indiana & Illinois and 
t)ie Illinois & Indiana — which were consolidated, 
in 1853, under the name of the Indiana & Illinois 
Central Railroad Company. In 1875 the latter 
was sold under foreclosure and organized as the 
Indianapolis, Decatur & Springfield Railway 
Company, at which time the section from Decatur 
to Montezuma, Ind., was opened. It was com- 
pleted to Indianapolis in 1880. In 1882 it was 
leased to the Indiana, Bloomington & Western 
Railroad Company, and operated to 1885, wlien 
it passed into the hands of a receiver, was sold 
under foreclosure in 1887 and reorganized under 
the name of the Indianapolis, Decatur & West- 
ern. Again, in 1889, default was made and the 
property, after being operated by trustees, was 
sold in 1894 to two companies called the Indiana, 
Decatur & Western Railway Company (in Indi- 
ana) and the Decatur & Eastern Railway Com- 
pany (in Illinois). These were consolidated in 
July, 1895, under the present name (Indiana, 
Decatur & Western Railway Company). In 
December, 1895, the entire capital stock was 
purcliased by the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton 
Railway Company, and the line is now operated 
as a part of that system. 

INDIANA, ILLINOIS & IOWA RAILROAD. 
This line extends from Streator Junction 1.8 
miles south of Streator, on the line of the Streator 
Division of the Wabash Railroad, easterly to the 
Indiana State Line. The total length of the line 
is 151.78 miles, of which 69.61 miles are in Illi- 
nois. Between Streator Junc^tion and Streator, 
the line is owned by the Wabash Company, but 
this company pays rental for trackage facilities. 
About 75 per cent of the ties are of wliite-oak, 
the remainder being of cedar; the rails are 56-Ib. 



296 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS 



steel, and the ballasting is of broken stone, gravel, 
sand, cinders and earth. A policy of permanent 
improvements has been adopted, and is being 
carried forward. The principal traffic is the 
transportation of freight. The outstanding capi- 
tal stock (June 30, 1898) was S3,.597,S00; bonded 
debt, §1,800,000; total capitalization, .55,.'jl7,739; 
total earnings and income in Illinois for 1898, 
§413,967; total expenditures in the State, §303,- 
344. — (History.) This road was chartered Dec. 
27, 1881, and organized by the consolidation of 
three roads of the same name (Indiana, Illinois & 
Iowa, respectively), opened to Momence, 111., in 
1882. and through its entire length, Sept. 15, 1883. 

INDIANA & ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Indiana, Decatur & Westerti Rail- 
way.) 

INDIANA & ILLINOIS RAILROAD. (See 
Indiana. Decatur &• Western Railway.) 

INDIANA & ILLINOIS SOUTHERN RAIL- 
ROAD. (See St. Louis, Indianapolis & Eastern 
Railroad.) 

INDIANAPOLIS, BLOOMINGTON & WEST- 
ERN RAILROAD. (See Illinois Central Rail- 
road; also Peoria d' Eastern Railroad.) 

INDIANAPOLIS, DECATUR & SPRING- 
FIELD RAILROAD. (See Indiana, Decatur & 
Western Railway.) 

INDIANAPOLIS, DECATUR & WESTERN 
RAILWAY. (See Indiana, Decatur & Western 
Railway. ) 

INDIANAPOLIS & ST. LOUIS RAILWAY. 
(See St. io)(/.s, Alton d- Terre Haute Railroad.) 

INDUSTRIAL HOME FOR THE BLIND, a 
State Institution designed to furnish the means 
of employment to dependent blind persons of 
both sexes, established under authority of an act 
of the Legislature passed at the session of 1893. 
The institution is located at Douglas Park Boule- 
vard and West Nineteenth Street, in the city of 
Chicago. It includes a four-story factory with 
steani-plant attached, besides a four-story build- 
ing for residence purposes. It was opened in 
1894, and, in December, 1897, had 63 inmates, of 
whom 12 were females. The Fortieth General 
Assembly appropriated §13,900 for repairs, appli- 
ances, library, etc., and §8,000 per annum for 
ordinary expenses 

INdiERSOLL, Ebon C, Congressman, was born 
in Oneida County, N. Y., Dec. 13, 1831. His first 
remove was to Paducah, Ky., where he com- 
pleted his education. He studied law and was 
admitted to the bar ; removing this time to Illi- 
nois and settling in Gallatin County, in 1843. In 
1856 he was elected to represent Gallatin County 



in the lower house of the General Assembly ; in 
1863 was the Republican candidate for Congress 
for the State-at-large, but defeated by J. C. 
Allen; and, in 1804, was chosen to fill the unex- 
pired term of Owen Lovejoy, deceased, as Repre- 
sentative in the Thirty-eighth Congress. He was 
re-elected to the Thirty-ninth, Fortieth and 
Forty-first Congresses, his term expiring, March 
4, 1871. He was a brother of Col. Robert G. 
IngersoU, and was, for some years, associated with 
him in the practice of law at Peoria, his home. 
Died, in Washington. May 31, 1879. 

INGtERSOLL, Robert Ureen, lawyer and sol- 
dier, was born at Dresden, Oneida County, N. Y., 
August 11, 1833. His father, a Congregational 
clergyman of pronounced liberal tendencies, 
removed to the West in 1843, and Robert's boy- 
hood was spent in Wisconsin and Illinois. After 
being admitted to the bar, he opened an office at 
Shawueetown, in partnership with his brother 
Ebon, afterwards a Congressman from Illinois. 
In 1857 they removed to Peoria, and, in 1860, 
Robert G. was an unsuccessful Democratic can- 
didate for Congress. In 1862 he was commis- 
sioned Colonel of the Eleventh Illinois Cavalry, 
which had been mustered in in December, 1861, 
and, in 1864, identified himself with the Repub- 
lican party. In February, 1867, he was appointed 
by Governor Oglesby the first Attorney-General 
of the State under the new law enacted that year. 
As a lawyer and orator he won great distinction. 
He nominated James G. Blaine for the Presidency 
in the Republican Convention of 1876, at Cincin- 
nati, in a speech that attracted wide attention by 
its eloquence. Other oratorical efforts which 
added greatly to his fame include "The Dream of 
the Union Soldier," delivered at a Soldiers" 
Reunion at Indianapolis, his eulogy at his brother 
Ebon's grave, and his memorial address on occa- 
sion of the death of Roscoe Conkling. For some 
twenty years he was the most popular stump 
orator in the West, and his services in political 
campaigns were in constant request througliout 
the Union. To the country at large, in his later 
years, he was known as an uncompromising 
assailant of revealed religion, by both voice and 
pen. Among his best-known publications are 
"The Gods" (Washington. 1878); "Ghosts" 
(1879); "Mistakes of Moses" (1879); "Prose 
Poems and Selections" (1884) ; "The Brain and 
the Bible" (Cincinnati, 1882). Colonel IngersoU's 
home for some twenty j'ears, in the later part of 
his life, was in the city of New Y^ork. Died, 
suddenly, from heart disease, at his summer 
home at Dobb's Ferry, Long Island, July 31, 1899. 



IIISTOiaCAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



297 



INGLIS, Samuel M., Superintendent of Public 
Instruction, born at Marietta, Pa., August 15, 
1838; received his e;xrly education in Ohio and, 
in 1856, came to IlUnois, graduating with first 
honors from the Mendota Collegiate Institute in 
1861. The following year he enHsted in the One 
Hundred and Fourth Illinois Infantry, but, hav- 
ing been discharged for disability, his place was 
filled 1)}' a brother, who was killed at Knoxville, 
Tenu. In 1865 he took charge of an Academy at 
Ilillsboro, meanwhile stud^-ing law with the late 
Judge E. Y. Rice; in 1868 he assumed the super- 
intendency of the public schools at Greenville, 
Bond County, remaining until 1883, when he 
became Professor of Mathematics in the Southern 
Normal University at Carbondale, being trans- 
ferred, three j-ears later, to the chair of Literature, 
Rhetoric and Elocution. In 1894 he was nomi- 
nated as the Republican candidate for State 
Superintendent of Public Instruction, receirtng 
a plurality at the November election of 123,593 
votes over his Democratic opponent. Died, sud- 
denly, at Kenosha, Wis., June 1, 1898. 

IXTERBfAL IMPROVEMENT POLICY, a 
name given to a scheme or plan of internal im- 
provement adopted by the Tenth General Assem- 
bly (1837), in compliance with a general wish of 
the people voiced at many public gatherings. It 
contemplated the construction of an extensive 
system of public works, chiefly in lines of rail- 
road which were not demanded by the commerce 
or business of the State at the time, but which, it 
was believed, would induce immigration and 
materially aid in the development of the State's 
latent resources. Tlie plan adopted provided for 
the construction of such works by the State, and 
contemplated State ownersliip and management 
of all the lines of traffic tlius constructed. The 
bill passed the Legislature in February, 1837, 
but was disapproved by the Executive and the 
Council of Revision, on the ground that such 
enterprises might be more successfully under- 
taken and conducted by individuals or private 
corporations. It was, however, subsequently 
passed over the veto and became a law, the dis- 
astrous effects of whose enactment were felt for 
man}' years. The total amount appropriated by 
the act was §10,200,000, of which §400,000 was 
devoted to the improvement of waterways; §250,- 
000 to the improvement of the "Great Western 
Mail Route"'; §9,350,000 to the construction of 
railroads, and §200,000 was given outright to 
counties not favored by the location of railroads 
or other improvements within their borders. In 
addition, the sale of §1,000,000 worth of canal 



lands and the issuance of §500,000 in canal bonds 
were authorized, the proceeds to be used in the 
construction of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, 
§.500,000 of this amount to be expended in 1838. 
Work began at once. Routes were surveyed and 
contracts for construction let, and an era of reck- 
less speculation began. Large sums were rapidly 
expended and nearly §6,500,000 quickly added to 
tlie State debt. The system was soon demon- 
strated to be a failure and was abandoned for 
lack of funds, some of the "improvements" 
already made being sold to private parties at a 
heavy loss. This scheme furnished the basis of 
the State debt under which Illinois labored for 
many years, and which, at its maximum, reached 
nearly §17,000,000. (See MacalHster & Stebbins 
Bonds; State Debt; Tenth General Assembly; 
Elei'eiith General Assembly.) 

IMINDATIOXS, REMARKABLE. The most 
remarkable fresliets (or floods) in Illinois history 
have been those occurring in the Mississippi 
River; though, of course, the smaller tributaries 
of that stream have been subject to similar con- 
ditions. Probably the best account of early 
floods has been furnished by Gov. John Reynolds 
in his "Pioneer History of Illinois," — he having 
been a witness of a number of them. The first 
of which any historical record has been pre- 
served, occurred in 1770. At that time the only 
white settlements within the present limits of 
the State were in the American Bottom in the 
vicinity of Kaskaskia, and there the most serious 
results were produced. Governor Reynolds says 
the flood of that year (1770) made considerable 
encroachments on the east bank of the river 
adjacent to Fort Chartres, which had originally 
been erected by the French in 1718 at a distance 
of three-quarters of a mile from the main 
channel. The stream continued to advance in 
this direction until 1772, when the whole bottom 
was again inundated, and the west wall of the 
fort, having been undermined, fell into the river. 
The next extraordinary freshet was in 1784, when 
the American Bottom was again submerged and 
the residents of Kaskaskia aii<l the neighboring 
villages were forced to seek a refuge on the bluffs 
— some of the people of Cahokia being driven to 
St. Louis, then a small French village on Spanish 
soil. The most remarkable flood of the [iresent 
century occurred in May and June, 1844. as the 
result of extraordinary rains preceded by heavy 
winter snows in the Rocky Mountains and rapid 
spring thaws. At this time the American Bot- 
tom, opposite St. Louis, was inundated from bluff 
to bluff, and large steamers passed over the sub- 



298 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



merged lands, gathering up cattle and other kinds 
of property and rescuing the imperiled owners. 
Some of the villages affected by this flood — as 
Cahokia, Prairie du Rocher and Kaskaskia — have 
never fully recovered from the disaster. Another 
considerable flood occurred in 1820, but it was 
inferior to those of 1784 and 1844. A notable 
flood occurred in 1851, when the Mississippi, 
though not so high opposite St. Louis as in 1844, 
is said to have been several feet higher at Quincy 
than in the previous year — the difference being 
due to the fact that the larger portion of the 
flood of 1844 came from the Jlissouri River, its 
effects being most noticeable below the mouth of 
that stream. Again, in 1868, a flood did con- 
siderable damage on the Upper Mississippi, reach- 
ing the highest point since 1851. Floods of a more 
or less serious character also occurred in 1876, 
1880 and again in 1893. Although not so high as 
some of those previously named, the loss was i^ro- 
portionately greater owing to the larger area of 
improved lands. The flood of 1893 did a great 
deal of damage at East St. Louis to buildings and 
railroads, and in the destruction of other classes 
of propert}'. — Floods in the Ohio River have been 
frequent and very disastrous, especially in the 
upper portions of that stream — usually resulting 
from sudden thaws and ice-gorges in the early 
spring. With one exception, the highest flood in 
the Ohio, during the present century, was that of 
February, 1833, when the water at Cincinnati 
reached an altitude of sixtj'-four feet three 
inches. The recorded altitudes of others of more 
recent occurrence have been as follows; Deo. 
17, 1847 — sixty -three feet seven inches; 
1863— fifty-seven feet four inches; 1883— fifty- 
eight feet seven inches. The highest point 
reached at New Albany, Ind., in 1883, was 
seventy-three feet — or four feet higher than the 
flood of 1833. The greatest altitude reached in 
historic times, at Cincinnati, was in 1884 — the re- 
corded height being three-quarters of an inch in 
excess of seventy-one feet. Owing to the smaller 
area of cultivated lands and other improvements 
in the Ohio River bottoms within the State of 
Illinois, the loss has been comparatively smaller 
than on the Mississippi, although Cairo has suf- 
fered from botli streams. The most serious dis- 
asters in Illinois territory from overflow of the 
Ohio, occurred in connection with the flood of 
1883, at Shawneetiiwn, when, out of six hundred 
houses, all but twenty-eight were flooded to the 
second story and water ran to a deptli of fifteen 
feet in the main street. A levee, wliich had been 
constructed for the protection of the city at great 



expense, was almost entirely destroyed, and an 
appropriation of §60,000 was made by the Legis- 
lature to indemnify the corporation. On April 
3, 1898, the Ohio River broke through the levee 
at Shawneetown, inundating the whole city and 
causing the loss of twentj'-live lives. Much 
suffering was caused among the people driven 
from their homes and deprived of the means of 
subsistence, and it was found necessary to send 
them tents from Springfield and supplies of food 
by the State Government and bj' private contri- 
butions from the various cities of the State. The 
inundation continued for some two or three 
weeks. — Some destructive floods liave occurred 
in the Chicago River — the most remarkable, since 
the settlement of the city of Chicago, being that 
of March 12, 1849. This was the result of an ice- 
gorge in the Des Plaines River, turning the 
waters of that stream across "the divide" into 
Mud I^ake, and thence, by way of the South 
Branch, into the Chicago River. The accumula- 
tion of waters in the latter broke up the ice, 
which, forming into packs and gorges, deluged 
the region between the two rivers. AMien the 
superabundant mass of waters and ice in the Chi- 
cago River began to flow towards the lake, it bore 
before it not only the accumulated pack-ice, but 
the vessels which had been tied up at the wharves 
and other points along the banks for the winter. 
A contemporaneous histor}' of the event says that 
there were scattered along the stream at the time, 
four steamers, six propellers, two sloops, twenty- 
four brigs and fifty-seven canal boats. Tliose in 
the upper part of the stream, being hemmed in 
by surrounding ice, soon became a part of the 
moving mass ; chains and hawsers were snapped 
as if they had been whip-cord, and the whole 
borne lakeward in indescribable confusion. The 
bridges at Madison, Randolph and Wells Streets 
gave way in succession before the immense 
mass, adding, as it moved along, to the general 
wreck by falling spars, crushed keels and crashing 
bridge timbers. "Opposite Kinzie wliarf, " says 
the record, "the river was choked with sailing- 
craft of every description, piled together in inex- 
tricable confusion." While those vessels near 
the mouth of the river escaped into the lake with 
comparative!}' little damage, a large number of 
those higher up the stream were caught in the 
gorge and either badly injured or totally wrecked. 
The loss to the city, from the destruction of 
bridges, was estimated at §20,000, and to vessels at 
§88,000 — a large sum for that time. The wreck 
of bridges compelled a return to the primitive 
system of ferries or extemporized bridges made 



I 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



29y 



of boats, to furnish means of communication 
between the several divisions of the city — a con- 
dition of affairs which lasted for several months. 
— Floods about the same time did considerable 
damage on the Illinois, Fox and Rock Rivers, 
their waters being higher than in 1S38 or 1833, 
which were memorable flood j'ears on these in- 
terior streams. On the former, the village of 
Peru was partially destroyed, while the bridges 
on Rock River were all swept away. A flood in 
the Illinois River, in the spring of 1855, resulted in 
serious damage to bridges and other property in 
the vicinity of Ottawa, and there were extensive 
inundations of the bottom lands along that 
stream in 1839 and subsequent j'ears. — In Febru- 
ary, 1857, a second flood in the Chicago River, 
similar to that of 1849, caused considerable dam- 
age, but was less destructive than that of the 
earlier date, as the bridges were more substan- 
tially constructed. — One of the most extensive 
floods, in recent times, occurred in the Mississippi 
River during the latter part of the month of 
April and early in May, 1897. The value of prop- 
erty destroyed on the lower Mississippi was 
estimated at many millions of dollars, and many 
lives were lost. At Warsaw, 111., the water 
reached a height of nineteen feet four inches 
above low-watermark on April 24, and, atQuincy, 
nearly nineteen feet on the 28th, while tlie river, 
at points between these two cities, was from ten 
to fifteen miles wide. Some 25,000 acres of farm- 
ing lands between Quincy and Warsaw were 
flooded and the growing crops destroyed. At 
Alton the height reached by the water was 
twenty-two feet, but in consequence of the 
strength of the levees protecting the American 
Bottom, the farmers in that region suffered less 
than on some previous years. 

IPAVA,a town in Fulton County, on one of the 
branches of the Ciiicago, Burlington it Quincy 
Railroad, 10 miles west-soutliwest of Lewistown, 
and some 44 miles north of Jacksonville. Tlie 
county abounds in coal, and coal-mining, as well 
as agriculture, is a leading industry in the sur- 
rounding country. Other industries are the 
manufacture of flour and woolen goods; two 
banks, four churches, a sanitarium, and a weekly 
newspaper are also located here. Population 
(1880). 073: (1890), 667; (1900), 749. 

IRON MAXUFACTURES. The manufacture 
of iron, both pig and castings, direct from the 
furnace, has steadily increased in this State. In 
1880, Illinois ranked seventh in the li.st of States 
producing manufactured iron, while, in 1890, it 
had risen to fourth place, Pennsylvania (which 



produces nearly fifty per cent of the total product 
of the country) retaining the lead, with Oliio and 
Alabama following. In 1890 Illinois had fifteen 
complete furnace stacks (as against ten in 18«0), 
turning out 674,506 tons, or seven per cent of the 
entire output. Since then four additional fur- 
naces have been completed, but no figures are at 
hand to show the increase in production. During 
the depade between 1880 and 1^*90, tlie percentage 
of increase in output was 010.53. The fuel used 
is chiefl}' the native bituminous coal, which is 
abundant and cheap. Of tliis, 074,500 tons were 
used; of anthracite coal, only 38,618 tons. Of 
the total output of pig-iron in the State, during 
1890, 010,039 tons were of Bessemer. Charcoal 
pig is not made in Illinois. 

IRON MOUNTAIN, CHESTER & EASTERN 
RAILROAD. (See Wabash, Chester & Western 
Railroad. ) 

IROQUOIS COUNTY, a large county on the 
eastern border of the State; area, 1,120 square 
miles; population (1900), 38,014. In 1830 two 
pioneer settlements mere made almost simultane- 
ously, — one at Bunkum (now Concord) and tlie 
other at Milford. Among those taking up homes 
at the former were Gurdon S. Hubbard, Benja- 
min Fry, and Messrs. Cartwright, Thomas, New- 
comb, and Miller. At Milford located Robert 
Hill, Samuel Rush, Messrs. Miles, Pickell and 
Parker, besides the Cox, Moore and Stanley 
families. Iroquois County was set off from Ver- 
milion and organized in 183o. — named from the 
Iroquois Indians, or Iroquois River, which flows 
through it. The Kickapoos and Pottawatomies 
did not remove west of the Mississippi until 
1836-37, but were always friendly. The seat of 
government was first located at Montgomery, 
whence it was removed to Middleport, and finally 
to Watseka. The county is well timbered and 
the soil underlaid by both coal and building 
stone. Clay suitable for brick making and the 
manufacture of crockerj' is also found. The 
Iroquois River and the Sugar, Spring and Beaver 
Creeks thoroughly drain the county. An abun- 
dance of pure, cold water may be found anywhere 
by boring to the depth of from thirty to eighty 
feet, a fact which encourages grazing and the 
manufacture of dairy products. The soil is rich, 
and well adapted to fruit growing. The prin- 
cipal towns are Oilman (population 1,112), Wat- 
seka (2,017), and Milford (937). 

IROQUOIS RIVER, (sometimes called Picka- 
minki, rises in AVestern Indiana and runs 
westward to Watseka, 111. ; thence it flows north- 
ward through Iroquois and part of Kankakee 



300 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Counties, entering the Kankakee River some five 
miles southeast of Kankakee. It is nearly 120 
miles long. 

IRVIMi, a village in Montgomery County, on 
the line of the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad, 
54 miles east-northeast of Alton, and 17 miles 
east by north of Litchfield; has five churches, 
flouring and saw mills, creamery, and a weekly 
newspaper. Population (1890), 630; (1900), 675. 

ISHAM, Edward S., lawyer, was born at 
Bennington, Yt., Jan. 15, 1836; educated at 
Lawrence Academy and Williams College, Mass., 
taking his degree at the latter in 1857; was 
admitted to the bar at Rutland, Vt.. in 1858, 
coming to Chicago the same year. Mr. Ishani 
was a Representative in the Twenty-fourth 
General Assembly (1864-66) and, in 1881, his 
name was prominently considered for a position 
on the Supreme bench of the United States. He 
is the senior member of the firm of Isham, Lin- 
coln & Beale, which has had the management of 
some of the most important cases coming before 
the Chicago courts. 

JACKSON, Huntiiigrton Wolcott, lawyer, born 

in Newark, N. J., Jan. 28, 1841, being descended 
on the maternal side from Oliver Wolcott, one of 
the signers of the Declaration of Independence ; 
received his education at Phillips Academy, 
Andover, Mass., and at Princeton College, leav- 
ing the latter at the close of his junior year to 
enter the army, and taking part in the battles of 
Fredericksburg, Cliancellorsville and Gettysburg, 
a part of the time being on the staff of Maj.-Gen. 
John Newton, and, later, with Slierman from 
Chattanooga to Atlanta, finally receiving the 
rank of Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel for gallant and 
meritorious service. Returning to civil life in 
1865, he entered Harvard Law Scliool for one 
term, then spent a year in Europe, on his return 
resuming his legal studies at Newark, N. J. ; 
camo to Chicago in 1867, and the following year 
was admitted to the bar ; has served as Supervisor 
of South Chicago, as President of the Chicago 
Bar Association, and (by appointment of the 
Comptroller of the Currency) as receiver and 
attorney of the Third National Bank of Chicago. 
Under the will of the late John Crerar he became 
an executor of the estate, and a trustee of the 
Crerar Library. Died at Newark, N. J., Jan 3, 1901. 
JACKSON COUNTY, organized in 1816, and 
named in honor of Andrew Jackson; area, 580 
square miles; population (1900), 33,871. It lies 
in the southwest portion of the State, the Mis- 
sissippi River forming its principal western 



boundary. The bottom lands along the river are 
wonderfully fertile, liut liable to overflow. It is 
crossed by a range of liills regarded as a branch 
of the Ozark range. Toward the east the soil is 
warm, and well adapted to fruit-growing. One 
of the richest beds of bituminous coal in the State 
crops out at various points, varying in depth from 
a few inches to four or five hundred feet below the 
surface. Valuable timber and good building 
stone are found and there are numerous saline 
springs. Wheat, tobacco and fruit are principal 
crops. Early pioneers, with the date of their 
arrival, were as follows: 1814, W. Boon; 1815, 
Joseph Duncan (afterwards Governor) ; 1817, 
Oliver Cross, Mrs. William Kimmel, S. Lewis, E. 
Harrold, George Butcher and W. Eakin; 1818, 
the Bysleys, Mark Bradley, James Hughes and 
John Barron. Brownsville was the first county- 
seat and an important town, but owing to a dis- 
astrous fire in 1843, the government was removed 
to Murphysboro, where Dr. Logan (father of Gen. 
John A. Logan) donated a tract of land for 
county-buildings. John A. Logan was born here. 
The principal towns (with their respective popu- 
lation, as shown by the United States Census of 
1890), were: Murphysboro, 3,880; Carbondale, 
2,382; and Grand Tower, 634. 

JACKSONVILLE, the county-seat of Morgan 
County, and an important railroad center; popu- 
lation (1890) about 13,000. The town was laid 
out in 1825, and named in honor of Gen. Andrew 
Jackson. The first court house was erected in 
1826, and among early lawyers were Josiah Lam- 
born, John J. Hardin, Stephen A. Douglas, and 
later Richard Yates, afterwards the "War Gov- 
ernor'" of Illinois. It is the seat of several im- 
portant State institutions, notably the Central 
Hospital for the Insane, and Institutions for the 
Education of the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind — 
besides private educational institutions, including 
Illinois College, Illinois Conference Female Col- 
lege (Methodist), Jacksonville Female Academy, 
a Business College and others. The city has 
several banks, a large woolen mill, carriage fac- 
tories, brick yards, planing mills, and two news- 
paper establishments, each publishing daily and 
weekly editions. It justly ranks as one of the 
most attractive and interesting cities of the State, 
noted for the hospitality and intelligence of its 
citizens. Although immigrants from Kentucky 
and other Southern States predominated in its 
early settlement, the location there of Illinois 
College and the Jacksonville Female Academy, 
about 1830, brought to it many settlers of New 
England birth, so that it early came to be 




INSTITUTION FOR FOR DEAF AND DIMB, JACKSONVILLE. 




s# 




A. A A. 




Main Building and Girls' Cottage. 
INSTITUTION FOR THE BLIND, JACKSONVILLE. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



301 



regarded as more distinctively New England in 
tlie character of its population than any other 
town in Southern Illinois. Poi). (lltOO), 15.078. 

JACKSONVILLE FEMALE ACADEMY, an 
institution for the education of young ladies, at 
Jacksonville, the oldest of its class in the State. 
The initial steps for its organization were taken 
in 1830, the year after the establishment of Illinois 
College. It may be said to have been an offshoot 
of the latter, these two constituting the originals 
of that remarkable group of educational and 
State Institutions which now exist in that cit}'. 
Instruction began to be given in the Academy in 
May, 1833, under the principalship of Miss Sarah 
C. Crocker, and, in 183.5, it was formallj- incorpo- 
rated by act of the Legislature, being the first 
educational institution to receive a charter from 
that bodj-; though Illinois, McKendree and 
Shurtleff Colleges were incorporated at a later 
period of the same session. Among its founders 
appear the names of Gov. Joseph Duncan, Judge 
Samuel D. Lockwood, Rev. Julian M. Sturtevant 
(for fifty )-ears the President or a Professor of Illi- 
nois College), John P. Wilkinson, Rev. John M. 
Ellis, David B. Ayers and Dr. Ero Chandler, all 
of whom, except the last, were prominently 
identified with the early history of Illinois Col- 
lege. The list of the alumnas embraces over five 
hundred names. The Illinois Conservatory of 
Music (founded in 1871) and a School of Fine Arts 
are attached to the Academy, all being under the 
management of Prof. E. F. Bullard, A.M. 

J.VCKSOWILLE, LOUISVILLE & ST. LOUIS 
RAILWAY. (See Jacksonville & St. Louis Rail- 
way.) 

JACKSONVILLE, NORTHWESTERN & 
SOUTHEASTERN RAILROAD. (See Jackson- 
ville & St. Louis Railiray.) 

JACKSONVILLE & ST. LOUIS RAILWAY. 
Originally chartered as the Illinois Farmers' Rail- 
road, and constructed from Jacksonville to 
Waverly in 1870; later changed to the Jacksonville, 
Northwestern & Southeastern and track extended 
to Virden (31 miles) ; in 1879 passed into the 
hands of a new company under the title of the 
Jacksonville Southeastern, and was extended as 
follows: to Litchfield (1880), 23 miles; to Smith- 
boro (1882), 29 miles; to Centralia (1883), 29 miles 
— total, 113 miles. In 1887 a section between 
Centralia and Driver's (IGVb miles) was con- 
structed by the Jacksonville Southeastern, and 
operated under lease by the successor to that 
line, but, in 1893, was separated from it under 
the name of tlie Louisville & .St. Louis Railway. 
By the use of five miles of trackage on the Louis- 



ville & Nashville Railroad, connection was 
obtained between Driver's and Mount Vernon. 
The same year (1887) the Jacksonville Southeast- 
ern obtained control of the Litchfield, CarroUton 
& Western Railroad, from Litchfield to Columbi- 
ana on the Illinois River, and the Chicago, Peoria 
& St. Louis, embracing lines from Peoria to St. 
Louis, via Springfield and Jacksonville. The 
Jacksonville Southeastern was reorganized in 1890 
under the name of the Jacksonville, Louisville 
& St. Louis Railway, and, in 1893, was placed in 
the hands of a receiver. The Chicago, Peoria & 
St. Louis Divisions were subsequently separated 
from the Jacksonville line and placed in charge 
of a separate receiver. Foreclosure proceedings 
began in 1894 and, during 1896, the road was sold 
under foreclosure and reorganized under its pres- 
ent title. (See Chicago, Peoria cfc St. Louis Bail- 
road of Illinois.) The capital stock of the 
Jacksonville & St. Louis Railway (June 30, 1897) 
was SI, .500,000; funded debt, §2,300,000— total, 
§3,800,000. 

JAMES, Colin D., clergyman, was born in Ran- 
dolph County, now in West Virginia, Jan. 15, 
1808 ; died at Bonita, Kan., Jan. 30, 1888. He was 
the son of Rev. Dr. William B. James, a pioneer 
preacher in the Ohio Valley, who removed to 
Ohio in 1812, settling first in Jefferson County in 
that State, and later (1814) at Mansfield. Subse- 
quently the family took up its residence at Helt's 
Prairie in Vigo (now Vermilion) County, Ind. 
Before 1830 Colin D. James came to Illinois, and, 
in 1834, became a minister of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, remaining in active ministerial 
work until 1871, after which he accejited a super- 
annuated relation. During his connection with 
the church in Illinois he served as .station preacher 
or Presiding Elder at the following points: Rock 
Island (1834); Platteville (1836); Apple River 
(1837); Paris (1838, "42 and '43); Eugene (1839); 
Georgetown (1840); Shelbyville (1841); Grafton 
(1844 and "45) ; Sparta District (1845-47) ; Lebanon 
District (1848-49) ; Alton District (1850); Bloom- 
ington District (1851-.52); and later at Jackson- 
ville, Winchester, Greenfield, Island Grove, 
Oldtown, Ileyworth, Normal, Atlanta, McLean 
and Shirley. During 1861-62 he acted as agent 
for the Illinois Female College at Jacksonville, 
and, in 1871, for the erection of a Metho- 
dist church at Normal. He was twice married. 
His first wife (Eliza A. Plasters of Living- 
ston) died in 1849. The following year he mar- 
ried Amanda K. Casad, daughter of Dr. Anthony 
W. Casad. He removed from Normal to Evans- 
ton in 1876, and from the latter place to 



30^ 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLIXOIS. 



Kansas in 1879. Of his surviving children, 
Edmund J. is (1898) Professor in the Universitj' 
of Chicago; John N. is in charge of the mag- 
netic laboratory in the National Observatory 
at Wasliington, D. C. ; Benjamin B. is Professor 
in the State Normal School at St. Cloud, Minn., 
and George F. is instructor in the Cambridge 
Preparatory School of Chicago. 

JAMES, Edmund Janes, was born. May 21, 
1855, at Jacksonville, Morgan County, 111., the 
fourth son of Rev. Colin Dew James of the Illi- 
nois Conference, grandson on his mother's side 
of Rev. Dr. Anthony Wayne Casad and great- 
grandson of Samuel Stites (all of whose sketches 
appear elsewhere in this volume) ; was educated 
in the Jlodel Department of the Illinois State 
Normal School at Bloomington (Normal), from 
which he graduated in June, 1873, and entered 
the Northwestern University, at Evanston, 111., 
in November of the same year. On May 1, 1874, 
he was appointed Recorder on the United States 
Lake Survey, where he continued during one 
season engaged in work on the lower part of Lake 
Ontario and the upper St. Lawrence. He entered 
Harvard College, Nov. 2, 1874, but went to 
Europe in August, 1875, entering the University 
of Halle, Oct. 16, 1875, where he graduated, 
August 4, 1877, with the degrees of A.M. and 
Ph.D. On his return to the United States lie was 
elected Principal of the Public High School in 
Evanston, 111., Jan. 1, 1878, but resigned in June, 
1879, to accept a position in the Illinois State 
Normal School at Bloomington as Professor of 
Latin and Greek, and Principal of the High 
School Department in connection with the Model 
School. Resigning this position at Christmas 
time, 1882, he went to Europe for study; accepted 
a position in the University of Pennsylvania as 
Professor of Public Administration, in Septem- 
ber, 1883, wliere he remained for over thirteen 
years. While here he was, for a time. Secretary 
of the Graduate Faculty and organized the in- 
struction in this Department. He was also 
Director of the Wharton School of Finance and 
Economy, the first attempt to organize a college 
course in the field of commerce and industry. 
During this time he officiated as editor of "The 
Political Economy and Public Law Series"' is.sued 
by tlie University of Pennsylvania. Resigning 
his position in the Universitj- of Pennsylvania on 
Feb. 1, 1896, he accepted that of Professor of Pub- 
lic Administration and Director of the University 
Extension Division in the University of Chicago, 
where he has since continued. Professor James 
has been identified with tlie progress of economic 



studies in the United States since the early 
eighties. He was one of the organizers and one 
of the first Vice-Presidents of the American 
Economic Association. On Dec. 14, 1889, he 
founded the American Academy of Political and 
Social Science with headquarters at Philadelpliia. 
became its first President, and has continued such 
to the present time. He was also, for some J'ears, 
editor of its publications. The Academy has 
now become the largest Association in the world 
devoted to the cultivation of economic and social 
subjects. He was one of the originators of, and 
one of the most frequent contributors to, "Lalor's 
CyclopEedia of Political Science"; was also the 
pioneer in the movement to introduce into the 
United States the scheme of public instruction 
known as University Extension; was the first 
President of the American Society for the Exten- 
sion of University Teaching, under whose auspices 
the first effective extension work was done in this 
country, and has been Director of the Extension 
Division in the University of Chicago since Febru- 
ary, 1896. He has been especially identified with 
the development of higher commercial education 
in the United States. From his position as 
Director of tlie Wharton School of Finance and 
Economy he has affected the course of instruc- 
tion in this Department in a most marked way. 
He was invited by the American Bankers' 
Association, in the year 1892, to make a careful 
study of the subject of Commercial Education in 
Europe, and his report to this association on the 
Education of Business Men in Europe, republished 
by the University of Chicago in the year 1898, 
has become a standard authority on this subject. 
Owing largel}' to his efforts, departments similar 
to the Wharton School of Finance and Economy 
have been established under the title of College 
of Commerce, College of Commerce and Politics, 
and Collegiate Course in Commerce, in the Uni- 
versities of California and Chicago, and Columbia 
University. He has been identified with the 
progress of college education in general, espe- 
cially in its relation to secondary and elementary 
education, and was one of the early advocates of 
the establisliment of departments of education in 
our colleges and universities, the policy of wliicli 
is now adopted by nearly all the leading institu- 
tions. He was. for a time. State Examiner of 
High Schools in Illinois, and was founder of "The 
Illinois School Journal," long one of the most 
influential educational periodicals in the State, 
now changed in name to "School and Home." 
He has been especially active in the establish- 
ment of public kindergartens in different cities. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



303 



and has been repeatedly offered the headship of 
important institutions, among them being the 
University of Iowa, the University of Illinois, 
and the University of Cincinnati. He lias served 
as Vice-President of the National Municipal 
League; of the American Association for the 
Advancement of Science, and the American 
Economic Association, and of the Board of Trus- 
tees of the Illinois State Historical Library ; is a 
member of the American Philosophical Societj', 
of the Pennsylvania Historical Society, of the 
National Council of Education, and of the British 
Association for the Advancement of Science. He 
was a member of the Committee of Thirteen of 
the National Teachers' Association on college 
entrance requirements; is a member of various 
patriotic and historical societies, including the 
Sons of the American Revolution, the Society of 
the Colonial Wars, the Holland and the Huguenot 
Society. He is the author of more than one hun- 
dred papers and monographs on various economic, 
educational, legal and administrative subjects. 
Professor James was married, August 22, 1879, to 
Anna JIargarethe Lange, of Halle, Prussia, 
daughter of the Rev. Wilhelm Roderich Lange, 
and granddaughter of the famous Professor Ger- 
lach of the LTniversity of Halle. 

JAMESON, John Alexander, lawyer and jur- 
ist, was born at Irasburgh, Vt., Jan. 3o, 1824; 
graduated from the University of Vermont in 
1846. After several years spent in teaching, he 
began the study of law, and graduated from the 
Dane Law School (of Harvard College) in 1853. 
Coming west the same year he located at Free- 
port, 111., but removed to Chicago in 185C. In 
18G.5 he was elected to the bench of the Superior 
Court of Chicago, remaining in office until 1883. 
During a portion of this period he acted as lec- 
turer in the Union College of Law at Chicago, 
and as editor of "The American Law Register." 
His literary labors were unceasing, his most 
notable work being entitled "Constitutional Con- 
ventions; their History, Power and Modes of 
Proceeding." He was also a fine classical 
scholar, .speaking and reading German, French, 
Spanish and Italian, and was deeply interested 
in charitable and reformatory work. Died, sud- 
denly, in Chicago. June 16, 1890. 

JARROT, Nicholas, early French settler of St. 
Clair County, was born in France, received a 
liberal education and, on account of the disturbed 
condition there in the latter part of the last cen- 
tury, left his native country about 1790. After 
spending some time at Baltimore and New 
Orleans, he arrived at Cahokia, 111., in 1794, and 



became a permanent settler there. He early be- 
came a Major of militia and engaged in trade 
with the Indians, frequently visiting Prairie du 
Chien, St. Anthony's Falls (now Minneapolis) and 
the Illinois River in his trading expeditions, and, 
on one or two occasions, incurring great risk of 
life from hostile savages. He acquired a large 
property, especially in lands, built mills and 
erected one of the earliest and finest brick houses 
in that part of the country. He also served as 
Justice of the Peace and Judge of the County 
Court of St. Clair County. Died, in 1823.— Vital 
(Jarrot), son of the preceding, inherited a large 
landed fortune from his father, and was an 
enterprising and public-spirited citizen of St. 
Clair County during the last generation. He 
served as Representative from St. Clair County 
in the Eleventh, Twentieth, Twentj'-first and 
Twenty-second General Assemblies, in the first 
being an a.ssociate of Abraham Lincoln and 
always his firm friend and admirer. At the 
organization of the Twenty-second General 
Assembly (1857), he received the support of the 
Republican members for Speaker of the House in 
opposition to Col. W. R. Morrison, who was 
elected. He sacrificed a large share of his prop- 
erty in a public-spirited effort to build up a 
rolling mill at East St. Louis, being reduced 
thereby from affluence to poverty. President 
Lincoln appointed him an Indian Agent, which 
took him to the Black Hills region, where he 
died, some years after, from toil and exposure, at 
the age of 73 years. 

JASPER COUNTY, in the eastern part of 
Southern Illinois, having an area of 506 square 
miles, and a population (in 1900) of 20, 160. It was 
organized in 1831 and named for Sergeant Jasper 
of Revolutionary fame. The county was placed un- 
der township organization in 1860. The first Board 
of County Commissioners consisted of B. Rey- 
nolds, W Richards and George Mattingley. The 
Embarras River crosses the county. The general 
surface is level, although gently undulating in 
some portions. Manufacturing is carried on in a 
small way; but the people are prineipaHj- inter- 
ested in agriculture, the chief products consisting 
of wheat, potatoes, sorglium, fruit and tobacco. 
"VVool-growing is an important industry. Newton 
is the county-seat, with a population (in 1890) of 
1,428. 

JATNE, (Dr.) (iershoiii, early physician, was 
born in Orange County, N. Y., October, 1791 ; served 
as Surgeon in the War of 1813. and came to Illinois 
in 1819, settling in Springfield in 1821; was one 
of the Commissioners appointed to construct the 



304 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



first State Penitentiary (1827), and one of the first 
Commissioners of the lUmois & Michigan Canal. 
His oldest daughter (Julia Maria) became the 
wife of Senator Trumbull. Dr. Jayue ilied at 
Springfield, in 18G7.— I)r. William ( Jayne), son of 
the preceding, was born in Springfield, 111., Oct. 8, 
1820; educated by private tutors and at Illinois 
College, being a member of the class of 1847, later 
receiving the degree of A.M. He was one of the 
founders of the Phi Alpha Society while in that 
institution ; graduated from the Medical Depart- 
ment of Missouri State University; in 1860 was 
elected State Senator for Sangamon County, and, 
the following year, was appointed by Pre.sident 
Lincoln Governor of the Territory- of Dakota, 
later serving as Delegate in Congress from that 
Territory. In 1869 he was appointed Pension 
Agent for Illinois, also served for four terms as 
Mayor of his native city, and is now Vice-Presi- 
dent of the First National Bank, Springfield. 

JEFFERSOX COUNTY, a south-central county, 
cut off from Edwards and White Counties, in 
1819, when it was separately organized, being 
named in honor of Thomas Jefferson. Its area is 
580 square miles, and its population (1900), 28,133. 
The Big Muddy River, with one or two tributa- 
ries, flows through the county in a southerly direc- 
tion. Along the banks of streams a variety of 
hardwood timber is found. The railroad facilities 
are advantageous. The surface is level and the 
soil rich. Cereals and fruit are easily produced. 
A fine bed of limestone (seven to fifteen feet 
thick) crosses the middle of the county. It has 
been quarried and found well adapted to building 
purposes. The county possesses an abundance of 
running water, much of which is slightly im- 
pregnated with salt. The upper coal measure 
underlies the entire county, but the seam is 
ecaroely more than two feet thick at any point. 
The chief industry is agriculture, though lumber 
Is manufactured to some extent. Mount Vernon, 
the county -seat, was incorporated as a city in 1872. 
Its population in 1890 was 3,233. It has several 
manufactories and is the seat of the Appellate 
Court for the Southern Judicial District of the 
State. 

JEFFERT, Edward Turner, Railway President 
and Manager, born in Liverpool, Eng., April 6, 
1843, his father being an engineer in tlxe British 
navy ; about 18.50 came with his widowed mother 
to Wheeling, Va , and, in 18.")G, to Chicago, where 
he secured emplojment as office-boy in the 
machinery department of the Illinois Central 
Railroad. Here he finalh' became an apprentice 
And, passing through various grades of the me- 



chanical department, in May, 1877, became General 
Superintendent of tlie Road, and, in 1885, General 
Manager of the entire line. In 1889 he withdrew 
from the Illinoi.s Central and, for several years 
past, has been President and General ilanager of 
the Denver & Rio Grande Railway, with head- 
quarters at Denver, Colo. Mr. Jeffery's career as 
a railway man has been one of the most conspicu- 
ous and successful in the history of American 
railroads 

JEXKIXS, Alexander M., Lieutenant-Governor 
(1834-36), came to Illinois in his youth and located 
in Jackson County, being for a time a resident of 
Brownsville, the first county-seat of Jackson 
County, where he was engaged in trade. Later 
he studied law and became eminent in his pro- 
fession in Southern Illinois. In 1830 Mr. Jenkins 
was elected Representative in the Seventh General 
Assembly, was re-elected in 1832, serving during 
his second term as .Speaker of the House, and took 
part the latter year in the Black Hawk War as 
Captain of a company. In 1834 Mr. Jenkins was 
elected Lieutenant-Governor at the same time 
with Governor Duncan, though on an opposing 
ticket, but resigned, in 1836, to become President 
of the first Illinois Central Railroad Company, 
which was chartered that year. The charter of 
the road was surrendered in 1837, when the State 
had in contemplation the policy of building a 
system of roads at its own cost For a time he 
was Receiver of Public Moneys in the Land Ofiice 
at Edwardsville, and, in 1847, was elected to the 
State Constitutional Convention of that j'ear 
Other positions held by him ini-luded that of Jus 
tice of the Circuit Court for the Third Judicial 
Circuit, to which he was elected in 1859, and 
re-elected in 1861, but died in office, February 13, 
1864. Mr. Jenkins was an uncle of Gen. John A. 
Logan, who read law with him after his return 
from the Mexican War. 

JEXXET, William Le Baron, engineer and 
arcliitect, born at Fairhaven, ilass., Sept. 25. 
1832; was educated at Phillips Academy, An- 
dover, graduating in 1849; at 17 took a trip 
around the world, and, after a year spent in the 
Scientific Department of Harvard College, took a 
course in the Ecole Centrale des Artes et Manu- 
factures in Paris, graduating in 1856. He then 
served for a year as engineer on the Tehuantepec 
Railroad, and. in 1861, was made an Aid on the 
staff of General Grant, being transferred the next 
year to the statf of General Sherman, with whom 
he remained three years, participating in many 
of the most important battles of the war in the 
West. Later, he was engaged in the preparation 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



305 



of maps of General Sherman's campaigns, which 
were published in the "Memoirs" of the latter. 
In 1868 he located in Chicago, and has since given 
his attention almost solely to architecture, the 
result being seen in some of Chicago's most 
noteworthy buildings. 

JERSEY COUMV, situated in the western 
portion of the middle divi.sion of the State, 
bordering on the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. 
Originally a part of Greene Countj', it was sepa- 
rately organized in 1839, with an area of 360 square 
miles. There were a few settlers in the county 
as early as 1816-17 Jersey ville, the county-seat, 
was platted in 1834, a majority of the early resi- 
dents being natives of, or at least emigrants from, 
New Jersey. The mild climate, added to the 
character of the soil, is especially adapted to 
fruit-growing and stock-raising. The census of 
1900 gave the population of the countj- as 14,613 
and of Jerseyville, 3,517. Grafton, near the 
junction of the Mississippi with the Illinois, had 
a population of 937. The last mentioned town is 
noted for its stone quarries, which employ a 
number of men. 

JERSEYVILLE, a city and county -seat of Jer- 
sey County, the point of junction of the Chicago 
& Alton and the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis 
Railways, 19 miles north of Alton and 45 miles 
north of St. Louis, Mo. The city is in an agri 
cultural district, but has manufactories of flour, 
plows, carriages and wagons, shoe factory and 
watch-making machinery. It contains a hand- 
some courthouse, completed in 1894, nine 
churches, a graded public school, besides a sep- 
arate school for colored children, a convent, 
librar}-, telephone system, electric lights, artesian 
wells, and three papers. Population (1890), 3,307; 
(1900), 3,517; (1903, est.), 4,117. 

JO DAVIESS COUIVTY, situated in the north- 
west corner of t)ie State ; has an area of 663 square 
miles; population (1900), 24,533. It was first 
explored by Le Seuer, who reported the discovery 
of lead in 1700. Another Frenchman (Bouthil- 
lier) was the first perinanent white settler, locat- 
ing on the site of the pre.sent city of Galena in 
1820. About the same time came several Ameri- 
can families ; a trading post was establislied, and 
the hamlet was known as Fredericks' Point, so 
called after one of the pioneers. In 1823 the 
Government reserved from settlement a tract 10 
miles square along the Mississippi, with a view of 
controlling the mining interest. In 1823 mining 
privileges were granted upon a royalty of one- 
sixth, and the first smelting furnace was erected 
the same year. Immigration increased rapidly 



and, inside of three years, the "Point" had a popu- 
lation of 150, and a post-office was established 
with a fortnightly mail to and from Vandalia, 
then the State capital. In 1827 county organiza- 
tion was effected, the county being named in 
honor of Gen. Joseph Hamilton Daviess, who was 
killed in the Battle of Tippecanoe. The original 
tract, however, has been subdivided until it now 
constitutes nine counties. The settlers took an 
active part in both the Winnebago and Black 
Hawk Wars. In 1846-47 the mineral lands were 
placed on the market by the Government, and 
quickly taken by corporations and individuals. 
The scenery is varied, and the soil (particularly 
in the east) well suited to the cultivation of 
grain. The county is well wooded and well 
watered, and thoroughly drained by tlie Fever 
and Apple Rivers. The name Galena was given 
to the county-seat (originally, as has been said, 
Fredericks' Point) by Lieutenant Thomas, Gov- 
ernment Surveyor, in 1827, in which year it was 
platted. Its general appearance is picturesque. 
Its early growth was extraordinary, but later 
(particularly after the growth of Chicago) it 
received a set-back. In 1841 it claimed 2,000 
population and was incorporated , in 1870 it had 
about 7,000 population, and, in 1900, 5,005. The 
names of Grant, Rawlins and E. B. Washburne 
are associated with its history. Other important 
towns in the county are Warren (population 
1.327), East Dubuque (1,146) and Elizabeth (659). 

JOHNSON, Caleb C, lawyer and legislator, 
was born in Whiteside County, 111. , May 23, 1844. 
educated in the common schools and at the 
Military Academy at Fulton, 111. ; served during 
the Civil War in the Sixty-ninth and One Hun- 
dred and Fortieth Regiments Illinois Volunteers; 
in 1877 .was admitted to the bar and, two years 
later, began practice. He has served upon the 
Board of Township Supervisors of Whiteside 
County; in 1884 was elected to the House of 
Representatives of the Thirty-fourth General 
Assembly, was re-elected in 1886, and again in 
1896. He also held the position of Deputy Col- 
lector of Internal Revenue for his District during 
the first Cleveland administration, and was a 
delegate to the Democratic National Convention 
of 1888. 

JOHNSON, (Rev.) Herrick, clergyman abd 
educator, was born near Fonda, N. Y., Sept. 21, 
1832; graduated at Hamilton College, 1857, and 
at Aul)urn Tlieological Seminary, 1860; held Pres- 
byterian pastorates in Troy, Pittsburg and Phila- 
(lelpliia; in 1874 became Professor of Ilomiletics 
and Pastoral Theology in Auburn Theological 



30C 



HISTOUICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Seminary, and, in 1880, accepted a pastorate in 
Chicago, also becoming Lecturer on Sacred Rhet- 
oric in McCormick Theological Seminary. In 
1883 he resigned liis pastorate, devoting his atten- 
tion thereafter to the duties of his professorship. 
He was Moderator of the Presbyterian General 
Assembly at Springfield, in 1882, and has served 
as President, for many years, of the Presbyterian 
Church Board of Aid for Colleges, and of the 
Board of Trustees of Lake Forest University. 
Besides many periodical articles, he has published 
several volumes on religious subjects. 

JOHNSON, Hosmer A., M.D., LL.D., physi- 
cian, was born near Buffalo, N. Y., Oct. 6, 1822; 
at twelve removed to a farm in Lapeer Count}', 
Mich. In spite of limited school privileges, at 
eighteen he secured a teachers' certificate, and, 
by teaching in the winter and attending an 
academy in the summer, prepared for college, 
entering the University of Michigan in 1846 and 
graduating in 1849. In 1850 he became a student 
of medicine at Rush Medical College in Chicago, 
graduating in 1852, and the same year becoming 
Secretary of the Cook County Medical Society, 
and, the year following, associate editor of "The 
Illinois Medical and Surgical Journal." For 
three years he was a member of the faculty of 
Rush, but, in 1858, resigned to become one of the 
founders of a new medical school, which has now 
become a part of Northwestern University. 
During the Civil War, Dr. Johnson was Chair- 
man of the State Board of Medical Examiners ; 
later serving upon the Board of Health of Chi- 
cago, and upon the National Board of Health. He 
was also attending physician of Cook County 
Hospital and consulting physician of the Chicago 
Charitable Eye and Ear Infirmary. At the time 
of the great fire of 1871, he was one of the Direct- 
ors of the Chicago Relief and Aid Society. His 
connections with local. State and National .Soci- 
eties and organizations (medical, scientific, social 
and otherwise) werj very numerous. He trav- 
eled extensively, both in this country and in 
Europe, during his visits to the latter devoting 
much time to the study of foreign sanitary con- 
ditions, and making further attainments in medi- 
cine and surgery. In 1883 the degree of LL.D. 
was conferred upon him by Northwestern Uni- 
versity. During his later years. Dr. Johnson was 
engaged almost wholly in consultations. Died, 
Feb. 2G, 1891. 

JOHNSON COUNTY, lies in the southern por- 
tion of the State, and is one of the smallest 
counties, having an area of only 340 square miles, 
and a population (11)00) of 15,667— named for Col. 



Richard M. Johnson. Its organization dates back 
to 1812. A dividing ridge (forming a sort of 
water shed) extends from east to west, the 
waters of the Cache and Bay Rivers running 
south, and those of the Big Muddy and Saline 
toward the north. A minor coal seam of variable 
thickness (perhaps a spur from the regular coal- 
measures) crops out here and there. Sandstone 
and limestone are abundant, and, under cliffs 
along the bluffs, saltpeter has been obtained in 
small quantities. Weak copperas springs are 
numerous. The soil is rich, the principal crops 
being wheat, corn and tobacco. Cotton is raised 
for home consumption and fruit-culture receives 
some attention. Vienna is the county-seat, with 
a population, in 1890, of 828. 

JOHNSTON, Noah, pioneer and banker, was 
born in Hardy County, Va., Dec. 20, 1799, and, 
at the age of 12 years, emigrated with his father 
to Woodford Count}-, Ky. In 1824 he removed 
to Indiana, and, a few years later, to Jefferson 
County, 111., where he began farming. He sub- 
sequently engaged in merchandising, but proving 
unfortunate, turned his attention to politics, 
serving first as County Commissioner and then as 
County Clerk. In 1838 he was elected to the 
State Senate for the counties of Hamilton and 
Jefferson, serving four years ; was Enrolling and 
Engrossing Clerk of the Senate during the session 
of 1844-45, and, in 1846, elected Representative in 
the Fifteenth General Assembly. The following 
year he was made Paymaster in the United States 
Army, serving through the Mexican War; in 
1852 served with xVbraham Lincoln and Judge 
Hugh T. Dickey of Chicago, on a Commission 
appointed to investigate claims against the State 
for the construction of the Illinois & Michisau 
Canal, and, in 18.54, was appointed Clerk of the 
Supreme Court for the Third Division, being 
elected to the same position in 1861. Other posi- 
tions held by him included those of Deputy United 
States Marshal under the administration of Presi- 
dent Polk, Commissioner to superintend the con- 
struction of the Supreme Court Building at Mount 
Vernon, and Postmaster of that city. He was 
also elected Representative again in 1866. The 
later years of his life were spent as President of 
the Mount Vernon National Bank. Died, No- 
vember, 1891, in his 92d year. 

JOLIET, the county-seat of Will County, situ- 
ated in the Des Plaines River Valley. 36 miles 
southwe.st of Chicago, on the Illinois tt Michigan 
Canal, and the intersecting point of five lines of 
railway. A good quality of calcareous building 
stone underlies the entire region, and :s exten- 



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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



307 



sively quarrieii. Gravel, sanii, and clay are also 
easily obtaiued in consiilerable ((uantities. 
AVithin twenty miles are inoductive coal mines. 
The Northern Illinois Penitentiary and a female 
penal institute stand just outside the city limits 
on the north. Joliet is an important manufac- 
turing center, the census of 1900 crediting the 
city with 4o5 establishments, having §15,453,136 
capital, employing 6,.")23 hands, paying §3,957,529 
wages and §17,891,^36 for raw material, turning 
out an annual product valued at §27,765,104:. The 
leading industries are the manufacture of foundry 
and machine-shop products, engines, agricultural 
implements, pig-iron, Bessemer steel, steel 
bridges, rods, tin cans, wallpaper, matches, beer, 
saddles, paint, furniture, pianos, and stoves, 
besides quarrying and stone cutting. The Chi- 
cago Drainage Canal supplies valuable water- 
power. The city has many handsome public 
buildings and private residences, among the 
former being four high schools. Government 
postoffice building, two public libraries, and two 
public hospitals. It also has two public and two 
school parks. Population (1880), 11,657; (1890), 
23.254, (including suburbs), 34,473; (1900), 29,353. 

JOLIET, AURORA & NORTHERN RAIL- 
WAT. (See Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway.) 

JOLIET, Louis, a French explorer, born at 
Quebec, Canada, Sept. 21, 1645, educated at the 
Jesuits' College, and early engaged in the fur- 
trade. In 1669 he was sent to investigate the 
copper mines on Lake Superior, but his most 
important service began in 1673, when Frontenac 
commissioned him to explore. Starting from the 
missionary station of St. Ignace, with Father 
Marquette, he went up the Fox River within the 
present State of "Wisconsin and down the Wis- 
consin to the Mississippi, which he descended as 
far as the mouth of the Arkansas. lie was the 
first to discover that the Mississippi flows to the 
Gulf rather than to the Pacific. He returned to 
Green Bay via the Illinois River, and (as believed) 
the sites of the present cities of Joliet and Chicago. 
Although later appointed royal Iiydrographer 
and given the island of Anticosti, he never 
revisited the Mississippi. Some historians assert 
that this was largely due to the influential jeal- 
ousy of La Salle. Died, in Canada, in May, 1700. 

JOLIET & BLUE ISLAND RAILWAY, con 
stitutiug a part of and operated by the Calumet 
& Blue Island— a belt line, 21 miles in length, of 
standard gauge and laid with 60-lb. steel rails. 
The company provides terminal facilities at Joliet, 
although originally projected to merely run from 
that city to a connection with the Calumet & 



Blue Island Railway. The capital stock author- 
ized and paid in is §100,000. The company's 
general offices are in Chicago. 

JOLIET & NORTHERN INDIANA RAIL- 
ROAD, a road running from Lake, Ind., to Joliet, 
111., 45 miles (of which 29 miles are in Illinois), 
and leased in perpetuity, from Sept. 7, 1854 (the 
date of completion), to the Slichigan Central Rail- 
road Company, which owns nearlj- all its stock. 
Its capital stock is §300,000, and its funded debt, 
$80,000. Other forms of indebtedness swell the 
total amount of capital invested (1895) to §1,- 
143,201. Total earnings and income in Illinois in 
1894, .§89,017; total expenditures, §62,370. (See 
Michigan Central Railroad.) 

JONES, Alfred M., politician and legislator, 
was born in New Hampshire, Feb. 5, 1837, brought 
to McHenry County, 111., at 10 years of age, and, 
at 16, began life in the pineries and engaged in 
rafting on the Mississippi. Then, after two 
winters in school at Rockford, and a short season 
in teaching, he spent a year in the book and 
jewelry business at Warren, Jo Daviess County. 
The following year (18.58) he made atrip to Pike's 
Peak, but meeting disappointment in his expec- 
tations in regard to mining, returned almost 
immediately. The next few years were spent in 
various occupations, including law and real 
estate business, until 1872, when he was elected 
to the Twenty-eighth General Assembly, ?,nd 
re-elected two years later. Other positions 
successively held by him were those of Commis- 
sioner of the Joliet Penitentiary, Collector of 
Internal Revenue for the Sterling District, and 
United States JIarshal for the Northern District 
of Illinois. He was, for fourteen years, a member 
of the Republican State Central Committee, dur- 
ing twelve years of that period being its chair- 
man. Since 1885, Mr. Jones has been manager 
of the Bethesda Mineral Springs at Waukesha, 
Wis., but has found time to make his mark in 
Wisconsin politics also. 

JONES, John Rice, first English lawyer in Illi- 
nois, was born in Wales, Feb. 11, 1759; educated 
at Oxford in medicine and law, and, after prac- 
ticing the latter in London for a short time, came 
to America in 1784, spending two years in Phila- 
delphia, where he made the acquaintance of 
Dr. Benjamin Rush and Benjamin Franklin; in 
1786, having reached the Falls of the Ohio, he 
joined Col. George Rogers Clark's expedition 
against the Indians on the Wabash. This having 
partially failed througli the discontent and 
desertion of the troops, he remained at Vincennes 
four years, part of the time as Commissary- 



308 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



General of the garrison there. In 1790 he went to 
Kaskaskia, but eleven years later returned to Vin- 
cennes, being commissioned the same year by 
Gov. William Henry Harrison, Attorney-General 
of Indiana Territory, and, in 1805, becoming a 
member of the first Legislative Council. He was 
Secretary of the convention at Vincennes, in 
December, 1803, which memorialized Congress to 
suspend, for ten years, the article in the Ordi- 
nance of 1787 forbidding slavery in the Northwest 
Territory. In 1808 he removed a second time to 
Kaskaskia, remaining two years, when he located 
within the present limits of the State of Missouri 
(then the Territory of Louisiana), residing suc- 
cessively at St. Genevieve, St. Louis and Potosi, 
at the latter place acquiring large interests in 
mineral lands. He became prominent in Mis- 
souri politics, served as a member of the Conven- 
tion which framed the first State Constitution, 
was a prominent candidate for United States 
Senator before the first Legislature, and finally 
elected by the same a Justice of the Supreme 
Court, dying in office at St. Louis, Feb. 1, 1824. 
He appears to have enjoyed an extensive practice 
among the early residents, as shown by the fact 
that, the year of his return to Kaskaskia, he paid 
taxes on more than 16,000 acres of land in Monroe 
County, to say nothing of his possessions about 
Vincennes and his subsequent acquisitions in 
Missouri. He also prepared the first revision of 
laws for Indiana Territory when Illinois com- 
posed a part of it. — Rice (Jones), son of the pre- 
ceding by a first marriage, was born in Wales, 
Sept. 28, 1781 ; came to America with his par- 
ents, and was educated at Transylvania University 
and the University of Pennsylvania, taking a 
medical degree at the latter, but later studying 
law at Litchfield, Conn. , and locating at Kaskas- 
kia in 1806. Described as a young man of brilliant 
talents, he took a prominent part in politics and, 
at a special election held in September, 1808, was 
elected to the Indiana Territorial Legislature, by 
the party known as "Divisiouists" — i. e., in favor 
of the division of the Territory — which proved 
successful in the organization of Illinois Territory 
the following year. Bitterness engendered in 
this contest led to a challenge from Shadrach 
Bond (afterwards first Governor of the State) 
which Jones accepted ; but the affair was ami- 
cably adjusted on the field without an exchange of 
shots. One Dr. James Dunlap, who had been 
Bond's second, expressed dissatisfaction with the 
settlement; a bitter factional figlit was main- 
tained between the friends of the respective 
parties, ending in the assassination of Jones, who 



was shot by Dunlap on the street in Kaskaskia, 
Dec. 7, 1808 — Jones dying in a few minutes, 
while Dunlap fled, ending his days in Texas. — 
Gen. John Rice (Jones), Jr., another son, was 
born at Kaskaskia, Jan. 8, 1792, served under 
Capt. Henry Dodge in the War of 1812, and, in 
1831, went to Texas, where he bore a conspicuous 
part in securing the independence of that State 
from Mexico, dying there in 184.5 — the year of its 
annexation to the United States. — Georg'e 
Wallace (Jones), fourth son of John Rice Jones 
(1st), was born at Vincennes, Indiana Territory, 
April 12, 1804; graduated at Transylvania L'ni- 
versity, in 1825; served as Clerk of the United 
States District Court in Missouri in 1826, and as 
Aid to Gen. Dodge in the Black Hawk War ; in 
1834 was elected Delegate in Congress from 
Michigan Territory (then including the present 
States of Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa), later 
serving two terms as Delegate from Iowa Terri- 
tory, and, on its admission as a State, being elected 
one of the first United States Senators and re- 
elected in 18.52; in 1859, was appointed by Presi- 
dent Buchanan Minister to Bogota, Colombia^ 
but recalled in 1861 on account of a letter to 
Jefferson Davis expressing sympathy with the 
cause of the South, and was imprisoned for two 
months in Fort Lafayette. In 1838 he was the sec- 
ond of Senator Cilley in the famous Cilley-Graves 
duel near Washington, which resulted in the 
death of the former. After his retirement from 
office. General Jones' residence was at Dubuque, 
Iowa, where he died, July 22, 1896, in the 93d 
year of his age. 

JOXES, Mlchae'j early politician, was a Penn- 
sylvanian by birth, who came to Illinois in Terri- 
torial days, and, as early as 1809, was Register of 
the Land Office at Kaskaskia; afterwards 
removed to Shawneetown and represented 
Gallatin County as a Delegate to the Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1818 and as Senator in the 
first four General Assemblies, and also as Repre- 
sentative in the Eighth. lie was a candidate for 
United States Senator in 1819, but was defeated 
by Governor Edwards, and was a Presidential 
Elector in 1820. He is represented to have been a 
man of considerable ability but of bitter passions, 
a supporter of the scheme for a pro-slavery con- 
stitution and a bitter opponent of Governor 
Edwards. 

JONES, J. Russell, capitalist, was born at 
Conneaut, A.shtabula County, Ohio, Feb. 17, 1823; 
after spending two years as clerk in a .store in liis 
native town, came to Chicago in 1838; spent the 
next two years at Rockton, when he accepted a 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



309 



olerksliip in a leading mercantile establishment 
at Galena, finally being advanced to a partnei-- 
ship, which was dissolved in 1836. In 1860 he 
was elected, as a Republican, Representative in 
the Twenty-second General Assembly, and, in 
March following, was appointed by President 
Lincoln United States Marshal for the Northern 
District of Illinois. In 1869, by appointment of 
President Grant, he became Minister to Belgium, 
remaining in office until 1875, when he resigned 
and returned to Chicago. Subsequently he 
declined the position of Secretary of the Interior, 
but was appointed Collector of the Port of Chi- 
cago, from which he retired in 1888. Mr. Jones 
served as member of tlie National Republican 
Committee for Illinois in 1868. In 1863 he organ- 
ized the West Division Street Railway, laying 
the foundation of an ample fortune. 

JONES, William, pioneer merchant, was born 
at Charlemont, Mass., Oct. 23, 1789, but spent his 
boyhood and earlj- manhood in New York State, 
ultimately locating at Buffalo, where he engaged 
in business as a grocer, and also held various 
public positions. In 1831 he made a tour of 
observation westward by way of Detroit, finally 
reaching Fort Dearborn, which he again visited 
in 1832 and in '33, making small investments each 
time in real estate, which afterwards appreciated 
immensely in value. In 1834, in partnership 
with Byram King of Buffalo, Mr. Jones engaged 
in the stove and hardware business, founding in 
Chicago the firm of Jones & King, and the neit 
year brought his family. While he never held 
any important public office, he was one of the 
most prominent of those early residents of Chicago 
through whose enterprise and public spirit the 
city was made to prosper. He held the office of 
Justice of the Peace, served in the City Council, 
was one of the founders of the city fire depart- 
ment, served for twelve years (1840-52) on the 
Board of School Inspectors (for a considerable 
time as its President), and contributed liberally 
to the cause of education, including gifts of 
550,000 to the old Chicago Univer.sity, of which 
he was a Trustee and, for some time^ President of 
its Executive Committee. Died, Jan. 18, 1868. — 
Fernando (Jones), son of the preceding, was born 
at Forestville, Cliautauqua County, N. Y., May 
26, 1820, having, for some time in his boyhood, 
Millard Fillmore (afterwards President) as his 
teacher at Buffalo, and, still later, Reuben E. Fen- 
ton (afterwards Governor and a United States 
Senator) as classmate. After coming to Chicago, 
in 1835, lie was employed for some time as a clerk 
in Government offices and by the Trustees of the 



Illinois & Michigan Canal; spent a season at 
Canandaigtia Academy, N. Y. ; edited a periodical 
at Jackson, Mich., for a year or two, but finally 
coming to Chicago, opened an abstract and title 
office, in which he was engaged at the time of the 
fire of 1871, and which, by consolidation with two 
other firms, became the foundation of the Title 
Guarantee and Trust Company, which still plays 
an important part in the real-estate busine.ss of 
Chicago. Mr. Jones has held various public posi- 
tions, including that of Trustee of the Hospital 
for the Insane at Jacksonville, and has for years 
been a Trustee of the University of Chicago. -Kller 
Kent (Jones), another son, was one of the found- 
ers of "The Gem of the Prairies" newspaper, out 
of which grew "The Chicago Tribune"; was for 
many years a citizen of Quincy, 111., and promi- 
nent member of the Republican State Central 
Committee, and, for a time, one of tlie publishers 
of "The Prairie Farmer." Died, in Quincy, 
August 20, 1886. 

JOJIESBORO, the county -seat of Union County, 
situated about a mile west of the line of the Illi- 
nois Central Railroad. It is some 30 miles north 
of Cairo, with which it is connected by the Mobile 
& Ohio R. R. It stands in the center of a fertile 
territory, largely devoted to fruit-growing, and is 
an important shipping-point for fruit and early 
vegetables; has a silica mill, pickle factory a,nd a 
bank. There are also four churches, and one 
weekly newspaper, as well as a graded school. 
Population (!900). 1,130. 

JOSLYN, Merritt L., lawyer, was born in 
Livingston County, N. Y., in 1827, came to Illi- 
nois in 1839, his father settling in McHenry 
County, where the son, on arriving at manhood, 
engaged in the practice of the law. The latter 
became prominent in political circles and, in 
1856, was a Buchanan Presidential Elector. On 
the breaking out of the war he allied himself 
with the Republican party ; served as a Captain 
in the Thirty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, 
and, in 1864, was elected to the Twenty-fourth 
General Assembly from SIcHenry County, later 
serving as Senator during the sessions of the 
Thirtieth and Thirty-first Assemblies (1876-80). 
After the death of President Garfield, he was 
appointed by President Arthur Assistant Secre- 
tary of the Interior, serving to the close of the 
administration. Returning to his home at Wood- 
stock, III, lie resumed the practice of his profes- 
sion, and, since 1889, has discharged the duties of 
Master in Chancery for McHenry County. 

JOUETT, Charles, Chicago's first lawyer, was 
born in Virginia in 1772, studied law at Charlottes- 



310 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ville in that State; in 1802 was appointed by 
President Jefferson Indian Agent at Detroit and, 
in 1805, acted as Commissioner in conducting a 
treaty with the Wyandottes, Ottawas and other 
Indians of Northwestern Ohio and Michigan at 
Maumee City, Ohio. In the fall of the latter year 
he was appointed Indian Agent at Fort Dearborn, 
serving there until the year before the Fort Dear- 
born Jlassacre. Removing to Mercer County, 
Ky., in 1811, he was elected to a Judgeship there, 
but, in 1815, was reappointed by President Madi- 
son Indian Agent at Fort Dearborn, remaining 
until 1818, when he again returned to Kentucky. 
In 1819 he was appointed to a United States 
Judgeship in the newly organized Territory of 
Arkansas, but remained only a few months, when 
he resumed his residence in Kentucky, dying 
there, May 28, 1834. 
JOURNALISM. (See Newspajjers. Early.) 
JUDD, Norman Buel, lawyer, legislator. For- 
eign Minister, was born at Rome, N. Y., Jan. 10, 
1815, where he read law and was admitted to the 
bar. In 1836 he removed to Chicago and com- 
menced practice in the (then) frontier settle- 
ment. He early rose to a position of prominence 
and influence in public affairs, holding various 
municipal offices and being a member of the 
State Senate from 1841 to 1860 continuously. In 
1860 he was a Delegate-at-large to the Republican 
National Convention, and, in 1861, President Lin- 
coln appointed him Minister Plenipotentiary to 
Prussia, where he represented this country for 
four years. He was a warm personal friend of 
Lincoln, and accompanied him on liis memorable 
journey from Springfield to "Washington in 1861. 
In 1870 he was elected to the Forty-first Congress. 
Died, at Chicago, Nov. 10, 1878. 

JUDD, S. Corning, lawyer and politician, born 
in Onondaga County, N. Y., July 21, 1827; was 
educated at Aurora Academj', taught for a time in 
Canada and was admitted to the bar in New York 
in 1848; edited "The Syracuse Daily Star" in 1849, 
and, in 1850, accepted a position in the Interior 
Department in Washington. Later, he resumed 
his place upon "The Star," but, in 1854, removed 
to Lewistown, Fulton County, 111., and began 
practice with his brother-in-law, the late W. C. 
Goudy. In 1873 he removed to Chicago, entering 
into partnership with William Fitzhugh White- 
house, son of Bishop Whitehouse, and became 
prominent in connection with some ecclesiastical 
trials which followed. In 1860 he was a Demo- 
cratic candidate for Presidential Elector and, 
during the war, was a determined opponent of 
the war policy of the Government, as such mak- 



ing an unsuccessful campaign for Lieutenant- 
Governor in 1864. In 1885 he was appointed 
Postmaster of the city of Chicago, serving until 
1889. Died, in Chicago, Sept. 22, 1895. 

JUDICIAL SYSTEM, THE. The Constitution 
of 1818 vested the judicial power of the State in 
one Supreme Court, and such inferior courts as 
the Legislature might establish. The former 
consisted of one Chief Justice and three Associ- 
ates, appointed by joint ballot of the Legislature ; 
but, until 1825, when a new act went into effect, 
they were required to perform circuit duties in 
the several counties, while exercising appellate 
jurisdiction in their united capacity. In 1824 the 
Legislature divided the State into five circuits, 
appointing one Circuit Judge for each, but, two 
years later, these were legislated out of office, and 
circuit court duty again devolved upon the 
Supreme Judges, the State being divided into 
four circuits. In 1829 a new act authorized the 
appointment of one Circuit Judge, who was 
assigned to duty in the territory northwest of the 
. Illinois River, the Supreme Justices continuing 
to perform circuit duty in the four other circuits. 
This arrangement continued until 1835, when the 
State was divided into six judicial circuits, and, 
five additional Circuit Judges having been 
elected, the Supreme Judges were again relieved 
from circuit court service. After this no mate- 
rial changes occurred except in the increase of the 
number of circuits until 1841, the whole number 
then being nine. At this time political reasons 
led to an entire reorganization of the courts. An 
act passed Feb. 10, 1841, repealed all laws author- 
izing the election of Circuit Judges, and provided 
for the appointment of five additional Associate 
Judges of the Supreme Court, making nine in 
all; and, for a third time, circuit duties devolved 
upon the Supreme Court Judges, the State being 
divided at the same time into nine circuits. 

By the adoption of the Constitution of 1848 the 
judiciary sj'stem underwent an entire change, all 
judicial oflScers being made elective by the 
people. The Constitution provided for a Supreme 
Court, consisting of three Judges, Circuit Courts, 
County Courts, and courts to be held by Justices 
of the Peace. In addition to these, the Legisla- 
ture had the power to create inferior civil and 
criminal courts in cities, but only upon a uniform 
plan. For the election of Supreme Judges, the 
State was divided into three Grand Judicial Divi- 
sions. The Legislature might, however, if it saw 
fit, provide for the election of all three Judges on 
a general ticket, to be voted throughout the 
State-at-large ; but this power was never exer- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



311 



cised. Appeals lay from the Circuit Courts to the 
Supreme Court for the particular division in 
which the county might be located, although, by 
unanimous consent of all parties in interest, an 
appeal might be transferred to another district. 
Nine Circuit Courts were established, but the 
number might be increased at the discretion of 
the General Assembly. Availing itself of its 
constitutional power and providing for the needs 
of a rapidly growing community, the Legislature 
gradually increased the number of circuits to 
tliirty. The term of office for Supreme Court 
Judges was nine, and, for Circuit Judges, six 
years. Vacancies were to be filled by popular 
election, unless the unexpired term of the 
decea.sed or retiring incumbent was less than one 
year, in which case the Governor was authorized 
to appoint. Circuit Courts were vested with 
appellate jurisdiction from inferior tribunals, and 
each was required to hold at least two terms 
annually in each county, as might be fixed by 
statute. 

Tlie Constitution of 1870, without changing the 
mode of election or term of office, made several 
changes adapted to altered conditions. As 
regards the Supreme Court, the three Grand 
Divisions were retained, but the number of 
Judges was increased to seven, chosen from a like 
number of districts, but sitting together to con- 
stitute a full court, of wliich four members con- 
stitute a quorum. A Chief Justice is chosen by 
the Court, and is u.sually one of the Judges 
nearing the expiration of his term. The minor 
officers include a Reporter of Decisions, and one 
Clerk in each Division. By an act passed in 1897, 
the tliree Supreme Court Divisions were consoli- 
dated in one, the Court being required to hold its 
sittings in Springfield, and hereafter only one 
Clerk will be elected instead of three as hereto- 
fore. The salaries of Justices of the Supreme 
Court are fixed by law at §5,000 each. 

The State was divided in 1873 into twenty-seven 
circuits (Cook County being a circuit by itself), 
and one or more terms of the circuit court are 
required to be held each year in each county in 
the State. The jurisdiction of tlie Circuit Courts 
is both original and appellate, and includes mat- 
ters civil and criminal, in law and in equity. 
The Judges are elected by districts, and liokl office 
for six years. In 1877 the State was divided into 
thirteen judicial circuits (exclu.sive of Cook 
County), but without reducing tlie number of 
Judges (twenty-six) already in office, and the 
election of one additional Judge (to serve two 
years) was ordered in each district, thus increas- 



ing the number of Judges to thirty-nine. Again 
in 1897 the Legislature passed an act increasing 
the number of judicial circuits, exclusive of Cook 
County, to seventeen, while the number of 
Judges in each circuit remained the same, so 
that the whole number of Judges elected that 
year outside of Cook County was fifty-one. The 
salaries of Circuit Judges are §3,500 per year, 
except in Cook County, where they are $7,000. 
The Constitution also provided for the organiza- 
tion of Appellate Courts after the year 1874, hav- 
ing uniform jurisdiction in districts created for 
that purpose. These courts are a connecting 
link between the Circuit and the Supreme Courts, 
and greatly relieve the crowded calendar of the 
latter. In 1877 the Legislature established four 
of these tribunals: one for the County of Cook; 
one to include all the Northern Grand Division 
except Cook County; the third to embrace tlie 
Central Grand Division, and the fourth the South- 
ern. Each Appellate Court is held by three Cir- 
cuit Court Judges, named by the Judges of the 
Supreme Court, each assignment covering three 
years, and no Judge either allowed to receive 
extra conipensation or sit in review of his own 
rulings or decisions. Two terms are held in each 
District every year, and these courts have no 
original jurisdiction. 

Cook County.— The judicial system of Cook 
County is different from that of the rest of the 
State. The Constitution of 1870 made the county 
an independent district, and exempted it from 
being subject to any subsequent redistricting. 
The bench of the Circuit Court in Cook County, 
at first fixed at five Judges, has been increased 
under the Constitution to fourteen, who receive 
additional compensation from the county treas- 
ury. The Legislature has the constitutional 
right to increase the number of Judges according 
to population. In 1819 the Legislature estab- 
lished the Cook County Court of Common Pleas. 
Later, this became the Superior Court of Cook 
County, which now (180S) consists of thirteen 
Judges. For this court there exists the same 
constitutional provision relative to an increase of 
Judges as in the case of the Circuit Court of Cook 
County. 

JUDY, Jacob, pioneer, a native of Switzer- 
land, who, having como to the United States at 
an early day, remained some years in JIaryland, 
when, in 1786, he started west, spending two 
years near Loui.sville, Ky., finall)- arriving at 
Kaskaskia, 111., in 1788. In 1793 he removed to 
New Design, in Monroe County, and, in 1800, 
located within the present limits of Madison 



312 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Ck)unty, where he died in 1807. — Samuel (Judy), 
son of the preceding, born August 19, 1773, was 
brought by his father to Illinois in 1788, and after- 
wards became prominent in political affairs and 
famous as an Indian fighter. On the organization 
of Madison County he became one of the first 
Count}' Commissioners, serving many years. He 
also commanded a body of "Rangers" in the 
Indian campaigns during the War of 1812, gain- 
ing the title of Colonel, and served as a member 
from Madison County in the Second Territorial 
Council (1814-1.5). Previous to 1811 he built the 
first brick house within the limits of Madison 
County, which still stood, not many years since, 
a few miles from Edwardsville. Colonel Judy 
died in 1838. — Jacob (Judy), eldest son of Samuel, 
was Register of the Land OflSce at Edwardsville, 
1845-49.— Thomas (Judy), younger son of Samuel, 
was born, Dec. 19, 1804, and represented Madison 
County in the Eighteenth General Assembly 
(18.52-54). Ilis death occurred Oct. 4, 1880. 

JL'DT, James William, soldier, was born in 
Clark County, Ky., May 8, 1822 — his ancestors 
on his father's side being from .Switzerland, and 
those on his mother's from Scotland; grew tip on 
a farm and, in 1852, removed to Menard County, 
111., where he has since resided. In August, 1862, 
he enlisted as a private soldier, was elected Cap- 
tain of his company, and, on its incorporation as 
part of the One Hundred and Fourteenth Regi- 
ment Illinois Volunteers at Camp Butler, was 
chosen Colonel by acclamation. The One Hun- 
dred and Fourteenth, as part of the Fifteenth 
Army Corps under command of that brilliant 
soldier. Gen. Wm. T. Sherman, was attached to 
the Arm}' of the Tennessee, and took part in the 
entire siege of Vioksburg, from May, 18G3, to the 
surrender on the 3d of July following. It also 
participated in the siege of Jackson, Miss., and 
numerous other engagements. After one year's 
service. Colonel Judy was compelled to resign by 
domestic affliction, having lost two children by 
death within eight days of each other, while 
others of his family were dangerously ill. On 
his retirement from the army, he became deeply 
interested in thorough-bred cattle, and is now the 
most noted stock auctioneer in the United States 
— having, in the past thirty years, sold more 
thorough-bred cattle than any other man living 
— his operations extending from Canada to Cali- 
fornia, and from Minnesota to Texas. Colonel 
Judy was elected a member of the State Board of 
Agriculture in 1874. and so remained continu- 
ously until 1890 — except two years — also serving 
as President of the Board from 1894 to 1896. He 



bore a conspicuous part in securing the location 
of the State Fair at Springfield in 1894, and the 
improvements there made under his administra- 
tion have not been paralleled in any other State. 
Originally, and up to 1856, an old-line Whig, 
Colonel Judy has since been an ardent Repub- 
lican ; and though active in political campaigns, 
has never held a political office nor desired one, 
being content with the discharge of his duty as a 
patriotic private citizen. 

KAXAX, Michael F., soldier and legislator, was 
born in Essex County, X. Y., in November, 1837, 
at twenty years of age removed to Macon County, 
111., and engaged in farming. During the Civil 
War he enlisted in the Forty-first Illinois Volun- 
teers (Col. I. C. Pugh's regiment), serving nearly 
four years and retiring with the rank of Captain. 
After the war he served six years as Mayor of the 
city of Decatur. In 1894 he was elected State 
Senator, serving in the Thirty-ninth and Fortieth 
General Assemblies. Captain Kanan was one of 
the founders of the Grand Army of the Republic, 
and a member of the first Post of the order ever 
established — that at Decatur. 

KAXE, a village of Greene County, on the 
Jacksonville Division of the Chicago & Alton 
Railway, 40 miles south of Jacksonville. It has 
a bank and a weekly paper. Population (1880), 
408; (1890), .551; (1900), 588. 

KANE, Elias Kent, early United States Sena- 
tor, is said by Lanman's "Dictionary of Congress'' 
to have been born in New York. June 7, 1796. 
The late Gen. Geo. W. Smith, of Chicago, a rela- 
tive of Senator Kane's by marriage, in a paper 
read before the Illinois State Bar Associatior 
(1895), rejecting other statements assigning the 
date of the Illinois Senator's birth to various 
years from 1786 to 1796, expresses the opinion, 
based on family letters, that he was really born 
in 1794. He was educated at Yale CoUege, gradu- 
ating in 1812, read law in New York, and emi- 
grated to Tennessee in 1813 or early in 1814, but, 
before the close of the latter year, removed to Illi- 
nois, settling at Kaskaskia. His abilities were 
recognized by his appointment, early in 1818. as 
Judge of the eastern circuit under the Territorial 
Government. Before the close of the same year 
he served as a member of the first State Consti- 
tutional Convention, and was appointed by Gov- 
ernor Bond the first Secretary of State under the 
new State Government, but resigned on the 
accession of Governor Coles in 1822. Two years 
later he was elected to the General Assembly as 
Representative from Randolph County, but 



I 



IIISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



313 



resigned before the close of the year to accept a 
seat in the United States Senate, to which he was 
elected in 1824, and re-elected in 1830. Before 
the expiration of his second term (Dec. 12, 183.5), 
having reached the age of a little more than 40 
years, he died in Washington, deeply mourned 
by his fellow-members of Congress and by his 
constituents. Senator Kane was a f^ousin of the 
distinguished Chancellor Kent of New York, 
through his mother's family, while, on his 
father's side, he was a relative of the celebrated 
Arctic explorer. Elisha Kent Kane. 

KAXE COUNTY, one of the wealthiest and 
most progressive counties in the State, situated in 
the northeastern quarter. It has an area of 540 
square miles, and population (1900) of 78,793; 
was named for Senator Elias Kent Kane. Tim- 
ber and water are abundant. Fox River flowing 
through the twunty from north to south. Immi- 
gration began in 1833, and received a new impetus 
in 183.5, when the Pottawatomies were removed 
west of the Mississippi. A school was established 
in 1834, and a church organized in 1835. County 
organization was effected in June, 1836, and the 
public lands came on the market in 1842. The 
Civil War record of the countj^ is more than 
creditable, the number of volunteers exceeding 
the assessed quota. Farming, grazing, manufac- 
turing and dairy industries chiefly engage the 
attention of the people. The county has many 
flourishing cities and towns. Geneva is the county- 
seat. (See.4!trora, Dundee, Eldora, Elgin, Geneva 
and St. Charles. ) 

KAXGLEY, a village of La Salle County, on 
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railway, three 
miles northwest of Streator. There are several 
coal shafts here. Population (1900), 1,004. 

KAXK.iKEE, a city and county-seat of Kanka- 
kee County, on Kankakee River and 111. Cent. 
Railroad, at intersection of the "Big Four" with 
the Indiana, 111. & Iowa Railroad, 56 miles south of 
Chicago. It is an agricultural and stock-raising 
region, near extensive coal fields and bog iron 
ore ; has water-power, flour and paper mills, agri- 
cultural implement, furniture, and piano fac- 
tories, knitting and novelty works, besides two 
(luarries of valuable building stone. The East- 
ern Hospital for the Insane is located here. 
There are four papers, four banks, five schools, 
water-works, gas and electric light, electric car 
lines, and Government postofiice building. Popu- 
lation (1890), 9,025: (1900), 13,595. 

KANKAKEE COUNTY, a wealthy and popu- 
lous county in the northeast section of the State, 
having an area of 680 square miles — receiving its 



name from its principal river. It was set apart 
from Will and Iroquois Counties under the act 
passed in 1851, the owners of the site of the 
present city of Kankakee contributing 55,000 
toward the erection of county buildings. Agri- 
culture, manufacturing and coal-mining are the 
principal pursuits. The first white settler was 
one Noah Vasseur, a Frenchman, and the first 
American, Thomas Durham. Population (1880), 
2.5,047; (1890), 28,733; (1900), 37,1,54. 

KANKAKEE RIYER, a sluggish stream, rising 
in St. Joseph County, Ind., and flowing west- 
southwest through English Lake and a flat marshy 
region, into Illinois. In Kankakee County it 
unites with the Iroquois from the south and the 
Des Plaines from the north, after the junction 
with the latter, taking the name of the Illinois. 

KANKAKEE & SENECA RAILROAD, a line 
lying wholl}' in Illinois, 42.08 miles in length. It 
has a capital stock of §10,000, bonded debt of 
§650,000 and other forms of indebtedness (1895) 
reaching 8557,029: total capitalization, $1,217,629. 
This road was chartered in 1881, and opened in 
1882. It connects with the Cleveland, Cincinnati, 
Chicago & St. Louis Railroad, and the Chicago, 
Rock Island & Pacific, and is owned jointly by 
these two lines, but operated by the former. (See 
Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Rail- 
road.) 

KANSAS, a village in Edgar County, on the 
Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis and 
the Chicago & Ohio River Railways, 156 miles 
northeast of St. Louis, 104 miles west of Indian- 
apolis, 13 miles east of Charleston and 11 miles 
west-southwest of Paris. The surrounding region 
is agricultural and stock-raising. Kansas has tile 
works, two grain elevators, a canning factory, 
and railway machine shops, beside four churches, 
a collegiate institute, a National bank and a 
weekly new.spaper. Population (1880), 723; (1890), 
1,037; (1900), 1,049. 

KASKASKIA, a village of the Illinois Indians, 
and later a French trading post, first occupied in 
1700. It passed into the hands of the British 
after the French-Indian War in 1765, and was 
captured by Col. George Rogers Clark, at the head 
of a force of Virginia troops, in 1778. (See Clark, 
George Rogers.) At that time the white inhab- 
itants were almost entirely of French descent. 
The first exercise of the elective franchise in Illi- 
nois occurred here in the year last named, and, in 
1804, the United States Government opened a 
land oiHce there. I''or many years the most 
important commercial town in the Territory, it 
remained the Territorial and State capital down 



314 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



to 1819, when the seat of government was re- 
moved to Vandaha. Originally situated on the 
west side of the Kaskaskia River, some six miles 
from the Mississippi, early in 1899 its site had 
been swept away by the encroachments of the 
latter stream, so that all that is ieft of the princi- 
pal town of Illinois, in Territorial days, is simply 
its name. 

KASKASKIA INDIANS, one of the five tribes 
constituting the Illinois confederation of Algon 
quin Indians. About the year 1700 they removed 
from what is now La Salle County, to Southern 
Illinois, where they established themselves along 
the banks of the river which bears their name. 
They were finally removed, with their b-ethren 
of the Illinois, west of the Mississippi, and, as a 
distinct tribe, have become extinct. 

KASKASKIA RIVER, rises in Champaign 
County, and flows southwest through the coun- 
ties of Douglas, Coles, Moultrie, Shelby, Fayette, 
Clinton and St. Clair, thence southward through 
Randolph, and empties into the Mississippi River 
near Chester. It is nearly 300 miles long, and 
flows through a fertile, undulating countrj', which 
forms part of the great coal field of the State. 

KEITH, Edson, Sr., merchant and manufac- 
turer, born at Barre, Vt., Jan. 38, 1833, was edu- 
cated at home and in the district schools ; spent 
18.50-54 in Montpelier, coming to Chicago the 
latter year and obtaining employment in a retail 
dry-goods store. In 1860 he assisted in establisli- 
ing the firm of Keith, Faxon & Co. , now Edson 
Keith & Co. ; is also President of the corjjoration 
of Keith Brothers & Co., a Director of the Metro- 
j)olitan National Bank, and the Edison Electric 
Light Company. — Elbridare G. (Keith), banker, 
brother of the preceding, was born at Barre, Vt., 
July 16, 1840; attended local schools and Barre 
Academy ; came to Chicago in 1857, the next year 
taking a position as clerk in the house of Keith, 
Faxon & Co., in 1805 becoming a partner and, in 
1884, being chosen President of the Jletropolitan 
National Bank, where he still remains. Mr. 
Keith was a member of the Republican National 
Convention of 1880, and belongs to several local 
literary, political and social clubs ; was also one 
of the Directors of the World's Columbian Expo- 
sition of 1892-93. 

KEITHSliURdi, a town in Mercer County on 
the Mississijipi River, at the intersection of tlie 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy and the Iowa Cen- 
tral Railways; IDO miles west-north we.st of 
Peoria. Principal industries are fisheries, ship- 
ping, manufacture of i)earl l)uttons and oilers; has 
■one paper. Pop. (1900), 1,566; (1903, est.), 2,000. 



KELLOGG, Hiram Huntington, clergyman 
and educator, was born at Clinton (then Whites- 
town), N. Y., in February, 1803, graduated at 
Hamilton College and Auburn Seminary, after 
which he served for some years as pastor at 
various places in Central New York. Later, he 
established the Young Ladies" Domestic Seminary 
at Clinton, claimed to be the first ladies' semi- 
nary in the State, and the first experiment in the 
country uniting manual training of girls with 
scholastic instruction, antedating Mount Hoi 
yoke, Oberlin and other institutions which adopted 
this system. Color was no bar to admission to 
the institution, though the daughters of some of 
the wealthiest families of the State were among 
its pupils. Mr. Kellogg was a co-laborer with 
Gerritt Smith, Beriah Green, the Tappans, Garri- 
son and others, in the effort to arouse public senti- 
ment in opposition to slavery. In 1836 he united 
with Prof. George W. Gale and others in the 
movement for the establishment of a colony and 
the building up of a Christian and anti-slavery 
institution in the West, which re.sulted in the 
location of the town of Galesburg and tlie found, 
ing there of Knox College. Mr. Kellogg was 
chosen the first President of the institution and, 
in 1841, left his tliriving school at Clinton to 
identify himself with the new enterprise, which, 
in its infancy, was a manual-labor school. In the 
West he soon became the ally and co- laborer of 
sucli men as Owen Lovejoy, Ichabod Codding, 
Dr. C. V. Dyer and others, in the work of e.xtirpat- 
ing slavery. In 1843 he visited England as a 
member of the Worhl's Peace Convention, re-. 
maining abroad about a year, during which time 
he made the acquaintance of Jacob Bright and 
others of the most prominent men of that day in 
England and Scotland. Resigning the Presidency 
of Knox College in 1847, he returned to Clinton 
Seminary, and was later engaged in various busi- 
ness enterprises until 1861, when he again re- 
moved to Illinois, and was engaged in preaching 
and teaching at various points during the 
remainder of his life, dying suddenly, at Iiis 
home school at Mount Forest, 111., Jan. 1, 1881. 

KELLOGG, William Pitt, was born at Orwell, 
Vt., Dec. 8, 1831, removed to Illinois in 1848, 
studied law at Peoria, was admitted to the bar in 
1854. and began practice in Fulton County. lie 
was a candidate for Presidential Elector on the 
Republican ticket in 1S,56 and 1860, being elected 
the latter j'ear. Appointed Chief Justice of 
Nebraska in 1861, he re.siKne<l to accept the 
colonelcy of the Seventh Illinois Cavalry Fail- 
ing health caused his retirement from the army 



I 




I.— Old Kaskaskia from Garrison Hill (1893). 2.— Kaskaskia Hotel where LaFavette was feted in 1825. 
3.— First Illinois State House, 1818. 4.— Interior of Room (1S93) where IviFayette banquet was 

6- — House of Chief Ducoign, last of the Cascasquias ( Kaskaskias). 



held. 5. — Pierre Menard Mansion. 




I. — Remnant of Old Kaskaskia ( iSgS). 2. — View on Principal Street ( 1S91). 3 — Gen. John Edgar's 
House (1891 ). 4. — House of Gov. Bond (1S91I. 5. — " Chenu Mansion " where LaFayette was enter- 
tained, as it appeared in 189S. 6. — Old State House (1900). 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



315 



after the battle of Corintli. In 1865 he was 
appointed Collector of the Port at New Orleans. 
Thereafter he became a conspicuous tigure in 
both Louisiana and National politics, serving as 
United States Senator from Louisiana from 1868 
to 1871, and as Governor from 1872 to 1876, during 
the stormiest period of reconstruction, and mak- 
ing hosts of bitter personal and political enemies 
as well as warm friends. An unsuccessful attempt 
was made to impeacli him in 1876. In 1877 he was 
elected a second time to the United States Senate 
by one of two rival Legislatures, being awarded 
his seat after a bitter contest. At the close of his 
term (1883) he took his seat in the lower house to 
which he was elected in 1882, serving until 1885. 
While retaining his residence in Louisiana, Mr. 
Kellogg has spent much of his time of late years 
in Washington City. 

KEND.tLL COrXTY, a northeastern county, 
with an area of 330 square miles and a population 
(1900) of 11,467. The surface is rolling and the 
soil fertile, although generally a light, sandy 
loam. The county was organized in 1841, out of 
parts of Kane and La Salle, and was named in 
honor of President Jackson's Postmaster General. 
The Fox River (running southwestwardly 
through the county), with its tributaries, affords 
ample drainage and considerable water power; 
the railroad facilities are admirable; timber is 
abundant. Yorkville and Oswego have been 
rivals for the county-seat, tlie distinction finally' 
resting with the former. Among the pioneers 
may be mentioned Messrs. John Wilson, Ed- 
ward Anient, David Carpenter, Samuel Smith, 
the Wormley and Pierce brothers, and E. 
Morgan. 

KENDRICK, Adin A., educator, was born at 
Ticonderoga. N. Y., Jan. 7, 1830; educated at 
Granville Academy, N. Y., and Middlebury Col- 
lege ; removed to Janesville, Wis. , in 1857, studied 
law and began practice at Monroe, in that State, 
a year later removing to St. Louis, where he con- 
tinued practice for a short time. Then, having 
abandoned the law, after a course in the Theolog- 
ical Seminary at Rochester, N. Y., in 1861 he 
bec^aine pastor of the North Baptist Church in 
Chicago, but, in 1865, removed to St. Louis, 
where ho remained in pastoral work until 1872, 
when he assumed the Presidency of Shurtleff 
College at Upper Alton, 111. 

KENNEY, a village and railway station in 
Dewitt County, at the intersection of the Spring- 
field Division of the Illinois Central and the 
Peoria, Decatur & Evansville Railroads, 36 miles 
northeast of Springfield. The town has two banks 



and two newspapers ; the district is agricultural. 
Population (1880), 418; (1890). 4!)7; (1900), 5S4. 

KE>T, (Rev.) Aratus, pioneer and Congrega- 
tional missionary, was born in SufBeld, Conn, in 
1794, educated at Yale and Princeton and, in 1829, 
as a Congregational missionary, came to the 
Galena lead mines — then esteemed "a place so 
hard no one else would take it." In less than two 
years he had a Sunday-school with ten teachers 
and sixty to ninety scholars, and liad also estab- 
lished a day-scliool, which he conducted himself. 
In 1831 he organized the First Presbj-terian 
Church of Galena, of wliich he remained pastor 
until 1848, when lie became Agent of the Home 
Missionary Society. He was prominent in laj'ing 
the foundations of Beloit College and Rockford 
Female Seminary, meanwliile contributing freely 
from his meager salary to charitable purposes. 
Died at Galena, Nov. 8, 1869. 

KEOKUK, (interpretation, "The Watchful 
Fox"), a Chief of the Sacs and Foxes, born on 
Rock River, about 1780. He had the credit of 
shrewdness and bravery, which enabled him 
finally to displace his rival, Black Hawk. He 
always professed ardent friendship for the whites, 
although this was not infrequently attributed to 
a far-seeing policy. He earnestly dissuaded 
Black Hawk from the formation of his confeder- 
acy, and when the latter was forced to surrender 
hiuLself to the United States authorities, he was 
formallj' delivered to the custody of Keokuk. By 
the Rock Island treaty, of September, 1832, Keo- 
kuk was formally recognized as the principal 
Chief of the Sacs and Foxes, and granted a reser- 
vation on the Iowa River, 40 miles square. Here 
he lived until 1845, when lie removed to Kansas, 
where, in June. 1848, he fell a victim to poison, 
supposedh' administered by some partisan of 
Black Hawk. (See Black Hawk and Black Hawk 
War.) 

KERFOOT, Samuel II., real-estate operator, 
was born in Lancaster, Pa., Dec. 18. 1823, and 
educated under the tutorship of Rev. Dr. Muh- 
lenburg at St. Paul's College, Flushing, Long 
Island, graduating at the age of 19. He was 
then associated with a brother in founding St. 
James College, in Waslnngton County, Md., but, 
in 1848, removed to Chicago and engaged in the 
real-estate business, in which he was one of the 
oldest operators at the time of liis deatli, Dec. 38, 
1896. He was one of the founders and a life 
member of the Chicago Historical Society and of 
the Chicago Academy of Sciences, and associated 
with other learned and social organizations. He 
was also a member of the original Real Estate 



316 



HISTORICAL E^X'YCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



and Stock Board of Chicago and its first Presi- 
dent. 

KEWA>'EE, a city in Henry County, on the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 131 
miles southwest of Chicago. Agriculture and 
coal-mining are chief industries of tlie surround- 
ing country. The city contains eighteen churches, 
six graded schools, a public library of 10,000 
volumes, three national banks, one weekly and 
two daily papers. It has extensive manufactories 
emplojing four to five thousand hands, the out- 
put including tubing and soil-pipe, boilers, pumps 
and heating apparatus, agricultural implements, 
etc. Population (1890), 4,569; (1900), 8,383; (1903, 
est.), 10,000. 

KETES, Willard, pioneer, was born at New- 
fane, Windsor County, Vt., Oct. 28, 1792; spent 
his early life on a farm, enjoying only such edu- 
cational advantages as could be secured by a few 
months' attendance on school in winter; in 1817 
started west by way of Mackinaw and, crossing 
Wisconsin (then an imbroken wilderness), finally 
reached Prairie du Chien, after which he spent a 
year in the "pineries." In 1819 he descended the 
Mississippi with a raft, his attention en route 
being attracted bj- the present site of the city of 
Quincy, to which, after two years spent in exten- 
sive exploration of the "Military Tract" in the 
interest of certain owners of bounty lands, he 
again returned, finding it still unoccupied. 
Then, after two years spent in farming in Pike 
County, in 1824 he joined his friend, the late 
Gov. John Wood, who had built the first house in 
Quincy two j-ears previous. Mr. Keyes thus 
became one of the three earliest settlers of 
Quincy, the other two being John Wood and a 
Major Rose. On the organization of Adams 
County, in January, 182.5, he was appointed a 
member of the first Board of County Commission- 
ers, which held its first meeting in his house. 
Mr. Keyes acquired considerable landed property 
about Quincy, a portion of which he donated to 
the Chicago Theological Seminary, therebj- fur- 
nishing means for the erection of "Willard Hall" 
in connection with that institution. His death 
occurred in Quincy, Feb. 7, 1872. 

KICKAPOOS, a tribe of Indians whose eth- 
nology is closel}' related to that of the Jlascou- 
tins. The French orthography of the word was 
various, the early explorers designating them as 
"Kic-a-pous," "Kicka-poux," "Kickabou," and 
"Quick-apous." The significance of the name is 
uncertain, different authorities construing it to 
mean "the otter's foot" and the "rabbit's ghost." 
accordin;' to dialect. From 1602, when the tribe 



was first visited by Samuel Champlain, the Kicka- 
poos were noted as a nation of warriors. They 
fought against Christianization, and were, for 
some time, liostile to the French, although they 
proved efficient allies of the latter during the 
French and Indian War. Their first formal 
recognition of the authority of the United States 
was in the treaty of Edwardsville (1819), in which 
reference was made to the treaties executed at 
Vincennes (180.5 and 1809). Xearlj- a century 
before, thej- had left their seats in Wisconsin and 
established villages along the Rock River and 
near Chicago (1712 1.5). At the time of the 
Edwardsville treaty they had settlements in the 
valleys of the Wabash, Embarras, Kaskaskia, 
Sangamon and Illinois Rivers. While they 
fought braveh' at the battle of Tippecanoe, their 
chief militarj- skill lay in predatory warfare. As 
compared with other tribes, they were industri- 
ous, intelligent and cleanly. In 1832-33 they 
were removed to a reservation in Kansas. Thence 
man}- of them drifted to the southwest, join- 
ing roving, plundering bands. In language, 
manners and customs, the Kickapoos closely 
resembled the Sacs and Foxes, with whom some 
ethnologists believe them to have been more or 
less closely connected. 

KILPATRICK, Thomas M., legislator and 
soldier, was born in Crawford County, Pa., June 
1, 1807. He learned the potter's trade, and, at 
the age of 27, removed to Scott County, 111. He 
was a deep thinker, an apt and reflective student 
of public affairs, and naturally eloquent. He 
was twice elected to the State Senate (1840 and 
'44), and, in 1846, was the Whig candidate for 
Governor, but was defeated by Augustus C. 
French, Democrat. In 18.50 he emigrated to 
California, but. after a few years, returned to 
Illinois and took an active part in the campaigns 
of 18.58 and 1860. On the outbreak of the Civil 
War he was commissioned Colonel of the Twenty- 
eighth Illinois "\'olunteers, for which regiment he 
had recruited a company. He was killed at the 
battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862, while leading a 
charge. 

KIXDERHOOK, a village and railway station 
in Pike County, on the Hannibal Division of tlie 
Wabash Railway, 13 miles east of Hannibal. 
Population (1890), 473; (1900), 370. 

KI>'(t, John Lyle, lawyer, was born in Madison, 
Ind., in 1825 — the son of a pioneer settler who 
was one of the founders of Hanover College 
and of the Presbyterian Theological Seminary 
there, which afterwards became the "Presbj-- 
terian Theological Seminary of the North%vest, '' 



HISTORICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



317 



now the McCormick Tlieological Seminary of 
Chicago. After graduating at Hanover. Mr. King 
began the study of law with an uncle at JIadison, 
and the following year was admitted to tlie bar. 
In 18.5'2 he was elected to the Indiana Legislature 
and, while a member of that body, acted as Chair- 
man of the Committee to present Louis Kossuth, 
the Hungarian patriot and exile, to the Legisla- 
ture ; also took a prominent part, during the next 
few years, in the organization of the Republican 
party. Removing to Chicago in IS.jG, he soon 
became prominent in his profession there, and, in 
18G0, was elected City Attorney over Col. James A. 
Mulligan, who became eminent a year ortwo later, 
in connection with the war for the Union. Hav- 
ing a fondness for literature, Mr. King wrote much 
for the press and, in 1878, published a volume of 
sporting experiences with a party of professional 
friends in the woods and waters of Northern Wis- 
consin and Michigan, under the title. ."Trouting 
on the Brule River, or Summer Wayfaring in the 
Northern Wilderness." Died in Chicago, April 17, 
1893. 

KOG, William H., lawyer, was born at Clifton 
Park, Saratoga County, N.Y., Oct. 23, 1817; gradu- 
ated from Union College in 184G, studied law at 
Waterford and, having been admitted to the bar 
the following year, began practice at the same 
place. In 18.53 he removed to Cliicago, where he 
held a number of imjiortant positions, including 
the Presidency of the Chicago Law Institute, the 
Chicago Bar Association, tlie Chicago Board of 
Education, and the Union College Alumni 
Association of the Northwest. In 1870 he was 
elected to the lower branch of the Twenty- 
seventh General Assembly, and, during the ses- 
sions following the fire of 1871 prepared the act 
for the protection of titles to real estate, made 
necesisary by the destruction of the records in the 
Recorder's office. Mr. King received the degree 
of LL.D from his Alma Mater in 1879. Died, in 
Chicago, Feb. 0, IsilO. 

KIXGMAN, Martin, was born at Deer Creek, 
Tazewell County, 111., April 1, 1844; attended 
school at Wasliington, 111., then taught two or 
three years, and, in June, 1862, enlisted in the 
Eighty -sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, serv- 
ing tliree years without the loss of a daj- — a part 
of the time on detached service in charge of an 
ambulance corps and, later, as Assistant Quarter- 
master. Returning from the war with the rank 
of First Lieutenant, in August, 180.5, he went to 
Peoria, where he engaged in business and has re- 
mained ever since. He is now connected with the 
following business concerns: Kingman & Co., 



manufacturers and dealers in farm machinery, 
buggies, wagons, etc. ; Tlie Kingman Plow Com- 
pany. Bank of Illinois, Peoria Cordage Company. 
Peoria General Electric Company, and National 
Hotel Company, besides various outside enter- 
prises — all large concerns in each of which he is a 
large stockholder and a Director. Mr. Kingman 
was Canal Comniissioner for six years- — this being 
his only connection with politics. During 1898 he 
was also chosen Lieutenant-Colonel of the Peoria 
Provisional Regiment organized for the Spanish- 
American War. His career in connection with 
tlie industrial development of Peoria has been 
especially conspicuous and successful. 

KIXKADE (or Kinkead), William, a native of 
Tennessee, settled in what is now Lawrence 
County, in 1817, and was elected to the State 
Senate in 1822, but appears to have served only 
one session, as he was succeeded in the Fourth 
General Assembly by James Bird. Although a 
Tennesseeau bj' birth, he was one of the most 
aggressive opponents of the scheme for making 
Illinois a slave State, being the only man who 
made a speech against the pro-slaverj- convention 
resolution, though this was cut short by the 
determination of the pro-conventionists to permit 
no debate. Mr. Kinkade was appointed Post- 
master at Lawrenceville by President John 
Quincy Adams, and held the position for many 
years. He died in 1846. 

KINMUJfDY, a city in Marion Count)-, on the 
Illinois Central Railroad, 229 miles south of 
Chicago and 24 miles northeast of Centralia. 
Agriculture, stock-raising, fruit-growing and 
coalmining are the principal industries of the 
surrounding country. Kinmundy has flouring 
mills and brick-making plants, with other 
manufacturing establisliments of minor impor- 
tance. There are five churches, a bank and a 
weekly newspaper. Population (1880), 1,096; 
(1890), 1.045; (1900), 1,221. 

KINNEY, William, Lieutenant-Governor of 
■ Illinois from 1826 to 1830; was born in Kentucky in 
1781 and came to Illinois early in life, Anally 
settling in St. Clair County. Of limited educa- 
tional advantages, he was taught to read by his 
wife after marriage. He became a Baptist 
preacher, was a good stump-orator; served two 
sessions in tlio State Senate (the First and Thirds 
was a candidate for Governor in 1834, but was 
defeated by Joseph Duncan ; in 1838 was elected 
by the Legislature a member of the Board of 
Public Works, becoming its President. Died 
in 1843. — William C. (Kinney), son of the preced- 
ing, was born in Illinois, served as a member of 



318 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



the Constitutional Convention of 1847 and as 
Representative in the Nineteenth General Assem- 
bly (1855), and, in 1857, was appointed by Gov- 
ernor Bissell Adjutant-General of the State, 
dying in office the following year. 

KIXZIE, John, Indian-trader and earliest citi- 
zen of Chicago, was born in Quebec, Canada, in 
1763. His father was a Scotchman named 
JIcKenzie, but the son dropped the prefix "Mc," 
and the name soon came to be spelled "Kinzie" 
— an orthography recognized by the family. Dur- 
ing his early childhood his father died, and his 
mother gave him a stepfather by the name of 
William Forsythe. AVhen ten years old he left 
home and, for three years, devoted himself to 
learning the jeweler's trade at Quebec. Fasci- 
nated by stories of adventure in the West, he 
removed thither and became an Indian-trader. 
In 1804 he established a trading post at what is 
now the site of Chicago, being the first solitary 
white settler. Later he established other posts 
on the Rock, Illinois and Kankakee Rivers. He 
was twice married, and the father of a numerous 
family. His daughter Maria married Gen. 
David Hunter, and his daughter-in-law, Mrs. 
John H. Kinzie, achieved literary distinction as 
the authoress of '"Wau Bun," etc. (N. Y. 1850.) 
Died in Chicago, Jan. 6, 1828.— John Harris 
(Kinzie), son of the preceding, was born at Sand- 
wich, Canada, July 7, 1803, brought by his par- 
ents to Chicago, and taken to Detroit after the 
massacre of 1812, but returned to Chicago in 
1816. Two years later his father placed him at 
Mackinac Agency of the American Fur Com- 
pany, and, in 1824, he was transferred to Prairie 
du Chien. The following year he was Sub- Agent 
of Indian affairs at Fort Winnebago, where he 
witnessed several important Indian treaties. In 
1830 he went to Connecticut, where he was 
married, and, in 1833, took up his permanent resi- 
dence in Chicago, forming a partnership with 
Gen. David Hunter, his brother-in-law, in the 
forwarding business. In 1841 he was appointed 
Registrar of Public Lands by President Harrison, 
but was removed by Tyler. In 1848 lie was 
ajipointed Canal Collector, and. in 1849, President 
Taylor commissioned him Receiver of Public 
Moneys. In 1861 he was commissioned Pay- 
master in the army by President Lincoln, which 
office he held until his death, which occurred on 
a railroad train near Pittsburg, Pa., June 21, 1865. 
KIRBY, Edward P., lawyer and legislator, 
was born in Putnam County, III., Oct. 2H, 1834— 
the son of Rev. William Kirby, one of the found- 
ers and early professors of Illinois College at 



Jacksonville; graduated at Illinois College in 
1854, then taught several years at St. Louis and 
Jacksonville; was admitted to the bar in 1864, 
and, in 1873, was elected County Judge of Morgan 
County as a Republican ; was Repre.sentative in 
the General Assembly from Jlorgan County 
(1891-93) ; also served for several j-ears as Trustee 
of the Central Hospital for the Insane and. for a 
long period, as Trustee and Treasurer of Illinois 
College. 

KIRK, (Gen.) Edward X., soldier, was born of 
Quaker parentage in Jefferson Countj-, Ohio, Feb. 
29, 1828; graduated at the Friends' Academy, at 
Mount Pleasant in the same State, and, after 
teaching for a time, began the study of law, 
completing it at Baltimore, Md., where he was 
admitted to the bar in 1853. A year later he 
removed to Sterling, 111., where he continued in 
his profession until after the battle of the first 
Bull Run, when he raised a regiment. The quota 
of the State being already full, this was not im- 
mediately accepted: but, after some delay, was 
mustered in in September, 1861, as the Thirty- 
fourth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, with the 
subject of this sketcli as Colonel. In the field he 
soon proved himself a brave and dashing officer; 
at the battle of Shiloh, though wounded through 
the shoulder, he refused to leave the field. After 
remaining with the army several days, inflam- 
matory fever set in, necessitating his removal to 
the hospital at Louisville, where he lay between 
life and death for some time. Having partially 
recovered, in August, 1862, he set out to rejoin 
his regiment, but was stopped en route by an 
order assigning him to command at Louisville. 
In November following he was commissioned 
Brigadier-General for "heroic action, gallantry 
and ability" displayed on the field. In the last 
days of December, 1862, he had sufficiently re- 
covered to take part in the series of engagements 
at Stone River, wliere he was again wounded, 
this time fatally. He was taken to his home in 
Illinois, and, although he survived several 
months, the career of one of the most brilliant 
and promising soldiers of the war was cut short 
by his death, July 21, 1863. 

KIRKLAND, Joseph, journalist and author, 
was born at Geneva, N. Y., Jan. 7, 1830 — the son 
of Prof. William Kirkland of Hamilton College: 
was brought by his parents to Michigan in 1835, 
where he remained until 1856, when he came to 
the city of Chicago. In 1861 lie enlisted as a 
private in the Twelfth Illinois Infantry (three- 
months' men), was elected Second Lieutenant, 
but later became Aid-de-Camp on the staff of 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



319 



General McClellan, serving there and on the staff 
of General Fitz-John Porter until the retirement 
of the latter, meanwhile taking part in the Pen- 
insular campaign and in tlie battle of Antietam. 
Returning to Chicago he gave attentitm to some 
coal mining property near Danville, but later 
studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1880. 
A few years later he produced liis first novel, 
and, from 1890, devoted his attention solely to 
literary purstiits, for several years being liter- 
ary editor of "Tlie Chicago Tr-bune. " His works 
— several of which first appeared as serials in the 
magazines — include "Zur.y, the Meanest Man in 
Spring County" (188.5); "The McVeys" (1887); 
"The Captain of Co. K." (1889), besides the "His- 
tory of the Chicago Massacre of 1812," and "The 
Story of Cliicago" — the latter in two volumes. At 
the time of his death he had just concluded, in 
collaboration with Hon. Jolm Moses, the work of 
editing a two-volume "History of Chicago." pub- 
lished by Messrs. Munsell & Co. (1895). Died, in 
Chicago, April 29, 1894.— Elizabeth Stansbury 
(Kirkland), sister of the preceding — teaclier and 
author — was born at Geneva, N. Y. , came to Chicago 
in 1867 and, five years later, established a select 
scliool for }'oung ladies, out of which grew what 
is known as the "Kirkland Social Settlement," 
which was continued until her death, July 30, 
1896. She was the author of a number of vol- 
umes of decided merit, written witli the especial 
object of giving entertainment and instruction to 
the young — including ".Six Little Cooks." "Dora's 
Housekeeping," "Speech and Manners." a Child's 
"History of France," a "History of England," 
"History of English Literature," etc. At her 
death she left a "History of Italj'" ready for the 
hands of the publi.shers. 

KIRKPATRICK, John, pioneer INIethodist 
preaclier, was born in Georgia, wlience he emi- 
grated in 1802 ; located at Springfield, III. , at an 
early day, where he built the first horse-mill in 
that vicinity; in 1829 removed to Adams County, 
and finally to Ottumwa, Iowa, wliere he died in 
18W. Mr. Kirkpatrick is believed to have been the 
first local Methodist preacher licensed in Illinois. 
Having inlierited three slaves (a woman and two 
boys) while in Adams County, he brought them 
to Illinois and gave them their freedom. The 
boys were bound to a man in Quincy to learn a 
trade, but mj'steriously disappeared — presumably 
having been kidnaped with the connivance of 
the man in wliose charge they had been placed. 

KIKKWOOn, a city in Warren Countj', once 
known as "Young America," situated about six 
miles southwest of Monmouth, on the Chicago, 



Burlington & Quincy Railroad; is a stock-ship- 
ping point and in an agri<'ultural region. The 
town has two banks, five churches, and two 
weekly newspapers. I'op. (1890), 949; (1900), 1,008. 

KISHWAUKEE KIVER, rises in McHenry 
County, runs west through Boone, and enters 
Rock River in Winnebago County, eight miles 
below Rockford. It is 7.5 miles long. An afflu- 
ent called the South Kishwaukee River runs 
north-northeast and northwest through De Kalb 
County, and enters the Kiskwaukee in Winne- 
bago County, about eight miles southeast of 
Rockford. 

KITCHELl, Wifkliff, lawyer and Attorney- 
General of Illinois, was born in New Jersey, 
May 21, 1789. Feb. 29, 1812, he was married, 
at Newark, N. J., to Miss Elizabeth Ross, 
and the same j-ear emigrated west, passing 
down the Ohio on a flat-boat from Pittsburg, 
Pa., and settled near Cincinnati In 1814 
he becanne a resident of Southern Indiana, 
where he was elected sheriff, studied law 
and was admitted to the bar, finally becom- 
ing a successful practitioner. In 1817 he removed 
to Palestine, Crawford County, III., where, in 
1820, he was elected Representative in the Second 
General Assembly, and was also a member of the 
State Senate from 1828 to 1833. In 1838 he re- 
moved to Hillsboro, Montgomery County, was 
appointed Attorney-General in 18,39, serving until 
near tlie close of the following year, wlien he 
resigned to take his seat as Representative in 
the Twelfth General Assembly. Between 1846 
and 1854 he was a resident of Fort Madison, Iowa, 
but tlie latter year returned to Hillsboro. During 
his early political career Mr. Kitchell had been a 
Democrat ; but, on the passage of the Kansas-Neb- 
riska 'i^-t, became an earnest Republican. Pub- 
lic-spirited and progressive, he was in advance of 
liis time on many public questions. Died, Jan. 
2, 1869.— .Alfred (Kitchell), son of the preceding, 
lawyer and Judge, born at Palestine, HI., Jlarch 
29, 1820; %vas educated at Indiana State Univer- 
sity and Hillsboro Academy, admitted to the bar 
ia 18 U, and, the following year, conmienced 
practice at Olney; was elected State's Attorney 
in 1843, through repeated re-elections holding the 
olTice ten j^ears ; was a member of the Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1847 and, in 1^49, was 
elected Judge of Richland County ; later assisted 
in establishing the first newspaper published in 
Olney, and in organizing the Republican party 
there in 1856; in 1859 was elected Judge of the 
Twenty-fifth Judicial Circuit, serving one term. 
He was also influential in procuring a charter for 



320 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, and in the con- 
struction of tlie line, being an original corporator 
and subsequently a Director of the Company. 
Later he removed to Galesburg, where he died, 
Nov. 11, 1870.— Edward (Kitchell), another son, 
was born at Palestine, 111., Dec. 21, 1829; was 
educated at Hillsboro Academy until 1846, when 
he removed with his father's family to Fort 
Madison, Iowa, but later returned to Hillsboro to 
continue his studies; in 1853 made the trip across 
the plains to California to engage in gold mining, 
but the following year went to Walla Walla, 
Washington Territory, where he opened a law 
office; in 18.54 returned to Illinois, locating at 
Olney, Richland County, forming a partnership 
with Horace Hayward, a relative, in the practice 
of lavr. Here, having taken position against the 
repeal of the Missouri Compromise, he became, 
in 18.56, the editor of the first Republican news- 
paper published in that part of Illinois known as 
"Egypt," with his brother. Judge Alfred Kitchell, 
being one of the original thirty-nine Republicans 
in Richland County. In 1862 he assisted in 
organizing the Ninety-eighth Regiment Illinois 
Volunteers at Centralia, which, in the following 
year having been mounted, became a part of the 
famous "Wilder Brigade." At first he was com- 
missioned Lieutenant-Colonel, but succeeded to 
tlie command of the regiment after the wounding 
of Colonel Funkhouser at Chickamauga in Sep- 
tember, 1863; was finally promoted to the colo- 
nelcy in July, 1865, and mustered out with the 
rank of Brigadier-General by brevet. Resuming 
the practice of his profession at Olney, he was, 
in 186(i, the Republican candidate for Congress in 
a district stronglj- Democratic; also served as 
Collector of Internal Revenue for a short time 
and, in 1868, was Presidential Elector for the 
same District. Died, at Olney, July 11, 1869.— 
John Wiekliff (Kitchell), youngest son of Wick- 
liff Kitchell, was born at Palestine, Crawford 
County, 111., May 30, 1835, educated at Hillsboro, 
read law at Fort Madison, Iowa, and admitted to 
the bar in that State. At the age of 19 year.s he 
serveil as Assistant Clerk of the House of Repre- 
sentatives at Springfield, and was Reading Clerk 
of the same body at the session of 1861. Previous 
to the latter date he had edited "The Montgomery 
County Herald," and later, "The Charleston 
Courier." Resigning his position as Reading 
Clerk in 1861, he enlisted under the first call of 
President Lincoln in the Ninth Illinois Volun- 
teers, served as Adjutant of the regiment and 
afterwards as Captain of his company. At the 
expiration of his term of enlistment he established 



"The Union Monitor" at Hillsboro, which he con- 
ducted until drafted into the service in 1864, 
serving until the close of the war. In 1806 he 
removed to Pana (his present residence), resum- 
ing practice there; was a candidate for the State 
Senate the same year, and, in 1870, was the 
Republican nominee for Congress in that District. 

KNICKERBOCKER, Joshua C, lawyer, was 
born in Gallatin, Columbia County, N. Y., Sept. 
26, 1827 ; brought b}' his father to Alden, McHenry 
County, 111., in 1844, and educated in the com- 
mon schools of that place ; removed to Chicago in 
1860, studied law and was admitted to practice in 
1862 ; served on the Board of Supervisors and in 
the City Council and, in 1868, was elected Repre- 
sentative in the General Assembly, serving one 
term. He was also a member of the State Board 
of Education from 1875 to "77, and the latter 
year was elected Probate Judge for Cook County, 
serving until his death, Jan. 5, 1890. 

KXIGHTS OF PYTHIAS, a secret semi mill 
tary and benevolent association founded in the 
City of Washington, D. C, Feb. 19, 1864, Justus 
H. Rathbone (who died Dec. 9, 1889) being its 
recognized founder. The order was established 
in Illinois, May 4, 1869, by the organization of 
"Welcome Lodge, No. 1," in the citj- of Chicago. 
On July 1, 1869, this Lodge had nineteen mem- 
bers. At the close of the year four additional 
Lodges had been instituted, having an aggregate 
membership of 245. Early in the following year, 
on petition of these five Lodges, approved by the 
Grand Chancellor, a Grand Lodge of the Order 
for the State of Illinois was instituted in Chicago, 
with a membership of twenty-nine Past Chancel- 
lors as representatives of the five subordinate 
Lodges — the total membership of these Lodges at 
that date being 382. December 31, 1870, the 
total membership in Illinois hail increased to 850. 
June 30, 1895, the total number of Lodges in the 
State was 525, and the membership 38.441. The 
assets belonging to the Lodges in Illinois, on 
Jan. 1. 1894, amounted to §418,151.77. 

KXOWLTON, Dexter A., pioneer and banker, 
was born in Fairfield, Herkimer County, N. Y., 
March 3, 1812, taken to Chautauqua County in 
infancy and passed his childhood and youth on a 
farm. Having determined on a mercantile ca- 
reer, he entered an academy at Fredonia, pa}-ing 
his own way; in 1838 started on a peddling tour 
for the West, and, in the following year, settled 
at Freeport, 111., where he opened a general store; 
in 1843 began investments in real estate, finallj' 
laying off sundry additions to the citj' of Free- 
port, from which lie realized large profits. He 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



321 



■was also prominentlj' connected witlj the Galena 
& Chicago Union Railroad and, in 1850, became 
a Director of the Company, remaining in office 
some twelve years. In 1852 he was the Free-Soil 
candidate for Governor of Illinois, but a few years 
later became extensively interested in the Con- 
gress & Empire Spring Companj' at Saratoga, 
N. Y. ; then, after a four years' residence in 
Brooklyn, returned to Freeport in 1870, where he 
engaged in banking business, dying in that city, 
March 10, i8T6. 

K>'OX, Joseph, lawyer, was born at Blanford, 
Mass., Jan. 11, 1805; studied law with his 
brother, Gen. Alanson Knox, in his native town, 
was admitted to the bar in 1828, subsequently 
removing to Worcester, in the same State, where 
he began the practice of his profession. In 1837 
he removed west, locating at Stephenson, now 
Rock Island, III. , where he continued in practice 
for twenty-three years. During the greater part 
of that tinie he was associated with Hon. John 
\V. Drury, under the firm name of Knox & Drury, 
gaining a wide reputation as a lawyer throughout 
Northern Illinois. Among the important cases in 
which lie took part during his residence in Rock 
Island was the prosecution of the murderers of 
Colonel Davenport in 1845. In 1852 lie served as a 
Democratic Presidential Elector, but in the next 
campaign identified himself with the Republican 
party as a supporter of John C. Fremont for the 
Presidency. In 1860 he removed to Chicago and, 
two years later, was appointed State's Attorney 
by Governor Yates, remaining in office until suc- 
ceeded by his partner, Charles H. Reed. After 
coming to Chicago he was identified with a num- 
ber of notable cases. His death occurred, xVugust 
6," 1881. 

KXOX COLLEGE, a non-sectarian institution 
for the higher education of the youth of both 
sexes, located at Galesburg, Knox County. It 
was founded in 1837, fully organized in 1841, and 
graduated its first class in 1846. The number of 
graduates from that date until 1894, aggregated 
867. In 1893 it had 663 students in attendance, 
and a faculty of 20 professors. Its library con- 
tains about 6,000 volumes. Its endowment 
amounts to §300,000 and its buildings are valued 
at §150,000. Dr. Newton Bateman was at its 
head for more than twenty years, and, on his res- 
ignation (1893), John H. Finley, Ph.D., became 
its President, but resigned in 1899. 

KNOX COUNTY, a wealthy interior county 
west of the Illinois River, having an area of 720 
square miles and a population (1900) of 43,012. It 
■was named in honor of Gen. Henry Knox. Its 



territorial limits were defined by legislative 
enactment in 1825, but the actual organization 
dates from 1830, when Riggs Pennington, Pliilip 
Hash and Charles Hansford were named the first 
Commissioners. Knoxville was the first county- 
seat selected, and here (in the winter of 1830-31) 
was erected the first court liouse, constructed 
of logs, two stories in lieiglit, at a cost of 
§192. The soil is rich, and agriculture flour- 
ishes. The present county-seat (1899) is Gales- 
burg, well known for its educational institutions, 
the best known of which are Knox College, 
founded in 1837, and Lombard University, 
founded in 1851. A flourishing Episcopal Semi- 
nary is located at Knoxville, and Hedding Col- 
lege at Abingdon. 

KNOXVILLE, a city in Knox County, on the 
Galesburg-Peoria Division of the Cliicago, Bur- 
lington & Quincy Railroad, 50 miles west of 
Peoria, and 5 miles east of Galesburg; was 
formerly the county-seat, and still contains the 
fair grounds and almshouse. The municipal gov- 
ernment is composed of a ma^'or, six aldermen, 
witli seven heads of departments. It has electric 
lighting and street-car service, good water-works, 
banks, numerous churches, three public schools, 
and is the seat of St. Mary's school for girls, and 
St. Alban's, for boys. Population (1890), 1,728; 
(1900). 1,857. 

KOERNER, Gustavus, lawyer and Lieutenant- 
Governor, was born in Germany in 1809, and 
received a university education. He was a law- 
yer by profession, and emigrated to Illinois in 
1833, settling finally at Belleville. He at once 
affiliated with the Democratic party, and soon 
became prominent in politics. In 1842 he was 
elected to the General Assemblj-, and three years 
later was appointed to the bench of the State 
Supreme Court. In 1852 he was elected Lieuten- 
ant-Governor on the ticket headed by Joel A. 
Matteson ; but, at the close of his term, became 
identified with the Republican party and was a 
staunch Union man during the Civil "War, serving 
for a time as Colonel on General Fremont's and 
General Halleck's staffs. In 1863 President Lin- 
coln made him Slinister to Spain, a post which lie 
resigned in January, 1865. He was a member of 
the Chicago Convention of 1860 that nominated 
Lincoln for tlie Presidency; was a Republican 
Presidential Elector in 1808, and a delegate to the 
Cincinnati Convention of 1872 that named Horace 
Greeley for the Presidency. In 1807 he served as 
President of the first Board of Trustees of the 
Soldiers' Orphans' Home, and, in 1870, was 
elected to the Legislature a second time. The 



322 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OP ILLINOIS. 



following year he was appointed a member of the 
first Board of Railroad and Warehouse Commis- 
sioners, and served as its President. He is the 
author of "Collection of the Important General 
Laws of Illinois, with Comments" (in German, 
St. Louis, 1838); "From Spain" (Frankfort on- 
the-Main, 1866); "Das Deutsche Element in den 
Vereiningten Staaten" (Cincinnati, 1880; second 
edition. New York, 1885) ; and a number of mono- 
graphs. Died, at Belleville, April 9, 1896. 

KOHLSAAT, Christian C, Judge of United 
States Court, was born in Edwards County, 111., 
Jan. 8, 1844 — his father being a native of Germany 
who settled in Edwards County in 182.5, while his 
mother was born in England. The family 
removed to Galena in 1854, where young Kohlsaat 
attended the public schools, later taking a course 
in Chicago University, after which he began the 
study of law. In 1867 he became a reporter on 
"The Chicago Evening Journal," was admitted 
to the bar in the same year, and, in 1868, accepted 
a position in the office of the County Clerk, where 
he kept the records of the County Court under 
Judge Bradweirs administration. During the 
sessions of the Twenty-seventh General Assembly 
(1871-72) , he served as First Assistant Enrolling 
and Engrossing Clerk of the House, after which 
he began practice; in 1881 was the Republican 
nominee for County Judge, but was defeated by 
Judge Prendergast; served as member of the 
Board of "West Side Park Commissioners, 1884-90 ; 
in 1890 was appointed Probate Judge of Cook 
County (as successor to Judge Knickerbocker, 
who died in January of that year), and was 
elected to the office in November following, and 
re-elected in 1894, as he was again in 1898. Early 
in 1899 he was appointed, by President McKinley, 
Judge of the United States District Court for the 
Northern District of Illinois, as successor to Judge 
Grosscup, who had been appointed United States 
Circuit Judge in place of Judge Showalter, 
deceased. 

KOHLSAAT, Herman H., editor and news- 
paper publisher, was born in Edwards County, 
111., March 22, 1853, and taken the following year 
to Galena, where he remained until 12 years of 
age, when the family removed to Chicago. Here, 
after attending the public schools some tliree 
years, he became a cash-boy in the store of Car- 
son, Pirie & Co., a year later rising to the position 
of cashier, remaining two years. Then, after 
having been connected with various business 
concerns, he became the junior member of the 
firm of Blake, Shaw & Co. , for whom he had been 
a traveling salesman some five years. In 1880 he 



became associated with the Dake Bakery, in con- 
nection with which he laid the foundation of an 
extensive business by establishing a system of 
restaurants and lunch counters in the business 
portions of the city. In 1891, after a somewhat pro- 
tracted visit to Europe, Jlr. Kohlsaat bought a con- 
trolling interest in "The Chicago Inter Ocean," 
but withdrew early in 1894. In April, 1895, he be- 
came principal proprietor of "The Chicago Times- 
Herald," as the succes.sor of the late James AV. 
Scott, who died suddenly in New York, soon after 
effecting a consolidation of Chicago's two Demo- 
cratic papers, "The Times" and "Herald," in one 
concern. Although changing the political status 
of the paper from Democratic to Independent, 
Mr. Kohlsaat 's liberal enterprise has won for it 
an assured success. He is also owner and pub- 
lisher of "The Chicago Evening Post." His 
whole business career has been one of almost 
phenomenal success attained by vigorous enter- 
prise and high-minded, honorable methods. Mr. 
Kohlsaat is one of the original incorporators of 
the University of Chicago, of which he continues 
to be one of the Trustees. 

KROME, William Henry, lawyer, bom of Ger- 
man parentage, in Louisville, Ky., July 1, 1842; 
in 1851 was brought by his father to Madison 
County, HI. , where he lived and worked for some 
years on a farm. He acquired his education in 
the common schools and at McKendree College, 
graduating from the latter in 1863. After spend- 
ing his summer months in farm labor and teach- 
ing school during the winter, for a year or two, 
he read law for a time with Judge M. G. Dale of 
Edwardsville, and, in 1866, entered the law 
department of Michigan University, gradu- 
ating in 1869, though admitted the year previous 
to practice by the Supreme Court of Illinois. Mr. 
Bj-ome has been successively the partner of 
Judge John G. Irwin, Hon. W. F. L. Hadley (late 
Congressman from the Eighteenth District) and 
C. W. Terry. He has held the office of Mayor of 
Edwardsville (1873), State Senator (1874-78), and, 
in 1893, was a prominent candidate before the 
Democratic judicial convention for the nomina- 
tion for Justice of the Supreme Court, to succeed 
Justice Scholfield, deceased. He is also President 
of the Madison County State Bank. 

KUEFFNER, William C, lawyer and soldier, 
was bom in Germany and came to St. Clair 
County, 111., in 1861. Earh- in 1865 he was com- 
missioned Colonel of the One Hundred and Forty- 
ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, one of the 
latest regiments organized for the Civil War, and 
was soon after promoted to the rank of Brevet 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



323 



Brigadier-General, serving until January, 1866. 
Later, General Kueffner studied law at St. Louis, 
and having graduated in 1871, established himself 
in practice at Belleville, where he has since 
resided. He was a successful contestant for a 
seat in the Republican National Convention of 
1880 from the Seventeenth District. 

KUTKENDALL, Andrew J., lawyer and legis- 
lator, was born of pioneer parents in Gallatin 
(now Hardin) County, 111., March 3, 1815; was 
self-educated chiefly, but in his early manhood 
adopted the law as a profession, locating at 
Vienna in Johnson Coimty, where he continued 
to reside to the end of his life. In 1842 he was 
elected a Representative in the Thirteenth Gen- 
eral Assembly, and re-elected two years later; in 
1850 became State Senator, serving continuously 
in the same body for twelve years; in 1861 en- 
listed, and was commissioned Major, in the 
Thirty-first Illinois Volunteers (Gen. John A. 
Logan's regiment), but was compelled to resign, 
in May following, on acoiint of impaired health. 
Two years later (1864) he was elected Represent- 
ative in the Thirty-ninth Congress, serving one 
term; and, after several years in private life, was 
again returned to the State Senate in 1878, serving 
in the Thirty-first and Thirty-second General 
Assemblies. In all, Major Kuykendall saw 
twenty years' service in the State Legislature, of 
which sixteen were spent in the Senate and four 
in the House, besides two years iu Congress. A 
zealous Democrat previous to the war, he was an 
ardent supporter of the war policy of the Govern- 
ment, and. in 18G4. presided over the "Union" 
(Republican) State Convention of that year. He 
was also a member of the Senate Finance Com- 
mittee in the session of 1859, which had the duty 
of investigating the Matteson "canal scrip fraud. " 
Died, at Vienna, 111., May 11, 1891. 

LABOR TROUBLES. 1. The Railro.\d 
Strike of 1877. — By this name is generally char- 
acterized the labor disturbances of 1877, which, 
beginning at Pittsburg in July, spread over the 
entire coimtry, interrupting transportation, and, 
for a time, threatening to paralyze trade. Illi- 
nois suffered severely. The primary cause of the 
troubles was the general prostration of business 
resulting from the depression of values, which 
affected manufacturers and merchants alike. A 
reduction of expenses became necessary, and the 
wages of employes were lowered. Dissatisfaction 
and restlessness on the part of the latter ensued, 
which found expression in the ordering of a strike 
among railroad operatives on a larger scale than 



had ever been witnessed in this country. In Illi- 
nois, Peoria, Decatur, Braidwood, East St. Louis, 
Galesburg, La Salle and Chicago were the prin- 
cipal points affected. In all these cities angry, 
excited men formed theiiLselves into mobs, which 
tore up tracks, took possession of machine shops, 
in some cases destroj'ed roundhouses, applied the 
torch to warehouses, and, for a time, held com- 
merce by the throat, not only defying the la%v, 
but even contending in arms against the military 
sent to disperse them. The entire force of the 
State militia was called into service, Major- 
General Arthur C. Ducat being in command. 
The State troops were divided into three brigades, 
commanded respectively by Brigadier-Generals 
Torrence, Bates and Pavey. General Ducat 
assumed personal command at Braidwood, where 
were sent the Third Regiment and the Tenth 
Battalion, who suppressed the riots at that point 
with ease. Col. Joseph W. Stambaugh and 
Lieut. -Col. J. B. Parsons were the respective 
regimental commanders. Generals Bates and 
Pavey were in command at East St. Louis, 
where the excitement was at fever heat, the 
mobs terrorizing peaceable citizens and destroy- 
ing much property. Governor Cullom went to 
this point in person. Chicago, however, was tlie 
chief railroad center of the State, and only 
prompt and severely repressive measures held in 
check one of the most dangerous mobs which 
ever threatened property and life in that city. 
The local police force was inadequate to control 
the rioters, and Slayor Heath felt himself forced 
to call for aid from the State. Brig. -Gen. Joseph 
T. Torrence then commanded the First Brigade, 
I. N. G., with headquarters at Chicago. Under 
insti'uctions from Governor Cullom, he promptly 
and effectively co-operated with the municipal 
authorities in quelling the uprising. He received 
valuable support from volunteer companies, some 
of which were largel3' comijosed of Union veter- 
ans. The latter were commanded by such ex- 
perienced commanders as Generals Reynolds, 
Martin Beem, and O. L. Slann, and Colonel Owen 
Stuart. General Lieb also led a company of 
veterans enlisted by himself, and General Shaff- 
ner and Major James H. D. Daly organized a 
cavalry force of 150 old soldiers, who rendered 
efficient service. The disturbance was promptly 
subdued, transportation resumed, and trade once 
more began to move in its accustomed channels. 
2. The Strike op 1894.— This was an uprising 
which originated in Chicago and was incited by a 
comparatively young labor organization called 
the American Railway Union. In its inception it 



324 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



was sympathetic, its ostensible motive, at the 
outset, being tlie rigliting of wrongs alleged to 
have been suffered by employes of the Pullman 
Palace Car Company. The latter quit work on 
May 11, and, on June 22, the American Railway 
Union ordered a general boycott against all rail- 
road companies hauling Pullman cars after June 
26. The General Managers of the lines entering 
Chicago took prompt action (June ~'}) looking 
toward mutual protection, protesting against the 
proposed boycott, and affirming their resolution 
to adhere to existing contracts, any action on the 
part of the strikers to the contrary notwithstand- 
ing. Trouble began on the 26th. The hauling of 
freight was necessarily soon discontinued; sub- 
urban traffic was interrupted ; switching had to 
be done by inexperienced hands under police or 
military protection (officials and clerks some- 
times throwing the levers), and in the presence of 
large crowds of law-defying hoodlums gathered 
along the tracks, avowedly through sympathy 
with the strikers, but actually in the hope of 
plunder. Trains were sidetracked, derailed, and, 
in not a few instances, valuable freight was 
burned. Passengers were forced to undergo the 
inconvenience of being cooped up for hours in 
crowded cars, in transit, without food or water, 
sometimes almost within sight of their destina- 
tion, and sometimes threatened with death should 
they attempt to leave their prison houses. The 
mobs, intoxicated b3' seeming success, finally ven- 
tured to interfere with the passage of trains 
carrying the United States mails, and, at this 
juncture, the Federal authorities interfered. 
President Cleveland at once ordered the protec- 
tion of all mail trains by armed guards, to be 
appointed by the United States Marshal. An 
additional force of Deputy Sheriffs was also sworn 
in by the Sheriff of Cook County, and the city 
police force was augmented. The United States 
District Court also issued a restraining order, 
directed against the officers and members of the 
American Railway Union, as well as against all 
other persons interfering with the business of 
railroads carrying the mails. Service was readily 
accepted by the officers of the Union, but the 
copies distributed among the insurgent mob were 
torn and trampled upon. Thereupon the Presi- 
dent ordered Federal troops to Chicago, both to 
protect Government property (notably the Sub- 
treasury) and to guard mail trains. The Gov- 
ernor (John P. Altgeld) protested, but without 
avail. A few days later, the Mayor of Chicago 
requested the State Executive to place a force of 
State militia at his control for the protection of 



property and the prevention of bloodshed. Gen- 
eral Wheeler, with the entire second division of 
the I. N. G., at once received orders to report to 
the municipal authorities. The presence of the 
militia greatly incensed the turbulent crowds, 
yet it proved most salutary. Tlie troops displayed 
exemplarj' firmness under most trying circum- 
.stances, dispersing jeering and threatening 
crowds by physical force or bayonet charges, the 
rioters being fired upon only twice. Gradually 
order was restored. The disreputable element 
subsided, and wiser and more conservative coun- 
sels prevailed among the ranks of the strikers. 
Impediments to traffic were removed and trains 
were soon running as though no interruption had 
occurred. The troops were withdrawn (first the 
Federal and afterwards those of the State), and 
the courts were left to deal with the subject in 
accordance with the statutes. The entire execu- 
tive board of the American Railway Union were 
indicted for conspiracy, but the indictments were 
never pressed. The officers, however, were all 
found guilty of contempt of court in having dis- 
obeyed the restraining order of the Federal 
court, and sentenced to terms ia the county jail. 
Eugene V. Debs, the President of the Union, was 
convicted on two charges and given a sentence 
of six months on each, but the two sentences were 
afterward made concurrent. The other members 
of the Board received a similar sentence for three 
months each. All but the Vice-President, George 
W. Howard, served their terms at Woodstock, 
McHenry County. Howard was sent to the Will 
County jail at Joliet. 

LACEY, Lyman, lawj-er and jurist, was born in 
Tompkins County, N.Y., May 6, 1833. In 1837 
his parents settled in Fulton County, 111. He 
graduated from Illinois College in 1855 and was 
admitted to the bar in 1856, commencing practice 
at Havana, Slason County, the same year. In 
1862 he was elected, as a Democrat, to represent 
the counties of Mason and Menard in the lower 
house of the Legislature; was elected to the Cir- 
cuit Court bench in 1873, and re-elected in 1879, 
'85 and '91 ; also served for several years upon 
the bench of the Appellate Court. 

LACON, a city and county-seat of Marshall 
County, situated on tlie Illinois River, and on the 
Dwight and Lacon branch of the Chicago & 
Alton Railroad, 130 miles southwest of Chicago. 
A pontoon bridge connects it with Sparland on 
the opposite bank of the Illinois. The surround- 
ing country raises large quantities of grain, for 
which Lacon is a shipping point. The river ia 
navigable by steamboats to this point. The city 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



325 



has grain elevators, woolen mills, marble works, 
a carriage factory anil a national bank. It also has 
water works, an excellent telephone system, good 
drainage, and is lighted by electricity. There 
are seven churches, a graded school and two 
weekly newspapers. Population (IHSO), 1,81-1; 
(1890), 1,649; (1900). 1,601. 

LA FAYETTE (Marquis de), VISIT OF. An 
event of profound interest in tlie historj' of Illi- 
nois, during the year 182.5, was the visit to the 
State by the Marquis de La Fayette, who had 
been the ally of the American people during 
their struggle for independence. The distin- 
guished Frenchman having arrived in the coun- 
try during the latter part of 182-1, the General 
Assembly in session at Vandalia, in December of 
that year, adopted an address inviting him to 
visit Illinois. This was communicated to La 
Fayette by Gov. Edward Coles, who had met the 
General in Europe seven years before. Governor 
Coles' letter and the address of the General 
Assembly were answered with an acceptance by 
La Faj'ette from "Washington, under date of Jan. 
16, 1825. The approach of the latter was made by 
way of New Orleans, the steamer Natchez (by 
which General La Fayette ascended the Mis- 
sissippi) arriving at the old French village of 
Carondelet, below St. Louis, on the 28th of April. 
Col. William S. Hamilton, a son of Alexander 
Hamilton, and at that time a Representative in 
the General Assembly from Sangamon Coimty, 
as well as an Aid-de-Camp on the staff of Gov- 
ernor Coles, was dispatched from the home of the 
latter at Edwardsville, to meet the distinguished 
visitor, which he did at St. Louis. On Saturday, 
April 30, the boat bearine General La Faj-ette, 
with a large delegation of prominent citizens of 
Missouri, left St. Louis, arriving at Kaskaskia, 
where a reception awaited him at the elegant 
residence of Gen. John Edgar, Governor Coles 
delivering an address of welcome. The presence 
of a number of old soldiers, who had fought under 
La Fayette at Brand3-wineand Yorktown, consti- 
tuted an interesting feature of the occasion. This 
was followed by a banquet at the tavern kept by 
C<ilonel Sweet, and a closing reception at the house 
of William Morrison, Sr., a member of the cele- 
brated family of that name, and one of the lead- 
ing merchants of Kaskaskia. Among those 
participating in the reception ceremonies, who 
were then, or afterwards became, prominent 
factors in State history, appear tlie names of Gen. 
John Edgar, ex-Governor Bond, Judge Nathaniel 
Pope, Elias Kent Kane. ex-Lieutenant-Govemor 
Menard, Col. Thomas Mather and Sidney Breese, 



a future United States Senator and Justice of the 
Supreme Court. The boat left Kaskaskia at 
midnight for Nashville, Tenn., Governor Coles 
accompanj-ing the party and returning with it to 
Shawneetown, where an imposing reception was 
given and an address of welcome delivered by 
Judge James Hall, on May 14, 1825. A few 
hours later General La Fayette left on his waj' up 
the Ohio. 

LAFAYETTE, BLOOMIMJTON & MISSIS- 
SIPPI RAILROAD. (See Lake Eric & IVcstern 
Railroad.) 

LAFLIX, Matthew, manufacturer, was born 
at Southwick, Hampden County, Mass., Dec. 16, 
1803; in his youth was clerk for a time in the 
store of Laflin & Loomis. powder manufacturers, 
at Lee, Mass., later becoming a partner in the 
Canton Powder Mills. About 1832 he engaged in 
the manufacture of axes at Saugerties, N. Y., 
which proving a failure, he again engaged in 
powder manufacture, and, in 1837, came to Chi- 
cago, where he finally established a factory — his 
firm, in 1840, becoming Laflin & Smith, and, 
later, Laflin, Smith & Co. Becoming largely 
interested in real estate, he devoted his atten- 
tion chiefly to that business after 1849, with 
great success, not only in Chicago but else- 
where, having done much for the develop- 
ment of Waukesha, Wis., where he erected one 
of the principal hotels — the "Fountain Spring 
House" — also being one of the original stock- 
holders of the Elgin Watch Company. Mr. 
Laflin was a zealous supporter of the Government 
during the war for the preservation of the Union, 
and, before his death, made a donation of S75,- 
000 for a building for the Chicago Academy of 
Sciences, whicli was erected in the western part 
of Lincoln Park. Died, in Chicago, May 20, 1897. 

LA GRANGE, a village in Cook County, and 
one of the handsomest suburbs of Chicago, from 
which it is distant 15 miles, south-southwest, on 
the Chicago, Burlington & Qulncy Railroad. The 
streets are broad and shaded and there are many 
handsome residences. The village is lighted by 
electricit}-, and has public water-works, seven 
churches, a high school and a weekly paper. 
Population (1880), 531; (1890), 2,314; (1900), 3.969. 

LA HARPE, a city in Hancock County, on the 
Toledo, Peoria & Western Itailway. 70 miles we.st 
by south from Peoria and 20 miles south-south- 
east of Burlington, Iowa. Brick, tile and cigars 
constitute the manufactured output. La Harpe 
has two banks, five churclies, a graded and a 
high school, a seminary, and two newspapers. 
Population (1880), 958; (1890), 1,113; (190U), 1,591. 



326 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



LAKE COUNTY, in the extreme northeast 
corner of the State, having an area of 490 square 
miles, and a population (1900) of 34,504. It was 
cut off from McHenrj- County and separately 
organized in 1839. Pioneer settlers began to 
arrive in 1839, locating chiefly along the Des 
Plaines River. The Indians vacated the region 
the following year. The first County Commission- 
ers (E. E. Hunter, "William Brown and E. C. 
Berrey) located the county-seat at Libertyville, 
but, in 1841, it was removed to Little Fort, now 
Waukegan. The county derives its name from 
the fact that some forty small lakes are found 
within its limits. The surface is undulating and 
about equally divided between sand, pi-airie and 
second-growth timber. At Waukegan there are 
several maufacturing establishments, and the 
Glen Flora medicinal spring attracts many in- 
valids. Highland Park and Lake Forest are resi- 
dence towns of great beaut}' situated on the lake 
bluff, populated largely by the families of Chicago 
business men. 

LAKE ERIE & MISSISSIPPI RAILROAD. 
(See Lake Eric & Western Railroad.) 

LAKE ERIE & WESTERN RAILROAD. Of 
the 710.01 miles which con.stitute the entire 
length of this line, only 118.6 are within Illinois. 
This portion extends from the junction of the 
Peoria & Pekin Union Railway, on the east side 
of the Illinois River opposite Peoria, to the Indi- 
ana State line. It is a single-track road of 
standard gauge. About one-sixth of the line in 
Illinois is level, the grade nowhere exceeding 40 
feet to the mile. The track is of 56 and 60-pound 
steel rails, and lightly ballasted. The total 
capital of the road (1898)— including §23,680,000 
capital stock, S10,875,000 bonded debt and a float- 
ing debt of SI. 479,809— was $36,034,809, or 850,- 
708 per mile. The total earnings and income in 
Illinois for 1898 were S.")59,743, and the total 
expenditures for the same period, §457,713.— 
(History.) The main line of the Illinois Division 
of the Lake Erie & Western Railroad was acquired 
by consolidation, in 1880, of the Lafayette, Bloom- 
ington & Mississippi Railroad (81 miles in length), 
which had been opened in 1871, with certain Ohio 
and Indiana lines. In 5Iay, 1885, the line thus 
formed was consolidated, without change of name, 
with the Lake Erie & Mississippi Railroad, organ- 
ized to build an extension of the Lake Erie & 
Western from Bloomington to Peoria (43 miles). 
The road was sold under foreclosure in 1886, and 
the pre-sent company organized, Feb. 9, 1887. 

LAKE FOREST, a city in Lake County, on 
Lake Michigan and Chicago & Northwestern Rail- 



way, 28 miles north by west from Chicago. It is 
the seat of Lake Forest University; has four 
schools, five churches, one bank, gas and electric 
light system, electric car line, water system, fire 
department and hospital. Population (1890), 
1,203; (1900), 2,215; (1904, est), 2,800. 

LAKE FOREST UXIVERSITT, an institution 
of learning comprising si.x distinct schools, viz. ; 
Lake Forest Academy, Ferr}' Hall Seminary, 
Lake Forest College, Rush Medical College, Chi- 
cago College of Dental Surgery, and the Chicago 
College of Law. The three first named are 
located at Lake Forest, while the three profes- 
sional schools are in the city of Chicago. The 
college charter was granted in 1857, but the 
institution was not opened until nineteen years 
later, and the professional schools, which were 
originally independent, were not associated until 
1887. In 1894 there were 316 undergraduates at 
Lake Forest, in charge of forty instructors. Dur- 
ing the same year there were in attendance at the 
professional schools, 1,557 students, making a 
total enrollment in the University of 1,873. 
While the institution is affiliated with the Pres- 
bj'terian denomination, the Board of Trustees is 
self-perpetuating. The Acadeniy and Seminary 
are preparatory schools for the two sexes, re- 
spectively. Lake Forest College is co-educational 
and organized upon the elective plan, having 
seventeen departments, a certain number of 
studies being required for graduation, and work 
upon a major subject being required for three 
years. The schools at Lake Forest occupy fifteen 
buildings, standing within a campus of sixty-five 
acres. 

LAKE MICHIGAN, one of the chain of five 
great northern lakes, and the largest lake lying 
wholly within the L'uited States. It lies between 
the parallels of 41' 35' and 46" North latitude, its 
length being about 335 miles. Its width varies 
from 50 to 88 miles, its greatest breadth being 
opposite Milwaukee. Its surface is nearly 600 
feet above the sea-level and its maximum depth 
is estimated at 840 feet. It has an area of about 
20,000 square miles. It forms the eastern bound- 
ary of Wisconsin, the western boundary of the 
lower peninsula of Jlichigan and a part of the 
northern boundary of Illinois and Indiana. Its 
waters find their outlet into Lake Huron through 
the straits of Mackinaw, at its northeast extrem- 
ity, and are connected with Lake Superior by the 
Sault Ste. Marie River. It contains few islands, 
and these mainly in its northern part, the largest 
being some fifteen miles long. The principal 
rivers which empty into this lake are the Fox, 



HISTOmCAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



327 



Menominee, Manistee. Muskegon, Kalamazoo, 
Grand and St. Josejili. Chicago, Milwaukee, 
Riicine and Manitowoc are the chief cities on its 
banks. 

L.VKE SHORE A: MICHIGAN SOUTHERN 
RAILWAY. The main line extends fi'om Buffalo, 
N. Y., to Chicago, III., a distance of 539 miles, 
with various branches of leased and proprietary 
lines located in the States of Michigan, New 
York and Ohio, making the mileage of lines 
operated 1,41.5.63 miles, of which sG'J. l.j are owned 
by the company — only 14 miles being in Illinois. 
The total earnings and income in Illinois, in 1898, 
were §453.946. and the expenditures for the same 
period, §360,971. — (History.) The company was 
formed in 1869, from the consolidation of the 
Jlichigan Southern & Northern Indiana, the 
Cleveland, Painesville & Ashtabula, and the 
Buffalo & Erie Railroad Companies. The propri- 
etary roads have been acquired since the consoli- 
dation. 

LAMB, James L., pioneer merchant, was born 
in Connellsville, Pa., Nov. 7, 1800; at 12 j-ears of 
age went to Cincinnati to serve as clerk in the 
store of a distant relative, came to Kaskaskia, 111., 
in 1820, and soon after engaged in mercantile 
business with Thomas Mather, who had come to 
Illinois two years earlier. Later, the firm estab- 
lished a store at Chester and shipped the first 
barrels of pork from Illinois to the New Orleans 
market. In 1831 Mr. Lamb located in Springfield, 
afterwards carrying on merchandising and pork- 
packing extensively ; also established an iron 
foundrj', which continued in operation until a few 
years ago. Died. Dec. 3, 1873. 

LAMB, Martha J. R. N., magazine editor and 
historian, was born (Martha Joan Reade Nash) at 
Plainfield, Mass., August 13, 1829, received a 
thorough education and, after her marriage in 
1833 to Charles A. Lamb, resided for eight years 
in Chicago, 111., where she was one of the prin- 
cipal founders of the Home for the Friendless and 
Half Orphan Asylum, and Secretary of the 
Sanitary Fair of 1863. In 1866 she removed to 
New York and gave her after life to literary work, 
from 1883 until her death being editor of "The 
Magazine of American Histor}'," besides furnish- 
ing numerous papers on historical and other sub- 
jects; also publishing some sixteen volumes, one 
of her most important works being a "History of 
New Yt)rk City," in two volumes. She was a 
member of nearly thirty historical and other 
learned societies. Died, Jan. 2, 1893, 

LAMBORN, Jo8iah, early lawyer and Attor- 
ney-General; born in Washington County, Ky., 



and educated at Transylvania University; was 
Attorney-General of the State by appointment of 
Governor Carlin, 1840-43, at that time being a 
resident of Jacksonville. He is described by his 
contemporaries as an able and brilliant man, but 
of convivial habits and unscrupulous to such a 
degree that his name was mixed up with a num- 
ber of official scandals. Separated from his 
family, he died of delirium tremens, at White- 
hall, Greene County. 

LAMOILLE, a village of Bureau County, on the 
Mendota-Fulton branch of the Chicago, Burling- 
ton & Quinoy Railway, 9 miles nortliwest of Men- 
dota; in rich farming and stock-raising region; 
has a bank, three churches, fine .school-building, 
and a newspaper. Pop. (1890), 516; (1900), 576. 

LAMON, Ward HiH, lawyer, was born at 
Mill Creek, Frederick County, W. Va., Jan. 6, 
1828; received a common school education and 
was engaged in teaching for a time ; also began 
the study of medicine, but relinquished it for the 
law. About 1847-48 he located at Danville, 111., 
subsequently read law with the late Judge Oliver 
L. Davis, attending lectures at the Louisville 
Law School, where he had Gen. John A. Logan 
for a class-mate. On admi.ssion to the bar, he 
became the Danville partner of Abraham Lincoln 
— the partnership being in existence as early as 
1852. In 18.59 he removed to Bloomington, and, 
in the Presidential campaign of 1860, was a zeal- 
ous supporter of Mr. Lincoln. In February, 1861, 
he was cho.sen by Mr. Lincoln to accompany him 
to Washington, making the perilous night jour- 
ney through Baltimore in Mr, Lincoln's company. 
Being a man of undoubted courage, as well as 
almost giant stature, he soon received the ap- 
pointment of Marshal of the District of Columbia, 
and, in the first weeks of the new administration, 
made a confidential visit to Colonel Anderson, 
then in comniand at Fort Sumter, to secure 
accurate information as to the situation there. 
In May, 1861, he obtained authority to raise a 
regiment, of which he was commissioned Colonel, 
remaining in the field to December, when he 
returned to the discharge of his duties as Marshal 
at Washington, but was absent from Washington 
on the night of the assassination — April 14, 1865. 
Resigning his office after this event, he entered 
into partnership for the practice of Law with the 
late Jeremiah S. Black of Pennsylvania. Some 
years later he published the first volume of a i)ro- 
posed Life of Lincoln, using material which lie 
obtained from Mr. Lincoln's Springfield partner. 
William H. Herndon, but the second volume was 
never issued. His death occurred at JIartins- 



32!S 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



burg. W. Va., not far froin his birthplace. Jlay 
7, 1893. Colonel Uvniou married a daughter of 
Judj^e Stephen T. Logan, of Springlield. 

L.\N.VRK, a city in C;inoU County, 19 niile.>5 by 
rail southwest of Freepoit. and 7 miles east of 
Mount Carroll Tlie surrounding country is 
largely devoted to gi-.iin-growing. and Lanark 
has two elevators aiul is an important shipping- 
point. Manufacturing of various descriptions is 
carried on. The city has two biiuks (one Na- 
tional and one State), eight churches, a graded 
and high school, and a weekly newspaper. Popu- 
lation (18t*t)), 1.198; (1S90). 1,095: (1900), 1,306. 

L.VM>ES, Silas Z., ex-Congressnian. was boru 
in Augusta County, Va., May 15, 1840. In early 
youth he renuned to Illinois, and was admitted 
to the bivr of this State in August. 180)3, and luis 
been in active practice at Mount Carmel since 
1864. In 1873 he was elected State's Attorney 
for WaUish County, was re-elected in 1876, and 
again in 1880. He represented the Sixteenth Illi- 
nois District in Congress from 1885 to 1889, Iwing 
elected on the Democratic ticket. 

L.VM>KUi.V\, John, farmer and legislator, was 
Ivru in County Tipi>erary, Ireland, in 183'2, and 
brought to America at one year of age, his 
parents stopping for a time iu New Jersey, llis 
early life was spent at Lafayette, Ind. After 
completing his education iu the seminary there, 
he engaged in railroad and canal contnicting. 
Coming to Illinois iu 1858, he pm-chased a farm 
near Albion, Edwards County, where he has 
since resided. He h;vs been twice elected as a 
Democrat to the House of Represeutittives ^1S68 
and "74) and twice to the State Senate (1870 
and '96), and has lieen, for over twenty yeai-s, 
a member of the State Agricultui-al Society— 
for four years of that time being President 
of the Board, and some sixteen yeai-s Vice-Presi- 
dent. 

L.VNE. .Vlhert (Jrannis, educator, was liorn in 
Coiik County, 111., March 15, 1841, and educated 
iu the public schools, gradviatiug with the tii-st 
class from the Chicago High School in 1858. He 
immediately entered ujxm the business of teach- 
ing as Principal, but, in 1809, was elected Super- 
intendent of Schools for Cook County. After 
three years" service as cashier of a bank, he was 
electeil County Superintendent, a second time, in 
1877. and regularly every four years thereafter 
until 189tl. In 1891 he was chosen Superintend- 
ent of Scluxils for the city of Chicago, to till the 
vacancy caused V>y the resignation of Superin- 
tendent Howland — ajxisition which he continued 
to (ill until the appointment of E. B. Andrews, 



Superintendent, when he became First Assistant 
Superintendent. 

L.\>E, Edward, ex-Congressuuin. was Itorn in 
Clevelanil. Ohio. March 07, 1840, aud became a 
resident of Illinois at the age of 10. After receiv- 
ing an academic education he studied law and 
was admitted to the Illinois bar iu February, 
1805. Since then he hjis been a successful prac- 
titioner at Ilillsboro. From 1809 to 1873 he served 
as County Judge. In 1886 he was the successful 
Democratic candidate for Congress from the 
Seventeenth Illinois District and re-elected for 
three successive terms, but was defeated by 
Frederick Remann (Republican) in 1894, and 
ag;iin by W. F. L. HaiUey. at a special election, in 
1895, to till the vacancy caused by the death of 
Mr. Kemann. 

LAXPHIER, Chnrles H„ journalist, was born 
at Alexandria, Va.. April 14. 1820: from 4 years 
of age lived in Washington City : iu 1836 entered 
the otlice as an apprentice of "The State Regis- 
ter" at Vandalia. IU., (then owned by his brother- 
in-law. William Walters'). Later, the paper was 
removed to Springtield. and Walters, having 
enlisted for the Mexican war in 1840, died at St. 
Louis, en route to the field. Lauphier, having 
thus succeeded to the management, and, finally, 
to the proprietorship of the paper, was elected 
public printer at the next session of the Legisla- 
ture, and, iu 1847, took into partnership George 
Walker, who acted as editor until 1858. Mr. Lin- 
phier continued the publication of the jwper until 
1863, and then sold out. During the war he 
was one of the State Board of Army Auditors 
appointed by Governor Yates: was elected 
Circuit Clerk in 1864 aiui re-elected in 1868, 
and, in 1870, wiis Democratic candidate for 
County Treasurer but defeated with the rest of 
his i«rty. 

L.\RCOM, Lucy, author and teacher, born at 
Beverly, Mass.. iu 1806: attended a grammar 
school and worked in a cotton mill at Lowell, 
becoming one of the most popular contributors to 
"The Lowell Ottering," a magazine conducted by 
the factory .girls, thereby winning tlie acquaint- 
ance and friendship of the ixiet Whittier. In 
1846 she came to Illinois aud, for three years, was 
a student at Monticello Female Seminary, near 
Alton, meanwhile teaching at intervals in the 
vicinity. Returning to Msissachusetts she taught 
for six years: in 1805 established "Our Young 
Folks," of which she was editor until 1874. Her 
books, both ixvtical and prose, have taken a 
high rank for their elevated literary and moral 
tone. Died, in Boston, April 17, 1893. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



320 



LAKNEI), Edward Channintr, lawyer, was born 
iu I'rovideiice, K. I., July 11, WiO; graduated at 
Brown University in lH-li) ; was Professor of Matlie- 
matics one year in Kemper College, Wis., then 
studied law and. in 1847. came to Chicago. He 
wa.s an earnest opponent of slavery and gained 
considerable deserved celebritj' by a si>eech 
which he delivered in 1851, in opposition to the 
fugitive slave law. He was a warm friend of 
Abraham Lincoln and, in 1800, made speeches in 
his support ; was an active member of the Union 
Defense Committee of Chicago during the war, 
and, in 1861, was appointed by Mr. Lincoln 
United States District Attorney of the Northern 
Di.strict of Illinois, but compelled to resign by 
failing health. Being absent in Eurofje at the 
time of the fire of 1871, he returned immediately 
and devoted his attention to the work of the 
Relief and Aid Society. Making a second visit to 
Europe in 1872 73, he wrote many letters for the 
press, also doing much (jther literary work in 
spite of declining health. Died at Lake Forest, 
111., Sei)tember, 1884. 

LA SALLE, a city in La Salle County, 90 miles 
southwest of Chicago, situated on the Illinois 
River at southern terminus of the Illinois & 
Michigan Canal, and at intersection of three 
trunk lines of railroads. Bituminous coal 
abounils and is extensively mined; zinc smelting 
and the manufacture of glass and hydraulic and 
Portland cement are leading iridustrins; also has 
a large ice trade with the South annually. It is 
connected with adjacent towns by electric rail- 
ways, and with Peoria by daily river packets. 
Population (1890;, 9,8.55; (1900), 10,446. 

LA SALLE, Reni Robert Cavclier, Sicur de, 
a famous explorer, Ixjrn at Rouen, France, in 
1643; entered the Jesuit order, but conceiving 
that he had mistaken his vocation, came to 
America in IflOO. He oVitained a grant of land 
about the Lachine Rapids of the St. Lawrence, 
alxjve Montreal. It was probably his intention 
to settle there as a grand seigneur; but, becoming 
interested in stories told him by some Seneca 
Indians, he started two years later in cjuest of a 
great waterway, which he believed led to the 
South Sea (Pacific Ocean) and afforded a short 
route to China. He passed through Lake Ontario, 
and is believed to have discovered the Ohio. The 
claim that he reached the Illinois River at this 
time has been questioned. Having revisited 
France in 1677 he was given a patent of nobility 
and extensive land-grants in Canada. In 1679 he 
visited the Northwest and explored the great 
lakes, finally reaching the bead of Lake Michi- 



gan and erecting a fort near the mouth of the St. 
Joseph River. From there he made a portage to 
the Illinois, wliich he descended early in 1680 to 
Lake Peoria, where he began tlie erection of a 
fort to which, in consefjuence of the misfortunes 
attending the exfMjdition, was given the name of 
Creve-Co;ur. Returning from here to Canada for 
supplies, in the following fall he again appeiired 
in Illinois, but found his fort at Lake Peoria a 
ruin and his followers, whom he had left there, 
gone. Compelled again to return to Canada, in 
the latter part of 1681 he set out on his third 
expedition to Illinois, and making the portage by 
way of the Chicago and Des Plaines Rivers, 
reached ".Starved Rock," near the present city of 
Ottawa, where his lieutenant, Tonty, had already 
Vjegun the erection of a fort. In 1682, accom- 
panied by Tonty, he descended the Illinois and 
Mississippi Rivers, reaching the Gulf of Mexico on 
April 9. He gave the region the name of Louisi- 
ana. In 1683 lie again returned to France and 
was commissioned to found a colony at the mouth 
of the Mi.ssi.ssippi, which he unsuccessfully 
attempted to do in 1684, the exjjedition finally 
landing about Matagorda Bay in Texas. After 
other fruitless attempts (death and desertions 
having seriously reduced the number of his colo- 
nists), wliileattemj)ting to reach Canada, he was 
murdered by his companions near Trinity River 
in the present State of Texas, March 19, 1687. 
Another theory regarding La Salle's ill-starred 
Texas expedition is, tliat he intended to e.stablish 
a colony west of the Mississippi, with a view to 
contesting with the .Spaniards for the possession 
of that region, but that the French government 
failed to give him the sui)iiort which had been 
promised, leaving liim to his fate. 

LA SALLE COrXTV, one of the wealthiest 
counties in the northeastern section, being second 
in size and in population in the .State It was 
organized in 1831, and has an area of 1, 152 square 
miles; population (1900), 87,776. The hi.story of 
this region dates back to 1675, when Marriuette 
establislied a mission at an Indian village on the 
Illinois River about where Utica now stands, 
eight miles west of Ottawa. La Salle (for whom 
the county is named) erected a fort here in 1C82, 
which was, for many years, the headi|uarters for 
French missionaries and traders. Ljiter. the 
Illinois Indians were well-nigh exterminated 
by starvation, at the .same pt^int. wliich has be- 
come famous in Western history as "Starved 
Rock." The surface of the county is undulat- 
ing and slopes toward the Illinois River. The 
soil is rich, and timber abounds on the bluffs and 



330 



niSTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



along the streams. Water is easily procured. 
Four beds of coal underlie the entire county, and 
good building stone i.s quarried at a deptli of 150 
to 200 feet. Excellent h3'draulic cement is made 
from the calciferous deposit, Utica being espe- 
cially noted for this industry. The First Ameri- 
can settlers came about the time of Captain Long's 
survey of a canal route (1816). The Illinois & 
Micliigan Canal was located by a joint corps of 
State and National engineers in 1830. (See ////- 
nois d- Michigan Canal.) During the Black 
Hawk AVar, La Salle County was a prominent 
base of military operations. 

LATHROP, William, lawyer and Congress- 
man, was born in Genesee County, N. Y., April 
17, 1825. His early education was acquired in 
the common schools. Later he read law and was 
admitted to the bar, commencing practice in 
1851, making his home in Central New York until 
his removal to Illinois. In 1856 he represented 
the Rockford District in the lower house of the 
General Assembly, and, in 1876, was elected, as a 
Republican, to represent the (then) Fourth Illi- 
nois District in Congress. 

LA VANTUM, the name given, in the latter 
part of the seventeenth century, to the principal 
village of the Illinois Indians, situated on the 
Illinois River, near the present town of Utica, in 
La Salle County. (See Starved Rock.) 

LAWLER, Frank, was born at Rochester, 
N. Y., June 25, 1842. His first active occupation 
was as a news-agent on railroads, which business 
he followed for three years. He learned the 
trade of a shipcalker, and was elected to the 
Presidency of the Ship-Carpenters' and Ship- 
Calkers' Association. While yet a young man he 
settled in Chicago and, in 1869, was appointed to 
a clerical position in the postoffice in that city ; 
later, served as a letter-carrier, and as a member 
of the City Council (1876-84). In 1884 he was 
elected to Congress from the Second District, 
which he represented in tliat body for three cuc- 
cessive terms. While serving his last year in 
Congress (1890) he was an unsuccessful candidate 
on the Democratic ticket for Sheriff of Cook 
County; in 1893 was an unsuccessful applicant 
for the Chicago postmastership, was defeated as 
an Independent-Democrat for Congress in 1894, 
but, in 1895, was elected Alderman for the Nine- 
teenth Ward of the city of Chicago. Died, Jan. 
17, 1896. 

LAWLER, (Gen.) Michael K., soldier, was 
born m County Kildare, Ireland, Nov. 16, 1814, 
brought to the United States in 1816, and, in 1819, 
to Gallatin County, 111., where his father began 



farming. The j'ounger Lawler early evinced a 
military taste by organizing a military company 
in 1842, of whicli lie served as Captain three or 
four years. In 1 840 lie organized a company for the 
Jlexican War, which was attaclied to the Third 
Regiment Illinois Volunteers (Colonel Forman's), 
and, at the end of its term of enlistment, raised 
a company of cavalry, with which he served 
to the end of the war — in all, seeing two and 
a half years' service. He then resumed the 
peaceful life of a farmer ; but, on the breaking 
out of the rebellion, again gave proof of liis patri- 
otism by recruiting the Eighteenth Illinois Volun- 
teer Infantry — the first regiment organized in 
the Eigliteenth Congressional District — of which 
he was commissioned Colonel, entering into the 
three years' service in May, 1861. His regiment 
took part in most of the early engagements in 
Western Kentucky and Tennessee, including the 
capture of Fort Donelson, where it lost heavily, 
Colonel Lawler himself being severely wounded. 
Later, he was in command, for some time, at 
Jackson, Tenn., and, in November, 1802, was com- 
missioned Brigadier-General "for gallant and 
meritorious service." He was also an active 
participant in the operations against Vicksburg, 
and was thanked on the field bj' General Grant 
for b.is service at the battle of Big Black, pro- 
nounced by Charles A. Dana (then Assistant 
Secretary of War) "one of the most splendid 
exploits of the war. " After the fall of Vicksburg 
he took jiart in the siege of Jack.son, Miss., and 
in the campaigns on the Teche and Red River, and 
in Texas, also being in command, for six months, 
at Baton Rouge, La. In March, 1865, he was 
brevetted Major-General, and mustered out, 
January, 1866, after a service of four years and 
seven months. He then returned to his Gallatin 
County farm, where he died, July 26, 1882. 

LAWLER, Thomas (i., soldier and Com- 
mander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the 
Republic, was born in Liverpool, Eng., April 
7, 1844; was brought to Illinois by his parents 
in cliildhood, and, at 17 years of age, enlisted 
in the Nineteenth Illinois Volunteers, serv- 
ing first as a private, then as Sergeant, later 
being elected First Lieutenant, and (although 
not mustered in, for two montlis) during the 
Atlanta campaign being in command of his com- 
pany, and placed on the roll of honor by order of 
General Rosecrans. He participated in every 
battle in which his regiment was engaged, and, 
at the battle of Missionary Ridge, was the first 
man of his command over the enemy's works. 
After the war he became prominent as an officer 



HISTORICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



331 



of the Illinois Xatioual Guard, organizint; tlie 
Rockford Rilles, in 18TC, and serving as Colonel of 
the Third Regiment for seven years; was ap- 
pointed Postmaster at Rockford by President 
Hayes, but removed by Cleveland in 1885; re- 
appointed by Harrison and again displaced on the 
accession of Cleveland. He was one of the 
organizers of G. L. Xevius Post, G. A. R., of 
which he served as Commander twenty-six 3'ears; 
in 1883 was elected Department Commander for 
the State of Illinois and, in 1894, Commander-in- 
Chief, serving one year. 

LAWRENCE, Charles B., jurist, was born at 
Vergennes, Vt., Dec. 17, 1820. After two years 
spent at Middlebury College, he entered the 
junior class at Union College, graduating from 
the latter in 1841. He devoted two years to 
teaching in Alabama, and began reading law at 
Cincinnati in 1843, completing his studies at St. 
Louis, where he was admitted to the bar and 
began practice in 1844. The following year he 
removed to Quincy, 111., where he was a promi- 
nent practitioner for ten years. The years 
1856-58 he spent in foreign travel, with the pri- 
mary object of restoring his impaired health. On 
his return home he began farming in Warren 
County, with the same end in view. In 1861 he 
accepted a nomination to the Circuit Court bench 
and was elected without opposition. Before the 
expiration of his term, in 1864, he was elected a 
Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court for the 
Northern Grand Division, and, in 1870, became 
Chief Justice. At this time his home was at 
Galesburg. Failing of a re-election in 1873, he 
removed to Chicago, and at once became one of 
the leaders of the Cook County bar. Although 
persistentlj' urged by personal and political 
friends, to permit his name to be used in connec- 
tion with a vacancy on the bench of the United 
States Supreme Court, he steadfastlj' declined. 
In 1877 he received the votes of the Republicans 
in the State Legislature for United States Senator 
against David Davis, who was elected. Died, at 
Decatur, Ala., April 9, 1883. 

LAWRENCE COUNTY, one of the eastern 
counties in the "southern tier," originallj' a part 
of Edwards, but separated from the latter in 
1831, and named for Commodore Lawrence. In 
1900 its area was 360 square miles, and its popu- 
lation, 16,523. Tlie first English speaking settlers 
seem to have emigrated from the colony at Vin- 
cennes, Ind. St. Francisville, in the southeast- 
ern portion, and Allison prairie, in the northeast, 
were favored by the American pioneers. Settle- 
tnent was more or less desultory until after the 



War of 1813. Game was abundant and the soil 
productive. About a dozen negro families found 
homes, in 1819, near Lawrenceville, and a Shaker 
colony was established about Charlottesville tlie 
same year. Among the best remembered pio- 
neers are the families of Lautermann, Chubb, 
Kincaid, Buchanan and Laus — the latter having 
come from Soutli Carolina. Toussaint Dubois, 
a Frenchman and father of Jesse K. Dubois, State 
Auditor (1857-64), was a large land proprietor at 
an early day, and his house was first utilize<l as a 
court house. The county is richer in historic 
associations than in populous towns. Lawrence- 
ville, the county-seat, was credited with 865 
inhabitants by the census of 1890. St. Francis- 
ville and Sumner are flourLshing towns. 

LAWRENCEVILLE, the county-seat of Law- 
rence County, is situated on the Embarras River, 
at the intersection of the Baltimore & Ohio 
Southwe.stern and the Cleveland, Cincinnati, 
Chicago & St. Louis Railways, 9 miles west of 
Vincennes, Ind., and 139 miles east of St. Louis. 
It has a courthouse, four churches, a graded 
school and two weekly newspapers. Population 
(1890), 865; (1900), 1,300; (1903, est.), l',600. 

L.VWSON, Victor F., journalist and newspaper 
proprietor, was burn in Chicago, of Scandinavian 
parentage, Sept. 9, 1850. After graduating at the 
Cliicago High School, he prosecuted his studies 
at Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass., and at 
Harvard Universitj'. In August, 1876, he pur- 
chased an interest in "The Chicago Daily News," 
being for some time a partner of Melville E. 
Stone, but became sole proprietor in 1888, pub- 
lishing morning and evening editions. He 
reduced the price of the morning edition to one 
cent, and changed its name to "The Chicago 
Record." He has always taken a deep interest 
in the cause of popular education, and, in 1888, 
established a fund to provide for the distribution 
of medals among public school children of Chi- 
cago, the award to be made upon the basis of 
comparative excellence in the preparation of 
essays upon topics connected with American 
history. 

LEBANON, a city in St. Clair County, situated 
on Silver Creek, and on the Baltimore & Oliio 
Southwestern Railroad, 11 miles northeast of 
Belleville and 24 miles east of St. Louis; is lo- 
cated in an agricultural and c^oal-mining region. 
Its manufacturing interests are limited, a flour- 
ing mill being tlie chief industry of this charac- 
ter. The city has electric lights and electric 
trolley line connecting with Belleville and St. 
Louis; also has a bank, eight churches, two 



332 



HISTORICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



newspapers and is an important educational cen- 
ter, being the seat of McKendree College, founded 
in 1828. Population (1890), 1,<;;^I5; (1900), 1.S12. 

LEE COUNTY, one of the third tier of counties 
south of the Wisconsin State line; named for 
Richard Henry Lee of Revolutionary fame : area, 
740 square miles; population (1900), 29,894. It 
was cut off from Ogle County, and separately 
organized in 1839. In 1840 the population was 
but little over 2,000. Charles F. Ingals, Nathan 
R. Whitney and James P. Dixon were the first 
County-Commissioners. Agricultvire is the prin- 
cipal pursuit, although stone quarries are found 
here and there, notably at Ashton. The county- 
seat is Dixon, where, in 1828, one Ogee, a half- 
breed, built a cabin and established a ferry across 
the Rock River. In 1830, John Dixon, of New 
York, purchased Ogee's interest for 81,800. Set- 
tlement and progress were greatly retarded by 
the Black Hawk War, but immigration fairly set 
in in 1838. The first court house was built in 
1840, and the same year the United States Land 
Office was removed from Galena to Dixon, Colo., 
John Dement, an early pioneer, being appointed 
Receiver. Dixon was incorporated as a city in 
1859. and, in 1900, had a population of 7,917. 

LEGISLATIVE APPORTIONMENT. (See 
Apportionment, Legislative. ) 

LEGISLATURE. (See General Assemblies.) 

LELAND, a village of La Salle County, on the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincj- Railway, 29 miles 
southwest of Aurora. Population (1900), 634. 

LELAND, Edwin S., lawyer and Judge, was 
born at Dennysville, Me., August 28, 1812, and 
admitted to the bar at Dedham, Mass., in 1834. 
In 1835 he removed to Ottawa, 111., and, in 1839, 
to Oregon. Ogle County, where he practiced for 
four years. Returning to Ottawa in 1843, he 
rapidly rose in his profession, until, in 1852, he 
was elected to the Circuit Court bench to fill the 
imexpired term of Judge T. Lyle Dickey, who 
had resigned. In 1866 Governor Oglesby ap- 
pointed him Circuit Judge to fill the unexpired 
term of Judge Hollister. He was elected by 
popular vote in 1867, and reelected in 1873, being 
assigned to the Appellate Court of the Second 
District in 1877. He was prominently identified 
with the genesis of the Republican party, whose 
tenets be zealously championed. He vvas also 
]irominent in local affairs, having been elected 
(lie first Republican Mayor of Ottawa (1856), 
President of the Board of Education and County 
Treasurer. Died, June, 24, 1889. 

LENEN, JameH, Sr., pioneer, was born in Berk- 
eley County, Va.. Nov. 20, 1760; served as a soldier 



in tlie War of the Revolution, being present at 
the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown in 1781; 
in 1786 came to Illinois, settling at the village of 
New Design, near the present site of Waterloo, in 
Monroe County. He was a man of enterprise 
and sterling integrity, and ultimately became the 
head of one of the most prominent and influential 
families in Southern Illinois. He is said to have 
been the first person admitted to the Baptist 
Church by immersion in Illinois, finally becoming 
a minister of that denomination. Of a family of 
eight children, four of his sons became ministers. 
Mr. Lemen's prominence was indicated by the 
fact that he was approached by Aaron Burr, with 
offers of large rewards for his influence in found- 
ing that ambitious schemer's projected South- 
western Empire, but the proposals were 
indignantly rejected and the scheme denounced. 
Died, at Waterloo, Jan. 8, 1822.— Robert (Lemen), 
oldest son of the preceding, was born in Berkeley 
County, Va. , Sept. 25, 1783 ; came with his father 
to Illinois, and, after his marriage, settled in St. 
Clair County. He held a commission as magis- 
trate and, for a time, was United States Marshal 
for Illinois under the administration of John 
Quincy Adams. Died in Ridge Prairie, St. Clair 
County, August 24, I860.— Rer. Joseph (Lemen), 
the second son, was born in Berkeley County, 
Va., Sept. 8, 1785, brought to Illinois in 1786, and, 
on reaching manhood, married Mary Kinney, a 
daughter of Rev. William Kinney, who after- 
wards became Lieutenant-Governor of the State. 
Joseph Lemen settled in Ridge Prairie, in the 
northern part of St. Clair County, and for many 
years supplied the pulpit of the Bethel Baptist 
church, which had been founded in 1809 on the 
principle of opposition to human slavery. His 
death occurred at his home, June 29, 1861. — Rev. 
James (Lemen), Jr., the third son, was born in 
Monroe County, 111., Oct. 8, 1787; early united 
with the Baptist Church and became a minister 
— assisting in the ordination of his father, whose 
sketch stands at the head of this article. He 
served as a Delegate from St. Clair Countyin tlie 
first State Constitutional Convention (1818), and as 
Senator in the Second, Fourth and Fifth General 
Assemblies. He also preached extensively in 
Illinois, Missouri, and Kentucky, and assisted in 
tlie organization of many churches, although his 
labors were chieflj' within his own. Mr. Lemen 
was the second child of American parents born in 
Illinois — Enoch Moore being the first. Died, 
Feb. 8, 1870.— William (Lemen), the fourth son, 
born in Monroe County, 111., in 1791; served as a 
soldier in the Black Hawk War. Died in Monroe 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



333 



County, in 1857.— Rev. Josiah (Lemen), the 
fifth son, born in Monroe County, 111., August 15, 
1794; was a Baptist preacher. Died near Du- 
quoin, July 11, 1867.— Rev. Moses (Lemen), tlie 
sixth son, born in Monroe CouDt.v, 111., in 1797; 
became a Baptist minister early in life, served as 
Representative in the Sixth General Assembly 
(l»28-30) for Monroe County. Died, in Montgom- 
ery County, 111., March 5, 1859. 

LEMOXT, a city in Cook County, 25 miles 
southwest of Chicago, on the Des Plaines River 
and the Chicago & Alton Railroad. A thick 
vein of Silurian limestone (Athens marble) is 
extensively quarried here, constituting the chief 
industry. Owing to the number of imlustrial 
enterprises. Lemont is at times the temporary 
home of a lai-ge number of workmen. The city 
has a bank, electric lights, six churches, two 
papers, five public and four private schools, one 
business college, aluminum and concrete works. 
Population of the township (1890), 5,539; (1900), 
4,441. 

LE MOYXE, John V., ex-Congressman, was 
born in "Washington County, Pa., in 1828, and 
graduated from Washington College, Pa., in 
1847. He studied law at Pittsburg, where he was 
admitted to the bar in 1852. He at once removed 
to Chicago, where he continued a permanent 
resident and active practitioner. In 1872 he was 
a candidate for Congress on the Liberal Repub- 
lican ticket, but was defeated by Charles B. Far- 
well, Republican. In 1874 he was again a 
candidate against Mr. Farwell. Both claimed 
the election, and a contest ensued which was 
decided by the House in favor of Mr. Le Moyne. 

LENA, a village in Stephenson County, on the 
Illinois Central Railroad, 13 miles northwest of 
Freeport and 38 miles east of Galena. It is in a 
farming and dairying district, but has some 
manufactures, the making of caskets being the 
principal industry in this line. There are six 
ch\irches, two hanks, and two newspapers. Pop- 
ulation (1890), 1,270; (1900), 1,2.52. 

LEONARD, Edward P., Railway President, 
was born in Connecticut in 18;!(5; graduated from 
Union College, N. Y., was admitted to the bar 
and came to Springfield, 111., in 18.58; served for 
several years as clerk in the office of the State 
Auditor, was afterwards connected with the con- 
struction of the "St. Louis Short Line" (now a 
part of the Illinois Central Railway), and was 
private secretary of Governor Cullom during his 
first term. For several years he has been Presi- 
dent of the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railroad, 
with headquarters at Peoria. 



LEROY, a city in McLean County, 15 miles 
southwest of Bloomington; has two banks, sev- 
eral churches, a graded school and a plow factory. 
Two weekly pa])ers are published there. Popu- 
lation (1880), l,0(i8; (1890), 1.2.58; (1900), 1,629. 

LEVER ETT, Washington and Warren, edu- 
cators and twin-brotiiers, whose careers were 
strikingly similar; born at Brookline, Mass., Dec. 
19, 1805, and passed their boyhood on a farm; in 
1827 began a preparatory course of study under 
an elder brother at Roxbury, Mass., entered 
Brown University as freshmen, the next year, and 
graduated in 1832. Warren, being in bad health, 
spent the following winter in South Carolina, 
afterwards engaging in teaching, for a time, and 
in study in Newton Theological Seminary, while 
Washington served as tutor two years in his 
Alma Mater and in Columbian College in Wash- 
ington, D. C, then took a course at Newton, 
graduating there in 1836. The same year he 
accepted the chair of Mathematics in Shurtleff 
College at Upper Alton, remaining, with slight 
interruption, until 1868. Warren, after suffering 
from hemorrhage of the lungs, same west in the 
fall of 1837, and. after teaching for a few months 
at Greenville. Bond County, in 1839 joined his 
brother at Shurtleff College as Principal of the 
preparatory department, subsequently being 
advanced to the chair of Ancient Languages, 
which he continued to occupy until June. 1868, 
when he retired in the same 5'ear with his brother. 
After resigning he established himself in the book 
business, which was continued until his death, 
Nov. 8, 1872. Washington, the surviving brother, 
continued to be a member of the Board of Trus- 
tees of Shurtleff College, and to discharge the 
duties of Librarian and Treasurer of the institu- 
tion. Died, Dec. 13, 1889. 

LEWIS INSTITUTE, an educational institu- 
tion based upon a bequest of Allen C. Lewis, in 
the city of Chicago, established in 1895. It main- 
tains departments in law, the classics, prepara- 
tory studies and manual training, and owns 
property valued at §1,600,000, with funds and 
endowment amounting to $1,100,000. No report 
is made of the number of pupils. 

LEWIS, John H., ex-Congressman, was born 
in Tompkins County, N. Y., July 21, 1830. 
When six years old he accompanied his parents 
to Knox County, 111., where he attended the 
public schools, read law, and was admitted to the 
bar in 1860. The same j-ear he was elected Clerk 
of the Circuit Court of Knox County. In 1874 he 
was elected to the lower house of the General 
Assembly, and, in 1880, was the successful Repub- 



334 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



lican candidate for Congress from the old Ninth 
District. In 1882, he was a candidate for re- 
election from the same district (then the Tenth), 
but was defeated by Nicholas E. Worthington, 
his Democratic opponent. 

LEWISTOWX, the county-seat of Fulton 
County, located on two lines of railway, fifty 
miles southwest of Peoria and sixty miles north- 
west of Springfield. It contains flour and saw- 
mills, carriage and wagon, can-making, 
duplex-scales and evener factories, six churches 
and four newspapers, one issuing a daily edition ; 
also excellent public schools. Population (1880), 
1.7T1; (1890), 2,166; (1900), 2,504, 

LEXINGTON, a city in McLean County, on the 
Chicago & Alton Railroad, 110 miles south of 
Chicago and 16 miles northeast of Bloomiugton. 
The surrounding region is agricultural and stock- 
raising, and the town has a flourishing trade in 
horses and other live-stock. Tile is manufac- 
tured here, and the town has two banks, five 
churches, a high school and two weekly news- 
papers. Population (1890), 1,187; (1900), 1,415. 

LIBERTYVILLE, a village of Lake County, on 
the main line of the Chicago & Madison Division 
of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, 
35 miles north-northwest of Chicago. The region 
is agricultural. The town has some manufac- 
tures, two banks and a weekly paper. Popula- 
tion (1890), 550; (1900), 864. 

LIBRARIES. (Statistical.)— A report of the 
Commissioner of Education for 1895-96, on the 
subject of "Public, Society and Scliool Libraries 
in tlie United States," presents some approximate 
statistics of libraries in the several States, based 
upon the reports of librarians, so far as they 
could be obtained in reply to inquiries sent out 
from the Bureau of Education in Washington. 
As shown by tlie .statistical tables embodied in 
this report, there were 348 libraries in Illinois 
reporting 300 volumes and over, of which 184 
belonged to the smallest class noted. or those con- 
taining less than 1,000 volumes, The remaining 
214 were divided into the following classes: 

Containing 300, 000 and less than 500,000 volumes 1 

100,000 " " 300,000 " 2 

" 50,000 " " 100,000 " 1 

25,000 " " ,50,000 " 5 

10,000 " " 25,000 " 27 

" 5,000 " " 10,000 " 34 

1,000 " " 5,000 " 144 

A general classification of libraries of 1,000 
volumes and over, as to character, divides them 
into. General, 91; School, 36; College, 42; College 
Society, 7; Law, 3; Theological, 7; State, 2; Asy- 



lum and Reformatory, 4; Young Men's Christian 
A.ssociation, 2; Scientific, 6; Historical, 3; Soci- 
ety, 8; Medical, Odd Fellows and Social, 1 each. 
The total number of volumes belonging to the 
class of 1,000 volumes and over was 1,822,580 with 
447,168 pamplilets; and, of the class between 300 
and 1 , 000 volumes, 66, 992 — making a grand total of 
1,889,572 volumes. The library belonging to the 
largest (or 300,000) class, is that of the University 
of Chicago, reporting 305,000 volumes, with 
180,000 pamphlets, wliile the Chicago Public 
Library and tlie Newberry Library belong to the 
second class, reporting, respectively, 217,065 vol- 
umes with 42,000 pamphlets, and 135,244 volumes 
and 35,654 pamphlets. (The report of the Chi- 
cago Public Library for 1898 shows a total, for 
that year, of 235,385 volumes and 44,069 pam- 
phlets. ) 

As to sources of support or method of adminis- 
tration, 42 of the class reporting 1.000 volumes 
and over, are supported by taxation ; 27, by apjjro- 
priations by State, County or City; 20, from 
endowment funds ; 54, from membership fees and 
dues; 16, from book-rents; 26. from donations, 
leaving 53 to be supported from sources not 
stated. The total income of 131 reporting on this 
subject is §787,262; the aggregate endowment 
of 17 of this class is §2,283,197, and the value of 
buildings belonging to 36 is estimated at 82,981,- 
575. Of the 214 libraries reporting 1,000 volumes 
and over, 88 are free, 28 are reference, and 158 
are both circulating and reference. 

The free public libraries in the State containing 
3,000 volumes and over, in 1896, amounted to 39. 
The following list includes those of this class con- 
taining 10,000 volumes and over: 

Chicago, Public Library . . (1896) 217.065 

Peoria, " " 57,604 

Springfield, " " 28.639 

Rockford, " " 38.000 

Quincy, " ' " and Reading Room 19.400 

Galesburg " " 18,41)9 

Elgin, Gail Borden Public Library . . 17,000 

Bloomington, Withers " " "... 16.068 

Evan.ston, Free " " ... 1,5,515 

Decatur, " " " . . . 14.766 

Belleville, " " ... 14,511 

Aurora. " " ... 14,350 

Rock Island, " " ... 12,634 

Joliet, " " ... 23,325 

The John Crerar Library (a scientific reference 
library) — established in the Citj' of Chicago in 
1894, on the basis of a bequest of the late Jolin 
Crerar, estimated as amounting to fully §3,000,- 
000 — is rapidly adding to its resources, having, 
in the four years of its history, acquired over 
40,000 volumes. With its princely endowment. 




i 



IIISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



335 



it is destined, in tlie course of a few j-ears, to be 
reckoned one of the leading libraries of its class 
in the United States, as it is one of the most 
modern and carefully selected. 

The Newberrj- and Chicago Historical Society 
Libraries fill an important place for reference pur- 
poses, especiallj' on historical subjects. A tardy 
beginning has been made in building up a State 
Historical Library in Springfield; but, owing to 
the indifference of the Legislature and the meager 
support it has received, the State which was, for 
nearly a hundred years, the theater of the most 
important events in the development of the Mis- 
sissippi Valley, has, as yet, scarcel}' accomplished 
anything worthy of its name in collecting and 
preserving the records of its own history. 

In point of historical origin, next to the Illinois 
State Library, which dates from the admission 
of the State into the Union in 1818, the oldest 
library in the State is that of the McCormick 
Theological Seminary, which is set down as hav- 
ing had its origin in 1825, though this occurred 
in another State. The early State College Li- 
braries follow next in chronological order: Shurt- 
leff College, at Upper Alton, 1837 ; Illinois College, 
at Jacksonville, 1829; JIcKendree College, at 
Lebanon, 1834; Rockford College, 1849; Lombard 
University, at Galesburg, 18.')2. In most cases, 
however, these are simpl}' the dates of the estab- 
lishment of the institution, or the period at which 
instruction began to be given in the school which 
finally developed into the college. 

The school library is constantly becoming a 
more important factor in the liberal education of 
the youth of the State. Adding to this the "Illi- 
nois Pupils' Reading Circle," organized by the 
State Teachers' Association some ten years ago, 
but still in the experimental stage, and the sys- 
tem of "traveling libraries," set on foot at a later 
period, there is a constant tendency to enlarge 
the range of popular reading and bring the public 
library, in some of its various forms, within the 
reach of a larger class. 

The JFree Public Library Law of Illinois. 
— The following history and analysis of the Free 
Public Library Law of Illinois is contributed, for 
the "Historical Encyclopedia." by E. S. Willcox, 
Librarian of the Peoria Public Library: 

The Library Law passed by the Legislature 
of Illinois in 1872 was the first broadly planned, 
comprehensive and complete Free Public Li- 
brary Law placed on the statute book of any 
State in the Union. It is true. New Hamp- 
shire, in 1849, and Massachusetts, in 1851, 
had taken steps in this direction, with three or 
four brief sections of laws, permissive in their 



character rather than directive, but lacking the 
vitalizing qualities of our Illinois law, in that 
they provided no sufficiently specific working 
method — no sailing direotiou.s — for starting and 
administering such free public libraries. They 
seem to have had no influence on subseiiuent 
librarj- legislation, while, to quote the language 
of Mr. Fletcher in his "Public Libraries in 
America," "the wisdom of the Illinois law, in this 
regard, is probably the reason why it has been so 
widely copied in other States." 

By this law of 1872 Illinois placed her.self at the 
head of her sister States in encouraging the 
spread of general intelligence among the people; 
but it is also a record to be etiually proud of, that, 
within less than five years after her admission to 
the Union, Dec. 3, 1818 — that is, at the first ses- 
sion of her Third General Assembly — a general 
Act was passed and approved, Jan. 31, 1823, 
entitled : "An act to incorporate such persons as 
may associate for the purpose of procuring and 
erecting public libraries in this State," with the 
following preamble • 

"Whereas, a disposition for improvement In useful 
knowledue has manifested itself in various parts of this 
state, by associating for procuring and erecting public 
libraries'; and, wliereas. it is of the utmost importance to 
the public that the sources of information should be nudti- 
plied, and Institutions for that purpose encouraged and pro- 
moted: Seel. Be it enacted," etc. 

Then follow ten sections, covering five and a 
half pages of the published laws of that session, 
giving explicit directions as to the organizing 
and maintaining of such Associations, with pro- 
visions as enlightened and liberal as we could ask 
for to-day. The libraries contemplated in this act 
are, of course, subscription libraries, the only 
kind known at that time, free public libraries 
supported by taxation not having come into 
rogue in that early day. 

It is the one vivifj'ing quality of the Illinois 
law of 1872, that it showed how to start a free 
public library, how to manage it when started 
and how to provide it with the necessary funds. 
It furnished a full and minute set of sailing 
directions for the ship it launched, and, moreover, 
was not loaded down with useless limitations. 

With a few exceptions— notably the Boston 
Public Library, working under a special charter, 
and an occasional endowed library, like the Astor 
Library — all public libraries in those days were 
subscription libraries, like the great Jlercantile 
Libraries of New York, St. Louis and Cincinnati, 
with dues of from S3 to §10 from each member 
per year. Witli dues at §4 a year, our Peoria 
Mercantfle Library, at its best, never had over 
280 members in any one year. Compare this with 
our present public membership of 6, .500, and it 
will be seen that some kind of a free public 
library law was needed. That was the conclu- 
sion I, as one of the Directors of the Peoria Mer- 
cantile Library, came to in 1869. We had tried 
every expedient for years, in tlie way of lecture 
courses, concerts, spelling matches, "Drummer 
Boy of Shiloh," and begging, to increase our 
membership and revenue. So far, and no farther, 
seemed to be the rule with all .subscription 
libraries. They did not reach the masses who 
needed them most. And, for this manifest rea- 



33t) 



IIISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



son : the necessary cost of annual dues stood in 
the way; the women and young people who 
wanted something to read, who thirsted for 
knowledge, and who are the principal patrons of 
the free public library to-day, did not hold the 
family purse-strings; while the men, who did 
hold the purse-strings, did not particularly care 
for books. 

It was my experience, derived as a Director in 
the Peoria Mercantile Library when it was still a 
small, struggling subscription library, that sug- 
gested the need of a State law authorizing cities 
and towns to tax themselves for the support of 
public libraries, as they already did for the sup- 
port of public schools. When, in 1870, I 
submitted the plan to some of my friends, they 
pronounced it (((uixotic — the people would never 
consent to pay taxes for libraries. To which I 
replied, that, until sometime in the '50"s, we 
had no free public schools in this State. 

I then drew up the form of a law, substantially 
as it now stands; and, after submitting it to 
Justin Winsor, then of the Boston Public Li- 
brary ; William F. Poole, then in Cincinnati, and 
William T. Harris, then in St. Louis, I placed it 
in the hands of my friend, Mr. Samuel Caldwell, 
in December, 1870, who took it %vith him to 
■Springfield, promising to do what he could to get 
it through the Legislature, of which he was a 
member from Peoria. The bill was introduced 
by Mr. Caldwell, March 23. 1871, as House bill 
No. 563, and as House bill No. 563 it finally 
received the Governor's signature and became a 
law, March 7, 1873. 

The essential features of our Illinois law are: 

I. Tlie poirer of iiiitiafirc in starting a free 
public library lies in the City Council, and -not in 
an appeal to the voters of the city at a general 
election. 

It is a weak point in the English public libra- 
ries act that this initiative is left to the electors or 
voters of a city. and. in several London and pro- 
vincial districts, the proposed law has been 
repeatedly voted down by the very people it was 
most calculated to benefit, from fear of a little 
extra taxation. 

//. T)ie amount of tax to be levied is permissive, 
not mandatory. 

We can trust to the public spirit of our city 
.authorities, supported by an intelligent public 
sentiment, to provide for the library needs. A 
mandatory law, requiring the levying of a certain 
fixed percentage of the city's total assessment, 
might invite extravagance, as it has in several 
instances where a mandatory law is in force. 

III. Tlie Library Board has exclusive control of 
library appropriations. 

This is to be interpreted that Public Library 
Boards are separate and distinct departments of 
the city administration; and experience has 
shown that they are as capable and honest in 
handling money as School Boards or City 
Councils. 

IV. Library Boards consist of nine members to 
serve for three years, 

V. The m.embc7-s of the Board are appyointed by 
the Mayor, subject to the approval of the City 
Council, from the citizen.t at large iviih reference 
to tlicir Jifncss for ,^uch office. 



IT. .-In annual rejMrt is to be made by the 
Board to the City Council, stating the condition 
of tlicir trust on the first day of June of each 
year, 

Tliis, with slight modifications adapting it to 
villages, towns and townships, is, in substance, 
the Free Public Library Law of Illinois. Under 
its beneficent operation flourishing free public 
libraries have been establislied in the principal 
cities and towns of our State — slowly, at first, 
but, of late years, more i-apidly as their usefulness 
has become apparent. 

No argument is now needed to show the im- 
portance — the imperative necessity — of the widest 
possible diffusion of intelligence among the people 
of a free State. Knowledge and ignorance — the 
one means civilization, tlie other, barbarism. 
Give a man the taste for good books and the 
means of gratifying it, and you can hardly fail of 
making him a better, happier man and a wiser 
citizen. You place him in contact with the best 
society in every period of historj' ; you set before 
him nobler examples to imitate and safer paths 
to follow. 

We have no way of foretelling how many and 
how great benefits will accrue to society and the 
State, in the future, from the comparatively 
modern introduction of the free public library 
into our educational system; but when some 
youthful Abraham Lincoln, poring over ^sop's 
Fables, Weems' Life of Washington and a United 
States History, by the flickering light of a pine- 
knot in a log-cabin, rises at length to be the hope 
and bulwark of a nation, then we learn what the 
world may owe to a taste for books. In the gen- 
eral spread of intelligence through our free 
schools, oiu' free press and our free libraries, lies 
our only hope that our free American institutions 
shall not decay and perish from the earth. 

" Knowledge Is the only good, isnorance the only evil." 
" Let knowledge grow from more to more. " 

LIEUTENAJfT-GOYERXORS OF ILLINOIS. 

The office of Lieutenant-Governor, created by the 
Constitution of 1818, has been retained in each of 
the subsequent Constitutions, being elective by 
the people at the same time with that of Gov- 
ernor. Tlie following is a list of the Lieutenant- 
Governors of the State, from the date of its 
admission into the Union to the present time 
(1899), with the date and length of each incum- 
bent's term: Pierre Menard, 1818-22; Adolphus 
Frederick Hubbard, 1822-26; William Kinney, 
1826-30; Zadoc Casey, 1830-33; William Lee D. 
Ewing (succeeded to the office as President of the 
Senate), 1833-34; Alexander M. Jenkins, 1834-36; 
William H. Davidson (as President of the 
Senate), 1836-38; Stinson H. Anderson. 1838-42; 
John Moore, 1842-46; Joseph B. Wells, 1846-49; 
AVilliam McMurtry, 1849-53; Gustavus Koerner, 
18.53-57; John Wood, 1857-60; Thomas A. Mar- 
shall (as President of the Senate), Jan. 7-14, 1861 ; 
Francis A. Hoffman, 1861-65; William Bross, 
1865-69; John Dougherty, 1869-73; John L. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



337 



Beveridge, Jan. 13-23, 1873; John Early (as 
President of tlie Senate), 1873-75; Archibald A. 
Glenn (as President of the Senate), 1875-77; 
Andrew Shuman, 1877-81 ; John M. Hamilton, 
1881-83; William J. Campbell (as President of 
the Senate), 1883-85; John C. Smith, 1885-89; 
Lyman B. Ray, 1889-93; Joseph B. Gill, 1893-97; 
William A. Northcott, 1897 — . 

LIMESTONE. Illinois ranks next to Pennsyl- 
vania in its output of lime.stone, the United 
States Census Report for 1890 giving the number 
of quarries as 104, and the total value of the 
product as $3,190,604. In the value of stone used 
for building purposes Illinois far exceeds any 
other State, the greater proportion of the output 
in Pennsylvania being suitable only for flux. 
Next to its employment as building stone, Illinois 
limestone is chiefly used for street-work, a small 
percentage being used for flux, and still less for 
bridge-work, and but little for burning into lime. 
The quarries in this State emplo)- 3,383 hands, and 
represent a capital of $3,316,616, in the latter par- 
ticular also ranking next to Pennsylvania. The 
quarries are found in various parts of the State, 
but the most productive and most valuable are in 
the northern section. 

LINCOLX, an incorporated city, and county- 
seat of Logan Count}', at the intersection of the 
Chicago & Alton, the Champaign and Havana 
and the Peoria, Decatur and Evansville Divi- 
sions of the Illinois Central Railroad; is 28 miles 
northeast of Springfield, and 157 miles southwest 
of Chicago. The surrounding country is devoted 
to agriculture, stock-rai.sing and coal-mining. 
Considerable manufacturing is carried on, among 
the products being flour, brick and drain tile. 
The city has water-works, fire department, gas 
and electric lighting plant, telephone sj-stem, 
machine shops, eigliteen churches, good schools, 
three national banks, a public library, electric 
street railwaj's, and several newspapers. Besides 
po.ssessing good schools, it is the seat of Lincoln 
University (a Cumberland Presbyterian institu- 
tion, founded in 1865) The Odd Fellows' 
Orphans' Home and the Illinois (State) Asylum 
for Feeble-Minded Chililren are al.so located here. 
Population (1S90), 6,725; (1900), 8,962; (1903, est.), 
12,000. 

LINCOLN, Ahraham, sixteenth President of the 
United States, was born in Hardin County, Ky., 
Feb. 12, 1809, of Quaker-English descent, his 
grandfather Iiaving emigrated from Virginia to 
Kentucky about 1780, where he was killed ])y the 
Indians in 1784. Thomas Lincoln, the father of 
Abraham, settled in Indiana in 1810, .and n lunved 



to Macon County in 1830. Ahraham was the 
issue of his father's first marriage, his mother's 
maiden name being Nancy Hanks. The early 
occupations of the future President were varied. 
He served at dilTerent times as farm-laborer, flat- 
boatman, country- salesman, merchant, surveyor, 
lawyer. State legislator, Congressman and Presi- 
dent. In 1832 he enlisted for the Black Hawk 
War, and was chosen Captain of his company; 
was an unsuccessful candidate for the Legislature 
the same year, but elected two years later. 
About this time he turned his attention to the 
study of law, was admitted to the bar in 1836, 
and, one year later, began practice at Springfield. 
By successive re-elections he served in the House 
until 1842, when he declined a re-election. In 
1838, and again in 1840, he was the Whig candi- 
date for Speaker of the House, on both occasions 
being defeated by William L. D. Ewing. In 1841 
he was an applicant to President William Henry 
Harrison for the position of Commissioner of the 
General Land Oflice, the appointment going to 
Justin Butterfleld. His next ofl!icial position was 
that of Rejiresentative in the Thirtieth Congress 
(1847-49). From that time he gave his attention 
to his profession until 1855, when he was a lead- 
ing candidate for the United States Senate in 
opposition to the principles of the Nebraska Bill, 
but failed of election, Lyman Trumbull being 
chosen. In 1856, he took a leading part in the 
organization of the Republican party at Bloom- 
ington, and, in 1858, was formally nominated by 
the Republican State Convention for the United 
States Senate, later engaging in a joint debate 
with Senator Douglas on party issues, during 
which they delivered speeches at seven diff'erent 
cities of the State. Although he again failed to 
secure the prize of an election, owing to the char- 
acter of the legislative apportionment then in 
force, which gave a majority of the Senators and 
Representatives to a Democratic minority of the 
voters, his burning, incisive utterances on the 
subject of slavery attracted the attention of the 
whole country, and prei)ared the way for the 
future triumph of the Ropulilican Jiarty. Previ- 
ous to this he had been four times (1840, '44, '52, 
and '56) on the ticket of his party as candidate 
for Presidential Elector. In 1860, he was the 
nominee of the Republican party for the Presi- 
dency and was chosen by a decisive majority in 
the Electoral College, though receiving a minor- 
ity of the aggregate popular vote. Unquestion- 
ably his candidacy was aided by internal 
dissensions in the Democratic party. His election 
and his inauguration (on March 4, 1861) were 



338 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



made a pretext for secession, and he met the 
issue with promptitude and firmness, tempered 
with kindness and moderation towards the se- 
cessionists. He was re-elected to the Presidency 
in 1864, the vote in the Electoral College standing 
212 for Lincoln to 21 for his opponent, Gen. 
George B. McClellan. The history of Mr. Lin- 
coln's life in the Presidential chair is the history 
of the whole country during its most dramatic 
period. Next to his success in restoring the 
authority of the Government over the whole 
Union, history will, no doubt, record his issuance 
of the Emancipation Proclamation of January, 
1863, as the most important and far-reaching act 
of his administration. And yet to this act, which 
has embalmed his memory in the hearts of the 
lovers of freedom and human justice in all ages 
and in all lands, the world over, is due his death 
at the hands of the assassin, J. Wilkes Booth, in 
Washington City, April 15, 1865, as the result of 
an assault made upon him in Ford's Theater the 
evening previous — his death occurring one week 
after the fall of Richmond and the surrender of 
Lee's army — just as peace, with the restoration of 
the Union, was assured. A period of National 
mourning ensued, and he was accorded the honor 
of a National fimeral, his remains being finally 
laid to rest in a mausoleum in Springfield. His 
profound sympathy with every class of sufferers 
during the War of the Rebellion ; his forbearance 
in the treatment of enemies; his sagacity in 
giving direction to public sentiment at home and 
in dealing with international questions abroad ; 
his courage in preparing the way for the removal 
of slavery — the bone of contention between the 
warring sections — have given him a place in the 
affections of the people beside that of Washington 
himself, and won for him the respect and admi- 
ration of all civilized nations. 

LINCOLN, Eobert Todd, lawyer, member of 
the Cabinet and Foreign Minister, the son of 
Abraham Lincoln, was born in Springfield, 111., 
August 1, 1843, and educated in the home schools 
and at Harvard University, graduating from the 
latter in 1864. During the last few months of 
the Civil War, he served on the staff of General 
Grant with the rank of Captain. After the war 
he studied law and, on his admission to the bar, 
settled in Chicago, finally becoming a member of 
the firm of Lincoln & Isham. In 1880, he was 
chosen a Presidential Elector on the Republican 
ticket, and, in JIarch following, appointed Secre- 
tary of War by President Garfield, serving to the 
close of the term. In 1889 he became Minister to 
England by appointment of President Harrison, 



gaining high distinction as a diplomatist. This 
was the last public ofltice held by him. After the 
death of George M. Pullman he became Acting 
President of the Pullman Palace Car Company, 
later being formally elected to that office, which 
(1899) he still holds. Mr. Lincoln's name has 
been frequently mentioned in connection with 
the Republican nomination for the Presidency, 
but its use has not been encouraged by him. 

LINCOLN AND DOUGL.VS DEBATE, a name 
popularly given to a series of joint discussions 
between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Doug- 
las, held at different points in the State during the 
summer and autumn of 1858, while both were 
candidates for the position of United States Sena- 
tor. The places and dates of holding these 
discussions were as follows: At Ottawa, August 
21 ; at Freeport, August 27 ; at Jonesboro, Sept. 
15; at Charleston, Sept. 18; at Galesburg. Oct. 7; 
at Quincy, Oct. 13; at Alton, Oct. 15. Immense 
audiences gathered to hear these debates, which 
have become famous in the political history of 
the Nation, and the campaign was the most noted 
in the history of any State. It resulted in the 
securing by Douglas of a re-election to the Senate ; 
but his answers to the shrewdly-couched interrog- 
atories of Lincoln lod to the alienation of his 
Southern following, the disruption of the Demo- 
cratic party in 1860, and the defeat of his Presi- 
dential aspirations, with the placing of Mr. 
Lincoln prominently before the Nation as a 
sagacious political leader, and his final election 
to the Presidenc}-. 

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, an institution located 
at Lincoln, Logan County, 111., incorporated in 
1865. It is co-educational, has a faculty of eleven 
instructors and, for 1896-8, reports 209 pupils — 
ninety-one male and 118 female. Instruction 
is given in the classics, the sciences, music, fine 
arts and preparatory studies. Tlie institution 
has a library of 3,000 volumes, and reports funds 
and endowment amounting to §60,000, with 
property valued at §55,000. 

LINDER, Usher P., lawyer and politician, was 
born in Elizabethtown. Hardin County, Ky. (ten 
miles from the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln), 
March 20, 1809; came to Illinois in 1835, finally 
locating at Charleston, Coles County ; after travel- 
ing the circuit a few months was elected Repre- 
sentative in the Tenth General Assembly (1836), 
but resigned before the close of the session to 
accept the office of Attorney-General, which he 
lield less than a year and a half, when he resigned 
that also. Again, in 1846, he was elected to the 
Fifteenth General Assembly and re-elected to the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



339 



Sixteenth and Seventeenth, afterwards giving his 
attention to the practice of his profession. Mr. 
Linder, in his best days, was a fluent speaker with 
some elements of eloquence which gave him a 
wide popularity as a campaign orator. Originally 
a Whig, on the dissolution of that party he 
became a Democrat, and, in 1860, was a delegate 
to the Democratic National Convention at 
Charleston, S. C, and at Baltimore. During the 
last four years of his life he wrote a series of 
articles under the title of "Reminiscences of the 
Early Bench and Bar of Illinois," which was pub- 
lished in book form in 1876. Died in Chicago, 
June 5, 1876. 

LINEGAR, David T., legislator, was born in 
Ohio, Feb. 12, 1830; came to Spencer County, 
Ind., in 1840, and to AVayne County, 111., in 1858, 
afterward locating at Cairo, where he served as 
Postmaster during the Civil War ; was a Repub- 
lican Presidential Elector in 1873, but afterwards 
became a Democrat, and served as such in the 
lower branch of the General Assembly (1880-86). 
Died at Cairo, Feb. 2, 1886. 

LIPPIXCOTT, Charles E., State Auditor, was 
born at Edwardsville, 111., Jan. 26, 1825; attended 
Illinois College at Jacksonville, but did not 
graduate; in 1849 graduated from the St. Louis 
Medical College, and began the practice of medi- 
cine at Chandlerville, Cass County. In 1852 he 
went to California, remaining there five years, 
taking an active part in the anti-slavery contest, 
and serving as State Senator (1853-55). In 1857, 
having returned to Illinois, he resumed practice 
at Chandlerville, and, in 1861, under authority of 
Governor Yates, recruited a company which was 
attached to the Thirty-third Illinois Infantry as 
Company K, and of whicli he was commissioned 
Captain, having declined the lieutenant-colo- 
nelcy. Within twelve months he became Colonel, 
and, on Sept. 16, 1865, was mustered out as brevet 
Brigadier-General. In 1866 he reluctantly con- 
sented to lead the Republican forlorn hope as a 
candidate for Congress in the (then) Ninth Con- 
gressional District, largely reducing the Demo- 
cratic majority. In 1807 he was elected Secretary 
of the State Senate, and the same year chosen 
Doorkeeper of the House of Representatives at 
Washington. In 1868 he was elected State Audi- 
tor, and re-elected in 1872 ; also served us Perma- 
nent President 'of the Republican State Conven- 
tion of 1878. On the establishment of the Illinois 
Soldiers" and Sailors' Home at Quincy, he became 
its first Superintendent, assuming his duties in 
March, 1887, but died Sept. 13, following, as a 
result of injuries received from a runaway team 



while driving through tlie groimds of the institu- 
tion a few days previous. — Emily Wel»Hter 
Chandler (Lippincott). wife of the preceding, 
was born March 13, 1833, at Chandlerville. Cass 
County, III, the daugliter of Dr. Charles Chand- 
ler, a prominent physician widely known in that 
section of the State ; was educated at Jacksonville 
Female Academy, and married, Dec. 25, 1851, to 
Dr. (afterwards General) Charles E. Lippincott. 
Soon after tlie deatli of her husband, in Septem- 
ber, 1887, Mrs. Lippincott, who had already 
endeared herself by her acts of kindness to the 
veterans in the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home, was 
appointed Matron of the institution, serving until 
her death. May 21, 1895. The respect in which 
she was held by the old soldiers, to whose com- 
fort and necessities she had ministered in hos- 
pital and elsewhere, was shown in a most touching 
manner at the time of her death, and on the 
removal of her remains to be laid by the side of 
her husband, in Oak Ridge Cemetery at Spring- 
field. 

LIPPINCOTT, (Rev.) Thomas, early clergy- 
man, was born in Salem, N. J., in 1791; in 1817 
started west, arriving in St. Louis in February, 
1818 ; the same year established himself in mer- 
cantile business at Milton, then a place of some 
importance near Alton. This place proving 
unhealthy, ho subsequently removed to Edwards- 
ville, where he was for a time emploj'ed as clerk 
in the Land Office. He afterwards served as 
Secretary of the Senate (1823-23). That he was a 
man of education and high intelligence, as well 
as a strong opponent of slavery, is shown by his 
writings, in conjunction with Judge Samuel D. 
Lockwood, George Churchill and others, in oppo- 
sition to the scheme for securing the adoption of 
a pro-slavery Constitution in Illinois in 1824. In 
1825 he purchased from Hooper Warren "The 
Edwardsville Spectator," which he edited for a 
year or more, but soon after Entered the ministry 
of the Presbyterian Church and became an influ- 
ential factor in building up that denomination in 
Illinois. He was also partly instrumental in 
securing the location of Illinois College at Jack- 
sonville. He died at Pana, 111., April 13, 1869. 
Gen. Charles E. Lippincott, State Auditor 
(1869-77). was a son of the subject of this sketch. 

LI({UOR LAWS. In the early history of the 
State, the question of the regulation of the sale of 
intoxicants was virtually relegated to the control 
of the local authorities, who granted license, col- 
lected fees, and fixed the tariff of charges. As 
early as 1851, however, the General Assembly, 
with a view to mitigating what it was felt had 



340 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



become a growing evil, enacted a law popularly 
known as the "quart law,"' which, it was hoped, 
would do away with the indiscriminate sale of 
liquor by the glass. The law failed to meet the 
expectation of its framers and supporters, and, in 
1855, a prohibitory law was submitted to the elect- 
ors, which was rejected at the polls. Since that 
date a general license system has prevailed, except 
in certain towns and cities where prohibitory 
ordinances were adopted. The regulations gov- 
erning the traffic, therefore, have been widely 
variant in different localities. The Legislature, 
however, has alwajs possessed the same constitu- 
tional power to regulate the sale of intoxicants, 
as aconite, henbane, strychnine, or other poisons. 
In 1879 the Woman's Christian Temperance 
Union began the agitation of the license question 
from a new standpoint. In March of that year, a 
delegation of Illinois women, headed by Miss 
Frances E. Willard, pre.sented to the Legislature 
a monster petition, signed by 80,000 voters and 
100,000 women, praying for the amendment of 
the State Constitution, so as to give females above 
the age of 21 the right to vote upon the granting 
of licenses in the localities of their residences. 
Miss WiUard and 3Irs. J. Ellen Foster, of Iowa, 
addressed the House in its favor, and Miss 
WiUard spoke to the Senate on the same lines. 
The measure was defeated in the House by a vote 
of fifty-five to fifty-three, and the Senate took no 
action. In 1881 the same bill was introduced 
anew, but again failed of passage. Nevertheless, 
persistent agitation was not without its results. 
In 1883 the Legislature enacted what is generally 
termed the "High License Law," by the provi- 
sions of which a minimum license of $500 per 
annum was imposed for the sale of alcoholic 
drinks, and §150 for malt liquors, with the 
authority on the part of municipalities to impose 
a still higher rate by ordinance. This measure 
was made largely a partisan issue, the Repub- 
licans voting almost solidly for it, and the Demo- 
crats almost solidly opposing it. The bill was 
promptly signed by Governor Hamilton. The 
liquor laws of Illinois, therefore, at the present 
time are based upon local option, high license and 
local supervision. The criminal code of the State 
contains the customary provisions respecting the 
sale of stimulants to minors and other prohibited 
parties, or at forV>idden times, but, in the larger 
cities, many of the provisions of the State law 
are rendered practically inoperative by the 
municipal ordinances, or absolutely nullified by 
the indifference or studied neglect of the local 
officials. 



LITCHFIELD, the principal city of Montgom- 
ery County, at the intersection of Cincinnati, 
Chicago & St. Louis, the Wabash and the Illinois 
Central, with three other short-line railwaj's, 43 
miles south of Springfield and 47 miles northeast 
of St. Louis. The surrouuding country is fer- 
tile, undulating prairie, in which are found coal, 
oil and natural gas. A coal mine is operated 
within the corporate limits. Grain is extensively 
raise'l. and Litchfield has several elevators, flour- 
ing millG, a can factory, briquette works, etc. 
The output of the manufacturing establishments 
al.so includes foundry and machine shop prod- 
ucts, brick and tile, brooms, ginger ale and cider. 
The city is lighted bj' both gas and electricity, 
and has a HoUj' water-works system, a public 
library and public parks, two banks, twelve 
churches, high and graded schools, and an Ursu- 
line convent, a Catholic hospital, and two 
monthly, two weekly, and two daily periodicals. 
Population (1830), 5,811; (1900), 5,918; (1903, 
est ), 7,000. 

LITCHFIELD, CARROLLTOX & WESTERN 
RAILROAD, a lino which extends from Colum- 
biana, on the Illinois River, to Barnett, 111., 51.5 
miles; is of standard gauge, the track being laid 
with fifty-six pound steel rails. It was opened 
for business, in three different sections, from 1883 
to 1887, and for three years was operated in con- 
nection with the Jacksonville Southeastern 
Railway. In May, 1890, the latter was sold under 
foreclosure, and, in November, 1893, the Litch- 
field, Carrollton & Western reverted to the 
former owners. Six months later it passed into 
the hands of a receiver, by whom (up to 1898) it 
has since been operated. The general offices 
are at Carlinville 

LITTLE, George, merchant and banker, was 
born in Columbia, Pa., in 1808; came to Rush- 
ville. 111., in 1836, embarking in the mercantile 
business, which he prosecuted sixty years. In 
1865 he established the Bank of Rushville, of 
which he was President, in these two branches of 
business amassing a large fortune. Died, March 
5, 1890. 

LITTLE TERMILIOX RIITIR rises in Ver- 
milion County, 111., and flows eastwardly into 
Indiana, emptying into the Wabash in Vermilion 
County, Ind. 

LITTLE WABASH RIVER, riSes in Effingham 
and Cumberland Counties, flows east and south 
through Clay, Wayne and Wliite, and enters the 
Wabash River about 8 miles above the mouth of 
the latter. Its estimated length is about 180 
miles. 



I 



niSTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



341 



LITTLER, David T., lawyer and State Senator, 
was born at Clifton, Greene County, Ohio, Feb. 
7, 1836 ; was educated in the common schools in 
his native State and, at twenty-one, removed to 
Lincoln, 111., where he worked at the carpenter's 
trade for two years, meanwhile studying law. He 
■was admitted to the bar in 1860, soon after was 
elected a Justice of the Peace, and later appointed 
Master in Chancery. In 1866 he was apjjointed 
by President Johnson Collector of Internal 
Revenue for the Eighth District, but resigned in 
1868, removing to Springfield the same year, 
where he entered into partnership witli the late 
Henrj' S. Greene, Milton Hay being admitted to 
the firm soon after, the partnership continuing 
imtil 1881. In 1883 Mr. Littler was elected 
Representative in the Thirty-fourth General 
Assemblj' from Sangamon County, was re-elected 
in 1886, and returned to the Senate in 1894, serv- 
ing in the latter body four years. In both Houses 
Mr. Littler took a specially prominent part in 
legislation on the revenue question. 

LITERMORE, Mary Asliton, reformer and phi- 
lanthropist, was born (Mary Ashton Rice) in 
Boston, Mass., Dec. 19, 1831 ; taught for a time in 
a female seminarj' in Charlestown, and spent two 
years as a governess in Southern Virginia; later 
married Rev. Daniel P. Livermore, a Universal ist 
minister, who held pastorates at various places in 
Massachusetts and at Quiuc}', 111., becoming 
editor of "The New Covenant" at Chicago, in 
1857. During this time Mrs. Livermore wrote 
much for denominational papers and in assisting 
her husband ; in 1863 was appointed an agent, 
and traveled extensively in the interest of the 
United States Sanitary Commission, visiting 
hospitals and camps in the Mississippi Valley; 
also took a prominent part in the great North- 
western Sanitary Fair at Chicago in 1863. Of 
late years she has labored and lectured exten- 
sively in the interest of woman suffrage and tem- 
perance, besides being the author of several 
volvunes, one of these being "Pen Pictures of 
Chicago" (186.')). Her home is in Boston. 

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, situated about mid- 
way between Chicago and Springfield. The sur- 
face is rolling toward the east, but is level in the 
west; area, 1.036 square miles; population (1900), 
42,03.5. named for Edward Livingston. It was 
organized in 1837, the first Commissioners being 
Robert Breckenridge, Jonathan Moon and Daniel 
Rockwood. Poiitiac was selected as the couiitj-- 
seat, the proprietors donating ample lands and 
§3,000 in cash for the erection of public buildings. 
Vermilion River and Indian Creek are the prin- 



cipal streams. Coal underlies the entire county, 
and shafts are in successful operation at various 
points. It is one of the chief agricultural coun- 
ties of the State, the yield of oats and corn being 
large. Stock-raising is also extensively carried 
on. The development of the county really dates 
from the opening of the Chicago & Alton Rail- 
road in 1854, since which date it has been crossed 
bj- numerous other lines. Pontiac, the county- 
seat, is situated on the Vermilion, is a railroad 
center and the site of the State Reform School. 
Its population in 1890 was 3.784. Dwight has 
attained a wide reputation as the seat of the 
parent "Keeley" Institute for the cure of the 
liquor habit. 

LOCKPORT, a village in Will County, laid out 
in 1837 and incorporated in 18.53: situated 33 
miles southwest of Chicago, on the Des Plaines 
River, the Illinois & Michigan Canal, the Atchi- 
son, Topeka & Santa Fe and the Chicago it Alton 
Railroads. The surrounding region is agricul- 
tural; limestone is extensively quarried. Manu- 
factures are flour, oatmeal, brass goods, paper 
and strawboard. It has ten churches, a public 
and high school, parochial schools, a bank, gas 
plant, electric car lines, and one weekly paper. 
The controlling works of the Chicago Drainage 
Canal and offices of the Illinois & Michigan Canal 
are located here. Population (1890). 3,449; 
(1900), 3,659, 

LOCKWOOD, Samuel Drake, jurist, was born 
at Poundridge, AVestchester County, N. V., 
August 3, 1789 , left fatherless at the age of ten, 
after a few months at a private school in New 
Jersej', he went to live with an uncle (Francis 
Drake) at Waterford, N. Y., with whom he 
studied law, being admitted to the bar at Batavia, 
N. Y., in 1811. In 1813 he removed to Auburn, 
and later became Master in Chancery. In 1818 
he descended the Ohio River upon a flat-boat in 
company with William H. Brown, afterwards of 
Chicago, and walking across the country from 
Shawneetown, arrived at Kaskaskia in Decem- 
ber, but finally settled at Carmi, where he 
remained a year. In 1831 he was elected Attor- 
ney-General of the State, but resigned the fol- 
lowing year to accept the position of Secretary of 
State, to which he was ai>poiiited by Governor 
Coles, and which he filled only three months, 
when President Monroe made him Receiver of 
Public Sloneys at Edwardsville. About the same 
time he was also ai)pointed agent of the First 
Board of Canal Commissioners. The Legislature 
of 1834-35 elected him Judge of the Supreme 
Court, his service extending until the adoption 



342 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



of the Constitution of 1848, which he assisted in 
framing as a Delegate from Morgan County. In 
1851 he was made State Trustee of the Illinois 
Central Railroad, which office he held until his 
death. He was always an uncompromising 
antagonist of slavery and a leading supporter of 
Governor Coles in opposition to the plan to secure 
a pro-slavery Constitution in 1824. His personal 
and political integrity was recognized by all 
parties. From 1828 to 1853 Judge Lock wood was 
a citizen of Jacksonville, where he proved him- 
self an efficient friend and patron of Illinois Col- 
lege, serving for over a quarter of a century as 
one of its Trustees, and was also influential in 
securing several of the State charitable institu- 
tions there. His later years were spent at 
Batavia, where he died, April 23, 1874, in the 85th 
year of his age. 

LODA, a village of Iroquois County, on the 
Chicago Division of the Illinois Central Railway-, 
4 miles north of Paxton. The region is agricul- 
tural, and the town has considerable local trade. 
It also has a bank and one weekly paper. 
Population (1880), 635; (1890), 598; (1900), 668. 

LOGAN, Cornelius Ambrose, physician and 
diplomatist, born at Deerfield, Mass., August 6, 
1836, the son of a dramatist of the same name ; 
was educated at Auburn Academy and served as 
Medical Superintendent of St. John's Hospital, 
Cincinnati, and, later, as Professor in the Hos- 
pital at Leavenworth, Kan. In 1873 he was 
appointed United States Minister to Chili, after- 
wards served as Minister to Guatemala, and again 
(1881) as Minister to Chili, remaining until 1883. 
He was for twelve years editor of "The Medical 
Herald," Leavenworth, Kan., and edited the 
works of his relative. Gen. John A. Logan (1886), 
besides contributing to foreign medical publi- 
cations and publishing two or three volumes on 
medical and sanitary questions. Resides in 
Chicago. 

LOGAN, John, physician and'soldier, was born 
in Hamilton County, Ohio, Dec. 30, 1809; at six 
years of age was taken to Missouri, his family 
settling near the Grand Tower among the Shaw- 
nee and Delaware Indians. He began business 
as clerk in a New Orleans commission house, but 
returning to Illinois in 1830, engaged in tlie 
blacksmith trade for two years; in 1831 enlisted 
in the Ninth Regiment Illinois Militia and took 
part in the Indian troubles of that year and the 
Black Hawk AVar of 1832, later being Colonel of 
the Forty-fourth Regiment State Militia. At the 
close of the Black Hawk War he settled in 
Carlinville, and having graduated in medicine, 



engaged in practice in that place until 1861. At 
the beginning of the war he raised a company 
for the Seventh Illinois Volunteers, but the quota 
being already full, it was not accepted. He was 
finally commissioned Colonel of the Thirty- 
second Illinois Volunteers, and reported to Gen- 
eral Grant at Cairo, in January, 1862, a few weeks 
later taking part in the battles of Forts Henry 
and Donelson. Subsequently he had command 
of the Fourth Divi.sion of the Army of the Ten- 
nessee under General Hurlbut. His regiment 
lost heavily at the battle of Shiloh, he himself 
being severely wounded and compelled to leave 
the field. In December, 1864, he was discharged 
with the brevet rank of Brigadier-General. In 
1860 Colonel Logan was appointed by President 
Johnson United States JIarshal for the Southern 
District of Illinois, serving until 1870, when he 
resumed the practice of his profession at Carlin- 
ville. Originallj' a Democrat, he became a 
Republican on the organization of that party, 
serving as a delegate to the first Republican State 
Convention at Bloomington in 1856. He was a 
man of strong personal characteristics and an 
earnest patriot. Died at his home at Carlinville, 
August 24, 1885. 

LOG.^N, John Alexander, soldier and states- 
man, was born at old Brownsville, the original 
county-seat of Jackson County, 111., Feb. 9, 1826, 
the son of Dr. John Logan, a native of Ireland 
and an early immigrant into Illinois, where he 
attained prominence as a public man. Young 
Logan volunteered as a private in the Mexican 
War, but was soon promoted to a lieutenancy, 
and afterwards became Quartermaster of his 
regiment. He was elected Clerk of Jackson 
County in 1849, but resigned the office to prose- 
cute his law studies. Having graduated from 
Louisville University in 1851, he entered into 
partnership with his uncle, Alexander M. Jenk- 
ins; was elected to the Legislature as a Democrat 
in 1852, and again in 1856, having been Prosecut- 
ing Attorney in the interim. He was chosen a 
Presidential Elector on the Democratic ticket in 
1856, was elected to Congress in 1858, and again 
in 1860, as a Douglas Democrat. During the 
special session of Congress in 1861, he left his 
seat, and fought in the ranks at Bull Run. In 
September, 1861, he organized the Thirty-first 
Regiment Illinois Infantry, and was commis- 
sioned by Governor Yates its Colonel. His mili- 
tary career was brilliant, and he rapidly rose to 
be Major-General. President Johnson tendered 
him the mission to Mexico, which he declined. 
In 1806 he was elected as a Republican to Con- 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLLNUlb. 



343 



gress for the State-at-large, and acted as one of 
the managers in the inipeacliment trial of tlie 
President; was twice re-elected and, in 1871, was 
chosen United States Senator, as he was again in 
1879. In 1884 he was an unsuccessful candidate 
for the Presidential nomination at the Republican 
Convention in Chicago, but was finally placed on 
the ticket for the Vice-Presidency with James (1. 
Blaine, the ticket being defeated in November 
following. In 1885 he was again elected Senator, 
but died during his term at Washington, Dec. 20, 
1886. General Logan was the author of "Tlio 
Great Conspiracy" and of "The Volunteer Soldier 
of America." In 1897 an equestrian statue was 
erected to his memory on the Lake Front Park in 
Chicago. 

LOGAX, Stephen Trigg, eminent Illinois jurist, 
was born in Franklin County, Ky., Feb. 24, 1800; 
studied law at Glasgow, Ky., and was admitted 
to the bar before attaining his majority. After 
practicing in his native State some ten years, in 
1833 he emigrated to Illinois, settling in Sanga- 
mon County, one j'ear later opening an office at 
Springfield. In 1835 he was elevated to the 
bench of the First Judicial Circuit ; resigned two 
years later, was re-commissioned in 1839, but 
again resigned. In 1843, and again in 1844 
and 1846, he was elected to the General Assem- 
bly; also served as a member of the Consti- 
tutional Convention of 1847. Between 1841 
and 1844 he was a partner of Abraham Lin- 
coln. In 1854 he was again chosen a member 
of the lower house of the Legislature, was 
a delegate to the Republican National Conven- 
tion in 1860, and, in 1861, was commissioned 
by Governor Yates to represent Illinois in the 
Peace Conference, which assembled in Wash- 
ington. Soon afterward he retired to private 
life. As an advocate his ability was widely 
recognized. Died at Springfield, July 17, 1880. 

LOGAN COUNTY, situated in the central part 
of the State, and having an area of about 620 
square miles. Its surface is chiefly a level or 
moderately undulating prairie, with some high 
ridges, as at Elkhart. Its soil is extremely fertile 
and well drained by numerous creeks. Coal- 
mining is successfully carried on. The other 
staple products are corn, wheat, oats, hay, cattle 
and pork. Settlers began to locate in 1819-22, 
and the county was organized in 1839, being 
originally cut off from Sangamon. In 1840 a 
portion of Tazewell was added and, in 1845, a 
part of De Witt Count}'. It was named in honor 
of Dr. John Logan, father of Senator John A. 
Logan. Postville was the first county-seat, but, 



in 1847, a change was made to Mount Pulaski, 
and, later, to Lincoln, which is the present capi- 
tal. Population (1890), 25,489; (1900), 28,680. 

LOMBARD, a village of Dupage County, on the 
Chicago & Great Western and the Chicago & 
Nortluvestern Railways. Population (1880), 378; 
(1S90). 515; (1900), 590. 

LOMBARD UNIVERSITY, an institution at 
Galesburg under control of the Universalist 
denomination, founded in 1851. It has prepara- 
tory, collegiate and theological departments. 
The collegiate department includes both classical 
and scientific courses, with a specially arranged 
course of three years for young women, who con- 
stitute nearly half the number of students. The 
University has an endowment of §200,000, and 
owns additional property, real and personal, of 
the value of §100,000. In 1898 it reported a fac- 
ility of thirteen professors, with an attendance of 
191 students. 

LONDON MILLS, a village and railway station 
of Fulton County, on the Fulton Narrow Gauge 
and Iowa Ceuti'al Railroads, 19 miles southeast 
of Galesburg. The district is agi'icultural ; the 
town has two banks and a weekly newspaper; 
fine brick clay is mined. Pop. (1900), 538. 

LONG, Stephen Harriman, civil engineer, was 
born in Hopkinton, N. H,, Dec. 30, 1784; gradu- 
ated at Dartmouth College in 1809, and, after 
teaching some years, entered the United States 
Army in December, 1814, as a Lieutenant in the 
Corps of Engineers, acting as Assistant Professor 
of Mathematics at West Point; in 1816 was trans- 
ferred to the Topographical Engineers with the 
brevet rank of Major. From 1818 to 1833 he had 
charge of explorations between the Mississippi 
River and the Rocky Mountains, and, in 1823-24, 
to the sources of the Mississippi. One of the 
highest peaks of the Rocky Mountains was named 
in his honor. Between 1837 and 1880 he was 
employed as a civil engineer on the Baltimore & 
Ohio Railroad, and from 1837 to 1840, as Engineer- 
in-Chief of the Western & Atlantic Railroad, in 
Georgia, where he introduced a system of curves 
and a new kind of truss bridge afterwards gener- 
ally adopted. On the organization of the Topo- 
graphical Engineers as a separate corps in 1838, 
he became Major of that body, and, in 1861, chief, 
with the rank of Colonel. An account of his 
fir.st expedition to the Rocky Mountains (1819-20) 
by Dr. Edwin James, was published in 1833, and 
the following year appeared "Long's Expedition 
to the Source of St. Peter's River, Lake of the 
Woods, Etc." He was a member of the Ameri- 
can Philosophical Society and the author of the 



344 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



first original treatise on railroad building ever 
published in this country, under the title of 
"Railroad Manual" (1829). During the latter 
days of his life his home was at Alton, 111., where 
he died, Sept. 4, 1864, Though retired from 
active service in June, 1863, he continued in the 
discharge of important duties up to his death. 

LOXGENECKEE, Joel M., lawyer, was born in 
Crawford County, 111., June 12, 1847; before 
reaching his eighteenth year he enlisted in the 
Fifth Illinois Cavalry, serving until the close of the 
war. After attending the high school at Robinson 
and teaching for some time, he began the study 
of law and was admitted to the bar at Olney in 
1870; served two years as City Attorney and four 
(1877-81) as Prosecuting Attorney, in the latter 
year removing to Chicago. Here, in 1884, he be- 
came the assistant of Luther Laflin Mills in the 
ofl5ce of Prosecuting Attorney of Cook County, 
retaining that position with Sir. Mills" successor. 
Judge Grinnell. On the promotion of the latter 
to the bench, in 1886, Mr. Longenecker succeeded 
to the office of Prosecuting Attorney, continuing 
in that position until 1892. While in this office 
he conducted a large number of important crimi- 
nal cases, the most important, perhaps, being the 
trial of the murderers of Dr. Cronin, in which he 
gained a wide reputation for skill and ability as 
a prosecutor in criminal cases. 

LOOMIS, (Rev.) Hubbell, clergyman and edu- 
cator, was born in Colchester, Conn., Slay 31, 
1775; prepared for college in the common schools 
and at Plainfield Academy, in his native State, 
finallj' graduatin.g at Union College, N. Y., in 
1799 — having supported himself during a con- 
siderable part of his educational course by 
manual labor and teaching. He subsequently 
studied theology, and, for twenty-four years, 
served as pastor of a Congregational church at 
Willington, Conn., meanwhile fitting a number 
of young men for college, including among them 
Dr. Jared Sparks, afterwards President of Har- 
vard College and author of numerous historical 
works. About 1829 his views on the subject of 
baptism underwent a change, resulting in his 
uniting himself with the Baptist Church. Com- 
ing to Illinois soon after, he spent some time at 
Kaskaskia and Edwardsville, and, in 1832, located 
at Upper Alton, where he became a prominent 
factor in laying the foundation of ShurtlelT Col- 
lege, first by the establishment of the Baptist 
Seminary, of which he was the Principal for 
several years, and later by assisting, in 1835, to 
secure the charter of the college in which the 
seminary was merged. His name stood first on 



the list of Trustees of the new institution, and, 
in proportion to his means, he was a liberal con- 
tributor to its support in the period of its infancy. 
The latter years of his life were spent among his 
books in literary and scientific pursuits. Died at 
Upper Alton, Dec. 15, 1872, at the advanced age 
of nearly 98 years. — A son of his — Prof. Elias 
Loomis — an eminent mathematician and natural- 
ist, was the author of "Loomis' Algebra" and 
other scientific text-books, in extensive use in the 
colleges of the country. He held professorships 
in various institutions at different times, the last 
being that of Natural Philosophy and Astronomy 
in Yale College, from 1860 up to his death in 1889. 

LORIMER, William, Member of Congress, was 
born in Jlanchester, England, of Scotch parent- 
age, April 27, 1861 ; came with his parents to 
America at five years of age, and, after spending 
some j-ears in Michigan and Ohio, came to Chi- 
cago in 1870, where he entered a private school. 
Having lost his father by death at twelve years 
of age, he became an apprentice in the sign-paint- 
ing business; was afterwards an employe on a 
street-railroad, finally engaging in the real-estate 
business and serving as an appointee of Slayor 
Roche and Mayor Washburne in the city water 
department. In 1892 he was the Republican 
nominee for Clerk of the Superior Court, but was 
defeated. Two years later he was elected to the 
Fiftj'- fourth Congress from the Second Illinois 
District, and re-elected in 1896, as he was again 
in 1898. His plurality in 1896 amounted to 26,736 
votes. 

LOUISVILLE, tlie county-seat of Clay County ; 
situated on tlie Little Wabash River and on the 
Springfielil Division of the Baltimore tt Oliio 
Soutliwesteru Railroad. It is 100 miles south- 
southeast of Springfield and 7 miles north of 
Flora; has a courthouse, three churches, a high 
school, a savings bank and two weekly news- 
papers. Population (1890) 637; (1900) 646. 

LOUISVILLE, EVAXSVILLE & NEW AL- 
BANY RAILROAD. (See Louisville, Evansrille 
& St. Louis (Consolidatoil) Railroad.) 

LOUISVILLE, EVANSVILLE & ST. LOUIS 
(Consolidated) RAILROAD. The length of this 
entire line is 358.55 miles, of which nearly 150 
miles are operated in Illinois. It crosses the State 
from East St. Louis to Mount Carmel, on the 
Wabash River. Within Illinois the system uses 
a single track of standard gauge, laid with steel 
rails on white-oak ties. The grades are usually 
light, although, as the line leaves the Mississippi 
bottom, the gradient is about two per cent or 
105.6 feet per mile. The total capitalization 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



345 



(1898) was §18,236,246, of which $4,247,909 was in 
stock and SlO..')68. 3.50 in bonds. — (History. ) The 
original corporation was organized in both Indi- 
ana and Illinois in 1869, and the Illinois section of 
i,he line opened from Mount Cannel to Albion (18 
niile.s) in January, 1873. The Indiana division 
was sold under foreclosure in 1876 to the Louis- 
ville, "New Albany & St. Louis Railway Com- 
pany, while the Illinois division was reorganized 
in 1878 under the name of the St. Louis, Mount 
Carmel & New Albany Railroad. A few months 
later the two divisions were consolidated under 
the name of the former. In 1881 this line was 
again consolidated with the Evansville, Rockport 
& Eastern Railroad (of Indiana), taking the name 
of the Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis Railroad. 
In 1889, by a still further consolidation, it 
absorbed several short lines in Indiana and Illi- 
nois — those in the latter State being the Illinois 
& St. Louis Railroad and Coal Company, the 
Belleville. Centralia & Eastern (projected from 
Belleville to Mount Vernon) and the Venice & 
Carondelet — the new organization assuming the 
present name — Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis 
(Consolidated) Railroad. 

LOUISVILLE & XASHVILLE RAILROAD, a 
corporation operating an extensive system of 
railroads, chiefly south of the Ohio River and 
extending through Kentucky and Tennessee 
into Indiana. The portion of the line in Illinois 
(known as the St. Louis. Evansville & Nashville 
line) extends from East St. Louis to the Wabash 
River, in White Count)' (133.64 miles), with 
branches from Belleville to O'Fallon (6.07 miles), 
and from McLeansboro to Shawneetown (40.7 
miles) — total, 180.41 miles. The Illinois Divi- 
sion, though virtually owned by the operating 
line, is formally leased from the Southeast & St. 
Louis Railway Company, whose corporate exist- 
ence is merely nominal. The latter comjianj' 
acquired title to the property after foreclosure 
in November, 1880, and leased it in perpetuity to 
the Louisville & Nashville Company. The total 
earnings and income of the leased line in Illinois, 
for 1898, were §1,0.52,789, and the total expendi- 
tures (including 847,198 taxes) were §657,125. 

LOUISVILLE & ST. LOUIS RAILWAY. (See 
JackxnnvilU' d- Sf. Louis Ixailiray.) 

LOVEJOY, Elijah Parish, minister and anti- 
slavery journalist, was born at Albion, Maine, 
Nov. 9, 1802 — the son of a Congregational minis- 
ter. He graduated at Waterville College in 1826, 
came west and taught school in St. Louis in 
1827, and became editor of a Whig paper there in 
1829. Later, he studied theology at Princeton 



and was licensed as a Presbyterian minister in 
1833. Returning to St. Louis, he started "The 
Observer" — a religious weekly, which condemned 
slave-holding. Threats of violence from the 
pro-slavery party induced him to remove his 
paper, presses, etc., to Alton, in July, 1836. Three 
times within twelve months his plant was de- 
stroyed by a mob. A fourth press having been 
procured, a number of his friends agreed to pro- 
tect it from destruction in the warehouse where 
it was stored. On the evening of Nov. 7, 1837, a 
mob, having assembled about the building, sent 
one of their number to the roof to set it on fire. 
Lovejoy, with two of his friends, stepped outside 
to reconnoiter. when he was shot down by parties 
in ambush, breathing liis last a few minutes 
later. His death did much to strengthen the 
anti-slavery sentiment north of Mason and 
Dixon's line. His party regarded him as a 
martyr, and his 'death was made the text for 
many impassioned and effective appeals iu oppo- 
sition to an institution which employed moboc- 
racy and murder iu its efforts to suppress free 
discussion. (See Alton Riots.) 

LOVEJOY, Owen, clergyman and Congressman, 
was born at Albion, Maine, Jan. 6, 1811. Being 
the son of a clergyman of small means, he was 
tlirown upon his own resources, but secured a 
collegiate education, graduating at Bowdoin 
College. In 1836 he removed to Alton, 111., join- 
ing his brother, Elijah Parish Lovejoy, who was 
conducting an anti-slaverj' and religious journal 
there, and whose assassination by a pro-slavery 
mob he witnessed the following year. (See Alton 
Kiots and Elijah P. Loirjoy.) This tragedy 
induced him to devote his life to a crusade 
against slaver}'. Having previously begun the 
study of theology, he was ordained to the minis- 
try and officiated for several years as pastor of a 
Congregational church at Princeton. In 1.S47 he 
was an unsuccessful candidate for the Constitu- 
tional Convention on the "Liberty" ticket, but, in 
1854, was elected to the Legislature upon that 
issue, and earnestly supported Abraham Lincoln 
for United States Senator. Upon his election to 
the Legislature he resigned his pastorate at 
Princeton, his congregation presenting him with 
a solid silver service in token of their esteem. In 
1856 he was elected a Representative in Congress 
bj' a majority of 7,000, and was re-electe<l for 
three successive terms. As an orator he had few 
equals in the State, while his covirage in the 
support of his principles was indomitable. In 
the campaigns of 1856, ',58 and 'CO he rendered 
valuable service to the Republican party, as he 



546 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



did later in upholding the cause of the Union in 
Congress. He died in Brooklj'n, N. Y., March 25, 
1864. 

LOVINGTOX, a village of Moultrie County, on 
the Terre Haute-Peoria brancli of the Vandalia 
Line and the Bement& Altamont Division of the 
Wabash Railway, 23 miles southeast of Decatur. 
The town has two banks, a newspaper, water- 
works, electric lights, telephones and volunteer 
fire department. Pop. (1890), 767; (1900), 815. 

LUDLAM, (Dr.) Reuben, ])hysician and author, 
was born at Camden, N. J., Oct. 11, 1831, the son 
of Dr. Jacob Watson Ludlam, an eminent phy- 
sician who, in his later years, became a resident 
of Evanston, 111. The younger Ludlam. having 
taken a course in an academj' at Bridgeton, 
N. J., at sixteen years of age entered upon the 
study of medicine with his father, followed by a 
course of lectures at the University of Pennsyl- 
vania, where he graduated, in 1852. Having 
removed to Chicago the following year, he soon 
after began an investigation of the homceopathic 
system of medicine, which resulted in its adop- 
tion, and, a few years later, had acquired such 
prominence that, in 1859, he was appointed Pro- 
fessor of Physiology and Pathology in the newly 
established Hahnemann Medical College in the 
city of Chicago, with which he continued to be 
connected for nearly forty years. Besides serving 
as Secretary of the institution at its inception, he 
had, as early as 1854, taken a position as one of the 
editors of "The Chicago Homceopath," later 
being editorially associated with "The North 
American Journal of Homoeopathy, " published in 
New York City, and "The United States Medical 
and Surgical Journal" of Chicago. He also 
served as President of numerous medical associ- 
ations, and, in 1877, was appointed by Governor 
CuUom a member of the State Board of Health, 
serving, by two subsequent rea]ipointments, for a 
period of fifteen years. In addition to his labors 
as a lecturer and practitioner. Dr. Ludlam was 
•one of the most prolific authors on professional 
lines in the city of Chicago, besides numerous 
monographs on special topics, having produced a 
"Course of Clinical Lectures on Diphtheria" 
(1863); "Clinical and Didactic Lectures on the 
Diseases of Women" (1871), and a translation 
from the French of "Lectures on Clinical Medi- 
cine" (1880). The second work mentioned is 
recognized as a valuable text-book, and has 
passed through seven or eight editions. A few 
years after his first connection with the Hahne- 
mann Medical College, Dr. Ludlam became Pro- 
fessor of Obstetrics and Gynecologj', and, on the 



death of President C. S. Smith, was chosen 
President of the institution. Died suddenly from 
heart disease, while preparing to perform a surgi- 
cal operation on a patient in the Hahnemann 
Medical College. April 29, 1899. 

LUXDY, Beujamin, early anti-slavery journal- 
ist, was born in New Jersey of Quaker par- 
entage ; at 19 worked as a saddler at Wheeling, 
Va., where he first gained a practical knowledge 
of the institution of slavery; later carried on 
business at Mount Pleasant and St. Clairsville, O., 
wliere, in 1815, he organized an anti-slavery 
association under the name of the "Union 
Humane Society," also contributing anti-slavery 
articles to "The Philanthropist," a paper pub- 
lished at Mount Pleasant. Removing to St. 
Louis, in 1819, he took a deep interest in the con- 
test over the admission of Missouri as a slave State. 
Again at Mount Pleasant, in 1821, he began the 
issue of "The GeniiLS of Universal Emancipation," 
a monthh', which he soon removed to Jonesbor- 
ough, Tenn., and finalh' to Baltimore in 1824, 
when it became a weekly. Jlr. Lundj^'s trend 
towards colonization is sliown in the fact that he 
made two visits (1825 and 1829) to Hayti, with a 
view to promoting the colonization of emanci- 
pated slaves in that island. Visiting the East in 
1828, he made the acquaintance of William Lloyd 
Garrison, who became a convert to his views and 
a firm ally. The following winter he was as- 
saulted by a slave-dealer in Baltimore and nearly 
killed ; soon after removed his paper to Washing- 
ton and, later, to Philadelphia, where it took the 
name of "The National Enquirer," being finally 
merged into "The Pennsjlvania Freeman." In 
1838 his property was burned by the pro-slavery 
mob which fired Pennsylvania Hall, and, in the 
following winter, he removed to Lowell, La Salle 
Co., 111., with a view to reviving his paper there, 
but the design was frustrated by his early death, 
which occuri-ed August 22, 1839. The paper, 
however, was revived by Zebina Eastman under 
thenameof "TheGeniusof Liberty," but was re- 
moved to Chicago, in 1842, and issued under the 
name of "The Western Citizen." (See Eastman, 
Zebina.) 

LU>'T, Orrington, capitalist and philanthro- 
pist, was born in Bowdoinham, Maine, Dec. 24, 
1815; came to Chicago in 1842, and engaged in 
the grain commission business, becoming a mem- 
■ ber of the Board of Trade at its organization. 
Later, he became interested in real estate oper- 
ations, fire and life insui-ance and in railway 
enterprises, being one of the early promoters of 
the Chicago & Galena Union, now a part of the 



ll 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



347 



Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. He also took 
an active part in municipal affairs, and, during 
the War, was an efficient member of the "War 
Finance Committee." A liberal patron of all 
moral and benevolent enterprises, as shown by 
his cooperation with the "Relief and Aid Soci- 
ety" after the fire of 1871, and his generous bene- 
factions to the Young Men's Christian Association 
and feeble churches, his most efficient service 
was rendered to the cause of education as repre- 
sented in the Northwestern University, of which 
he was a Trustee from its organization, and much 
of the time an executive officer. To his noble 
benefaction the institution owes its splendid 
library building, erected some years ago at a 
cost of $100,000. In the future history of Chi- 
cago, Mr. Lvmt's name will stand beside that of 
J. Young Scammon, AValter L. Newberry, John 
Crerar, and others of its most liberal benefactors. 
Died, at his home in Evanston, April .5, 1897. 

LTJSK, John T., pioneer, was born in South 
Carolina, Nov. 7, 1784; brought to Kentucky in 
1791 by his father (James Lusk), who established 
a ferry across the Ohio, opposite the present town 
of Golconda, in Pope County, 111. Lusk's Creek, 
which empties into the Ohio in that vicinity, 
took its name from tliis famil}-. In 180.5 the sub- 
ject of this sketch came to Madison County, 111., 
and settled near Edwardsville. During the War 
of 1812-14 he was engaged in the service as a 
"Ranger." When Edwardsville began its 
growth, he moved into tlie town and erected a 
house of hewn logs, a story and a half high and 
containing three rooms, which became the first 
hotel in the town and a place of considerable 
historical note. Sir. Lusk held, at different 
periods, the positions of Deputy Circuit Clerk, 
County Clerk, Recorder and Postmaster, dying, 
Dec. 22, 18.57. 

LUTHERANS, The. Wliile this sect in Illi- 
nois, as elsewhere, is divided into many branches, 
it is a unit in accepting the Bible as the only in- 
fallible rule of faith, in the use of Luther's small 
Catechism in instruction of the young, in the 
practice of infant baptism and confirmation at 
an early age, and in acceptance of the Augsburg 
Confession. Services are conducted, in various 
sections of the country, in not less than twelve 
different languages. The number of Lutheran 
ministers in Illinois exceeds 400, who preach 
in the English, German, Danish, Swedisli, Fin- 
nish and Hungarian tongues. The churches 
over which they preside recognize allegiance 
to eight distinct ecclesiastical bodies, denomi- 
nated synods, as follows: The Northern, South- 



ern, Central and Wartburg Synods of the 
General Synod; the Illinois-Missouri District of 
the Synodical Conference; the Synod for tlie 
Norwegian Evangelical Church; the Swedish- 
Augustana, and tlie Indiana Synod of the General 
Council. To illustrate the large proportion of the 
foreign element in this denomination, reference 
may be made to the fact that, of si.xty-tliree 
Lutheran churches in Chicago, only four use the 
English language. Of the remainder, thirty- 
seven make use of the German, ten Swedish, nine 
Norwegian and three Danish. The whole num- 
ber of communicants in the State, in 1892, was 
estimated at 90,000. The General Synod sustains 
a German Theological vSeminary in Chicago. 
(See also Religious Denominations. 

LYONS, a village of Cook County, 12 miles 
southwest of Chicago. Population (1880), 486; 
(1890), 732; (1900), 951 

MACALISTER & STEBBINS BONDS, the 

name given to a class of State indebtedness 
incurred in the year 1841, through the hypothe- 
cation, by John D.Whiteside (then Fund Com- 
missioner of the State of Illinois), with Messrs. 
Macalister & Stebbins, brokers of New York 
City, of 804 interest-bearing bonds of .§1,000 each, 
payable in 1865, upon whicli tlie said Macalister 
& Stebbins advanced to the State 8261,. 560. 83. 
This was done with the understanding that the 
firm would make further advances sufficient to 
increase the aggregate to fortj' per cent of the 
face value of the bonds, but upon which no 
further advances were actually made. In addi- 
tion to these, there were deposited with the same 
firm, within the next few months, with a like 
understanding, internal improvement bonds and 
State scrip amounting to 8109,215.44 — making the 
aggregate of State securities in their Iiands 8913,- 
215.44, upon which the State had received only 
the amount already named — being 28.64 per cent 
of the face value of such indebtedness. Attempts 
having been made by the holders of these bonds 
(with whom they had been hj'pothecated by 
Macalister & Stebbins), to secure settlement on 
their par face value, tlie matter became the sub- 
ject of repeated legislative acts, the most impor- 
tant of which were passed in 1847 and 1849 — both 
reciting, in their respective preambles, the history 
of the transaction. The last of these provided 
for the issue to Macalister & Stebbins of new 
bonds, payable in 1805, for the amount of princi- 
pal and interest of the sum actually advanced 
and found to be due. conditioned ujion tlie sur- 
render, by them, of the original bonds and other 



348 



niSTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



evidences of indebtedness received by them in 
1841. Tliis tlie actual iiolders refused to accept, 
and brought tlie case before the Supreme Court 
in an effort to compel the Governor (who was 
then ex-officio Fund Commissioner) to recognize 
the full face of their claim. This the Supreme 
Court refused to do, on the ground that, the 
executive being a coordinate branch of the Gov- 
ernment, they had no authority over his official 
acts. In 18.J9 a partial refunding of these bonds, 
to the amount of §114,000, was obtained from 
Governor Bissell, who, being an invalid, was 
probably but imperfectly acquainted with their 
history and previous legislation on the subject. 
Representations made to him led to a suspension 
of the proceeding, and, as the bonds were not 
transferable except on the books of the Funding 
Agency in the office of the State Auditor, they 
were treated as illegal and void, and were ulti- 
mately surrendered by the holders on the basis 
originally fixed, without loss to the State. In 
1865 an additional act was passed requiring the 
presentation, for payment, of the portion of the 
original bonds still outstanding, on pain of for- 
feiture, and this was finally done. 

MACK, Alonzo >V., legislator, was born at More- 
town, Vt., in 1822; at 10 years of age settled at 
Kalamazoo, Mich. , later began the study of medi- 
cine and graduated at Laporte, Ind., in 1844. 
Then, having removed to Kankakee, 111., he 
adopted the practice of law ; in 18.")8 was elected 
Representative, and, in 1860 and "04, to the 
Senate, serving through five continuous sessions 
(185808). In 1803 he assisted in organizing the 
Seventy-sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, of 
which he was commissioned Colonel, but resigned, 
in January following, to take his seat in the 
Senate. Colonel jMack, who was a zealous friend 
of Governor Yates, was one of the leading spirits 
in tlie establishment of "The Chicago Repub- 
lican," in May, 18f)5, and was its business mana- 
ger the first year of its publication, but disagreeing 
with the editor, Charles A. Dana, both finally 
retired. Colonel Mack then resumed the practice 
of law in Chicago, dying there, Jan. 4, 1871. 

MACKIX.VW, tlie first county-seat of Tazewell 
County, at intersection of two railroad lines, 18 
miles southeast of Peoria. The district is agri- 
cultural and stock-raising. There are manufacto- 
ries of farm implements, pressed brick, liarne-^s, 
wagons and carriages, also a State bank and a 
weekly paper. Population (1890), 545; (1900), 859. 
MAC MILLAX, Thomas C, Clerk of United 
States District Court, was born at Stranraer, 
Scotland, Oct. 4, 1850; came with his parents, in 



1857, to Chicago, where he graduated from the 
High School and spent some time in the Chicago 
University; ju 1873 became a reporter on "The 
Chicago Inter Ocean;" two years later accom- 
panied an exploring expedition to the Black Hills 
and, in 1875-70, represented that paper with 
General Crook in the campaign against the Sioux. 
After an extended tour in Europe, he assumed 
charge of the "Curiosity Shop" department of 
"The Inter Ocean," served on the Cook County 
Board of Education and as a Director of the Chi 
cago Public Library, besides eight years in the 
General Assembly— 1885-89 in the House and 1889- 
93 in the Senate. In January, 1896, Mr. MacMillan 
was appointed Clerk of the United States District 
Court at Chicago. He has been a Trustee of Ilh- 
nois College since 1886, and, in 1885, received the 
honorary degree of A.M. from that institution. 

MACOMB, the county-seat of McDonough 
County, situated on the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy Railroad, 59 miles northeast of Quincy, 
39 miles southwest of Galesburg. The principal 
manufactures are sewer-pipes, drain-tile, pot- 
tery, and schoolde.sk castings. The city has 
interurban electric car line, banks, nine churches, 
high school and four newspapers; is the seat of 
Western Illinois State Normal School, and West- 
ern Preparatory School and Business College. 
Population (1890), 4 052; (1900), 5,375. 

M.VrOX, a village in Macon County, on the Illi- 
nois Central Railroad, 10 miles south Ijy west of 
Decatur. Macon County is one of the mo.st fer- 
tile in the corn belt, and the city is an important 
shipping-point for corn. It has wagon and cigar 
factories, four churches, a graded school, and a 
weekly paper. Population (1890), 819; (1900), 705. 

MACON COUNTY, situated near the geograph- 
ical center of the .State. The census of 1900 gave 
its area as 580 square miles, and its population, 
44,003. It was organized in 1829, and named for 
Nathaniel IMacon, a revolutionary soldier and 
statesman. The surface is chiefly level prairie, 
although in parts there is a fair growth of timber. 
The county is well drained by the Sangamon 
River and its tributaries. The soil is that high 
grade of fertility which one might expect in the 
corn belt of the central portion of the State. 
Besides corn, oats, rye and barley are extensively 
cultivated, while potatoes, sorghum and wool are 
among the products. Decatur is the county-seat 
and principal city in the heart of a rich agricul- 
tural region. Maroa, in the northern part of the 
county, enjoys considerable local trade. 

MACOUPIN COUNTY, a south-central county, 
with an area of 804 square miles and a population 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



349 



of 42,256 in 1900. Tlie word Macoupin is of 
Indian derivation, signifying '"white potato," 
The county, originally a part of Madison, and 
later of Greene, was separately organized in 1S29, 
under the supervision of Seth Hodges, William 
Wilcox and Theodorus Davis. The first court 
house (of logs) was erected in 1830. It contained 
but two rooms, and in pleasant weather juries 
were wont to retire to a convenient grove to 
deliberate upon their findings. The surface of 
the county is level, with narrow belts of timber 
following the course of tlie streams. The soil is 
fertile, and both corn and wheat are extensivelj' 
raised. While agriculture is the chief industry 
in the south, stock-raising is successfully carried 
on in the north. Carlinville is the county-seat 
and Bunker Hill, Stanton, Yirden and Girard the 
other principal towns. 

MAC VEAGH, Franklin, merchant, lawyer 
and politician, was born on a farm in Chester 
County, Pa., graduated from Yale University in 
1862, and, two years later, from Columbia Law 
School, New York. He was soon compelled to 
abandon practice on account of ill-health, and 
removed to Chicago, in September, 1865, where he 
embarked in business as a wholesale grocer. In 
1874 he was chosen President of the Volunteer 
Citizens' Association, which inaugurated many 
important municipal reforms. He was thereafter 
repeatedly urged to accept other offices, among 
them the mayorality, but persistentl3' refused 
until 1894, when he accepted a nomination for 
United States Senator by a State Convention of 
the IJemocratic Party. He made a thorough can- 
vass of the State, but the Republicans having 
gained control of the Legislature, he was 
defeated. He is the head of one of the most 
extensive wholesale grocery establishments in 
the city of Chicago. 

MADISON COUXTT, situated in the southwest 
division of the State, and bordering on the Mis- 
sissippi River. Its area is about 740 square miles. 
The surface of the county is hilly along the Jlis- 
sissippi bluffs, but generally either level or only 
slightly undulating in tlie interior. The "Ameri- 
can Bottom" occupies a strij) of country along 
the western border, four to .six miles wide, as far 
north as Alton, and is exceptionally fertile. The 
county was organized in 1812, being the first 
count}' set off from St. Clair County after the 
organization of Illinois Territory, in 1809, and the 
third within the Territory. It was named in 
honor of James Madison, then President of the 
United States. At that time it embraced suli- 
stantially the whole of the northern jjart of the 



State, but its limits were steadily reduced by 
excisions until 1843. The soil is fertile, com, 
wlieat, oats, hiij-, and potatoes being raised and 
exported in large quantities. Coal seams under- 
lie the soil, and carboniferous limestone crops out 
in the neighborhood of Alton. American settlers 
began first to arrive about 1800, the Judys, GiU- 
hams and Whitesides being among the first, gen- 
erallj' locating in the American Bottom, and 
laying tlie foundation for the present county. 
In the early hi.stor}- of the State, Madison County 
was the home of a large number of prominent 
men who exerted a large influence in shaping its 
destiny. Among these were Governor Edwards, 
Governor Coles, Judge Samuel D. Lockwood, and 
many more whose names are intimately inter- 
woven with State history. The county -seat is at 
Edwardsville, and Alton is the principal city. 
Population (1890). 51,535; (1900), 64,694, 

MAGRUDER, Benjamin D., Justice of the 
Supreme Court, was born near Natchez, Miss., 
Sept. 37, 1838; graduated from Yale College in 
1856, and, for three years thereafter, engaged in 
teaching in his father's private academy at 
Baton Rouge, La., and in reading law. In 1859 
he graduated from the law department of the 
University of Louisiana, and the same year 
opened an office at Memphis, Tenn. At the out- 
break of the Civil War, his sympathies being 
strongly in favor of the Union, he came North, 
and, after visiting relatives at New Haven, 
Conn., settled at Chicago, in June, 1861. While 
ever radically loyal, he refrained from enlisting 
or taking part in political discussions during the 
war, many members of his immediate family 
being in the Confederate service. He soon 
achieved and easily maintained a high standing 
at the Chicago bar ; in 1868 was appointed Master 
in Chancery of the Superior Court of Cook 
County, and, in 1885, was elected to succeed 
Judge T. Ljle Dickey on the bench of the 
Supreme Court, being re-elected for a full term 
of nine years in 1888, and again in 1897. He was 
Chief Justice in 1891-92. 

MAKAXDA, a village of Jack.son County, on 
the Illinois Central Railway, 49 miles north of 
Cairo, in South Pass, in spur of Ozark Mountains, 
It is in the midst of a rich fruit-growing region, 
large amounts of this product being ship])ed tliere 
and at Cobden. The place has a bank and a 
weekly paper. Population (1900), .528. 

MALTIJY, Jasper A., soldier, was born in .Vsh- 
tabula County, Ohio, Nov. 3, 1826, served as a 
private in the Mexican War and was severely 
wounded at Chapultepec. After his discharge he 



350 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



established himself in the mercantile business at 
Galena, 111. ; in 1861 entered the volunteer service 
as Lieutenant-Colonel of the Forty-fifth Illinois 
Infantry, was wounded at Fort Donelson. pro- 
moted Colonel in November, 1863, and wounded 
a second time at Vicksburg; commissioned 
Brigadier -General in August, 1863; served 
through the subsequent campaigns of the Army 
of the Tennessee, and was mustered out, January, 
1866. Later, he was appointed by the commander 
of the district Mayor of Vicksburg, dying in that 
office, Dec. 12, 1867. 

MANCHESTER, a town of Scott County, on 
the Jacksonville Division of the Chicago & Alton 
Railwaj', 16 miles south of Jacksonville; has 
some manufactures of pottery. Population 
(1890), 408; (1900), 430. 

MANIERE, George, early Chicago lawyer and 
jurist, born of Huguenot descent, at New Lon- 
don, Conn., in 1817. Bereft of his father in 1831, 
his mother removed to New York City, where he 
began the study of law, occasionally contributing 
to "The New York Mirror," then one of the 
leading literary periodicals of the country. In 
1835 he removed to Chicago, where he completed 
his professional studies and was admitted to the 
bar in 1839. His first office was a deputyship in 
the Circuit Clerk's office; later, he was appointed 
Master in Chancery, and served one term as 
Alderman and two terms as City Attorney. 
While filling the latter office he codified the 
municipal ordinances. In 1855 he was elected 
Judge of the Circuit Court and re-elected in 1861 
without opposition. Before the expiration of his 
second term he died. May 21, 1863. He held the 
office of School Commissioner from 1844 to 1852, 
during which time, largely through his efforts, 
the school system was remodeled and the im- 
paired school fund placed in a satisfactory con- 
dition. He was one of the organizers of the 
Union Defense Committee in 1801, a member of 
the first Board of Regents of the (old) Chicago 
University, and prominently connected with 
several societies of a semi-public character. He 
was a polished writer and was, for a time, in edi- 
torial control of "The Chicago Democrat." 

MANN, James R., lawyer and Congressman, was 
born on a farm near Bloomington, 111., Oct. 20, 
1856, whence his father moved to Iroquois Count}' 
in 1867 ; graduated at the Universitj- of Illinois 
in 1876 and at the Union College of Law in Chi- 
cago, in 1881, after which he established himself 
in practice in Cliicago, finally becoming the head 
of the law firm of Mann, Hayes & Miller; in 18S8 
was elected Attorney of the village of Hyde Park 



and, after the annexation of that municipality to 
the city of Chicago, in 1892 was elected Alderman 
of the Thirty-second Ward, and reelected in 
1894, while in the City Council becoming one of 
its most prominent members; in 1894, served as 
Temporary Chairman of the Republican State 
Convention at Peoria, and, in 1895, as Chairman 
of the Cook County Republican Convention. In 
1896 he was elected, as a Republican, to the Fifty- 
fifth Congress, receiving a plurality of 28,459 
over the Free Silver Democratic candidate, and 
26,907 majority over all. In 1898 he was a can- 
didate for re-election. and was again successful, by 
over 17,000 plurality, on a largely reduced vote. 
Other positions held by Mr. Mann, previous to his 
election to Congress, include those of Master in 
Chancery of the Superior Court of Cook County 
and General Attorney of the South Park Com- 
missioners of the city of Chicago. 

MANN, Orrin L., lawyer and soldier, was bom 
in Geauga County, Ohio., and, in his youth, 
removed to the vicinity of Ann Arbor, Mich., 
where he learned the blacksmith trade, but, 
being compelled to abandon it on account of an 
injmj', in 1851 began study with the late Dr. 
Hinman, then in charge of the Wesleyan Female 
College, at Albion, Mich. Dr. Hinman having, 
two j-ears later, become President of the North- 
western University, at Evanston, Mr. Mann 
accompanied his preceptor to Chicago, continuing 
his studies for a time, but later engaging in 
teaching; in 1856 entered the University of 
Michigan, but left in his junior year. In 1860 he 
took part in the campaign which resulted in the 
election of Lincoln ; early in the following spring 
had made arrangements to engage in the lumber- 
trade in Chicago, but abandoned this purpose at 
the firing on Fort Sumter; then assisted in 
organizing the Thirty-ninth Regiment Illinois 
Volunteers (the "Yates Phalanx"). which having 
been accepted after considerable delay, he 
was chosen ilajor. The regiment was first 
assigned to duty in guarding the Baltimore & 
Ohio Railroad, but afterwards took part in the 
first battle of Winchester and in operations in 
North and South Carolina. Having previously 
been commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel, Major 
Mann was now assigned to court-martial duty at 
Newbern and Hilton Head. Later, he partici- 
pated in the siege of Forts Wagner and Gregg, 
winning a brevet Brigadier-Generalship for 
meritorious service. The Thirty-ninth, having 
"veteranized" in 1864, was again sent east, and 
being assigned to the command of Gen. B. F. 
Butler, took part in the battle of Bermuda 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



351 



Hundreds, where Colonel Mann was seriously 
wounded, necessitating a stay of several months 
in hospital. Returning to duty, he was assigned 
to the staff of General Ord, and later served as 
Provost iMarshal of tlie District of Virginia, with 
headquarters at Norfolk, being finally mustered 
out in December, 1865. After the war he 
engaged in the real estate and loan business, 
but, in 1866, was appointed Collector of Internal 
Revenue for the Chicago District, serving until 
1868, when he was succeeded by General Corse. 
Other positions held by him have been : Represent- 
ative in the Twenty-ninth General Assembly 
(1874-76), Coroner of Cook Coimty (1878-80), and 
Sheriff (1880-82). General Mann was injured by 
a fall, some years since, inducing partial paraly- 
sis. 

MANNING, Joel, first Secretary of the Illinois 
& Michigan Canal Commissioners, was born in 
1793, graduated at Union College, N. Y., in 1818, 
and came to Southern Illinois at an early day, 
residing for a time at Brownsville, Jackson 
County, where he held the office of County- 
Clerk. In 1836 he was practicing law, when he 
was appointed Secretary of the first Board of 
Commissioners of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, 
remaining in office until 1845. He continued to 
reside at Lockport, Will County, until near the 
close of liis life, when he removed to Joliet, dying 
there, Jan. 8, 1869. 

MAXNINCt, Jnlius, lawyer, was born in Can- 
ada, near Chateaugay, N. Y., but passed his 
earlier j'ears chiefly in the State of New York, 
completing his education at Middlebury College, 
Vt. ; in 1839 came to Knoxville, 111., where he 
served one term as County Judge and two terms 
(1842-46) as Representative in the General Assem- 
bly. He was also a Democratic Presidential 
Elector in 1848. In 18.53 he removed to Peoria, 
where he was elected, in 1861, a Delegate to the 
State Constitutional Convention of the following 
year. Died, at Knoxville, July 4, 1862. 

MANSFIELD, a village of Piatt County, at 
the intersection of the Peoria Division of the 
Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis and 
the Chicago Division of the Wabash Railways, 
82 miles southeast of Bloomington. It is in the 
heart of a rich agricultural region ; has one news- 
paper. Population (1890), 533; (1900), 708. 

MANTEXO, a village of Kankakee County, 
on the Illinois Central Railroad, 47 miles south 
of Chicago; a shipping point for grain, live- 
stock, small fruits and dairy products; has 
one newspaper. Population (1880), 632; (1890), 
637; (1900), 933. 



MAmiOX, a village of Knox County, on the 
Peoria Division of the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy Railway, 16 miles southeast of Gales- 
burg. The region is agricultural. The town has- 
banks and a weeklj- paper. Population (1880), 
548; (1890), 501; (1900), 47.5. 

MARCY, (Dr.) Oliver, educator, was born in 
Coleraine, Mass., Feb. 13, 1820; received his early 
education in the grammar schools of his native 
town, graduating, in 1842, from tlie Wesleyan 
University at Middletown, Conn. He early mani- 
fested a deep interest in the natural sciences and 
became a teacher in an academy at Wilbraham, 
Mass., where he remained until 1862, meanwhile' 
making numerous trips for geologic investigation 
One of these was made in 1849, overland, to 
Puget Sound, for the purpose of securing data, 
for maps of the Pacific Coast, and settling dis- 
puted questions as to the geologic formation of 
the Rocky Mountains. During this trip he visited 
San Francisco, making maps of the mountain 
regions for the use of the Government. In 1862- 
he was called to the professorship of Natural 
History in the Northwestern University, at 
Evanston, remaining there until his death. The 
institution was then in its infancy, and he taught 
mathematics in connection with his other duties. 
From 1890 he was Dean of the faculty. He 
received the degee of LL.D. from the University 
of Chicago in 1876. Died, at Evanston, March 
19. 1899. 

MAREDOSIA (MARAIS de OGEE), a peculiar 
depression (or slough) in the southwestern part of 
Whiteside County, connecting the Mississippi 
and Rock Rivers, through which, in times of 
freshets, the former sometimes discharges a part 
of its waters into the latter. On the other hand, 
when Rock River is relatively liiglier, it some- 
times discharges through the same channel into 
the Mississippi. Its general course is north and 
south. — Cat-Tail Sloiifrh, a similar depre.ssion, 
runs nearly parallel with the Maredosia, at a dis- 
tance of five or six miles from the latter. The 
highest point in the Maredosia above low water 
in the Mississippi is thirteen feet, and that in the 
Cat-Tail Slough is twenty-six feet. Each is 
believed, at some time, to have served as a 
channel for the Mississippi. 

MARENGO, a city of McHenry County, settled 
in 1835, incorporated as a town in 1857 and, as a. 
city, in 1893; lies 68 miles northwest of Chicago, 
on the Cliicago & Northwestern Riiilroad. It is 
in the heart of a dairying and fruit-growing dis- 
trict; has a foundry, stove works, condensed 
milk plant, canning factory, water-works, eleo- 



352 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



trie lights, has six churches, good schools and 
two weekly newspapers. Population (1880), 1,264 ; 
(1890), 1, 445; (1000), 2,005. 

MARINE, a village of Madison County, on the 
Illinois Central Railroad, 2T miles northeast of 
St. Louis. Several of its ear.liest settlers were 
sea captains from the East, from whom the 
"Marine Settlement" obtained its name. Popu- 
lation (1880) 774; (1890,), 637; (1900), 666. 

MARION, the county-seat of "Williamson 
County, 172 miles .southeast of Springfield, on the 
Illinois Central and Chicago & Eastern Illinois 
Railroads; in agricultural and coal region; has 
cotton and woolen mills, electric cars, water- 
works, ice and cold-storage plant, dry pressed 
brick factory, .six churches, a graded school, and 
three newspapers. Pop. (1890), 1,338; (1900), 2,510. 
MARION COUNTY, located near the center of 
the southern half of the State, with an area of 
580 square miles ; was organized in 1823, and, by 
the census of 1900, had a population of 30,446. 
About half the county is prairie, the chief prod- 
ucts being tobacco, wool and fruit. The 
remainder is timbered land. It is watered by the 
tributaries of the Kaskaskia and Little Wabash 
Rivers. The bottom lands have a heavy growth 
of choice timber, and a deep, rich soil. A large 
portion of the county is underlaid with a thin 
vein of coal, and the rocks all belong to the upper 
coal measures. Sandstone and building sand are 
also abundant. Ample shipping facilities are 
afforded by the Illinois Central and theBaltimore & 
Ohio (S.W.) Railroads. Salem is the county-seat, 
but Centralia is the largest and most important 
town, being a railroad junction and center of an 
extensive fruit-trade. Sandoval is a thriving 
town at the junction of the Illinois Central and 
the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railroads. 

MARISS.V, a village of St. Clair County, on the 
St. Louis &- Cairo Short Line Railroad. 39 miles 
southea.st of St. Louis. It is in a farming and 
mining district; has two banks, a new.spaper and 
a magazine. Population (l.S'.Kl), 876; (1900). 1.086. 
MAROA,acity in Macon County, on the Illi- 
nois Central Railroad, 13 miles north of Decatur 
and 81 miles south of Bloomington. The city has 
three elevators, an agricultural implement fac- 
tory, water-works system, electric light plant, 
telephone service, two banks, one newspaper, 
three churches and a graded scliool. Population 
(1880), 870; (1890), 1,164; (1900), 1,213. 

MARQUKTTE. (Father) Jacques, a French 
missionary and explorer, born at Laon, France, 
in 1637. He became a Jesuit at the age of 17, and, 
twelve years later (1666), was ordained a priest. 



The same year he sailed for Canada, landing at 
Quebec. For eighteen months he devoted him- 
self chiefly to the study of Indian dialects, and, 
in 1668, accompanied a party of Nez-Perces to 
Lake Superior, where he founded the mission of 
Sault Ste. Marie. Later, after various vicissi- 
tudes, he went to Mackinac, and, in that vicinity, 
founded the Mission of St. Ignace and built a 
rude church. In 1673 he accompanied Joliet on 
his voj-age of discovery down the Slississippi, the 
two setting out from Green Bay on May 17, and 
reaching the Mississippi, by way of the Fox and 
Wisconsin Riverc, June 17. (For an interesting 
translation of Marquette's quaint narrative of the 
expedition, see Shea's "Discovery and Explo- 
ration of the Mississippi,'' N. Y., 1852.) In Sep- 
tember, 1673, after leaving the Illinois and stop- 
ping for some time among the Indians near 
"Starved Rock," he returned to Green Bay much 
broken in health. In October, 1674, under orders 
from his superior, he set out to establish a mis- 
sion at Kaskaskia on the Upper Illinois. In 
December he reached the present site of Chicago, 
where he was compelled to halt because of 
exhaustion. On March 29, 1675, he resumed his 
journey, and reached Kaskaskia, after much 
suffering, on April 8. After laboring indefati- 
gably and making many converts, failing health 
compelled him to start on his return to Macki- 
nac. Before the voyage was completed he died. 
May 18, 1675, at the mouth of a stream which 
long bore his name — but is not the present Mar- 
quette River — on the eastern shore of Lake Michi- 
gan. His remains were subsequently removed to 
Point St. Ignace. He was the first to attempt to 
explain the lake tides, and modem science has 
not improved his theory. 

MARSEILLES, a city on the Illinois River, in 
La Salle County, 8 miles east of Ottawa, and 77 
miles southwest of Chicago, on the line of the 
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad. Ex- 
cellent water power is furnished by a dam across 
the river. The city has several factories, among 
the leading products being flour, paper and 
agricultural implements. Coal is mined in the 
vicinity. The grain trade is large, suflieient to 
support three elevators. There are tliree papers 
(one daily). Population (1890), 2,210; (1900), 
2,5.")9; (1903, est.), 3,100. 

MARSH, lienjaniin F., Congressman, born in 
Wythe Township. Hancock Count}', HI., was edu- 
cated at private schools and at Jubilee College, 
leaving the latter institution one year before 
graduation. He read law imder the tutelage of his 
brother, Judge J. W. Marsh, of Warsaw, and was 



IIISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



353 



■admitted to the bar in 18G0. The same year lie was 
an unsuccessful candidate for State's Attorney. 
Immediately upon the first call for troops in 1861, 
he raised a company of cavalrj-, and. going to 
Springfield, tendered it to Governor Yates. No 
cavalry having been called for, the Governor felt 
constrained to decline it. On his way home Mr. 
Marsh stopped at Quincy and enlisted as a private 
in the Sixteenth Illinois Infantry, in which regi- 
ment he served until July 4, 18G1, when Gov- 
ernor Yates advised him b}- telegraph of his 
readiness to accept his cavalry companj'. 
Returning to Warsaw he recruited another com- 
pany within a few <lays, of which he was com- 
missioned Captain, and which was atfcEiched to 
the Second Illinois Cavalry. lie served in the 
army until January, 1866, being four times 
wounded, and rising to the rank of Colonel. On 
his return home he interested himself in politics. 
In 1869 he was a Republican candidate for the 
State Con.stitutional Convention, and. in 1876, 
was elected to represent the Tenth Illinois Dis- 
trict in Congress, and re-elected in 1878 and 1880. 
In 1885 he was appointed a member of the Rail- 
road and Warehouse Commission, serving until 
1889. In 1894 he was again elected to Congress 
from his old district, which, under the new 
apportionment, had become the Fifteenth, was 
re-elected in 1896, and again in 1898. In the 
Fifty-fifth Congress he was a member of the 
House Committee on Military Affairs and Chair- 
man of the Committee on Jlilitia. 

MARSH, William, jurist, was born at Moravia, 
N. Y., May 11, 18'^2; was educated at Groton 
Academy and Union College, graduating from 
the latter in 1842. He studied law, in part, in 
the office of Millard Fillmore, at Buffalo, and was 
admitted to the bar in 1845, practicing at Ithaca 
until 1854, when lie removed to Quincy, 111. Here 
he continued in practice, in partnership, at differ- 
ent periods, with prominent lawyers of that city, 
until elected to the Circuit bench in 1885, serv- 
ing until 1891. Dieil, April 14, 1894. 

MARSHALL, the county -seat of Clark County, 
and an incorporated city, 16K miles southwest of 
Terra Haute, Ind., and a point of intersection of 
the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis 
and the Vandalia Railroads. The surrounding 
country is devoted to farming and stock-raising. 
The city has woolen, flour, saw and planing mills, 
and milk condensing plant. It has two banks, 
eight cliurches and a good public school system, 
which includes city and township high schools, 
and three newspapers. Population (1890). 1,900; 
.(1900), 2,077. 



M.\RSHALL, Samuel S., lawyer and Con- 
gressman, was born in Gallatin County, 111., in 
1824; studied law and soon after located at 
McLeansboro. In 1846 he was chosen a member 
of the lower house of the Fifteenth General 
Assembly, but resigned, early in the following 
year, to become State's Attorney, serving until 
1848; was Judge of the Circuit Court from 1851 
to 1854, and again from 1861 to 1865 ; was delegate 
from the State-at-large to the Charleston and 
Baltimore Conventions of 1860, and to the 
National Union Convention at Philadelphia in 
1866. In 1861 he received the complimentary 
vote of his party in the Legislature for United 
States Senator, and was similarly honored in the 
Fortieth Congress (1867) by receiving the Demo- 
cratic support for Speaker of the House. He 
was first elected to Congress in 1854, re-elected in 
1856, and, later, served continuously from 1865 to 
1875, when he returned to the practice of his 
profession. Died, July 26, 1890. 

MARSHALL COUNTY, situated in the north- 
central part of the State, with an area of 400 
square miles — named for Chief Justice John Mar- 
shall. Settlers began to arrive in 1827, and 
county organization was effected in 1839. The 
Illinois River bisects the county, which is also 
drained by Sugar Creek. The surface is gener- 
ally level prairie, except along the river, although 
occasionally undulating. The soil is fertile, 
corn, wheat, hay and oats forming the staple 
agricultural products. Hogs are raised in great 
number, and coal is extensively mined. Lacon 
is the county-seat. Population (1880), 15,053; 
(1890), 13,6.53; (1900), 16,370. 

MARTIN, (tJeii.) James S., ex- Congressman 
and soldier, was born in Scott County, Va., 
August 19, 1826, educated in the common 
schools, and, at the age of 20, accompanied his 
parents to Southern Illinois, settling in Marion 
County. He served as a non-comnii.ssioned 
officer in the war with Mexico. In 1849, he was 
elected Clerk of the Marion County Court, which 
office he filled for twelve years. By profession he 
is a lawyer, and has been in active practice when 
not in public or military life. For a number of 
years he was a member of the Republican State 
Central Committee. In 1862 he was commis- 
sioned Colonel of the One Hundred and Eleventh 
Illinois Volunteers, and, at the close of the war, 
brevetted Brigadier-General. On his return home 
he was elected County Judge of Marion County, 
and, in 1868, appointed United States Pension 
Agent. The latter post lie resigned in 1872, hav- 
ing been elected, as a Republican, to represent 



354 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



the Sixteenth District in the Forty-third Con- 
gress. He was Commander of the Grand Army 
for the Department of Illinois in 1889-90. 

MARTI^VSVILLE, a village of Clark County, 
on the Terre Haute & Indianapolis (Vandalia) 
Railroad. 11 miles southwest of Marshall; has 
two banks and one newspaper. Population (1880), 
663; (1890). 779; (1900), 1,000. 

MASCOUTAH, a city in St. Clair County, 25 
miles from St. Louis and 11 miles east of Belle- 
ville, on the line of the Louisville & Nashville 
Railroad. Coal-mining and agriculture are the 
principal industries of the surrounding country. 
Tlie city has flour mills, a brickj-ard, dairy, 
school, churches, and electric line. Population 
(1880), 2,558; (1890), 2,032; (1900), 2,171. 

MASONj Roswell B., civil engineer, was born 
in Oneida County, N. Y., Sept. 19, 1805; in his 
boyhood was employed as a teamster on the Erie 
Canal, a year later ( 1822) accepting a position as 
rodman under Edward F. Gay, assistant-engineer 
in charge of construction. Subsequent!}- he was 
emploj'ed on the Schuylkill and Morris Canals, 
on the latter becoming assistant-engineer and, 
finally, chief and superintendent. Other works 
with which Mr. Mason was connected in a similar 
capacity were the Pennsylvania Canal and the 
Housatonic, New York & New Haven and the 
Vermont Valley Railroads. In 1851 he came 
west and took charge of the construction of the 
Illinois Central Railroad, a work which required 
five years for its completion. The next four 
years were spent as contractor in tlie construction 
of roads in Iowa and Wisconsin, until 1860, when 
he became Superintendent of the Chicago & 
Alton Railroad, but remained only one year, in 
1861 accepting the position of Controller of the 
land department of the Illinois Central Railroad, 
which he retained until 1867. The next two 
years were occupied in the service of the State in 
lowering the summit of the Illinois & Jlichigan 
Canal. In 1869 he was elected Maj-or of the city 
of Chicago, and it was in the closing days of 
his term that the great fire of 1871 occurred, 
testing his executive ability to the utmost. From 
1873 to 1883 he served as one of the Trustees of 
the Illinois Industrial University, and was one of 
the incorporators, and a life-long Director, of the 
Presbyterian Theological Seminarj- of the North- 
west. Died, Jan. 1, 1892 — Edirard Gay (Mason), 
son of the preceding, was born at Bridgeport, 
Conn., August 23, 1839; came with his father's 
family, in 1852, to Chicago, where he attended 
school for several years, after which he entered 
Yale College, graduating there in 1860. He then 



studied law, and, later, became a member of the 
law firm of Mattocks & Mason, but subsequently, 
in conjunction with two brothers, organized the 
firm of Mason Brothers, for the prosecution of a 
real-estate and law business. In 1881 Mr. Mason 
was one of the organizers of the Chicago Musical 
Festival, which was instrumental in bringing 
Theodore Thomas to Chicago. In 1887 he became 
President of the Chicago Historical Society, as the 
successor of EUhu B. Washburne, retaining the 
position until his death, Dec. 18, 1898. During 
his incumbency, the commodious building, now 
occupied by the Historical Society Library, was 
erected, and he added largely to the resources of 
the Society by the collection of rare manuscripts 
and other historical records. He was the author 
of several historical works, including "Illinois in 
the Eighteenth Ceutury," "Kaskaskia and Its 
Parish Records," besides papers on La Salle and 
the first settlers of Illinois, and "The Story of 
James Willing — An Episode of the American 
Revolution." He al.so edited a volume entitled 
"Early Chicago and Illinois," whicli was pub- 
lished under the auspices of the Chicago Histor- 
ical Society. Mr. Mason was, for several years, a 
Trustee of Yale University and, about the time of 
his death, was prominently talked of for President 
of that institution, as successor to President 
Timothy Dwight. 

3IAS0N, William E., United States Senator, 
was born at Fra.uklinville, Cattaraugus County, 
N. Y., July 7, 1850, and accompanied his parents 
to Bentonsport, Iowa, in 1858. He was educated 
at the Bentonsport Academy and at Birmingham 
College. From 1806 to 1870 he taught school, the 
last two years at Des Moines. In that city he 
studied law with Hon. Thomas F. Witlirow, who 
afterward admitted him to partnership. In 1873 
he removed to Chicago, where he has since prac- 
ticed his profession. He soon embarked in poli- 
tics, and, in 1878, was elected to the lower house 
of the General Assembly, and, in 1882, to the 
State Senate. In 1884 he was the regular Repub- 
lican candidate for Congress in the Third Illinois 
District (then strongly Republican), but, owing 
to party dissensions, was defeated by James H. 
Ward, a Democrat. In 1886, and again in 1888, 
he was elected to Congress, but, in 1890, was 
defeated for re-election by Allan C. Durborow. 
He is a vigorous and effective campaign speaker. 
In 1897 he was elected United States Senator, 
receiving in the Legislature 125 votes to 77 for 
John P. Altgeld, the Democratic candidate. 

MASOX CITY, a prosperous city in Mason 
County, at the intersection of the Chicago & 



niSTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



355 



Alton and the Havana branch of the Illinois 
Central Railroads, 18 miles west by north of 
Lincoln, and about 30 miles north of Springfield. 
Being in the heart of a rich corn-growing district, 
it is an important shipping point for that com- 
modity. It has four churches, two banks, two 
newspapers, brick works, flour-mills, grain-ele- 
vators and a carriage factory. Population (1880), 
1,714: (1890), 1,869; (1900), 1,890. 

MASOX COUNTY, organized in 1841, with a 
population of about 2,000; population (1900), 
17,491, and area of 560 square miles, — named for a 
county in Kentucky. It lies a little northwest 
of the center of the State, the Illinois and Sanga- 
mon Rivers forming its west and its south bound- 
aries. The soil, while sandy, is fertile. The 
chief staple is corn, and the county offers excel- 
lent opportimities for viticulture. The American 
pioneer of Mason County was probably Maj. 
Ossian B. Ross, who settled at Havana in 1832. 
Not until 1837, however, can immigration be said 
to have set in rapidly. Havana was first chosen 
as the county seat, but Bath enjoyed the honor 
for a few years, the county ofBces being per- 
manently removed to the former point in 1851. 
Mason City is an important shipping point on the 
Chicago & Alton Railroad 

MASOXS, ANCIENT ORDER OF FREE AXD 
ACCEPTED. (See Free-Masons.) 

MASSAC COUNTY, an extreme southern 
county of the State and one of the smallest, its 
area, being but little more than 240 square miles, 
with a population (1900) of 13,110 — named for 
Fort Slassac, within its borders. The surface is 
hilly toward the north, but the bottom lands 
along the Ohio River are swampy and liable to 
frequent overflows. A considerable portion of the 
natural resources consists of timber — oak, wal- 
nut, poplar, hickory, cjpress and Cottonwood 
abounding. Saw-mills are foimd in nearly every 
town, and considerable grain and tobacco are 
raised. The original settlers were largely from 
Ohio, Kentucky and North Carolina, and hospi- 
tality is traditional. Metropolis, on the Ohio 
River, is the county-seat. It was laid off in 1839, 
although Massac County was not separately 
organized until 1843. At Massac City may be 
seen the ruins of the early French fort of that 
name. 

MASSAC COUNTY REBELLION, the name 
commonly given to an outbi-eak of mob violence 
which occurred in Massac County, in 1845-46. An 
arrested criminal having asserted that an organ- 
ized band of thieves and robbers existed, and 
having given the names of a large number of tlio 



alleged members, popular excitement rose to 
fever heat. A company of self-appointed "regu- 
lators" was formed, whoso acts were so arbitrary 
that, at the August election of 1846, a Sheriff and 
County Clerk were elected on the avowed issue 
of opposition to these irregular tactics. This 
served to stimulate the "regulators" to renewed 
activity. Many persons were forced to leave the 
county on suspicion, and others tortured into 
making confession. In consequence, some leading 
"regulators" were thrown into jail, only to be soon 
released by their friends, who ordered the Sheriff 
and County Clerk to leave the county. The feud 
rapidly grew, both in proportions and in inten- 
sity. Governor French made two futile efforts to 
restore order through mediation, and the ordinary 
processes of law were also found unavailing. 
Judge Scates was threatened with lynching 
Only 60 men dared to serve in the Sheriff's posse, 
and these surrendered upon promise of personal 
immunity from violence. This pledge was not 
regarded, several members of the posse being led 
away as prisoners, some of whom, it was believed, 
were drowned in the Ohio River. All the incarcer- 
ated "regulators" were again released, the Sheriff 
and his supporters were once more ordered to 
leave, and fresh seizures and outrages followed 
each other in quick succession. To remedy this 
condition of affairs, the Legislature of 1847 enacted 
a law creating district courts, under the provi- 
sions of which a Judge might hold court in any 
county in his cii'cuit. This virtually conferred 
upon the Judge the right to change the venue at 
his own discretion, and thus secure juries unbiased 
by local or partisan feeling. The effect of this 
legislation was highly beneficial in restoring 
quiet, although the embers of the feud still 
smoldered and intermittently leaped into flame 
for several j'ears thereafter. 

MATHEXY, Charles R., pioneer, was born in 
Loudoun County, Va., March 6, 1786, licensed as a 
Methodist preacher, in Kentucky, and, in 1805, 
came to St. Clair County (then in Indiana Tei'ri- 
tory), as a missionary. Later, he studied law and 
was admitted to the bar; served in the Third 
Territorial (1817) and the Second State Legisla- 
tures n820-22); removed, in 1821, to the newly 
organized countj' of Sangamon, where he was 
appointed the first County Clerk, remaining in 
oflice eighteen years, also for some years holding, 
at the same time, the oiHces of Circuit Clerk, 
Recorder and Probate Judge. Died, while 
County Clerk, in 1839.— Xoah W. (Matheny). son 
of tlie preceding, was born in St. Clair County, 111. , 
Jidy 31. 1815; was assistant of his father in the 



356 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



County Clerk's office in Sangamon County, and, 
on the death of the latter, (November, 1839), was 
elected his successor, and reelected for eight con- 
secutive terms, serving until 1873. Died, April 
30, 1877. — James H. (Matheny), another son, 
born Oct. 30, 1818, in St. Clair County; served in 
his youth as Clerk in various local offices ; was a 
member of the Constitutional Convention of 1847, 
elected Circuit Clerk in 1853, at the close of his 
term beginning the practice of law; was com- 
missioned Lieutenant-Colonel of the One Hundred 
and Fourteenth Illinois Volunteers, in October, 
1863, and, after the siege of Vicksburg, served as 
Judge Advocate imtil July, 1864, when he 
resigned. He then returned to his profession, 
but, in 1873, was elected County Judge of Sanga- 
mon County, holding the office by repeated re- 
elections until his death, Sept. 7, 1890, — having 
resided in Springfield 68 years. 

MATHER, Thomas, pioneer merchant, was 
born, April 34, 179.5, at Sinisbury, Hartford 
County, Conn. ; in early manhood was engaged 
for a time in business in New York City, but, in 
the spring of 1818, came to Kaskaskia, 111., where 
he soon after became associated in .business with 
James L. Lamb and others. This firm was 
afterwards quite extensively engaged in trade 
with New Orleans. Later he became one of the 
founders of the town of Chester. In 1830 Mr. 
Mather was elected to the lower branch of the 
Second General Assembly from Randolph 
County, was re-elected to the Third (serving for 
a part of the session as Speaker), and again to the 
Fourth, but, before the exjiiration of his last term, 
resigned to accept an appointment from Presi- 
dent John Quincy Adams as Commissioner to 
locate the military road from Independence to 
Santa Fe, and to conclude treaties with the 
Indians along the line. In the Legislature of 
1823 he was one of the most determined ojijio- 
nents of the scheme for securing a pro-slavery 
Constitution. In 1838 he was again elected to 
the House and, in 1833, to the Senate for a term 
of four years. He also served as Colonel on the 
staff of Governor Coles, and was supported for the 
United States Senate, to fill the vacancy caused 
by the death of John McLean, in 1830. Having 
removed to Springfield in 183,5, he became promi- 
nent in business affairs there in connection with 
his former partner, Mr. James L. Lamb; in 1837 
was appointed a member of the first Board of 
Fund Commissioners for the State under the 
internal improvement system ; also served seven 
years as President of the Springfield branch of 
the State Bank; was connected, as a stock- 



holder, with the construction of the Sangamon & 
Morgan (now Wabash) Railroad, extending from 
Springfield to the Illinois river at Naples, and 
was also identified, financially, with the old Chi- 
cago & Galena Union Railroad. From 1835 until 
his death. Colonel Mather served as one of the 
Trustees of Illinois College at Jacksonville, and 
was a liberal contributor to the endowment of 
that institution. His death occurred during a 
visit to Philadelphia, March 38, 1853. 

MATTESON, Joel Aldrich, ninth regularly 
elected Governor of Illinois (18.53-57), was born 
in Watertown, N. Y., August 8, 1808; after some 
experience in business and as a teacher, in 1831 
he went to South Carolina, where he was foreman 
in the construction of the first railroad in that 
State. In 1834 he removed to Illinois, where he 
became a contractor on the Illinois & Michigan 
Canal, and also engaged in manufacturing at 
Joliet. After serving three terms in the State 
Senate, he was elected Governor in 1853, and, in 
1855, was defeated by Lyman Trumbull for the 
United States Senatorship. At the close of his 
gubernatorial term he was complimented by the 
Legislature, and retired to private life a popular 
man. Later, there were developed grave scandals 
in connection with the refunding of certain 
canal scrip, with which his name — unfortunately 
— was connected. He turned over property to 
the State of the value of nearly 8350,000, for its 
indemnification. He finally took up his resi- 
dence in Chicago, and later spent considerable 
time in travel in Europe. He was for many 
years the lessee and President of the Chicago & 
Alton Railroad. Died in Chicago. Jan. 31, 1873. 

MATTHEWS, Asa C, ex-Comptroller of the 
United States Treasury, was born in Pike County, 
111. , March 33, 1833 ; graduated from Illinois Col- 
lege in 1855, and was admitted to the bar three 
years later. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War, 
he abandoned a remunerative practice at Pitts- 
field to enlist in the army, and was elected and 
commissioned a Captain in the Ninety-ninth Illi- 
nois Volunteers. He rose to the rank of Colonel, 
being mustered out of the service in August, 
1805. He was appointed Collector of Internal 
Revenue in 1869, and Supervisor for the District 
composed of Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan, in 
1875. Being elected to the Thirtieth General 
Assembly in 1876, he resigned his office, and was 
re-elected to the Legislature in 1878. On the 
death of Judge Higbee, Governor Hamilton 
appointed ilr. Matthews to fill the vacancy thus 
created on the bench of the Sixth Circuit, his 
term expiring in 1885. In 1888 he was elected to 



HISTORICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



357 



the Thirty-sixth General Assembly and was 
chosen Speaker of the House. In May, 1889, 
President Harrison named him First Comp- 
troller of the United States Treasury, and the 
House, by a unanimous vote, expressed its grati- 
fication at his selection. Since retiring from 
office, Colonel Matthews has devoted his attention 
to the practice of his profession at Pittsfield. 

MATTHEWS, Milton W., lawyer and journal- 
ist, was born in Clark County, 111., March 1, 1846, 
educated in the common schools, and, near the 
close of the war, served in a 100-days' regiment ; 
began teaching in Champaign County in 1865, 
studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1867 ; 
in 1873 was appointed Master in Chancery, served 
two terms as Prosecuting Attorney, and, in 1888, 
was elected to the State Senate, meanwhile, from 
1879, discharging the duties of editor of "The 
Champaign County Herald," of which he was 
also proprietor. During his last session in the 
State Senate (1891-92) he served as President pro 
tem. of that body; was also President of the 
State Press Association and served on the staff of 
Governor Fifer, with the rank of Colonel of the 
Illinois National Guard. Died, at Urbana, May 
10, 1893. 

MATTOOX, an important city in Coles County, 
172 miles west of south from Chicago and 56 miles 
west of Terre Haute, Ind. ; a point of junction for 
three lines of railway, and an important shipping 
point for corn and broom corn, wliich are both 
extensively grown in the surrounding region. It 
has several banks, foundries, machine shops, 
brick and tile-works, flour-mills, grain-elevators, 
with two daily and four weekly newspapers ; also 
has good graded schools and a high school. The 
repair shops of the Cleveland. Cincinnati, Chi- 
cago & St. Louis Railroad are located here. 
Population (1890), 6.83:3; (1900), 9,622. 

MAXWELL, Philip, M.D., pioneer physician, 
was born at Guilford, Vt., April 3, 1799, graduated 
in medicine and practiced for a time at Sackett's 
Harbor, also serving in the New York Legisla- 
ture; was appointed Assistant Surgeon at Fort 
Dearborn, in 1833, remaining intil the abandon- 
ment of the fort at the end of 1836. In 1838 he 
was promoted Surgeon, and served with Gen. 
Zachary Taj-lor in the campaign against the Semi- 
noles in Florida, but resumed private practice in 
Chicago in 1844; served two terms as Represent- 
ative in the General Assembly (1848-52) and, in 
1855, settled on the shores of Lake Geneva, Wis., 
where he died, Nov. 5, 18.')9. 

MAT, William L., early lawyer and Congres.s- 
man, was born in Kentucky, came at an early day 



to Edwardsville, 111., and afterwards to Jackson- 
ville; was elected from Morgan County to the 
Sixth General Assembly (1888), and the next year 
removed to Springfield, having been appointed by 
President Jackson Receiver of Public Moneys for 
the Land Office there He was twice elected to 
Congress (1834 and '36), the first year defeating 
Benjamin Mills, a brilliant lawyer of Galena. 
Later, May became a resident of Peoria, but 
finally removed to California, where he died. 

MAYO, Walter L., legislator, was born in Albe- 
marle County Va., March 7, 1810; came to 
Edwards County, 111., in 1828, and began teach- 
ing. He took part in the Black Hawk War 
(1831-32). being appointed by Governor Reynolds 
Quartermaster of a battalion organized in tliat 
section of the State. He had previously been 
appointed County Clerk of Edwards County to fill 
a vacancy, and continued, by successive re-elec- 
tions, to occupy the position for thirty-seven 
years— also acting, for a portion of the time, as 
Circuit Clerk, Judge of Probate and County Treas- 
urer. In 1870 he was elected Representative in 
the Twenty-seventh General Assembly for the 
Edwards County District. On the evening of Jan. 
18, 1878, he mysteriously disappeared, having 
been last seen at the Union Depot at East St. 
Louis, when about to take the train for his home 
at Albion, and is supposed to have been secretly 
murdered. No trace of his body or of the crime 
was ever discovered, and the affair has remained 
one of the mysteries of the criminal history of 
Illinois. 

MAYWOOD, a village of Cook County, and 
suburb of Chicago, 10 miles west of that city, on 
the Chicago & Northwestern and the Chicago 
Great Western Railways; has churches, two 
weekly newspai)ers, public schools and some 
manufactures. Population (1900). 4,533. 

McALLIlSTER, William K., jurist, was born in 
Washington County, N. Y., in 1818. After 
admission to the bar he commenced practice at 
Albion, N. Y., and, in 1854, removed to Chicago. 
In 1866 he was a candidate for the bench of the 
Superior Court of that city, but was defeated by 
Judge Jameson. Two years later he was chosen 
Judge of the Recorder's Court, anil, in 1870, was 
elected a Justice of the Supreme Court, which 
position he resigned in 1875, having been elected 
a Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County to 
fill a vacancy. He was re-elected for a full term 
and assigned to Appellate Court duty in 1879. 
He was elected for a third time in 1885, but, 
before the expiration of his term, he died, Oct. 
29, 1888. 



358 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



McARTHUR, John, soldier, was born in Ers- 
kine, Scotland, Nov. 17, 182G; worked at his 
father's trade of blacksmith until 23 years old, 
when, coming to the United States, he settled in 
Chicago. Hero he became foreman of a boiler- 
making establishment, later acquiring an estab- 
lishment of his own. Having joined the Twelfth 
Illinois Volunteers at the beginning of the war, 
with a company of which he was Captain, he 
was chosen Lieutenant-Colonel, still later Colonel, 
and, in March, 1862, promoted to Brigadier-Gen- 
eral for gallantry in the assault on Fort Donelson, 
where he commanded a brigade. At Shiloli lie 
was wounded, but after having his wound dressed, 
returned to the fight and succeeded to the com- 
mand of the Second Division when Gen. \V. H. L. 
Wallace fell mortally wounded. He commanded 
a division of JlcPlierson's corps in the operations 
against Vicksburg, and bore a conspicuous part in 
tlie battle of Nashville, where he commanded a 
division under Gen. A. J. Smith, winning a brevet 
Major-Generalship by his gallantry. General 
McArthur was Postmaster of Chicago from 1873 
to 1877. 

McCAGG, Ezra Butler, lawyer, was born at 
Kinderhook, N Y., Nov. 22, 1825; studied law at 
Hudson, and, coming to Chicago in 1847, entered 
the law office of J. Young Scammon, soon after- 
wards becoming a member of the firm of Scam- 
mon & McCagg. During the war Jlr. McCagg 
was an active member of the United States Sani- 
tary Commission, and (for some j'ears after the 
fire of 1871) of the Relief and Aid Society; is also 
a life-member and officer of the Cliicago Histori- 
cal Society, besides being identified with several 
State and municipal boards. His standing in his 
profession is sliown by the fact tliat lie has been 
more than once offered a non-partisan nomina- 
tion for Justice of the Supreme Court, but has de- 
clined. He occupies a high rank in literary circles, 
as well as a connoisseur in art, and is the owner of a 
large private library collected since tlie destruction 
of one of the best in the West bj' the fire of 1871. 

McCartney, James, lawyer and ex-Attorney 
General, was Viorn of Scotcli parentage in the 
north of Ireland, Feb. 14, 183.5; at two years of 
age was brought to the United States and, until 
1845, resided in Pennsylvania, when his parents 
removed to Trumbull County, Ohio. Here he 
spent Ills youtli in general farm work, meanwhile 
attending a high school and finally engaging in 
teaching. In 18.56 he began the study of law at 
Warren, Ohio, which lie continued a year later in 
the office of Harding & Reed, at Moiimoutb, 111. ; 
was admitted to tlie bar in January, 1.858, and 



began practice at Monmouth, removing the fol- 
lowing year to Galva. In April, 1861, he enlisted 
in what afterwards became the Seventeenth 
Regiment Illinois Volunteers, was commissioned 
a First Lieutenant, but, a year later, was com- 
Iielled to resign on account of ill-health. A few 
montlis later lie re-enlisted in the One Hundred 
and Twelfth Illinois, being soon promoted to a 
captaincy, although serving niucli of tlie time as 
Judge Advocate on courts-martial, and, for one 
year, as Acting Assistant Adjutant-General in the 
Army of the Ohio. At the conclusion of his term 
of service in the army, he resumed the practice 
of his profession at Fairfield, 111. ; in 1880 was 
nominated and elected, as a Republican, Attornej'- 
General of the State, and, during his last year in 
office, began the celebrated "Lake Front suits" 
which finally terminated successfully for the 
city of Chicago. Since retiring from office. Gen- 
eral McCartney has been engaged in the practice 
of his profession, chiefly in Springfield and Clii- 
cago, having been a resident of the latter city 
since 1890. 

McCartney, Robert Wilson, lawyer and 
jurist, was born in Trumbull Country, Ohio, 
Marcli 19, 1843, spent a portion of his boyhood in 
Pennsylvania, afterwards returning to Youngs- 
town, Ohio, where he enlisted as a private in tlie 
Sixth Ohio Cavalry. He was severely wounded 
at the battle of Gettysburg, lying two days and 
nights on the field and enduring untold suffering. 
As soon as able to take the field he was commis- 
sioned, by Governor Curtin, a Captain in the 
Eighty -third Pennsylvania Volunteers, serving in 
the army of the Potomac to the close of the war, 
and taking part in the grand review at Washing- 
ton, in May, 1865. After the war lie took a course 
in a business college at Pittsburg, removed to 
Cleveland and began the study of law, but soon 
came to Illinois, and, having completed his law 
studies with his brother, J. T. McCartney, at 
Metropolis, was admitted to the bar in 1868; also 
edited a Republican paper there, became inter- 
ested in lumber manufacture and was one of the 
founders of the First National Bank of that city. 
In 1873 he was elected County Judge of Massac 
County, serving nine years, wlien (1882) he was 
elected Represent.ative in the Thirty-third Gen- 
eral Assemblj-. At the close of his term in tlie 
Legislatui'e he was elected Judge of the Circuit 
Court for the first Circuit, serving from 1885 to 
1891. Died, Oct. 27, 1893. Judge McCartney 
was able, public-spirited and patriotic. The city 
of Sletropolis owes to him tlie Free Public Library 
bearing liis name. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



359 



McCLAUGHRY, Robert Wilson, penologist, 
was born at Fouutaiu Green, Hancock County, 
111., July 22, 1839, being descended from Scotch- 
Irish ancestry— his grandfather, who was a native 
of the North of Ireland, having come to America 
in his youth and served in tlie War of the Revolu- 
tion. The subject of tliis sketch grew up on a 
farm, attending school in the winter until 18.54, 
then spent the next two winters at an academy, 
and, in 1856, began a course in Monmouth Col- 
lege, where he graduated in 18G0. The following 
year he spent as instructor in Latin in the same 
institution, but, in 1861, became editor of "The 
Carthage Republican," a Democratic paper, 
which he made a strong advocate of the cause of 
the Union, meanwliile, both by his pen and on 
the stump, encouraging enlistments in the army. 
About the first of Jul}-, 1863, having disposed of 
his interest in the paper, he enlisted in a company 
of which he was unanimously chosen Captain, 
and which, with four other companies organized 
in the same section, became the nucleus of the 
One Hundred and Eighteenth Illinois Volunteers. 
The regiment having been completed at Camp 
Butler, he was elected Slajor, and going to the 
field in the following fall, took part in General 
Sherman's first movement against Vicksburg by 
way of Chickasaw Bayou, in December, 1862. 
Later, as a memlier of Osterhaus' Division of Gen- 
eral McClernand's corps, he participated with his 
regiment in the capture of Arkansas Post, and in 
the operations against Vicksburg which resulted 
in tlie capture of that stronghold, in July, 1863. 
He then joined the Department of the Gulf under 
command of General Banks, but was compelled 
by sickness to return north. Having sufficiently 
recovered, he spent a few months in the recruit- 
ing service (1864), but, in Maj' of that j'ear, was 
transferred, by order of President Lincoln, to the 
Pay Department, as Additional-Paymaster, with 
the rank of JIajor, being finally assigned to duty 
at Springfield, where he remained, paying off Illi- 
nois regiments as mustered out of the service, 
until Oct. 13, 1865, when he was honorably dis- 
charged. A few weeks later he was elected 
County Clerk of Hancock County, serving four 
years. In the meantime he engaged in the stone 
business, as head of the firm of R. W. McClaughry 
& Co. , furnishing stone for the ba.sement of the 
State Capitol at Springfield and for bridges across 
the Mississippi at Quincy and Keokuk — later 
being engaged in tlie .same business at St. Gene- 
vieve, Mo., with headipiarters at St. Louis. Com- 
pelled to retire by failing health, lie took up his 
residence at Monmouth in 1873, but, in 1874, was 



called to the wardenship of the State Peniten- 
tiary at Joliet. Here he remained until December, 
1888, when he resigned to accept the superin- 
tendency of the Industrial Reformatory at 
Huntingdon, Pa., but. in May, 1S91, accepted 
from JIayor Washburne the i)osition of Chief of 
Police in Chicago, continuing in service, under 
IMayor Harrison, until August, 1893, when he 
became Superintendent of the Illinois State 
Reformatory at Pontiac. Early in 1897 he was 
again offered and accepted the position of Warden 
of the State Penitentiary at Joliet. Here he re- 
mained until 1899, when he received from Presi- 
dent McKinley the appointment of Warden of the 
Military Prison at Fort Leaven wortli, Kan., 
whicli position he now (1899) occupies. Major Mc- 
Claughry's administration of penal and reforma- 
tory institutions has been eminently satisfactoiy, 
and he has taken rank as one of the most success- 
ful penologists in the country. 

McCLELLA\, Robert H., lawyer and banker, 
was born in Washington County, N. Y., Jan. 3, 
1823; graduated at Union College, Schenectady, 
in 1847, and then studied law with Hon. Mai'tin I. 
Townsend, of Troy, being admitted to the bar in 
1850. The same year he removed to Galena, 111. ; 
during his first winter there, edited "The Galena 
Gazette," and the following spring formed a 
partnership with John M. Douglas, afterwards 
General Solicitor and President of the Illinois 
Central Railroad, which ended with the removal 
of the latter to Chicago, when Mr ilcClellan 
succeeded him as local attorney of the road at 
Galena. In 18C4 Mr. McClellan became President 
of the Bank of Galena — later the "National Bank 
of Galena" — remaining for over twenty years. 
He is also largely interested in local manufac- 
tories and financial institutions elewhere. He 
served as a Republican Representative in the 
Twenty-second General Assembly (1861-62), and 
as Senator (1876-80), and maintained a high rank 
as a sagacious and judicious legislator. Liberal, 
public-spirited and patriotic, his name has been 
prominently connected with all movements for 
the improvement of his locality and the advance- 
ment of the interests of the State. 

McCLERNAM), John Alexander, a volunteer 
officer in the Civil War and prominent Demo- 
cratic politician, was born in Breckenridge 
County, Ky., May 30, 1813, brought to Shawnee- 
town in 1816, was admitted to the bar in 1832. 
and engaged in journalism for a time. He served 
in the Black Ilawk War. and was elected to the 
Legislature in 1H3(!. and again in 1840 and '43. 
The latter year he wiis elected to Congress, serv- 



360 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



iuK four consecutive terms, but declining a 
renomination, being about to remove to Jackson- 
ville, where he resided from ISol to IHie. Twice 
(1840 and '52) he was a Presidential Elector on 
the Democratic ticket. In 1S.j6 he removed to 
Springfield, and, in 18.i9, re-entered Congress as 
Representative of the Springfield District; was 
re-elected in ISOO, but resigned in IWil to accept 
a commission as Brigadier-General of Volunteers 
from President Lincoln, being promoted Major- 
General early in 186-3. He participated in the 
battles of Belmont, Fort Donelson, Shiloh and 
before Vicksburg. and was in command at the 
capture of Arkansas Post, but was severely criti- 
cised for some of his acts during the Vicksburg 
campaign and relieved of his command by Gen- 
eral Grant. Having finally been restored by 
order of President Lincoln, he participated in the 
campaign in Louisiana and Texas, but resigned 
his commission in 1864. General McClernand 
presided over the Democratic National Conven- 
tion of 1876, and, in 1886, was appointed by Presi- 
dent Cleveland one of the members of the Utah 
Commission, serving through President Harri- 
son's administration. He was also elected 
Circuit Judge in 1870. as succ essor to Hon. B. S. 
Edwards, who had resigned. Died Sept. 20, 1900. 
MeCLrRU, Alexander C, soldier and pub- 
lisher, was born in Philadelphia but grew up in 
Pittsburg, where his father was an iron manu- 
facturer. He graduated at Jliami University. 
Oxford, Ohio., and, after studying law for a time 
with Chief Justice Lowrie of Pennsylvania, came 
to Chicago in 18.59, and entered the bookstore of 
S. C. Griggs & Co., as a junior clerk. Early in 
1861 he enlisted as a private in the War of the 
Rebellion, but the quota of three-months' men 
being already full, his services were not accepted. 
In August, 1862, he became a member of the 
"Crosby Guards," afterwards incorporated in the 
Eighty -eighth Illinois Infantry (Second Board of 
Trade Regiment), and was unanimously elected 
Captain of Company H. After the battle of 
Perryville, he was detailed as Judge Advocate at 
Nashville, and. in the following year, offered the 
position of Assistant Adjutant-General on the 
staff of General JlcCook, afterwards serving in a 
similar capacity on the staffs of Generals Thomas, 
Sheridan and Baird. He took part in the defense 
of Chattanooga and, at the battle of Missionary 
Ridge, had two horses shot under him ; was also 
with the Fourteenth Army Corps in the Atlanta 
campaign, and, at the request of Gen. Jeff. C. 
Davis, was promoted to the rank of Colonel and 
brevetted Brigadier-General — later, being pre- 



sented with a sword bearing the names of the 
principal battles in wliicli he was engaged, 
besides being especially complimented in letters 
by Generals Sherman, Thomas, Baird, Mitcliell, 
Davis and others. He was invited to enter the 
regular army at the close of the war, but pre- 
ferred to return to private life, and resumed his 
former position with S. C. Griggs & Co., soon 
after becoming a junior partner in the concern, 
of which lie has since become the chief. In the 
various mutations through which this extensive 
firm has gone. General JlcClurg has been a lead- 
ing factor until now (and since 1887) he stands- 
at the head of the most extensive publishing firm 
west of New York. 

McCO>'>'EL, Murray, pioneer and lawyer, was 
born in Orange County, N. Y., Sept. 5, 1798, and 
educated in the common schools; left home at 
14 years of age and, after a year at Louisville, 
spent several j-ears flat-boating, trading and 
hunting in tlie West,' during this period visiting 
Arkansas, Texas and Kansas, finally .settling on a 
farm near Herculaneum, Mo. In 1823 he located 
in Scott (then a part of Morgan) County, 111., but 
when the town of Jacksonville was laid out, 
became a citizen of that place. During the Black 
Hawk War (July and August. 1832), he served on 
tlie staff of Gen. J. D. Henry with the rank of 
Major ; in 1837 was appointed by Governor Dun- 
can a member of the Board of Public Works for 
the First Judicial District, in this capacity having 
charge of the construction of the railroad between 
Meredosia and Springfield (then known as the 
Northern Cross Railroad) — the first public rail- 
road built in the State, and the only one con- 
structed during the "internal improvement" era 
following 1837. He also held a commission from 
Governor French as Major-General of State Mi- 
litia, in 185.5 was appointed by President Pierce 
Fifth Auditor of the Treasury Department, but 
retired in 1859. In 1832, on his return from 
the Black Hawk War, he was elected a Repre- 
sentative in the State Legislature from Morgan 
County, and, in 1864, was elected to the State 
Senate for the District composed of Morgan, 
Jlenard, Cass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, 
serving until 1868. Though previously a Demo- 
crat and a delegate to the Democratic National 
Convention of 1860, lie was an earnest supporter 
of the war policy of the Government, and was 
one of four Democratic Senators, in the General 
Assembly of 1865, wlio voted for the ratification 
of the Thirteenth Amendment of the National 
Constitution, prohibiting slavery in the United 
States. His death occurred by assassination, by 



HISTORICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



361 



some unknown person, in his office at Jackson- 
ville, Feb. 9, IStiO.— John LuQIum (McConnel), 
son of the preceding, was born in Jacksonville, 
111., Nov. 11, 1S2(), studied law and graduated at 
Transylvania Law School; in 1846 enlisted as a 
private in the Mexican War. became First Lieu- 
tenant and was promoted Captain after the battle 
of Buena Vista, where he was twice wounded. 
After the war he returned to Jacksonville and 
wrote several books illustrative of Western life 
and character, which were published between 
1850 and 1853. At the time of his death — Jan. 
17, 1862 — he was engaged in the preparation of a 
"History of Early Explorations in America, " hav- 
ing special reference to the labors of the early 
Roman Catholic missionaries. 

McCONNELL, (Gen). John, soldier, was born 
in Madison County, N. Y. , Dec. 5, 1834, and came 
with his parents to Illinois when about sixteen 
years of age. His father (James McConnell) was 
a native of Ireland, who came to the United 
States shortly before the W^ar of 1813, and, after 
remaining in New York until 1840, came to San- 
gamon County, 111., locating a few miles south of 
Springfield, where he engaged extensively in 
sheep-raising. He was an enterprising and pro- 
gressive agriculturist, and was one of the founders 
of the State Agricultural Society, being President 
of the Convention of 1853 which resulted in its 
organization. His death took place, Jan. 7, 1867. 
The subject of this sketch was engaged with his 
father and brothers in the farming and stock 
business until 1861, when he raised a company 
for the Third Illinois Cavalry, of which he was 
elected Captain, was later promoted Major, serv- 
ing until March, 1863, during that time taking 
part in some of the important battles of the war 
in Southwest Missouri, including Pea Ridge, and 
was highly complimented by his commander, 
Gen. G. M. Dodge, for bravery. Some three 
months after leaving the Third Cavalry, he was 
commissioned by Governor Yates Colonel of the 
Fifth Illinois Cavalry, and, in March, 1865, was 
commissioned Brevet Brigadier-General, his com- 
mission being signed by President Lincoln on 
April 14, 1865, the morning preceding the niglit 
of his assassination. During the latter part of 
his service. General McConnell was on duty in 
Texas, being finally mustered out in October, 
1865. After the death of his father, and until 
1879, he continued in the business of sheep-raising 
and farming, being for a time the owner of 
several extensive farms in Sangamon County, 
but. in 1879, engaged in the insurance busine.ss 
in Springfield, where he died, March 14, 1898. 



MeCOXNELL, Samuel P., son of the preceding, 
was born at Springfield, 111., on July 5, 1849. 
After completing his literary studies he read law 
at Springfield in the ofiice of Stuart, Edwards & 
Brown, and was admitted to the Ijar in 1872, soon 
after establishing himself in practice in Chicago. 
After various partnerships, in which he was asso- 
ciated with leading lawyers of Chicago, he was 
elected Judge of the Cook County Circuit Court, 
in 1889, to fill tlie vacancy caused by the death of 
Judge W. K. McAllister, serving imtil 1894, when 
he resigned to give his attention to private prac- 
tice. Although one of the youngest Judges upon 
the bench. Judge McConnell was called upon, 
soon after his election, to preside at tlie trial of 
the conspirators in the celebrated Cronin murder 
case, in which he displayed great ability. He has 
also had charge, as jjresiding Judge, of a number 
of civil suits of great importance affecting cor- 
porations. 

MoCORMICK, Cyrus Hall, inventor and manu- 
facturer, born in Rockbridge County, Va., Feb. 15. 
1809. In youth he manifested unusual mechani- 
cal ingenuity, and early began attempts at the 
manufacture of some device for cutting grain, his 
first finished machine being produced in 1831. 
Though he had been manufacturing for years 
in a small way, it was not until 1844 that his 
first machine was shipped to the West, and, 
in 1847, he came to Chicago with a view to 
establishing its manufacture in the heart of the 
region where its use would be most in demand. 
One of his early partners in the business was 
William B. Ogden, afterwards so widely known 
in connection with Chicago's railroad history. 
The business grew on his hands until it became 
one of the largest manufacturing interests in the 
United States. Jlr. McCormick was a Democrat, 
and, in 1860, he bought "The Chicago Times." 
and having united it with "The Herald," which 
he already owned, a few months later sold the 
consolidated concern to Wilbur F. Storey. "The 
Interior," the Northwestern mouthpiece of the 
Presbyterian faith, had been founded by a joint 
stock-company in 1870, but was burned out in 
1871 and removed to Cincinnati. In January, 
1873, it was returned to Chicago, and, at the 
beginning of the following year, it became the 
property of Mr. McCormick in conjunction with 
Dr. Gray, who has been its editor and manager 
ever since. Mr. MeCormick's most liberal work 
was undoubtedl}' the endowment of the Presby- 
terian Theological Seminary in Chicago, which 
goes by his name. His death occurred. May 13, 
1884, after a business life of almost unprece- 



362 



HISTOEICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



dented success, and after conferring upon the 
agriculturists of the country a boon of inestimable 
value. 

Mccormick theological semixaky, a 

Presbyterian school of theology in Chicago, be- 
ing the outgrowtli of an institution originally con- 
nected with Hanover College, Ind., in 1830. In 
IS.'iQ the late Cyrus H. McCormick donated $100,- 
000 to the school, and it was removed to Chicago, 
wliere it was opened in September, witli a class 
of fifteen students. Since then nearly 8300,000 
have been contributed toward a building fund by 
Mr. McCormick and liis lieirs, besides numerous 
donations to the same end made by others. The 
number of buildings is nine, four being for the 
general purposes of the institution (including 
dormitories), and five being houses for the pro- 
fessors. The course of instruction covers three 
annual terms of seven months each, and includes 
didactic and polemic theology, biblical and 
ecclesiastical liistory, sacred rhetoric and pastoral 
theology, church government and the sacra- 
ments. New Testament literature and exegesis, 
apologetics and missions, and homiletics. The 
faculty consists of eight professors, one adjunct 
professor, and one instructor in elocution and 
vocal cultvire. Between 200 and 300 students are 
enrolled, including post-graduates. 

McCULLOCH, David, lawyer and jurist, was 
born in Cumberland County, Pa., Jan. 25, 1832; 
received his academic education at Marshall Col- 
lege, Mercersburg, Pa. , graduating in the class of 
1852. Then, after spending some six months as 
a teacher in his native village, he came west, 
arriving at Peoria early in 1853. Here he con- 
ducted a private school for two years, when, in 
1855, he began the study of law in the office of 
Manning & Merriman, being admitted to the bar 
in 1857. Soon after entering upon his law studies 
he was elected School Commissioner for Peoria 
County, serving, by successive re-elections, three 
terras (1855-61). At the close of this period he 
was taken into partnership with his old precep- 
tor, Julius Manning, who died, July 4, 1862. In 
1877 he was elected Circuit Judge for the Eighth 
Circuit, under the law authorizing the increa.se of 
Judges in each circuit to three, and was re- 
elected in 1879, serving until 1885. Six years of 
this period were spent as a Justice of the Appellate 
Court for the Third Ajipellate District. On 
retiring from the bench, Judge McCulloch entered 
into partnership with his son, E. D. McCullocli, 
which is still maintained. Politicallj-, Judge 
IMcCulloch was reared as a Democrat, but during 
the Civil War became a Republican. Since 188G 



he has been identified with the Prohibition Party, 
although, as the result of questions arising during 
the Spanish-American "War, giving a cordial 
support to the policy of President McKinley. In 
religious views he is a Presbyterian, and is a mem- 
ber of the Board of Directors of the McCormick 
Theological Seminary at Chicago. 

McCULLOUGH, Jamos Skiles, Auditor of 
Public Accounts, was born in Mercersburg, 
Franklin County, Pa., May 4, 1843; in 1854 came 
with his father to Urbana, 111., and grew up on a 
farm in that vicinity, receiving such education as 
could be obtained in the public schools. In 1S62, 
at the age of 19 years, he enlisted as a private in 
Companj- G, Seventy-sixth Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry, and served during the next three years 
in the Departments of the Mississippi and the Gulf, 
meanwhile participating in the campaign against 
Vicksburg, and, near the close of the war, in the 
operations about Mobile. On the 9th of April, 
18G5, while taking part in the assault on Fort 
Blakely, near ilobile, his left arm was torn to 
pieces by a grape-shot, compelling its amputation 
near the shoulder. His final discharge occurred 
in July, 18C5. Returning home he spent a year in 
school at Urbana, after which he was a student in 
the Soldiers' College at Fulton, 111., for two years. 
He then (1868) entered the office of the County 
Clerk of Champaign County as a deputy, remain- 
ing until 1873, when he was chosen County Clerk, 
serving by successive re-elections until 1896. The 
latter year he received the nomination of the 
Republican Part}' for Aviditor of Public Accounts, 
and, at the November election, was elected by a 
plurality of 138,000 votes over his Democratic 
opponent. He was serving his sixth term as 
County Clerk when chosen Auditor, having 
received the nomination of his party on each 
occasion without opposition. 

McDAXXOLD, John J., lawyer and ex-Con- 
gressman, was born in Brown County, 111. , August 
29, 1851, acquired his early education in the com- 
mon schools of his native county and in a private 
school ; graduated from the Law Department of 
the Iowa State University in 1874, and was 
admitted to the bar in Illinois the same year, 
commencing practice at Mount Sterling. In 1885 
he was made Master in Chancery, in 1886, elected 
County Judge, and re-elected in 1890, resigning 
his seat in October, 1892, to accept an election by 
the Democrats of the Twelftli Illinois District as 
Representative in the Fifty-third Congress. 
After retiring from Congress (March 4. 1895), Mr. 
SlcDannold removed to Chicago, where he 
engaged in the practice of his profession. 



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HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



363 



McDOXOUGH COrXTT, organized under an 
act passed, Jan. 25, 1826, and attached, for judicial 
purposes, to Scliuyler County until 1.S30. Its 
present area is .580 square miles — named in honor 
of Commodore McDouougli. The first settlement 
in the county was at Industry, on the site of 
which William Carter (the pioneer of the 
county) built a cabin in 182G. James and Jolm 
Vance and William Job settled in the vicinity in 
the following year. Out of this settlement grew 
Blandinsville. William Pennington located on 
Spring Creek in 1828, and, in 1831, James M. 
Campbell erected the first frame house on the 
site of the present city of Macomb. The first 
sermon, preached by a Protestant minister in the 
county, was delivered in the Job settlement Viy 
Eev. John Logan, a Baptist. Among the early 
officers were John Huston, County Treasurer; 
William Southward, SlierifE; Peter Hale, Coro- 
ner, and Jesse Bartlett, Surveyor. The first 
term of the Circuit Court was held in 1830, and 
presided over by Hon. Richard M. Young. The 
first railwaj- to cross the count}' was the Chicago, 
Burlington & Quincy (18oT). Since then other 
lines have penetrated it, and there are numerous 
railroad centers and shipping points of consider- 
able importance. Population (1880), 2.5,037; 
(1800), 27,407; (1900), 28,412. 

MoDOUGALL, James Alexander, lawyer and 
United States Senator, was born in Bethlehem, 
Albany County, N. Y., Xov. 19, 1817; educated 
at the Albany grammar school, studied law and 
settled in Pike County, 111., in 1837; was Attor- 
ney-General of Illinois four years (1843-47) ; tlien 
engaged in engineering and, in 1849, organized 
and led an exploring expedition to the Rio del 
Norte, Gila and Colorado Rivers, finally settling 
at San Francisco and engaging in the practice of 
law. In 1850 he was elected Attornej-General of 
California, served several terms in the State 
Legislature, and, in 18.52, was chosen, as a Demo- 
crat, to Congress, but declined a re-election ; in 
1860 was elected United States Senator from Cali- 
fornia, serving as a War Democrat until 1807. 
At the expiration of his senatorial term he retired 
to Albany, N. Y., where he died, Sept. 3, 1867. 
Though somewhat irregular in habits, he was, at 
times, a brilliant and effective speaker, and, dur- 
ing the War of the Rebellion, rendered valuable 
aid to the Union cause. 

McFARLAXD, Andrew, M.I)., alienist, was 
bom in Concord, N. H., July 14, 1817, graduated 
at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in 
1841, and, after being engaged in general practice 
for a few years, was invited to assume the man- 



agement of the New Hampshire Asylum for the 
In.sane at Concord. Here he remained some 
eight years, dm-ing which he acquired consider- 
able reputation in the treatment of nervous and 
mental disorders. In 1854 he was offered and 
accepted the position of Medical Superintendent 
of the Illinois State (now Central) Hospital for 
the Insane at Jacksonville, entering upon his 
duties in June of that year, and continuing his 
connection with that institution for a period of 
more than sixteen years. Having resigned his 
position in the State Hospital in June, 1870, he 
soon after established the Oaklawn Retreat, at 
Jacksonville, a private institution for the treat- 
ment of insane patients, which he conducted 
with a great degree of success, and with which 
he was associated during the remainder of his 
life, dying, Nov. 22, 1891. Dr. McFarland's serv- 
ices were in frequent request as a medical expert 
in cases before the courts, invariably, however, 
on the side of the defense. The last case in which 
he appeared as a witness was at the trial of Charles 
P. Guiteau, the assassin of President Garfield, 
whom he believed to be insane. 

JIcO.VHET, David, settled in Crawford County, 
111., in 1817, and served as Representative from 
that County in the Third and Fourth General 
Assemblies (1822-26), and as Senator in the 
Eighth and Ninth (1832-36). Although a native 
of Teune.ssee, Mr, McGahey was a strong opponent 
of slaver}', and, at the session of 1822, was one of 
those who voted against the pro-slavery Constitu- 
tion resolution. He continued to reside in Law- 
rence County until his death in 1851. — James D. 
(McGahey), a son of the preceding, was elected 
to the Ninth General Assembly from Crawford 
County, in 1834, but died during his term of 
service. 

MeGAXX, Lawrence Edward, ex-Congressman, 
was born in Ireland, Feb. 2, 1852. His father 
having died in 1884, the following year his 
mother emigrated to the United States, settling 
at Milford, Mass., where he attended the public 
scliools. In 1865 he came to Chicago, and. for 
fourteen years, found employment as a shoe- 
maker. In 1879 he entered the municipal service 
as a clerk, and, on Jan. 1, 1885, was api)ointed 
Cit}' Superintendent of Streets, resigrnng in 5Iaj', 
1891. He was elected in 1892, as a Democrat, to 
represent the Second Illinois District in the 
Fifty-second Congress, and re-elected to tlie Fifty- 
third. In 1894 he was a candidate for re-election 
and received a certificate of election liy a small 
majoritj' over Hugh R. Belknap (Repulilican). 
An investigation having shown his defeat. lie 



364 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



magnanimoiisly surrendered his seat to his com- 
petitor without a contest. He lias large business 
interests in Chicago, especiallj' in street railroad 
property, being President of an important elec- 
tric line. 

McHENRT, a village in McHenry County, situ- 
ated on the Fox River and the Chicago & North- 
western Railway. The river is here navigable for 
steamboats of light draft, which ply between the 
town and Fox Lake, a favorite resort for sports- 
men. The town has bottling works, a creamery, 
marble and granite works, cigar factory, flour 
mills, brewery, bank, four churches, and one 
weekly paper. Pop. (1890), 979; (1900), 1,013. 

McHEXRT, William, legislator and soldier of 
the Black Hawk War, came from Kentucky to 
Illinois in 1809, locating in "White County, and 
afterwards became prominent as a legislator and 
soldier in the War of 1812, and in the Black Hawk 
War of 1833, serving in the latter as Major of 
the "Spy Battalion" and participating in the 
battle of Bad Axe. He also served as Represent- 
ative in the First, Fourth, Fifth and Ninth Gen- 
eral Assemblies, and as Senator in the Sixth and 
Seventh. While serving his last term in the 
House (183.5), he died and was buried at Vandalia, 
then the State capital. McHenry County — organ- 
ized by act of the Legislature, passed at a second 
session during the winter of 1835-36 — was named 
in his honor 

McHEXRY COUNTY, lies in the northern por- 
tion of the State, bounded on the north bj' Wis- 
consin—named for Gen. William McHenry. Its 
area is 624 square miles. With what is now the 
County of Lake, it was erected into a county in 
1836, the county-seat being at McHenry. Three 
years later the eastern part was set off as the 
County of Lake, and the county-seat of McHenry 
County removed to Woodstock, the geograph- 
ical center. The soil is well watered by living 
springs and is highly productive. Hardwood 
groves are numerous. Fruits and berries are 
extensively cultivated, but the herbage is espe- 
cially adapted to dairying, Kentucky blue grass 
being indigenous. Large quantities of milk are 
daily shipped to Chicago, and the annual pro- 
duction of butter and cheese reaches into the 
millions of pounds. The geological formations 
comprise the drift and the Cincinnati and Niagara 
groups of rocks. Near Fox River are found 
gravel ridges. Vegetable remains and logs of 
wood have been found at various depths in the 
drift deposits ; in one instance a cedar log, seven 
inches in diameter, having been discovered forty- 
two feet below the surface. Peat is found every- 



where, although the most extensive deposits are 
in the northern half of the county, where they 
exist in sloughs covering several thousands of 
acres. Several lines of railroad cross the count}% 
and every important village is a railway station. 
Woodstock, Marengo, and Harvard are the prin- 
cipal towns. Population (1880), 24,908; (1890), 
26,114; (1900), 29,759. 

McIXTOSH, (Capt.) Alexander, was born in 
Fulton County, N. Y., in 1822; at 19 years of 
age entered an academy at Galway Center, 
remaining three years: in 1845 removed to Joliet, 
111., and, two years later, started "The Joliet 
True Democrat," but sold out the next year, and, 
in 1849, went to California. Returning in 1852, he 
bought back "The True Democrat," which he 
edited until 1857, meanwhile (1856) having been 
elected Clerk of the Circuit Court and Recorder 
of Will County. In 1863 he was appointed by 
President Lincoln Captain and Assistant Quarter- 
master, serving under General Sherman in 1864 
and in the "March to the Sea," and, after the 
war, being for a time Post Quartermaster at 
Mobile. Having resigned in 1866, he engaged in 
mercantile business at Wilmington, Will Covmty ; 
but, in 1869, bought "The Wilmington Independ- 
ent," which he published until 1873. The next 
year he returned to Joliet, and, a few months 
after, became political editor of "The Joliet 
Republican," and was subsequently connected, in 
a similar capacity, with other papers, including 
"The Phoenix" and "The Sun" of the same city. 
Died, in Joliet. Feb. 2, 1899. 

McKEXDREE, TVilliam, Methodist Episcopal 
Bishop, was born in Virginia, in 1757, enlisted as 
a private in the War of the Revolution, but later 
served as Adjutant and in the commissary depart- 
ment. He was converted at 30 j-ears of age, and 
the next year began preaching in his native 
State, being advanced to the position of Presiding 
Elder; in 1800 was transferred to the West, Illi- 
nois falling within his District. Here he remained 
until his elevation to the episcopacy in 1808. 
McKendree College, at Lebanon, received its 
name from him, together with a donation of 480 
acres of land. Died, near Nashville, Tenn. , March 
a, 1835. 

McKEXDREE COLLEGE, one of the earliest of 
Illinois colleges, located at Lebanon and incorpo- 
rated in 1835. Its founding was suggested by 
Rev. Peter Cartwright, and it may be said to 
have had its inception at the Methodist Episcopal 
Conference held at Mount Carmel, in September, 
1827. The first funds for its establishment were 
subscribed by citizens of Lebanon, who contrib- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCL0PP:DIA OF ILLINOIS. 



365 



wted from their scanty means, SI, 385. Instruc- 
tion began, Nov. 34, l!^'.i8, under Kev. Edward 
Ames, afterwards a Risliop of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Cliurch. In IWiO Bishop McKendree made 
a donation of land to the infant institution, and 
the school was named in his honor. It cannot be 
said to have become really a college until 1836, 
and its first class graduated in 1841. University 
powers were granted it by an amendment to its 
charter in 1839. At present the departments are 
as follows: Preparatory, business, classical, 
scientific, law, music and oratory. The institu- 
tion owns property to the value of !j90,000, includ- 
ing an endowment of 825,000, and has about 2U0 
students, of both sexes, and a faculty of ten 
instructors. (See Colleges, Early.) 

McLAREX, William Edward, Episcopal Bishop, 
was born at Geneva, N. Y., Dec. 13, 1831; gradu- 
ated at Washington and Jefi'erson College (Wash- 
ington, Pa.) in 1851, and, after six years spent in 
teaching and in journalistic work, entered Alle- 
gheny Theological Seminary, graduating and 
entering the Presbyterian ministry in 1860. For 
three years he was a missionary at Bogota, South 
America, and later in charge of churches at 
Peoria, 111., and Detroit, Mich. Having entered 
the Protestant Episcopal Church, he was made a 
deacon in July, 1872, and ordained priest the fol- 
lowing October, immediately thereafter assuming 
the pastorate of Trinitj' Church, Cleveland, Ohio. 
In July, 1875, he was elected Bishop of the Prot- 
estant Episcopal Diocese of Illinois, which then 
included the whole State. Subsequently, the 
dioceses of Quincy and Springfield were erected 
therefrom, Bishop McLaren remaining at the 
head of the Chicago See. During his episcopate, 
church work has been active and effective, and 
the Western Theological Seminary in Chicago 
has been founded. His published works include 
numerous sermons, addresses and poems, besides 
a volume entitled "Catholic Dogma the Antidote 
to Doubt" (New York, 1884). 

McLaughlin, Robert K., early lawyer and 
State Treasurer, was born in Virginia, Oct. 25, 
1779; before attaining his majority went to Ken- 
tucky, and, about 1815, removed to Illinois, set- 
tling finally at Belleville, where he entered upon 
the practice of law. The first public position 
held by him seems to have been that of Enrolling 
and Engrossing Clerk of both Houses of the Third 
(or last) Territorial Legislature (1816-18). In 
August, 1819, he entered upon the duties of State 
Treasurer, as successor to John Thomas, who had 
been Treasurer during the whole Territorial 
period, serving until January, 1823. Becoming a 



citizen of Vandalia, by the removal thither of the 
State capital a few moiillis later, he cimtiuued to 
reside there the remainder of his life. He subse- 
quently represented the Fayette Di.strict as 
Representative in the Fifth General Assembly, 
and as Senator in the Sixth, Seventh and Tenth, 
and, in 1837, became Register of the Land Office 
at Vandalia, serving until 1845. Although an 
uncle of Gen. Joseph Dimcan, he became a can- 
didate for Governor against the latter, in 1834, 
stan<ling third on the list. He married a Miss 
Bond, a niece of Gov. Shadrach Boml, imiler 
whose administration he served as State Treasurer. 
Died, at Vandalia, May 29, 1862. 

McLEAJf, a village of McLean County, on the 
Chicago & Alton Railway, 14 miles southwest of 
Bloomington, in a farming, dairying and stock- 
growing district; has one weekly paper. Popu- 
lation (1890), 500; (1900), 5:32. 

McLEAN, John, early United States Senator, 
was born in North Carolina in 1791, brought by 
his father to Kentucky when four years old, and. 
at 23, was admitted to the bar and removed to 
Illinois, settling at Shawneetown in 1815. Pos. 
sessing oratorical gifts of a high order and an 
almost magnetic power over men, coupled with 
strong common sense, a keen sense of humor and, 
great command of language, he soon attained 
prominence at the bar and as a popular speaker. 
In 1818 he was elected the first Representative in 
Congress from the new State, defeating Daniel P. 
Cook, but served only a few months, being de- 
feated by Cook at the next election. He was 
three times elected to the Legislature, serving 
once as Speaker. In 1834 he was chosen United 
.States Senator to succeed Governor Edwards (who 
had resigned), serving one year. In 1828 he was 
elected for a second time by a unanimous vote, 
but lived to serve only one session, dying at 
Sliawneetown, Oct. 4, 1830. In testimony of the 
public appreciation of the loss which the State 
had sustained bj- his death, McLean Count)' was 
named in his honor. 

McLEAN COUXTY, the largest county of the 
State, having an area of 1166 square miles, is 
<-entral as to the region north of the latitude of 
St. Louis and about midway between that city 
and Chicago — was named for John McLean, an 
early United States Senator. The early immi- 
grants were largely from Ohio, although Ken- 
tucky and New York were well represented. The 
county was organized in 1830, the population at 
that time being about 1,200. The greater portion 
of the siirface is high, undulating prairie, with 
occasional groves and belts of timber. On the 



366 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



creek bottoms are found black walnut, sycamore, 
buckeye, black ash and elm, while the sandy 
ridges are covered with scrub oak and black-jack. 
The soil is extremely fertile (generally a rich, 
brown loam J, and the entire county is underlaid 
with coal. The chief occupations are stock-rais- 
ing, coal-mining, agriculture and manufactures. 
Sugar and Mackinaw Creeks, with their tribu- 
taries, afford thorough drainage. Sand and 
gravel beds are numerous, but vary greatly in 
depth. At Chenoa one has been found, in boring 
for coal, thirty feet thick, overlaid by forty-five 
feet of the clay common to this formation. The 
upper seam of coal in the Bloomington shafts is 
No. 6 of the general section, and the lower. No. 4; 
the latter averaging four feet in thickness. The 
principal towns are Bloomington (the county- 
seat). Normal, Lexington, LeRoy and Chenoa. 
Population (1890), 03,036; (1900), 67,843. 

McLEAXSBORO, a city and the county-seat of 
Hamilton County, upon a branch of the Louis- 
ville & Nashville Railroad, 103 miles east south- 
east of St. Louis and about 48 miles southeast of 
Centralia. The i)eople are enterprising and pro- 
gi'essive, the city is up-to-date and prosperous, 
supporting three banks and six churches. Two 
weekly newspapers are published here. Popula- 
tion (1880), 1,341; (1890), 1,355; (1900), 1,758. 

McMULLIN, James C, Railway Manager, was 
born at Watertown. N. Y., Feb. 13, 1830; began 
work as Freight and Ticket Agent of the Great 
Western Railroad (now Wabash), at Decatur, 111., 
May, 1857, remaining until 1860, when he 
accepted the position of Freight Agent of the 
Chicago & Alton at Springlield, Here he re- 
mained until Jan. 1, 1863, when he was trans- 
ferred in a similar capacity to Chicago; in 
September, 1864, became Superintendent of the 
Northern Division of the Chicago & Alton, after- 
wards successively filling the positions of Assist- 
ant General Superintendent (1867), General 
Superintendent (1868-78) and General Manager 
(1878-83). The latter year he was elected Vice- 
President, remaining in office some ten years, 
when ill-health compelled his retirement. Died, 
in Chicago, Dec. .30. 1896. 

McMURTRY, William, Lieutenant-Governor, 
was born in Mercer County, Ky., Feb. 20, 1801 ; 
removed from Kentucky to Crawford County, 
Ind., and, in 1829, came to Knox County, 111., 
settling in Henderson Township. He was elected 
Representative in the Tenth General Assembly 
(1836), and to the Senate in 1842. serving in the 
Thirteenth and Fourteenth General Assemblies. 
In 1848 he was elected Lieutenant-Governor on 



the same ticket with Gov. A. C. French, being 
the first to hold the office under the Constitution 
adopted that year. In 1862 he assisted in raising 
the One Hundred and Second Regiment Illinois 
Volunteers, and, although advanced in years, 
was elected Colonel, but a few weeks later was 
compelled to accept a discharge on account of 
failing health. Died, April 10, 1875. 

McNEELEY, Thompson W., lawyer and ex-Con- 
gressman, was born in Jacksonville, 111., Oct. 5, 
1835, and graduated at Lombard University, 
Galesburg, at the age of 21. The following year 
he was licensed to practice, but continued to pur- 
sue his professional studies, attending the Law 
University at Louisville, Ky., from which insti- 
tution he graduated in 1859. He was a member 
of the Constitutional Convention of 1862, and 
chairman of the Democratic State Central Com- 
mittee in 1878. From 1869 to 1873 he represented 
his District in Congress, resuming his practice 
at Petersburg, Menard County, after his retire- 
ment. 

McNULTA, John, soldier and ex-Congi-essman, 
was born in New York City, Nov. 9, 1837, received 
an academic education, was admitted to the bar, 
and settled at Bloomington, in this State, while 
yet a young man. On May 3, 1861, he enlisted as 
a private in the Union army, and served vmtil 
August 9, 1865, rising, successively, to the rank 
of Captain, Lieutenant-Colonel, Colonel and 
Brevet Brigadier-General. From 1869 to 1873 he 
was a member of the lower house of the General 
Assembly from McLean County, and, in 1872, was 
elected to the Forty-third Congress, as a Repub- 
lican. General McNulta has been prominent in 
the councils of the Republican party, standing 
second on the ballot for a candidate for Governor, 
in the State Convention of 1888, and serving as 
Permanent President of the State Convention of 
1890. In 1896 he was one of the most earnest 
advocates of the nomination of 5Ir. McKinley for 
President. Some of his most important work, 
within the past few jears, has been performed in 
connection with receiverships of certain railway 
und other corporations, especiall)' that of tlie 
Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railroad, from 1884 
to 1890. He is now (1898) Receiver of the National 
Bank of Illinois, Chicago. Died Feb. 22, 1900. 

Mcpherson, Simeon J., clergyman, de- 
scended from the Clan McPherson of Scotland, 
was born at Mumford, Monroe County, N. Y. , Jan. 
19, 1850; prepared for college at Leroy and Fulton, 
and graduated at Princeton, N. J. , in 1874. Then. 
after a year's service as teacher of mathematics 
at his Alma Mater, he entered the TheologicaJ 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



367 



Seminary there, and graduated from that depart- 
ment in 1879, having in the meantime traveled 
through Europe, Egypt and Palestine. He was 
licensed to preach by the Rochester Presbytery 
in 1877, and spent three years (1879-83) in pas- 
toral labor at East Orange, N. J. ; when he ac- 
cepted a call to the Second Presbyterian Church 
of Chicago, remaining until the early part of 1899, 
when he tendered his resignation to accept the 
position of Director of the Lawrenceville Prepar- 
atory Academy of Princeton College, N. J. 

Mt'ROBERTS, Josiah, jurist, was born in 
Monroe County, 111., June 13, 1830; graduated 
from St. Mary's College (Mo.) in 1839; studied 
law at Danville, 111., with his brother Samuel, 
and, in 1842, entered the law department of 
Transylvania University, graduating in 1844, 
after which he at once began practice. In 1846 
he was elected to the State Senate for the Cham- 
paign and Vermilion District, at the expiration of 
his term removing to Joliet. In 1852 he was 
appointed by Governor Matteson Trustee of the 
Illinois & Michigan Canal, which office he held 
for four years. In 18G6 he was appointed Circuit 
Court Judge by Governor Oglesby, to fill a va- 
cancy, and was re-elected in 18G7, "73, "79, and "85, 
but died a few months after his last election. 

McROBERTS, Samuel, United States Sena- 
tor, was born in Monroe County, 111., Feb. 20, 
1799; graduated from Transylvania University in 
1819; in 1821, was elected the first Circuit Clerk 
of his native county, and, in 183.5, appointed 
Circuit Judge, which office he held for three 
years. In 1828 he was elected State Senator, 
representing the district comprising Monroe, 
Clinton and AVashington Counties. Later he was 
appointed United States District Attorney by 
President Jackson, but soon resigned to become 
Receiver of Public Moneys at Danville, by 
appointment of President Van Buren, and, in 
1839. Solicitor of the General Land Office at 
Washington. Resigning the latter office in the 
fall of 1841, at the next session of the Illinois 
Legislature he was elected United States Senator 
to succeed John M. Robinson, decea.sed. Died, at 
Cincinnati, Ohio, March 22, 1843, being suc- 
ceeded by James Semple. 

McVICKER, James Hubert, actor and theat- 
rical manager, was born in New York City, Feb. 
14, 1832; thrown upon his own re.sources by the 
death of his father in infancy and the necessity 
of assisting to support his widowed mother, he 
early engaged in various occupations, until, at 
the age of l.'i, he became an apprentice in the 
office of "The St. Louis Republican," three years 



later becoming a journeyman printer. He first 
appeared on the stage in the St. Charles Theater, 
New Orleans, in 1843; two years later was prin- 
cipal comedian in Rice's Theater, Chicago, re- 
maining until 18.52, when he made a torn- of the 
countrj-, appearing in Yankee characters. About 
18,55 he made a tour of England and, on his 
return, commenced building his first Chicago 
theater, which was opened, Nov. 3, 1857, and was 
conducted with varied fortune until burned down 
in the great fire of 1871. Rebuilt and remodeled 
from time to time, it burned down a second time 
in August, 1890, the losses from these several fires 
having imposed upon Mr. McVicker a heavy 
burden. Although an excellent comedian, Mr. 
McVicker did not appear on the stage after 1882, 
from that date giving his attention entirely to 
management. He enjoyed in an eminent degree 
the respect and confidence, not only of the 
profession, but of the general public. Died in 
Chicago, March 7, 1896. 

McWILLlAMS, David, banker, Dwight, 111., 
was born in Belmont Count}-, Ohio, Jan. 14, 1834; 
was brought to Illinois in infancy and grew up on 
a farm until 14 years of age, when he entered the 
office of the Pittsfield (Pike County) "Free Press" 
as an apprentice. In 1849 he engaged in the 
lumber trade with his father, the management of 
which devolved upon him a few years later. In 
the early 50's he was, for a time, a student in 
Illinois College at Jacksonville, but did not 
graduate; in 1855 removed to Dwight, Livingston 
County, then a new town on the line of the Chi- 
cago & Altcn Railroad, which liad been completed 
to that point a few montlis previous. Here he 
erected the first store building in the town, and 
put in a §2,000 stock of goods on borrowed capi- 
tal, remaining in the mercantile business for 
eighteen years, and retaining an interest in the 
establishment seven years longer. In the mean- 
time, while engaged in merchandising, he began 
a banking business, which was enlarged on his 
retirement from the former, receiving his entire 
attention. The profits derived from his banking 
business were invested in farm lauds until he 
became one of the largest land-owners in Living- 
ston County. Mr. McWilliams is one of the 
original members of the first Methodist Episcopal 
Church organized at Dwight, and has served as a 
lay delegate to several General Conferences of 
that denomination, as well as a delegate to the 
Ecumenical Council in London in 1H81; has also 
been a liberal contributor to the support of vari- 
ous literary and theological institutions of the 
church, and has served for many years as a Trus- 



B68 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



tee of the Northwestern University at Evanston. 
In politics he is a zealous Republican, and has 
repeatedly served, as a delegate to the State Con- 
ventions of that party, including the Bloomington 
Convention of 1856, and was a candidate for 
Presidential Elector for the Ninth District on the 
Blaine ticket in is84. He has made several ex- 
tended tours to Europe and other foreign coun- 
tries, the last including a trip to Egypt and the 
Holy Land, during 1898-99. 

MECH.VXICSBURG, a village of Sangamon 
County, near the "Wabash Railway, 13 miles east 
of Springfield. Population (1880), 396; (1890), 
426; (1900), 476. 

MEDILL, Joseph, editor and newspaper pub- 
lisher, was born, April 6, 18'23, in the vicinity (now 
a part of the city) of St. John, N. B., of Scotch- 
Irish parentage, but remotely of Huguenot 
descent. At nine years of age he accompanied 
his parents to Stark County, Ohio, where he 
enjoyed such educational advantages as belonged 
to that region and period. He entered an acad- 
emy with a view to preparing for college, but his 
family having suffered from a fire, he was com- 
pelled to turn his attention to business; studied 
law, was admitted to the bar in 1846, and began 
practice at New Philadelpliia, in Tuscarawas 
County. Here he caught the spirit of journalism 
by frequent visits to the office of a local paper, 
learned to set type and to work a liand-press. In 
1849 he bought a paper at Coshocton, of which he 
assumed editorial charge, employing his brothers 
as assistants in various capacities. The name of 
this paper was "The Coshocton Whig," which 
he soon changed to "The Republican," in which 
he dealt vigorous blows at political and other 
abuses, which sevei'al times brouglit upon him 
assaults from his political opponents — that being 
the style of political argument in those days. 
Two j'ears later, having sold out "The Repub- 
lican," he established "The Daily Fore.st Citj'" at 
Cleveland — a Whig paper with free-soil proclivi- 
ties. The following jear "The Forest City" was 
consolidated with "The Free -Democrat," a Free- 
Soil paper imder the editorship of John C. 
Vaughan, a South Carolina Abolitionist, the new 
paper taking the name of "The Cleveland 
Leader." Mr. Medill. with the co-operation of 
Mr. Vaughan, then went to work to secure the 
consolidation of the elements opposed to slavery 
in one compact organization. In this he was 
aided by the introduction of the Kansas- Nebraska 
Bill in Congress, in December, 1853, and. before 
its passage in May following, Mr. Medill had 
tegun to agitate tlie question of a union of all 



opposed to that measure in a new party under the 
name "Republican." During the winter of 
1854-55 he received a call from Gen. J. D. AVeb- 
ster, at that time part owner of "The Chicago 
Tribune," which resulted in his visiting Chicago 
a few montlis later, and his purchase of an inter- 
est in the paper, his connection with the concern 
dating from June 18, 1855. He was almost 
immediately joined by Dr. Charles H. Ray, who 
had been editor of "The Galena Jeffersonian," 
and, still later, by J. C. Vaughan and Alfred 
Cowles. who had been as.sociated with him on 
"The Cleveland Leader." Mr. Medill assumed 
the position of managing editor, and, on the 
retirement of Dr. Ray, in 1863, became editor-in- 
chief until 1866, when he gave place to Horace 
White, now of "The New York Evening Post." 
During the Civil War period he was a zealous 
supporter of President Lincoln's emancipation 
policy, and served, for a tin\,e, as President of the 
"Loyal League," which proved such an influ- 
ential factor in upholding the hands of the Gov- 
ernment during the darkest period of the 
rebellion. In 1869 Mr. Medill was elected to the 
State Constitutional Convention, and, in that 
body, was the leading advocate of the principle 
of "minority representation" in the election of 
Representatives, as it was finally incorporated 
in the Constitution. In 1871 he was appointed 
by President Grant a member of the first Civil 
Service Commission, repre.senting a principle to 
which he ever remained tlioroughly committed. 
A few weeks after the great fire of the same 
year, he was elected Mayor of the city of Chicago. 
The financial condition of the city at the time, 
and other questions in issue, involved great diffi- 
culties and responsibilities, which he met in a 
waj' to command general appro%-al. During his 
administration the Chicago Public Library was 
established, Mr. MediU delivering the address at 
its opening, .Jan. 1, 1873. Near the close of his 
term as I\Iayor, he resigned the office and spent 
the following year in Europe. Almost simultane- 
ously with his return from his European trip, he 
secured a controlling interest in "The Tribune," 
resuming control of the paper, Nov. 9, 1874, 
which, as editor-in-chief, he retained for the 
remainder of his life of nearly twenty-five years. 
The growth of the paper in business and influence, 
from the beginning of his connection with it, was 
one of the marvels of journalism, making it ea.sily 
one of the most successful newspaper ventures 
in tlie United States, if not in the world. Early 
in December, 1898, Mr. Medill went to San 
Antonio, Texas, hoping to receive relief in that 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



369 



mild climate from a chronic disease wliich had 
been troubling him for years, but died in tliat 
city, March 16, 189t», within three weeks of liav- 
ing reached his T6th birthday. The conspicuous 
features of his character were a strong individu- 
ality and indomitable perseverance, which led 
him never to accept defeat. A few weeks previ- 
ous to his death, facts were developed going to 
show that, in 1881, he was offered, by President 
Garfield, the position of Postmaster General, 
which was declined, when he was temlered the 
choice of any position in the Cabinet except two 
which had been previously . promised ; also, that 
he was offered a position in President Harrison's 
Cabinet, in 1889. 

MEDILL, (Maj.) William H., soldier, was 
born at Massillon, Ohio, Nov. 5, 1835; in 1855, 
came to Chicago and was associated with "The 
Prairie Farmer." Subsequently he was editor of 
"The Stark County (Ohio) Republican," but 
again returning to Chicago, at the beginning of 
the war, was employed on "The Tribune," of 
which his brother (Hon. Joseph Medill) was 
editor. After a few months' service in Barker's 
Dragoons {a short-time organization), in Septem- 
ber, 1861, he joined the Eighth Illinois Cavalry 
(Colonel Farnsworth's), and, declining an election 
as Major, was chosen Senior Cajitain. The regi- 
ment soon joined the Army of the Potomac. By 
the promotion of his superior officers Captain 
Medill was finally advanced to the command, 
and. during the Peninsular campaign of 1862, led 
his troops on a reconnoissance within twelve miles 
of Richmond. At the battle of Gettysburg he 
had command of a portion of his regiment, acquit- 
ting himself with great credit. A few daj's after, 
•while attacking a party of rebels who were 
attempting to build a bridge across the Potomac 
at Williamsburg, he received a fatal wound 
through the limgs, dying at Frederick City, July 
16, 1863. 

MEEKER, Moses, pioneer, was born in New- 
ark, N. J., June 17, 1790; removed to Cincinnati, 
Ohio, in 1817, engaging in the manufacture of 
white lead until 1822, when he headed a pioneer 
expedition to the frontier settlement at Galena, 
111., to enter upon the business of smelting lead- 
ore. He served as Captain of a company in the 
Black Hawk War, later removing to Iowa 
County, Wis., where he built the first smelting 
works in that Territory, served in the Territorial 
Legislature (1840-43) and in the first Constitu- 
tional Convention (1846). A "History of the 
Early Lead Regions." by him, appears in the 
sixth volume of "The Wisconsin Historical Soci- 



ety Collections." Died, at ShuUsburg, Wis., 
July 7, 1865. 

MELROSE, a suburb of Chicago, 11 miles west 
of the initial station of the Chicago & North- 
western Railroad, upon which it is located. It 
has two or three churches, some manufacturing 
establishments and one weekly paper. Popula- 
tion (1890), 1,050; (1900), 2,593. 

MEMBRE, Zenobius, French missionary, was 
born in France in 1645; accompanied La Salle on 
his expedition to Illinois in 1679, and remained at 
Fort Creve-Coeur with Henry de Tonty ; descended 
the Mississippi with La Salle in 1682; returned to 
France and wrote a history of the exjiedition, 
and. in 1684, accompanied La Salle on his final 
expedition; is supposed to have landed with La 
Salle in Texas, and there to have been massacred 
by the natives in 1687. (See La Salle And Tonty.) 

MEX.IRD, Pierre, French pioneer and first 
Lieutenant-Governor, was born at St. Antoine, 
Can., Oct. 7, 1766; settled at Kaskaskia, in 1790, 
and engaged in trade. Becoming interested in 
politics, he was elected to the Territorial Council 
of Indiana, and later to the Legislative Council of 
Illinois Territory, being presiding officer of the 
latter until the admission of Illinois as a State. 
He was, for several years. Government Agent, 
and in this capacity negotiated several important 
treaties with the Indians, of whose characteris- 
tics he seemed to have an intuitive perception. He 
was of a nervous temperament, impulsive and 
generous. In 1818 he was elected the first Lieu- 
tenant-Governor of the new State. His term of 
office having expired, he retired to private life 
and the care of his extensive business. He died 
at Kaskaskia, in June, 1844, leaving what was 
then considered a large estate. Among his assets, 
however, were found a large number of promis- 
soi-y notes, which he had endorsed for personal 
friends, besides many uncollectable acco\mts 
from poor people, to whom he had sold goods 
through pure generosity. Menard County was 
named for him, and a statue in his honor stands 
in the capitol grounds at Springfield, erected by 
the son of his old partner — Charles Pierre Chou- 
teau, of St. Louis. 

MENARD COUNTY, near the geographical 
center of the State, and originally a part of 
Sangamon, but separately organized in 1839, the 
Provisional Commissioners l)eing Joseph Wat- 
kins, William Engle and George W. Simpson. 
The county was named in honor of Pierre Menard, 
who settled at Kaskaskia prior to the Territorial 
organization of Illinois. (See Menard. Pierre.) 
Cotton was an important croj) until 1830, when 



370 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



agriculture underwent a change. Stock-raising 
is now extensively carried on. Three fine veins 
of bituminous coal underlie the county. Among 
early American settlers may be mentioned the 
Clarys. ilatthew Rogers, Amor Batterton, Solo- 
mon Pruitt and William Gideon. The names of 
Meadows, Montgomery, Green, Boyer and Grant 
are also familiar to early settlers. The county 
furnished a company of eighty-six volunteers for 
the Mexican War. The county-seat is at Peters- 
burg. The area of the county is 330 square miles, 
and its population, under the last census, 14,336. 
In 1829 was laid out the town of Salem, now 
extinct, but for some years the liome of Abraham 
Lincoln, who was once its Postmaster, and who 
marched thence to the Black Hawk War as 
Captain of a company. 

MENDON, a town of Adams County, on the 
Burlington & Quincy Division of tlie Chicago, 
Burlington & Quincy Railway, 15 miles northeast 
of Quincy ; has a bank and a newspaper ; is. sur- 
rounded by a farming and stock-raising district. 
Population (1880), 653; (1890), 640; (1900), 637. 

ME\DOTA, a city in La Salle County founded 
in is.i3, at the junction of the Chicago. Burlington 
& Quincy with its Rochelle and Fulton brandies 
and the Illinois Central Railway, 80 miles south- 
west of Chicago. It has eight churches, three 
graded and two high schools, and a public li- 
brary Wartburg Seminary (Lutlieran, opened 
in 1853) is located here. The chief industrial 
plants are two iron foundries, machine shops, 
plow works and a brewery. The city has three 
banks and four weekly newspapers. The sur- 
rounding country is agricultural and the city has 
considerable local trade. Population (1890), 
3,543; (1900), 3,736. 

MERCER COUNTY, a western county, with an 
area of 555 square miles and a population (1900) 
of 20,945— named for Gen. Hugh Mercer. The 
Mississippi forms the western boundary, and 
along this river the earliest American settlements 
were made. William Denuison, a Pennsylvanian, 
settled in New Boston Township in 1828, and, 
before the expiration of a half dozen years, the 
Vannattas. Keith, Jackson, Wilson, Farlow, 
Bridges, Perry and Fleharty had arrived. Mer- 
cer County was separated from Warren, and 
specially organized in 1825. The soil is a rich, 
black loam, admirably adapted to the cultivation 
of cereals. A good quality of buiUling stone is 
found at various points. Aledo is the county- 
seat. The county lies on the ovitskirts of the 
Illinois coal fields and mining was commenced 
in 1845. 



MERCY HOSPITAL, located in Chicago, and 
the first permanent hospital in the State — char- 
tered in 1847 or 1848 as the "Illinois General 
Hospital of the Lakes." No steps were taken 
toward organization until 1850, when, with a 
scanty fund scarcely exceeding $150, twelve beds 
were secured and placed on one floor of a board- 
ing house, whose proprietress was engaged as 
nurse and stewardess. Drs. N. S. Davis and 
Daniel Brainard were, respectively, the first 
physician and surgeon in cliarge. In 1851 the 
hospital was given in charge of the Sisters o^ 
Mercy, who at once enlarged and improved the 
accommodations, and, in 1853, changed its name 
to Mercy Hospital. Three or four years later, a 
removal was made to a building previously occu- 
pied as an orphan asylum. Being the only pub- 
lic hospital in the city, its wards were constantly 
overcrowded, and, in 1869, a more capacious and 
better arranged building was erected. This 
edifice it has continued to occupy, although many 
additions and improvements have been, and are 
still being, made. The Sisters of Mercy own the 
grounds and buildings, and manage the nursing 
and all the domestic and financial affairs of the 
institution. The present medical staff (1896) 
consists of thirteen physicians and surgeons, 
besides three internes, or resident practitioners. 

MEREDOSH,a town in Morgan County, on 
the east bank of the Illinois River and on the 
Wabash Railway, some 58 miles west of Spring- 
field; is a grain shipping point and fisliing and 
hunting resort It was the first Illinois River 
point to be connected with the State capital by 
railroad in 1S38. Population (1890), 631 ; (1900), 700. 

MERRIAM, (Col.) Jonathan, .soldier, legisla- 
tor and farmer, was born in Vermont, Nov. 1, 
1834; was brought to Springfield, 111., when two 
years old, living afterwards at Alton, his parents 
finally locating, in 1841, in Tazewell County, 
where he now resides — wlien not officially em- 
jjloyed — pursuing the occupation of a farmer. He 
was educated at Wesleyan University, Blooming- 
ton, and at McKendree College: entered the 
Union army in 1863, being commissioned Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel of the One Hundred and Seven- 
teenth Illinois Infantry, and serving to the close 
of the war. During the Civil War period he was 
one of the founders of the "Union League of 
America." which proved so influential a factor 
in sustaining the war policy of the Government. 
He was also a member of the State Constitutional 
Convention of 1869-70; an unsuccessful Repub- 
lican nominee for Congress in 1870; served as 
Collector of Internal Revenue for the Springfield 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



371 



District from 1873 to '83, was a Representative in 
the Thirty-ninth and Fortieth General Assem- 
blies, and, in 1897, was appointed, by President 
McKinley, Pension Agent for the State of Illinois, 
with headquarters iu Chicago. Thoroughly pa- 
triotic and of incorruptible integrity, he has won 
the respect and contidence of all in every public 
position he has been called to fill. 

MERRILL, Stephen Mason, Methodist Episco- 
pal Bishop, was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, 
Sept. 16, 182.5. entered the Ohio Conference of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, in 1864, as a travel- 
ing preacher, and, four years later, became editor 
of "The Western Christian Advocate," at Cin- 
cinnati. He was ordained Bishop at Brooklyn in 
1872, and, after two years spent in Jlinnesota, 
removed to Chicago, where he still resides. The 
degree of D.D. was conferred upon him by Ohio 
Wesleyan University, in 1868, and that of LL.D. 
by the Northwestern University, in 1886. He has 
published "Christian Baptism" (Cincinnati, 
1876); "New Testament Idea of Hell" (1878); 
"Second Coming of Christ" (1879); "Aspects of 
Christian Experience" (1882) ; "Digest of Metho- 
dist Law" (1885) ; and "Outlines of Thought on 
Probation" (1886). 

MERRITT, John W., journalist, was born in 
New York City, July 4, 1806; studied law and 
practiced, for a time, with the celebrated James 
T. Brady as a partner. In 1841 he removed to 
St. Clair County, 111., purchased and, from 1848 
to '51, conducted "The Belleville Advocate"; 
later, removed to Salem, 111., where he established 
"The Salem Advocate" ; served as Assistant Sec- 
retary of the State Constitutional Convention of 
1862, and as Representative in the Twenty-third 
General Assembly. In 1864 he purchased "The 
State Register" at Springfield, and was its editor 
for several years. Died, Nov. 16, 1878. — Thomas 
E. (Merritt), son of the preceding, lawyer and 
politician, was born in New York City, April 29, 
1834; at six years of age was brouglit by his 
father to Illinois, where he attended the common 
schools and later learned the trade of carriage- 
painting. Subsequently he read law, and was 
admitted to the bar, at Springfield, in 1863, In 
1868 he was elected, as a Democrat, to tlie lower 
house of the General Assembly from the Salem 
District, and was re-elected to the same body in 
1870, '74, '76, '86 and '88. He also served two 
terms in the Senate (1878-'86), making an almost 
continuous service in the General As.sembly of 
eighteen j'ears. He has repeatedly been a mem- 
ber of State conventions of his party, and stands 
as one of its trusted representatives. — Maj.-dieu. 



Wesley (Merritt), another son, was born in New 
York, June 16, 1836, came with his father to Illi- 
nois in childhood, and was appointed a cadet at 
West Point Military Academy from this State, 
graduating in 1860; became a Second Lieutenant 
in the regular army, the same year, and was pro- 
moted to the rank of First Lieutenant, a year 
later. After the beginning of the Civil War, he 
was rapidly promoted, reacliiug the rank of 
Brigadier-General of Volunteers in 1862, and 
being mustered out, in 1866, with the brevet rank 
of Major-General. He re-entered the regular 
army as Lieutenant-Colonel, was promoted to a 
colonelcy in 1876, and, in 1887, received a com- 
mission as Brigadier-General, in 1897 becoming 
Major-General. He was in command, for a time, 
of the Department of the Missouri, but, on his 
last promotion, was transferred to the Depart- 
ment of the East, with headquarters at Gov- 
ernor's Island, N. Y. Soon after the beginning 
of the war with Spain, he was assigned to the 
command of the land forces destined for the 
Philippines, and appointed Military Governor of 
the Islands. Towards the close of tlie year he 
returned to the United States and resumed his old 
command at New York. 

MESSINdiER, John, pioneer surveyor and car- 
tographer, was born at West Stockbridge, Mass., 
in 1771, grew up on a farm, but secured a good 
education, especially in mathematics. Going to 
Vermont in 1783, he learned the trade of a car- 
penter and mill- Wright : removed to Kentucky in 
1799, and, in 1802, to Illinois (then a part of Indi- 
ana Territory), locating first in the American 
Bottom and, later, at New Design witliin the 
present limits of Monroe County. Two years 
later he became the proprietor of a mill, and, 
between 1804 and 1806, taught one of the earliest 
schools in St. Clair County. The latter j'ear he 
took up the vocation of a surveyor, which he fol- 
lowed for many years as a sub-contractor under 
William Rector, surveying much of the land in 
St. Clair and Randolph Counties, and, still later, 
assisting in determining the nortliern boundary 
of the State. He also served for a time as a 
teacher of mathematics in Rock Si)ring Seminary ; 
in 1821 published "A Manual, or IlandBook, 
intended for Convenience in Practical Survey- 
ing," and prepared some of the earlier State and 
county maps. In 1808 he was elected to the 
Indiana Territorial Legislature, to fill a vacancy, 
and took part in the steps which resulted in set- 
ting up a separate Territorial Government for 
Illinois, the following year. He also received an 
appointment as tlie first Surveyor of St. Clair 



372 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



County under the new Territorial Government; 
■was chosen a Delegate from St. Clair County to 
the Convention of 1818, which framed the first 
State Constitution, and, the same year, was 
elected a Representative in the First General 
Assembly, serving as Sjieaker of that body. 
After leaving New Design, the later years of his 
life were spent on a farm two and a half miles 
north of Belleville, where he died in 1846. 

METAMORA, a town of Woodford County, on 
a branch of the Chicago «.t Alton Railroad, 19 
miles east-northeast of Peoria and some thirty 
miles northwest of Bloomington; is center of a 
fine farming district. The town lias a creamery, 
soda factory, one bank, three churclies. two 
newspapers, schools and a park. Population 
(1880) 828; (1900), T.58. Metamora was the 
county-seat of Woodford County until 1899, when 
the seat of justice was removed to Eureka. 

METCALF, Andrew W., lawyer, was born in 
Guernsey Count}', Ohio, August 6, 1828; educated 
at Madison College in his native State, graduating 
in 1846, and, after studying law at Cambridge, 
Ohio, three years, was admitted to the bar in 
1850. The following year he went to Appleton, 
Wis. , but remained only a year, when he removed 
to St. Louis, then to Edwardsville, and shortly 
after to Alton, to take charge of the legal busi- 
ness of George T. Brown, then publisher of "The 
Alton Courier. " In 1853 he returned to Edwards- 
ville to reside permanently, and, in 18.59, was 
appointed by Governor Bissell State's Attorney 
for Madison County, serving one j'ear. In 1864 
he was elected State Senator for a term of four 
years ; was a delegate to the Republican National 
Convention of 1872, and, in 1876, a lay delegate 
from the Southern Illinois Conference of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church to the General Con- 
ference at Baltimore ; has also been a Trustee of 
McKendree College, at Lebanon, 111., for more 
than twenty-five years. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, one of 
the most numerous Protestant church organiza- 
tions in the United States and in Illinois. Rev. 
Joseph Lillard was the first preacher of this sect 
to settle in the Northwest Territory, and Capt. 
Joseph Ogle was the first class-leader (1795). It 
is stated that the first American preacher in the 
American Bottom was Rev. Hosea Riggs (1796). 
Rev. Benjamin Young took charge of the first 
Methodist mission in 1803. and, in 1804, this mis- 
sion was attached to the Cumberland (Tenn.) 
circuit. Revs. Joseph Oglesby and Charles R. 
Matheny were among the early circuit riders. In 
1820 there were seven circuits in Illinois, and, in 



1830, twenty-eight, the actual membership 
exceeding 10,000. The first Methodist service in 
Chicago was held by Rev. Jesse Walker, in 1826. 
The first Methodist society in tliat city was 
organized b}' Rev. Stephen R. Beggs, in June, 

1831. By 1835 the number of circuits had in- 
creased to 61, with 370 ministers and 15,000 mem- 
bers. Rev. Peter Cartwright was among the 
early revivalists. The growth of this denomi- 
nation in the State has been extraordinary. By 
1890, it had nearly 2,000 churches, 937 ministers, 
and 151,000 members — the total number of Metho- 
dists in the United States, by the same census, 
being 4,980,240. The church property owned in 
1890 (including parsonages) approached §111,000,- 
OUO, and the total contributions were estimated 
at .§2.073.923. The denomination in Illinois sup- 
ports two theological seminaries and the Garrett 
Biblical Institute at Evanston. "The North- 
western Clu-istian Advocate," with a circulation 
of some 30,000, is its official organ in Illinois. 
(See also Religious Denominations.) 

METROPOLIS CITY, the county-seat of Massac 
County. 156 miles southeast of St. Louis, situated 
on the Ohio River and on the St. Louis and 
Paducah Division of the Illinois Central Rail- 
road. The city was founded in 1839, on the site 
of old Fort Ma.ssac, which was erected by the 
French, aided by the Indians, about 1711. Its 
industries consist largely of various forms of 
wood-working. Saw and planing mills are a 
commercial factor; other establishments turn 
out wheel, buggy and wagon material, barrel 
staves and heads, boxes and baskets, and veneers. 
There are also flouring mills and potteries. The 
city has a public library^ two banks, water- 
works, electric lights, numerous churches, high 
school and graded schools, and three papers. 
Population (1880), 2,608; (1890). 3,.573; (19011), 4.069. 

MEXICAN WAR. Briefly stated, this war 
originated in the annexation of Texas to the 
United States, early in 1.846. There was a dis- 
agreement as to the western boundarj- of Texas. 
Mexico complained of encroachment upon her 
territory, and hostilities began with the battle of 
Palo Alto. May 8, and ended with the treaty of 
peace, concluded at Guadalupe Hidalgo, near the 
City of Mexico, Feb. 2, 1848. Among the most 
prominent figures were President Polk, under 
whose administration annexation was effected, 
and Gen. Zachary Taj-lor, who was chief in com- 
mand in tlie field at the beginning of the war, and 
was elected Polk's successor. Illinois furnished 
more than her full quota of troops for the strug- 
gle. May 13, 1840, war was declared. On May 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



373 



25, Governor Ford issued his proclamation calling 
for the enlistment of three regiments of infantry, 
the assessed quota of the State. The response 
was prompt and general. Alton was named as 
the rendezvous, and Col. (afterwards General) 
Sylvester Churchill was the mustering officer. 
The regiments mustered in were commanded, 
respectively, by Col. John J. Hardin, Col. Wm. H. 
Bissell (afterwards Governor) and Col. Ferris 
Forman. An additional twelve months' regiment 
(the Fourth) was accepted, under command of 
Col. E. D. Baker, wlio later became United States 
Senator from Oregon, and fell at the battle of 
Ball's Bluff, in October, 1861. A second call was 
made in April, 1847, under which Illinois sent 
two more regiments, for the war, towards the 
Mexican frontier. These were commanded by 
Col. Edward W. B. Newby and Col. James 
Collins. Independent companies were also 
tendered and accepted. Besides, there were 
some 150 volunteers who joined the regiments 
already in the field. Commanders of the inde- 
pendent companies were Capts. Adam Dunlap, 
of Schuyler County; Wyatt B. Stapp, of War- 
ren; Michael K. Lawler, of Shawneetown, and 
Josiah Little. Col. John J. Hardin, of the First, 
was killed at Buena Vista, and the official mor- 
tuarj' list includes many names of Illinois' best 
and bravest sous. After participating in the 
battle of Buena Vista, the Illinois troops shared 
in the triumphal entry into the City of Mexico, 
on Sept. 16, 1847, and (in connection with those 
from Kentucky) were especially complimented in 
General Taylor's official report. The Tliird and 
Fourth regiments won distinction at Vera Cruz, 
Cerro Gordo and the City of Mexico. At the 
second of these battles. General Sliields fell 
severely (and, as supposed for a time, mortally) 
wounded. Colonel Baker succeeded Shields, led 
a gallant charge, and really turned the day at 
Cerro Gordo. Among the officers honorably 
named by General Scott, in his official report, were 
Colonel Forman, Major Harris, Adjutant Fondey, 
Capt. J. S. Post, and Lieutenants Hammond anil 
Davis. All the Illinois troops were mustered out 
between May 25, 1847 and Nov. 7, 1848, the inde- 
pendent companies being tlie last to quit the 
service. The total number of volunteers was 
6,123, of whom 86 were killed, and 160 wounded, 
12 of the latter dying of their wounds. Gallant 
service in the Mexican War soon became a pass- 
port to political preferment, and sonje of the 
brave soldiers of 1846-47 subsequently achieved 
merited distinction in civil life. Many also be- 
came distinguished soldiers in the War of the 



Rebellion, including such names as John A. 
Logan, Richard J. Oglesby, M. K. Lawler, James 
D. Morgan, W. H. L. Wallace, B. M. Prentiss, 
W. R. Morrison, L. F. Ross, and others. The 
cost of the war, with .$15,000,000 paid for territory 
annexed, is e.stimated at §166,500,000 and the 
extenj of territory acquired, nearly 1,000,000 
square miles — considerably more tlian the 
whole of the present territory of the Republic of 
Mexico. 

MEYER, John, lawyer and legislator, was born 
in Holland, Feb. 27, 1852 ; came to Cliicago at the 
age of 12 years ; entered the Northwestern Uni- 
versity, supporting himself by labor during vaca- 
tions and by teaching in a night school, until his 
third year in the university, when he became a 
student in the Union College of Law, being 
admitted to the bar in 1879; was elected from 
Cook County to the Thirty-fifth General Assembly 
(1884), and re-elected to the Tlurty-.sixth, Thirty- 
eighth and Thirty-ninth, being chosen Speaker of 
the latter (Jan. 18, 1895). Died in office, at Free- 
port, 111., July 3, 1895, during a special session of 
the General Assembly. 

MIAMIS, The. The preponderance of author- 
ity favors the belief that this tribe of Indians was 
originally a part of the Ill-i-ni or Illinois, but the 
date of their separation from the parent stock 
cannot be told. It is likelj', however, that it 
occurred before the French pushed their explo- 
rations from Canada westward and southward, 
into and along the Mississippi Valley. Father 
Dablon alludes to the presence of Miamis (whom 
he calls Ou-mi-a-mi) in a mixed Indian village, 
near the mouth of Fox River of Wisconsin, in 
1670. The orthography of their name is varied. 
The Iroquois and the British generally knew 
them as the ""Twightwees, " and so they were 
commonly called by the American colonists. 
The Weas and Piankeshaws were of the same 
tribe When La Salle founded his colony at 
Starved Rock, the Miamis had villages which 
could muster some 1,050 warriors, of which tlie 
Weas had 500 and the Piankeshaws 150, the re- 
maining 1,300 being Miamis proper. In 1071 
(according to a written statement by Charlevoix 
in 1721), the Miamis occupied three villages- 
— one on the St. Josepli River, one on the Mau- 
mee and one on the "Ouabache" (Wabash). 
They were friendly toward the French until 
1694, when a large number of them were 
massacred by a party of Sioux, who carried 
firearms which had been furnished them by 
the Frenchmen. The breach thus caused was 
never closed. Having become possessed of guns 



374 



HISTORICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



themselves, the Miamis were able, not only to 
hold their own, but also to extend their hunting 
grounds as far eastward as the Scioto, alternately 
warring with the French, British and Americans. 
General Harrison says of them that, ten years 
before the treaty of Greenville, they could have 
brought upon the field a body of 3,000 "of the 
finest light troops in the world," but lacking in 
discipline and enterjjrise. Border warfare and 
smalliwx, however, liad, by that date (1795), 
greatly reduced their numerical strength. The 
main seat of the Miamis was at Fort Wayne, 
whose residents, because of their superior num- 
bers and intelligence, dominated all other bands 
except the Piankeshaws. The physical and 
moral deterioration of the tribe began immedi- 
ately after the treaty of Greenville. Little by 
little, they ceded their lands to the United States, 
the money received therefor being chiefly squan- 
dered in debauchery. Decimated by vice and 
disease, the remnants of this once powerful abo- 
riginal nation gradually drifted westward across 
the Mississippi, whence their valorous sires had 
emigrated two centuries before. The small rem- 
nant of the band finally settled in Indian Terri- 
tory, but they have made comparatively little 
progress toward civilization. (See also Pianke- 
shaws; It'fO.S.) 

MICHAEL REESE HOSPITAL, located in 
Chicago, under care of the association known as 
the United Hebrew Charities. Previous to 1871 
this association maintained a small hospital for 
the care of some of its beneficiaries, but it was 
destroyed in the conflagration of that year, and no 
immediate effort to rebuild was made. In 1880, 
however, Michael Reese, a Jewish gentleman 
who had accumulated a large fortune in Cali- 
fornia, bequeathed 897,000 to the organization. 
With this sum, considerablj' increased by addi- 
tions from other sources, an imposing building 
was erected, well arranged and thoroughly 
equipped for hospital purposes. The institution 
thus founded was named after its principal bene- 
factor. Patients are received without discrimi- 
nation as to race or religion, and more than half 
those admitted are charity patients. The present 
medical staff consists of thirteen surgeons and 
physicians, several of whom are eminent 
specialists. 

MICHIGAN CENTRAL RAILROAD. Tlie 
main line of tliis road extends from Cliicago 
to Detroit, 270 miles, with trackage facilities 
from Kensington, 14 miles, over the line of the 
Illinois Central, to its terminus in Chicago. 
Branch lines (leased, proprietary and operated) in 



Canada, IMichigan, Indiana and Illinois swell the 
total mileage to 1,643.56 miles.— (History.) The 
company was chartered in 1846, and purchased 
from the State of Michigan the line from Detroit 
to Kalamazoo, 144 miles, of which construction had 
been begun in 1836. The road was completed to 
Michigan City in 1850, and, in May, 1852, readied 
Kensington, 111. As at present constituted, the 
road (witli its auxiliaries) forms an integral part 
of what is popularly known as the "Vanderbilt 
Sj'stem." Only 35 miles of the entire line are 
operated in Illinois, of which 29 belong to the 
Joliet & Northern Indiana branch (which see). 
The outstanding capital stock (1898) was S18,- 
738,000 and the funded debt, §19,101,000. Earn- 
ings in Illinois the same year, §484,002; total 
operating expenses, §.540,905; taxes, §24,250. 

MICHIGAN, LAKE. (See Lake Michigan.) 

MIHALOTZY, Geza, soldier, a native of Hun- 
gary and compatriot of Kossuth in the Magyar 
struggle; came to Chicago in 1848, in 1861 enlisted 
in the One Hundred and Twenty- fouilh Illinois 
Volunteers (first "Hecker regiment"), and, on 
the resignation of Colonel Hecker, a few weeks 
later, was promoted to the Colonelcy. A trained 
soldier, he served with gallantry and distinction, 
but was fatally wounded at Buzzard's Roost, Feb. 
24, 1864, dying at Chattanooga, March 11, 1864. 

MILAN, a town of Rock Island County, on the 
Rock Island & Peoria Railway, six miles south of 
Rook Island. It is located on Rock River, has 
several mills, a bank and a newspaper. Popula- 
tion (1880), 845; (1890), 692; (1900), 719. 

MILBURN, (Rev.) WUliam Henry, clergy- 
man, was born in Philadelphia, Sept. 26, 1826. 
At the age of five years he almost totally lost 
sight in both eyes, as the result of an accident, 
and subsequent malpractice in their treatment. 
For a time he was able to decipher letters with 
diflSculty, and thus learned to read. In the face 
of such obstacles he carried on his studies until 
12 years of age, when he accompanied his father's 
family to Jacksonville. 111., and, five years later, 
became an itinerant Methodist preacher. For a 
time he rode a circuit covering 200 miles, preach- 
ing, on an average, ten times a week, for §100 per 
year. In 1845, while on a Mississippi steamboat, 
lie publicly rebuked a number of Congressmen, 
who were his fellow passengers, for intemperance 
and gaming. This resulted in his being made 
Chaplain of the House of Representatives. From 
1848 to 1850 he was pastor of a church at Mont- 
gomery, Ala., during which time he was tried 
for heresy, and later became pastor of a "Free 
Church."' Again, in. 18.53, he was chosen Chap- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



375 



lain of Congress. While in Europe, in 1859, he 
took orders in the Episcopal Church, but returned 
to Methodism in 1371. He has since been twice 
Chaplain of the House (1885 and "8") and three 
times (1893, '95 and "97) elected to the same posi- 
tion in the Senate He is generally known as 
"the blind preacher" and achieved considerable 
prominence by his eloquence as a lecturer on 
"What a Blind Man Saw in Europe." Among 
his published writings are, "Rifle, Axe and Sad- 
dlebags" (1856), "Ten Years of Preacher Life' 
(1858) and "Pioneers. Preachers and People of tlie 
Mississippi Valley" (18(i0). 

MILCHRIST, Thomas E., lawyer, was born in 
the Isle of Man in 1839, and, at the age of eight 
years, came to America with his parents, who 
settled in Peoria, 111. Here he attended school 
and worked on a farm until the beginning of the 
Civil War, when he enlisted in the One Hundred 
and Twelfth Illinois Volunteers, serving until 
1865, and being discharged with the rank of Cap- 
tain. After the war he read law with John I. 
Bennett — then of Galena, but later Master in 
Chancery of the United States Court at Chicago 
— was admitted to the bar in 1867, and, for a 
number of years, served as State's Attorney in 
Henry County. In 1888 he was a delegate from 
Illinois to the Republican National Convention, 
and the following year was appointed by Presi- 
dent Harrison United States District Attorney 
for the Northern District of Illinois. Since 
retiring from office in 1893, Mr. Jlilchrist has been 
engaged in private practice in Chicago. In 1898 
he was elected a State Senator for the Fifth Dis- 
trict (city of Chicago) in the Forty-first General 
Assembly. 

MILES, Nelson A., Major-General, was born 
at Westminster, Mass., August 8, 1839, and, at 
the breaking out of the Civil War, was engaged 
in mercantile pursuits in the city of Boston. In 
October, 1861, he entered the service as a Second 
Lieutenant in a Massachusetts regiment, dis- 
tinguished himself at the battles of Fair Oaks, 
Charles City Cross Roads and Malvern Hill, 
in one of which he was wounded. In Sep- 
tember, 1862, he was Colonel of tlie Sixty- 
first New York, which he led at Fredericksburg 
and at ChanceUorsville, where he was again 
severely wounded. He commanded the First 
Brigade of the First Division of the Second Army 
Corps in the Richmond campaign, and was made 
Brigadier-General, May 12, 1S64, and Major- 
General, by brevet, for gallantry shown at Ream's 
Station, in December of the same year. At the 
» close of the war he was commissioned Colonel of 



the Fortieth United .States Infantry, and distin- 
guished himself in campaignsagainst the Indians; 
became a Brigadier-General in 1880, and Major- 
General in 1890, in the interim being in command 
of the Department of the Columbia, and, after 
1890, of the Missouri, with headquarters at Chi- 
cago. Here he did mucli to give efficiency and 
importance to the post at Fort Sheridan, and, in 
1894, rendered valuable service in checking the 
strike riots about Chicago. Near the close of the 
year he was transferred to the Department of the 
East, and, on the retirement of General Schofield 
in 1895, was placed in conunand of the army, 
with headquarters in Wasliington. Dm-ing the 
Spanish-American war (1898) fieneral Miles gave 
attention to the fitting out of troops for the Cuban 
and Porto Rican campaigns, and visited Santiago 
during the siege conducted by General Shaffer, 
but took no active command in tlie field until the 
occupation of Porto Rico, which was conducted 
with rare discrimination and good judgment, and 
with comparatively little loss of life or suffering 
to the troops. 

MILFORI), a prosperous village of Iroquois 
County, on the Cliicago & Eastern Illinois Rail- 
road, 88 miles soutli of Chicago; is in a rich farm- 
ing region; has water and sewerage systems, 
electric lights, two brick and tile works, three 
large grain elevators, Hour mill, three churches, 
good schools, a public library and a weekly news- 
paper. It is an important shipping point for 
grain and live-stock. Population (1890), 9.57; 
(1900). 1,077. 

MILITARY BOUNTY LANDS. (See Military 
Trad. ) 

MILITARY TRACT, a popular name given to 
a section of the State, set apart under an act of 
Congress, passed. May 0, 1812, as bounty-lands for 
soldiers in the war with Great Britain commenc- 
ing the same year. Similar reservations in the 
Territories of Michigan and Louisiana (now 
Arkansas) w-ere provided for in tlie same act. 
The lands in Illinois embraced in tliis act were 
situated between the Illinois and Mi.s.sissippi 
Rivers, and extended from tlie junction of these 
streams due north, by the Fourth Principal Merid- 
ian, to the northern boundary of Townshi|> 15 
north of the "Base Line." This "base line" 
started about opposite the present site of Beards- 
town, and extended to a point on the Mississippi 
about seven miles north of Quincy. Tlie north- 
ern border of the "Tract" was identical with 
the northern boundary of Mercer County, which, 
extended eastward, reached the Illinois about 
the present village of De Pue, in the southeastern 



37G 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



part of Bureau County, where the Illinois makes 
a great bend towards the south, a few miles west 
of the city of Peru. The distance between the 
Illinois and the Mississippi, by this line, was about 
90 miles, and the entire length of the "Tract," 
from its northern boundary to the junction of 
the two rivers, was computed at 169 miles, — con- 
sisting of 90 miles north of the "base Une" and 79 
miles south of it, to the junction of the rivers. 
The "Tract" was surveyed in 1815-16. It com- 
prised 207 entire townships of six miles square, 
each, and 61 fractional townships, containing an 
area of 5,360,000 acres, of which 3, .500, 000 acres— 
a little less than two-thirds — were appropriated to 
military bounties. The residue consisted partly 
of fractional sections bordering on rivers, partly of 
fractional quarter-sections bordering on township 
lines, and containing more or less than 160 acres, 
and partly of lands that were returned by the sur- 
veyors as unfit for cultivation. In addition to 
this, there were large reservations not coming 
within the above exceptions, being the overplus 
of lands after satisfying the military claims, and 
subject to entry and purchase on the same con- 
ditions as other Government lands. The "Tract" 
thus embraced the present counties of Calhoun, 
Pike, Adams, Brown, Schuyler, Hancock, Mc- 
Donough, Fulton, Peoria, Stark, Knox, Warren, 
Henderson and Mercer, with parts of Henry, 
Bureau, Putnam and Marshall — or so much of 
them as was necessarj- to meet the demand for 
bounties. Immigration to this region set in quite 
actively about 1823, and the development of some 
portions, for a time, was very rapid ; but later, its 
growth was retarded by the conflict of "tax- 
titles" and bounty-titles derived by purchase 
from the original holders. This led to a great 
deal of litigation, and called for considerable 
legislation; but since the adjustment of these 
questions, this region has kept pace with the most 
favored sections of the State, and it now includes 
some of the most important and prosperous towns 
and cities and many of the finest farms in 
Illinois. 

MILITIA. Illinois, taught by the experiences 
of the War of 1812 and the necessity of providing 
for protection of its citizens against the incur- 
sions of Indians on its borders, began the adop- 
tion, at an early date, of such measures as were 
then common in the several States for the main- 
tenance of a State militia. The Constitution of 
1818 made the Governor "Commander-in-Chief 
of the army and navy of this State, " and declared 
that the militia of the State should "consist of 
all free male able-bodied persons (negroes, mu- 



lattoes and Indians excepted) resident in the 
State, oetween the ages of 18 and 45 years," and 
this classification was continued in the later con- 
stitutions, except that of 1870, which omits all 
reference to the subject of color. In each there 
is the same general provision exempting persons 
entertaining "conscientious scruples against 
bearing arms," although subject to payment of 
an equivalent for such exemption. The first law 
on the subject, enacted by the first General 
Assembly (1819), provided for the establishment 
of a general militia system for the State ; and the 
fact that this was modified, amended or wholly 
changed by acts passed at the sessions of 1821, 
'23, '25, '26, '27, "29, '33, '37 and '39, shows the 
estimation in which the subject was held. While 
many of these acts were of a special character, 
providing for a particular class of organization, 
the general law did little except to require per- 
sons subject to military duty, at stated periods, to 
attend county musters, which were often con- 
ducted in a very informal manner, or made the 
occasion of a sort of periodical frolic. The act of 
July, 1833 (following the Black Hawk War), 
required an enrollment of "all free, white, male 
inhabitants of military age (except such as might 
be exempt under the Constitution or laws)"; 
divided the State into five divisions by counties, 
each division to be organized into a certain .speci- 
fied number of brigades. This act was quite 
elaborate, covering some twenty-four pages, and 
provided for regimental, battalion and couipany 
musters, defined the duties of officers, manner of 
election, etc. The act of 1837 encouraged the 
organization of volunteer companies. The Me.xi- 
can War (1845-47) gave a new impetus to this 
class of legislation, as also did the War of the 
Rebellion (1861-65). While the office of Adju- 
tant-General had existed from the first, its duties 
— except during the Black Hawk and Mexican 
Wars — were rather nominal, and were discharged 
without stated compensation, the incumbent 
being merely Chief of-staff to the Governor as 
Commander-in-Chief. The War of the Rebellion 
at once brought it into prominence, as an impor- 
tant part of the State Government, which it has 
since maintained. The various measures passed, 
during this period, belong rather to the history of 
the late war than to the subject of this chapter. 
In 1865, however, the office was put on a different 
footing, and the important part it had plaj'ed, 
during the preceding four years, was recognized 
by the passage of "an act to provide for the ap- 
pointment, and designate the work, fix the pay 
and prescribe the duties, of the Adjutant-General 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



377 



of Illinois." During the next four years, its 
most important wf)rk was the publication o£ 
eight volumes of war records, containing a com- 
plete roster of the officers and men of the various 
regiments and other military organizations from 
Illinois, with an outline of their movements and 
a list of the battles in which they were engaged. 
To the Adjutant-General's office, as now adminis- 
tered, is entrusted the custody of the war- 
records, battle-flags and trophies of the late war. 
A further step was taken, in 1877, in the passage 
of an act formulating a military code and provid- 
ing for more thorough organization. Modifying 
amendments to this act were adopted in 1879 and 
1885. Wliile, under these laws, "all able-bodied 
male citizens of this State, between the ages of 18 
and 45'' (with certain specified e.xceptions), are 
declared "subject to military duty, and desig- 
nated as the Illinois State Militia," provision is 
made for the organization of a body of "active 
militia," designated as the "Illinois National 
Guard," to consist of "not more than eighty-four 
companies of infantry, two batteries of artillery 
and two troops of cavalry," recruited by volun- 
tary enlistments for a period of three years, with 
right to re-enlist for one or more jears. The 
National Guard, as at present constituted, con- 
sists of three brigades, with a total force of about 
9,000 men, organized into nine regiments, besides 
the batteries and cavalry already mentioned. 
Gatling guns are used by the artillery and breech- 
loading rifles by the infantry. Camps of instruc- 
tion are held for the regiments, respectively — one 
or more regiments participating — each year, 
usually at "Camp Lincoln" near Springfield, 
when regimental and brigade drills, competitive 
rifle practice and mock battles are had. An act 
establishing the "Naval Militia of Illinois," to 
consist of "not more than eight divisions or com- 
panies," divided into two battalions of four divi- 
sions each, was passed by the General Assembly 
of 1893 — the whole to be under the command of 
an officer with the rank of Commander. The 
commanding officer of each battalion is styled a 
"Lieutenant-Commander," and both the Com- 
mander and Lieutenant-Commanders have their 
respective staffs — their organization, in other 
respects, being conformable to the laws of the 
United States. A set of "Regulations," based 
upon these several laws, has been prepared by the 
Adjutant-General for the government of the 
various organizations. The Governor is author- 
ized, by law, to call out the militia to resist inva- 
sion, or to suppress violence and enforce execution 
of the laws, when called upon by the civil author- 



ities of any city, town or county. This authority, 
however, is exercised with great discretion, and 
only when the local authorities are deemed unable 
to cope with threatened resistance to law. The 
officers of the National Guard, when called into 
actual service for the suppression of riot or the 
enforcement of the laws, receive the same com- 
pensation paid to officers of the United States 
army of like grade, while the enlisted men receive 
§2 per day. During the time they are at any 
encamjjment, the officers and men alike receive 
$1 per day, with necessary subsistence and cost 
of transportation to and from the encampment. 
(For list of incumbents in Adjutant-General's 
office, see Adjutants-General; see, also, Spanish- 
American War.) 

MILLER, James H., Speaker of the House of 
Representatives, was born in Ohio, May 29, 1843; 
in early life came to Toulon, Stark County, 111., 
where he finally engaged in the practice of law. 
At the beginning of the Rebellion he enlisted in 
the Union army, but before being mustered into 
the service, received an injury which rendered 
him a cripple for life. Though of feeble physical 
organization and a sufferer from ill-health, he 
was a man of decided ability and much influence. 
He served as State's Attorney of Stark County 
(1872-76) and, in 1884, was elected Repre.sentative 
in the Thirty-fourth General Asisembly, at the 
following session being one of the most zealous 
supporters of Gen. John A. Logan, in the cele- 
brated contest which resulted in the election of 
the latter, for the third time, to the United States 
Senate. By successive re-elections he also served 
in the Thirty-fifth and Thirty-si.xth General 
Assemblies, during the session of the latter being 
chosen Speaker of the House, as successor to 
A. C. Matthews, who had been appointed, during 
the session. First Comptroller of the Treasury at 
Washington. In the earl}' part of the summer 
of 1890, Mr. Miller visited Colorado for the bene- 
fit of his health, but, a week after his arrival at 
Manitou Springs, died suddenly, June 27, 1890. 

MILLS, Benjamin, lawyer and early poli- 
tician, was a native of Western Massachusetts, 
and described by his contemporaries as a highly 
educated and accomplished lawyer, as well as a 
brilliant orator. The exact date of his .arrival in 
Illinois cannot be determined with certainty, but 
he appears to have been in the "Lead Mine 
Region" about Galena, as early as 1H2() or '27, and 
was notable as one of the first "Yankees" to 
locate in that section of the State. He was 
elected a Representative in the Eighth General 
Assembly (1832), his district embracing the 



578 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



counties of Peoria, Jo Daviess, Putnam, La Salle 
and Cook, including all the State north of Sanga- 
mon (as it then stood), and extending from the 
Mississippi River to the Indiana State line. At 
this session occurred the impeachment trial of 
Theophilus W. Smith, of the Supreme Court, Mr. 
Jlills acting as Chairman of the Impeachment 
Committee, and delivering a speech of great 
power and brilliancy, which lasted two or three 
days. In 1884 he was a candidate for Congress 
from the Northern District, but was defeated by 
William L. May (Democrat), as claimed by Mr. 
Mill's friends, unfairly. He early fell a victim 
to consumption and, returning to Ma.ssachusetts. 
died in Berkshire County, in that State, in 1841. 
Hon. R. H. McClellan, of Galena, says of him: 
"He was a man of remarkable ability, learning 
and eloquence," while Governor Ford, in his 
"History of Illinois," testifies that, "by common 
consent of all his contemporaries, Mr. Mills was 
regarded as the most popular and brilliant lawyer 
of his day at the Galena bar." 

MILLS, Henry A., State Senator, was born at 
New Hartford, Oneida County, N. Y., in 1827; 
located at Mount Carroll, Carroll County, 111., in 
1856, finally engaging in the banking bu.siness at 
that place. Having served in various local 
offices, he was, in 1874, chosen State Senator for 
the Eleventh District, but died at Galesburg 
before the expiration of his term, July 7, 1877. 

MILLS, Luther Laflin, lawyer, was born at 
North Adams, Mass., Sept. 3, 1848; brought to 
Chicago in infancy, and educated in the public 
schools of that city and at Michigan State Uni- 
vei-sity. In 1868 he began the study of law, was 
admitted to practice three years later, and, in 
1876, was elected State's Attorney, being re- 
elected in 1880. While in this office he was con- 
nected with some of the most important cases 
ever brought before the Chicago courts. 
Although he has held no ofticial position except 
that already mentioned, his abilities at the bar 
and on the rostrum are widely recognized, and 
his services, as an attorney and an orator, have 
been in frequent demand. 

MILLSTADT, a town in St. Clair County, on 
branch of Mobile it Oliio Railroad. 14 miles south- 
southeast of St. Louis; has electric lights, 
churches, schools, bank, newspaper, coal mines, 
and manufactures flour, beer and butter. Popu- 
lation (1890), 1,186; (1900), 1,172. 

MILWAUKEE & ST. PAUL RAILWAY. (See 
Chicago, Milwnitkce d- St. Paul Railiray.) 

MINER, Orlin H., State Auditor, was born in 
Vermont, May 13, 1825; from 1834 to '51 he lived 



in Ohio, the latter year coming to Chicago, where 
he worked at his trade of watch- maker. In 1855 
he went to Central America and was with Gen- 
eral William Walker at Greytown. Returning to 
Illinois, he resumed his trade at Springfield; in 
1857 he was appointed, by Auditor Dubois, chief 
clerk in the Auditor's office, serving until 1864, 
when he was electeil State Auditor as successor 
to his chief. Retiring from office in 1869, he 
gave attention to his i)riA ate business. He was 
one of the founders and a Director of the Spring- 
field Iron Company. Died in 1879. 

MINIER, a village of Tazewell County, at the 
intersection of the Jacksonville Division of the 
Chicago & Alton and the Terre Haute & Peoria 
Railroads. 26 miles southeast of Peoria: is in fine 
farming district and has several grain elevators, 
some manufactures, two banks and a newspaper. 
Population (1890), 664; (1900). 746. 

MIXONK, a city in Woodford County, 29 miles 
north of Bloomington and 53 miles northeast of 
Peoria, on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe and 
the Illinois Central Railways. The surrounding 
region is agricultural, though much coal is 
mined in the vicinity. The city has brick yards, 
tile factories, steam flouring-mills, several grain 
elevators, two private banks and two weekly 
newspapers. Population (1880), 1,913; (1890), 
2,316; (I'.IOO), 2, .546. 

MINORITY REPRESENTATION, a method of 
choosing members of the General Assembly and 
other deliberative bodies, designed to secure rep- 
resentation, in such bodies, to minority parties. 
In Illinois, this method is limited to the election 
of members of the lower branch of the General 
Assembly — except as to private corporations, 
wliich ma}', at their option, apply it in the election 
of Trustees or Directors. In the apportionment 
of members of the General Assembly (see Legis- 
lative Apportionment), the State Constitution 
requires that the Senatorial and Representative 
Districts shall be identical in territory, each of 
such Districts being entitled to choose one Sena- 
tor and three Representatives. The provisions of 
the Constitution, making specific application of 
the principle of "minority representation" (or 
"cumulative voting," as it is sometimes called), 
declares that, in the election of Representatives, 
"each cjualified voter may cast as many votes for 
one candidate as there are Representatives, or 
(he) may distribute the same, or equal parts 
thereof, among the candidates as he shall see 
fit." (State Constitution, Art. TV, sections 7 and 
8.) In practice, this provision gives the voter 
power to cast three votes for one candidate ; two 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



379 



votes for one candidate and one for another, or 
one and a half votes to each of two candidates, 
or he may distribute his vote eciually among 
tliree candidates (giving one to each); but no 
other division is admissible without invalidating 
his ballot as to this office. Other forms of minor- 
ity representation have been proposed by various 
writers, among whom Mr. Thomas Hare, John 
Stuart Mill, and Mr. Craig, of England, are most 
prominent ; but that adopted in Illinois seems to 
be the simplest and mo.st easy of application. 

MIXSHALL, William A., legislator and jurist, 
a native of Ohio who came to Rushville. 111., at 
an earlj' day, and entered upon the practice of 
law; served as Representative in the Eighth, 
Tenth and Twelfth General Assemblies, and as 
Delegate to the State Constitutional Convention 
of 1847. He was elected Judge of the Circuit 
Court for the Fifth Circuit, under the new Con- 
stitution, in 1848, and died in office, early in 1853, 
being succeeded by the late Judge Pinkney H. 
"Walker. 

MISSIOXARIES, EARLY, The earliest Chris- 
tian missionaries in Illinois were of the Roman 
Catholic faith. As a rule, these accompanied the 
French explorers and did not a little toward the 
extension of French dominion. They were usually 
members of one of two orders — the "Recollects," 
founded by St. Francis, or the "Jesuits," founded 
by Loyola. Between these two bodies of ecclesi- 
astics existed, at times, a strong rivalry ; the 
former having been earlier in the field, but hav- 
ing been virtually subordinated to the latter by 
Cardinal Richelieu. The controversy between 
the two orders gradually involved the civil 
authorities, and continued until the suppression 
of the Jesuits, in France, in 1764. The most noted 
of the Jesuit missionaries were Fathers Allouez, 
Gravier, Marquette, Dablon, Pinet, Rasle, Lamo- 
ges, Binneteau and Marest. Of the Recollects, 
the most conspicuous were Fathers Membre, 
Douay, Le Clerq, Hennepin and Ribourde. 
Besides these, there were also Father Bergier and 
Montigny, who, belonging to no religious order, 
were called secular priests. The first Catholic 
mission, founded in Illinois, was probably that at 
the original Kaskaskia, on the Illinois, in the 
present county of La Salle, where Father Mar- 
quette did missionary work in 1G73, followed by 
Allouez in 1677. (See Allouez, Claude Jean.) 
The latter was succeeded, in 1688. by Father Grav- 
ier, who was followed, in 1692, by Father Sebas- 
tian Rasle, but who, returning in 1694, remained 
until 1695, when he was succeeded by Pinet 
and Binneteau. In 1700 Father Marest was 



in charge of the mission, and the number of 
Indians among wliom he labored was, that j'ear, 
considerably diminished by tlie emigration of the 
Kaskaskias to the south. Father Gravier, about 
this time, labored among the Peorias, but was 
incapacitated by a wound received from the 
medicine man of the tribe, which finally resulted 
in his death, at Mobile, in 1706. The Peoria station 
remained vacant for a time, but was finally filled 
by Father Deville. Another early Catholic mis- 
sion in Illinois was that at Cahokia. While the 
precise date of its establishment cannot be fixed 
with certainty, there is evidence that it was in 
existence in 1700, being the earliest in that region. 
Among the early Fathers, who ministered to the 
savages there, were Pinet, St. Cosme, Bergier and 
Lamoges. This mission was at first called the 
Tamaroa, and, later, the mission of St. Sulpice. 
It was probablj' the first permanent mission in the 
Illinois Country. Among those in charge, down 
to 1718, were Fathers de Montigny, Damon (prob- 
ably), Varlet, de"la Source, and le Mercier. In 
1707, Father Mermet assisted Father Marest at 
Kaskaskia, and, in 1720, that mission became a' 
regularly constituted parish, the incumbent being 
Father de Beaubois. Rev. Pliilip Boucher 
preached and administered the sacraments at 
Fort St. Louis, where he died in 1719, having 
been preceded by Fathers IMembre and Ribourde 
in 1680, and by Fathers Douay and Le Clerq in 
1687-88. The persecution and banishment of the 
early Jesuit missionaries, by the Superior Council 
of Louisiana (of which Illinois had formerly been 
a part), in 1763, is a curious chapter in State his- 
tory. That body, following the example of some 
provincial legislative bodies in France, officially 
declared the order a dangerous nuisance, and 
decreed the confiscation of all its propertj-, in- 
cluding plate and vestments, and the razing of 
its churches, as well as the banislunent of its 
members. This decree the Louisiana Council 
undertook to enforce in Illinois, disregarding the 
fact that that territory had passed under the 
jurisdiction of Great Britain. The Jesuits seem 
to have offered no resistance, eitlier physical or 
legal, and aU members of the order in Illinois 
were ruthlessly, and without a shadow of author- 
ity, carried to New Orleans and thence deported 
to France. Only one— Father Sebastian Louis 
Meurin — was allowed to return to Illinois ; and he, 
only after promising to recognize the ecclesiastical 
authority of the Superior Council as supreme, 
and to hold no communication with Quebec or 
Rome. The labors of the missionaries, apart 
from spiritual results, were of great value. They 



380 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



perpetuated the records of early discoveries, 
reduced the language, and even dialects, of the 
aborigines, to grammatical rules, and preserved 
the original traditions and described the customs 
of the savages. (Authorities: Shea and Kip's 
"Catholic Missions," "Magazine of AVestern His- 
tory," Winsor's "America,"" and Shea"s "Catholic 
Church in Colonial Days."") 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER. (Indian name, "Missi 
Sipi," the "Great Water."") Its head waters are 
in the northern part of Minnesota, 1,680 feet 
above tide-water. Its chief source is Itasca 
Lake, wliich is 1,575 feet higher than the sea, 
and wliicii is fed by a stream having its source 
within one mile of the head waters of the Red 
River of the North. From this sheet of water to 
the mouth of the river, the distance is variously 
estimated at from 3,000 to 3,160 miles. Lake 
Itasca is in lat. 47' 10' north and Ion. 95' 20' west 
from Greenwich. The river at first runs north- 
ward, but soon turns toward the east and expands 
into a series of small lakes. Its course, as far as 
Crow Wing, is extremely sinuous, below which 
point it runs southward to St. Cloud, thence south- 
eastward to Minneapolis, where occur the Falls of 
St. Anthony, establishing a complete barrier to 
navigation for the lower Mississippi. In less than 
a mile the river descends 66 feet, including a per- 
pendicular fall of 17 feet, furnishing an immense 
water-power, wliich is utilized in operating flour- 
ing-mills and other manufacturing establish- 
ments. A few miles below St. Paul it reaches 
the western boundary of Wisconsin, where it 
expands into the long and beautiful Lake Pepin, 
bordered by picturesque limestone bluffs, some 
400 feet high. Below Dubuque its general direc- 
tion is southward, and it forms the boundary 
between the States of Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas 
and the northern part of Louisiana, on the 
west, and Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and Mis- 
sissippi, on tlie east. After many sinuous turn- 
ings in its southern course, it enters the Gulf of 
Mexico by three principal passes, or mouths, at 
the southeastern extremity of Plaquemines 
Parish, La., in lat. 29' north and Ion. 89° 12' 
west. Its principal affluents on the right are the 
Slinnesota, Iowa. Des Moines, Missouri, Arkansas 
and Red Rivers, and, on the left, the Wisconsin. 
Illinois and Ohio. The Missouri River is longer 
than that part of the Mississippi above the point 
of junction, the distance from its source to the 
delta of the latter being about 4,300 miles, which 
exceeds that of any other river in the world. 
The width of the stream at St. Louis is about 
3,500 feet, at the mouth of the Ohio nearly 4,500 



feet, and at New Orleans about 2,500 feet. The 
mean velocity of the current between St. Louis 
and the Gulf of Mexico is about five to five and 
one-half miles per hour. The average depth 
below Red River is said to be 121 feet, though, in 
the vicinity of New Orleans, the maximum is said 
to reacli 150 feet. The principal rapids below the 
Falls of St. Anthony are at Rock Island and the 
Des Moines Rapids above Keokuk, the former 
having twenty-two feet fall and the latter 
twenty-four feet. A canal around the Des 
Moines Rapids, along the west bank of the river, 
aids navigation. The alluvial banks which pre- 
vail on one or both shores of the lower Mississippi, 
often spread out into extensive "bottoms"" which 
are of inexhaustible fertility. The most impor- 
tant of these above tlie moutli of the Ohio, is the 
"American Bottom."' extending along the east 
bank from Alton to Chester, Immense sums 
have been spent in the construction of levees for 
the protection of the lands along the lower river 
from overflow, as also in the construction of a 
system of jetties at the mouth, to improve navi- 
gation by deepening the channel. 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER BRIDGE, THE, one of 
the best constructed railroad bridges in the West, 
spanning the MissLssippi from Pike, III., to Loui- 
siana, Mo. Tlie construction company was char- 
tered, April 25, 1872, and the bridge was ready for 
the passage of trains on Dec. 24, 1873. On Dec. 
3, 1877, it was leased in perpetuity by the Chicago 
& Alton Railway Company, which holds all its 
stock and §1.50,(100 of its bonds as an investment, 
paying a rental of §60,000 i)er annum, to be applied 
in the payment of 7 per cent interest on stock and 
6 per cent on bonds. In 1894, §71,000 was paid for 
rental, ,§16,000 going toward a sinking fund. 

MOBILE & OHIO RAILRO.VD. This company 
operates 160,6 miles of road in Illinois, of which 
151.6 are leased from the St. Louis & Cairo Rail- 
road. (.See St. Louis & Cairo lidilroad.) 

MOLINE, a flourishing manufacturing city in 
Rock Island County, incorporated in 1872, on the 
Mississippi above Rock Island and opposite 
Davenport, Iowa; is 168 miles .south of west from 
Chicago, and the intersecting point of tliree 
trunk lines of railway. Moline, Rock Island and 
Davenport are connecte<i by steam and street 
railways, bridges and ferries. All three obtain 
water-power from the Mississippi. The region 
around Moline is ricli in coal, and several pro- 
ductive mines are operated in the vicinity. It is 
an important manufacturing point, its chief out- 
puts being agricultural implements, filters, malle- 
able iron, steam engines, vehicles, lumber, organs 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



381 



(pipe and reed), paper, lead-roofing, wind-mills, 
milling machinery, and furniture. The city has 
admirable water-works, several ohurches, good 
schools, gas and electric light plants, a public 
librarj-, five banks, three daily and weekly 
papers. It also has an extensive electric power 
plant, electric street cars and iiiterurban line. 
Population (1890). 12.000; (1900), 17,348. 

MOLOXET, Maurice T., ex-Attorney-Geueral, 
was born in Ireland, in 1S49 ; came to America in 
1867, and, after a course in the Seminarj' of "Our 
Lady of the Angels" at Niagara Falls, studied 
theology; then tauglit for a time in Virginia and 
studied law at the University of that State, 
graduating in 1871, finally locating at Ottawa, 
111., where he served three years as State's Attor- 
ney of La Salle County, and, in 1892, was nomi- 
nated and elected Attorney-General on the 
Democratic State ticket, serving until January, 
1897. 

MOMEXCE, a town in Kankakee County, situ- 
ated on the Kankakee River and at the intersec- 
tion of the Chicago it Eastern Illinois and the 
Indiana, Illinois & Iowa Railroads, .')4 miles south 
of Chicago; has water power, a flouring mill, 
enameled brick factory, railway repair shops, two 
banks, two newspapers, five churches and two 
schools. Population (1890), 1,635; (1900), 2,036. 

MOXMOUTH, the county-seat of Warren 
County, 26 miles east of the Mississipi)i River; at 
point of inter.section of two lines of the Chicago, 
Burlington & Quincy and the Iowa Central Rail- 
ways. The Santa Fe enters Monmouth on the 
Iowa Central lines. The surrounding country is 
agricultural and coal yielding. Tlie i^ity has 
manufactories of agricultural implements, sewer- 
pipe, pottery, paving brick, and cigars. Mon- 
mouth College (United Presbyterian) was 
chartered in 1857, and the library of this institu- 
tion, with that of Warren County (also located 
at Monmouth) aggregates 30,000 volumes. There 
are three national banks, two daily, tliree weekly 
and two other periodical publications. An ap- 
propriation was made by the Fifty-lifth Congress 
for the erection of a Government building at 
Monmouth. Population (1890), 5,936; (1900), 7,460. 

MOXMOUTH COLLEGE, an educational insti- 
tution, controlled by the United Presbyterian 
denomination, but non-sectarian ; located at Mon- 
mouth. It was founded in 1850, its first class 
graduating in 1858. Its Presidents have been 
Drs. D. A. Wallace (1856-78) and J. B. McMichael, 
the latter occupying the position from 1878 until 
1897. In 1896 the faculty consisted of fifteen 
instructors and the number of students was 289. 



The college campus covers ten acres, tastefully 
laid out. The institution confers four degrees — 
A.B., B.S., M.B., and B.L. For the conferring 
of the first three, four years' study is required; 
for the degree of B.L., three years. 

MONROE, (jieor^e D., State Senator, was born 
in Jefferson County, N. Y., Sept. 24, 1844, and 
came with his parents to Illinois in 1849. His 
father having been elected Sheriff of Will County 
in 1864, he became a resident of Joliet, serving 
as a deputy in his father's office. In 1865 he 
engaged in merchandising as the partner of his 
father, which was exchanged, some fifteen years 
later, for the wholesale grocery trade, and, finallj', 
for the real-estate and mortgage-loan business, in 
which he is still employed. He has also been 
extensively engaged in the stone business some 
twenty J'ears, being a large stockholder in the 
Western Stone Company and Vice-President of 
the concern. In 1894 Mr. Monroe was elected, as 
a Republican, to the State Senate from the 
Twenty-fifth District, serving in tlie Thirtj-ninth 
and Fortieth General Assemblies, and proving 
himself one of the most influential members of 
that body. 

MOXROE COUXTY, situated in the southwest 
part of the State, bordering on the Mississippi — 
named for President Monroe. Its area is about 
380 square miles. It was organized in 1816 and 
included within its boundaries several of the 
French villages which constituted, for many 
years, a center of civilization in the West. 
American settlers, however, began to locate in 
the district as early as 1781. The count}' has a 
diversified surface and is heavilj- timbered. The 
soil is fertile, emliracing both upland and river 
bottom. Agriculture and the manufacture and 
shipping of lumber constitute leading occupations 
of the citizens. Waterloo is the county-seat. 
Population (1890), 13,948; (1900). 13,847. 

MONTGOMERY COUXTY, an interior county, 
situated northeast of St. Louis and south of 
Springfield; area 702 square miles. po]iulation 
(1900), 30,836— derives its name from Gen. Ricliard 
Montgomery. The earliest settlements bj' Ameri- 
cans were toward the close of 1816, county organi- 
zation being effected five years later. The entire 
population, at that time, scarcely exceeded 100 
families. The surface is undulating, well watered 
and timbered. The seat of county go\ernment is 
located at Hillsboro. Litchfield is an inqiortant 
town. Here are situated car-shops and some 
manufacturing establisliments. Conspicuous in 
tlie county's history as pioneers were Harris 
Reavis. Henry Pyatt, John Levi, Aaron Casey 



382 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDLV OF ILLINOIS. 



John Tillson, Hiram Roimtree, the Wrights 
(Joseph and Charles), the Hills (Jolin and 
Henry), William McDavid and John Russell. 

MOXTICELLO, a city and the county-seat of 
Piatt County, on the Sangamon River, midway 
between Chicago and St. Louis, on the Kankakee 
and Bloomington Division of the Illinois Central, 
and the Chicago and St. Louis Division of the 
Wabash Railways. It lies within the "corn belt," 
and stock-raising is extensively carried on in the 
surrounding countr}'. Among the city industries 
are a foundry and machine shops, steam flour and 
planing mills, broom, cigar and harness-making, 
and patent fence and tile works. The city is 
lighted by electricity, has several elevators, an 
excellent water system, numerous churches and 
good schools, with banks and three weekly 
papers. Population (189U), 1,043; (1000), l,y83. 

MONTICELLO FEMALE SEMIXARY, the 
second institution established in Illinois for the 
higher education of women — Jacksonville Female 
Seminary being the first. It was founded 
through the munificence of Capt. Benjamin 
Godfrey, who donated fifteen acres for a site, at 
Godfrey, Madison County, and gave S.53,000 
toward erecting and equipping the buildings. 
The institution was opened on April 11, 1838, 
with sixteen young lady pupils. Rev. Theron 
Baldwin, one of the celebrated "Yale Band," 
being the first Principal. In 184,5 he was suc- 
ceeded by Miss Phileua Fobes, and she, in turn, 
by Miss Harriet N. Haskell, in 1866, who still 
remains in charge. In November, 1883, the 
seminary building, with its contents, was burned ; 
but the institution continued its sessions in tem- 
porary quarters until the erection of a new build- 
ing, which was soon accomplished through the 
generosity of alumna^ and friends of female edu- 
cation througliout tlie country. The new struc- 
ture is of stone, three stories in height, and 
thoroughly modern. The average number of 
pupils is 150, with fourteen instructors, and the 
standard of the institution is of a high character. 
MOORE, Clifton H., lawyer and financier, was 
born at Kirtland, Lake County, Ohio, Oct. 26, 
1817 ; after a brief season spent in two academies 
and one term in the Western Reserve Teachers" 
Seminary, at Kirtland, in 1839 he came west 
and engaged in teaching at Pekin, 111., while 
giving his leisure to the study of law. He spent 
the next year at Tremont as Deputy County and 
Circuit Clerk, was admitted to the bar at Spring- 
field in 1841, and locateil soon after at Clinton, 
DeWitt County, wliich has since been his home. 
In partnershi]) witli the late Judge David Davis, 



of Bloomington, 5Ir. Moore, a few years later, 
began operating extensively in Illinois lands, and 
is now one of the largest land proprietors in 
the State, besides being interested in a number 
of manufacturing ventures and a local bank. 
The only official position of importance he has 
held is that of Delegate to the State Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1869-70. He is an enthusi- 
astic collector of State historical and art treasures, 
of which he possesses one of the most valuable 
private collections in Illinois. 

MOORE, Henry, pioneer lawyei% came to Clii- 
cago from Concord, Mass., in 1834, and was 
almost immediately admitted to the bar, also 
acting for a time as a clerk in the office of Col. 
Richard J. Hamilton, who held pretty much all 
the county offices on the organization of Cook 
County. Mr. Moore was one of the original 
Trustees of Rush Medical College, and obtained 
from the Legislature the first charter for a gas 
company in Chicago. In 1838 he went to Ha- 
vana, Cuba, for the benefit of his failing health, 
but subsequently returned to Concord, Mass., 
where he died some years afterward. 

MOORE, James, pioneer, was born in the State 
of Maryland in 1750; was married in his native 
State, about 1773, to Miss Catherine Biggs, later 
removing to Virginia. In 1777 he came to the 
Illinois Country as a spy, preliminary to the con- 
templated expedition of Col. George Rogers 
Clark, which captured Kaskaskia in July, 1778. 
After the Clark expedition (in which he served 
as Captain, by appointment of Gov. Patrick 
Henry), he returned to Virginia, where he 
remained until 1781, when he organized a party 
of emigrants, which he accompanied to Illinois, 
spending the winter at Kaskaskia. The following 
year the3' located at a point in the northern part 
of Monroe County, which afterwards received 
the name of Bellefontaine. After his arrival in 
Illinois, he organized a company of "Minute 
Men," of which he was chosen Captain. He was 
a man of prominence and influence among the 
early settlers, but died in 1788. A numerous and 
influential family of his descendants have grown 
up in Southern Illinois. — John (Moore), son of 
tlie preceding, was born in Maryland in 1773, and 
brought by his father to Illinois eight years later. 
He married a sister of Gen. John D. Whiteside, 
who afterwards Ijecame State Treasurer, and also 
served as Fund Commissioner of the State of Illi- 
nois uniler the internal improvement system. 
Moore was an officer of the State Militia, and 
served in a company of rangers during the War 
of 1812; was also the first County Treasurer of 



• 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



383 



Monroe County. Died, July 4, 1833.— James B. 
(Moore), the third son of Capt. Jame.s Moore, was 
born in 1780. and brought to lUinoi.s by his par- 
ents; in his early manhood he followed the 
business of keel-boating on the Mississippi and 
Ohio Rivers, visiting New Orleans, Pittsburg and 
other points ; became a prominent Indian fighter 
during the War of 1812, and was commissioned 
Captain by Governor Edwards and authorized to 
raise a company of mounted rangers; also 
served as Sheriff of Monroe County, by appoint- 
ment of Governor Edwards, in Territorial daj's; 
was Presidential Elector in 1820, ami State Sena- 
tor for Madi.son County in 1836-40, dying in the 
latter j'ear. — Enoch (Moore), fourth son of Capt. 
James Moore, the pioneer, was born in the old 
block-house at Bellefontaine in 1782, being the 
first child born of American parents in Illinois ; 
served as a "ranger" in the company of his 
brother, James B. ; occupied the office of Clerk of 
the Circuit Court, and afterwards that of Judge 
of Probate of Monroe County during the Terri- 
torial period ; was Delegate to the Constitutional 
Convention of 1818, and served as Rejiresentative 
from Monroe County in the Second General 
Assembly, later filling various county offices for 
some twenty years. He died in 1848. 

MOORE, Jesse H., clergyman, soldier and Con- 
gressman, born near Lebanon, St. Clair County, 
111., April 22, 1817, and graduated from McKen- 
dree College in 1842. For thirteen years he was 
a teacher, during portions of this period being 
successively at the head of three literary insti- 
tutions in the West. In 1849 he was ordained a 
minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but 
resigned pastorate duties in 1862, to take part in 
the War for the Union, organizing the One Hun- 
dred and Fifteenth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, 
of which he was commissioned Colonel, also serving 
as brigade commander during the last j'ear of the 
war, and being brevetted Brigadier-General at its 
close. After the war he re-entered the ministry, 
but, in 1868, while Presiding Elder of the Decatur 
District, he was elected to the Forty-first Con- 
gress as a Republican, being re-elected in 1870 ; 
afterwards served as Pension Agent at Spring- 
field, and, in 1881, was appointed United States 
Consul at Callao, Peru, dj-ing in office, in that 
city, July 11, 1883. 

MOORE, John, Lieutenant-Governor (1842-46) ; 
was born in Lincolnshire, Eng. , Sept. 8, 1793; 
came to America and settled in Illinois in 1830, 
spending most of his life as a resident of Bloom- 
ington. In 1838 he was elected to the lower 
branch of the Eleventh General Assembly from 



the McLean District, and, in 1840, to the Senate, 
but before the clo.se of his term, in 1842, was 
elected Lieutenant-Governor with Gov. Thomas 
Ford. At the outbreak of the Me.xican War he 
took a conspicuous part in recruiting the Fourth 
Regiment Illinois Volunteers (Col. E. D. Baker's), 
of which he was chosen Lieutenant-Colonel, 
serving gallantly throughout the struggle. In 
1848 he was appointed State Treasurer, as succes- 
sor of Milton Carpenter, who died in office. In 
18.50 he was elected to the -same office, and con- 
tinued to discharge its duties until 18.57, when he 
was succeeded by James Miller. Died, Sept. 23, 
1863. 

MOORE, Risdon, pioneer, was born in Dela- 
ware in 17G0; removed to North Carolina in 1789, 
and, a few years later, to Hancock Count}-, Ga., 
where he served two terms in the Legislature. 
He emigrated from Georgia in 1812, and settled 
in St. Clair County, 111.— besides a family of fif- 
teen white persons, bringing with him eighteen 
colored people — the object of his removal being 
to get rid of slavery. He purchased a farm in 
what was known as the "Turkey Hill Settle- 
ment," about four miles east of Belleville, where 
he resided until his death in 1828. Mr. Moore 
became a jirominent citizen, was elected to the 
Second Territorial House of Representatives, and 
was chosen Speaker, serving as such for two ses- 
sions (1814-15). He was also Representative from 
St. Clair County in the First, Second and Third 
General Assemblies after the admission of Illinois 
into the Union. In the last of these he was one 
of the most zealous opponents of the pro-slavery 
Convention scheme of 1822-24. He left a numer- 
ous and highly respected familj' of descendants, 
who were afterwards i^rominent in public affairs. — 
William (Moore), his son, served as a Captain in 
the War of 1812, and also commanded a company 
in the Black Hawk War. He represented St. 
Clair County in the lower branch of the Ninth 
and Tenth General Assemblies; ■ was a local 
preacher of the Methodist Church, and was Presi- 
dent of the Board of Trustees of McKendree Col- 
lege at the time of his death in 1849. — Risdon 
(Moore), Jr., a cousin of tlie first named Risdon 
Moore, was a Representative from St. Clair County 
in the Fourth General AssembI}' and Senator in 
the Si.xtli, but died before the e.xpiration of his 
term, being succeeded at the ne.\t session bj' 
Adam W. Snyder. 

MOORE, Stephen Richey, lawyer, was born of 
Scotch ancestry, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Sept. 22. 
1832; in 1851, entered Fanners' College near Cin- 
cinnati, graduating in 1856, and, having qualified 



384 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OE ILLIXOIS 



liiinself for the practice of law, located tlie fol- 
lowing year at Kankakee, 111., whicli has since 
been liis home. In 1858 he was employed in 
defense of the late Father Cliiniquy, wlio recently 
died in Montreal, in one of the celebrated suits 
begun against him by dignitaries of the Roman 
Catholic Church. Mr. Moore is a man of strik- 
ing appearance and great independence of char- 
acter, a Methodist in religious belief and has 
generally acted politically in co-operation with 
the Democratic party, though strongly anti- 
slavery in his views. In 1ST2 he was a delegate 
to the Liberal Republican Convention at Cin- 
cinnati which nominated Mr. Greeley for the 
Presidency, and, in 1896, participated in the same 
way in the Indianapolis Convention which nomi- 
nated Gen. John M. Palmer for the same office, in 
the following campaign giving the "Gold Democ- 
racy" a vigorous support. 

MORAN, Thomas A., lawyer and jurist, was 
born at Bridgeport, Conn.. Oct. 7, 1839; received 
his preliminary education in the district schools 
of Wisconsin (to which State his father's family 
had removed in 1846), and at an academy at 
Salem, Wis. ; began reading law at Kenosha in 
1859, meanwhile supporting himself bj- teaching. 
In !May, 1865, lie graduated from the Albany 
(N. Y. ) Law School, and the same year com- 
menced practice in Chicago, rapidly rising to the 
front rank of his profession. In 1879 he was 
elected a Judge of the Cook County Circuit Court, 
and re-elected in 1885. At the expiration of his 
second term he resumed private practice. While 
on the bench he at first heard only common law 
cases, but later divided the business of the equity 
side of the court with Judge Tuley. In June, 
1886, he was assigned to the bench of the Appel- 
late Court, of which tribunal he was, for a year, 
Chief Justice. 

MORCiAN, Jame» Dady, soldier, was born in 
Boston, Mass., August 1, 1810, and, at 16 j-ears of 
age, went for a three years" trading voyage on 
the ship "Beverly." When thirty days out a 
mutiny arose, and shortly afterward the vessel 
was burned. Morgan escaped to South America, 
and, after many hardships, returned to Boston. 
In 1834 he removed to Quincy. Ill,, and engaged 
in mercantile pursuits; aided in raising the 
"Quincy Grays" during the Mormon difficulties 
(1844-45) ; during the Jlexican War commanded a 
company in tlie First Regiment Illinois Volun- 
teers; in 1861 became Lieutenant-Colonel of the 
Tenth Regiment in the three months' service, 
and Colonel on reorganization of the regiment 
for three years; was promoted Brigadier-General 



in July, 1862, for meritorious service : commanded 
a brigade at Xashville, and, in March, 1865, was 
brevetted Major-General for gallantry at Benton- 
ville, N. C, being mustered out, August 24, 1S65. 
After the war he resumed business at Quincj-, 
111., being President of the Quincy Gas Company 
and Vice-President of a bank; was also Presi- 
dent, for some time, of the Society of the Army 
of the Cumberland. Died, at Quincy, Sept. 12, 1896. 

MORGAN COrXTY, a central" county of the 
State, lying west of Sangamon, and bordering on 
the Illinois River — named for (Jen. Daniel Mor- 
gan; area, 580 square miles; population (1900), 
35,006. The eai-liest American settlers were 
probably Elisha and Seymoiu- Kellogg, who 
located on Mauvaisterre Creek in 1818. Dr. George 
Caldwell came in 1820, and was the first phy- 
sician, and Dr. Ero Chandler settled on the pres- 
ent site of the city of Jacksonville in 1821. 
Immigrants began to arrive in large numbers 
about 1822, and. Jan. 31, 1823, the county was 
organized, the first election being held at the 
house of James G. Swinerton, six miles south- 
west of the present city of Jacksonville. Ohu- 
stead's Mound was the first county -seat, but this 
choice was only temporary. Two years later, 
Jacksonville was selected, and has ever since so 
continued. (See JacksonviUc.) Cass County 
was cut off from Morgan in 1837, and Scott 
County in 1839. About 1837 Morgan was the 
most populous coimty in the State. The county 
is nearly equally divided between woodland and 
prairie, and is well watered. Besides the Illinois 
River on its western border, there are several 
smaller streams, among them Indian. Apple, 
Sandy and Mauvaisterre Creeks. Bituminous 
coal underlies the eastern part of the county, and 
thin veins crop out along the Illinois River 
bluffs. Sandstone lias also been quarried. 

MORGAN PARK, a suburban village of Cook 
County, 13 miles south of Chicago, on the Chi- 
cago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway ; is the seat 
of the Academy (a preparatorj- branch) of the 
University of Chicago and the Scandinavian De- 
partment of the Divinity School connected with 
the same institution. Population (1880), 187; 
(1890K 1.027; (1900), 2.329. 

MORMOXS, a religious sect, founded by Joseph 
Smith. Jr., at Fayette, Seneca County, N. Y., 
Augu.st 6. 1830. styling themselves the "Church of 
Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints." Membership 
in 1892 was estimated at 230,000, of whom some 
20,000 were outside of the United States. Their 
religious teachings are jjeculiar. Thej- avow faith 
in the Trinity and in the Bible (jis by them 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



385 



interpreted). They believe, however, that the 
"Book of Mormon" — assumed to be of divine 
origin and a direct revelation to Smith — is of 
eijual authority with tlie Scriptures, if not .supe- 
rior to them. Among their ordinances are 
baptism and the laying-on of hands, and, in their 
church organization, they recognize various orders 
— apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangel- 
ists, etc. They also believe in the restoration of 
the Ten Tribes and the literal re assembling of 
Israel, the return and rule of Christ in person, 
and the rebuilding of Zion in America. Polyg- 
amy is encouraged and made an article of faith, 
though professedly not practiced under existing 
laws in the United States. The supreme power 
is vested in a President, who has authority in 
temporal and spiritual affairs alike; although 
there is less effort now than formerly, on the part 
of the priesthood, to interfere in temporalities. 
Driven from New York in 1831, Smith and his 
followers first settled at Kirtland, Ohio. There, 
for a time, the sect flourished and built a temple; 
but, within seven years, their doctrines and prac- 
tices excited so much hostility that they were 
forced to make another removal. Their next 
settlement was at Far West, JIo. ; but here the 
hatred toward them became so intense as to 
result in open war. From Missouri they 
recrossed the Mississippi and founded the city 
of Nauvoo, near Commerce, in Hancock County, 
111. The charter granted by the Legislature was 
an extraordinary instrument, and well-nigh made 
the city independent of the State. Xau^•oo soon 
obtained commercial importance, in two years 
becoming a city of some 16,000 inhabitants. The 
Mormons rapidly became a powerful factor in 
State politics, when there broke out a more 
bitter public enmity than the sect had yet en- 
countered. Internal dissensions also sprang up, 
and, in 1844, a discontented Mormon founded a 
newspaper at Xauvoo, in which he violently 
assailed the prophet and threatened him with 
exposure. Smith's answer t(j tliis was the de- 
struction of the printing office, and the editop 
promptly secured a warrant for his arrest, return- 
able at Carthage. Smith went l»fore a friendly 
justice at Xauvoo, wlio promptlj- discharged him, 
but he positively refused to appear before the 
Carthage magistrate. Thereuiwn the latter 
issued a second warrant, charging Smith with 
treason. This also was treated with contempt. 
The militia was called out to make the arrest, and 
the Mormons, who had formed a strong military 
organization, armed to defend their leader. 
After a few trilling clashes between the soldiers 



and the "Saints,"' Smith was persuaded to sur- 
render and go to Carthage, the county-seat, where 
he was incarcerated in the county jail. Within 
twenty-four hours (on Sunday, June 27, 1844), a 
mob attacked tlie prison. Joseph Smith an<l his 
brother Hyrum were killed, and some of their 
adherents, who had accompanied them to jail, 
were wounded. Brigham Young (then an 
apostle) at once assumed the leadershij) and, 
after several months of intense popular excite- 
ment, in the following year led his followers 
across the Mississippi, finally locating (1847) in 
Utah. (See also Nauvoo.) There their history 
has not been free from charges of crime; but, 
whatever may be the character of the leaders, 
they have succeeded in building up a prosperous 
communit}' in a region which they found a vir- 
tual desert, a little more than forty years ago. 
The politj- of the Church has been greatly modi- 
fied in consequence of restrictions placed upon it 
by Congressional legislation, especially in refer- 
ence to polygamy, and by contact with other 
communities. (See Smith, Joseph.) 

MOKRIS, a city and the county -seat of Grundy 
County, on the Illinois River, the Illinois & 
Michigan Canal, and the Chicago, Rock Island & 
Pacific Railroad, 61 miles southwest of Chicago. 
It is an extensive grain market, and the center of 
a region rich in bituminous coal. There is valu- 
able water-power here, and much manufacturing 
is done, including builders' hardware, plows, iron 
specialties, paper car-wheels, brick and tile, flour 
and planing-mills, oatmeal and tanned leather. 
There are also a normal and scientific school, two 
national banks and three daily and weekly news- 
papers. Population (1880), 3,486; (1890). 3,653; 
(1900), 4,273. 

MORRIS, Buckner Smith, early lawyer bom 
at Augusta, Ky., August 19, 1800; was admitted 
to the bar in 1827, and, for seven years thereafter, 
continued to reside in Kentucky, serving two 
terms in the Legislature of that State. In 1834 
he removed to Chicago, took an active part in 
the incorporation of the city, and was elected its 
second Mayor in 1838. In 1840 he was a Whig 
candidate for Presidential Elector, Abraham 
Lincoln running on the same ticket, and, in 
18.52, was defeated as the Whig candidate for 
Secretary of State, He was elected a Judge of 
the Seventh Circuit in 1851, but declined a re- 
nominatiou in 1855. In 1856 he accepted the 
American (or Know-Nothing) nomination for 
Governor, and, in 1860, that of the Bell-Everett 
party for the same office. He was vehemently 
opposed to the election of either Lincoln or 



386 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Breckenridge to the Presidency, believing that 
civil war would result in either event. A shadow 
was thrown across his life, in 1804, by his arrest 
and trial for alleged complicity in a rebel plot to 
bum and pillage Chicago and liberate the 
prisoners of war held at Camp Douglas. The 
trial, however, which was held at Cincinnati, 
resulted in his acquittal. Died, in Kentucky, 
Dec. 18, 1879. Those who knew Judge Morris, in 
his early life in the city of Chicago, describe him 
as a man of genial and kindlj- disposition, in .spite 
of his opposition to the abolition of slavery— a 
fact which, no doubt, had much to do with his 
acquittal of the charge of complicity with tlie 
Camp Douglas conspiracy, as the evidence of his 
being in communication with the leading con- 
spirators appears to have been conclusive. (See 
Camp Douglas Conspiracy.) 

MORRIS, Freeman P., lawyer and politician, 
was born in Cook County, 111., March 19, 1854, 
labored on a farm and attended the district 
school in his youth, but completed his education 
in Chicago, graduating from the Union College 
of Law, and was admitted to practice in 1874, 
when he located at Watseka, Iroquois County. 
In 1884 he was elected, as a Democrat, to the 
House of Representatives from the Iroquois Dis- 
trict, and has since been re-elected in 1888, '94, 
'96, being one of the most influential members of 
his party in that body. In 1893 he was appointed 
by Governor Altgeld Aid-de-Camp, with the rank 
of Colonel, on his personal staff, but resigned in 
1896. 

MORRIS, Isaac Newton, lawyer and Congress- 
man, was born at Bethel, Clermont County, 
Ohio, Jan. 23, 1812; educated at Miami Univer- 
sity, admitted to the bar in 183.1, and the next 
year removed to Quincy, 111. ; was a member and 
President of the Board of Canal Commissioners 
(1842-43), served in the Fifteenth General Assem- 
bly (1846-48) ; was elected to Congress as a Demo- 
crat in 1856, and again in 1858, but opposed the 
admission of Kansas under the Lecompton Con- 
stitution; in 1868 supported General Grant— who 
had been his friend in boyhood — for President, 
and, in 1870, was appointed a member of the 
Union Pacific Railroad Commission. Died, Oct. 
29, 1879. 

MORRISON, a city, the county-seat of White- 
side County, founded in 1855; is a station on the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, 134 miles 
west of Chicago. Agriculture, dairying and 
stock-raising are the principal pursuits in the 
surrounding region. The city has good water- 
works, sewerage, electric lighting and several 



manufactories, including carriage and refriger- 
ator works; also has numerous churches, a large 
graded school, a public library and adequate 
banking facilities, and two weekly papers. 
Greenhouses for cultivation of vegetables for 
winter market are carried on. Pop. (1900), 2,308. 

MORRISON, Isaac L., lawyer and legislator, 
born in BaiTen County, Ky., in 1826; was edu- 
cated in the common schools and the JIasonic 
Seminary of his native State; admitted to the 
bar, and came to Illinois in 1851, locating at 
Jacksonville, where he has become a leader of 
the bar and of the Republican party, which he 
assisted to organize as a member of its first State 
Convention at Bloomington, in 1856. He was also 
a delegate to the Republican National Convention 
of 1864, which nominated Abraham Lincoln for 
the Presidency a second time. Mr. Morrison was 
three times elected to the lower house of the 
General Assembly (1876, '78 and '82), and, by his 
clear judgment and incisive powers as a public 
speaker, took a high rank as a leader in that 
body. Of late years, he has given his attention 
solely to the practice of his profession in 
Jacksonville. 

MORRISON, James Lowery Donaldson, poli- 
tician, lawyer and Congressman, was born at Kas- 
kaskia. 111., April 13, 1816; at the age of 16 was 
appointed a midshipman in the United States 
Nav}', but leaving the service in 1836, read law 
with Judge Nathaniel Pope, and was admitted to 
the bar. practicing at Belleville. He was elected 
to tlie lower house of the General Assembly from 
St. Clair County, in 1844, and to the State Senate 
in 1848, and again in '54. In 1852 he was an 
unsuccessful candidate for the Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernorship on the Whig ticket, but, on the disso- 
lution of that part}% allied himself with the 
Democracy, and was, for many years, its leader in 
Southern Illinois. In 1855 he was elected to Con- 
gress to fill the vacancy caused by the resigna- 
tion of Lyman Trumbull, who had been elected to 
tlie United States Senate. In 1860 he was a can- 
didate before the Democratic State Convention 
for the nomination for Governor, but was defeated 
by James C. Allen. After that year he took no 
prominent part in public affairs. At the outbreak 
of the Mexican War he was among tlie first to 
raise a company of volunteers, and was coinniis- 
sioned Lieutenant-Colonel of the Second Regiment 
(Colonel Bissell's). For gallant services at Buena 
Vista, tlie Legislature presented him with a 
sword. He took a prominent part in the incor- 
poration of railroads, and. it is claimed, drafted 
and introduced in the Legislature the charter of 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



387 



the Illinois Central R.ailroad in 1851. Died, at 
St. Louis, Mo., AuKU-st 14, 1888. 

MORRISON, William, pioneer mercliant, came 
from Philadelphia, Pa., toKaskaskia, 111., in 1790, 
as representative of the mercantile house of 
Bryant & Morrison, of Pliiladelphia, and finally 
established an extensive trade tliroughout the 
Mississippi Valley. suppl}"ing merchants at St. 
Louis, St. Genevieve, Cape Girardeau and New 
Madrid. He is also said to have sent an agent 
with a stock of goods across the plains, with a 
view to opening up trade with the Mexicans at 
Santa Fe, about 1804, but was defrauded by the 
agent, who appropriated the goods to his own 
benefit without accounting to his employer. 
He became the principal merchant in the Terri- 
tory, doing a thriving business in early days, 
when Kaskaskia was the principal supply point 
for merchants throughout the valley. He is de- 
scribed as a public-spirited, enterprising man, to 
whom was due the chief part of the credit for 
securing construction of a bridge across the Kas- 
kaskia River at the town of that name. He died 
at Kaskaskia in 1837, and was buried in the ceme- 
tery there. — Robert (Morrison), a brother of the 
preceding, came to Kaskaskia in 1793, was 
appointed Clerk of the Common Pleas Court in 
1801, retaining the position for many years, 
besides holding other local offices. He was the 
father of Col. James L. D. Morrison, politician 
and soldier of the Jlexican War, whose sketch is 
given elsewhere. — Joseph (Morrison), the oldest 
son of William Morrison, went to Ohio, residing 
there several years, but finally returned to Prairie 
du Rocher, where he died in 184.'). — James, 
another son, went to Wisconsin; William located 
at Belleville, dying there in 1848; while Lewis? 
another son, settled at Covington, Washington 
County, 111., where he practiced medicine up to 
1851 ; then engaged in mercantile business at 
Chester, dying there in 18.j6. 

MORRISOX, William Ralls, ex-Congressman, 
Inter-State Commerce Commissioner, was born, 
Sept. 14, 1825, in Monroe County, 111., and edu- 
cated at MoKendree College ; served as a private 
in the Mexican War. at its close studied law, and 
was admitted to the bar in 1855; in 18.53 was 
elected Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe 
County, but resigned before the close of his term, 
accepting the office of Representative in the State 
Legislature, to which he was elected in 1854 ; was 
re-elected in 1856, and again in 1858, serving as 
Speaker of the Hou.se during the session of 1859. 
In 1861 he assisted in organizing the Fortj--ninth 
Regiment Illinois Volunteers and was commis- 



sioned Colonel. The regiment was mustered in, 
Dec. 31, 18()1. and took part in the battle of Fort 
Donelson in February following, where he was 
severely wounded. While yet in the service, in 
1863, he was elected to Congress as a Democrat, 
when he resigned his commission, but was de- 
feated for re-election, in 1864, by Jehu Baker, as 
he was again in 1866. In 1870 he was again 
elected to the General Assembly, and, two years 
later (1872), returned to Congress from the Belle- 
ville District, after which he served in that body, 
by successive re-elections, nine terms and until 
1887, being for several terms Chairman of the 
House Ways and Means Committee and promi- 
nent in the tariff legislation of that period. In 
March, 1887, President Cleveland appointed him 
a member of the first Inter-State Commerce Com- 
mission for a period of five years ; at the close of 
his term he was reappointed, by President Harri- 
son, for a full term of six years, serving a part of 
the time as President of the Board, and retiring 
from office in 1898. 

MORRISON VILLE, a town in Christian 
County, situated on tlie Wabash Railway, 40 
miles southwest of Decatur and 20 miles north- 
norther.st of Litchfield Grain is extensively 
raised in the surrounding region, and Morri.son- 
ville. with its elevators and mill, is an important 
shipping-point. It has brick and tile works, 
electric lights, two banks, five churches, graded 
and high schools, and a weekly paper. Popula- 
tion (1890), 844; (.1900), 934; (1903, est.), 1,200. 

MORTOX, a village of Tazewell County, at the 
intersection of the Atchison, Topeka it Santa Fe 
and the Terre Haute & Peoria Railroads, 10 miles 
southeast of Peoria; lias factories, a bank and a 
newspaper. Population (1890), 657; (1900), 894. 

MORTON, Joseph, pioneer farmer and legisla- 
tor, was born in Virginia, August 1, 1801 ; came 
to Madison County, 111., in 1819, and the follow- 
ing year to Morgan County, when he engaged in 
farming in the vicinity of Jacksonville. He 
served as a member of the House in the Tenth ■ 
and Fifteenth General Assemblies, and as Senator 
in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth. He w.as a 
Democrat in politics, but, on questions of State 
and local policy, was non-partisan, faithfully 
representing the interests of his constituents. 
Died, at his home near Jacksonville, March 2, 1881. 

MOSES, Adolpli, lawyer, was born in Speyer, 
Germany, Feb. 27, 1837, and, until fifteen j-ears 
of age, was educated in the public and Latin 
schools of his native country ; in the latter part 
of 1852, came to America, locating in New 
Orleans, and, for some years, being a law student 



388 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



in Louisiana University, under the preceptorship 
of Randall Hunt and other eminent lawyers of 
that State. In tlie early days of the Civil "War 
he espoused the cause of the Confederacy, serving 
some two years as an ofWcer of the Twenty-first 
Louisiana Regiment. Coming north at the expi- 
ration of this period, he resided for a time in 
Quincy, III., but, in 1869, removed to Chicago, 
where he took a place in the front rank at the 
bar, and where he has resided ever since. 
Although in sympathy with the general princi- 
ples of the Democratic partj'. Judge Moses is an 
independent voter, as shown by the fact that he 
voted for General Grant for President in 1868, 
and supported the leading measures of the Repub- 
lican party in 1896. He is the editor and pub 
lisher of "The National Corporation Reporter,*' 
established in 1890, and which is devoted to the 
interests of business corporations. 

MOSES, John, lawyer and author, was born at 
Niagara Falls, Canada, Sept. 18, 18'35; came to 
Illinois in 1837, his family locating first at Naples, 
Scott County. He pursued the vocation of a 
teacher for a time, studied law, was elected Clerk 
of the Circuit Court for Scott County in 1856, and 
served as County Judge from 1857 to 1861. The 
latter year he became the private secretary of 
Governor Yates, serving until 1863, during that 
period assisting in the organization of seventy- 
seven regiments of Illinois Volunteers. While 
serving in this capacity, in company with Gov- 
ernor Yates, he attended the famous conference 
of loyal Governors, held at Altoona, Pa., in Sep- 
tember, 1862, and afterwards accompanied the 
Governors in their call upon President Lincoln, a 
few days after the issue of the preliminary proc- 
lamation of emancipation. Having received the 
appointment, from President Lincoln, of Assessor 
of Internal Revenue for the Tenth Illinois Dis- 
trict, he resigned the position of private secretary 
to Governor Yates. In 1874 he was chosen 
Representative in the Twenty-ninth General 
Assembly for the District composed of Scott, 
Pike and Calhoun Counties ; .served as a delegate 
to the National Republican Convention at Phila- 
delphia, in 1873, and as Secretary- of the Board of 
Railroad and Warehouse Commissioners for 
three years (1880-83). He was then appointed 
Special Agent of the Treasury Department, and 
assigned to duty in connection with the customs 
revenue at Chicago. In 1887 he was chosen Sec- 
retary of the Chicago Historical Society, serving 
until 1893. While connected with the Chicago 
Historical Library he brought out the most com- 
plete History of Illinois yet published, in two 



volumes, and also, in connect,ion with the late 
Major Kirkliind, edited a History of Chicago in 
two large volumes. Other literary work done by 
Judge Moses, includes '"Personal Recollections of 
Abraham Lincoln"' and "Richard Yates, the 
War Governor of Illinois, ' ' in the form of lect'ires 
or addresses. Died in Chicago, July 3, 1898. 

MOULTON, Samuel W., lawyer and Congress- 
man, was born at Wenham, Mass., Jan. 20, 1822, 
where he was educated in the public schools. 
After spending some years in the South, he 
removed to Illinois (1845), where he studied law, 
and was admitted to the bar, commencing prac- 
tice at Shelbyville. From 1852 to 1859 he was a 
member of the lower house of the General Assem- 
bly; in 1857, was a Presidential Elector on the 
Buchanan ticket, and was President of the State 
Board of Education from 1859 to 1876. In 1864 
he was elected, as a Republican, Representative in 
Congress for the State-at-large, being elected 
again, as a Democrat, from the Shelbj-ville Dis- 
trict, in 1880 and "82. During the past few years 
(including the campaign of 1896) Mr. Moulton 
has acted in cooperation with the Republican 
party. 

MOULTRIE COUNTY, a comparatively small 
county in the eastern section of the middle tier of 
the .State — named for a revolutionary hero. Area, 
340 square miles, and population (by the census 
of 1900), 15,2"24. Moultrie was one of the early 
"stamping grounds." of the Kickapoos, who were 
always friendly to English-speaking settlers. The 
earliest immigrants were from the Southwest, 
but arrivals from Northern States soon followed. 
County organization was effected in 1843, both 
Shelby and Macon Counties surrendering a portion 
of territory. A vein of good bituminous coal 
underlies the county, but agriculture is the more 
important industry. Sullivan is the county-seat, 
selected in 1845. In 1890 its population was about 
1,700. Hon. Richard J. Oglesbj- (former Gover- 
nor, Senator and a Major-General in the Civil 
War) began the practice of law here. 

MOUND-BUILDERS, WORKS OF THE. One 
of the most conclusive evidences that the Mis- 
sissippi Vallej' was once occupied by a people 
different in customs, character and civilization 
from the Indians found occupying the soil when 
the first white explorers visited it. is the exist- 
ence of certain artificial mounds and earthworks, 
of the origin and purposes of which the Indians 
seemed to have no knowledge or tradition. These 
works extend throughout the valley from the 
Allegheny to the Rocky Mountains, being much 
more nmnerous, however, in some portions than 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



389 



in others, and also varying greatly in form. This 
fact, with the remains fouml in some of them, has 
been regarded as evidence that the purposes of 
their construction were widely variant. They 
have consequently been classified by archaeolo- 
gists as sepulchral, religious, or defensive, while 
some seem to have had a purpose of which 
writers on the subject are unable to form any 
satisfactory conception, and which are, therefore, 
still regarded as an unsolved myster}'. Some of 
the most elaborate of these work.s are fouml along 
the eastern border of the Mississippi Valley, 
especially in Ohio ; and the fact that they appear 
to belong to the defensive class, has led to the 
conclusion that this region was occupied by a race 
practically homogeneous, and that these works 
were designed to prevent the encroachment of 
hostile races from beyond the Alleghenies. Illi- 
nois being in the center of the valley, compara- 
tively few of these defensive works are found 
here, those of this character which do exist being 
referred to a different era and race. (See Forti- 
fications. Prehistoric.) While these works are 
numerous in some portions of Illinois, their form 
and structure give evidence that they were 
erected by a peaceful people, however bloody 
may have been some of the rites performed on 
those designed for a religious purpose. Their 
numbers also imply a dense population. This is 
especially true of that portion of the American 
Bottom opposite the city of St. Louis, which is 
the seat of the most remarkable group of earth 
works of this character on the continent. The 
central, or principal structui'e of this group, is 
known, locally, as the great "Cahokia Mound," 
being situated near the creek of that name which 
empties into the Mississippi just below the city 
of East St. Louis. It is also called "Monks' 
Mound,"' from the fact that it was occupied early 
in the present century by a community of Monks 
of La Trappe. a portion of whom succumbed to 
the malarial influences of the climate, while the 
survivors returned to the original seat of tlieir 
order. This mound, from its form and com- 
manding size, has been supposed to belong to the 
class called "temple mounds." and has been de- 
scribed as "tlie monarch of all similar structures" 
and tlie "best representative of its class in North 
America." The late William McAdams, of 
Alton, who surveyed this group some years since, 
in his "Records of Ancient Races," gives the fol- 
lowing description of this principal structure: 

"In the center of a great mass of mounds and 
earth works there stands a mighty pyramid 
whose base covers nearly sixteen acres of ground. 



It is not exactlj' square, being a parallelogram a 
little longer north and south than east and west. 
Some thirty feet above the base, on the south side, 
is an apron or terrace, on which now grows an 
orchard of considerable size. This terrace is 
approached from the plain by a graded roadway. 
Thirty feet above this terrace, and on the west 
side, is another much smaller, on which are now 
growing some forest trees. The top, which con- 
tains an acre and a half, is divided into two 
nearly equal parts, the northern part being four 
or five feet the higher, . . . On the north, 
east and south, the structure still retains its 
straight side, that probably has changed but little 
since the settlement of the country by wliite 
men, but remains in appearance to-day the same 
as centuries ago. The west side of the pyramid, 
however, has its base somewhat serrated and 
seamed by ravines, evidently made by rainstorms 
and the elements. From the second terrace a 
well, eighty feet in depth, penetrates the base of 
the structure, which is plainly seen to be almost 
wholly composed of the black, sticky soil of the 
surrounding plain. It is not an oval or conical 
mound or hill, but a pyramid with straight 
sides." The approximate height of this mound 
is ninety feet. When first seen by white men, 
this was surmounted by a small conical mound 
some ten feet in height, from which human 
remains and various relics were taken while 
being leveled for the site of a house. Messrs. 
Squier and Davis, in their report on "Ancient 
Monuments of the Mississippi Valley," published 
by the Smithsonian Institute (1848), estimate the 
contents of the structure at 20,000,000 cubic feet. 
A Mr. Breckenridge, who visited these moimds 
in 1811 and published a description of them, esti- 
mates that the construction of this principal 
mound must have required the work of thousands 
of laborers and years of time. The upper terrace, 
at the time of his visit, was occupied by the 
Trappists as a kitchen garden, and the top of the 
structure was sown in wheat. He also found 
numerous fragments of flint and earthern ves- 
sels, and concludes that "a populous city once 
existed here, similar to those of Mexico described 
by the first conquerors. The mounds were sites 
of temples or monuments to great men." Accord- 
ing to Mr. JIcAdarns, there are seventy-two 
mounds of considerable size within two miles of 
the main structure, the group extending to the 
mouth of the Cahokia and embracing over one 
hundred in all. Most of these are square, rang- 
ing from twenty to fifty feet in heiglit, a few are 
oval and one or i\\o conical. Scattered among 



390 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



the mounds are also a number of small lakes, 
evidently of artificial origin. From the fact 
that there were a number of conspicuous 
mounds on the Missouri side of the river, 
on the present site of the city of St. Louis 
and its environs, it is believed that they all 
belonged to the same system and had a common 
purpose; the Cahokia Mound, from its superior 
size, being the center of the group — and probably 
u.sed for sacrificial purposes. The whole number 
of these structures in the American Bottom, 
whose outlines were still risible a few years ago, 
was estimated by Dr. J. W. Foster at nearly two 
hundred, and the presence of so large a number 
in close proximitj-, has been accepted as evidence 
of a large population in the immediate vicinity. 
Mr. McAdams reports the finding of numerous 
specimens of pottery and artificial ornaments and 
implements in tlie Cahokia mounds and in caves 
and mounds between Alton and the mouth of the 
Illinois River, as well as on the latter some 
twenty-five miles from its mouth. Among the 
relics found in the Illinois River mounds was a 
burial vase, and Mr. McAdams says that, in 
thirty years, he has unearthed more than a 
thousand of these, many of which closely 
resemble those found in the mounds of Europe. 
Dr. Foster also makes mention of an ancient 
cemetery near Chester, in which "each grave, 
when explored, is found to contain a cist enclos- 
ing a skeleton, for the most part far gone in 
decay. These cists are built up and covered with 
slabs of limestone, which here abound. ' " — Another 
noteworthy group of mounds — though far inferior 
to the Cahokia group — exists near Hutsonville in 
Crawford County. As described in the State 
Geological Siu-vey, this group consists of fifty- 
five elevations, irregularly dispersed over an area 
of 1,000 by 1,400 to 1,.500 feet, and varying from 
fourteen to fifty feet in diameter, the larger ones 
having a height of five to eight feet. From their 
form and arrangement tliese are believed to have 
been mounds of habitation. In the southern por- 
tion of this group are four mounds of peculiar 
construction and larger size, each surrounded 
by a low ridge or earthwork, with openings facing 
towards each other, indicating that they were 
defense-works. The location of this group — a 
few miles from a prehistoric fortification at 
Merom, on the Indiana side of tlie Wabash, to 
which the name of "Fort Azatlan" has been 
given — induces the belief that the two groups, 
like those in the American Bottom and at St. 
Louis, were parts of the same system. — Professor 
Engelman, in the part of the State Geological 



Survey devoted to Massac County, alludes to a 
remarkable group of earthworks in the Black 
Bend of the Ohio, as an "extensive" system of 
"fortifications and mounds which probably 
belong to the same class as those in the Missis- 
sippi Bottom opposite St. Louis and at other 
points farther up the Ohio." In the report of 
Government surve}' bj' Dan W. Beckwith, in 1834, 
mention is made of a very large mound on the 
Kankakee River, near the mouth of Rock Creek, 
now a part of Kankakee County. This had a 
base diameter of about 100 feet, with a height of 
twenty feet, and contained the remains of a 
large number of Indians killed in a celebrated 
battle, in which the Illinois and Chippewas, and 
the Delawares and Shawnees took part. Near 
by were two other mounds, said to contain the 
remains of the chiefs of the two parties. In this 
case, mounds of prehistoric origin had probably 
been utilized as burial places by the aborigines at 
a comparatively recent period. Related to the 
Kankakee mounds, in location if not in period of 
construction, is a group of nineteen in number on 
the site of the present city of Morris, in Grundy 
County. Within a circuit of three miles of 
Ottawa it has been estimated that there were 
3,000 mounds — though many of these are believed 
to have been of Indian origin. Indeed, the whole 
Illinois Vallej- is full of these silent monuments 
of a prehistoric age, but they are not generally of 
the conspicuous character of those found in the 
vicinity of St. Louis and attributed to the Mound 
Builders. — A very large and numerous group of 
these monuments exists along the bluffs of the 
Mississippi River, in the western part of Rock 
Island and Mercer Counties, chiefly between 
Drurj's Landing and New Boston. Mr. J. E. 
Stevenson, in "The American Antiquarian." a 
few years ago, estimated that there were 2. .500 of 
these within a circuit of fifty miles, located in 
groups of two or three to 100. varying in diameter 
from fifteen to 1.50 feet, with an elevation of two 
to fifteen feet. There are also numerous burial 
and sacrificial moimds in the vicinity of Cliilli- 
cothe, on the Illinois River, in the northeastern 
part of Peoria County. — There are but few sjieci- 
mens of the animal or eftigy mounds, of which so 
many exist in Wisconsin, to be found in Illinois; 
and the fact that these are found chiefly on Rock 
River, leaves no doubt of a common origin with 
the Wisconsin groups. Tlie most remarkable of 
these is the celebrated "Turtle Moimd," within 
the i)resent limits of the city of Rockford — though 
some regard it as having more resemblance to an 
alligator. This figure, which is maintained in a 



I 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



391 



good state of preservation by the citizens, has an 
extreme length of about 150 feet, by fifty in 
width at the front legs and thirty-nine at the 
hind legs, and an elevation equal to the height 
of a man. There are some smaller mounds in 
the vicinity, and some bird effigies on Rock River 
some six miles below Rockford. There is also an 
animal effigy near the village of Hanover, in Jo 
Daviess County, with a considerable group of 
round mounds and embankments in tlie immedi- 
ate vicinity, besides a smaller effigy of a similar 
cliaracter on the north side of the Pecatonica in 
Stephenson Count}-, some ten miles east of Free- 
port. The Rock River region seems to have been 
a favorite field for the operations of the mound- 
builders, as shown by the number and variety of 
these structures, extending from Sterling, in 
Whiteside County, to the Wisconsin State line. A 
large number of these were to be found in the 
vicinit}' of the Kishwaukee River in the south- 
eastern part of Winnebago County. The famous 
prehistoric fortification on Rock River, just 
beyond the Wisconsin boundary — which seems to 
have been a sort of counterpart of the ancient 
Fort Azatlan on the Indiana side of the Wabash 
— appears to have had a close relatit)u to the 
works of the mound-builders on the same stream 
in Illinois. 

MOl'NDCITY, the county-seat of Pulaski 
County, on the Ohio River, seven miles north of 
Cairo; is on a branch line of the Illinois Central 
and the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. 
Louis Railroad. The chief industries are lumber- 
ing and ship-building; also has furniture, canning 
and otlier factories. One of the United States 
National Cemeteries is located here. The town 
has a bank and two weekly papers. Population 
(1890), 2,!5.50; (1900), 3,70.5; (1903, est.), 3,500. 

MOUM C.\RMEL, acity and the county-seat 
of Wabash County; is the point of junction of 
tlie Cleveland, Cincinnati. Chicago & St. Louis 
and the Southern Railroads, 133 miles nortlieast 
of Cairo, and 24 miles southwest of Vincennes, 
Ind. ; situated on the Wabash River, which sup- 
plies good water-power for saw mills, flouring 
mills, and some other manufactures. The town 
ha.s railroad shops and two daily newspapers. 
Agriculture and lumbering are the principal 
])ursuits of the people of the surrounding district. 
Population (1890), 3,376; (1900), 4,311. 

MOUNT CARROLL, the county-seat of Carroll 
Coimty, an incorporated city, founded in 1843; 
is 128 miles southwest of Chicago, (m the Chi- 
cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Riiilroad. Farming, 
stock-raising and mining are the principal indus- 



tries. It has five churches, excellent schools, 
good libraries, two daily and two semi-weekly 
newspapers Pop. (1890), l.H?,C,; (1900), 1,905. 

MOUNT CARROLL SEMINARY, a young 
ladies" seminary, located at Mount Carroll, Carroll 
County; incorporated in 1852; had a faculty of 
thirteen members in 1896, with 126 pupils, prop- 
erty valued at 8100,000, and a library of 5,000 
volumes. 

MOUNT MORRIS, a town in Ogle County, situ- 
ated on the Chicago & Iowa Division of the Chi- 
cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 108 miles 
west by nortli from Chicago, and 24 miles south- 
west of Rockford; is the seat of Mount Morris 
College and flourishing public school; lias hand- 
some stone and brick buildings, three churches 
and two newspapers. Population (1900), 1,048. 

MOUNT OLIVE, a village of Macoupin County, 
on tlie Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis and the 
Wabash Railways, 68 miles southwest of Decatur; 
in a rich agricultural and coal-mining region. 
Population (1880), 709; (1890), 1,986 :(1900), 2.9.3.5. 

MOUNT PULASKI, a village and railroad junc- 
tion in Logan Countj', 21 miles northwest of 
Decatur and 24 miles northeast of Springfield. 
Agriculture, coal-mining and stock-raising are 
leading industries. It is also an important ship- 
ping point for grain, and contains several 
elevators and flouring mills. Population (1880), 
1,125; (1890), 1,357; (1900), 1,643. 

MOUNT STERLING, a city, the county -seat of 
Brown County, midway between Quincy and 
Jacksonville, on the Wabash Railway. It is sur- 
rounded by a rich farming country, and has ex- 
tensive deposits of clay and coal. It contains six 
churches and four schools (two large public, and 
two parochial). The town is lighted by elec- 
tricity and has public water-works. Wagons, 
brick, tile and earthenware are manufactured 
here, and three weekly newspapers are pub- 
lished. Population (1880), 1,445; (1890), 1,655; 
(1900), 1,960. 

MOUNT VERNON, a city and county-.seat of 
Jefferson County, on three trunk lines of railroad, 
77 miles east-.southeast of St. Louis; is the center 
of a rich agricultinal and coal region; has many 
flourishing manufactories, including car-works, a 
plow factory, flouring mills, pressed brick fac- 
tory, canning factory, and is an important ship- 
ping-point for grain, vegetables and fruits. The 
Appellate Court for the Southern Grand Division 
is held here, and the cit.y has nine churches, fine 
school buildings, a Carnegie library, two banks, 
heating plant, two daily and three weekly papers. 
Population (1890), 3,233; (1900), 5,216. 



392 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



MOUXT VERXON &GRAVVILLE RAILROAD. 

(See Peoria, Decatur & Erunnville Railway.) 

MOWEA(iUA, a village of Slielby County, on 
the Illinois Central Railroad, 16 miles south of 
Decatur; is in rich agricultural and stock-raising 
section; has coal mine, three banks and two 
newspapers. Population (18U(l), 848; (1900), 1,478. 
MUDD, (Col.) John J., soldier, was born in 
St. Charles County, Mo., Jan. 9, 1820; his father 
having died in 1833, his mother removed to Pike 
County, 111., to free her children from the influ- 
ence of slavery. In 1849, and again in 1850, he 
made the overland journey to California, each 
time returning by the Isthmus, his last visit ex- 
tending into isni. In 1854 he engaged in the 
commission business in St. Louis, as head of the 
firm of Mudd & Hughes, but failed in the crash 
of 1857; then removed to Chicago, and, in 1861, 
was again in prosperous business. While on a 
business visit in New Orleans, in December, 1K60, 
he had an opportunity of learning the growing 
spirit of secession, being advised by friends to 
leave the St. Charles Hotel in order to escape a 
mob. In September, 18G1, he entered the army 
as Major of the Second Illinois Cavalry (Col. 
Silas Noble), and, in the next few months, was 
stationed successively at Cairo, Bird's Point and 
Paducah, Ky., and, in February, 1863, led the 
advance of General McClernand's division in the 
attack on Fort Donelson. Here he was severely 
wounded ; but, after a few weeks in hospital at St. 
Louis, was sufficiently recovered to rejoin his 
regiment soon after the battle of Shiloh. Unable 
to perform cavalry duty, he was attached to the 
staff of General McClernand during the advance 
on Corinth, but, in October following, at the head 
of 400 men of his regiment, was transferred to 
the command of General McPherson. Early in 
1863 he was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel, and 
soon after to a colonelcy, taking part in the 
movement against Vicksburg. June 13, he was 
again severely wounded, but, a few weeks later, 
was on duty at New Orleans, and subsc(iuently 
participated in the operations in Southwestern 
Louisiana and Texas. On May 1, 1864, he left 
Baton Rouge for Alexandria, as Chief of Staff to 
General McClernand, liut two <lays later, while 
approaching Alexandria on board the steamer, 
was shot through the head and instantly killed. 
He was a gallant soldier and greatly beloved by 
his troops. 

MU LBERR V GROVE, a village of Bond County, 
on the Terre Haute & Indianapolis (Vandalia) 
Railroad, 8 miles northeast of Greenville; has a 
local newspaper. Pop, (1890), 750; (1900), 632. 



MULLIGAN, James A., soldier, was born of 
Irish parentage at Utica, N. Y., June 25, 1830; in 
1836 accompanied his parents to Chicago, and, 
after graduating from the University of St. 
Mary's of the Lake, in 1850, began the study of 
law. In 1851 he accompanied John Lloyd Ste- 
phens on his expedition to Panama, and on his 
return resumed his professional studies, at the 
same time editing "The Western Tablet," a 
weekly Catholic paper. At the outbreak of the 
Rebellion he recruited, and was made Colonel of 
the Twenty-third Illinois Regiment, known as 
the Irish Brigade. He served with great gallan- 
try, first in the West and later in the East, being 
severely wounded and twice captured. He 
declined a Brigadier-Generalship, preferring to 
remain with his regiment. He was fatally 
wounded during a charge at the battle of Win- 
chester. While being carried oflf the field he 
noticed that the colors of his brigade were en- 
dangered. "Lay me down and save the flag," he 
ordered. His men hesitated, but he repeated the 
command until it was obeyed. Before they 
returned he had been borne away by the enemy, 
and died a prisoner, at Winchester, Va., July 26, 
1864. 

MUXX, Daniel W., lawyer and soldier, was 
born in Orange County, Vt., in 1834; graduated 
at Thetford Academy in 1852, when he taught 
two years, meanwhile beginning the study of 
law. Removing to Coles County, 111., in 1855, he 
resumed his law studies, was admitted to the bar 
in 1858, and began practice at Hillsboro, Mont- 
gomery County. In 1862 he joined the One 
Hundred and Twenty -sixth Regiment Illinois 
Volunteers, with the rank of Adjutant, but the 
following year was appointed Colonel of the First 
Alabama Cavalry. Compelled to retire from the 
service on account of declining health, he re- 
turned to Cairo, 111., where he became editor of 
"The Daily News"; in 1866 was elected to the 
State Senate, serving four )-ears ; served as Presi- 
dential Elector in 1868; was the Republican nomi- 
nee for Congress in 1870, and the following year 
was appointed by President Grant Supervisor of 
Internal Revenue for the District including the 
States of Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. 
Removing to Chicago, he began practice there in 
1875, in which he has since been engaged. He 
has been prominently connected with a number 
of important cases before the Chicago courts. 

MUNN, Sylvester W., lawyer, soldier and legis- 
lator, was born about 1818, and came from Ohio 
at thirty years of age, settling at AVilmington, 
Will County, afterwards removing to Joliet, 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



393 



where he practiced law. During the War lie 
served as Major of tlie Yates I'lialanx (Tliirty- 
ninth Illinois Volunteers) ; later, was State's 
Attorney for Will County and State Senator in 
the Thirty-first and Thirty-second General 
Assemblies. Died, at Joliet, Sept. 11, 1888. He 
was a member of the Illinois State Bar Associ- 
ation from its organization. 

MURPHY, Everett J., ex-Member of Con- 
gress, was born in Nashville, 111., July 34, 1852; 
in early youth removed to Sparta, where he was 
educated in the high schools of that jjlace ; at the 
age of fourteen he became clerk in a store ; in 
1877 was elected City Clerk of Sparta, but the 
next year resigned to become Deputy Circuit 
Clerk at Chester, remaining until 1882, when he 
was elected Sheriff of Randolph County. In 
1886 he was chosen a Representative in the Gen- 
eral Assembly, and, in 1889, was appointed, by 
Governor Fifer, Warden of the Southern Illinois 
Penitentiary at Chester, but retired from this 
position in 1892, and removed to East St. Louis. 
Two j'ears later he was elected as a Republican 
to the Fifty-fourth Congress for the Twenty-first 
District, but was defeated for re-election by a 
small majority in 1896, by Jehu Baker, Democrat 
and Populist. In 1899 Mr. Murphy was appointed 
Warden of the State Penitentiary at Joliet, to 
succeed Col. R. W. McClaughry. 

MURPHYSBORO, the county-seat of Jackson 
County, situated on the Big Muddy River and on 
main line of the Mobile & Ohio, the St. Louis 
Division of the Illinois Central, and a branch of 
the St. Louis Valley Railroaas, 52 miles north of 
Cairo and 90 miles south-southeast of St. Louis. 
Coal of a superior quality is extensively mined in 
the vicinity. The city has a foundry, machine 
shops, skewer factory, furniture factory, flour 
and saw mills, thirteen churches, four schools, 
three banks, two daily and tln-ee weekly news- 
papers, city and rural free mail delivery. Popu- 
lation (1890), 3.380; (190(1), 6,463; (1903, est.), 7,500. 

MURPHYSBORO k SHAWNEETOWN RAIL. 
ROAD. (See Carbondale & Shaivneetown, St. 
Louis Southern and St. Louis, Alton & Terre 
Haute Railroads.) 

NAPERVILLE, a city of Du Page County, on 
the west branch of the Du Page River and on the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 30 miles 
■west-southwest of Chicago, and 9 miles east of 
Aurora. It has three banks, a weekly newspaper, 
stone quarries, couch factory, and nine churches; 
is also the seat of the Northwestern College, an 
institution founded in 1861 by the Evangelical 



Association ; the college now has a normal school 
department. Population (1890), 3,216; (1900), 2,629 

NAPLES, a town of Scott County, on the Illi- 
nois River and the Hannibal and Naples branch 
of the Wabash Railway, 21 miles west of Jackson- 
ville. Population (1890), 4.52; (1900), 398. 

BTASHVILLE, an incorporated city, the county- 
seat of Washington County, on the Centralia & 
Chester and the Louisville & Nashville Railways; 
is 120 miles south of Springfield and .50 miles east 
by south from St. Louis. It stands in a coal- 
producing and rich agricultural region There 
are two coal mines within the corporate limits, 
and two large flouring mills do a considerable 
business. There are numerous churches, public 
schools, including a high school, a State bank, 
and four weekly papers. Population (1880), 
2,233; (1890), 3,084; (1900), 2,184. 

NAUVOO, a city in Hancock County, at the 
head of the Lower Rapids on the Mississippi, 
between Fort Madison and Keokuk, Iowa. It 
was founded by the Mormons in 1840. and its 
early growth was rapid. After the expulsion of 
the "Saints" in 1846, it was settled by a colony of 
French Icarians, who introduced the culture of 
grapes on a large scale. They were a sort of 
communistic order, but their experiment did not 
prove a success, and in a few years they gave 
place to another class, the majority of the popu- 
lation now being of German extraction. The 
chief industries are agriculture and horticulture. 
Large quantities of grapes and strawberries are 
raised and shipped, and con.siderable native wine 
is produced. Population (1880), 1,403; (1890), 
1,208; (per census 1900). 1,321. (See also Mor- 
mons.) 

NAVIGABLE STREAMS (by Stntiite).- Fol- 
lowing the example of the French explorers, who 
chiefly followed the water-ways in their early 
explorations, the early permanent settlers of Illi- 
nois, not only settled, to a great extent, on the 
principal streams, but later took especial pains to 
maintain their navigable character by statute. 
This was, of course, partly due to the absence of 
improved highways, but also to the belief that, 
as the country developed, the streams would 
become extremely valuable, if not indispensable, 
especially in thetransjiortation of heavy commod- 
ities. Accordingly, for the first quarter century 
after the organization of the State (Jovernment, 
one of the questions receiving the attention of 
the Legislature, at almost every session, was the 
enactment of laws aftirming the navigability of 
certain streams now regarded as of little impor- 
tance, or utterly insignificant, as channels of 



394 



HISTORICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



transportation. Legislation of tliis character 
began witli the first General Assembly (1819), 
and continued, at intervals, with reference to 
one or two of the more important interior rivers 
of the State, as late as 18G7. Besides the Illinois 
and Wabash, still recognized as navigable 
streams, the following were made the subject of 
legislation of this character: Beaucoup Creek, a 
branch of the Big Muddy, in Perry and Jackson 
Counties (law of 1819) ; Big Bay, a tributary of 
the Ohio in Pope County (Acts of 1833) ; Big 
JIuddy, to the junction of the East and West 
Forks in Jefferson County (1835), with various 
subsequent amendments ; Big Vermilion, declared 
navigable (1831) ; Bon Pas, a branch of the 
Wabash, between Wabash and Edwards Coun- 
ties (1831) ; Cache River, to main fork in Johnson 
County (1819); Des Plaines, declared navigable 
(1839); Embarras (1831), with various subsequent 
acts in reference to improvement; Fox River, 
declared navigable to the Wisconsin line (1840), 
and Fox River Navigation Company, incorpo- 
rated (18.').')); Kankakee and Iroquois Navigation 
& Manufacturing Company, incorporated (1847), 
with various changes and amendments (1851-6.5) ; 
Kaskaskia (or Okaw), declared navigable to a 
point in Fayette County north of Vandalia (1819), 
with various modifying acts (1823-67) ; Macoupin 
Creek, to Carrollton and Alton road (1837) ; 
Piasa, declared navigable in Jersey and Madison 
Counties (1861); Rock River Navigation Com- 
pany, incorporated (1841), with subsequent acts 
(1845-67) ; Sangamon River, declared navigable 
to Third Principal Meridian — east line of Sanga- 
mon County — (1822). and the North Fork of same 
to Champaign County (1845); Sny-Cartj- (a bayou 
of the Jlississippi), declared navigable in Pike 
and Adams Counties (18.59) ; Spoon River, navi- 
gable to Cameron's mill in Fulton County (1835), 
with various modifying acts (1845-53); Little 
Wabash Navigation Company, incorporated 
and river declared navigable to McCawley's 
bridge — probably in Clay County — (1826), with 
various subsequent acts making appropriations 
for its improvement; Skillet Fork (a branch 
of the Little Wabash), declared navigable 
to Slocum"s Mill in Marion County (1837), and 
to Ridgway Mills (1846). Other acts passed at 
various times declared a number of unim- 
portant streams navigable, including Big Creek 
in Fulton Countj', Crooked Creek in Schuyler 
County, Lusk's Creek in Pope County, McKee's 
Creek in Pike County, Seven Mile Creek in Ogle 
County, besides a number of others" of similar 
cluiracter. 



XEALE, THOMAS M., pioneer lawyer, was 
born in Fauquier County, Va. , 1790; while yet a 
child removed with his parents to Bowling Green, 
Ky., and became a common soldier in the War of 
1812; came to Springfield, 111., in 1824, and began 
the practice of law ; served as Colonel of a regi- 
ment raised in Sangamon and Morgan Counties 
for the Winnebago AVar (1827), and afterwards as 
Surveyor of Sangamon County, appointing 
Abraham Lincoln as his deputy. He also served 
as a Justice of the Peace, for a number of years, 
at Springfield. Died, August 7, 1840. 

NEECE, William H,, ex-Congressman, was 
born, Feb. 26, 1831, in what is now a part of 
Logan County, 111., but which was then within the 
limits of Sangamon ; was reared on a farm and 
attended the public schools in McDonough 
County; studied law and was admitted to the 
bar in 1858, and has been ever since engaged in 
practice. His political career began in 1861, 
when he was chosen a member of the City Coun. 
cil of Macomb. In 1864 he was elected to the 
Legislature, and, in 1869, a member of the Con- 
stitutional Convention. In 1871 he was again 
elected to the lower house of the General Assem- 
bly, and. in 1878, to the State Senate. From 1883 
to 1887 he represented the Eleventh Illinois Dis- 
trict in Congress, as a Democrat, but was defeated 
for re-election in 1890 by William H. Gest, 
Republican. 

NEGROES. (See Slavery and Slave La irs. ) 

NEOGA, a village of Cumberland County, at the 
intersection of the Illinois Central and the Toledo, 
St. Louis it Western Railways, 20 miles southwest 
of Charle.ston ; has a liank, two newspapers, some 
manufactories, and ships grain, hay, fruit and 
live-stock. Pop. (1890), 829; (1900), 1,126 

NEPOXSET, a village and station on the Chi- 
cago. Burlington & Quincy Railroad, in Bureau 
County, 4 miles southwest of Mendota. Popula- 
tion (1880), I..52; (1890). 542; (I'.IOO). 516. 

NEW ALBANY & ST. LOUIS RAILWAY. 
(See Louisi-iHc, Evansville & St. Louis (Consoli- 
dated) Rnilrofid.) 

NEW ATHENS, a village of St. Clair County, 
on the St. Louis & Cairo "Short Line" (now Illi- 
nois Central) Raih'oad, at the crossing of the Kas- 
kaskia River, 31 miles southeast of St. Louis ; has 
one newspaper and considerable grain trade. 
Population (1880), 603; (1890), 624; (1900), 856. 

NEW BERLIN, a village of Sangamon County, 
on the Wabash Railway, 17 miles west of Spring- 
field. Popiilation (1S86), 403; (1900), 533. 

NEWBERRY LIBRARY, a large reference li- 
brary, located in Chicago, endowed by Walter L. 



o 



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n 

B 



01 
o 

n' 

a 



n 






IK 

o 



o 





Art Institute. 



Public Library. 

Armour Institute. 

rrBLIC BUILDINGS. 



Court House. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



395 



Newberry, an early business man of Cliicago, who 
left half of his estate (aggregating over §2,000,000) 
for the purpose. The property bequeatlied was 
largely in real estate, wliicli lias since greatly in- 
creased in value. The library was established in 
temporary quarters in 1887, and the first section 
of a permanent building was opened in the 
autumn of 1893. By that time there had been 
accumulated about 160.000 books and pam]ihlets. 
A collection of nearly fifty portraits — chiefly of 
eminent Americans, including many citizens of 
Chicago — was presented to the librarj- by G. P. A. 
Healy, a distinguished artist, since deceased. 
The site of the building occupies an entire block, 
and the original design contemplates a handsome 
front on each of the four streets, with a large 
rectangular court in the center. The section 
already completed is massive and imposing, and 
its interior is admirably adapted to tlie purposes 
of a library, and at the same time rich and 
beautiful. When completed, the building will 
have a capacity for four to six million volpmes, 

NEWBERRT, Walter C, ex-Congressman, was 
born at Sangerfield, Oneida County, N. Y., Dec. 
23, 1835. Early in the Civil War he enlisted as a 
private, and rose, step by step, to a colonelcy, and 
was mustered out as Brevet Brigadier-General. 
In 1890 he was elected, as a Democrat, to represent 
the Fourth Illinois District in the Fifty-second 
Congress (1891-93). His home is in Chicago. 

NEWBERRY, Walter L., merchant, banker and 
philanthropist, was born at East AVindsor, Conn., 
Sept. 18, 1804, descended from English ancestry. 
He was President Jackson's personal appointee 
to the United States Military Academy at West 
Point, but was prevented from taking the exami- 
nation b}' sickness. Subsequently he embarked in 
business at Bufl'alo, N. Y., going to Detroit in 
1828, and settling at Chicago in 1833. After 
engaging in general merchandising for several 
years, he turned his attention to banking, in 
which he accumulated a large fortune. He was 
a prominent and influential citizen, serving 
several terms as President of the Board of Edu- 
cation, and being, for six years, the President of 
the Chicago Historical Society. He died at sea, 
Nov. 6, 1808, leaving a large estate, one-half of 
which he devoted, by will, to the founding of a 
free reference libraiy in Chicago. (See Newbei'ry 
Libra ri/. ) 

NEW BOSTOX, a city of Jlercer County, on 
the Mississippi River, at the western terminus of 
the Galva and New Boston Division of the Chi- 
cago, Burlington & Quincy Railway. Population 
(1890), 44.5; (1900), 703. 



NEW BRIGHTON, a village of St. Clair County 
and suburb of Ea.st St. Louis. Population (1890), 
808. 

NEW BURNSIDE, a village of Johnson County, 
on the Cairo Division of the Cleveland, Cincin- 
nati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway, .53 miles 
northea.st of Cairo. Population (1880), 050; 
(1890). .590; (1900), 468. 

NEW DOUiJL.VS, a village in Madison County, 
on the Toledo, St. Louis A; Western Railroad; in 
farming and fruit-growing region ; has coal mine, 
flour mill and newspaper. Population (1900), 409. 

NEWELL, John, Railway President, v.-as born 
at West Newbury, Mass., March 31, 1830, being 
directly descended from "Pilgrim" stock. At 
the age of 10 he entered the employment of the 
Cheshire Railroad in New Hampshire. Eighteen 
months later he was appointed an assistant engi- 
neer on the Vermont Central Railroad, and placed 
in charge of the construction of a 10-uiile section 
of the line. His promotion was rapid, and, in 
1830, he accepted a responsible position on the 
Champlain & St. Lawrence Railroad. From 1850 
to 1850 he was engaged in making surveys for 
roads in Kentucky and New York, and, during 
the latter year, held the position of engineer of 
the Cairo City Company, of Cairo, 111. In 1857 he 
entered the service of the Illinois Central Rail- 
road Company, as Division Engineer, where his 
remarkable success attracted the attention of the 
owners of the old Winona & St. Peter Railroad 
(now a part of the Chicago & Northwestern 
system), who tendei'ed him the presidencj'. This 
he accepted, but, in 1864, was made President of 
the Cleveland & Toledo Railroad. Four years 
later, he accepted the position of General Sujjerin- 
tendent and Chief Engineer of the New York 
Central Railroad, Ijut resigned, in 1809, to become 
Vice-President of the Illinois Central Railroad, 
In 1871 he was elevated to the presidency, but 
retired in September, 1874, to accept the position 
of General Manager of the Lake Shore & Jlichigan 
Southern Railroad, of which he was elected 
President, in May, 1883, and continued in office 
until the time of his death, which occurred at 
Youngstown, Ohio, August 25, 1894. 

NEWHALL, (Br.) Horatio, early iihysician 
and newspaper pul)li.sher, came from St. Loviis, 
Mo., to Galena, 111., in 1827, and engaged in min- 
ing and smelting, but abandoned this business, 
the following year, for the practice of his profes- 
sion; soon afterward became interested in the 
publication of "The Miners' Journal," and still 
later in "The Galena Advertiser," with which 
Hooper Warren and Dr. Philleo were associated. 



396 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



In 1830 he became a Surgeon in the United States 
Army, and was stationed at Fort Winnebago, 
but retired from the service, in 1833, and returned 
to Galena. When the Black Hawk War broke 
out he volunteered his services, and, by order of 
General Scott, was placed in charge of a military 
hospital at Galena, of which he had control until 
the close of the war. The difficulties of the posi- 
tion were increased by the appearance of the 
Asiatic cholera among the troops, but he seems 
to have discharged his duties with satisfaction 
to the military authorities. He enjoyed a wide 
reputation for professional ability, and had an 
extensive practice. Died, Sept. 19. 1870. 

NEWMAN, a village of Douglas County, on the 
Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railway, .52 miles 
east of Decatur; has a bank, a newspaper, can- 
ning factory, broom factory, electric lights, and 
large trade in agricultural products and live- 
stock. Population (18i)0), 990; (1900), 1,166. 

NEWSPAPERS, EARLY. The first newspaper 
published in the Northwest Territory, of which 
the present State of Illinois, at the time, com- 
posed a part, was "TheCentinel of the Northwest 
Territory," established at Cincinnati by William 
Maxwell, the first issue appearing in November, 
1793. This was also the first newspaper published 
west of the Allegheny Mountains. In 1796 it was 
sold to Edmund Freeman and assumed the name 
of "Freeman's Journal." Nathaniel Willis 
(grandfather of N. P. Willis, the poet) estab- 
lished "The Scioto Gazette,"' at Chillicothe. in 
1796. "The Western Spy and Hamilton Gazette" 
was the third paper in Northwest Territory (also 
within the limits of Ohio), founded in 1799. 
Willis's paper became the organ of the Terri- 
torial Government on the removal of the capital 
to Chillicothe, in 1800. 

The first newspaper in Indiana Territor}' (then 
including Illinois) was established by Elihu Stout 
at Vincennes, beginning publication, July 4, 1804. 
It took the name of "The Western Sun and Gen- 
eral Advertiser," but is now known as "The 
Western Sun," having had a continuous exist- 
ence for ninety-five years. 

The first newspaper published in Illinois Terri- 
tory was "The Illinois Herald," but, owing to the 
absence of early files and other specific records, 
the date of its establishment has been involved 
in some doubt. Its founder was Matthew Dun- 
can (a brother of Joseph Duncan, who was after- 
wards a member of Congress and Governor of the 
State from 1834 to 1838), and its place of pub- 
lication Kaskaskia, at that time the Territorial 
capital. Duncan, who was a native of Kentucky, 



brought a press and a primitive printer's outfit 
witli him from that State. Gov. John Reynolds, 
who came as a boy to the "Illinois Country" in 
1800, while it was still a part of the "Northwest 
Territory," in his "Pioneer History of Illinois," 
has fixed the date of the first issue of this 
paper in 1809, the same year in which Illinois 
was severed from Indiana Territory and placed 
under a separate Territorial Government. There 
is good reason, however, for believing that the 
Governor was mistaken in this statement. If 
Duncan brought his press to Illinois in 1809 — 
which is probable — it does not seem to have been 
emploj-ed at once in the publication of a news- 
paper, as Hooper Warren (the founder of the 
third paper established, in Illinois) says it "was 
for years only used for the public printing." 
The earliest issue of "The Illinois Herald" known 
to be in existence, is No. 32 of Vol. II, and bears 
date, April 18, 1816. Calculating from these 
data, if the paper was issued continuously from 
its establishment, the date of the first issue would 
have been Sept. 6, 1814. Corroborative evidence 
of this is found in the fact that "The Missouri 
Gazette," the original of the old "Missouri Repub- 
lican" (now "The St. Louis Republic"), which 
was established in 1808, makes no mention of the 
Kaskaskia paper before 1814, although communi- 
cation between Kaskaskia and St. Louis was 
most intimate, and these two were, for several 
years, the only papers published west of Vin- 
cennes, Ind. 

In August, 1817, "The Herald" was sold to 
Daniel P. Cook and Robert Blackwell, and the 
name of the paper was changed to "The Illinois 
Intelligencer." Cook — who had previously been 
Auditor of Public Accounts for the Territorj-, and 
afterwards became a Territorial Circuit Judge, 
the first Attorney-General under the new State 
Government, and, for eight J'ears, served as the 
only Representative in Congress from Illinois — 
for a time officiated as editor of "The Intelli- 
gencer," while Blackwell (who had succeeded 
to the Auditorship) had charge of the publication. 
The size of the paper, which had been four pages 
of three wide colunms to the page, was increased, 
by the new publishers, to four columns to the 
page. On the removal of the State capital to 
Vandalia, in 1820, "The Intelligencer" was 
removed thither also, and continued under its 
later name, afterwards becoming, after a change 
of management, an opponent of the scheme for 
the calling of a State Convention to revise the 
State Constitution with a view to making Illinois 
a slave State. (See Slai'cry and Slave Laics.) 



I 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



397 



The second paper establisheil on Illinois soil 
■was "The Shawnee Chief," which began publica- 
tion at Shawneetown, Sept. 5, 18iy, with Henry 
Eddy — who afterwards became a prominent law- 
yer of Southern Illinois — as its editor. The name 
of "The Chief" was soon afterwards changed to 
"The Illinois Emigrant," and some years later, 
became "The Shawneetow-n Gazette." Among 
others who were associated with the Shawnee- 
town paper, in early days, was James Hall, after- 
wards a Circuit Judge and State Treasurer, and, 
without doubt, the most prolific and popular 
■writer of his day in Illinois. Later, he estab- 
lished "The Illinois Magazine" at Vandalia, sub- 
sequent!}' removed to Cincinnati, and issued under 
the name of "The Western Monthly Magazine. " 
He was also a frequent contributor to other maga- 
zines of that period, and author of several vol- 
umes, including "Legends of the West" and 
"Border Tales." During the contest over the 
slavery question, in 1823-24, "The Gazette" 
rendered valuable service to the anti-slavery 
party by the publication of articles in opposition 
to the Convention scheme, from the pen of Morris 
Birkbeck and others. 

The third Illinois paper— and, in 1823-34, the 
strongest and most influential opponent of the 
scheme for establishing slavery in Illinois — was 
"The Edwardsville Spectator," which began pub- 
lication at Edwardsville, Madison County, May 
23, 1819. Hooper Warren was the publisher and 
responsible editor, though he received valuable 
aid from the pens of Governor Coles, George 
Churchill, Rev. Thomas Lippincott, Judge 
Samuel D. Lockwood, Morris Birkbeck and 
others. (See WaiTen, Hooper.) Warren sold 
"The Spectator" to Rev. Tliomas Lippincott in 
182.1, and was afterwards associated with papers 
at Springfield, Galena, Chicago and elsewhere. 

The agitation of the slavery question (in part, 
at least) led to the establishment of two new 
papers in 1823. The first of these was "The 
Republican Advocate," which began publication 
at Kaskaskia, in April of that year, under the 
management of Elias Kent Kane, then an aspir- 
ant to the United States Senatorship. After his 
election to tliat office in 1824, "The Advocate" 
pa.ssed into the liands of Robert K. Fleming, who, 
after a period of suspension, established "The 
Kaskaskia Recorder," but, a year or two later, 
removed to Vandalia. "The Star of the West" 
was established at Edwardsville, as an opponent 
of Warren's "Spectator," the first issue making 
Its appearance. Sept. 14, 1822, with Theophilus W. 
Smith, afterwards a Justice of the Supreme 



Court, as its reputed editor. A few months later 
it passed into new hands, and, in August, 1833, 
assume<l the name of "The Illinois Republican." 
Both "The Republican Advocate" and "The 
Illinois Republican" were zealous organs of the 
pro-slavery party. 

With the settlement of the slavery question in 
Illinois, by the election of 1824, Illinois journal- 
ism may be said to liave entered iqion a new era. 
At tlie clo.se of this first period there were only 
five papers published in the State — all established 
within a period of ten years; and one of these 
("The Illinois Republican," at Edwardsville) 
promptly ceased publication on the settlement of 
the slavery question in opposition to tlie views 
which it had advocated. The next period of fif- 
teen years (1825-40) was prolific in the establish- 
ment of new newspaper ventures, as might be 
expected from the rapid increase of the State in 
population, and the development in the art of 
printing during the same period. "The Western 
Sun," established at Belleville (according to one 
report, in December, 1835, and according to 
another, in the winter of 1827-28) by Dr. Joseph 
Green, appears to have been the first paper pub- 
lished in St. Clair County. This was followed 
by "The Pioneer," begun, April 25, 1829, at Rock 
Spring, St. Clair County, with the indomitable 
Dr. John M. Peck, author of "Peck's Gazetteer," 
as its editor. It was removed in 1836 to Upper 
Alton, when it took the name of "The Western 
Pioneer and Baptist Banner." Previous to this, 
however. Hooper Warren, having come into pos- 
session of the material upon which he had printed 
"The Edwardsville Spectator," removed it to 
Springfield, and, in the winter of 1826-27, began 
the publication of the first paper at the present 
State capital, which he named "The Sangamo 
Gazette." It had but a brief existence. During 
1830, George Forquer, then Attorney-General of 
the State, in conjunction with his half-brother, 
Thomas Ford (afterwards Governor) , was engaged 
in the publication of a paper called "The Cour- 
ier," at Springfield, which was continued only a 
short time. The earliest paper north of Sjjring- 
field appears to have been "The Hennepin Jour- 
nal," which began publication, SejJt. 15, 1837. 
"The Sangamo Journal" — now "The Illinois 
State Journal," and the oldest i)aper of continu- 
ous existence in the State— was established at 
Springfield by Simeon and Josiah Francis (cous- 
ins from Connecticut), the first issue bearing 
date, Nov. 10, 1831. Before the close of the same 
year James (J. F^dwards, afterwards the founder 
of "The Burlington (Iowa) Ilawkeye," began the 



I 



398 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



publication of "Tlie Illinois Patriot" at Jackson- 
ville. Another paper, established the same j-ear, 
was "The Gazette" at Vandalia, tlien the State 
capital. (See Forquer, George; Ford, Thomas; 
Francis. Simeon.) 

At this early date the development of the lead 
mines about Galena had made that place a center 
of great business activity. On July 8, 1828, 
James Jones commenced the i.'isue of "The 
Miners" Journal, " the first paper at Galena. Jones 
died of cholera in 1833, and his paper passed into 
otlier hands. July 20, 1829, "The Galena Adver- 
tiser and Upper Mississippi Herald" began pub- 
lication, with Drs. Horatio Newhall and Addison 
Philleo as editoi-s, and Hooper Warren as pub- 
lisher, but appears to have been discontinued 
before the expiration of its first year. "The 
Galenian" was established as a Democratic paper 
by Philleo. in May, 1832, but ceased publication in 
September, 1836. "The Northwestern Gazette 
and Galena Advertiser, " founded in November, 
1834, by Loring and Bartlett (the last named 
afterwards one of the founders of "The Quincy 
Whig"), has had a continuous existence, being 
now known as "The Galena Advertiser." Benja- 
min Mills, one of the most brilliant lawyers of 
his time, was editor of this paper during a part 
of the first year of its publication. 

Robert K. Fleming, who has already been 
mentioned as the successor of Elias Kent Kane 
in the publication of "The Republican Advocate," 
at Kaskaskia, later published a paper for a short 
time at Vandalia, but, in 1827, removed his 
establishment to Edwardsville, where he began 
the publication of "Tlie Corrector." The latter 
was continued a little over a j-ear, when it was 
suspended. He then resumed the publication of 
"The Recorder" at Kaskaskia. In December, 
1833, he removed to Belleville and began the pub- 
lication of "The St. Clair Gazette." winch after- 
wards passed, through various changes of owners, 
under the names of "The St. Clair Mercury" and 
"Representative and Gazette." This was suc- 
ceeded, in 1839, bj' "Tlie Belleville Advocate," 
which has been published continuously to the 
present time. 

Samuel S. Brooks (tlie father of Austin Brooks, 
afterwards of "The Quincy HeraUl") at differ- 
ent times published papers at various points 
in the State. His first enterprise was "The 
Crisis" at Edwardsville, which he changed 
to "The Illinois Advocate," and, at the close 
of his first year, sold out to Judge John 
York Sawyer, who united it with "The Western 
Plowboy," which he had established a few 



months previous. "The Advocate" was removed 
to Vandalia, and, on the death of the owner (who 
had been appointed State Printer), was consoli- 
dated with "The Illinois Register," which had 
been established in 1836. The new paper took the 
name of "The Illinois Register and People's 
Advocate," in 1839 was removed to Springfield, 
and is now known as "The Illinois State Regis- 
ter." 

Other papers established between 1830 and 1840 
include: "The Vandalia Whig" (1831); "The 
Alton Spectator," the first paper published in 
Alton (January, 1834) ; "The Chicago Demo- 
crat." by John Calhoun (Nov. 26, 1833); "The 
Beardstown Chronicle and Illinois Bounty Land 
Advertiser," by Francis A. Arenz (July 29, 1833); 
"The Alton American" (18.33); "The White 
County News," at Carmi (1833); "The Danville 
Enquirer" (1833); "The Illinois Champion," at 
Peoria (1834); "The Mount Carmel Sentinel and 
Wabash Advocate" (1834); "The Illinois State 
. Gazette and Jacksonville News," at Jacksonville 
(183.5); "The Illinois Argus and Bounty Land 
Register," at Quincy (1835); "The Rushville 
Journal and Military Tract Advertiser" (1835); 
"The Alton Telegraph" (183G); "The Alton 
Observer" (1836); "The Carthaginian," at Car- 
thage (1836) ; "The Bloomiugton Observer" (1837) ; 
"The Backwoodsman," founded by Prof. John 
Russell, at Grafton, and the first paper published 
in Greene County (1837); "The Quincy Whig" 
(1838) ; "The Illinois Statesman," at Paris, Edgar 
County (1838); "The Peoria Register" (1838). 
The second paper to be established in Chicago 
was "The Chicago American," whose initial 
number was issued, June 8, 1835, with Thomas O. 
Davis as proprietor and editor. In July, 1837, it 
passed into the hands of William Stuart & Co., 
and, on April 9, 1839, its publishers began the 
i.ssue of the first daily ever published in Chicago. 
"The Chicago Express" succeeded "The Ameri- 
can" in 1842, and, in 1844, became the forerunner 
of "The Chicago Journal." The third Chicago 
paper was "The Commercial Advertiser," 
founded by Hooper Warren, in 1836. It lived 
only about a year. Zebina Eastman, who was 
afterwards associated with Warren, and became 
one of the most influential journalistic opponents 
of slavery, arrived in the State in 1830, and, in 
the latter part of that year, was associated with 
the celebrated Abolitionist, Benjamin Lundy, in 
the preliminary steps for the issue of "The 
Genius of Universal Emancipation," projected 
b)' lAindy at Lowell, in La Salle County. Lundy's 
untimely death, in August, 1839, however, pre- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



399 



vented him from seeing the consummation of his 
plan, ahhough Eastman lived to carry it out in 
part. A paper whose career, althougli extending 
only a little over one year, marked an era in Illi- 
nois journalism, was "The Alton Observer," its 
history closing with the assassination of its 
editor, Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy, on the night of 
Nov. 8, 1837, while unsuccessfully attempting to 
protect his press from destruction, for the fourth 
time, by a pro-slavery mob. Humiliating as was 
this crime to every law-abiding Illinoisan, it 
undoubtedly strengtliened the cause of free 
speech and assisted in hastening the downfall of 
the institution in whose behalf it was committed. 

That the development in the field of journal- 
ism, within the past sixty years, has more than 
kept pace with the growth in population, is 
shown by the fact that there is not a county in 
the State without its newspaper, while every 
town of a few hundred population has either one 
or more. According to statistics for 1898, there 
were 605 cities and towns in the State having 
periodical publications of some sort, making a 
total of 1,709, of which 174 were issued daily, 34 
semi-weekly, 1,20.5 weeklj', 28 semi-monthly, 238 
monthly, and the remainder at various periods 
ranging from tri-weekly to eight times a year. 

NEWTO.V, the county-seat of Jasper County, 
situated on the Embarras River, at tlie intersec- 
tion of subsidiary lines of the Illinois Central 
Railroad from Peoria and Effingham; is an in- 
corporated city, was settled in 1828, and made the 
county-seat in 1836. Agriculture, coal-mining 
and dairy farming are the principal pursuits in 
the surrounding region. The city has water- 
power, which is utilized to some extent in manu- 
facturing, but most of its factories are operated 
by steam. Among these establishments are flour 
and saw mills, and grain elevators. There are a 
half-dozen churches, a good public school system, 
including parochial school and high school, 
besides two banks and three weekly papers. 
Population (1890). 1.428; (1900), 1,630. 

NEW YORK, CHICAGO & ST. LOUIS RAIL- 
WAY (Nickel Plate), a line 522. 47 miles in length, 
of which (1898) only 9.96 miles are operated in 
Illinois. It owns no track in Illinois, but uses 
the track of the Chicago & State Line Railroad 
(9.96 miles in length), of which it lias financial 
control, to enter the city of Chicago. The total 
capitalization of the New York, Chicago & St. 
Louis, in 1898, is 550,222,568, of which $19,425,000 
is in bonds. — (History.) The New York, Chi- 
cago & St. Louis Railroad was incorporated under 
the laws of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, 



Indiana and Illinois in 1881, construction begun 
immediately, and the road put in operation in 
1882. In 1885 it passed into the hands of a 
receiver, was sold under foreclosure in 1887, and 
reorganized by the consolidation of various ea.st- 
ern lines with the Fort Waj'ne & Illinois Railroad, 
forming the line under its present name. The 
road between Buffalo, N. Y., and the west line of 
Indiana is owned by the Compaxiy, but, for its 
line in Illinois, it uses the track of the Chicago & 
State Line Railroad, of which it is the lessee, as 
well as the owner of its capital stock. Tlio main 
line of the " Nickel Plate" is controlled by the 
Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railwaj-, which 
owns more than half of both the preferred and 
common stock. 

NIANTIC, a town in Macon County, on the 
Wabash Railway, 27 miles east of f.'pringfield. 
Agriculture is tlie leading industry. The town 
has three elevators, three churches, school, coal 
mine, a newspaper and a bank. Pop. (1900), 654. 
NICOL.VY, John Georare, author, was born in 
Essingen, Bavaria, Feb. 26, 1832; at 6 years of age 
was brought to the United States, lived for a 
time in Cincinnati, attending the public schools 
there, and then came to Illinois; at 16 entered the 
office of "The Pike County Free Press" at Pitts- 
field, and, while still in his minority, became 
editor and proprietor of the paper. In 1857 be 
became Assistant Secretary of State under O. M. 
Hatch, the first Republican Secretary, but during 
Mr. Lincoln's candidacy for President, in 1860, 
aided him as private secretary, also acting as a 
correspondent of "The St. Louis Democrat." 
After the election he was formally selected by 
Jlr. Lincoln as his private secretary, accompany- 
ing him to Washington and remaining until Mr. 
Lincoln's assassination. In 1865 he was appointed 
United States Consul at Paris, remaining until 
1809; on his return for some time edited "The 
Chicago Republican"; was also Marshal of the 
United States Supreme Court in Washington 
from 1872 to 1887. Mr. Nicolay is author, in col- 
laboration with John Hay, of "Abraham Lincoln: 
A History," first published serially in "The Cen- 
turj' Magazine," and later Lssued in ten volumes; 
of "The Outbreak of the Rebellion" in "Cam- 
paigns of the Civil War," besides nmnerous maga- 
zine articles. Ho lives in Washington, D. C. 

NICOLET, Jean, early French explorer, came 
from Cherbourg, France, in 1618, and, for several 
years, lived among the Algonquins, whose lan- 
guage he learned and for whom he acted as 
interpreter. On July 4, 1634, he discovered Lake 
Michigan, then called the "Lake of the Illinois," 



400 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



and visited the Chippewas, Menominees and 
Winnebagoes, in the region about Green Bay, 
among whom he was received kindly. From the 
Mascoutins, on tlie Fox River (of Wisconsin), he 
learned of tlie Illinois Indians, some of whose 
northern villages he also visited. He subse- 
quently returned to Quebec, where he was 
drowned, in October, 1642. He was probably the 
first Caucasian to visit Wisconsin and Illinois. 

NILES, Nathaniel, lawyer, editor and soldier, 
born at Flainfield, Otsego County, N. Y., Feb. 4, 
1817; attended an academy at Albany, from 1830 
to '34, was licensed to practice law and removed 
west in 1837, residing successively at Delphi and 
Frankfort, Ind.. and at Owensburg, Ky., until 
1842, when he settled in Belleville, 111. In 1840 
he was commissioned a First Lieutenant in the 
Second Regiment Illinois Volunteers (Colonel 
Bissell's) for the Mexican War, but, after the 
battle of Buena Vista, was promoted by General 
Wool to the captaincy of an independent com- 
pany of Texas foot. He was elected Chief Clerk 
of the House of Representatives at the session of 
1849, and the same year was chosen County 
Judge of St. Clair County, serving until 1861. 
With the exception of brief periods from 1851 to 
'59, he was editor and part owner of "The Belle- 
•ville Advocate." a paper originally Democratic, 
but which became Republican on the organiza- 
tion of the Republican part}'. In 1861 he was 
appointed Colonel of the Fifty-fourth Illinois 
Volunteer Infantry, but the completion of its 
organization having been delayed, he resigned, 
and, the following year, was conmiissioned Colo- 
nel of the One Hundred and Thirtieth, serving 
until May, 1864, when he resigned — in March, 
1865, receiving the compliment of a brevet Briga- 
dier-Generalship. During the winter of 1862 63 
he was in command at Memphis, but later took 
part in the Vicksburg campaign, and in the cam- 
paigns on Red River and Bayou Teche. After 
the war he served as Representative in the 
General Assembly from St. Clair County (1865-66) ; 
as Trustee of the Institution for the Deaf and 
Dumb at Jacksonville; on the Commission for 
building the State Penitentiary at Joliet, and as 
Commissioner (by appointment of Governor 
Oglesby) for locating the Soldiers' Orphans' 
Home. His later years have been spent chiefly 
in the practice of his profession, with occasional 
excursions into journalism. Originally an anti- 
slavery Democrat, he became one of tlie founders 
of the Republican party in Southern Illinois. 

NIXOJf, William Penn, journalist, Collector of 
•Customs, was born in Wayne County, Ind., of 



North Carolina and Quaker ancestry, early in 
1832. In 1853 he graduated from Farmers' (now 
Belmont) College, near Cincinnati, Ohio. After 
devoting two years to teaching, h". entered the 
lau' department of the University bi Pennsyl- 
vania (18.55), graduating in 1859. For nine years 
thereafter he practiced law at Cincinnati, during 
which period he was thrice elected to the Ohio 
Legislature. In 1868 he embarked in journalism, 
he and his older brother. Dr. O. W. Nixon, with 
a few friends, founding "The Cincinnati Chron- 
icle." A few years later "The Times" was pur- 
chased, and the two papers were consolidated 
under the name of "The Times-Chronicle." In 
May, 1872, having disposed of his interests in 
Cincinnati, he assumed the business manage- 
ment of "The Chicago Inter Ocean," then a new 
venture and struggling for a foothold. In 1875 
he and his brother, Dr. O. W. Nixon, secured a 
controlling interest in the paper, when the 
former assumed the position of editor-in-chief, 
which he continued to occupy until 1897, when 
he was appointed Collector of Customs for the 
City of Cliicago — a position which he now holds. 

NOKOMIS, a city of Montgomery County, on 
the "Big Four" main line and " 'Frisco" Rail- 
roads, 81 miles east by north from St. Louis and 
52 miles west of Mattoon; in important grain- 
growing and hay-producing section ; has water- 
works, electric lights, three flour mills, two 
machine shops, wagon factory, creamery, seven 
churches, high .school, two banks and three 
paper's; is noted for shipments of poultry, butter 
and eggs. Population (1890), 1,305; (1900), 1,371. 

NORM.IL, a city in McLean Count}', 3 miles 
north of Bloomingtoii and 124 southwest of Chi- 
cago; at intersecting point of the Chicago & 
Alton and the Illinois Central Railroads. It lies 
in a rich coal and agricultural region, and has 
extensive fruit-tree nurseries, two canning fac- 
tories, one bank, hospital, and four periodicals. 
It is the seat of the Soldiers' Oridians" Home, 
founded in 1869, and the Illinois State Normal 
University, founded in 1857; has city and rural 
mail deliverv. Pop. (1890). 3.459; (1900), 3,795. 

NORMAL UNIVERSITIES. (See Southern 
Illinois Xorimil Uuircrsity: State JS'ormal Uni- 
i-ersity. ) 

NORTH ALTON, a village of Madison County 
and suburb of the city of Alton. Population 
(1880), 838; (1890), 762; (lUOO), 904. 

NORTHCOTT, William A., Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor, was born in Murfreesboro, Tenn. , Jan. 28, 
1854 — the son of Gen. R. S. Northcott, whose 
loyalty to the Union, at the beginning of the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



401 



Rebellion, compelleJ him to leave his Southern 
home and seek safety for himself and family in 
the North. He went to West Virginia, was com- 
missioned Colonel of a regiment and served 
through the war, being for some nine months a 
prisoner in Libby Prison. After acquiring his 
literary education in the public scliools, the 
younger Northcott spent some time in the Naval 
Academj' at Annapolis, Md., after whii'h lie was 
engaged in teaching. Meanwhile, he was prepar- 
ing for the practice of law and was admitted to 
the bar in 1877, two years later coming to Green- 
ville, Bond County, 111., which has since been his 
home. In 1880, by appointment of President 
Hayes, he served as Supervisor of the Census for 
the Seventh District; in 1882 was elected State's 
Attornej- for Bond County and re-elected suc- 
cessively in "84 and "88 ; in 1890 was appointed on 
the Board of Visitors to tlie United States Naval 
Academy, and, by selection of the Board, 
delivered the annual address to the graduating 
class of that year. In 1892 he was the Repub- 
lican nominee for Congress for the Eighteenth Dis- 
trict, but was defeated in the general landslide of 
that year. In 1896 he was more fortunate, being 
elected Lieutenant-Governor by the vote of the 
State, receiving a plurality of over 137,000 over 
his Democratic opponent- 

NORTH PEORIA, formerly a suburban village 
in Peoria County, 3 miles north of the city of 
Peoria; annexed to the city of Peoria in 1900. 

NORTHERN BOUXDART QUESTIOIV, THE. 
The Ordinance of 1787, making the first specific 
provision, by Congress, for the government of the 
country lying northwest of the Ohio River and 
east of the Mississippi (known as the Northwest 
Territory), provided, among other things (Art. 
v., Ordinance 1787), that "there shall be formed 
in the said Territory not less than three nor more 
than five States." It then proceeds to, fix the 
boundaries of the proposed States, on the assump- 
tion that there shall be three in number, adding 
thereto the following proviso: "Provided, how- 
ever, and it is further understood and declined, 
tluit the boundaries of these three States shall be 
subject so far to be altered that, if Congress shall 
hereafter find it expedient, they shall have 
authority to form one or two States in that part 
of the said Territory which lies north of an east 
and west line drawn through the southerly bend 
or extreme of Lake Michigan." On the basis of 
this provision it has been claimed that the north- 
ern boundaries of Illinois, Indiana and Ohio 
shiiuld have been on the exact latitude of the 
southern limit of Lake Michigan, and that the 



failure to establish tliis boundarj' was a violation 
of the Ordinance, inasmuch as the fourteenth sec- 
tion of the preamble thereto declares that "the 
following articles shall be considered as articles 
of compact between the original States and the 
people and States in the said Territory, and for- 
ever remain unalterable, unless by common con- 
sent."'— In the limited state of geograpliical 
knowledge, existing at the time of tiie adoption of 
the Ordinance, there seems to have been con- 
siderable difference of opinion as to the latitude 
of the southern limit of Lake Michigan. The 
map of Mitchell (17.5.5) had placed it on the paral- 
lel of 42° 20', while that of Thomas Ilutchins 
(1778) fixed it at 41° 37'. It was officially estab- 
lished b)' Government survey, in 183.5, at 41 37' 
07.9". As a matter of fact, the northern bound- 
ary of neither of the three States named was finally 
fixed on the line mentioned in the proviso above 
quoted from the Ordinance — that of Ohio, where 
it meets the shore of Lake Erie, being a little 
north of 41° 44'; that of Indiana at 41° 46' (some 
10 miles north of the southern bend of the lake), 
and that of Illinois at 42° 30' — about 61 miles 
north of the same line. The boundary line 
between Ohio and Michigan was settled after a 
bitter controversy, on the admission of the latter 
State into the Union, in 1837, in the acceptance 
by her of certain conditions proposed by Congress. 
These included the annexation to Michigan of 
what is known as the "Upper Peninsula," 
lying between Lakes Michigan and Superior, 
in lieu of a strip averaging six miles on her 
southern border, which she demanded from 
Ohio. — The establishment of the northern bound- 
ary of Illinois, in 1818, upon the line which now 
exists, is universally conceded to have been due 
to the action of Judge Nathaniel Pope, then the 
Delegate in Congress from Illinois Territory. 
While it was then acquiesced in without ques- 
tion, it has since been the subject of considerable 
controversy and has been followed by almost 
incalculable results. The "enabling act," as 
originally introduced early in 1818, empowering 
the people of Illinois Territory to form a State 
Government, fixed the northern boundary of the 
proposed State at 41° 39', then the supposed lati- 
tude of the southern e.xtremity of Lake Michigan. 
While the act was under consideration in Com- 
mittee of the Whole, Mr. Pope offered an amend- 
ment advancing the northern boundary to 42° 
30'. The object of his amendment (as he ex- 
plained) was to gain for the new State a coast 
line on Lake Michigan, bringing it into political 
and commercial relations with the States east of 



402 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



it — Imliuna, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York — 
thus ■ "affording additional security to the per- 
petuity of the Union." He argued that the 
location of the State between the Mississippi, 
Wabash and Ohio Rivers — all flowing to the 
south — would bring it in intimate communica- 
tion with the Southern States, and that, in the 
event of an attempted disruption of the Union, it 
was important that it sliould be identified with 
the commerce of the Lakes, instead of being left 
entirelj' to the waters of the south-flowing 
rivers. "Thus," said he, "a rival interest would be 
created to check the wish for a Western or South- 
ern Confederacy. Her interests would thus be 
balanced and her inclinations turned to the 
North." He recognized Illinois as already "the 
key to the West," and lie evidently foresaw that 
the time might come when it would be the Key- 
stone of the Union. While this evinced wonder- 
ful foresight, scarcely less convincing was his 
argument that, in tiine, a commercial emporium 
would grow up upon Lake Michigan, which would 
demand an outlet by means of a canal to the Illi- 
nois River — a work which was realized in tlie 
completion of the Illinois & Michigan Canal 
thirty years later, but which would scarcely have 
been accomplished had the State been practically 
cut off from tlie Lake and its chief emporium 
left to grow up in another commonwealtli, or not 
at all. Judge Pope's amendment was accepted 
without division, and, in this form, a few days 
later, the bill became a law. — The almost super- 
human sagacity exhibited in Judge Pope's argu- 
ment, has been repeatedly illustrated in the 
commercial and political history of the State 
since, but never more significantly tlian in the 
commanding position which Illinois occupied 
during the late Civil War, with one of its citi- 
zens in the Presidential chair and another leading 
its 200,000 citizen soldiery and the armies of the 
Union in battling for the perpetuity of the 
Republic— a position which more tlian fulfilled 
every prediction made for it. — The territory 
affected by this settlement of the northern 
boundary, includes all that part of the State 
north of the northern line of La Salle County, 
and embraces the greater portion of the fourteen 
counties of Cook, Dupage, Kane, Lake, McIIenry, 
Boone, DeKalb, Lee, Ogle, Winnebago, Stephen- 
son, Jo Daviess, Carroll and Whiteside, with por- 
tions of Kendall, Will and Rock Island— estimated 
at 8,500 square miles, or more than one-seventli 
of the present area of the State. It has been 
argued that this territory belonged to the State 
of Wisconsin under the provisions of the Ordi- 



nance of 1787, and there were repeated attempts 
made, on the part of the Wisconsin Legislature 
and its Territorial Governor (Doty), between 18;j9 
and 1843, to induce the people of these counties to 
recognize this claim. These were, in a few 
instances, partially successful, although no official 
notice was taken of them by the authorities of Illi- 
nois. The reply made to the Wisconsin claim by 
Governor Ford — who wrote his "History of Illi- 
nois" when the subject was fresh in the public 
mind — was that, while the Ordinance of 1787 
gave Congress power to organize a State north of 
the parallel running through the southern bend 
of Lake Michigan, "there is nothing in the Ordi- 
nance requiring such additional State to be 
organized of tlie territor}- north of that line." In 
other words, that, when Congress, in 1818, 
authorized the organization of an additional 
State north of and in (i. e., within) the line 
named, it did not violate the Ordinance of 1787, 
but acted in accordance with it — in practically 
assuming that the new State "need not neces- 
sarily include the whole of the region north of 
that line." The question was set at rest by Wis- 
consin herself in the action of her Constitutional 
Convention of 1847-48, in framing her first con- 
stitution, in form recognizing the northern 
boundary of Illinois as fixed by the enabling act 
of 1818. 

NORTHERN HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE, 
an institution for the treatment of the insane, 
created by Act of the Legislature, approved, April 
16. 1869. The Commissioners appointed by Gov- 
ernor Palmer to fix its location consisted of 
August Adams, B. F. Shaw, W. R. Brown, M. L. 
Josl}-n, D. S. Hammond and William Adams. 
After considering many offers and examining 
numerous sites, the Commissioners finally selected 
the Cliisholm farm, consisting of about 155 acres, 
\V2 miJes from Elgin, on the west side of Fox 
River, and overlooking that stream, as a site — 
this having been tendered as a donation bj' the 
citizens of Elgin. Plans were adopted in the 
latter part of 1869, the systen\ of construction 
chosen conforming, in the main, to that of the 
United States Hospital for the Insane at Wash- 
ington, D. C. By January, 1872, the nortli wing 
and rear building were so far advanced as to per- 
mit the reception of sixty patients. The center 
building was ready for occupancy in April, 1873, 
and the .south wing before the end of the follow- 
ing year. The total expenditures previous to 
1876 had exceeded §637,000, and since that date 
liberal appropriations have been made for addi- 
tions, repairs and improvements, including the 




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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



403 



addition of between 300 and 400 acres to the lands 
connected with the institution Tlie first Board 
of Trustees consisted of Charles X. Holden, 
Oliver Everett and Henry W, Sherman, with Dr. 
E. A. Kilbourne as the first Superintendent, and 
Dr. Richard A. Dewey (afterwards .Superintend- 
ent of the Eastern Hospital at Kankakee) as his 
Assistant. Dr. Kilbourne remained at the head 
of the institution until his death, Feb. 27, 1890, 
covering a period of nineteen years. Dr. Kil- 
bourne was succeeded by Dr. Henry J. Brooks, 
and he. by Dr. Loewy, in June, 1893, and the 
latter by Dr. John B. Hamilton (former Super- 
vising Surgeon of the United States Marine Hos- 
pital Service) in 1897. Dr. Hamilton died in 
December, 1898. (See Hamilton. John B.) The 
total value of State property, June 30, 1894, was 
$882,745.66, of which §701,330 was in land and 
buildings. Under the terms of the law estab- 
lishing the hospital, provision is made for the 
care therein of the incurabh' insane, so that it is 
both a hospital and an asylum. The whole num- 
ber of patients under treatment, for the two years 
preceding June 30, 1894, was 1,797, the number 
of inmates, on Dec. 1, 1897, 1,054, and the average 
daily attendance for treatment, for the year 1896, 
1,296. The following counties comprise the dis- 
trict dependent upon the Elgin Hospital ; Boone, 
Carroll, Cook, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Kane, Ken- 
dall, Lake, Stephenson, Whiteside and Winne- 
bago. 

NORTHERN ILLINOIS NORMAL SCHOOL, 
an institution, incorporated in 1884, at Dixon, Lee 
County, 111., for the purpose of giving instruction 
in branches related to the art of teaching. Its 
last report claims a total of 1,639 pupils, of whom 
885 were men .and 744 women, receiving instruc- 
tion from thirty-six teachers. The total value of 
l)roperty was estimated at more than $200,000, of 
which 3160,000 was in real estate and §45,000 in 
apparatus. Attendance on the institution has 
been aflfected by the establishment, under act of 
the Legi.slature of 1895, of the Northern State 
Normal School at DeKalb (which see). 

NORTHERN PENITENTIARY, THE, an insti- 
tution for the confinement of criminals of the 
State, located at Joliet. Will County. The site 
was purcha.sed by the State in 1S57, and com- 
prises some seventy-two acres. Its erection was 
found necessary because of the inadequacy of the 
first penitentiary, at Alton. (See Alton Pent- 
tentiary.) The original plan contemplated a 
cell-house containing 1,000 cells, which, it was 
thought, would meet the public necessities for 
many years to come. Its estimated cost was 



$550,000; but, within ten years, there had been 
expended upon the institution the sum of .?934,- 
000, and its capacity was taxed to the utmost. 
Subsequent enlargements have increased the 
cost to over §1,600,000, but by 1877. the institution 
had become so overcrowded that the erection of 
another State penal institution became positively 
necessary. (See Southern Penitentiary.) The 
prison has always been conducted on "the 
Auburn system," which contemplates associate 
labor in silence, silent meals in a common refec- 
tory, and (as nearly as practicable) isolation at 
night. The system of labor has varied at differ- 
ent times, the "lessee system," the "contract 
system" and the "State account plan" being 
successively in force. (See Convict Labor. ) The 
whole number of convicts in the institution, at 
the date of the official report of 1895, was 1,566. 
The total assets of the institution, Sept. 30, 1894, 
were reported at §2,121,308.86, of which §1,644,- 
601.11 was in real estate. 

NORTH & SOUTH RAILROAD. (See St. 
Loui-H, Peoria & Northern Railway.) 

NORTHERN STATE NORMAL SCHOOL, an 
institution for the education of teachers of the 
common schools, authorized to be established by 
act of the Legislature passed at the session of 
1895. The act made an appropriation of §50,000 
for the erection of buildings and other improve- 
ments. The institution was located at DeKalb, 
DeKalb Count}', in the spring of 1896, and the 
erection of buildings commenced soon after — 
Isaac F. EUwood, of DeKalb, contributing §20,- 
000 in cash, and J. F. Glidden, a site of sixtj-- 
seven acres of land. Up to Dec. 1, 1897, the 
appropriations and contributions, in land and 
money, aggregated §175,000. Tlie school was 
expected to be ready for the reception of pupils 
in the latter part of 1899, and, it is estimated, will 
accommodate 1,000 students. 

NORTHWEST TERRITORY. The name 
formerly applied to that portion of the United 
States north and west of the Ohio River and east 
of the Mississippi, comprising the present States 
of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wiscon- 
sin. The claim of the Government to the land 
had been acquired partly through conquest, by 
the expedition of Col. George Rogers Clark 
(which see), under the auspices of the State of 
Virginia in 1778; partly through treaties with the 
Indians, and partly through cessions from those 
of the original States laying claim thereto. The 
first plan for the government of this vast region 
was devised and ff)rinulated by Thomas Jefferson, 
in his proposed Ordinance of 1784, which failed 



404 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



of ultimate passage. But three years later a 
broader scheme was evolved, and the famous 
Ordinance of 1787, with its clause xwohibiting the 
extension of slavery beyond the Ohio River, 
passed the Continental Congress. This act has 
been sometimes termed "The American Magna 
Charta," because of its engrafting upon the 
organic law the principles of human freedom and 
equal rights. The plan for the establishment of 
a distinctive territorial civil government in a 
new Territory — the first of its kind in the new 
republic — was felt to be a tentative step, and too 
much power was not granted to the residents. 
All the officers were appointive, and each official 
was required to be a land-owner. The elective 
franchise (but only for members of the General 
Assembly) could first be exercised only after the 
population had readied 5,000. Even then, every 
elector must own fifty acres of land, and every 
Representative, 200 acres. More liberal provisions, 
however, were subsequently incorporated by 
amendment, in 1809. The first civil government 
in the Northwest Territory was established hy act 
of the Virginia Legislature, in the organization 
of all the country west of the Ohio under the 
name "Illinois County," of which the Governor 
was authorized to appoint a "County liieuten- 
ant" or "Comniandant-in-Cliief. " The first 
"Commandant" appointed was Col. John Todd, 
of Kentucky, though he continued to discharge 
the duties for only a short jieriod, being killed in 
the battle of Blue Licks, in 1782. After that the 
Illinois Country was almost without the semblance 
of an organized civil government, until 1788, 
when Gen. Arthur St. Clair was appointed the 
first Governor of Northwest Territory, under the 
Ordinance of 1787, serving imtil tlie sei^aration of 
this region into the Territories of Ohio and Indi- 
ana in 1800, when William Henry Harrison 
became the Governor of the latter, embracing all 
that portion of the original Northwest Territory 
except the State of Ohio. During St. Clair's 
administration (1790) that part of the present State 
of Illinois between the Mississippi and Illinois 
Rivers on the west, and a line extending north 
from about the site of old Fort Massac, on the 
Oliio, to the mouth of the Mackinaw River, in the 
present county of Tazewell, on the east, was 
erected into a county under the name of St. 
Clair, with three county-seats, viz. : Cahokia, 
Kaskaskia and Prairie du Rocher. (See St. Clair 
County. ) Between 1830 and 1834 the name North- 
west Territory was applied to an unorganized 
region, embracing the present State of Wisconsin, 
attached to Michigan Territory for governmental 



purposes. (See Illinois County; St Clair, Arthur: 
and Todd, John.) 

NORTHWESTERN COLLEGE, located at 
Naperville, Du Page County, and founded in 
1865, under the auspices of the Evangelical Asso- 
ciation. It maintains business, preparatory and 
collegiate departments, besides a theological 
scliool. In 1898 it had a faculty of nineteen profes- 
sors and assistants, with some 360 students, less 
than one-third of the latter being females, though 
both sexes are admitted to the college on an equal 
footing. The institution owns propertj- to the 
value of §207,000, including an endowment of 
§85,000. 

NORTHWESTERN GRAND TRUNK RAIL- 
WAY. (See Chicago cfr Grand Trnnl: Railway.) 

NORTHWESTERN NORMAL, located at Gene- 
seo, Henry County, 111., incorporated in 1884; in 
1894 had a faculty of twelve teachers with 171, 
pupils, of whom ninety were male and eighty-one 
female. 

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY, an impor- 
tant educational institution, established at 
Evanston, in Cook County, in 1851. In 1898 it 
reported 2,599 students (1,980 male and 619 
female), and a faculty of 234 instructors. 
It embraces the following departments, all of 
which confer degrees; A College of Liberal 
Arts; two Medical Schools (one for women 
exclusively) ; a Law School ; a School of Phar- 
macy and a Dental College. The Garrett Bibli- 
cal Institute, at which no degrees are con- 
ferred, constitutes the theological department of 
the University. The charter of the institution 
requires a majority of the Trustees to be mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the 
University is the largest and wealthiest of the 
schools controlled by that denomination. The 
College of Liberal Arts and the Garrett Biblical 
Institute are at Evanston ; the other departments 
(all professional) are located in Chicago. In the 
academic department (Liberal Arts School), pro- 
vision is made for both graduate and post-gradu- 
ate courses. The Medical School was formerly 
known as the Chicago Medical College, and its 
Law Department was originally the Union Col- 
lege of Law, both of which have been absorbed 
by the L'niversit)*, as have also its scliools of 
dentistry and pharmacj', which were formerly 
independent institutions. The property owned by 
the University is valued at §4,870,000, of which 
§1,100,000 is real estate, and §2,250,000 in endow- 
ment funds. Its income from fees paid by students 
in 1898 was §215,288, and total receipts from all 
sources, §482,389. Co-education of the sexes pre- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



405 



vails in the College of Liberal Arts. Dr. Henry 
Wade Rogers is President. 

>ORTHWESTER> UMVERSITY MEDICAL 
SCHOOL, located in Chicago; was organized in 
1859 as Medical School of the Lind (now Lake 
Forest) University. Three annual terms, of five 
months each, at first constituted a course, 
although attendance at two only was compul- 
sory. The institution first opened in temporary 
quarters, Oct. 9, 18,j9, with thirteen professors 
and thirty-three students. By 1803 more ample 
accommodations were needed, and the Trustees 
of tlie Lind University being imable to provide a 
building, one was erected by the faculty. In 
186-1 the Univereity relinquished all claim to the 
institution, which was thereupon incorporated as 
the Chicago ^Medical College. In 1868 the length 
of the annual terms was increased to six months, 
and additional requirements were imposed on 
candidates for both matriculation and gradu- 
ation. The same year, the college building was 
sold, and the erection of a new and more commo- 
dious edifice, on the grounds of the Jlercy Hos- 
pital, was commenced. Tliis was completed in 
1870, and the college became the medical depart- 
ment of the Northwestern Universit}'. The 
number of professorships had been increased to 
eighteen, and that of undergraduates to 107. 
Since that date new laboratory and clinical build- 
ings have been erected, and the growth of the 
institution has been steady and substantial. 
Mercy and St. Luke"s Hospital, and the South 
Side Free Dispensary afford resources for clinical 
instruction. Tlie teaching faculty, as constituted 
in 1898, consists of about fifty instructors, in- 
cluding professors, lecturers, demonstrators, and 
assistants. 

NORTHWESTERN UXITERSITT WOMAN'S 
MEDICAL SCHOOL, an institution for the pro 
fessional education of women, located in 
Chicago. Its first corporate name was the 
"Woman's Hospital Medical College of Chicago," 
and it was in close connection with the Chicago 
Hospital for Women and Children. Later, it 
severed its connection with the hosjiital and took 
the name of the "Woman's Medical College of 
Chicago." Co-education of the .sexes, in medicine 
and surger}-, was experi4nentally trieil from 1 808 
to 1870, but the experiment proved repugnant to 
the male students, who unanimously signed a 
protest against the continuance of the system. 
The result was the establishment of a separate 
school for women in 1870, with a faculty of six- 
teen professors. The requirements for graduation 
were fixed art four years of medical study, includ- 



ing three annual graded college terms of six 
months each. The first term opened in the 
autumn of 1870, witli an attendance of twenty 
students. Tlie original location of the school 
was in the "North Division" of Chicago, in tem- 
porary quarters. After the fire of 1871 a removal 
was effected to the "West Division," where (in 
1878-79) a modest, but well arranged building was 
erected. A larger structure was built in 1884, 
and, in 1891, the institution became a part of the 
Northwestern University. The college, in all its 
departments, is organized along the lines of the 
best medical schools of the country. In 1896 
there were twenty four professorships, all capably 
filled, and among the faculty are some of the 
best known specialists in the country. 

NORTON, Jesse 0., lawyer. Congressman and 
Judge, was born at Bennington, Vt., April 2.5, 
1812, and graduated from Williams College in 
1835. He settled at Joliet in 1839, and soon 
became prominent in the affairs of Will County. 
His first public ofl^ce was that of City Attornej', 
after wliich he served as County Judge (1846-50). 
Jlean while, he was chosen a Delegate to the Con- 
stitutional Convention of 1847. In 1850 he was 
elected to the Legislature, and, in 1853, to Con- 
gress, as a Whig. His vigorous opposition to the 
repeal of the Missouri Compromise resulted in 
his re election as a Representative in 1854. At 
the expiration of his second term (1857) he was 
chosen Judge of the eleventh circuit, to fill the 
unexpired term of Judge Randall, resigned. He 
was once more elected to Congress in 1862, but 
disagreed with his party as to the legal status of 
the States lately in rebellion. President Johnson 
appointed him LTnited States Attorney for the 
Northern District of Illinois, which office he filled 
until 18G9. Immediately upon his retirement he 
began private practice at Chicago, where he died, 
August 3, 1S7.J, 

NORWOOD PARK, a village of Cook County, 
on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad (Wis- 
consin Division), 11 miles northwest of Chicago. 
Incorporated in City of Chicago, 1893. 

NOrES, George Clement, clergyman, was born 
at Landaff, N. H., August 4, 1833, brought by 
his parents to Pike County, 111., in 1844, and. at 
the age of 16, determined to devote his life to the 
ministry ; in 1851, entered Illinois College at Jack- 
sonville, graduating with first honors in the class 
of 1855. In the following- autumn he entered 
Union Theological Seminary in New York, and, 
having graduated in 1858, was ordained the same 
year, and installed pastor of the First Presby- 
terian Church at Laporte, Ind. Here he remained 



400 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ten }"e.ars, when he accepted a call to the First 
Presbj'teriau Church of Evanston, 111., then a 
small organization which developed, during the 
twenty years of his pastorate, into one of the 
strongest and most influential churches in Evans- 
ton. For a number of years Dr. Noj'es was an 
editorial %rriter and weekly correspondent of 
"The New York Evangelist," over the signature 
of "Clement." He wa.s al.so, for .several years, an 
active and very efficient member of the Board of 
Trustees of Knox College. The liberal bent of 
his mind was illustrated in the fact that he acted 
as counsel for Prof. David Swing, during the cele- 
brated trial of the latter for heresy before the 
Chicago Presbytery — his argument on that 
occasion winning encomiums from all classes of 
people. His death took place at Evanston, Jan. 
14. 1889, as the re.sult of an attack of pneumonia, 
and was deeplj' deplored, not only by his own 
church and denomination, but by the whole com- 
munity. Some two weeks after it occurred a 
union meeting was held in one of the churches at 
Evanston, at which addresses in commemoration 
of his services were delivered by some dozen 
ministers of that village and of Chicago, while 
various social and literary organizations and the 
press bore testimony to his high character. He 
was a member of the Literary Society of Chicago, 
and, during the last year of his life, served as its 
President. Dr. Noyes was married, in 18.58, to a 
daughter of David A. Smith, Esq., an honored 
citizen and able lawyer of Jacksonville. 

OAKLAND, a city of Coles County on the Van- 
dalia Line and the Toledo, St. Louis & Western 
Railroad, 15 miles northeast of Charleston: is in 
grain center and broom-corn belt ; the town has 
two banks and one daily and two weekly papers. 
Pop. (18'J0), 9i)5;(iyUU), 1,198. 

OAK PARK, a village of Cook County, and 
popular residence suburb of Chicago, 9 miles 
west of the initial station of the Chicago & 
Northwestern Railroad, on which it is located ; is 
also upon the line of the Wisconsin Central Rail- 
road. The place has numerous churches, pros- 
perous schools, a public library, telegraph and 
express offices, banks and two local papers. 
Population (1880), 1,888; (1890), 4,771. 

OBERLT, John H., journalist and Civil Serv- 
ice Commissioner, was born in Cincinnati, 
Ohio, Dec. C, 1837; spent part of Iiis boj-hood in 
Allegheny County, Pa., but, in ]8"<3. began learn- 
ing the printer's trade in the office of "The Woos- 
ter (Ohio) Republican," completing; it at Jlemphis. 
Tenn , and becoming a journeyman printer in 



1857. He worked in various offices, including 
the Wooster paper, where he also began the study 
of law, but, in 1860, became part proprietor of 
"The Bulletin" job office at Memphis, in which 
he had been employed as an apprentice, and, 
later, as foreman. Having been notified to leave 
Memphis on account of his Union principles 
after the beginning of the Civil War, he returned 
to Wooster, Ohio, and conducted various papers 
there during the next four years, but, in 1865, 
came to Cairo, 111., where he served for a time as 
foreman of "The Cairo Democrat," three years 
later establishing "The Cairo Bulletin." Although 
the latter paper was burned out a few months later, 
it was immediately reestablished. In 1872 he 
was elected Representative in the Twenty-eighth 
General Assembly, and, in 1877, was appointed 
by Governor Cullom the Democratic member of 
the Railroad and Warehouse Commission, serving 
four years, meanwhile (in 1880) being the Demo- 
cratic candidate for Secretar)' of State. Other 
positions held by him included Mayor of the city 
of Cairo (1869) ; President of the National Typo- 
graphical Union at Chicago (1865), and at Mem- 
phis (1866); delegate to the Democratic National 
Convention at Baltimore (1872), and Chairman of 
the Democratic State Central Committee 
(1883-84). After retiring from the Railroad and 
Warehouse Commission, he united in founding 
"The Bloomington (111.) Bulletin," of which he 
was editor some three years. During President 
Cleveland's administration he was appointed a 
member of the Civil Service Commission, being 
later transferred to the Commissionership of 
Indian Affairs. He was subsequently connected 
in an editorial capacity with "The Washington 
Post," "The Richmond (Va.) State," "The Con- 
cord (N. H.) People and Patriot" and "The Wash- 
ington Times." While engaged in an attempt to 
reorganize "The People and Patriot," he died at 
Concord, X. II., April 15, 1899. 

ODD FELLOWS. "Western Star" Lodge, No. 
1, I. O. O. F., was instituted at Alton, June 11, 
1836. In 1838 the Grand Lodge of Illinois was 
instituted at the same place, and reorganized, at 
Springfield, in 1812. S. C. Pierce was the first 
Grand Master, and Samuel L. Miller, Grand Sec- 
retary. V.'iUley Encampment, No. 1, was organ- 
ized at Alton in 1838, and the Grand Encampment, 
at Peoria, in 1850, with Charles H. Constable 
Grand Patriarch. In 1850 the subordinate branches 
of the Order numbered seventy-six, with 3,291 
members, and $25,392.87 revenue. In 18!)5 the 
Lodges numbered 838, the membership 50,.54-l, 
with §475,252.18 revenue, of which ?135,018.40 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



407 



was expended for relief. The EncaiiiiJinent 
branch, in 1895. embraced 1T9 organizations witli 
a membersliip of 0,812 and $23,805.2.5 revenue, of 
wliich $6,781,40 was paid out for relief. The 
Eebekah branch, for the same year, comprised 423 
Lodges, with 22,000 members and $43,215.65 
revenue, of which .$3,122.79 was for relief. Tlie 
total sum distributed for relief by the several 
organizations (l.>^95) was $144.972..5fl. The Order 
was especially liberal in its benefactions to the 
sufferers bj- the Chicago fire of 1871, an appeal to 
its members calling forth a generous response 
throughout the United States. (See Odd Fellows' 
Orplians Home.) 

ODD FELLOWS' ORPHANS' HOME, a benevo 
lent institution, incorporated in 1S89, erected at 
Lincoln, 111. , under the auspices of the Daughters 
of Rebekah (see Odd Fellows), and dedicated 
August 19, 1892. The building is four stories in 
height, has a capacity for the accommodation of 
fifty children, and cost $36,524.70, exclusive of 
forty acres of land valued at $8,000. 

ODELL, a village of Living.ston County, and 
station on the Chicago & Alton Railway, 82 
miles .south-soutlawest of Chicago. It is in a 
grain and stock-rai.sing region. Pofiulation (1880), 
908: (1890), 800; (1900), 1,000. 

ODIN, a village of Marion County, at the cross- 
ing of the Chicago branch of the Illinois Central 
and the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Rail- 
ways, 244 miles south by west from Chicago; in 
fruit belt; has coal-mine, two fruit evaporators, 
bank and a newspaper. Pop. (1900), 1,180. 

O'FALLOX, a village of St. Clair County, on 
the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railway, 18 
miles east of St. Louis; has interurban raihvaj-, 
electric lights, water-works, factories, coal-mine, 
bank and a new.spaper. Pop. (1900), 1,267. 

OGDEX, William Bntler, capitalist and Rail- 
way President, born at AValton, N. Y., June 15, 
1805. He was a member of the New York Legis- 
lature in 1834, and, the following j'ear, removed 
to Chicago, where he established a land and trust 
agency. He took an active part in the various 
enterprises centering around Chicago, and, on 
tiie incorporation of the city, was elected its first 
Mayor. He was prominently identified with the 
construction of the Galena & Chicago Union 
RaiiroaJ, and, in 1847, became its President. 
Wl-.ile visiting Europe in 1853, he made a careful 
study of the canals of Holland, which convinced 
him of the desirability of widening and deepen- 
ing the Illinois & Michigan Canal and of con 
strii'-ting a .ship canal across the southern 
peninsula of Michigan. In 1855 he became Presi- 



dent of the Chicago, St. Paul & Fon<l du Lac 
Eaikoad, and effected its consolidation with the 
Galena & Chicago Union. Out of this consoli- 
dation sprang the Chicago & Northwestern Rail- 
way Company, of which he was elected President. 
In 18.50 he presided over the National Pacific 
Railroad Convention, and, upon the formation of 
the Union Pacific Railroad Company, he became 
its President. He was largely coiuiected with 
the inception of the Nortlierii Pacific line, in the 
success of which he was a firm believer. He 
also controlled various other interests of public 
importance, among them the great lumbering 
establishments at Peshti.go, Wis., and, at the time 
of his death, was the owner of what was probably 
the largest plant of that description in the world. 
His benefactions were numei-ous, among the 
recipients being the Rush Medical College, of 
which he was President; the Theological Semi- 
nar}' of the Northwest, the Chicago Historical 
Society, the Academy of Sciences, the University 
of Chicago, the Astronomical Society, and many 
other educational and benevolent institutions 
and organizations in the Northwest. Died, in 
New York City, August 3, 1877, (See Chicago dl- 
North western lia ilroad. ) 

OGLE, Joseph, pioneer, was born in Virginia 
in 1741, came to Illinois in 17S5. settling in the 
American Bottom within the present County of 
Monroe, but afterwards removed to St. Clair 
County, about the site of the present town of 
O'Fallon, 8 miles north of Belleville ; was selected 
by his neighbors to serve as Captain in their 
skirmishes with the Indians. Died, at his home 
in St. Clair Coimty, in February, 1821. Captain 
Ogle had the reputation of Ijeing the earliest con- 
vert to Methodism in Illinois. Ogle County, in 
Northern Illinois, was named in his honor — 
Jacob (Ogle), son of the preceding, al.so a native 
of Virginia, was born about 1772, came to Illinois 
with his father in 1785, and was a "Ranger" in 
the War of 1812. He served as a Representative 
from St. Clair County in the Third General 
Assembly (1822), and again in the Seventh 
(1830), in the former being an opponent of the 
pro-slavery convention scheme. Beyond two 
terms in the Legislature he seems to have held 
no public office except that of Justice of the 
Peace. Like his father, he was a zealous Metho- 
dist and highly respected. Died, in 1844, aged 72 
years. 

OGLE COUNTY, next to the "northern tier" of 
counties of the State and originally a part of Jo 
Daviess. It was separately organized in 1837, 
and Lee County was carved from its territory in 



408 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



1839. In 1900 its area was 780 square miles, and 
its population 29,129. Before the Black Hawk 
War immigration was slow, and life primitive. 
Peoria was the nearest food market. New grain 
was "ground" on a grater, and old pounded 
with an extemporized pestle in a wooden mortar. 
Rock River flows across the coimty from north- 
east to southwest. A little oak timber grows 
along its banks, but, generally speaking, the sur- 
face is undulixting prairie, with soil of a rich 
loam. Sandstone is in ample supply, and all the 
limestones abound. An extensive peat-bed has 
been discovered on the Killbuck Creek. Oregon, 
the county-seat, has fine water-power. Tlie other 
principal towns are Rochelle, Polo, Forreston and 
Mount Morris. 

OGLESBT, Richard James, Governor and 
United States Senator, was born in Oldham 
County, Ky., July 25, 1824; left an orphan at the 
age of 8 years; in 1836 accompanied an imcle to 
Decatur, 111., where, until 1844, he worked at 
farming, carpentering and rope-making, devoting 
his leisure hours to the study of law. In 1845 he 
was admitted to the bar and began practice at 
Sullivan, in Moultrie County. In 1846 he was 
commissioned a Lieutenant in the Fourth Regi- 
ment, Illinois Volunteers (Col. E. D. Baker's regi- 
ment), and served through the Mexican War, 
taking part in the siege of Vera Cruz and the 
battle of Cerro Gordo. In 1847 he pursued a 
course of study at the Louisville Law School, 
graduating in 1848. He was a "forty-niner" in 
California, but returned to Decatur in 1851. In 
1858 he made an unsuccessful campaign for Con- 
gress in the Decatur District. In 1860 he was 
elected to the State Senate, but early in 1861 
resigned his seat to accept the colonelcy of the 
Eighth Illinois Volunteers. Through gallantry 
(notably at Forts Henry and Donelson and at 
Corinth) he rose to be Major-General, being se- 
verely wounded in the last-named battle. He 
resigned his commission on account of disability, 
in May, 1804, and the following November was 
elected Governor, as a Republican. In 1873 he 
was re-elected Governor, but, two weeks after 
his inauguration, resigned to accept a seat in the 
United States Senate, to which he was elected 
by the Legislature of 1873. In 1884 he was 
elected Governor for the third time — being the 
only man in the history of the State who (up to 
the present time— 1890) has been thus honored. 
After the expiration of his last term as Governor, 
he devoted his attention to his private affairs at 
his home at Elkhart, in Logan County, where he 
died, April 24, 1899, deeply mourned by personal 



and pohtical friends in all parts of the Union, 
who admired his strict integrity and sterling 
patriotism. 
OHIO, INDIANA & WESTERN RAILWAY. 

(See Peorid A' Eastern Railroad.) 

OHIO RIVER, an affluent of the Mississippi, 
formed by the union of the Monongahela and 
Allegheny Rivers, at Pittsburg. Pa. At this point 
it becomes a navigable stream about 400 j'ards 
wide, with an elevation of about 700 feet above 
sea-level. The beauty of the scenery along its 
banks secured for it, from the early French 
explorers (of whom La Salle was one), the name 
of "La Belle Riviere." Its general course is to 
tlie southwest, but with many sinuosities, form- 
ing the southern boundary of the States of Ohio, 
Indiana and Illinois, and the western and north- 
ern boundary of West Virginia and Kentucky, 
until it enters the Mississippi at Cairo, in latitude 
37° N., and about 1,200 miles above the mouth of 
the latter stream. The area which it drains is 
computed to be 214,000 square miles. Its mouth 
is 268 feet above the level of the sea. The current 
is remarkably gentle and uniform, except near 
Louisville, where there is a descent of twenty- 
two feet within two miles, which is evaded by 
means of a canal around the falls. Large steam- 
boats can navigate its whole length, except in low 
stages of water and wlien closed by ice in winter. 
Its largest affluents are the Tennessee, the Cum- 
berland, the Kentucky, the Great Kanawha and 
the Green Rivers, from the south, and the Wa- 
bash, the Miami. Scioto and Muskingum from the 
north. The principal cities on its banks are Pitts- 
burg, Wheeling. Cincinnati, LouLsville, Evans- 
ville. New Albany, Madison and Cairo. It is 
crossed by bridges at Wheeling, Cincinnati and 
Cairo. The surface of the Ohio is subject to a 
variation of forty-two to fifty-one feet between 
high and low water. Its length is 975 miles, and 
its width varies from 400 to 1,000 yards. (See 
Inundations, Rcniarhable.) 

OHIO & MISSISSIPPI RAILWAY. (See Bal- 
timore cfc Ohio Soutlnresfern Railroad.) 

OLNEV, an incorporated city and the county- 
seat of Richland County. 31 miles west of Vin- 
cennes, Ind., and 117 miles ea.st of St. Louis, Mo., 
at the junction of the Baltimore it Ohio South- 
western and the Peoria Division of the Illinois 
Central and the Ohio River Division of the Cin- 
cinnati. Hamilton it Dayton Railroad; is in the 
center of the fruit belt and an important shipping 
point for farm produce and livestock; has flour 
mills, a furniture factory and railroad repair 
shops, banks, a public library, churches and live 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



409 



newspapers, one issuing daily ami anotlier semi- 
weekly editions. Population (1890), 3,831 ; (1900), 
4,260. 

OMELVENY, John, pioneer and head of a 
numerous family which became prominent in 
Southern Illinois; was a native of Ireland who 
came to America about 1798 or 1T99. .After resid- 
ing in Kentucky a few years, he removed to Illi- 
nois, locating in what afterwards became Pope 
County, whither his oldest son, Samuel, had 
preceded him about 1797 or 1798. The latter for 
a time followed the occupation of flat-boating, 
carrjing produce to New Orleans. He was a 
member of the Constitutional Convention of 1818 
from Pope County, being the colleague of Hamlet 
Ferguson. A year later he removed to Ranilolph 
County, where he served as a member of the 
County Court, but, in 1820-22, we find him a 
member of the Second General Assemblj- from 
Union County, having successfully contested the 
seat of Samuel Alexander, who had received the 
certificate of election. He died in 1828. — Edward 
(Omelveny), another member of this family, and 
grandson of the elder John Omelveny, represented 
Monroe County in the Fifteenth General Assem- 
blj' (1846-48), and was Presidential Elector in 
1852, but died sometime during the Civil War. — 
Har?ey K. S. (Omelveny), the fifth son of Wil- 
liam Omelveny and grandson of John, was born 
in Todd County, Ky., in 1823, came to Southern 
Illinois, in 1852, and engaged in the practice of 
law, being for a time the partner of Senator 
Thomas E. Merritt, at Salem. Early in 18.58 he 
was elected a Justice of the Circuit Court to 
suoceeil Judge Breese, who had been promoted to 
the Supreme Court, but resigned in 1861. He 
gained considerable notoriety by his intense 
hostility to the policy of the Government during 
the Civil War, was a Delegate to the Constitu- 
tional Convention of 18G2, and was named as a 
member of the Peace Commission proposed to be 
appointed b}' the General Assembly, in 1863, to 
secure terms of peace with the Southern Con- 
federacy. He was also a leading spirit in the 
peace meeting held at Peoria, in August. 1863. 
In 18G9 Mr. Omelveny removed to Los Angeles, 
Cal., which has since been his home, and where 
he has carried on a lucrative law practice. 

OSARGA, a town in Iroquois County, on the 
Illinois Central Railroad, 85 miles south by west 
from Chicago, and 43 miles north by east from 
Champaign. It is a manufacturing town, flour, 
wagons, wire-fencing, stoves and tile l)eing 
among the products. It has a bank, eight 
churches, a graded school, a commercial college, 



and a weekly newspaper. Population (1880), 
1,061; (1890), 994; (1900), 1,270. 

ONEID.V, a city in Knox County, on the Chi- 
cago. Burlington it Quincy Railroad, 12 miles 
luirtlieast of Galesburg; has wagon, pump and 
fniniture factories, two banks, electric lights, 
several churches, a graded school, and a weekly 
paper. The surrounding country is rich prairie, 
where coal is mined about twenty feet below the 
surface. Pop. (1890), 699; (1900), 785. 

OCJUAWKA, the county-seat of Henderson 
County, situated on the Mississippi River, about 
15 miles above Burlington Iowa, and 32 miles 
west of Galesburg. It is in a farming region, 
but has some manufactories. The town has 
five churches, a graded school, a bank and three 
newspapers. Population (1900), 1,010. 

ORDIXAXCE OF 1787. This is the name 
given to the first organic act, passed by Congress, 
for the government of the territory northwest of 
the Ohio River, comprising the present States of 
Ohio. Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. 
The first step in this direction was taken in the 
appointment, by Congress, on March 1, 1784, of a 
committee, of which Thomas Jefferson was Chair- 
man, to prepare a plan for the temporary govern- 
ment of the region which had been acquired, by 
the capture of Kaskaskia, by Col. George Rogers 
Clark, nearly six j'ears previous. The necessity 
for some step of this sort had grown all the more 
urgent, in consequence of the recognition of the 
right of the United States to this region by the 
Treat}- of Paris of 1783, and the surrender, by Vir- 
ginia, of the title she had maintained thereto on 
account of Clark's conquest under her auspices — 
a right which she had exercised by furnishing 
whatever semblance of government so far existed 
northwest of the Ohio. The report submitted 
from Jefferson's committee proposed the division 
of the Territory into seven States, to which was 
added the proviso that, after the year 1800, "there 
shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude 
in any of said States, othei-wise than in punish- 
ment of crime whereof the party shall have been 
duly convicted." This report failed of ailoption, 
however. Congress contenting itself with the 
passage of .a resolution providing for future 
organization of this territory into States bj' the 
people — the measures necessary for temporary 
government being left to future Congressional 
action. Wliile the postponement, in the re.so- 
lution as introduced by Jefferson, of the inhi- 
bition of slavery to the year 1800, has been 
criticised, its introduction was significant, as 
coming from a rejiresentative from a slave State, 



410 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



and being tlie first proposition in Congress look- 
ing to restriction, of any character, on the subject 
of slavery. Congress having taken no further 
step uniler the resolution adopted in 1784, the 
condition of the country (thus left practically 
without a responsible government, while increas- 
ing in population) became constantly more 
deplorable. An appeal from the people about 
Kaskaskia for some better form of government, 
in 178G, aided by the influence of the newly 
organized "Ohio Company," who desired to en- 
courage emigration to the lands wliich they were 
planning to secure from the General Government, 
at last brought about the desired result, in the 
passage of the famous "Ordinance," on the 13th 
day of July, 1787. While making provision for a 
mode of temporary self-government bj- the 
people, its most striking features are to be found 
in the six "articles" — a sort of "Bill of Rights" — • 
with which the document closes. These assert: 
(1) the right of freedom of worship and religious 
opinion; (2) the right to the benefit of habeas 
cor2)us and trial by jury; to proportionate repre- 
sentation, and to protection in liberty and prop- 
erty ; (3) that "religion, morality and knowledge, 
being necessary to good government and the 
happiness of mankind, schools and the means of 
education shall forever be encouraged"; (4) that 
the States, formed within tlie territory referred 
to, "shall forever remain a part of this confeder- 
acy of the United States of America, subject to 
the Articles of Confederation and to such alter- 
ations therein as shall be constitutionally made" ; 
(5) prescribe the boundaries of the States to be 
formed therein and the conditions of their admis- 
sion into the Union ; and (G — and most significant 
of all) repeat the prohibition regarding the 
introduction of slavery into the Northwest Terri- 
tory, as proposed by Jefferson, but without any 
qualification as to time. There has been consider- 
able controversy regarding the authorship of this 
portion of the Ordinance, into which it is not 
necessary to enter here. While it has been char- 
acterized as a second and advanced Declaration 
of Independence — and jirobably no single act of 
Congress was ever fraught with more important 
and far-reaching results — it seems remarkable 
that a majority of the States supporting it and 
securing its adoption, were then, and long con- 
tinued to ho, slave States. 

OIJEUOX, the county-seat of Ogle County, 
situated on Rock River and the Minneapolis 
Branch of the Chicago, Burlington tt Quincy Rail- 
road. 100 miles west from Clncago. The sur- 
rounding region is agricultural; the town has 



water power and manufactures flour, pianos, steel 
tanks, street sprinklers, and iron castings. It has 
two banks, water-works supplied by flowing 
artesian wells, cereal mill, and two weekly news- 
papers ; has also obtained some repute as a summer 
resort. Pop.(1880), 1,088; (1890), 1,5G6; (1900), 1,577. 

ORION, a village of Henry County, at the inter- 
section of the Rock Island Division of the Chicago 
Burlington & Quincy and the Chicago, Rock 
Islaml <t Pacific Railways, 19 miles southeast of 
Rock Island. Pop. (1890), 024; (1900), 584. 

OSBOUX, AVilliam Henry, Railway President, 
was born at Salem, Mass., Dec. 21, 1820. After 
receiving a high school education in his native 
town, he entered the counting room of the East 
India house of Peele, Hubbell & Co. ; was subse- 
quently sent to represent the firm at Manila, 
finally engaging in business on Ids own account, 
during which he traveled extensively in Europe. 
Returning to the United States in 1853, he took 
up his residence in New York, and, having mar- 
ried the daughter of Jonathan Sturges, one of the 
original incorporators and promoters of the Illi- 
nois Central Railroad, he soon after became asso- 
ciated with that enterprise. In August, 1854, he 
was chosen a Director of the Company, and, on 
Dec. 1, 1855, became its third President, serving 
in the latter position nearly ten years (until July 
11, 1865), and, as a Director, until 1877 — in all, 
twenty-two years. After retiring from his con- 
nection with the Illinois Central Railroad, Mr. 
Osborn gave his attention largely to enterprises 
of an educational and benevolent character in aid 
of the unfortunate classes in the State of New 
York. 

OSBORN, Thomas 0., soldier and diplomatist, 
was born in Licking County, Ohio, August 11, 
1832; graduated from the Ohio University at 
Athens, in 1854; studied law at Crawfordsville, 
Ind., with Gen. Lew Wallace, was admitted to 
the bar and began practice in Chicago. Early in 
the war for the Union he joined the "Yates 
Phalanx," which, after some delay on account of 
the quota being full, was mustered into the serv- 
ice, in August, 18G1, as the Thirty-ninth Illinois 
Volunteers, the subject of this sketch being com- 
missioned its Lieutenant-Colonel. His promotion 
to the colonelcy soon followed, the regiment 
being sent east to guard the Baltimore & Ohio 
Railroad, where it met the celebrated Stonewall 
Jackson, and took part in many imijortant en- 
gagements, including the battles of Winchester, 
Bermuda Hundreds, and Drury's Bluff, besides 
the sieges of Charleston and Petersburg. At 
Bermuda Hundreds Colonel Osborn was severely 



niSTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



411 



wounded, losing the use of his riglit .arm. He 
bore a conspicuous part in the operations about 
Ricluuond which resulted in the cajrture of the 
reliel capital, his services being recognized by 
promotion to the brevet rank of Major-General. 
At the close of the war he returned to the prac- 
tice of law in Chicago, but, in 1874, was appointed 
Consul-General and ]\Iinister-Resident to the 
Argentine Republic, remaining in that position 
until June, 1885, when he resigned, resuming his 
residence in Chicago. 

OSWECJO, a village in Kendall County, on the 
Aurora and Streator branch of the Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Quincy Railway, 6 miles south of 
Aurora. Population (1890), 641; (1000). 618. 

OTT.IWA, the county-seat and principal city 
of La Salle County, being incorporated as a vil- 
lage in 1838, and, as a city, in 1853. It is located 
at the confluence of the Illinois and Fox Rivers 
and on the Illinois & Michigan Canal. It is the 
intersecting point of the Chicago, Rock Island & 
Pacific Railway and the Streator branch of the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, 98 miles east of 
Rock Island and 83 miles west-southwest of Chi- 
cago. The surrounding region abounds in coal. 
Sand of a superior qualitj' for the manufacture of 
glass is found in the vicinity and the place has 
extensive glass works. Other manufactured 
products are brick, drain-tile, sewer-pipe, tile- 
roofing, pottery, pianos, organs, cigars, wagons 
and carriages, agricultural implements, hay 
carriers, hay presses, sash, doors, blinds, cabinet 
work, saddlery and harness and pumps. The city 
has some handsome public buildings including 
the Appellate (formerly Supreme) Court House 
for the Northern Division. It also has several 
public parks, one of which (South Park) contains 
a medicinal spring. There are a dozen cliurclies 
and numerous public school buildings, including 
a higli .school. Tlie city is lighted by gas and 
electricity, lias electric street railways, good 
sewerage, and water-works supplied from over 
150 artesian wells and numerous natural springs. 
It has one private and two national banks, five 
libraries, and eight weekly newspapers (three 
German), of wind) four issue daily editions. Pop. 
(18!10), !),9,S5; (1900), 10,588. 

OTT.VWA, CHICAGO & FOX RIVER VALLEY 
RAILROAD. (See Clticago, Burlington &■ Quincy 
Railroad.) 

OUTAGAMIES, a name given, by the French, 
to the Indian tribe known as the Foxes. (See 
Sacs and Fo.ces.) 

OWEX, Thomas J. V., early legislator and 
Indian Agent, was born in Kentucky, April 5, 



1801 ; came to Illinois at an early day, and, in 
1830, was elected to the Seventh General Assem- 
bly from Randolpli Count}'; the following j'ear 
was appointed Indian Agent at Chicago, as suc- 
cessor to Dr. Alexander AVolcott, who had died in 
the latter part of 1830. Mr. Owen served as 
Indian Agent until 1833; was a member of the 
first Board of Town Trustees of the village of Chi- 
cago, Commissioner of School Lands, and one of 
the Government Commissioners who conducted 
the treaty with the Pottawatomie and other 
tribes of Indians at Chicago, in September, 1833. 
Died, in Chicago, Oct. 15, 1835. 

P.4DD0CK, Gains, pioneer, a native of Massa- 
chu.setts, was born in 1758; at the age of 17 he 
entered the Colonial Army, serving until the 
close of the Revolutionary War, and being in 
Washington's command at the crossing of the 
Delaware. After the war he removed to Ver- 
mont; but, in 1815, went to Cincinnati, and, a 
year later, to St. Charles, Mo. Then, after hav- 
ing .spent about a year at St. Louis, in 1818 he 
located in Madison County, 111., at a point after- 
wards known as "Paddock's Grove," and which 
became one of the most prosperous agricultural 
sections of Southern Illinois. Died, in 1831. 

PAIXE, (Gen.) Eleazer A., soldier, was born in 
Parkman, Geauga County, Ohio, Sept. 10, 1815; 
graduated at West Point IMilitary Academy, in 
1839, and was assigned to the First Infantry, 
serving in the Florida War (1839-40), but resigned, 
Oct. 11, 1840. He then studied law and practiced 
at Painesville, Ohio, (1843-48), and at Monmouth, 
111., (184S-G1), meanwhile serving in the lower 
branch of the Eighteenth General Assembly 
(1852-53). Before leaving Ohio, he had been 
Deputy United States IMarshal and Lieutenant- 
Colonel of the State Jlilitia, and, in Illinois, 
became Brigadier-General of Militia (1845-48). 
He was appointed Colonel of the Ninth Illinois in 
April, 1861, and served through the war, being 
jiromoted Brigadier-General in Septeml)er, 1861. 
The first duty performed by his regiment, after 
tliis date, was the occupation of Paducah, Ky., 
wliere he was in command. Later, it took part 
in the cajiture of Forts Henry and Donelson, 
the battles of Sliiloh, New Madrid and Corintli, 
and also in the various engagements i:i ITorthem 
Georgia and in tlie "inarcli to t'.io sc>a." From 
November, 186'3, to May, 1834, General Paine was 
guarding railroad lines i;i Ccntrul Tennessee, 
and, during a part of 1SC4, in command of the 
Western District of Kentucky. Ha resigned, 
April 5, 1865, and died in Jersey City, Dec. 10. 



412 



IIISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



1882. A sturdy Union man, ]ie performed his 
duty as a soldier with great zeal and efficiency. 

PAL.4TIXE, a village of Cook County, on the 
Wisconsin Division of the Chicago & Northwest- 
ern Railroad, 2G miles northwest from Chicago.. 
There are flour and jjlaning mills here; dairying 
and farming are leading industries of the sur- 
rounding country. Population (1880), 731; (1890), 
891: (IfioO). 1.020. 

PALESTINE, a town in Crawford County, about 
3 miles from the Wabash River, 7 miles east of 
Robinson, and 3.') miles southwest of Terre Haute, 
on the Illinois Central Railway ; has five churches, 
a graded school, a bank, weekly newspaper, flour 
mill, cold storage plant, canning factory, garment 
factory, and municipal light and power plant. 
Pop. (1890), 732; (190U), 979. 

PALMER, Frank W., journalist, ex-Congress- 
man and Public Printer, was born at Manchester,. 
Dearborn County, Ind., Oct. 11, 1827; learned the 
printer's trade at Jamestown, X. Y., afterwards 
edited "The Jamestown Journal," and served 
two terms in the New York Legislature; in IS.'iS 
removed to Dubuijue, Iowa, and edited "The 
Dubuque Times." was elected to Congress in 1800, 
and again in 1868 and 1872, meanwhile having 
purchased "The Des Moines Register," which ho 
edited for several years. In 1873 he removed to 
Chicago and became editor of "The Inter Ocean," 
remaining two years; in 1877 was appointed Post- 
master of the city of Chicago, serving eight years. 
Shortly after the accession of President Harrison, 
in 1889, he was appointed Public Printer, continu- 
ing in office until the accession of President Cleve- 
land in 1893, when he returned to newspaper work, 
but resumed his old place at the head of the 
Government Printing Bureau after the inaugura- 
tion of President McKinley in 1897. 

PALMER, John McAuley, lawyer, soldier and 
United States Senator, was V»rn in Scott Count}', 
Ky., Sept. 13, 1817; removed with his father to 
Madison County, 111., in 1831, and. four years 
later, entereil Sliurtleff College, at Upper Alton, 
as a student ; later taught and studied law, being 
admitted to the bar in 1839. In 1843 he was 
elected Probate Judge of Slacoupin Count)', also 
served in the State Constitutional Convention of 
1847; after discharging the duties of Probate and 
County Judge, was elected to the State Senate, to 
fill a vacancy, in 18.)2, and re-elected in 18.")4, as 
an Anti-Nebraska Democrat, casting his vote for 
Lyman TruinbuU for United States Senator in 
185.1, but resigned his seat in 18.56; was President 
of the first Republican State Convention, held at 
Bloomington in the latter year, and appointed a 



delegate to the National Convention at Philadel- 
phia ; was an unsuccessful candidate for Congress 
in IS.W, and chosen a Presidential Elector on the 
Republican ticket in 1860; served as a member of 
the National Peace Conference of 1861 ; entered 
the army as Colonel of the Fourteenth Regiment 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry; was promoted Briga- 
dier General, in November, 1861, taking pai't in 
the campaign in Tennessee up to Chickamauga, 
assuming the command of the Fourteenth Army 
Corps with the rank of Major-General, but was 
relieved at his own request before Atlanta. In 
186.'5 he was assigned, by President Lincoln, to 
command of the Military Department of Ken- 
tuck}-, but, in September, 1866, retired from the 
service, and, in 1867, became a citizen of Spring- 
field. The following year he was elected Gov- 
ernor, as a Republican, but, in 1872, supported 
Horace Greeley for President, and has since co-' 
operated with the Democratic party. He was 
three times the unsuccessful candidate of his 
party for L'nited States Senator, and was their 
nominee for Governor in 1888. but defeated. In 
1890 he was nominated for United States Senator 
by the Democratic State Convention and elected 
in joint session of the Legislature. Marc^h 11, 1891, 
receiving on the 154th ballot 101 Democratic and 
two Farmers' Mutual Alliance votes. He became 
an important factor in the campaign of 1896 as 
candidate of the "Sound Money" Democracy for 
President, although receiving no electoral votes, 
proving his devotion to principle. His last j-ears 
were occupied in preparation of a volume of 
personal recollections, wh.ich was completed, 
under the title of "The Story of an Earnest Life." 
a few weeks before his death, which occurred at 
ids home in Springfield, September 25, 1900. 

PALMER, Potter, merchant and capitalist, 
was born in Albany County, N. Y., in 1825; 
received an English education and became a 
junior clerk in a country store at Durham, 
Greene County, in that State, three years later 
being placed in charge of the business, and finally 
engaging in business on his own account. Com- 
ing to Cliieago in 1852, he embarked in the dry- 
goods business on Lake Street, establishing the 
house which afterwards became Field, Leiter & 
Co. (now Marshall Field tfc Co.), from which here- 
tired, in 1865, with the basis of an ample fortune, 
which has since been immensely increased by 
fortunate operations in real estate. Mr. Palmer 
was Second Vice-President of the first Board of 
Local Directors of the World's Columbian Expo- 
sition in 1S91.— Mrs. Bertha M. Hoiiore (Palmen, 
wife of the preceding, is the daughter of H. II. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



413 



Honore, formerly a prominent real-estate owner 
and operator of Chicago. She is a native of 
Louisville, Ky., where her girlhood was chiefly 
spent, though she was educated at a convent near 
Baltimore, Md. Later she came with her family 
to Chicago, and, in 1870, was married to Potter 
Palmer. Mrs. Palmer has been a recognized 
leader in many social and benevolent movements, 
btit won the highest praise by her ability and 
administrative skill, exhibited as President of the 
Board of Lady Managers of the World's Colum- 
bian Exposition of 1893. 

PALMYRA, a village of Macoupin County, on 
the Springfield Division of the St. Louis, Chicago 
& St. Paul Railway, 33 miles southwest from 
Springfield ; has some local manufactories, a bank 
and a newspaper. Population (1900), 813. 

PANA, an important railway center and prin- 
cipal city of Christian County, situated in the 
southeastern part of the County, and at the inter- 
secting point of the Baltimore & Ohio Southwest- 
ern, the Illinois Central and the Cleveland, 
Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railroads, 35 
miles south by west from Decatur, and 42 miles 
southeast of Springfield. It is an important ship- 
ping-point for grain and has two elevators. Its 
mechanical establishments include two flouring 
mills, a foundry, two machine shops and two 
planing mills. The surrounding region is rich in 
coal, which is extensively mined. Pana has 
banks, several churches, graded schools, and 
three papers issuing daily and weekly editions. 
Population (1890). .1.077; (1900), 5.530. 

PANA, SPRINGFIELD & NORTHWESTERN 
RAILROAD. (See Baltiinvre & Ohio South- 
western Railroad.) 

PARIS, a handsome and flourishing city, the 
countj'-seat of Edgar County. It is an important 
railway center, situated on the "Big Four" and 
the Vandalia Line, 160 miles south of Chicago, 
and 170 miles east-northeast of St. Louis; is in 
the heart of a wealthy and populous agricultural 
region, and has a prosperous trade. Its industries 
include foundries, three elevators, flour, saw and 
planing mills, glass, broom, and corn product 
factories. The city has three banks, three daily 
and four weekly newspapers, a court liouse, ten 
churches, and graded schools. Pop. (1890), 4,996; 
(1900). 6,10.5. 

PARIS & DECATUR RAILROAD. (See Terre 
Haute & Peoria Railroad.) 

PARIS & TERRE HAUTE RAILROAD. (See 
Terre Haute & Peoria Railroad.) 

VXUKS, (jiavion D. A., lawyer, was born at 
Bristol, Ontario County, N. Y., Sept. 17, 1817; 



went to New York City in 1838, where he com- 
pleted his legal studies and was admitted to the 
bar, removing to Lockport, 111., in 1843. Here 
he successively edited a paper, served as Jlaster 
in Chancery and in an engineering corps on the 
Illinois & Michigan Canal ; was elected County 
Judge in 1849, removed to Joliet, and, for a time, 
acted as an attorney of the Chicago & Rock 
Island, the Michigan Central and the Chicago 
& Alton Railroads; was also a Trustee of the 
Institution for the Deaf and Dumb at Jackson- 
ville ; was elected Representative in 1853, became 
a Republican and served on the first Republican 
State Central Committee (1856); the same year 
was elected to the State Senate, and was a 
Commissioner of the State Penitentiary in 1864. 
In 1872 Mr. Parks joined in the Liberal-Repub- 
lican movement, was defeated for Congress, and 
afterwards acted with the Democratic party. 
Died, Dec. 28, 1895. 

PARKS, Lawson A., journalist, was born at 
Mecklenburg, N. C, April 15, 1813; learned the 
printing trade at Charlotte, in that State ; came 
to St. Louis in 1833, and, in 1836, assisted in estab- 
lishing "The Alton Telegraph," but sold his 
interest a few years later. Then, having offi- 
ciated as pastor of Presbyterian churches for some 
j'ears, in 1854 he again became associated with 
"The Telegraph," acting as its editor. Died at 
Alton, March 31. 1875. 

PARK RIDGE, a suburban village on the "Wis- 
consin Division of the Chicago & Northwestern 
Railroad, 13 miles northwest of Chicago. Popu- 
lation (1880), 4.57; (1890), 987; (1900), 1,340. 

PARTRIDGE, Charles Addison, journalist and 
' Assistant Adjutant-General of the Grand Armj^ 
of the Republic, was born in Westford, Chittenden 
County, Vt., Dec. 8, 1843; came with his parents 
to Lake County, 111., in 1844, and spent his boy- 
hood on a farm, receiving his education in the 
district school, with four terms in a high school 
at Burlington, Wis. At 16 he taught a winter 
district scliool near his boyhood home, and at 18 
enlisted in what became Company C of the 
Ninety-.sixtli Regiment Illinois Volunteers, being 
mustered into the service as Eighth Corporal at 
Rockford. His regiment becoming attached to 
tlie Army of the Cumberland, he participated 
with it in the battles of Chickamauga and the 
Atlanta campaign, as well as those of Franklin 
and Nashville, and has taken a just jn-ide in the 
fact that he never fell out on the march, took 
medicine from a doctor or was absent from his 
regiment during its term of service, e.vccpt for 
four mouths while recovering from .a gunshot 



414 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



wound received ax Chickamauga. He was pro- 
moted successively to Sergeant, Sergeant-Major, 
and commissioned Second Lieutenant of his old 
company, of which his father was First Lieuten- 
ant for six months and until forced to resign on 
account of impaired health. Receiving his final 
discharge, June 28, ISCS, he returned to the farm, 
where lie remained until 1869, in the meantime 
being married to Miss Jennie E. Earle, in 1866, 
and teaching school one winter. In 1869 he was 
elected County Treasurer of Lake County on the 
Republican ticket, and re-elected in 1871; in 
January of tlie latter year, purchased an interest 
in "The Waukegan Gazette," with which he 
remained associated some fifteen years, at first as 
the partner of Rev. A. K. Fox, and later of his 
younger brother, H. E. Partridge. In 1877 he 
was appointed, by President Hayes, Postmaster 
at Waukegan, serving four years; in 1886 was 
elected to the Legislature, serving (by successive 
elections) as Representative in the Thirty-fifth, 
Thirty-sixth and Thirty-seventh General Assem- 
blies, being frequently called upon to occupy the 
Speaker's chair, and, especially during the long 
Senatorial contest of 1891, being recognized as a 
leader of the Republican minority. In 1888 he 
was called to the service of the Republican State 
Central Committee (of which he had previously 
been a member), as assistant to the veteran Secre- 
tary, the late Daniel Shepard, remaining until 
the death of his chief, when he succeeded to the 
secretaryship. During the Presidential campaign 
of 1893 he was associated with the late "William 
J. Campbell, then the Illinois member of tlie 
Republican National Committee, and was en- 
trusted by him with many important and confi- 
dential missions. Without solicitation on his 
part, in 1894 he was again called to assume the 
secretaryship of the Republican State Central 
Committee, and bore a conspicuous and influ- 
ential part in winning the brilliant success 
achieved by the party in the campaign of that 
year. From 1893 t(j 189.'j he served as Mayor of 
Waukegan; in 1896 became Assistant Adjutant- 
General of tlio Grand Army of the Republic for 
the Department of Illinois— a position which he 
held in 1889 under Commander James S. Martin, 
and to which he has been re-appointed by succes- 
sive Department Commanders up to the present 
time. Sir. Partridge's service in the various 
public positions held by him, has given him an 
accjuaintance extending to every county in the 
State. 

PATOKA, a village of Marion County, on the 
Western branch of the Illinois Central Railway, 



15 miles south of Vandalia. There are flour and 
saw mills here; the surrounding country is agri- 
cultural. Population (1890), 502; (1900), 640. 
PATTERSON, Robert Wilson, D.D., LL.D., 

clergyman, was born in Blount County, Tenn., 
Jan. 31, 1814; came to Bond County, III, with 
his parents in 1822, his father dying two years 
later; at 18 had had only nine months' schooling, 
but graduated at Illinois College in 1837 ; spent a 
year at Lane Theological Seminary, another as 
tutor in Illinois College, and then, after two years 
more at Lane Seminary and preacliing in Chicago 
and at Monroe, Mich., in 1842 established the 
Second Presb3'terian Church of Chicago, of which 
he remained the pastor over thirty years. In 
18i50 he received a call to the chair of Didactic 
Theology at Lane Seminary, as successor to Dr. 
Lyman Beeclier, but it was declined, as was a 
similar call ten years later. Resigning his pastor- 
shi}) in 1873, lie was. for several years. Professor of 
Christian Evidences and Ethics in the Theological 
Seminary of the Northwest ; in 1876-78 served as 
President of Lake Forest University (of which he 
was one of the founders), and, in 1880-83, as 
lecturer in Lane Theological Seminary. He 
received the degree of D.D. from Hamilton Col- 
lege, N. Y., in 18.54, that of LL.D. from Lake 
Forest University, and was Moderator of the 
Presbyterian General Assembly (N. S. )at Wil- 
mington, Del., in 1859. Died, at Evanston, III., 
Feb. 24, 1894. 

PAVEY, Charles W., soldier and ex-State 
Auditor, was born in Highland County, Ohio, 
Nov. 8, 1835; removed to Illinois in 1859, settling 
in the vicinity of Mount Vernon, and, for a time, 
followed the occupation of a farmer and stock- 
raiser. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the Eighti- 
eth Illinois Volunteers for the Civil War, and 
became First Lieutenant of Company E. He was 
severely wounded at the battle of Sand Jlountain^ 
and, having been captiu-ed, was confined in Libby 
Prison, at Salisbury, N. C, and at Danville, 
Va., for a period of nearly twro years, enduring 
great hardship and suffering. Having been 
exchanged, he served to the close of the war as 
Assistant Inspector-General on the Staff of Gen- 
eral Rousseau, in Tennessee. He was a delegate 
to the Republican National Convention of 1880, 
which nominated General Garfield for the Presi- 
dency, and was one of the famous "306" wlio 
stood by General Grant in that struggle. In 1883 
he was appointed by President Arthur Collector 
of Internal Revenue for the Southern District, 
and, in 1888, was nominated and elected State 
Auditor on the Republican ticket, but was de- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOrEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



415 



feateJ for re-election in the "land-slide" of 1892. 
General Pavey has been prominent in "G. A. R." 
councils, and held the position of Junior Vice- 
Commander for the Department of Illinois in 

1878, and that of Senior Vice-Commander in 

1879. He also served as Brigadier-General of the 
National Guard, for Southern Illinois, during the 
railroad strike of 18T7. In ISOT he received from 
President McKinley the appointment of Special 
Agent of the Treasury Department. His home 
is at Jlount Vernon, JelTersou County. 

PAWNEE, a village of Sangamon County, at 
the eastern terminus of the Auburn & Pawnee 
Railroad, 19 miles south of Springfield. The town 
has a bank and a weekly paper. Population (1900), 
595; (1903, est.), 1,000. 

PAWNEE RAILROAD, a short line in Sanga- 
mon County, extending from Pawnee to Auburn 
(9 miles), where it forms a junction with the 
Chicago & Alton Railroad. The company was 
organized and procured a charter in December, 
1888, and the road completed the following year. 
The cost was ?101,774. Capital stock authorized, 
.$100,000; funded debt (1895), §50,000. 

PAW PAW. a village of Lee County, at the 
junction of two branches of the Chicago, Bur- 
lington it Quincy Railway, 8 miles northwest of 
Earlville. The town is in a farming region, but 
has a bank and one weekly paper. Population 
(1890), 635; (1900), 765. 

PAXTON, the county-seat of Ford County, is 
situated at the intersection of the Chicago Divi- 
sion of the Illinois Central and the Lake Erie & 
Western Railroads, 103 miles south by west from 
Chicago, and 49 miles east of Bloomington. It 
contains a court house, two schools, water-works, 
electric light and water-heating sj-stem, two 
banks, nine churches, and one daily newspaper. 
It is an important shipping-point for the farm 
products of the surrounding territoiy, which is a 
rich agricultural region. Besides brick and tile 
works and flour mills, factories for the manu- 
facture of carriages, buggies, hardware, cigars, 
brooms, and plows are located here. Pop. (1890), 
3,187; (1900), 3.036. 

PAYSON, a village in Adams County, 15 miles 
southeast of Quincy ; the neare.st I'ailroad station 
being Fall Creek, on the Quincy and Louisiana 
Division of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
Railway; has one newspaper. Population (1900), 
465. 

PATSON, Lewis E., lawyer and ex-Congress- 
man, was born at Providence, R. I., Sept. 17, 
1840; came to Illinois at the age of 12. and, after 
passing through the common schools, attended 



Lombard University, at Galesburg, for two years. 
He was admitted to the bar at Ottawa in 1862, 
and, in 1865, took up his residence at Pontiac. 
From 1869 to 1873 he was Judge of the Livingston 
County Court, and, from 1881 to 1891, represented 
his District in Congress, being elected as a 
Republican, but, in 1890, was defeated by his 
Democratic opponent, Herman \V. Snow. Since 
retiring from Congress he has practiced his pro- 
fession in Washington, D. C. 

PEABOBY, Selini Hobart, educator, was born 
in Rockingham County, Vt., August 20, 1829; 
after reaching 13 years of age, spent a year in a 
Boston Latin School, then engaged in various 
occupations, including teaching, until 1848, when 
he entered the University of Vermont, graduat- 
ing third in his class in 1852; was appointed Pro- 
fessor of Mathematics and Engineering in the 
Polytechnic College at Philadelphia, in 18.54, 
remaining three years, when he spent five years 
in Wisconsin, the last three as Superintendent of 
Schools at Racine. From 1865 to 1871 he was 
teacher of physical science in Chicago High 
School, also conducting night schools for work- 
ing men ; in 1871 became Professor of Physics and 
Engineering in Massachusetts Agricultural Col- 
lege, but returned to the Chicago High School in 
1874 ; in 1876 took charge of the Chicago Acad- 
emy of Sciences, and, in 1878, entered the Illinois 
Industrial University (now University of Illinois), 
at Champaign, first as Professor of Mechanical 
Engineering, in 1880 becoming President, but 
resigning in 1891. During the World's Colum- 
bian Exposition at Chicago, Professor Peabody 
was Chief of the Department of Liberal Arts, 
and, on the expiration of his service there, 
assumed the position of Curator of the newly 
organized Chicago Academy of Sciences, from 
which he retii'ed some two years later. 

PEARL, a village of Pike County, on the Kan- 
sas City branch of the Chicago & Alton Railroad, 
14 miles west of Roodhouse. Population (1890), 
928; (HlOO), 722. 

PEARSON, Isaac N., ex-Secretary of State, was 
born at Centreville, Pa., July 27, 1842; removed 
to Macomb, McDonough County, 111., in 1858, and 
has ever since resided there. In 1872 he was 
elected Clerk of the Circuit Court, and re-elected 
in 1876. Later he engaged in real-estate and 
banking business. He was a member of the lower 
house in the Thirty-third, and of the Senate in 
the Thirty-fifth, General Assembly, but before the 
expiration of his term in the latter, was elected 
Secretary of State, on the Republican ticket, in 
1888. In 1892 he was a candidate for re-election. 



41G 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



but was defeated, although, next to Governor 
Fifer, he received the largest vote cast for any 
candidate for a political ofHce on the Republican 
State ticket. 

PEARSOX, John M., ex-Raihvay and Ware- 
house Commissioner, bom at Newburyport, 
Mass., in 1S32— the son of a ship-carpenter; was 
educated in his native State and came to Illinois 
in 1S49, locating at the city of Alton, where he 
was afterwards engaged in the manufacture of 
agricultural implements. In 1873 he was ap- 
pointed a member of the first Railway and Ware- 
house Commission, serving four years; in 1878 
was elected Representative in the Thirty-first 
General Assembly from Madison County, and 
was re-elected, successively, in 1880 and "82. He 
was appointed a member of the first Board of 
Live-Stock Commissioners in ISS.j, serving until 
1893, for a considerable portion of the time as 
President of the Board. 5Ir. Pearson is a life- 
long Republican and prominent member of the 
Masonic fraternity. His present home is at 
Godfrey. 

PEARSONS, Daniel K., M.D., real-estate oper- 
ator and capitalist, was born at Bradfordton, Vt., 
April 14, 1820; began teaching at IG years of age, 
and, at 21, entered Dartmouth College, taking a 
two years' course. He tlien studied medicine, 
and, after practicing a sliort time in his native 
State, removed to Chicopee, Mass., where he 
remained from 1843 to 1857. The latter year he 
came to Ogle County, 111., and began operating 
in real estate, finally adding to this a loan busi- 
ness for Eastern parties, but discontinued this 
line in 1877. He owns extensive tracts of timber 
lands in Michigan, is a Director in the Chicago 
City Railway Company and American Exchange 
Bank, besides being interested in other financial 
institutions. He lias been one of the most liberal 
supporters of the Chicago Historical Society, and 
a princely contributor to various benevolent and 
educational institutions, his gifts to colleges, in 
different parts of the country, aggregating over a 
million dollars. 

PECATOMCA, a town in Pecatonica Township, 
Winnebago County, on the Pecatonica River. It 
is on the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, mid- 
way bevveen Freeport and Rockford, being 14 
miles from eacli. It contains a carriage factory, 
machine shop, condensed milk factory, a bank, 
six clmrches, a graded school, and a weekly news- 
paper. Pop. (18!I0), 1,059; (1900), 1,045. 

PECATOMCA RIVER, a stream formed by the 
continence of two branches, both of which rise 
in Iowa County, Wis. They unite a little north 



of the Illinois State line, whence the river runs 
southeast to Freeport. then east and northeast, 
until it enters Rock River at Rockton. From the 
headwaters of either branch to the mouth of the 
river is about 50 miles. 

PECK, Ebenezer, early lawyer, was born in 
Portland, Maine, May 22, 1805; received an aca- 
demical education, studied law and was admitted 
to the bar in Canada in 1827. He was twice 
elected to the Provincial Parliament and made 
King's Counsel in 1833; came to Illinois in 1835, 
settling in Chicago; served in the State Senate 
(1838-40), and in the Hou.se (1840-43 and 1858-60); 
was also Clerk of the Supreme Court (1841-45), 
Reporter of Supreme Court decisions (1849-63), 
and member of the Constitutional Convention of 
1869 70. ilr. Peck was an intimate personal 
friend of Abraham Lincoln, by whom he was 
appointed a member of the Couit of Claims, at 
Washington, serving until 1875. Died, May 25, 
1881. 

PECK, Ferdinand Wythe, lawj'er and finan- 
cier, was born in Chicago, July 15, 1848 — the son 
of Philip F. W. Peck, a pioneer and early mer- 
chant of the metropolis of Illinois; was educated 
in the iiublic schools, the Chicago University 
and Union College of Law, graduating from 
both of the last named institutions, and being 
admitted to the bar in 1809. For a time he 
engaged in jjractice, but his father having died in 
1871, the responsibility of caring for a large 
estate devolved upon him and has since occupied 
his time, though he has given much attention to 
the amelioration of the condition of the poor of 
his native city, and works of practical benevo- 
lence and public interest. He is one of tlie 
founders of the Illinois Humane Society, lias been 
President and a member of the Board of Control 
of the Cliicago Athenreum, member of the Board 
of Education, President of the Chicago Union 
League, and was an influential factor in securing 
the success of the World's Columbian Exposition 
at Chicago, in 1893, serving as First 'V'ice-Presi- 
dent of the Chicago Board of Directors, Chair- 
man of the Finance Committee, and member of 
the Board of Reference and Control. Of late 
j-ears, Mr. Peck has been connected with Re\eral 
important building enterprises of a senii-public 
character, whicli have added to the reputation of 
Chicago, including the Auditorium, Stock Ex- 
change Building and others in wliich he is a 
leading stockholder, and in tlie erection of wliich 
he has been a chief promoter. In 1898 he was 
appointed, by Pre.sident McKinley, the United 
States Commissioner to the International Expo- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



417 



sition at Paris of 1900, as successor to tlio late 
Maj. M. P. Handy, and the success which lias 
followed his discharge of the duties of that 
position, has demonstrated the fitness of his 
selection. 

PECK, (ieor^e R., railway attorney, born in 
Steuben County, N. Y., in 1843; was early taken 
to Wisconsin, where he assisted in clearing his 
father's farm; at 16 became a country school- 
teacher to aid in freeing the same farm from 
debt ; enlisted at 19 in the First Wisconsin Heavy 
Artiller)-, later becoming a Captain in the Thirty- 
first Wisconsin Infantry, with which he joined in 
"Sherman's March to the Sea." Returning home 
at the close of the war, he began the study of 
law at Janesville, spending six years there as a 
student. Clerk of the Circuit Court and in prac- 
tice. From there he went to Kansas and, between 
1871 and '74, practiced liis profession at Independ- 
ence, when he was appointed by President Grant 
United States District Attorney for the Kansas 
District, but resigned this position, in 1879, to 
return to general practice. In 1881 he became 
General Solicitor of the Atchison, Topeka & 
Santa Fe Railroad, removing to Chicago in 
1893. In 189.5 he resigned his position with the 
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad to accept 
a similar position with the Chicago, Milwaukee 
& St. Paul Railway Company, which (1898) he 
still holds. Mr. Peck is recognized as one of the 
most gifted orators in the West, and, in 1897, was 
chosen to deliver the principal address at the un- 
veiling of the Logan equestrian statue in Lake 
Front Park, Chicago ; has also officiated as orator 
on a number of other important public occasions, 
alwaj's acquitting himself with distinction. 

PECK, John Mason, D.D., clergyman and edu- 
cator, was born in Litchfield, Conn., Oct. 31, 1789; 
removed to Greene County, N. Y., in 1811, where 
he united with the Baptist Church, the same 
year entering on pastoral work, while prosecuting 
his studies and supporting himself by teaching. 
In 1814 he became pastor of a cliurch at Amenia, 
N. Y., and, in 1817, was sent west as a mission- 
ary, arriving in St. Louis in the latter part of the 
same year. During the next nine years ho trav- 
eled extensively througli Missouri and Illinois, as 
an itinerant preacher and teacher, finally locating 
at Rock Spring, St. Clair County, where, in 1826, 
he established the Rock Spring Seminary for the 
education of teachers and ministers. Out of this 
grew Shurtleff College, founded at Upper Alton 
in 183r), in .securing the endowment of which Dr. 
Peck traveled many thousands of miles and col- 
lected §20,000, and of which he served as Trustee 



for many years. L^p to 1843 he devoted much 
time to aiding in the establishment of a theolog- 
ical institution at Covington, Ky. , and, for two 
years following, was Corresponding Secretary and 
Financial Agent of the American Baptist Publi- 
cation Society, with headquarters in Philadelphia. 
Returning to the AVcst, he served as 'pastor of sev- 
eral important churches in Jlissouri. Illinois and 
Kentucky. A man of indomitable will, unflag- 
ging industry and thoroughly upright in conduct, 
for a period of a quarter of a century, in the early 
history of the State, probably no man exerted a 
larger influence for good and the advancement 
of the cause of education, among the pioneer citi- 
zens of all classes, than Dr. Peck. Thou.i;h giving 
his attention so constantly to preaching and 
teaching, he found time to write much, not only 
for the various publications with which he was, 
from time to time, connected, but also for other 
periodicals, besides publishing "A Guide for Emi- 
grants" (1831), of which a new edition appeared 
in 1836, and a "Gazetteer of Illinois" (Jackson- 
ville, 1834, and Boston, 1837), which continue to 
be valued for the information they contain of the 
condition of the country at that time. He w.ns 
an industrious collector of historical records in 
the form of newspapers and pamphlets, which 
were unfortunately destroyed by fire a few years 
before his death. In 18.')2 he received the degree 
of D.D. from Harvard University. Died, at Rock 
Spring, St. Clair County, March 15, 1858. 

PECK, Philip F. W., pioneer merchant, was 
born in Providence, R. I., in 1809, the son of a 
wholesale merchant who had lost his fortune by 
indorsing for a friend. After some years spent 
in a mercantile house in New York, he came to 
Chicago on a prospecting tour, in 1830; the fol- 
lowing year brought a stock of goods to the 
embryo emporimii of the Northwest — then a small 
backwoods hamlet — and, by trade and fortunate 
investments in real estate, laid the foundation of 
what afterwards became a large fortune. He 
died, Oct. 23, 1871, as the result of an accident 
occurring about the time of the great fire of two 
weeks previous, from which he was a heavy 
sufferer pecuniarily. Three of'liis sons, Walter L., 
Clarence I. and Fenlinand W. Peck, are among 
Chicago's most substantial citizens. 

PEKI\, a flomishing city, the coanty-seat of 
Tazewell County, and an important railway cen- 
ter, located on the Illinois River, 10 miles south 
of Peoria and 56 miles north of Springfield. 
Agriculture and coalmining are the chief occu- 
pations in the surrounding coiuitry, but the city 
itself is an important grain market with large 



418 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



general shipping interests. It lias several dis- 
tilleries, besides grain elevators, malt-houses, 
brick and tile works, lumber yards, planing mills, 
marble works, plow and wagon works, and a 
factory for corn products. Its banking facilities 
are adequate, and its religious and educational 
advantages are excellent. The city has a public 
library, park, steam-heating plant, three daily 
and four weekly papers. Pop. (1890), 6,347; (1900), 
8,420. 

PEKIN, LINCOLN & DECATUR RAILROAD. 
(See Peoria. Decatur <£- Evanxrille jRaHirai/.) 

PELL, Oilbert T., Representative in the Third 
Illinois General Assembly (18212) from Edwards 
County, and an opponent of the resolution for a 
State Convention adopted by the Legislature at 
that session, designed to open the door for the 
admission of slavery. Mr. Pell was a son-in-law 
of Morris Birkbeck, who was one of the leaders 
in opposition to the Convention scheme, and very 
naturally sympathized with his father-in-law. 
He was elected to the Legislature, for a second 
term, in 1828, but subsequently left the State, 
dying elsewhere, when his widow removed to 
Australia. 

PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD. As to oper- 
ations of this corporation in Illinois, see Calumet 
River; Pittsburg. Fort Wayne & Chicago; South 
Chicago & Southern, and Pittsburg, Cincinnati, 
Chicago & St. Louis Railways. The whole num- 
ber of miles owned, leased and operated by the 
Pennsylvania System, in 1898, was 1,987.21, of 
which only 61.34 miles were in Illinois. It owns, 
however, a controlling interest in the stock of 
the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway (vphich 
see). 

PEORIA, the second largest city of the State 
and the county-seat of Peoria County, is IGO miles 
southwest of Chicago, and at the foot of an expan- 
sion of the Illinois River known as Peoria Lake. 
The site of the town occupies an elevated plateau, 
having a water frontage of four miles and extend- 
ing back to a bluff, which rises 2.i0 feet above the 
river level and about 120 feet above the highest 
point of the main site. It was settled in 1778 or 
'79, although, as generally believed, the French 
missionaries had a station there in 1711. There 
was certainly a settlement there as early as 172.5, 
when Renault received a grant of lands at Pimi- 
teoui, facing tlie lake then bearing tlie same 
name as the village. From that date until 1812, 
the place was (U)iitinuously occupied as a French 
village, and is said to have been the most impor- 
tant jioint for trading in the Mississippi Valley. 
The original village was situated about a mile and 



a half above the foot of the lake ; but later, the pres- 
ent site was occupied, at first receiving the name 
of "La Ville de Maillet,'' froma French Canadian 
who resided in Peoria, from 17G.5 to 1801 (the time 
of his death), and who commanded a compan3' of 
volunteers in the Revolutionary War. The popu- 
lation of the old town removed to the new site, 
and the present name was given to the place by 
American settlers, from the Peoria Indians, who 
were the occupants of the country when it was 
first discovered, but who had followed their cog- 
nate tribes of the Illinois family to Cahokia and 
Kaskaskia, about a century before American 
occupation of this region. In 1812 the town is 
estimated to have contained about seventy dwell- 
ings, with a population of between 200 and 
300, made up largely of French traders, 
hunters and voyageurs, with a considerable 
admixture of half-breeds and Indians, and a few 
Americans. Among the latter were Thomas 
Forsyth, Indian Agent and confidential adviser 
of Governor Edwards: Michael La Croix, son-in- 
law of Julian Dubuque, founder of the city of 
Dubuque ; Antoine Le Claire, founder of Daven- 
port, and for whom Le Claire, Iowa, is named; 
William Arundel, afterwards Recorder of St. 
Clair County, and Isaac Darnielle, the second law- 
yer in Illinois. — In November, 1812, about half 
the town was burned, by order of Capt. Thomas 
E. Cr.aig, who had been directed, by Governor 
Edwards, to proceed up the river in boats with 
materials to build a fort at Peoria. At the same 
time, the Governor himself was at the head of a 
force marching against Black Partridge's vil- 
lage, which he destroyed. Edwards had no com- 
munication with Craig, who appears to have 
acted solely on his own responsibility. That the 
latter's action was utterly unjustifiable, there can 
now be little doubt. He alleged, bj' way of 
excuse, tliat his boats had been fired upon from 
the shore, at night, by Indians or others, who 
were harbored by the citizens. The testimony 
of the French, however, is to the effect that it 
was an unprovoked and cowardlj' assault, insti- 
gated by wine which the soldiers had stolen from 
the cellars of the inhabitants. The bulk of those 
who remained after the fire were taken by Craig 
to a point below Alton and put ashore. Tliis 
occurred in the beginning of winter, and the 
people, being left in a destitute condition, were 
subjected to great suffering. A Congressional 
investigation followed, and the French, having 
satisfactorily est;iblished the fact that they were 
not liostile, were restored to their ])Ossessions. — In 
1813 a fort, designed for permanent occupancy, 



I 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



419 



was erected and named Fort Clark, in honor of 
Col. George Rogers Clark. It had one (if not 
two) block-hou.ses, with magazines and quarters 
for officers and men. It was finally evacuated in 
1818, and was soon afterwards burned by the 
Indians. Although a trading-post had been 
maintained here, at intervals, after the affair of 
1812, there was no attempt made to rebuild the 
town until 1819, when Americans began to 
arrive. — In 1824 a post of the American Fur Com- 
pany was established here by John Hamlin, the 
companj- having alread}' had, for five years, a 
station at Wesley City, three miles farther down 
the river. Hamlin also traded in pork and other 
products, and was the first to introduce keel- 
boats on the Illinois River. By transferring his 
cargo to lighter draft boats, when necessary, he 
made the trip from Peoria to Chicago entirely by 
water, going from the Des Plaines to Mud Lake, 
and thence to the South Branch of the Chicago 
River, without unloading. In 183-1 the town had 
but seven frame houses and twenty-one log 
cabins. It was incorporated as a town in 1835 
(Rudolphus Rouse being the first President), and, 
as the City of Peoria, ten years later (Wm. Hale 
being the first Slay or). — Peoria is an important 
railway and business center, eleven railroad lines 
concentrating here. It presents many attractive 
features, such as handsome residences, fine views 
of river, bluff and valley scenery, with an elab- 
orate system of parks and drives. An excellent 
school system is liberally supported, and its public 
buildings (national, county and city) are fine and 
costly. Its cliurches are elegant and well 
attended, the leading denominations being 
Methodist Episcopal, Congregational, Presby- 
terian, Baptist, Protestant and Reformed Episco- 
pal, Lutheran, Evangelical and Roman Catholic. 
It is the seat of Bradley Polytechnic Institute, a 
young and flourishing scientilic school affiliated 
with the University of Chicago, and richly en- 
dowed through the munificence of Mrs. Lydia 
Bradley, who devotes her whole estate, of at 
least a million dollars, to this object. Right Rev. 
Jolin L. Spaulding. Bishop of the Roman Catho- 
lic diocese of Peoria, is erecting a handsome and 
costly building for the Spaulding Institute, a 
school for the higher education of young men. — 
At Bartonville, a suburb of Peoria, on an eleva- 
tion commanding a magnificent view of the Illi- 
nois River valley for many miles, the State has 
located an asylum for the incurable insane. It is 
now in process of erection, and is intended to be 
one of the most complete of its kind in the world. 
Peoria lies in a corn and coal region, is noted for 



the number and extent of its distilleries, and, in 
1890, ranked eighth among the grain markets of 
the country. It also has an extensive commerce 
with Chicago, St. Louis and other important 
cities; was credited, by the census of 1890, with 
554 manufacturing establishments, representing 
90 different branches of industry, with a capital 
of $15,072,567 and an estimated annual product of 
§55,504,523. Its leading industries are the manu- 
factm-e of distilled and malt liquors, agricultural 
implements, glucose and machine-shop products. 
Its contributions to the internal revenue of the 
country are second only to those of the New York 
district. Population (1870), 22,849; (1880), 29,259; 
(1890), 41, 024; (1900), 56,100. 

PEORIA COUNTY, originally a part of Fulton 
County, but cut off in 1825. It took its name 
from the Peoria Indians, who occupied that region 
when it was first discovered. As first organized, 
it included the present counties of Jo Daviess and . 
Cook, with many others in the northern part of 
the State. At that time there were less than 
1,500 inhabitants in the entire region; and John 
Hamlin, a Justice of the Peace, on his return 
from Green Bay (whither he had accompanied 
William S. Hamilton, a son of Alexander Hamil- 
ton, with a drove of cattle for the fort there), 
solemnized, at Chicago, the marriage of Alex- 
ander Wolcott, then Indian Agent, with a 
daughter of John Kinzie. The original Peoria 
County has been subdivided into thirtj' counties, 
among them being some of the largest and rich- 
est in the State. The first county officer was 
Norman Hyde, who was elected Judge of the 
Probate Court by the Legislature in January, 
1825. His commission from Governor Coles was 
dated on the eighteenth of that month, but he 
did not qualify until June 4, following, when he 
took the oath of office before John Dixon, Circuit 
Clerk, who founded the cit.y that bears his name. 
Meanwhile, Mr. Hyde had been appointed the 
first Clerk of the County Commissioners" Court, 
and served in that capacity until entering upon 
his duties as Probate Judge. The first election 
of county officers was held, March 7, 1825, at the 
house of William Eads. Nathan Dillon, Joseph 
Smith, and William Holland were chosen Com- 
missioners; Samuel Fulton Sheriff, and William 
Phillips Coroner. The first County Treasurer 
was Aaron llawley, and the first general election 
of officers took place in 1826. The first court 
house was a log cabin, and the first term of 
the Circuit Court began Nov. 14, 1825, John 
York Sawyer sitting on the bench, with John 
Dixon, Clerk; Samuel Fulton, Sheriff; and John 



420 



HISTORICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Twiney, tlie Attorney-General, present. Peoria 
County is, at present, one of the wealthiest and 
most populous counties in the State. Its soil is 
fertile and its manufactures numerous, especially 
at Peoria, the countj'-seat and princijial city 
(which see) . The area of the county is 61.5 square 
miles, and its population (1880), 55,353; (1890). 
70.378; (lOCO), 8«.(i08. 

PEORIA LAKE, an expansion of the Illinois 
River, forming the eastern boundary of Peoria 
County, which it separates from the counties of 
Woodford and Tazewell. It is about 20 miles 
long and 2)4 miles broad at the wide.st part. 

PEORIA, ATLAMA & DECATUR RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Terre Haute dr Peoria Railruad.) 

PEORIA, DECATUR & EVAXSVILLE RAIL- 
WAY. The total length of this line, extending 
from Peoria, 111., to Evansville, Ind., is 330.87 
miles, all owned by the company, of which 273 
miles are in Illinois. It extends from Pekin, 
southeast to Grayville, on the Wabash Rivei" — is 
single track, unballasted, and of standard gauge. 
Between Pekin and Peoria the company uses the 
tracks of the Peoria & Pekin Union Railway, of 
which it is one-fourth owner. Between Hervey 
City and Midland Junction it has trackage privi 
leges over the line owned jointly b3' the Peoria, 
Decatur & Evansville and the Terre Haute & 
Peoria Companies (7.5 miles). Between Slidland 
Junction and Decatur (3.4 miles) the tracks of 
the Illinois Central are used, the two lines having 
terminal facilities at Decatur in common. The 
rails are of fifty-two and sixty-pound steel. — 
(History.) The main line of the Peoria, Decatur 
& Evansville Railway is the result of the consoli- 
dation of several lines built under separate char- 
ters. (1) The Pekin, Lincoln & Decatur Railroad, 
chartered in 1867, built in 1869-71, and operated 
the latter year, was leased to the Toledo, Wabash 
& Western Railway, but sold to representatives 
of the bond-holders, on account of default on 
interest, in 1876, and reorganized as the Pekin, 
Lincoln & Decatur Railway. (2) The Decatur, 
Sullivan & Mattoon Railroad, (projected from 
Decatur to Mattoon), was incorporated in 1871, 
completed from Mattoon to Hervey City, in 1872, 
and, the same year, consolidated with the Chi- 
cago & Great Southern; in January, 1874, the 
Decatur line passed into the hands of a receiver, 
and, in 1877, having been sold under foreclosure, 
was reorganized as the Decatur, JIattoon & South- 
ern Railroad. In 1879 it was placed in the hands 
of trustees, but the Pekin, Lincoln & Decatur 
Railway having acquired a controlling interest 
during the same year, the two lines were con- 



solidated under the name of the Peoria, Decatur 
& Evansville Railway Companj'. (3) Tlie Gray- 
ville & Mattoon Railroad, chartered in 1857, was 
consolidated in \>i~'i with the Mount Vernon & 
Grayville Railroad (projected), the new corpo- 
ration taking the name of the Chicago & Illinois 
Southern (already mentioned). In 1872 the latter 
corporation was consolidated with the Decatur, 
Sullivan & Mattoon Railroad, under the name of 
the Chicago & Illinois Southern Railway. Both 
consolidations, however, were set aside by decree 
of the United States District Court, in 1876, and 
the partially graded road and franchises of the 
Grayville & Mattoon lines sold, under foreclosure, 
to the contractors for the construction ; 20 miles 
of tlie line from Olney to Newton, were completed 
during the month of September of that j'ear, and 
the entire line, from Grayville to Mattoon, in 
1878. In 1880 this line was sold, under decree of 
foreclosure, to the Peoria, Decatur & Evansville 
Railway Company, wliich had already acquired 
the Decatur & Mattoon Division— thus placing 
the entire line, from Peoria to Grayville, in the 
hands of one corporation. A line under the name 
of the Evansville & Peoria Railroad, chartered in 
Indiana in 1880, was consolidated, the same year, 
with the Illinois corporation under the name of 
the latter, and completed from Grayville to 
Evansville in 1882. (4) The Chicago & Ohio 
River Railroad — chartered, in 1809, as the Dan- 
ville, Olney & Ohio River Railroad — was con- 
structed, as a narrow-gauge line, from Kansas to 
West Liberty, in 1878-81; in the latter year was 
changed to standard gauge and completeil. in 
1883, from Sidell to Olney (86 miles). The same 
year it went into the hands of a receiver, was sold 
under foreclosure, in February, 1886, and reorgan- 
ized, in May following, as the Chicago & Ohio 
River Railroad ; was consolidated with the Peoria, 
Decatur & Evansville Railwav, in 1893, and used 
as the Chicago Division of that line. The projierty 
and franchises of the entire line passed into the 
hands of receivers in 1894, and ai'e still (1898) 
under tlieir management. 

PEORIA, PEKIN & JACKSONVILLE RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Chicago, Peoria li- St. Louis Pail- 
road of Illinois.) 

PEORIA & BUREAU VALLEY RAILROAD, a 
sliort line, 46.7 miles in length, operated by the 
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway Com- 
pany, extending from Peoria to Bureau Junction, 
111. It was incorporated, Feb. 12. 1853. com- 
pleted the following year, and leased to the Rock 
Island in perpetuity, April 14, 18.54, the annual 
rental being §125,000. The par value of the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



421 



capital stock is §1,500,000. Annual dividends of 
8 per cent are guaranteed, payable semi-anuu- 
all)'. (See Chicago, Kock Island <t Pacific 
Roilwaij.) 

PEORIA k EASTERN RAILROAD. Of this 
line the Cleveland. Cincinnati. ChicaKo & St. 
Louis Raih-oad Company is the lessee. Its total 
length is 350ji miles, 132 of which lie in Illinois 
— 123 being owned by the Companj'. That por- 
tion within this State extends east from Pekin to 
the Indiana State line, in addition to which the 
Company has trackage facilities over the line of 
the Peoria & Pekiu Union Railway (9 miles) to 
Peoria. The gauge is standard. The track is 
single, laid with sixty and sixty-.seven-pound 
steel rails and ballasted almost wholly with 
gravel. The capital stock is 810,000,000. In 189.5 
it had a bonded debt of §13,603,000 and a floating 
debt of §1,261,130, making a total capitalization 
of §24,864,130.— (History.) The original of this 
corporation was the Danville, Urbana, Blooming- 
ton & Pekin Railroad, which was consolidated, 
in Jul}-, 1869, with the Indianapolis, Crawfords- 
ville & Danville Railroad — the new corporation 
taking the name of the Indianapolis, Blooming- 
ton & Western — and was opened to Pekiu tlie 
same j'ear. In 18T4 it passed into the hands of a 
receiver, was sold under foreclosure in 1879, and 
reorganized as the Indiana, Bloomington & 
Western Railway Company. The next cliange 
occurred in 1881, when it was consolidated with 
an Ohio corporation (tlie Ohio, Indiana & Pacific 
Railroad), again undergoing a slight change of 
name in its reorganization as the Indiana, Bloom- 
ington & Western Railroad Company. In 1886 
it again got into financial straits, was placed in 
charge of a receiver and sold to a reorganization 
committee, and, in January, 1887, took the name 
of the Ohio, Indiana & Western Railway Com- 
pany. The final reorganization, under its present 
name, took place in February, 1890, when it was 
leased to the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & 
St. Louis Railway, by which it is operated. 
(See Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Lauis 
Railway.) 

PEORIA & HANXIBAL RAILROAD. (See 
Chicago, Burlington & Qiiincy Railroad.) 

PEORIA & OqUAWKA RAILROAD. (See 
Chicago, Burlington &• Quincij Railroad.) 

PEORIA & PEKIN UNION RAILWAY. A line 
connecting the cities of Peoria and Pekin, wliich 
are only 8 miles apart. It was chartered in 1880, 
and acquired, by purchase, the tracks of the Peoria, 
Pekin & Jacksonville and the Peoria & Spring- 
field Railroads, between the two cities named in 



its title, giving it control of two lines, which are 
used by nearly all the railroads entering both 
cities from the east side of the Illinois River. The 
mileage, including both divisions, is 18.14 miles, 
second tracks and sidings increasing the total to 
nearl)- 60 miles. The track is of standard gauge, 
about two-thirds being laid with steel rails. The 
total cost of construction was §4,350,987. Its 
total capitalization (1898) was §4,177,763, includ- 
ing §1,000,000 in stock, and a funded debt of 
§2,904,000. The capital stock is held in equal 
amounts (eacli 2,500 shares) by the Wabash, the 
Peoria, Decatur & Evansville, the Cliicago, 
Peoria & St. Louis and the Peoria & Ea.stern com- 
panies, with 1,000 sliares by the Lake Erie & 
Western. Terminal cliarges and annual rentals 
are also paid by the Terre Haute & Peoria and 
the Iowa Central Railways. 

PEORIA & SPRINGFIELD RAILROAD. (See 
Chicago, Peoria & St. Loiti.'i Railroad of Illinois.) 

PEOTONE, a village of Will County, on the 
Illinois Central Railroad, 41 miles south-southwest 
from Cliicago ; has some manufactures, a bank 
and a newspaper. The surrounding country is 
agricultural. Population (1890), 717; (1900), 1,003. 

PERCY, a village of Randolph County, at the 
intersection of the Wabash, Chesapeake & West- 
ern and the Mobile & Ohio Railways. Population 
(1890), 360; (1900), 660. 

PERROT, Nicholas, a French explorer, wno 
visited the valley- of the Fox River (of Wisconsin) 
and the country around the great lakes, at various 
times between 1070 and 1090. He was present, 
as a guide and interpreter, at the celebrated con- 
ference held at Sault Ste. Marie, in 1071, which 
was attended by fifteen Frenchmen and repre- 
sentatives from seventeen Indian tribes, and at 
wliich the Sieur de Lusson took formal possession 
of Lakes Huron and Superior, with the surround- 
ing region and "all the country southward to the 
.sea," in the name of Louis XIV. of France. 
Perrot was the first to discover lead in the West, 
and, for several years, was Commandant in the 
Green Bay district. As a chronicler he was 
intelligent, interesting and accurate. His writ- 
ings were not published until 1864, but have 
always been highly prized as authority. 

PERRY, a town of Pike County; has a bank 
and a newspaper. Pop\il,ation (1880), 770; (1890), 
705; (1900), 042. 

PERRY COUNTY, lies in the southwest quarter 
of tlie State, with an area of 440 sijuare miles and 
a population (1900) of 19,830. It was organized 
as a county in 1827, and named for Cora. Oliver 
H. Perry. The general surface is rolling. 



422 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLIXOIS. 



although flat prairies occupj' a considerable por- 
tion, interspersed with "post-oak flats." Limestone 
is found in the southern, and sandstone in the 
northern, sections, hut the chief mineral wealth 
of the county is coal, which is abundant, and, at 
several points, easil)' mined, some of it being of 
a superior quality. Salt is manufactured, to some 
extent, and the chief agricultural output is 
wheat. PinckneyviUe, the county-seat, has a 
central position and a population of about 1,300. 
Duquoip is the largest city. Beaucoup Creek is 
the principal stream, and the county is crossed 
by several lines of railroad. 

PERU, a city in La Salle County, at the head 
of navigation on the Illinois River, which is here 
spanned by a handsome bridge. It is distant 100 
miles southwest from Chicago, and the same dis- 
tance north-northeast from Springfield. It is 
connected by street cars with La Salle, one mile 
distant, which is the terminus of the Illinois & 
Michigan Canal. It is situated in a rich coal- 
mining region, is an important trade center, and 
has several manufacturing establishments, includ- 
ing zinc smelting works, rolling mills, nickeloid 
factory, metal novelty works, gas engine factory, 
tile works, plow, scale and patent-pump factories, 
foundries and machine shops, flour and saw mills, 
clock factory, etc. Two national banks, with a 
combined capital of 8200,000, are located at Peru, 
and one daily and one weekly paper. Population 
(1870), 3,650; (1880), 4,683; (1890), 5,550; (1900), 
6,863. 

PESOTUM, a village in Champaign County, on 
the Illinois Central Railroad, 5 miles south of 
Tolono. Population (1890), 575. 

PETERSBURG, a city of Menard County, and 
the county-seat, on the Sangamon River, at the 
intersection Chicago & Alton with the Chicago, 
Peoria & St. Louis Railway ; 23 miles northwest 
of Springfield and 28 miles northeast of Jackson- 
ville. The town was surveyed and platted by 
Abraham Lincoln in 1837, and is the seat of the 
"Old Salem" Chautauqua. It has machine shops, 
two banks, two weekly papers and nine churches. 
Tlie manufactures include woolen goods, brick 
and drain-tile, bed-springs, mattresses, and 
canned goods. Pop. (1890), 2,343, (1900), 2,807. 

PETERS, Onslow, lawyer and jurist, was born 
in Massachu.setts, graduated at Brown Univer- 
sity, and was admitted to the bar and practiced 
law in his native State until 1837, when he set- 
tled at Peoria, 111. He served in the Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1847, w-as elected to tlie 
bench of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit in 1853, 
and re-elected in 1855. Died, Feb. 28, 1856. 



PHILLIPS, David L., journalist and politician, 
was born where the town of Marion, Williamson 
County, 111., now stands, Oct. 28, 1823; came to 
St. Clair County in childhood, his father settling 
near Belleville; began teaching at an early age, 
and, when about 18, joined the Baptist Church, 
and, after a brief course with the distinguished 
Dr. Peck, at his Rock Spring Seminary, two years 
later entered the ministry, serving churches in 
Washington and other Southern Illinois counties, 
finally taking charge of a church at Jonesboro. 
Though origiually a Democrat, his advanced 
views on slavery led to a disagreement with his 
church, and he withdrew ; then accepted a posi- 
tion as paymaster in the construction department 
of the Illinois Central Railroad, finally being 
transferred to that of Land Agent for tlie South- 
ern section, in this capacity visiting different 
parts of the State from one end of the main line 
to the other. About 1854 he became associated 
witli the management of "The Jonesboro Ga- 
zette," a Democratic paper, which, during his con- 
nection with it (some two j'ears), he made an 
earnest opponent of the Kansas-Xebraska Bill. 
At the Anti-Nebraska Editorial Convention 
(which see), held at Decatur, Feb. 22, 1856. he 
was appointed a member of their State Central 
Committee, and, as such, joined in the call for tlie 
first Republican State Convention, held at Bloom- 
ington in Maj' following, where he served as 
Vice-President for his District, and was nomi- 
nated for Presidential Elector on the Fremont 
ticket. Two years later (1858) he was the 
unsuccessful Republican candidate for Congress 
in the Southern District, being defeated by John 
A. Logan; was again in the State Convention of 
1860, and a delegate to the National Convention 
which nominated Abraham Lincoln for President 
the first time; was appointed by Mr. Lincoln 
United States Marshal for the Southern District 
in 1801, and reappointed in 1865, but resigned 
after Andrew Johnson's defection in 1866. Dur- 
ing 1802 Jlr. Phillips became jjart jjroprietor of 
"The State Journal" at Springfield, retaining 
this relation until 1878. at intervals performing 
editorial service; also took a prominent part in 
organizing and equipping the One Hundred and 
Ninth Regiment Illinois Volunteers (sometimes 
called the "Phillips Regiment"), and, in 1865, 
was one of the committee of citizens sent to 
escort the remains of President Lincoln to 
Springfield. He joined in the Liberal Republican 
movement at Cincinnati in 1872, but, in 1876, 
was in line with his former party associates, and 
served iu that year as an unsuccessful candidate 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



423 



for Congress, in the Springfield District, iu oppo- 
sition to William M. Springer, earlj- the following 
j'ear receiving the aijpointment of Postmaster 
for the city of SpringtieM from President Hayes. 
Died, at Springfield, June 19, 1880. 

PHILLIPS, (ieorge S., author, was born at 
Peterborougli, England, in Januarj-, ISIG; gradu- 
ated at Cambridge, and came to the United 
States, engaging in journalism. In 1843 he 
returned to England, and, for a time, was editor 
of "The Leeds Times," still later being Principal 
of the People's College at Huddersfield. Return- 
ing to the United States, he came to Cook County, 
and. about 1800-68, was a writer of sketches over 
the nom de plume of "January Searle" for "The 
Chicago Republican" — later was literary editor 
of "The New York Sun" for several j-ears. His 
mind becoming impaired, he was j)laceJ in an 
asj'lum at Trenton, N. J., finally dying at Morris- 
town, N. J., Jan. 14, 1889. Mr. Phillips was the 
author of several volumes, cliiefly sketches of 
travel and biography. 

PHILLIPS, Jesse J., lawyer, soldier and 
jurist, was born in Montgomery County, 111., 
May 22, 1837. Shortly after graduating from the 
Hillsboro Academy, he read law, and was 
admitted to the bar in 1860. In 1861 he organized 
a company of volunteers, of which he was 
chosen Captain, and which was attached to the 
Ninth Illinois Infantry. Captain Phillips was 
successively advanced to the rank of Major, 
Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel; resigned on 
account of disabilitj', in August, 1804, but was 
brevetted Brigadier-General at the close of the 
war. His military record was exceptionally 
brilliant He was wounded three times at 
Shiloh, and was personally thanked and compli- 
mented by Generals Grant and Oglesby for gal- 
lantry and efficient service. At the termination 
of the struggle he returned to Hillsboro and 
engaged in practice. In 1866, and again iu 1808, 
he was the Democratic candidate for State Treas- 
urer, but was both times defeated. In 1879 he 
was elected to the bench of the Fifth Judicial 
Circuit, and re-elected in 1885. In 1890 he was 
assigned to the bench of the Appellate Court of 
the Fourth District, and, iu 1893, was elected a 
Justice of the Supreme Court, to fill the vacancy 
created by the death of Justice John M. Scholfield, 
his term expiring in 1897, when he was re-elected 
to succeed himself. Judge Phillips" present term 
will expire in 1900. 

PHILLIPS, Joseph, early jurist, was born in 
Tennessee, received a classical and legal edu- 
cation, and served as a Captain in the War of 



181.'?; in 181C was appointed Secretary of Illinois 
Territory, serving until the admission of Illinois 
as a State, when he became the first Chief Jus- 
tice of tlie Supreme Court, serving until July, 
1822, when he resigned, being succeeded on tlie 
bench by John Reynolds, afterwards Governor. 
In 1822 he was a candidate for Governor in the 
interest of the advocates of a pro-slaverj- amend- 
ment of the State Constitution, but was defeated 
by Edward Coles, the leader of the anti-slavery 
party. (See Coles, Edward, and Slavery and Slave 
Laics.) He appears from the "Edwards Papers" 
to have been iu Illinois as late as 1832, but is 
said eventually to have returned to Tennessee. 
The date of his death is unknown. 

PIAXKKSHAWS, THE, a branch of the Miami 
tribe of Indians. Their name, like those of their 
brethren, underwent many mutations of orthog- 
raphy, the tribe being referred to, variously, as 
the "Pou-an-ke-kiahs," the "Pi-an-gie-shaws," 
the "Pi-an-qui-shaws," and the "Py-an-ke- 
shaws. " They were less numerous than the 
Weas, their numerical strength ranking lowest 
among the bands of the Miamis. At the time La 
Salle planted his colony around Starved Rock, 
their warriors numbered l.'iO. Subsequent to the 
dispersion of this colony they (alone of the Miamis) 
occupied portions of the present territorj- of Illi- 
nois, having villages on the Vermilion and 
Wabash Rivers. Their earliest inclinations 
toward the whites were friendly, the French 
traders having intermarried with women of the 
tribe soon after the advent of the first explor- 
ers. Col. George Rogers Clark experienced little 
difficulty in securing their allegiance to the new 
government which he proclaimed. In the san- 
guinary raids (usually followed by reprisals), 
which marked Western history during the years 
immediately succeeding the Revolution, the 
Piankeshaws took no part ; yet the outrages, per- 
petrated upon peaceable colonists, had so stirred 
the settlers' blood, tliat all Indians were included 
in the general thirst for vengeance, and each was 
unceremoniously dispatched as soon as seen. The 
Piankeshaws appealed to Washington for protec- 
tion, and the President issued a special procla- 
mation in their behalf. After the cession of the 
last remnant of the Miami territory to the United 
States, the tribe was removed to a Kansas reser- 
vation, and its last remnant finally found a liome 
in Indian Territory, (See also J7i«»n'.s'; ]\'e(is.) 

"PIAS.V BIRD," LE(JEM) OF THE. When 
tlie French explorers first de.scended the Ujiper 
Mi.ssissi[)pi River, they found some remarkable 
figures depicted upon the face of the bluff, just 



« 



4-^4 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



above the site of t}ie present city of Alton, which 
excited their wonder and continued to attract 
interest long after the country was occupied by 
the whites. Tlie account given of the discov- 
ery by Marquette, who descended the river from 
the mouth of the Wisconsin, in June, 16T3, is as 
follows: "As we coasted along" (after passing 
the mouth of the Illinois) "rocks frightful for 
their height and length, we saw two monsters 
painted on one of the rocks, which startled us at 
first, and upon which the boldest Indian dare not 
gaze long. They are as large as a calf, with horns 
on the head like a deer, a frightful look, red 
eyes, bearded like a tiger, the face somewhat 
like a man"s, the body covered with scales, and 
the tail so long that it twice makes the turn of 
the body, passing over the head and down be- 
tween the legs, ending at last in a fish's tail. 
Green, red and black are the colors employed. 
On the whole, these two monsters are so well 
painted that we could not believe any Indian to 
have been the designer, as good painters in 
France would find it hard to do as well. Besides 
this, tliey are painted so high upon the rock that 
it is hard to get conveniently at them to paint 
them." As the Indians could give no account of 
the origin of these figures, but had tlieir terror 
even more excited at the sight of them than Mar- 
quette himself, they are supposed to have been 
the work of some prehistoric race occupying the 
country long before the arrival of the aborigines 
whom Marquette and his companions found in 
Illinois. There was a tradition that the figures 
were intended to represent a creature, part beast 
and part bird, which destroyed immense numbers 
of the inhabitants by swooping down upon them 
from its abode upon the rocks. At last a chief is 
said to have offered liimself a victim for his 
people, and when the monster made its appear- 
ance, twenty of bis warriors, concealed near bj-, 
discharged their arrows at it, killing it just 
before it reached its prey. In this manner the 
life of the cliief was saved and his people were 
preserved from further depredations ; and it was 
to commemorate this event that the figure of the 
bird was painted on the face of the cliff on whose 
summit the chief stood. This story, told in a 
paper by Mr. John Russell, a pioneer author of 
Illinois, obtained wide circulation in this country 
and in Europe, about the close of the first 
quarter of the present century, as the genuine 
"Legend of the Piasa Bird." It is said, however, 
that Mr. Russell, who was a popular writer of 
fiction, acknowledged that it was drawn largely 
from his imagination. Many prehistoric relics 



and Imman remains are said, by the late AVilliam 
McAdams, the antiquarian of Alton, to have 
been found in caves in the vicinity, and it seems 
a well authenticated fact that the Indians, wlien 
passing the spot, were accustomed to discharge 
their arrows — and, later, their firearms — at the 
figure on the face of the cliff. Traces of tliis 
celebrated pietograph were visible as late as 1S40 
to 1845, but have since been entirely quarried 
away. 

PIATT COUXTY, organized in 1841, consist- 
ing of parts of Macon and Dewitt Counties. Its 
area is 440 square miles ; population (1900), 17,706. 
The first Commissioners were John Huglies, W. 
Bailey and E. Peck. John Piatt, after whose 
family the county was named, was the first 
Sheriff. The North Fork of the Sangamon River 
flows centrally through the county from north- 
east to southwest, and several lines of railroad 
afford transportation for its products. Its re- 
sources and the occupation of the people are 
almost wholly agricultural, the surface being 
level prairie and the soil fertile. Monticello, the 
county-seat, has a population of about 1,700. 
Other leading towns are Cerro Gordo (939) and 
Bement (1,129). 

PICKETT, Thomas Johnt-ioii, journalist, was 
born in Louisville, Ky., March 17, 1821; spent 
six years (1830-36) in St. Louis, when his family 
removed to Peoria; learned the printer's trade in 
the latter city, and, in 1840, began the publica- 
tion of "The Peoria News," then sold out and 
established "Tlie Republican" (afterwards "The 
Transcrijjt") ; was a member of the Anti-Nebraska 
Editorial Convention held at Decatur, Feb. 22, 
1856, serving on the Committee on Resolutions, 
and being appointed on the State Central Com- 
mittee, which called the first Republican State 
Convention, held at Bloomington, in May follow- 
ing, and was there appointed a delegate to the 
National Convention at Philadelphia, which 
nominated General Fremont for President. 
Later, he published papers at Pekin and Rock 
Island, at the latter place being one of the first to 
name Abraham Lincoln for the Presidency : was 
elected State Senator in 1860, and, in 1862, com- 
missioned Lieutenant Colonel of the Sixty-ninth 
Illinois Volunteers, being transferred, as Colonel, 
to the One Hundred and Thirty-second Illinois 
(100-days' men), and serving at Camp Douglas 
during the "Conspiracy" excitement. After the 
war. Colonel Pickett removed to Paducah. Kj'., 
published a paper tliere called "The Federal 
Union." was appointed Postmaster, and. later, 
Clerk of the United States District Court, and 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



425 



was the Republican nominee for Congress, in that 
District, in 1874. Renioviup; to Nebraska in 1879, 
lie at different times conducted several papers in 
that State, residing for the nuxst part at Lincoln. 
Died, at Ashland. Neb., Dec. 24. 1891. 

PIERSOX, David, pioneer banker, was born at 
Cazenovia, N. Y., July 9, 18()G; at the age of 13 
removed west with his parents, arriving at St. 
Louis, June 3, 1820. The family soon after set- 
tled nep.r Collinsville. Madison County, 111., where 
the father having died, they removed to the vi- 
cinity of Carrollton, Greene County, in 1821. Here 
they opened a farm. but. in 1H27, Mr. Pierson 
went to the lead mines at Galena, wliere he re- 
mained a year, then returning to Carrollton. In 
1834, having sold his farm, he began merchandis- 
ing, still later being engaged in the pork and 
grain trade at Alton. In 1854 he added the bank- 
ing business to his dry-goods trade at Carrollton, 
also engaged in milling, and, in 1862-63, erected 
a woolen factory, which was destroyetl by an 
incendiary fire in 1872. Originally an anti-slavery 
Clay Whig. Jlr. Pierson became a Republican on 
the organization of that party in 1856. served for 
a time as Collector of Internal Revenue, was a 
delegate to the National Republican Convention 
at Phila<lelphia in 1873, and a prominent candi- 
date for the Republican nomination for Lieuten- 
ant-Governor in 1876. Of high integrity and 
unswerving patriotism, Mr. Pierson was generous 
in his benefactions, being one of the most liberal 
contributors to the establishment of the Langston 
School for the Education of Freed men at Holly 
Springs, Miss., soon after tlie war. He died at 
Carrollton, May 8, 1891.— Oman (Pierson), a son 
of the subject of this sketch, was a member of 
the Thirty-second General Assembly (1881) from 
Greene County, and is present cashier of the 
Greene County National B.ank at Carrollton. 

PIGGOTT, Isaac N., early politician, was born 
about 1792; served as an itinerant Methodist 
preacher in Missouri and Illinois. l)etween 1819 
and 1824, but finally located southwest of Jersey- 
ville and obtained a license to run a ferry be- 
tween Grafton and Alton; in 1828 ran as a 
candidate for the State Senate against Thomas 
Carlin (afterwards Governor) ; removed to St. 
Louis in 1858. and died there in 1874. 

PIKE COUNTY, situated in the western por- 
tion of the State, lying between the Illiiiois and 
Missis.sippi Rivers, having an area of T95 sijuaro 
miles — named in honor of the e.vplorer, Capt. 
Zebulon Pike The first American settlers came 
about 1820, and, in 1821, the county was organ- 
ized, at first embracing all tlie country north and 



west of the Illinois River, including the present 
county of Cook. Out of this territory were finally 
nrganized aljoiit one fourth of the counties of the 
State. Coles" Grove (now Gilead. in Calhoun 
County) was the first county-seat, but the seat of 
justice was removed, in 1824, to Atlas, and to 
Pittsfield in 1833. The surface is undulating, in 
some portions is hilly, and diversified with prai- 
ries and hardwood timber. Live-stock, cereals 
and hay are the staple products, while coal and 
Niagara limestone are found in abundance. 
Population (1890). .SI, 0(10; (I'.iOO), 31,595. 

PILLSBURY, Nathaniel Joy, lawyer and 
judge, was born in York County, Maine, Oct. 21, 
1834; in 1855 removed to Illinois, and, in 1858, 
began farming in Livingston County. He began 
the study of law in 1863, and, after admission to 
tlie bar, commenced practice at Pontiac. He 
represented La Salle and Livingston Counties in 
the Constitutional Convention of 1869-70, and, in 
1873, was elected to the bench of the Thirteenth 
Judicial Circuit. He was re-elected in 1879 and 
again in 1885. He was assigned to tlie bench of 
the Appellate Court in 1877, and again in 1879 
and '85. He was severely wounded by a shot 
received from strikers on the line of the Chicago 
& Alton Railroad, near Chicago, in 1886, resulting 
in his being permanently disabled physically, in 
consequence of which he declined a re-election to 
the bench in 1891 

PINCKNEYVILLE, a city and the county-seat 
of Perry County, situated at the intersection of 
the Paducah Division Illinois Central and the 
Wabash, Chester & Western Railways, 10 miles 
west-northwest of Duquoin. Coal-mining is 
carried on in the immediate vicinity, and flour, 
carriages, plows and dressed lumber are among 
the manufactured products. Pinckneyville has 
two banks — one of wliich is national — two weekly 
newspapers, seven churches, a graded and a high 
scliool. Population (18s0), 964; (1890), 1,298; 
(1900), 2,357. 

PITTSBURG, (INCINNATf, CHK.V(iO ii 
ST. LOUIS RAILROAD, one of tlie Pcnn.syl- 
vania Company's lines, operating 1,403 miles of 
road, of which 1,090 miles are owned and the 
remainder leased — length of line in Illinois, 28 
miles. The Company is the outgrowth of a con- 
.solidation, in 1890, of the Pitt.sburg, Cincinnati & 
St. Louis Railwa}' with the Chicago. .St. Louis & 
Pittsburg, the Cincinnati & Kichmond and the 
Jeffer.sonville Madison & Indianajiolis Railroads. 
The Pennsylvania Railroad Company controls 
the entire line through ownership of stock. 
Capital stock outstanding, in 1898, $47,791,601; 



426 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA VF ILLINOIS. 



funded debt, §48,433,000; floating debt, §2,214,703 
—total capital S98,500,o84. — (History.) Tlie 
Chicago, St. Louis & Pittsburg Railroad, em- 
bracing the Illinois division of this line, was made 
up of various corporations organized under tlie 
laws of Illinois and Indiana. One of its compo- 
nent parts was the Chicago & Great Eastern 
Railway, organized, in 1865, bj- consolidation of 
the Galena & Illinois River Railroad (chartered 
in 1857), the Chicago & Great Eastern Railway 
of Indiana, the Cincinnati & Chicago Air-Line 
(organized 1860), and the Cincinnati, Logans- 
port & Chicago Railway. In 1869, the consoli- 
dated line was leased to the Pittsburg, Cincinnati 
& St. Louis Railway Company, and operated 
under the name of the Columbus, Chicago & 
Indiana Central between Bradford, Ohio, and 
Chicago, from 1869 until its con.solidation, under 
the present name, in 1890. (See Pennsylvania 
Railroad.) 

PITTSBURG, FORT WAYNE & CHIC.\«0 
RAILROAD. (See Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chi- 
cago Railu-di/.) 

PITTSBURG, FORT WAYNE & CHICAGO 
RAILWAY. The total length of this line is 
nearly 470 miles, but only a little over 16 miles 
are within Illinois. It was operated by the Penn- 
sylvania Railroad Comj)anj' as lessee. The entire 
capitalization in 1898 was $52,549,990; and the 
earnings in Illinois, §472,228. — (History.) The 
Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway is the 
result of the consolidation, August 1, 1856, of the 
Ohio & Pennsylvania, the Ohio & Indiana and 
the Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad Companies, 
under the name of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & 
Chicago Railroad. The road was opened through 
its entire length, Jan. 1, 18.59; was sold under 
foreclosure in 1861; reorganized under its present 
title, in 1862, and leased to the Pennsylvania 
Railroad Company, for 999 years, from July 1, 
1869. (See Prnnfiylra}iiii liailroail.) 

PITTS FIELD, the county -seat of Pike County, 
situated on the Hannibal & Naples branch of the 
Wabash Railway, about 40 miles southeast of 
Quincy, and about the same distance south of 
west from Jacksonville. Its public buildings 
include a hand.some court house and graded and 
high school buildings. The city has an electric 
light plant, city water-works, a flour mill, a 
National and a State bank, nine churches, and 
four weekly newspapers. Pop. (1890). 2,295; 
(1900). 2,293. 

PLAINFIELD,a village of Will County, on tlie 
Elgin. Joliet & Eastern Railroad and an interur- 
ban electric line, 8 miles northwest of Joliet; is 



in a dairying section ; has a bank and one news- 
paper. Pop. (1890), 8.52; (1900), 920. 

PLANO, a city in Kendall County, situated 
near the Fox River, and on the Chicago, Burling- 
ton & Quincy Railroad, 14 miles west-southwest 
of Aurora. Tliere are manufactories of agri- 
cultural implements and bedsteads. The citj- has 
banks, several churches, graded and high schools, 
and a weekly newspaper. Pop. (1890), 1,835; 
(1900), 1,634; "(1903, est.), 2,250. 

PLEASANT PLAINS, a village of Sangamon 
County, on Springfield Division Baltimore & Ohio 
S. W. Railroad, 16 miles northwest of Spring- 
field; in rich farming region; has coal-shaft, 
bank, five churches, college and two newspapers. 
Population (1890), 518; (1900), 575. 

PLEASANTS, Georgre Washington, jurist, was 
born in Harrodsburg. Ky., Nov. 24. 1823; received 
a classical education at Williams College, Mass., 
graduating in 1842 ; studied law in New York 
City, and was admitted to the bar at Rochester, 
N. Y.. in 1845, establishing himself in practice at 
Williamstown, Slass., where he remained until 
1849. In 1851 he removed to Washington, D. C, 
and, after residing there two years, came to Illi- 
nois, locating at Rock Island, which has since 
been his home. In 1861 he was elected, as a 
Republican, to the State Constitutional Conven- 
tion which met at Springfield in January follow- 
ing, and, in 1867, was chosen Judge for the Sixth 
(now Tenth) Judicial Circuit, having served bj' 
successive re elections until June, 1897, retiring 
at the close of his fifth term— a record for length 
of service seldom paralleled in the judicial his- 
tory of the State. The last twenty years of this 
period were spent on the Appellate bench. For 
several years past Judge Pleasants has been a 
sufferer from failing eyesight, but has been faith- 
ful in attendance on his judicial duties. As a 
judicial oflScer and a man, his reputation stands 
among the highest. 

PLUMB, Ralph, .soldier and ex-Congressman, 
was born in Chautauqua County, X. Y., March 29, 
1816. After leaving school he became a mer- 
chant's clerk, and was himself a merchant for 
eighteen years. From New York lie removed to 
Oliio. where he was elected a member of the 
Legislature in 18.55. later coming to Illinois. 
During the Civil War he served four years in the 
Union army as Captain and Quartermaster, being 
brevetted Lieutenant-Colonel at its close. He 
made his home at Streator, where he was elected 
Mayor (1881-1883). There he engaged in coal- 
mining and has been connected with several 
important enterprises. From 1885 to 1889 he 



I 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



427 



represented the Eighth Illinois District in Con- 
gress, after which he retired to private life. 

PLYMOl'TH, a village of Hancock County, on 
the Chicago. Burlington A: Quincy Railwaj-. 41 
miles northeast of Quincy ; is trade center of rich 
farming district; has two lianks. electric lights, 
water-works, and one paper. Pop. (1900), 8o4. 

POIXTE DE SAIBLE, Jean Baptiste, a negro 
and Indian-trader, reputed to have been the first 
settler on the present site of the city of Cliicago. 
He is said to have been a native of San Domingo, 
but is described by his contemporaries as "well 
educated and handsome," though dissipated. He 
appears to have been at the present site of Chi- 
cago as early as 1794, his house being located on 
the north side near the junction of tlie North and 
South branches of the Chicago River, where he 
carried on a considerable trade with the Indians. 
About 1796 he is said to have sold out to a French 
trader named Le 5Iai, and joined a countr3^man 
of his, named Glamorgan, at Peoria, where he died 
soon after. Glamorgan, who was the reputed 
owner of a large Spanish land-grant in the vicin- 
itj- of St. Louis, is said to have been associated 
with Point de Saible in trade among the Peorias, 
before the latter came to Chicago. 

POLO, a city in Ogle County, at intersection 
of the Illinois Central and the Chicago, Burling- 
ton & Northern Railwaj's, 23 miles south of Free- 
port and 13 miles north of Dixon. The 
surrounding region is devoted to agriculture and 
stock-raising, and Polo is a shipping point for 
large quantities of cattle and hogs. Agricultural 
implements (including harvesters) and buggies 
are manufactured here. The city has banks, one 
weekly and one semi weekly paper, seven 
cluirches. a graded public and high school, and a 
public library. Pop. (1890), 1,728; (1900), 1,869. 

PONTIAC, an Ottawa chief, born on the 
Ottawa River, in Canada, about 1720. While yet 
a young man he became the principal Chief of 
the allied Ottawas, Ojibwaj's and Pottawatomies, 
He was always a firm ally of the French, to 
whose interests he was devotedly attached, 
defending them at Detroit against an attack of 
the Northern tribes, and (it is generally believed) 
leading the Ottawas in the defeat of Braddock. 
He reluctantly acquiesced in the issue of the 
French and Indian War, although at first strongly 
disposed to dispute the progress of Major Rogers, 
the British officer sent to take pos.session of the 
western forts. In 1762 he dispatched emis.saries 
to a large number of tribes, whom he desired to 
unite in a league for the extermination of the 
English. His proposals were favorably received, 



and thus was organized what is comnionly 
spoken of as the "Conspiracy of Pontiac. " He 
himself undertook to lead an assault upon Detroit. 
The garrison, however, was aitprised of his inten- 
tion, and made preparations accordingly. Pontiac 
thereupon laid siege to the fort, but was unable 
to prevent the ingress of provisions, the Canadian 
settlers furnishing supplies to botli besieged and 
besiegers with absolute impartiality. Finally a 
boat-load of ammunition and supplies was landed 
at Detroit from Lake Erie, and tlie English made 
an unsuccessful soriie on Jul3' 31, 1763. After a 
desultory warfare, lasting for nearly three 
months, the Indians withdrew into Indiana, 
where Pontiac tried in vain to organize another 
movement. Although Detroit had not been 
taken, the Indians captured Forts Sandiiskj', St. 
Joseph, Miami, Ouiatanon. LeBoeuf and Venango, 
besides the posts of Mackinaw and Presque Isle. 
The garrisons at all these points were massacred 
and innumerable outrages perpetrated elsewhere. 
Additional British troops were sent west, and 
the Indians finally brought under control. 
Pontiac was present at Oswego when a treatj^ was 
signed with Sir William Johnson, but remained 
implacable. His end was tragic. Broken in 
heart, but still proud in spirit and relentless in 
purpose, he applied to the former (and last) 
French Governor of Illinois, the younger St. 
Ange, who was then at St. Louis, for co-operation 
and support in another raid against the British. 
Being refused aid or countenance, according to a 
story long popularly received, he returned to the 
vicinity of Cahokia, where, in 1769, he was mur- 
dered by a Kaskaskia Indian in consideration of 
a barrel of liquor. N. Matson, author of several 
volvmies bearing on early history in Illinois, cit- 
ing Col. Joseph N. Bourassa, an educated half- 
breed of Kansas, as authority for his statement, 
asserts that the Indian killed at Cahokia w.as an 
impostor, and that the true Pontiac was assassi- 
nated by Kineboo, the Head Chief of the Illinois, 
in a council held on the Dos Plaines River, near 
the present site of Joliet. So well convinced, it 
is said, was Pierre Chouteau, the St. Louis Indian 
trader, of the truth of this last story, that he 
caused a monument, which he had erected over 
the grave of the false Pontiac, to be removed. 
Out of the murder of Pontiac, whether occurring 
at Cahokia or Joliet, it is generally agreed, 
resulted the extermination of the Illinois and the 
tragedy of "Starved Rock. " (See Starved Hock. ) 
POXTIAC, an incorporated city, the county- 
seat of Livingston County. It stands on the 
bank of the VemiUion River, and is also a point 



428 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



of intersection of the Chicago & Alton, the 
Wabash and the Illinois Central Railroads. It is 
33 miles nortli-northeast from Bloomington and 
93 miles south-southwest of Chicago. The sur- 
rounding region is devoted to agriculture, stock- 
raising and coal-mining. Pontiac has four banks 
and four weekly newspapers (two issuing daily 
editions), numerous churches and good schools. 
Various kinds of manufacturing are conducted, 
among the principal establishments being flour- 
ing mills, three shoe factories, straw paper and 
candy factories and a foundry. The State Re- 
formatory for Juvenile Offenders is located here. 
Pop. (1890). 3,784; (1900), 4,266. 

POOL, Orvalj merchant and banker, was born 
in Union County, Ky., near Shawneetcwn, 111., 
Feb. 17, 1809, but lived in Shawneetown from seven 
years of age; in boyhood learned the saddler's 
trade, but, in 1843, engaged in the dry-goods 
business, J. McKee Peeples and Thomas S. Ridg- 
way becoming his partners in 1846. In 18.50 he 
retired from the dry-goods trade and became an 
extensive dealer in produce, pork and tobacco. 
In 1871 he established the Gallatin County 
National Bank, of which he was the first Presi- 
dent. Died, June 30, 1871. 

POOLE, William Frederiok, bibliographer, 
librarian and historical writer, was born at 
Salem, Mass., Dec. 24, 1821, graduated from Yale 
College in 1849, and, at the close of his sophomore 
year, was appointed assistant librarian of his col- 
lege society, which owned a library of 10,000 vol- 
umes. Here he prepared and published the first 
edition of his now famous "Index to Periodical 
Literature." A second and enlarged addition 
was published in 18.53, and secured for its author 
wide fame, in both America and Europe. In 18.53 
he was made Librarian of tlie Boston Mercantile 
Library, and, from 1856 to 1869, had charge of the 
Boston Athenpeura, then one of the largest li- 
braries in the United States, which he relinquished 
to engage in expert library work. He organized 
libraries in several New England cities and 
towns, at the United States Naval Academy, and 
the Cincinnati Public Library, finally becoming 
Librarian of the latter institution. In October, 
1873, he assumed charge of the Chicago Public 
Library, then being organized, and, in 1887, 
became Librarian of the Newberry Library, 
organizing this institution and remaining at its 
head until his deatli, which occurred, March 1, 
1894. The degree of LL.D. was conferred on him 
by the Northwestern LTniversity in 1882. Dr. 
Poole took a prominent part in the organization 
of library associations, and was one of the Vice- 



Presidents of the International Conference of 
Librarians, held in London in 1871. His advice 
was much sought in relation to library architec- 
ture and management. He wrote much on topics 
connected with his profession and on historical 
subjects, frequently contributing to "The North 
American Review." In 1874-75 he edited a liter- 
ary paper at Chicago, called "The Owl," and was 
later a constant contributor to "The Dial." He 
was President of the American Historical Society 
and member of State Historical Societies and of 
other kindred associations. 

POPE, Nathaniel, first Territorial Secretary of 
Illinois, Delegate in Congi-ess and jurist, was born 
at Louisville, Ky., in 1774; graduated with high 
honor from Transylvania University, at Lexing- 
ton, Ky., read law with his brother. Senator John 
Pope, and, in 1804, emigrated to New Orleans, 
later living, for a time, at Ste. Genevieve, Mo. In 
1808 he became a resident of Kaskaskia and, the 
next year, was appointed the first Territorial 
Secretary of Illinois. His native judgment was 
strong and profound and his intellect quick and 
far-reaching, while both were thoroughly trained 
and disciplined by study. In 1816 he was elected 
a Territorial Delegate to Congress, and proved 
himself, not only devoted to the interests of his 
constituents, but also a shrewd tactician. He was 
largely instrumental in securing the passage of 
the act autliorizing the formation of a State 
government, and it was mainly through his 
efforts tliat the northern boundary of Illinois was 
fixed at lat. 42" 30' north, instead of tlie southern 
bend of Lake Slichigan. Upon the admission of 
Illinois into tlie Union, he was made United 
States Judge of the District, which then embraced 
the entire State. This office he filled with dig- 
nity, impartiality and acceptabiKty until his 
death, at the lion>e of his daughter, Mrs. Lu- 
cretia Yeatman, in St. Louis, Mo., Jan. 23, 1850. 
Pope County was named in his honor. — Ocn. John 
(Pope), son of the preceding, w.as born in Louis- 
ville, Ky., March 16, 1823; grailuated at the United 
States Military Academy, 1842, and a]iiiointed 
brevet Second Lieutenant of Topographical 
Engineers; served in Florida (1842-44), on the 
northeast boundary survey, and in the Mexican 
War (1846-47), being promoted Fii-st Lieutenant 
for bravery at Monterey and Captain at Buena 
Vista. In 1849 lie conducted an exploring expe- 
dition in Minnesota, was in charge of topograph- 
ical engineering service in New Mexico (1851 -.53), 
and of the survey of a route for the Union Pacific 
Railway (18.53-59), meanwhile experimenting on 
the feasibilitv of artesian wells on the "Staked 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



429 



Plains" in Northwestern Texas. He was a zeal- 
ous friend of Abraliaui Lincoln in the political 
campaign of 1860, and was court-martialed for 
criticising the policj- of President Buchanan, in a 
paper read before a literary society in Cincinnati, 
the proceedings being finally dropped on the 
recommendation of the (then) Secretary of War, 
Joseph Holt. In 1801 he was one of the officers 
detailed by the "War Department to conduct Mr. 
Lincoln to the capital, and, in May following, 
■was made Brigadier-General of Volunteers and 
assigned to command in Missouri, where he per- 
formed valuable service in protecting railroad 
communications and driving out guerrillas, gain- 
ing an important victory over Sterling Price at 
Blackwater, in December of that year; in 1803 
had command of the land forces co-operating 
■with Admiral Foote, in the expedition against 
New Madrid and Island No. 10, resulting in the 
capture of that stronghold with 6,500 prisoners, 
125 cannon and 7,000 small arms, thereby win- 
ning a Major-General's commission. Later, hav- 
ing participated in the operations against Corinth, 
lie was transferred to command of the Army of 
Virginia, and soon after commissioned Briga- 
dier-General in the regular army. Here, being 
forced to meet a greatly superior force under 
General Lee, lie was subjected to reverses which 
led to his falling back on Washington and a, 
request to be relieved of his command. For fail- 
ure to give him proper support, Gen. Fitzjohn 
Porter was tried by court-martial, and, having 
been convicted, was casliiered and declared for- 
ever disqualified from holding any office of trust 
or profit under the United States Government — 
although this verdict was finally set aside and 
Porter restored to tlie army as Colonel, by act of 
Congress, in August, 1886. General Pope's sub- 
sequent service was performed chiefly against 
the Indians in the Northwest, until 1865, when he 
took command of the military division of Mis- 
souri, and, in June following, of the Department 
of the Missouri, including all the Northwestern 
States and Territories, from which he was 
relieved early in 1866. Later, he held command, 
under the Reconstruction Acts, in Georgia, Ala- 
bama and Florida (1807-68) ; the Department of the 
Lakes (1808-70) ; Department of the Missouri (1870- 
84) ; and Department of the Pacific, from 1884 to 
his retirement, March 16, 1886. General Pope 
published "Explorations from the Bed River to 
the Rio Grande'' and "Campaigns in Virginia" 
(1803). Died, at Sandusky, Oliio, Sept 23, 1893. 

POPE COUNTY, lies on the southern border of 
the State, and contains an area of about 360 



sciuare miles — named in honor of Judge Nathaniel 
Pope. It was erected in 1810 (two j'ears before 
the admission of Illinois as a State) from parts of 
Gallatin and Johnson Counties. The county seat 
was first located at Sandsville, but later changed 
to Golconda. Robert Lacy, Benoni Lee and 
Thomas Ferguson were the first Commissioners; 
Hamlet Ferguson was chosen Sheriff; John Scott, 
Recorder ; Thomas C. Browne, Prosecuting- Attor- 
ney, and Samuel Omelvenej', Treasurer. The 
highest land in Southern Illinois is in the north- 
eastern part of this county, reaching an elevation 
of 1,046 feet. The bluffs along the Ohio River are 
bold in outline, and the ridges are surmounted by 
a thick growth of timber, notably oak and hick- 
ory. Portions of the bottom lands are submerged, 
at times, during a part of the year and are 
covered with cypress timber. The remains of 
Indian mounds and fortifications are found, and 
some interesting relics have been exhumed. Sand- 
stone is quarried in abundance, and coal is found 
here and there. Mineral springs (with copperas 
as the chief ingredient) are numerous. Iron is 
found in limited quantities, among the rooks 
toward the south, while spar and kaolin clay are 
found in the north. The chief agricultural 
products are potatoes, corn and tobacco. Popu- 
lation (ISyO), 14,010; (1900), 13,585. 

PORT BYRON, a village of Rock Island County, 
on the Mississippi River and the Chicago, Mil- 
waukee ifc St. Paul Railway, 16 miles above Rock 
I.sland; has lime kihis, grain elevator, two banks, 
academ}-, public schools, and a newspaper. Pop. 
(1000), 733. The (Illinois) Western Hospital for 
tlie In.sane is located at Watertown, t.velve miles 
below Port Byron. 

PORTER, (Rev.) Jeremiah, pioneer clergy- 
man, was born at Hadley. Mass., in 1804; gradu- 
ated from Williams College in 1825, and studied 
theology at both Andover and Princeton semi- 
naries, graduating from the latter in 1831. The 
same year he made the (then) long and perilous 
journey to Fort Brady, a military post at the 
Sault Ste. Marie, where he began his work as a 
missionarj'. In 1833 he came to Chicago, wliere 
he remained for two years, organizing the First 
Presbyterian Church of Cliicago, with a member- 
ship of twenty-six persons. Afterwards he had 
pastoral charge of churches at Peoria and Farm- 
ington. While in Chicago he was married to 
Miss Eliza Chappell, one of the earliest teachers 
in Chicago. From 1840 to "58 he was located at 
Green Bay, Wis. , accepting a call from a Chicago 
Church in the year last named. In 1861 he was 
commissioned Chaplain in the volunteer service 



430 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



by Governor Yates, and mustered out in 1865. 
The next five years were divided between labors 
at Brownsville, Tex., in the service of the Sani- 
tary Commission, and a pastorate at Prairie du 
Chien. In 1870 he was commissioned Chaplain 
in the regular army, remaining in the service 
(with occasional leaves of absence) until 1883, 
when he was retired from active service on 
account of advanced age. His closing years were 
spent at the homes of his children in Detroit and 
Beloit; died at the latter city, July 25, 1893, at 
the age of 89 years. 

POSEY, ((ieii.) Thomas, Continental and 
Revolutionary soldier, was born in Virginia, July 
9. 1750 ; in 177-1 took part in Lord Dunmore's expe- 
dition against the Indians, and, later, in various 
engagements of the Revolutionary War, being 
part of the time under the immediate command 
of Washington ; was with General Wayne in the 
assault on Stony Point and present at Cornwallis' 
surrender at Yorkto wn ; also served, after the war, 
with Wayne as a Brigadier-General in the North- 
west Territory. Removing to Kentucky, he 
served in the State Senate, for a time being 
presiding officer and acting Lieutenant-Governor ; 
later (1813), was elected United States Senator 
from Louisiana, and, from 1813 to '16, served as 
Territorial Governor of Indiana Died, at the 
home of his son-in-law, Joseph M. Street, at 
Shawneetown, III, March 18, 1818, where he lies 
buried. At the time of his death General Posey 
was serving as Indian Agent. 

POST, Joel S., lawyer and soldier of the Mexi- 
can War; was born in Ontario (now Wayne) 
County, N. Y., April 27, 1816; in 1828 removed 
with his father to Washtenaw Coimty, Mich., 
remaining there until 1839, when he came to 
Macon County, 111. The following year, he com- 
menced the study of law with Judge Charles 
Emmerson, of Decatur, and was admitted to the 
bar in 1841. In 1840 he enlisted in the Mexican 
War, and served as Quartermaster of the Fourth 
Regiment (Col. E. D. Baker's) ; in 1856 was elected 
to the State Senate, and, at the following session, 
was a leading supporter of the measures which 
resulted in the establishment of the State Nor- 
mal School at Bloomington. Capt. Post's later 
years were spent at Decatur, where he died, 
June 7, 1886. 

POST, Philip Sidney, soldier and Congress- 
man, was born at Florida, Orange County, N. Y., 
March 19, 1833; at the age of 22 graduated from 
Union College, studied law at Poughkeepsie Law 
School, and, removing to Illinois, was admitted 
to the bar in 1856 At the outbreak of the Civil 



War he enlisted, and was commissioned Second 
Lieutenant in the Fifty-ninth Illinois Volunteers. 
He was a gallant, fearless soldier, and was re- 
peatedly promoted for braverj' and meritorious 
service, until he attained the rank of brevet 
Brigadier-General. He participated in many 
important battles and was severely wounded at 
Pea Ridge and Nashville. In 1S65 he was in com- 
mand in Western Texas. After the close of the 
war he entered the diplomatic service, being 
appointed Consul-General to Austria-Hungary 
in 1874, but re.signed in 1879, and returned to his 
home in Galesburg. From 1882 to 1886 he was a 
member of the Republican State Central Com- 
mittee, and, during 1886, was Commander of the 
Department of Illinois, G. A. R. He was elected 
to Congress from the Tenth District on tlie Repub- 
lican ticket in 1886, serving continuously by re- 
election until his death, which occurred in 
Washington, Jan. 6, 1895. 

POST, Triimau Mareellus, D.D., clergyman, 
was born at Middlebury, Vt., June 3, 1810; gradu- 
ated at Middlebury College in 1829, was Principal 
of Castleton Academy for a year, and a tutor at 
Middlebury two years, meanwhile studying law. 
After a winter spent in Washington, listening to 
the orators of the time in Congress and before the 
Supreme Court, including Clay, Webster, Wirt 
and their contemporaries, he went west in 1833, 
first visiting .St. Louis, but finally settling at 
Jacksonville, 111., where he was admitted to the 
bar, but soon after accepted the Professorship of 
Classical Languages in Illinois College, and 
later that of Historj-; then began the study of 
theolog}', was ordained in 1840, and assumed the 
pastorship of the Congregational Church in Jack- 
sonville. In 1847 he was called to the pastorate 
of the Third Presbj'terian Church of St. Louis, 
and, in 1851, to the First Congregational Church, 
of which the former furnisheil the juicleus. For 
a year or two after removing to St. Louis, he 
continued his lectures on history at Illinois Col- 
lege for a short period each j'ear; also held the 
professorship of Ancient and IModern History in 
Washington University, in St. Louis; in 1873-75 
was Southworth lecturer on Congregationalism 
in Andover Theological Seminary and, for sev- 
eral years. Professor of Ecclesiastical History in 
Chicago Theological Seminary. His splendid 
diction and his noble style o£ oratorj' caused 
luni to be much sought after as a public lecturer 
or platform speaker at college commencements, 
while liis pnrity of life and refinement of charac- 
ter attracted to him all witli whom he came in 
personal contact. He received the degree of 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



431 



D.D. from Middlebury College in 1855; was a fre- 
quent contributor to "The Biblical Repository" 
and other religious publications, and, besides 
numerous addresses, sermons and pamphlets, he 
was the author of a volume entitled "The Skep- 
tical Era in Modern History" (New York, 1856). 
He resigned his pastorate in January, 18S2, but 
continued to be a frequent speaker, either in the 
pulpit or on the lecture platform, nearly to the 
period of his death, which occurred in St. Louis, 
Dec. 31, 1886. For a quarter of a century he was 
one of the Trustees of Monticello Female Semi- 
nary, at Godfrey, 111., being, for a considerable 
portion of the time. President of the Board. 

POTTAWATOMIES, THE, an Indian tribe, 
one of the three subdivisions of the OjiVjwas (or 
Ojibbeways), who, in turn, constituted a numer- 
ous family of the Algonquins. The other 
branches were the Ottawa and the Chippewas. 
The latter, however, retained the family name, 
and hence some writers have regarded the "Ojib- 
beways" and the "Chipisewas" as essentially 
identical. This interchanging of names has been 
a prolific source of error. Inherently, the dis- 
tinction was analogous to that existing between 
genus and species, although a confusion of 
nomenclature has naturally resulted in errors 
more or less serious. Taese three tribes early 
•separated, the Pottawatomies going south from 
Green Bay along the western shore of Lake 
Michigan. The meaning of the name is, "we are 
making a fire, " and the word is a translation into 
the Pottawatomie language of the name first 
given to the tribe by the Miamis. These Indians 
were tall, fierce and haughty, and the tribe was 
divided into four branches, or clans, called by 
names which signify, respectively, the golden 
carp, the tortoise, the crab and the frog. Accord- 
ing to the "Jesuit Relations," the Pottawatomies 
were first met by the French, on the north of 
Lake Huron, in 1639-40. More than a quarter of 
a century later (1666) Father Allouez speaks of 
them as dwellers on the shores of Lake Micliigan. 
The same Father described them as idolatrous 
and polygamous, yet as possessing a rude civility 
and as being kindly disposed toward the French. 
This friendshiij continued unbroken until the 
expulsion of the latter from the Northwest. 
About 1678 they spread southward from Green 
Bay to the head of Lake Michigan, a portion of 
the tribe settling in Illinois as far .soutli as the 
Kankakee and Illinois Rivers, crowding the 
Wiunebagoes and the Sacs and Foxes on the west, 
and advancing, on the east, into the countrj' of 
the Miamis as far as the Wabash and the 



Maumee. They fought on the side of the 
French in the French and Indian War, and 
later took part in the conspiracy of Pontiac 
to capture and reduce the British posts, and 
were so influenced by Tecumseh and the Prophet 
that a considerable number of their warri- 
ors fought against General Harrison at Tippe- 
canoe. During the War of 1812 tliey actively 
supported tlie British. They were also prominent 
at the Chicago massacre. Schoolcraft says of 
them, "They were foremost at all treaties where 
lands were to be ceded, clamoring for the lion's 
share of all presents and annuities, particularly 
where these last were the price paid for the sale 
of other lands than their own." The Pottawato- 
mies were parties to the treaties at Chicago in 
1832 and 1833. and were among the last of the 
tribes to remove beyond the Mississippi, their 
final emigration not taking place until 1838. In 
1846 the scattered fragments of this tribe coalesced 
with those of the Chippewas and Ottawas, and 
formed the Pottawatomie nation. They ceded all 
their lands, wherever located, to the United States, 
for §850,000, agreeing to accept 576,000 acres in 
Kansas in lieu of §87,000 of this amount. Through 
the rapacity and trespasses of white settlers, this 
reservation was soon dismembered, and the lands 
passed into other hands. In 1867, under an ena- 
bling act of Congress, 1,400 of the nation (then 
estimated at 2,500) became citizens. Their pres- 
ent location is in the southeastern part of Okla- 
homa. 

POWELL, John Wesley, Ph.D., LL.D., geolo- 
gist and anthropologist, was born at Mount ilorris 
N. Y., March 24, 1834, the son of a Methodist 
itinerant preacher, passing his early life at vari- 
ous places in Ohio, Wisconsin and Illinois ; studied 
for a time in Illinois College (Jacksonville), and 
subsequently in Wheaton College, but, in 1854, 
began a special course at Oberlin, Ohio, teaching 
at intervals in public schools. Having a predi- 
lection for the natural sciences, he spent nuich 
time in making collections, which he placed in 
various Illinois institutions. Entering the army 
in 1861 as a private of the Twentieth Illinois 
Volunteers, he later became a Captain of the 
Second Illinois Artillery, being finally promoted 
Major. He lost his right arm at the battle of 
Shiloh, but returned to his regiment as soon as 
sufficiently recovered, and continued in active 
service to the close of the war. In 1865 he became 
Professor of Geology and Curator of the Museum 
in Illinois Wesleyan University at Bloomington, 
but resigned to accept a similar position in the 
State Normal University. In 1867 he began his 



432 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



greatest work in connection with science by 
leading a class of pupils to the mountains of 
Colorado for the study of geology, wliich he fol- 
lowed, a year later, by a more thorough survey of 
the canon of the Colorado River than had ever 
before been attempted. This led to provision by 
Congress, in 1870, for a topographical and geo- 
logical survey of the Colorado and its tributaries, 
which was appropriately placed under his direc- 
tion. Later, he was placed in charge of the 
Bureau of Ethnology in connection with the 
Smithsonian Institute, and. again in 1881, was 
assigned to the directorship of the United States 
Geological Survej-, later becoming Director of the 
Bureau of Ethnology, in connection with the 
Smithsonian Institute in Washington City, 
where (1899) be still remains. In 1886 Major 
Powell received the degree of Ph.D. from Heidel- 
berg University, and that of LL.D. from Har- 
vard the same year. He is also a member of the 
leading scientific associations of the country, 
while his reports and addresses fill numerous 
volumes issued by the Government. 

POWELL, William Henry, soldier and manu- 
factm'er, was born in South Wales, May 10, 182,1; 
came to America in 1830, was educated in the 
common schools of Tennessee, and (1856-61) was 
manager of a manufacturing company at Iron- 
ton, Ohio; in 1861, became Captain of a AVest 
Virginia cavalry company, and was advanced 
through the grades of JIajor, Lieutenant-Colonel 
and Colonel ; was wounded while leading a charge 
at Wytheville, Va. , left on the field, captured and 
confined in Libby Prison six months. After ex- 
change he led a cavaby division in the Armj- of 
the Shenandoah ; was made Brigadier-General in 
October, 1864; after the war settled in West Vii-- 
ginia, and was a Republican Presidential Elector 
in 1868. He is now at the head of a nail mill and 
foundry in Belleville, and was Commander of the 
Grand Army of the Republic for the Department 
of Illinois during 1895-96. 

PRAIRIE CITY, a village in M<-Donough 
County, on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincj- 
Railroad. 23 miles southwest from Galesburg and 
17 miles northeast of Macomb; has a carriage 
factory, fltiur mill, elevators, lumber and stock 
yards, a nursery, a bank, four churclies and two 
weekly papers. Pop ( 1890). 812; (1900), 818. 

PR.VIRIE DU POXT, (in English, Bridge 
Prairie), an early French settlement, one mile 
south of Cahokia. It was commenced about 1760, 
located on the banks of a creek, on which was 
the first mill, operated by water-power, in that 
section, having been erected by missionaries 



from St. Sulpice, in 1754. In 1765 the village 
contained fourteen families. In 1844 it was 
inundated ami nearly destroyed. 

PR.VIRIE du ROCHER, (in English, Prairie of 
the Rock), an early French village in what is 
now Monroe County, which began to spring up 
near Fort Chartres (see Fort Chartres), and by 
1722 had grown to be a considerable settlement. 
It stood at the foot of the Mississippi bluffs, about 
four miles northeast of the fort. Like other 
French villages in Illinois, it bad its church and 
priest, its common field and commons. JIany of 
the houses were picturesque cottages built of 
limestone. The ancient village is now extinct; 
yet, near the outlet of a creek which runs through 
the bluff, may be seen the vestiges of a water mill, 
said to have been erected by the Jesuits during 
the days of French occupation. 

PRENTICE, William S., Methodist Episcopal 
clergyman, was born in St. Clair County, 111., in 
1819; licensed as a Methodist preacher in 1849, 
and filled pastorates at Paris. Danville, Carlin- 
ville, Springfield, Jacksonville and otlier places — 
the latter part of his life, serving as Presiding 
Elder ; was a delegate to the General Conference 
of 1860, and regularly re-elected from 1872 to the 
end of his life. During the latter part of his life 
his home was in Springfield. Died, June 28, 1887. 

PRENTISS, Benjamin Mayberry, soldier, was 
born at Belleville, Wood County, Va., Xov. 23, 
1819; in 1835 accompanied his parents to Mis- 
souri, and, in 1841, removed to Quincy, 111., where 
he learned a trade, afterwards embarking in the 
commission business. In 1844-45 he was Lieuten- 
ant of a company sent against tlie Mormons at 
Nauvoo, later serving as Captain of Volunteers in 
the Mexican War. In 1860 he was an unsuccess- 
ful Republican candidate for Congress; at the 
outbreak of the Civil War tendered his services 
to Governor Yates, and was commissioned Colonel 
of the Tenth Illinois Volunteers, was almost 
immediately promoted to Brigadier-General and 
placed in command at Cairo, so continuing until 
relieved by General Grant, in September, 1861. 
At the battle Of Shiloh, in April following, he 
was captured with most of his command, after a 
most vigorous fight with a superior rebel force, 
but, in 1862, was exchanged and brevetted Major- 
General of Volunteers. He was a member of the 
court-martial that tried Gen. Fitzjohn Porter, 
and, as commander at Helena, Ark. , defeated the 
Confederate Generals Holmes and Price on July 
3, 1803. He resigned his commission, Oct. 28. 
1863. In 1869 he was appointed by President 
Grant Pension Agent at Quincy, serving four 



I 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



433 



years. At present (1898) General Prentiss' resi- 
dence is at Bethany, Mo., where he served as 
Postmaster, during the aihninistration of Presi- 
dent Benjamin Harrison, and was reappointed by 
President .McKinley. Died Feb. 8, 1901. 
PRESIDENTI.VL ELECTORS. (See Elections.) 
PRESBYTERI.W HOSPITAL, located at Chi- 
cago, was organized in 1883 by a number of 
wealthy and liberal Presbyterians, "for the pur- 
pose of affording medical and surgical aid to sick 
and disabled persons, and to provide them, while 
inmates of the hospital, with the ministrations 
of the gospel, agreeably to the doctrines and 
forms of the Presbj'terian Cluirch '" Rusli Med- 
ical College offered a jjortion of its ground as a site 
(see RusIi Medical College), and through generous 
subscriptions, a well-planned building was 
erected, capable of accommodating about 2.50 
patients. A corridor connects the college and 
hospital buildings. Tlie medical staff comprises 
eighteen of Chicago's best known physicians and 
surgeons. 

PRESBYTERIAXS, THE. The first Pre.sby- 
terian society in Illinois was organized bj- Rev. 
James McGreadj-, of Kentucky, in 181C, at 
Sharon, "White County. Revs. Samuel J. Mills 
and Daniel Smith, also Presbyterians, liad visited 
the State in 1814, as representatives of the Massa- 
chusetts Missionar}' Society, but had formed no 
society. The members of the Sharon church 
were almost all immigrants from the South, and 
were largely of Scotch-Irish extraction. Two 
other churches were established in 1819 — one at 
Shoal Creek, Bond County, and the other at 
Edwardsville. In 182.) there were but three 
Presbyterian ministers in Illinois — Revs. Stephen 
BlLss, John Brich and B. F. Spilman. Ten years 
later tliere were 80 churches, with a membersliip 
of 2,500 and 00 ministers. In 1880 the number of 
churches had increased to 487; but, in 1890, (as 
shown by tlie United States census) there were 
less. In the latter year there were 40.5 ministers 
and 52,945 members. The Synod of Illinois is the 
highest ecclesiastical court of the denomination 
in the State, and, under its jurisdiction, the 
church maintains two seminaries: one (the Mc- 
Cormick) at Chicago, and the other (the Black- 
burn University) at Carlinville. The organ of 
the denomination is "The Interior," founded bj' 
Cyrus H. McCormick, and published weekly at 
Chicago, with William C. Gray as editor. The 
Illinois S.ynod embraced within its jurisdiction 
(1895) eleven Presbyteries, to which were attached 
483 churches, 464 ministers and a membership of 
63,247. (See also Religious Denominations.) 



PRICKETT, Abraham, pioneer merchant, was 
born near Lexington. Ky., came to Madison 
Count.y, 111., in 1808; was emplo3'ed for a time in 
the drug business in St. Louis, then opened a 
store at Edwardsville, wliere, in 1813, he received 
from the first County Court of Madison County, 
a license to retail merchandise. In 1818, he served 
as one of the three Delegates from Madison 
County to tlie Convention which framed the first 
State Constitution, and, the same year, was 
elected a Representative in the First General 
Assembly; was also Postmaster of the town of 
Edwardsville for a number of years. In 1825 he 
removed to Adams County and laid ovit an addi- 
tion to the city of Quincy ; was also engaged 
there in trade with the Indians. In 1836, while 
engaged on a Government contract for the re- 
moval of snags and other obstructions to the navi- 
gation of Red River, he died at Natchitoches, La. 
— Oeorge W. (Prickett) a son of the preceding, 
and afterwards a citizen of Chicago, is said to 
have been the first white child born in Edwards- 
ville.— Isaac (Prickett), a brother of Abraham, 
came to St. Louis in 1815, and to Edwardsville in 
1818, where he was engaged in mercantile busi- 
ness with his brother and, later, on his own 
account. He held the offices of Postmaster, Pub- 
lic Administrator, Quartermaster-General of 
State Militia. Inspector of the State Penitentiary, 
and, from 1838 to '42, was Receiver of Public 
Moneys at Edwardsville, dying in 1844. 

PRICKETT, David, pioneer lawyer, was born 
in FraukUn County, Ga., Sept. 21, 1800; in early 
childhood was taken by his parents to Kentucky 
and from there to Edwardsville, 111. He gradu- 
ated from Transylvania University, and, in 1821, 
began the practice of law; was the first Supreme 
Court Reporter of Illinois, Judge of the Madison 
County Probate Court, Representative in the 
General Assembly (1826-28), Aid-de-Camp to 
General Whiteside in the Black Hawk War, 
State's Attorney for Springfield Judicial Circuit 
(1837), Treasurer of the Board of Canal Commis- 
sioners (1840), Director of the State Bank of Illi- 
nois (1842), Clerk of the House of Representatives 
for ten sessions and Assistant Clerk of the same 
at the time of his death, March 1, 1847. 

PRIXCE, David, physician and surgeon, was 
born in Brooklj-ne, Windham County, Conn., 
June 21, 1816; removed with his parents to 
Canandaigua, N. Y., and was educated in the 
academy there ; began the study of medicine in 
the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New 
York, finishing at the Ohio Jledical Coll(>ge, Cin- 
cinnati, where he was associated, for a vear and a 



434 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



half, with the celebrated surgeon, Dr. Muzzy. In 
1843 he came to Jacksonville, 111., and, for two 
years, was Professor of Anatomy in the Medical 
Department of Illinois College; later, spent five 
years practicing in St. Louis, and lecturing on 
surgery in the St. Louis Medical College, when, 
returning to Jacksonville in 1853, he established 
himself in practice there, devoting special atten- 
tion to surgery, in which he had already won a 
wide reputation. During the latter part of the 
Civil War he served, for fourteen months, as 
Brigade Surgeon in the Army of the Potomac, 
and, on the capture of a portion of his brigade, 
voluntarily surrendered liimself that he might 
attend the captives of his command in Libby 
Prison. After the close of the war he was 
employed for some months, by the Sanitary Com- 
mission, in writing a medical history of the war. 
He visited Europe twice, first in 1881 as a dele- 
gate to the International Medical Congress in 
London, and again as a member of the Copen- 
hagen Congress of 1884 — at each visit making 
careful inspection of the hospitals in London, 
Paris, aud Berlin. About 1867 he established a 
Sanitarium in Jacksonville for the treatment of 
surgical cases and chronic diseases, to which he 
gave the closing years of his life. Thoroughly 
devoted to his profession, liberal, public-spirited 
and sagacious in the adoption of new methods, he 
stood in the front rank of his profession, and his 
death was mourned by large numbers who had 
received the benefit of his ministrations without 
money and without price. He was member of 
a number of leading professional associations, 
besides local literary and social organizations. 
Died, at Jacksonville, Dec. 19, 1889. 

PRINCE, Edward, lawyer, was born at West 
Bloomfield, Ontario County, N. Y., Dec. 8, 1832; 
attended school at Pay.son. 111., and Illinois Col- 
lege, Jacksonville, graduating from the latter in 
1852 ; studied law at yuincy, aud after admission 
to the bar in 1853, began dealing in real estate. 
In 1801 he offered his services to Governor Yates, 
was made Captain and Drill-master of cavalry 
and, a few months later, commissioned Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel of the Seventh Illinois Cavalry, tak- 
ing part, as second in command, in the celebrated 
"Grierson raid" through Mississippi, in 1803, 
serving until discharged with the rank of Colonel 
of his regiment, in 1864. After the war he gave 
considerable attention to engineering and the 
construction of a system of water-works for the 
city of Quincy. where he now resides. 

PRINCE, («eorge W., lawyer and Congressman, 
born in Tazewell County, 111., March 4, 1854; was 



educated in the public schools and at Knox Col- 
lege, graduating from the latter in 1878. He 
then studied law and was admitted to the bar in 
1880; was elected City Attorney of Galesburg the 
following year ; served as chairman of the Knox 
County Rejjublican Central Committee in 1884, 
and, in 1888, was elected Representative in the 
General Assembly and re-elected two years later. 
In 1892 he was the Republican nominee for 
Attorney-General of the State of Illinois, but was 
defeated with the rest of the State ticket ; at 
a special election, held in April, 1895, he was 
chosen Representative in Congress from the 
Tenth District to fill the vacancy caused by the 
death of Col. Philip Sidney Post, which had 
occurred in January preceding. In common with 
a majority of his colleagues, Mr. Prince was 
re-elected in 1896, receiving a plurality of nearly 
16,000 votes, and was elected for a third term in 
November, 1898. 

PRINCETON, a city and the county-seat of 
Bureau County, on the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy Railroad, 22 miles west southwest of 
Mendota, and 104 miles west-southwest of Chi- 
cago; has a court house, gas-works, electric 
lights, graded and high schools, numerous 
churches, three newspapers and several banks. 
Coal is mined five miles east, and the manufac- 
tures include flour, carriages and farm imple- 
ments. Pop. (1890), 3,396; (1900), 4,033. Prince- 
ton is populated with one of the most intelligent 
and progressive communities in the State. It 
wastliehomeof Owen Lovejoy during the greater 
part of Ills life in Illinois. 

PRINCETON & WESTERN R.VILWAY. (See 
Chicago A Xorthwesfern Railway.) 

PKINCEVILLE, a village of Peoria County, on 
the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe aud the Rock 
Island & Peoria Railways, 23 miles northwest of 
Peoria; is a trade center for a prosperous agricul- 
tural region. Population (1890), 041; (1900), 73.S 

PROPHETSTOWN, a town in Whiteside 
County, on Rock River and the Fulton Bianch 
of the Chicago, Burlington it Quincy Railroad, 45 
miles northwest of Mendota; has some manu- 
factures, three banks and two new.spapers. Pop. 
(1890), 094; (1900), 1,143. 

PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION. (See 
Minority Representation. ) 

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH. The 
pioneer Episcopal clergyman in this State was the 
Rt. Rev. Philander Chase, who was made Bishop 
of Illinois in 1835, and was the founder of Jubi- 
lee College. (See Chase, Ret: Philander.) The 
State at present is organized under the provincial 



I 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



435 



system, tho province comprising the dioceses of 
Chicago. Quincy and Springfield. At its head 
(1IS98) is the Rt. Rev. William E. McLaren. Bishop 
of Chicago. Rev. George F. Seymour of Spring- 
field is Bishop of the Springfield Diocese, with 
C. R. Hale, Coadjutor at Cairo, and Rev. Alex- 
ander Burgess, Bishop of the Quincy Diocese, with 
residence at Peoria. The numerical strength of 
the church in Illinois is not great, although 
between 18!S0and \><Q0 its membership was almost 
doubled. In 1840 there were but eighteen 
parishes, with thirteen clergymen and a member- 
.ship of 267. By 1880 the number of parishes had 
increased to 89, there being 127 ministers and 
9.842 communicants. The United States Census 
of 1890 showed the following figures: Parishes, 
197; clergymen, 150, membership, 18,609. Total 
contributions (1890) for general church and mis- 
.sion work, $373,798. The chief educational insti- 
tution of the denomination in the West is the 
^Vestern Theological Seminary at Cliicago. (See 
also Religious Dettoiiu7iations.) 

PRYOR, Joseph Everett, pioneer and early 
steamboat captain, was born in Virginia, August 
10. 1787 — tlie son of a non-commissioned officer of 
the Revolution, who emigrated to Kentuck3- about 
1790 and settled near Louisville, which was then 
a fort with some twenty log cabins. In 1813 the 
son located where Golconda, Pope County, now 
stands, and early in life adopted the calling of a 
boatman, which he pursued some forty years. 
At this time he held a commission as a "Falls 
Pilot," and piloted the first steamer that ascended 
the Ohio River from New Orleans. During his 
long service no accident happened to any steamer 
for which he was responsible, although the Mis- 
sissippi then bristled with snags. He owned and 
commanded the steamer Telegraph, which was 
.sunk, in 183."), bj- collision with the Duke of 
Orleans on the Mississippi, but, owing to his pres- 
ence of mind and the good discipline of his crew, 
no lives were lost. The salient features of his 
character were a boundless benevolence mani- 
fested to others, and his dauntless courage, dis- 
played not only in the face of dangers met in his 
career as a boatman, but in his- encounters with 
robbers who then infested portions of Southern 
Illinois. He had a reputation as a skillful pilot 
and papular commander not excelled by any of 
his contemporaries. He died, at his home in Pope 
County, Oct. 5 18.51, leaving one daugliter, now 
Mrs. Cornelia P. Boztnan. of Cairo, 111. 

PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, SUPERINTEND- 
ENTS OF. (See Superintendents of Public 
Inntruction.) 



PUGH, Isnac C, .soldier, was born in Christian 
County, Kj'., Nov. 23, 1805; came to Illinois, in 
1821, with his father, who first settled in Shelby 
County, but, in 1829, removed to Macon County, 
where the subject of this sketch resided until his 
death, at Decatur, Nov. 14, 1874. General Pugh 
served in three wars — first in the Black Hawk 
War of 1832 ; then, with the rank of Captain and 
Field OfBcer in the Fourth Regiment Illinois 
Volunteers (Col. E. D. Baker's) in the war with 
Mexico, and, during the Civil War, entering upon 
the latter as Colonel of the Forty-first Illinois 
Volunteer Infantry, in September, 1861. and 
being mustered out with the rank of full Briga- 
dier-General in August, 1864, when liis regiment 
was consolidated with the Fifty-third. He took 
part with his regiment in the battles of Fort 
Donelson and Shiloh, and in the operations 
around Vicksburg, being wounded at the latter. 
In the year of his retirement from the army 
(1864) lie was elected a Representative in the 
Twenty-fourth General Assembly, and, the fol- 
lowing year, was chosen County-Clerk of Macon 
Count}', serving four jears. 

PU(wH, Jonathan H., pioneer lawyer, was born 
in Bath County, Ky., came to Bond County, 111., 
finally locating at Springfield in 1823, and being 
the second lawyer to establish himself in practice 
in that city. He served in the Third, Fifth, 
Sixth and Seventh General Assemblies, and was 
defeated for Congress by Joseph Duncan (after- 
wards Governor), in 1831. Died, in 1833. Mr. 
Pugh is described by his contemporaries as a man 
of brilliant parts, an able lawyer and a great wit. 

PULASKI COUNTY, an extreme southern 
county and one of the smallest in the State, 
bordering on the Ohio River and having an area 
of 190 square miles and a population (1900). of 
14,554. It was cut off from Ale.xander County in 
1843, and named in honor of a Polish patriot who 
had aided the Americans during the Revolution. 
The soil is generally rich, and the surface varied 
with much low land along the Cache and the Ohio 
Rivers. Wheat, corn and fruit are the principal 
crops, while considerable timber is cut upon the 
bottom lands. Mound Citj' is the countj'-seat 
and was conceded a population, by the census of 
1890, of 2,550. Only the lowest, barren portion of 
the carboniferous formation extends under the 
soil, the coal measures being absent. Traces of 
iron have been found and sulphur and copperas 
springs abound. 

PULLMAN, a former suburb (now a part of 
the South Division) of the city of Chicago. 13.8 
miles south of the initial station of the Illinois 



43G 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Central Railroad. The Pullman Palace Car Com- 
pany began the erection of buildings here in 1880, 
and, on the 1st of January, 1881, the first family 
settled in the future manufacturing cit}^ Within 
the next few years, it became the center of the 
largest manufacturing establishments in the 
country, including the Pullman Car Works, the 
Allen Paper Car Wheel Works and extensive 
steel forging works, employing thousands of 
mechanics. Large numbers of sleeping and din- 
ing cars, besides ordinarj' passenger coaches and 
freight cars, were manufactured here every year, 
not only for use on the railroads of the United 
States, but for foreign countries as well. The 
town was named for the late George M. Pullman, 
the founder of the car-works, and was regarded 
as a model city, made up of comfortable homes 
erected by the Palace Car Company for the use of 
its emploj-es. It was well supplied with school- 
houses, and churches, and a public library was 
established there and opened to the public in 
1883. Tlie town was annexed to the city of Chi- 
cago in 1890. 

PULLMAN, George Mortimer, founder of the 
Pullman Palace Car Company, was born at Broo- 
ton, X. Y., March 3, 1831, enjoyed ordinary edu- 
cational advantages in his boyhood and, at 
fourteen years of age, obtained employment as a 
clerk, but a year later joined his brother in the 
cabinet-making Imsiness at Albion. His father, 
who was a house-builder and house-mover, hav- 
ing died in 1853, young Pullman assumed the 
responsibility of caring for the family and, hav- 
ing secured a contract for raising a number of 
buildings along the Erie Canal, made neces.sary 
by the enlargement of that thoroughfare, in this 
way acquired some capital and experience which 
was most valuable to him in after years. Com- 
ing to Chicago in 1859, when the work of raising 
the grade of the streets in the business portion of 
the city had been in progress for a year or two, 
he found a new field for the exercise of his 
inventive skill, achieving some marvelous trans- 
formations in a number of the principal business 
blocks in that part of the city. As early as 1858, 
Mr. Pullman had had his attention turned to 
devising some means for increasing the comforts 
of night-travel upon railways, and, in 1859, he 
remodeled two old day-coaches into a species of 
sleeping-cars, wliich were used upon the Alton 
Road. From 1860 to 1863 he spent in Colorado 
devoting his engineering skill to mining; but 
returning to Chicago tlie latter year, entered 
upon his great work of developing the idea of tlie 
sleeping-car Into practical reality. The first 



car was completed and received the name of the 
"Pioneer." This car constituted a part of the 
funeral train which took the remains of Abraham 
Lincoln to Springfield, 111. , after his assassination 
in April, 1865. The development of the "Pull- 
man jjalace sleeping-car," the invention of the 
dining-car, and of vestibule trains, and the build- 
ing up of the great industrial town which bears 
his name, and is now a part of the city of Chi- 
cago, constituted a work of gradual development 
which resulted in some of the most remarkable 
achievements in the history of the nineteenth 
century, both in a business sense and in promot- 
ing the comfort and safety of the traveling pub- 
lic, as well as in bettering the conditions of 
workingmen. He lived to see the results of his 
inventive genius and manufacturing skill in use 
upon the principal railroads of the United States 
and introduced upon a number of important lines 
in Europe also. Mr. Pullman was identified with 
a number of other enterprises more or le.ss closely 
related to the transportation business, but the 
Pullman Palace Car Company was the one with 
which he was most closely connected, and by 
which he will be longest remembered. He was 
also associated with some of the leading educa- 
tional and benevolent enterprises about the city 
of Chicago, to which he contributed in a liberal 
manner during his life and in his will. His 
death occurred suddenly, from heart disease, at 
his home in Cliicago, Oct. 19, 1897. 

PURPLE, Xormaii H., lawyer and jurist, was 
born in Litchfield County, Conn., read law and 
was admitted to the bar in Tioga County, Pa., 
settled at Peoria, 111., in 1836, and the following 
year was appointed Prosecuting Attorney for the 
Ninth Judicial District, which then embraced 
the greater portion of the State east of Peoria. 
In 1844 he was a Presidential Elector, and, in 
1845, Governor Ford ajipointed him a Justice of 
the Supreme Court, vice Jesse B. Thomas. Jr., 
who had resigned. As required by law, he at the 
same time served as Circuit Judge, his district 
embracing all the counties west of Peoria, and 
his home being at Quincy. After the adoption of 
the Constitution of 1848 he returned to Peoria and 
resumed practice. He compiled the Illinois 
Statutes relating to real property, and, in 1857, 
made a compilation of the general laws, gener- 
ally known to the legal profession as the "Purple 
Statutes." He subsequently undertook to com- 
pile and arrange the laws passed from 1857 to '63, 
and was engaged on this work when overtaken 
by death, at Chicago, Aug 9, 1863. He was a 
member of the Constitutional Convention of 1863, 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



437 



and. during the last ten years of his life, promi- 
nent at tlie Chicago har. 

PUTERB.VUGH, Snbiii 1)., judge and author, 
was born in Miami County. Oliio, Sept. ~8, 1S34; 
at 8 years of ago removeil witli his ]>arc'nts to Taze- 
well County, 111; .settled in Pekin in 18.">3. wliere 
he read law, and was admitted to the bar in 1856. 
At the outbreak of the rebellion he was commis- 
sioned, by Governor Yates, Major of the Eleventh 
Illinois Cavah'y, and took part in numerous 
engagements in Western Tennessee and Missis- 
sippi, incduding the battles of Shiloh and Corinth. 
Resigning his commission in 1803, he took up his 
residence at Peoria, where he resumed practice 
and began the preparation of his first legal work 
— "Common Law Pleading and Practice." In 
1864 he formed a partnership with Col. Robert G. 
IngersoU, which continued until 1867, when Sir. 
Puterbaugh was elected Circuit Court Judge. 
He retired from the bench in 1873 to resume pri- 
vate practice and pursue his work as an author. 
His first work, having already run through tliree 
editions, was followed by "Puterbaugh"s Chan- 
cerj- Pleading and Practice," the first edition of 
which appeared in 1874, and "Michigan Chancery 
Practice," which appeared in 1881. In 1880 he 
was chosen Presidential Elector on the Republi- 
can ticket. Died, Sept. 25, 1892. Leslie D. 
(Puterbaugh), a son of Judge Puterbaugh, is 
Judge of the Circuit Court of the Peoria Circuit. 
PUTXAM COUXTT, the smallest county in the 
State, both as to area and population, containing 
only 170 square miles; population (1900), 4,746. 
It lies near tlie center of the north half of the 
State, and was named in honor of Gen. Israel 
Putnam, The first American to erect a cabin 
within its limits was Gurdon S. Hubbard, who 
was in business there, as a fur-trader, as early as 
1825, but afterwards became a prominent citizen 
of Chicago. Tlie county was created by act of 
the Legislature in 1825, although a local govern- 
ment was not organized until some j'ears later. 
Since that date. Bureau, Marshall and Stark 
Counties have been erected therefrom. It is 
crossed and drained by the Illinois River. The 
surface is moderately undulating and the soil 
fertile. Corn is the chief staple, although wheat 
and oats are extensively cultivated. Coal is 
mined and exported. Hennepin is the county- 
seat. 

QUINCY, the principal city of Western Illinois, 
and the county-seat of Adams County. It was 
founded in 1822 — the late Gov. John Wood erect- 
ingthe first log-cabin there — and was incorporated 



in 1839. The site is naturalh- oneof the most beauti- 
ful in the State, the princi|)al part of the city being 
built on a limestone bluff having an elevation 
of 125 to 150 feet, and overlooking the Mississippi 
for a long distance. Its location is 112 miles west 
of Springfield and 264 miles .southwest of Chi- 
cago. Besides being a principal shipping point 
for tlie river trade north of St. Louis, it is the 
converging point of several important railway 
lines, including the Wabash, four branches of the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, and the Quincy, 
Omaha & Kansas City, giving east and west, as 
well as north and south, connections. At the 
present time (1904) several important lines, or 
extensions of railroads already constructed, are in 
contemplation, which, when completed, will add 
largelj' to the commercial importance of the city. 
The city is regularly laid out, the streets inter- 
secting each other at right angles, and being 
lighted with gas and electricity. Water is 
obtained from the Mississippi. There are several 
electric railway lines, four public parks, a fine 
railway bridge across the Mississipiji, to which a 
wagon bridge has been added within the past two 
years ; two fine railway depots, and several elegant 
public buildings, including a handsome county 
court-house, a Government building for the use 
of the Post-ofBce and the United States District 
Court. The Illinois Soldiers' and Sailors' Home 
is located here, embracing a large group of cot- 
tages occupied by veterans of the Civil War, 
liesides hospital and administration buildings for 
tlie use of the oflScers. The city has more than 
thirty churches, three libraries (one free-public 
and two college), with excellent schools and 
other educational advantages. Among the 
higher institutions of learning are the Chaddock 
College (Methodist Episcopal) and the St. Francis 
Solanus College (Roman CathoUc). Tliere are 
two or three national banks, a State bank with a 
capital of .$300,000, beside two private lianks, four 
or five daily papers, with several weekly and one 
or two monthly publications. Its advantp.ges as a 
shipping point by river and railroad have made it 
one of the most important manufacturing cen- 
ters west of Chicago. The census of 1890 showed 
a total of 374 manufacturing estalilishnients, 
having an aggregate capital of SO, 187,845, employ- 
ing 5,058 persons, and turning out an annual 
product valued at $10,160,492. Tlie cost of 
material used was 85,597,990, and the wages paid 
§3,383,571. The number of different industries 
reported aggregated seventy-six, the more impor- 
tant being foundries, carriage and wagon fac- 
tories, agricultural implement works, cigar and 



438 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



tobacco factories, flour-mills, breweries, brick- 
yards, lime works, saddle and harness shops, 
paper mills, furniture factories, organ works, and 
artificial-ice factories. Population (1880), 27,268; 
(1890), 31,494; (1900), 36,2.52. 

(JUINCY, ALTON & ST. LOUIS RAILROAD. 
(See Cliicagu, BiirliiKjfon d' Qninci/ Railroad.) 

QUINCY & CHICAGO RAILROAD. (See Chi- 
cago. Burlington A' Qniucy Railroad.) 

QUINCY & TOLEDO RAILROAD. (See 
Waba.ili Railroad. ) 

QUINCY & YV'ARSAW RAILROAD. (See 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad.) 

RAAB, Henry, ex-State Superintendent of 
Public Instruction, was born in Wetzlar, Rhen- 
ish Prussia, June 20, 1837 ; learned the trade of a 
currier with his father and came to the United 
States in 18,53, finally locating at Belleville, 111., 
where, in 1857, he became a teacher in the pub- 
lic schools ; in 1873 was made Superintendent of 
schools for that city, and, in 1882, was elected 
State Superintendent of Public Instruction on 
the Democratic ticket, declined a renomination 
in 1886; was nominated a second time in 1890, 
and re-elected, but defeated by S. M. Inglis in 
1894. In the administration of his office, Pro- 
fessor Raab showed a commendable freedom from 
partisanship. After retiring from the office of 
State Superintendent, he resumed a position in 
connection with the public schools of Belleville. 

RADISSON, Pierre Esprit, an early French 
traveler and trader, who is said to liave reached 
the Upjjer Mississippi on his third voyage to the 
West in 16.58-.59, The period of his explorations 
extended from 16.52 to 1684, of which he prejjared 
a narrative which was published by the Prince 
Society of Boston in 1885, under the title of 
"Radisson's Voyages." He and his brother-in- 
law, Medard Chouart, first conceived the idea of 
planting a settlement at Hudson's Bay. (See 
Chonart, Medard.) 

RAILROAD AND WAREHOUSE COMMIS- 
SION, a Board of three Commissioners, appointed 
by the executive ( by and with t he advice and con- 
sent of the Senate) , under authority of an ac't ap- 
proved, April 13, 1871, for the enforcement of the 
provisions of the Constitution and laws in relation 
to railroads and warehouses. The Commission's 
powers are partly judicial, partly executive. The 
following is a summary of its powers and duties: 
To establisli a schedule of maximum rates, equi- 
table to shipper and carrier alike; to require 
yearly reports from railroads and warehouses; 
to hear and pass upon comi)laints of extortion and 



unjust discrimination, and (if necessary) enforce 
prosecutions therefor; to secure the safe condi- 
tion of railwaj' road-beds,. bridges and trestles; to 
hear and decide all manner of complaints relative 
to intersections anil to protect grade-crossings; 
to insure the adoption of a safe interlocking sys- 
tem, to be approved by the Commission ; to 
enforce proper rules for the inspection and regis- 
tration of grain throughout the State. The prin- 
cipal offices of the Commission are at the State 
capital, where monthly sessions are held. For 
the purpose of properly conducting the grain 
inspection department, monthly meetings are 
also held at Chicago, where the offices of a Grain 
Inspector, appointed by the Board, are located. 
Here all business relating to this department is 
discussed and necessary special meetings are 
held. The inspection department has no revenue 
outside of fees, but the latter are ample for its 
maintenance. Fees for inspection on arrival 
("inspection in") are twenty-five cents per car- 
load, ten cents per wagon-load, and forty cents 
per 1,000 bushels from canal-boat or vessels. For 
inspection from store ("inspected out") the fees 
are fifty cents per 1,000 bushels to vessels; 
thirty-five cents per car-load, and ten cents per 
wagon load to teams. While there are never 
wanting some cases of friction between the trans- 
portation companies and warehousemen on the 
one hand, and the Commission on the other, 
there can be no question that the formation of 
the latter has been of great value to the receiv 
ers, shippers, forwarders and tax-payei"S of the 
State generally. Similar regulations in regard to 
the inspection of grain in warehouses, at East St. 
Louis and Peoria, are also in force. The first 
Board, created under the act of 1871, consi.sted of 
Gustavus Koerner, Richard P. Morgan and Da\id 
S. Hammond, holding office until 1873. Other 
Boards have been as follows ; 1873-77 — Henry D. 
Cook (deceased 1873, and succeeded by James 
Steele), David A. Brown and John M. Pearson; 
1877-83— AVilliani M. Smith, George M. Bogue and 
John H. Oberly (retired 1881 and succeeded by 
William H. Robinson); 18.S3-8.5— Wm. N. Brain- 
ard. E. C. Lewis and Charles T. Stratton; l8S,5-89 
— John I. Rinaker, Benjamin F. Marsh and Wm. T. 
Johnson (retired in 1887 and succeeded by Jason 
Rogers); 1889-93— John R. Wheeler, Isaac N. 
Phillips and W. S. Crim (succeeded, 1891, by John 
R. Tanner) ; 1893-97— W. S. Cantrell, Thomas F. 
Gahan and Charles F. Lape (succeeded, 1895, by 
George W. Fithian) ; 1897-99— Cicero J. Lindley, 
Charles S. Rannells and James E. Bidwell. (See 
also Grain Inspection.) 



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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



439 



RAILROADS (I> (JEXEUAL). The existing 

railroad system of Illinois luul its inception in the 
mania for internal improvement which swept 
over the country in 18iiO-3T. the basis of the plan 
aJopteil in Illinois (as in the Eastern States) being 
that the State should construct, maintain, own 
and operate an elaborate sj-stem. Lines were to 
be constructed from Cairo to Galena, from Alton 
to Jlount Carmel, from Peoria to Warsaw, from 
Alton to the Central Railroad, from Belleville 
to Jlount Carmel, from Bloomington to Mack- 
inaw Town, and from ileredosia to Springfield. 
The experiment proved extremely unfortunate 
to the financial interests of the State, and laid tiie 
foundation of an immense debt under which it 
staggered for many years. The Northern Cross 
Railroad, extending from Meredosia to Spring- 
field, was the only one so far completed as to be in 
operation. It was sold, in 18-17, to Nicholas H. 
Ridgely. of Springfield for §'31,100, he being the 
highest bidder. This line formed a nucleus of 
the existing Wabash sj'steni. Tlie first road to 
be operated by private parties (outside of a prim- 
itive tramway in St. Clair County, designed for 
the transportation of coal to St. Louis) was the 
Galena & Chicago Union, chartered in 1836. This 
was the second line completed in the State, and 
the first to run from Chicago. The subsequent 
development of the railway system of Illinois 
was at first gradual, then steadj' and finally 
rapid. A succinct description of the various 
lines now in operation in the State may be found 
imder appropriate headings. At present Illinois 
leads all the States of the Union in the extent of 
railways in operation, the total mileage (1897) of 
main track being 10,78.5.43 — or 19 miles for each 
100 s(^uare miles of territory and 2.5 miles for each 
10,000 inhabitants — e.stimating the population 
(1898) at four and a quarter millions. Every one 
of the 102 counties of the State is traversed by at 
least one railroad except three — Calhoiui, Hardin 
and Pope. The entire capitalization of the 111 
companies doing business in the State in 189G, 
(including cajoital stock, funded debt and current 
liabilities), was §3,669,104,142— equal to §67,5.56 
per mile. In 1894, fifteen owned and ten leased 
lines paid dividends of from four to eight per 
cent on common, and from four- to ten per cent 
on preferred, stock — the total amount thus paid 
aggregating §2.5,.'i21,7.52. The total earnings and 
income, in Illinois, of all lines operated in the 
State, aggregated .$77, 508, .537, while the total 
expenditure within the State was §71,463,367. 
Of the .5.8,26.3,860 tons of freight carried, 11,611,- 
798 were of agricultural products and 17,179,366 



mineral products. The number of passengers 
(earning revenue) carried during the year, was 
83,281,655. The total number of railroad em- 
ployes (of all classes) was 61,200. The entire 
amount of taxes paid by railroad companies for 
the year was §3,846,379. From 1836, when the 
first special charter was granted for the con- 
struction of a railroad in Illinois, until 1869 — 
after which all corporations of this character 
came under the general incorporation laws of the 
State in accordance with the Constitution of 1870 
— 293 sjjecial charters for the construction of 
railroads were granted by the Legislature, besides 
numerous amendments of charters already in 
existence. (For the history of important indi- 
vidual lines see each road under its coi^porate 
name. ) 

RALSTOJf, Virgil Young, editor and soldier, 
was born, July 16, 1828, at Vanceburg. Ky. ; was 
a student in Illinois College one year (1846-47), 
after which he studied law in Quincy and prac- 
ticed for a time; also resided some time in Cali- 
fornia; 1.855-57 was one of the editors of "The 
Quinc}- Whig," and represented that paper in the 
Editorial Convention at Decatur, Feb. 22, 1850. 
(Sfee Anti-Nebraska Editorial Convention.) In 
1861, he was commissioned a Captain in the Six- 
teenth Illinois Volunteers, but soon resigned on 
account of ill-health; later, enlisted in an Iowa 
regiment, but died in hospital at St. Louis, from 
wounds and exposure, Ajiril 19, 1864. 

RAMSAY, Riifus X., State Treasurer, was born 
on a farm in Clinton County, 111., May 20, 1838; 
received a collegiate education at Illinois and 
McKendree Colleges, and at Indiana State Uni- 
versity ; studied law with ex-Gov. A. C. French, 
and was admitted to the bar in 1865, but soon 
abandoned the law for banking, in which he was 
engaged both at Lebanon and Carlyle, limiting 
his business to the latter place about 1890. He 
served one term (from 1865) as County Clerk, and 
two terms (18.89 and '91) as Representative in the 
General Assembly, and, in 1892, was nominated 
as a Democrat and elected State Treasurer. Died 
in office, at Carlyle, Nov. 11, 1894. 

RAMSEY, a village of Fayette County, at the 
intersection of the Illinois Central and the Toledo, 
St. Louis & We.stern Railroads, 12 miles nortli of 
Vandalia ; the district is agricultiu-al ; has one 
newspaper. Pop. (1890), 598; (1900), 747. 

RANDOLPH COUMY, lies in the southwest 
section of the State, and borders on the Missis- 
sippi River; area 560 square miles; named for 
Beverly Randolph. It was set off from St. Clair 
County in 1795, being the second county organ- 



440 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ized in the territory which now constitutes the 
State of Illinois. From the earliest period of Illi- 
nois history, Randolph County has been a pivotal 
point. In the autumn of 1700 a French and 
Indian settlement was established at Kaskaskia, 
which subsequently became the center of French 
influence in the Mississippi Valley. In 1733 
Prairie du Rocher was founded by the French. 
It was in Randolph County that Fort Chartres 
was built, in 1720, and it was here that Col. 
George Rogers Clark's expedition for the seizure 
of the "Illinois Countrj'" met with success in the 
capture of Kaskaskia. American immigration 
began with the close of the Revolutionary War. 
Among the early settlers were the Cranes (Icha- 
bod and George), Gen. John Edgar, the Dodge 
family, the Morrisons, and John Rice Jones. 
Toward the close of the century came Shadrach 
Bond (afterwards the first Governor of the State) 
with his uncle of the same name, and the 
Menards (Pierre and Hippolyte), the first of 
whom subsequently became Lieutenant - Gov- 
ernor. (See Bond, Shadrach; Menard, Pierre.) 
In outline, Randolph County is triangular, while 
its surface is diversified. Timber and building 
stone are abundant, and coal underlies a consid- 
erable area. Chester, the county -seat, a city of 
3,000 inhabitants, is a place of considerable trade 
and the seat of the Southern Illinois Penitentiary. 
The county is crossed by several railroad lines, 
and transportation facilities are excellent. Pop- 
ulation (1890), 25,049; (1900). 28.001. 

K.l>SOM,(Gen.) Thomas Edward Greenfield, 
soldier, was born at Norwich, Vt., Nov. 29, 1834; 
educated at Norwich University, an institution 
under charge of his father, who was later an 
officer of the Mexican War and killed at Chapul- 
tepec. Having learned civil engineering, he 
entered on his profession at Peru, 111., in 1851; 
in 1855 became a member of the real-estate firm 
of A. J. Galloway & Co., Chicago, soon after 
removing to Fayette County, where he acted as 
agent of the Illinois Central Railroad. Under 
the first call for volunteers, in April, 1861, he 
organized a company, which having been incor- 
porated in the Eleventh Illinois, he was elected 
Major, and, on the reorganization of the regiment 
for the three-years' service, was commissioned 
Lieutenant-Colonel, in this capacity having com- 
mand of his regiment at Fort Donelson, where he 
was severely wounded and won deserved pro- 
motion to a colonelcy, as successor to Gen. W. H. 
L. Wallace, afterwards killed at Shiloh. Here 
Colonel Ransom again distinguished himself by 
his bravery, and though again wounded while 



leading liis regiment, remained in command 
through the day. His service was recognized by 
promotion as Brigadier - General. He bore a 
prominent part in the siege of Vicksburg and in 
the Red River campaign, and, later, commanded 
the Seventh Army Corps in the operations about 
Atlanta, but finally fell a victim to disease and 
his numerous wounds, dj'ing in Chicago, Oct. 39, 
1864, having previously received the brevet rank 
of Major-General. General Ransom was con- 
fessedly one of the most brilliant officers contrib- 
uted by Illinois to the War for the Union, and 
was pronounced, by both Grant and Sherman, one 
of the ablest volunteer generals in their com- 
mands. 

RAXTOUL, a city in Champaign County, at 
the junction of the main line of the Ilhnois Cen- 
tral Railroad, with its West Lebanon and Leroy 
branch, 14 miles north-northeast of Champaign 
and 114 miles south by west of Chicago. It has 
a national bank, seven churches, opera house, 
graded school, two weekly papers, machine shops, 
flouring and flax mills, tile factories, and many 
handsome residences. Pop. (1900), 1,207. 

RASLE, Sebastian, a Jesuit missionary, born 
in France, in lO.'jS; at his own request was 
attached to the French missions in Canada in 
1689, and, about 1691 or "OS. was sent to the Illi- 
nois Country, where he labored for two years, 
traveling much and making a careful study of 
the Indian dialects. He left many manuscripts 
descriptive of his journeyings and of the mode of 
life and character of the aborigines. From Illi- 
nois he was transferred to Norridgewock, Maine, 
where he prepared a dictionary of the Abenaki 
language in three volumes, which is now pre- 
served in the library of Harvard College. His 
influence over his Indian parishioners was great, 
and his use of it. during the French and Indian 
War. so incensed the English colonists in Massa- 
chusetts that the Governor set a price upon his 
head. On August 12, 1724, he was slain, with 
seven Indian chiefs who were seeking to aid his 
escape, during a night attack upon Norridge- 
wock by a force of English soldiers from Fort 
Riclimond, his mutilated body being interred the 
next day by the Indians. In 1833, the citizens of 
Norridgewock erected a monument to his mem- 
ory on the spot where he fell. 

RASTER, Herman, journalist, was born in Ger- 
many in 1828; entered journalism and came to 
America in 1851, being employed on German 
papers in Buffalo and New York City; in 1867 
accepted the position of editor-in-chief of "The 
Chicago Staats Zeitung, " which he continued to 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



441 



fill until June, 1890, when he went to Eurojje for 
the beneKt of his health, dying at Dresden, July 
24, ISDl. While employed on papers in this 
country during the Civil War, he acted as the 
American correspondent of papers at Berlin, 
Bremen, Vienna, and other cities of Central 
Europe. He served as delegate to lioth State and 
National Conventions of the Republican party, 
and. in ISliO, received from President Grant the 
appointment of Collector of Internal Revenue for 
the Chicago District, but. during the later years 
of his life, co<">perated with the Democratic 
I^arty. 

RAUCH, John Henry, physician and sanitary 
expert, l)orn in Lebanon, Pa., Sept. 4, 1828, and 
graduated in medicine at the University of Penn- 
sylvania, in 1849. The following year he removed 
to Iowa, settling at Burlington. He was an 
active member of the Iowa State Jledical Society, 
and, in IS.'il, prepared and published a "Report 
on the Medical and Economic Botany of Iowa," 
and, later, made a collection of ichthyologic 
remains of the Upper Mississippi and Missouri for 
Professor Agassiz. From 1857 to 1860 he filled 
the chair of Materia Medica and Medical Botany 
at Rush Medical College, Chicago, occupj'ing the 
same position in 1859 in the Chicago College of 
Pharmacj', of which he was one of the organ- 
izers. During the Civil War he served, until 
1864, as Assistant Medical Director, first in the 
Army of the Potomac, and later in Louisiana, 
being brevetted Lieutenant-Colonel at the close of 
the struggle. Returning to Chicago, he aided in 
reorganizing the city's health service, and, in 
1867, was appointed a member of the new Board 
of Health and Sanitary Inspector, serving until 
1876. The latter year he was chosen President of 
the American Public Health Association, and, 
in 1877, a member of the newly created State 
Board of Health of Illinois, and elected its first 
President. Later, he became Secretary, and con- 
tinued in that oflSce during his connection with 
the Board. In 1878-79 he devoted much attention 
to the yellow-fever epidemic, and was instru- 
mental in the formation of the Sanitary Council 
of the Mississijipi, and in securing the adoption 
of a system of river inspection by the National 
Board of Health. He was a member of many 
scientific bodies, and the author of numerous 
monographs and printed addresses, chiefly in the 
domain of sanitary science and preventive med- 
icine Among them may be noticed "Intra- 
mural Interments and Their Influence on Health 
and Epidemics," "Sanitary Problems of Chi- 
cago," "Prevention of Asiatic Cholera in North 



America," and a series of reports as Secretary of 
the State Board of Health. Died, at Lebanon, 
Pa., March 34, 1894. 

RAUM. ((ien.) Green Berry, soldier and author, 
was born at Golconda, Pope County, 111., Dec. 3, 
1829, studied law and was admitted to the bar in 
1853, but, three years later, removed with his 
family to Kansas. His Free-State proclivities 
rendering him obnoxious to the pro-slavery party 
there, he returned to Illinois in 1857, settling at 
Harrisburg, Saline County. Early in the Civil 
War he was commissioned a Major in the Fifty- 
sixth Illinois Volunteers, was subsequently pro- 
moted to a Lieutenant-Colonelcy, and, later, 
advanced to a Brigadier-Generalship, resigning 
his commission at the close of the war (Maj- 6, 
18G5). He was with Rosecrans in the Mississippi 
campaign of 1862, took a conspicuous part in the 
battle of Corinth, participated in the siege of 
Vicksburg and was wounded at Missionary Ridge. 
He also rendered valuable service during the 
Atlanta campaign, keeping lines of communi- 
cation open, re-enforcing Resaca and repulsing an 
attack by General Hood. He was with Sherman 
in the "March to the Sea," and with Hancock, in 
the Shenandoah Valley, when the war closed. In 
1866 General Raum became President of the pro- 
jected Cairo & Vincennes Railroad, an enterprise 
of which he had been an active promoter. He 
was elected to Congress in 1866 from the South- 
ern Illinois District (then the Thirteenth), serv- 
ing one term, and the same year presided over the 
Republican State Convention, as he did again in 
1876 and in 1880 — was also a delegate to the 
National Conventions at Cincinnati and Chicago 
the last two j-ears just mentioned. From August 
2, 1876, to May 31, 1883, General Raum served as 
Commissioner of Internal Revenue at Washing- 
ton, in that time having sujierintended the col- 
lection of $800,000,000 of revenue, and the 
disbursement of 630,000.000. After retiring from 
the Commissionership, he resumed the practice 
of law in Washington. In 1889 he was appointed 
Commissioner of Pensions, remaining to the 
close of President Harrison's administration, 
when he removed to Chicago and again engaged 
in practice. During the various political cam- 
paigns of the past thirty years, his services have 
been in frequent request as a campaign speaker, 
and he has canvassed a number of States in the 
interest of the Republican party. Besides his 
official reports, he is author of "The Existing 
Conflict Between Republican Government and 
Southern Oligarchy" (Washington, 1884), and a 
number of magazine articles. 



442 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



RAUM, John, pioneer and early legislator, was 
born in HummeLstown. Pa., July 14, 1T93, and 
died at Golconda, III., March U, 1869. Having 
received a liberal education in his native State, 
the subject of this sketch settled at Shawneetown, 
111., in 1823, but removed to Golconda, Pope 
County, in 1826. He had previously served tliree 
years in the War of 1812, as First Lieutenant of 
the Sixteenth Infantry, and, while a resident of 
Illinois, served in the Black Hawk War of 1832 as 
Brigade Major. He was also elected Senator 
from the District composed of Pope and Johnson 
Counties in the Eighth General Assembly (1833), 
as successor to Samuel Alexander, who had 
resigned. The following year he was appointed 
Clerk of the Circuit Court of Pope County, and 
was also elected Clerk of the County Court the 
same year, holding both offices for many years, 
and retaining the County Clerkship up to his 
death, a period of thirty-five years. He was 
married March 22, 1827, to Juliet C. Field, and 
was father of Brig. -Gen. Green B. Raum, and 
Maj. Jolm M. Raum, both of whom served in the 
volunteer army from Illinois during the Civil 
War. 

RAWLINS, John Aaron, soldier, Secretary of 
War, was born at East Galena, Feb. 13, 1831, the 
son of a small farmer, who was also a charcoal- 
burner. The son, after irregular attendance on 
the district schools and a year passed at Mount 
Morris Academy, began tlie study of law. He 
was admitted to the bar at Galena in 1854, and at 
once began practice. In 18.')7 he was elected City 
Attorney of Galena, and nominated on the Doug- 
las electoral ticket in 1860. At the outbreak of 
the Civil War lie favored, and publicly advocated, 
coercive measures, and it is said that it was 
partly through his influence that General Grant 
early tendered his services to the Government. 
He served on tlie staff of the latter from the time 
General Grant was given command of a brigade 
imtil the close of the war, most of the time being 
its chief, and rising in rank, step by step, until, 
■ in 1863, he became a Brigadier-General, and, in 
1865, a Major-General. His long service on the 
staff of General Grant indicates the estimation 
in which he was held by his chief. Promptly on 
the assumption of the Presidency by General 
Grant, in March, 1869, lie was appointed Secre- 
tary of War, but consumption had already 
obtained a hold upon his constitution, and he sur- 
vived only six months, dying in office, Sept. 6, 
1869. 

RAY, Charles H., journalist, was born at Nor- 
vrich, Chenango County, N. Y., March 13, 1821; 



came west in 1843, studied medicine and began 
practice at Muscatine. Iowa, afterwards locating 
in Tazewell County, III., also being associated, 
for a time, with the publication of a temperance 
paper at Springfield. In 1847 he removed to 
Galena, soon after becoming editor of "The 
Galena Jeffersonian,"' a Democratic paper, with 
which he remained until 1854. He took strong 
ground against the Kansas- Nebraska Bill, and, at 
the session of the Legislature of 185.5, served as 
Secretary of the Senate, also acting as corre- 
spondent of "The New York Tribune" ; a few 
months later became associated witli Joseph 
Medill and John C. Vaughan in the purchase and 
management of "The Chicago Tribune," Dr. Ray 
assuming the position of editor-in-chief. Dr. 
Ray was one of the most trencliant and powerful 
writers ever connected with the Illinois press, 
and his articles exerted a wide influence during 
the period of tlie organization of the Republican 
part}', in which he was an influential factor. He 
was a member of tlie Convention of Anti-Neb- 
raska editors held at Decatur, Feb. 22, 1856, and 
served as Chairman of the Committee on Reso- 
lutions. (See Anti-Nebraska Editorial Conven- 
tion.) At the State Republican Convention held 
at Bloomington, in May following, he was 
appointed a member of the State Central Com- 
mittee for that j-ear; was also Canal Trustee by 
appointment of Governor Bissell, serving from 
1857 to 1861. In November, 1863, he severed his 
connection with "The Tribune" and engaged in 
oil spe<-ulations in Canada which proved finan- 
cially disastrous. In 1865 he returned to tlie j)aper 
as an editorial writer, remaining only for a short 
time. In 1868 he assumed the niiinagement of 
"The Chicago Evening Post," with wliioh lie 
remained identified until his death, Sept. 23, 
1870. 

RAY, Lyman Reecher, ex-Lieutenaut-Gov- 
ernor, was born iii Crittenden County, Vt., 
August 17, 1831; removed to Illinois in 18.52, and 
has since, been engaged in mercantile business in 
this State. After filling several local offices he 
was elected to represent Grundy County in the 
lower house of the Twenty-eighth General 
Assembly (1872), and, ten years later, was chosen 
State .Senator, .serving from 1883 to 1887. and 
being one of the recognized party leaders on tlie 
floor. In 1888, he was elected Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor on the Republican ticket, his term expiring 
in 1893. His liome is at Morris, Grundy County. 
RAY, William H., Congressman, was born in 
Dutchess County, N. Y., Dec. 14, 1813; grew to 
manhood in his native State, receiving a limited 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



443 



education; in 1834 removed to Rushville, III., 
engaging in business as a merchant and, later, as 
a banker ; was a member of the fu'st State Board 
of Equalization (1867-69), and, in 1872, was 
elected to Congress as a Republican, representing 
his District from 1873 to 187.""). Died, Jan. 25, 
1881. 

RAYMOND, a village of Montgomery County, 
on the St Louis Division of the Wabash Railway, 
50 miles southwest of Decatur ; has electric lights, 
some manufactures and a weekly paper. Con- 
siderable coal is mined here and grain and fruit 
grown in the surrounding country. Population 
(1880). 543: (1890). 841; (1900), 906. 

RAYMOND, (Rev.) Miner, D.D., clergyman 
and educator, was born in New Y'ork City, 
August 29, 1811, being descended from a family 
of Huguenots (known by the name of "Rai- 
monde"), who were expelled from France on 
account of their religion. In his youth he 
learned the trade of a shoemaker with his father, 
at Rensselaerville, N. Y. He united with the 
Methodist Episcopal Church at the age of 17, 
later taking a course in the Wesleyan Academy 
at Wilbraham, Mass., where he afterwards 
became a teacher. In 1838 he joined the New 
England Conference and, three years later, began 
pastoral work at Worcester, subsequently occu- 
pying pulpits in Boston and Westfield. In 1848, 
On the resignation of Dr. Robert Allyn (after- 
wards President of McKendree College and of the 
Southern Illinois Normal University at Carbon- 
dale), Dr. Raymond succeeded to the principalship 
of the Academy at Wilbraham, remaining there 
until 1864, when he was elected to the chair of 
systematic theology in the Garrett Biblical Insti- 
tute at Evanston, 111., his connection with the 
latter institution continuing until 1895, when he 
resigned. For some three years of this period he 
served as pastor of the First Methodist Church 
at Evanston. His death occurred, Nov. 25, 1897. 

REAVIS, Loiran Uriab, journalist, was born 
in the Sangamon Bottom, Ma.son County, 111., 
March 26, 1831 ; in 1855 entered the office of "The 
Beardstown Gazette, " later purcliased an intere.st 
in the paper and continued its iiublication under 
the name of '"The Central lUinoian," until 1857, 
when he sold out and went to Nebraska. Return- 
ing, in 1860, he repurchased his old paper and 
conducted it until 1866, when he sold out for the 
last time. The remainder of his life was devoted 
chiefly' to ailvocating the removal of the National 
Capital to St. Louis, whicli he did by lectures and 
the publication of pamphlets and books on the 
subject; also published a "Life of Horace 



Greeley. ■■ another of General Harnej-, and two 
or three other volumes. Died in St. Louis, 
April 25, 1889. 

RECTOR, the name of a prominent and influ- 
ential family who lived at Kaskaskia in Terri- 
torial davs. According to Governor Reynohls, 
who has left the most detailed account of them in 
Ids ""Pioneer History of Illinois,"" they consisted 
of nine brothers and four daughters, all of whom 
were born in Fauquier County, Va., some of 
them emigrating to Ohio, while others came to 
Illinois, arriving at Kaskaskia in 1806. Reynolds 
describes them as passionate and impulsive, but 
possessed of a high standard of integrity and a 
chivalrous and patriotic spirit. — William, the 
oldest brother, and regarded as the head of the 
family, became a Deputy Surveyor soon after 
coming to Illinois, .and took part in the Indian 
campaigns between 1812 and 1814. In 1816 he 
was appointed Surveyor-General of Illinois, Mis- 
souri and Arkansas, and afterwards removed to 
St. Louis. — Steplien, another of the brothers, 
was a Lieutenant in Captain Moore's Company 
of Rangers in the War of 1812, while Cliarles 
commanded one of the two regiments organized 
by Governor Edwards, in 1812. for the expedition 
against the Indians at the head of Peoria Lake. 
— Nelson, still another brother, served in the 
same expedition on the staff of Governor 
Edwards. Stephen, ah-eady mentioned, was a 
member of the expedition sent to strengthen 
Prairie du Chien in 1814, and showed great cour- 
age in a fight with the Indians at Rock Island. 
During the same year Nelson Rector and Captain 
Samuel Whiteside joined Col. Zachary Taylor 
(afterwards President) in an expedition on the 
Upper Mississippi, in which they came in conflict 
with the British and Indians at Rock Island, in 
which Captain Rector again displayed the cour- 
age so characteristic of his family. On the 1st of 
March, 1814, while in charge of a surveying party 
on Saline Creek, in Gallatin County, according to 
Reynolds, Nelson was ambushed by the Indians 
and, though severely wounded, was carried away 
by his horse, and recovered. — Elias, anotlier mem- 
ber of the family, was Governor Edwards' lirst 
Adjutant-General, serving a few months in 1809, 
wlien he gave place to Robert Morrison, but was 
reappointed in 1810, serving for more than three 
years. — Thomas, one of the younger members, 
had a duel with Joshua Barton on "Bloody 
Island," sometime between 1812 and 1814, in 
which he killed his antagonist. (See Duels.) A 
])ortion of this historic family drifted into Arkan- 
sas, where they became prominent, one of their 



444 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



descendants serving as Governor of that State 
during tlie Civil War period. 

RED Bl'l), a city in Randolph County, on the 
Mobile & Ohio Railroad, some 37 miles south- 
southeast of St. Louis, and 21 miles south of Belle- 
ville; has a carriage factory and two flouring 
mills, electric lights, a hospital, two banks, five 
churches, a graded school and a weekly news- 
paper. Pop. (1890), 1,176; (1900), 1,169. 

REEVES, Owen T,, lawyer and jurist, was 
born in Ross County, Ohio, Dec. 18, 1829 ; gradu- 
ated at the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Dela- 
ware, in 1S50, afterwards serving as a tutor in 
that institution and as Principal of a Higli 
School at Chillicothe. In 18.54 he came to Bloom- 
ington, III, and, as a member of the School 
Board, assisted in reorganizing the school system 
of that city; also has served continuously, for 
over 40 years, as one of the Trustees of the Illi- 
nois Wesleyan University, being a part of the 
time President of the Board. In the meantime, he 
had begun the practice of law, served as City 
Attorney ai;d member of the Board of Supervis- 
ors. Jul}' 1, 1862, he enlisted in the Seventieth 
Illinois Volunteers (a 100-days' emergency regi- 
ment), was elected Colonel and mustered out, 
with his command, in October, 1862. Colonel 
Reeves was subsequently connected with the 
construction of the Lafa3-ette, Bloomington & 
Mississippi Railroad (now a part of the Illinois 
Central), and was also one of the founders of the 
Law Department of the Wesleyan LTniversity. 
In 1877 he was elected to the Circuit bench, serv- 
ing continuously, by repeated re-elections, until 
1891 — during the latter part of his incumbency 
being upon the Appellate bench. 

REEVES, Walter, Member of Congress and 
lawyer, was born near Brownsville, Pa., Sept. 25, 
1848; removed to Illinois at 8 years of age and 
was reared on a farm; later became a teacher 
and lawyer, following his profession at Streator; 
in 1894 he was nominated by the Republicans of 
the Eleventh District for Congress, as successor to 
the Hon. Thomas J. Henderson, and was elected, 
receiving a majority over three competitors. 
Mr. Reeves was re-elected in 1896, and again in 
1898. 

REFORMATORY, ILLINOIS STATE, a prison 
for the incarceration of male offenders under 21 
years of age, who are believed to be susceptible of 
reformation. It is the successor of the '"State 
Reform School," which was created by act of 
the Legislature of 18G7, but not opened for the 
admission of inmates until 1871. It is located at 
Pontiac. The number of inmates, in 1872, was 165, 



which was increased to 324 in 1890. The results, 
while moderately successful, were not altogether 
satisfactorj'. The appropriations made for con- 
struction, maintenance, etc., were not upon a 
scale adequate to accomplish what was desired, 
and. in 1891, a radical change was effected. 
Previous to that date the limit, as to age, was 16 
years. The law establishing the present reforma- 
tory provides for a system of indeterminate sen- 
tences, and a release upon parole, of inmates 
who, in the opinion of the Board of Managers, 
may be safely granted conditional liberation. 
The inmates are divided into two classes. (1) 
those between the ages of 10 and 16, and(2) those 
between 16 and 21. The Board of Managers is 
composed of five members, not more than three of 
whom shall be of the same part}', their term of 
office to be for ten years. The course of treat- 
ment is educational (intellectually, morally and 
industrially), schools being conducted, trades 
taught, and the inmates constantly impre.ssed 
with the conviction that, only through genuine 
and unmistakable evidence of improvement, can 
they regain their freedom. The reformatory 
influence of the institution may be best inferred 
from the results of one year's operation. Of 146 
inmates paroled, 15 violated their parole and 
became fugitives, 6 were returned to the 
Reformatory, 1 died, and 124 remained in 
employment and regularly reporting. Among 
the industries carried on are painting and glaz- 
ing, masonry and plastering, gardening, knit- 
ting, chair-caning, broom-making, carpentering, 
tailoring and blacksmithing. The grounds of the 
Reformatory contain a vein of excellent coal, 
which it is proposed to mine, utilizing the clay, 
thus obtained, in the manufacture of brick, 
which can be employed in the construction of 
additional needed buildings. The average num- 
ber of inmates is about 800, and the crimes for 
which they are sentenced range, in gravity, from 
simple assault, or petit larceny, to the most seri- 
ous offenses known to the criminal code, with 
the e.xception of homicide. The number of 
inmates, at the beginning of the year 1895, was 
812. An institution of a similar character, for 
the confinement of juvenile female offenders, was 
established under an act of the Legislature 
passed at the session of 1893. and located at Gen- 
eva, Kane County. (See Home for Juvenile 
Female Offenders.) 

RELIGIOUS DEXOMIXATIONS. The State 
constitution contains the familiar guaranty of 
absolute freedom of conscience. The chief 
denominations have gi'own in like ratio with the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



445 



population, as may be seen from figures given 
below. The earliest Christian services held were 
conducted by Catholic missionaries, who attested 
the sincerity of their convictions (in many 
instances) by the sacrifice of their lives, either 
through violence or exposure. The aborigines, 
however, were not easily Christianized ; and, 
shortly after the cession of Illinois by France to 
Great Britain, the Catholic missions, being gener- 
allj' withdrawn, ceased to exert much influence 
upon the red men, although the French, who 
remained in the ceded territory, continued to 
adhere to their ancient faith. (See Early Mis- 
sionaries. ) One of the first Protestant sects to 
hold service in Illinois, was the Methodist Epis- 
copal; Rev. Joseph Lillard coming to Illinois in 
1793, and Rev. Hosea Riggs settling in the 
American Bottom in 1796. (For history of 
Methodism in Illinois, see Methodist Episeopal 
Church.) The pioneer Protestant preacher, 
however, was a Baptist — Elder James Smith — 
who came to New Design in 1787. Revs. David 
Badgley and Joseph Chance followed him in 
1796, and the first denominational association 
was formed in 1807. (As to inception and growth 
of this denomination in Illinois, see also Bap- 
tists.) In 1814 the Massachusetts Missionary 
Society sent two missionaries to Illinois — Revs. 
Samuel J. Mills and Daniel Smith. Two years 
later (1816), the First Presbyterian Church was 
organized at Sliaron, by Rev. James McGready, 
of Kentucky. (See also Presbyterians. ) The 
Congregationalists began to arrive with the tide 
of immigration that set in from the Eastern 
States, early in the '30's. Four churches were 
organized in 1833, and the subsequent growth of 
tlie denomination in the State, if gradual, has 
been steady. (See Congregationalists.) About 
the same time came the Disciples of Christ (some- 
times called, from their founder, "Campbellites"). 
Thej' encouraged free discussion, were liberal and 
warm hearted, and did not require belief in any 
particular creed as a condition of membership. 
The sect grew rapidly in numerical strength. 
(See Disciples of Christ. ) The Protestant Episco- 
palians obtained their first foothold in Illinois, in 
1830, when Rev. Philander Chase (afterward con- 
secrated Bishop) immigrated to the State from 
the East. (See Protestant Episcopal Church.) 
The Lutherans in Illinois are chiefly of German 
or Scandinavian birth or descent, as may be 
inferred from the fact that, out of sixtj'-four 
churches in Chicago under care of the Missouri 
Synod, only four use the English language. They 
are the only Protestant sect maintaining (when- 



ever possible) a system of parochial schools. (See 
Lutherans.) There are tweut}--six other religious 
bodies in the State, exclusive of the Jews, who 
have twelve synagogues and nine rabbis. Ac- 
cording to the census statistics of 1890, these 
twenty-six sects, with their numerical strength, 
number of buildings, ministers, etc., are as fol- 
lows: Anti-Mission Baptists, 2,800 members, 78 
churches and 63 ministers; Church of God, 1,200 
members, 39 churches, 34 ministers; Dunkards, 
121,000 members, 155 churches, 83 ministers; 
Friends ("Quakers") 2,655 members, 35 churches; 
Free Metliodists, 1,805 members, 38 churches, 84 
ministers; Free- Will Baptists. 4,694 members, 107 
churches, 72 ministers; Evangelical Association, 
15,904 members, 143 churches, 152 ministers; 
Cumberland Presbyterians, 11,804 members, 198 
churches, 149 ministers; Methodist Episcopal 
(South) 3,927 members, 34 churches, 33 minis- 
ters; Moravians, 720 members, 3 churches, 3 
ministers; New Jerusalem Church (Swedenborgi- 
ans), 662 members, 14 chui-ches, 8 ministers; 
Primitive Methodist, 230 members, 2 churches, 2 
ministers; Protestant Methodist, 5,000 members, 
91 churches, 106 ministers ; Reformed Church in 
United States, 4,100 members, 34 churches, 19 
ministers; Reformed Church of America, 2,200 
members, 24 churches, 23 ministers; Reformed 
EpLscopalians, 2,150 members, 13 churches, 11 
ministers; Reformed Presbyterians, 1,400 mem- 
bers. 7 churches, 6 ministers; Salvation Army, 
1,980 members; Second Adventists, 4,500 mem- 
bers, 64 churches, 35 ministers; Seventh Day 
Baptists, 320 members, 7 churches, 11 ministers; 
Universalists, 3,160 members, 45 churches, 37 
ministers; Unitarians, 1,225 members, 19 
churches, 14 ministers; United Evangelical, 
30,000 members, 129 churches, 108 ministers; 
United Brethren, 16,500 members, 275 churches, 
260 ministers; United Presbyterians, 11,250 mem- 
bers, 203 churches, 199 ministers; Wesleyan 
Methodists, 1,100 members, 16 churches, 33 min- 
isters. (See various Churches under their proper 
names; also Boman Catholic Church.) 

REND, William Patricls, soldier, capitalist, 
and coal-operator, was born in County Leitrim, 
Ireland, Feb. 10, 1840. brought to Lowell, Mass., 
in boyhood, and graduated from the high school 
there at 17; taught for a time near New York 
City and later in Maryland, where he began a 
course of classical study. The Civil War coming 
on, he enlisted in the Fourteenth Regiment New 
York Volunteers, serving most of the time as a 
non-commi.ssioned officer, and participating in the 
battles of the second Bull Run. Malvern Hill, 



446 



UISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. 
After the war he came to Chicago and secured 
employment in a railway surveyor's office, later 
acting as foreman of the Northwestern freight 
depot, and finalh' embarking in the coal business, 
which was conducted with such success that he 
became the owner of some of the most valuable 
mining properties in the coimtry. Meanwhile 
lie has taken a deep interest in the welfare of 
miners and other classes of laborers, and has 



sought to promote arbitration and conciliation 
between employers and employed, as a means of 
averting disastrous strikes. He was especially 
active during the long strike of 1^97, in eflforts to 
bring about an understanding between the 
miners and the operators. For several years 
he held a commission as Lieutenant-Colonel of 
the Illinois National Guard until compelled, by 
the demands 'of his private business, to tender 
his resignation. 



REPRESEXTATIYES IN CONGRESS. 

The foUowinj^ table presents the names, residence. Districts re])resented. politics (except as to earlier onesK and length of 
term or terms of service of Illinois Representatives in the lower House of Consress, f 



as a Territory down to the present time; (D. Democrat; \V, Whig; K, Republican; 



rom the organization of Illinois 
G-B, Greenback; P, Fopuhst). 



Sbadrach Bond Kaskaskia 

Benjamin Stephenson Edwardsviile.. 

Nathaniel Pope ' Kaskaskia 

John McLean |Sbawneetown. 

Daniel P. Cook [Kaskaskia. 



JacksonA Morgan Cos 

Jacksonville 

Springtield 

Belleville 

Belleville 

BelleviUe 

Mt. Vernon 

Belleville 



Joseph Duncan, 

Joseph Duncan , 

WiUiam L. May.D., 
Charles Slade... .... 

John Beynulds, D... 
John Reynolds, D... 

Zadoc Casey, D 

Adam W, Snyder. D 

John T. Stuart, W |Springheld 

John T.Stuart, O.P Springfield, 

Kohert Smith. D I Alton 

John A. McClernand, D . . . Shawneetown 

John A. McClernand. D .. ., Springfield 

Orlando B. Ficklin, J) , Charleston 

Orlando B. Ficklin, D Charleston 

Jolin Wen [worth, D ; Chicago 

John Went worth, D Chicago 

John Wentworth.R Chicago 

Stephen A. Douglas, D Quiucy 

WiUiam A. Richardson, D. jRushville andQuincy 

WiUiam A. Richardson, D. jQuincy 

Joseph P. Hoge, D... Galena 

John J. Hardin, W Jacksonville 

Edward D. Baker, W SSpringfield 

Edward D. Baker, W Calena 

John Henry, W 'Jacksonville 

Tliomas J. Turner,!) Freeporl 

Abraham Lincoln, W Springfield 

William H.Bisscii. D i Belleville 

William H.Bissell.D Belleville. 



Marshall ... 
Petersburg . 
Petersburg. 

Marion 

Marion .... 
Belvidere... 
Galena. . 



Timothy B. Young. D. 

Thomas L. Harris, D 

Thomas I-. Hsirris, D... 

Willis Ahen, D 

Willis Allen. D 

Richard S. Maloney, !>., 
Thompson Campbell, J), 

Richard Vates, \V Jacksonville. 

Richard Yates. W Jacksonville. 

E- B. Washburne, R Galena 

E. B. Washburne, R Galena , 

Jesse O. Norton, R , 

Jesse O. Norton, R 

James Knox, R 

James C. Allen, D 

James C. Allen. D 

James H. Woodwurlh, R 

Jacob C. Davis, D 

Lyman Trumbull, B 

J. L. I). Morrison, D 

Samuels. Murshall.D. ... 

Samuel S. MarshulMi 

Samuels. Marshall, D. .. 
John F. Farnsworth. R ... 
John F. Farnsworth, R .. 

Owen Lo vejoy , R 

Owen Lovejov. R 

William Kellogg, R 

Isaac N. Morris, D 

Charles D. Hodges, I> ... 
Aaron Sbaw, D 1 



Territory., 
Territory., 
Territory. 

State 

State 

Stale , 

Third 

Third 

First 

First 

First 

Second ..., 

First 

Third 

Eighth .... 

First 

Second ... 

Sixth 

Third 

Third 

Fourth ... 

Second 

First 

Fifth 

Fifth 

Sixth 

Sixth 

Seventh .. 
Seventh . . 

SLxth 

Seventh . . 

Sixth 

Seventh... 

First 

Eighth.... 
Third. ... 
Seventh . . 

Sixth 

Second.... 

Ninth 

Fourth.... 

Sixth 

Seventh... 

Sixth 

First 

Third 



Joliet 

Joliet 

Kuoxvilte 

Palestine 

Palestine 

;Chicago 

Quincy 

Belleville 

I Belleville 

McLeansboro... 
'McLeansboro .. 
McLeansboro... 

Chicago 

St. Charles 

Princeton 

Princeton 

Canton 

Quincy 

CarrolUon 

Lawrenceville.. 



Third , 

sixth , 

Fourth , 

Seventh 

State-at-large 

Second 

Firth 

Eighth 

Eighth 

Ninth 

Eleventh 

Nineleenlh ... 

Second 

Second 

Third 

Fifth 

Fourth 

Fifth 

Sixth 

Seventh 



l.Sl-2-14 

18H-lti 

1816-18 

1818-19 

1819-27 

1827-33 

18:13-34 

1834-39 

1833-34 

1834-37 

1839-43 

1833-43 

1837-39 

1839-43 

1863-65 

1843-49 

1843-51 

1859-62 

1843-49 

1851-53 

1843-51 

1853-55 

1865-67 

1843-47 

1847-5t; 

1861-63 

1843-45 

1843-15 

1845-46 

1849-51 

Feb. to Mar.. 1847, 

1847-19 

1847-49 

1849-53 

1853-55 

1849-51 

1849-51 

1855-58 

1851-53 



1853-55., 
1861-53.. 
1851-53.. 
1851-53.. 
1853-55., 
1853-63.. 

l8r.3-69. . 



1853-57 

1863-65 

1853-57 

1853-57 

1863-65 

1855-57 ... 

1856-67 

1855 

1855-57 

1855-59 

l8(i5-73 

1873-75 

1S57-61 

18f.;^73 

1857-63 

1863-65 

1857-63 

1857-61 

Jan. to Mar.. 1859. 
I857-S9 



Reuarks. 



Made Rec'r of Pub. Moneys. 
Made Rec'r of Pub. Moneys. 



Elected V. S. Senator, 1824 and "Sit. 



Elected Governor: resigned. 

To succeed Duncan. 

Died; term completed by Reynolds. 

One and cue-half terms. 



Resigned, Dec., *61 ; succeeded by A. L. Knapp. 



El'd U.S. Sen,.Apr./47;suc,hyW. A.Richardson 
Res'd.Aug., '56; term filled by Jacob C. Davis. 



Resigned, Dec, '46; succeeded by John Henry. 
Served Baker's unexpired term. 



Died, Nov.24, '58; sue. by Chas. D. Hodges. 



, Resignd, March 9, '69 to accept French oils- 
I sion; term filled by H. C. Burchard. 



To fill unexpired term of RichardsoD. 
Chosen U. S. Senator; resigned. 
Filled Trumbull's une.xpired term. 



Died, Mar.. *64: term filled by E.C.Ingersoll. 
Filled unexpired term of Thoe. L. Harris. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



447 



Aaron Shaiv. IJ 

Juuies L". Robinson, D. 
James C Uobinsoil, D. 
JaiitesC. Bobinson, V. 
James C Kobinaon, I). 
Philip B. Fouke. D .. 
John A. Logan, R 



John A. Logan, D 

Isaac N. Arnold, R 

Isaac N. Arnold, R 

William J, Allen, D 

William J. Allen, D 

A. L, Knapp, 1> 

A. L. Knapp. D 

Charles M. Harris, R 

Ebon C. lE^gersoll, R 

John R. Eden, D 

John R. Eden, D 

John R. Eden, D 

Lewis W. Rosn, D 

William R, Morrison, J)... 
William R. Morrison, D .. 
William R. Morrison, D... 

S. W. Moulton, R 

S. W, Moulton, D 

S. W. Monlton, D 

Abner C. Harding. R 

Burton C Cook, R 

H, P. H. Bromwell.R 

Shelby M. Cnllom, R 

Anthony Thornton, D 

Jehu Baker, R 

Jehu Baker. R 

Jehu Baker. P 

A. J. Kuykeiidall, R 

Norman B. Judd, R 

Albert O. Burr, D 

Green B. Raum, R 

Horatio C. Burchard, R... 
Hnralio C Burchard, E... 

John B. Hawley, R 

JohnB. Hawley, R 

Jense H. Moore, R 

Thomas W. McNeeley, D. 

John B. Hay, R 

Jolin .M. Crebs, D 

John L. Beverldge, R 

Charles B. Farwell, R 

Charles B. Farwell, R 

Charles B. Farwell, R 

Brad. N. Stevens, R 

Henry Snapp, R 

Edward Y. Rice, D . 

John B. Rice, R 

B. G. Caultield. D 

Jasper D. Ward, R 

Stephen A. Hurlbut, R 

Franklin Corwin, R 

Greenbur.v L, Fort, R. 



Kksidencb. 



Sixteenth.. 
Seventh .,. 
Eleventh.. 
Eighth .... 
Tweirth... 
Eighth .... 
Ninth 



LawrenceviUe ., 

Marshall 

Marshall 

Springheld 

Spriiiglield 

Belleville 

Benton 

Carboudale State-at-large. 

Chicago Second 

Chicago First 

Marion Ninth 

Marion Thirteenth 

Jerseyvllle Fifth 

Jersey ville Tenth 

Oquawka Fourth 

Peoria Fifth 

Sullivan Seventh 

Sullivan Fifteenth 

Sullivan Seventeenth... 

Lewistown Ninth 

Waterloo Twelfth 

Waterloo Seventeenth... 

Waterloo Eighteenth — 

Slielbvville State-at-large. 

Shelbvville Fifteenth 

Shelby ville Seventeenth.. 

Monmouth Fourth 

Ottawa Sixth 

Charleston Seventh 

Spri ngjield Eighth 

Shelby ville Tenth 

Belleville Twelfth 

Belleville Eighteenth — 

Belleville Twenty-flrst . 

Vienna Thirteeniii 

Chicago First 

Carrollton Tenth 

Metropolis Thirteenth 

Freeport Third 

Freeport Fifth 

Rocklsland Fourth 

Rock Island Sixth 

Decatur Seventh 

Petersburg Ninth 

Belleville Twelfth 

Carmi Thirteenth — 

Evanston State-at-large . 

Chicago First 

Chicago Third 

Chicago Third 

Princeton Fifth 

Joliet Sixth 

Hillsboro Tenth 

Chicago First 

Chicago 1 First 

Chicago Second 

Belvidere " 

Peru 

Lacon 

Canton 



Granville Barriere, R 

Willlaoi H, Ray. R iRushville 

Robert M. Knapp, D IJerseyville 

Robert M. Knapp, D IJerseyville 

John McNulta, R ' Bloomington 

Joseph G. Cannon, R ;Tu8colaand Danville 

Jo.seph G, Cannon, R jDanviile 

Joseph G. Cannon, R Danville 

Joseph G. Cannon, R ' Danville 

James 3. Martin, R uSalein 

Isaac Clements, R Carbondale 

Carter H. Harrison, I) k:hicago 

John V. Le .Movne, D Chicago 

T.J. Henderson, R Princeton AGeneseo, 

T.J. Henderson, R Princeton 

Alexander Campbell, G.B.. LaSalle 

Richard H. Whif.ng, R 

JohnC. Bagbv, D 

.Scott Wike, li 

Scott Wike, D 

William M. Springer, D. .. 
William M. Springer, D. . 

Adlai E. Stevenson. D Bloomington. 

Adiai E. Stevenson, D Bloomington., 



Fourth 

Seventh 

Eighth 

Ninth 

Tenth 

Eleventh 

Eleventh 

Thirteenth... 

Fourteenth ... 

Fifteenth 

Fifteenth 

Twelfth 

Sixteentli 

Eighteenth... 

Second 

Third 

Sixth 

Seventh 

Seventh 

Peoria (Ninth 

Rushville | Tenth 

Pittsfield lEIeveiith 

PittsHeld Twelfth 

Springfield iTwelfth 

Springfield iThirteenth. . . 

Tliirteenth.... 

Thirteenth . . 



Williani.^J Sparks. D. 
William Hartzell.D .. . 
William B. Anderson, D . 

William Aldrlch. R 

Carter H Harrison, D ... 

Lorenz Brentano. R 

William I.athrop. R 

Philip C Haves. R 

Thomas A Bovd. R 

Benjamin F Marsh, R ,. 



Carlyle [.Sixteenth. 

jChester Eighteenth „ 

'Mt. Vernon Nineteenth.. 

jChicago First 

'Chicago Second 

IChicago iThIrd 

Rockford Fourth 

Morris ISeventh 

Lewis ton Ninth 

Warsaw (Tenth 



IS83-S5. . 

mo!).«3.. 
m()3-ti5. . 

1871-73.. 
l»73-7o . 
1S50-63.. 
1839-62.. 

1809-71.. 
1S61J;3.. 
18li.i-65.. 
18011-63. . 
1803-65.. 
1861-63.. 
1863-65.. 
1863-05.. 
1661-71., 
1803-65,. 
1873-79.. 
1885-87.. 
1803-09... 
1863-65.. 
1873-83.. 
1883-87.. 
1S65-87.. 
1881-83.. 
1883-85.. 
1865-69.. 
1865-71., 
1865-69., 
1865-71... 
1865-07.. 
1805-09.. 
1887-89.. 
1897-99.. 
1805-67... 
.^-7-71.. 
1867-71.. 
1807-69... 
1869-73.. 
1873-79... 
1869-73.., 
1873-75.. 
1869-73., 
1869-73. 
1869-73. 
1869-73., 
1871-7.3.. 
1871-73.. 
1873-76.. 
1881-83.. 
1871-73., 
1871-73., 
1871 73. 
1873-74. 
1874-77.. 
1873-75.. 
1873-77.. 
1873-75.. 
1873-81.. 
l87-'i-75.. 
187.3-75.. 
1873-75.. 
1877-79.. 
1873-75.. 
1873-83.. 
1883-91 . 
1,893-95.. 



1805. 

1873-75.. 

1873-75.. 

1875 79.. 

l,'i7G 77., 

1875-83. 

1883-95., 

1875-77., 

1875-77.. 

1875-77.. 

1875-77.., 

1889-93., 

1875 83., 

1883 95., 

1875-77. 

1879-81.. 

187.5-83.. 

1875 79., 

1875 77.. 

1877-8.1.. 

187; 



1877-79.. 
1877-79.. 
1877-81. 
1877 -SI. 
1.877-8.3.. 



Served Logan's unexpired term. 
Served McClernand*s unexpired term. 



Res'd, Apr. "62; term filled by W. J. Allen. 
< Chosen V. S. Senator, 1871; resigned; term 
( tilled by John L. Beveridge. 



1864-'G5 filled Lovejoy's unexpired t«rm . 



Re-elected, '70 but res'd before beg'ng of term. 



Filled unexpired term of Washburne. 



Served unexpired term of Logan. 

May, '76, seat awarded to J. V. LeMoyne. 



Filled unexpired term of B. C. Cook. 



Died Dec '74; succeeded by B. G. Caultield. 
From 1874-76 served out Rice's term. 



Awarded seat, vice Farwell. 



448 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Residence. 



BenjaDiin F. Marsh, R 

Berijainiii F. Marsh. R 

Thomas F. Tfpton. R 

E. W. Towiishend. D 

Goorge R. Davis. R 

George R. Davis. R 

Hirani Barber. R 

John C. Sherwiii, R 

R. Itf. A.Hawk.R 

James W.Jiiingleton, D 

A. P. ForsvUie, G. B 

JohiiR. Thomas. R 

John R.Thomas. R 

William Cullen.R 

William CulIen.R 

Lewis E. Payson, R 

Lewis E. Payson. R 

John H. Lewis, R 

Dietrich C.Smith. R 

R. W. Dunham, R 

John F. Finerty, R 

George E, Adams, R 

Reuben Ell wood, R 

Robert R. Hitt, R 

Robert R, Hitt, R 

N, E, Worthington, D 

Willi.am H, Neece, D 

James M, Riggs, D 

Joualhau H, Rowell. R,., 

Prank Lawler. D 

James H. Ward. D 

Albert J. Hopkins, R, 

Albert J, Hopkins, R 

Ralph Plumb, R 

SilasG, Landes, D 

William E, Mason, R 

Philip Sidney Post, R 

William H.Gest, R 

George A, Anderson, D 

Edward Lane, D 

AbnerTavlor, R 

Charles A, Hill, R 

Geo, W, Filhian, D 

Williams, Forman, D 

James R, Williams, D 

James R, Williams, D 

George W, Smith. R 

George ■«'. Smith, R 

Lawrence E, McQarin, D, , 
Allan C, Durborow, Jr,, D 
WalterC, Newberry, D... 
Lewis Steward. Ind 



Warsaw j Eleventh . 

Warsaw Fil'teenth . 



Bloomingtou. 

ShawneetowQ 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Geneva and Elgin,, 

Mt, Carroll 

Quincy 

Isabel 

Metropolis 

Metropolis 

Ottawa 

Ottawa 

Poutiac 

Pontiac 

Knosville 

Pekin 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Sycamore 

Mt. Morris 

Mt. Morris 

Peoria 

Macomb 

Winchester ; 

Bloomington 

Chicago 

Chicago 

.Aurora 

Aurora 

Streator 

Mt. Carmel 

Chicago 

Galesburg 

Rock Island 

Quincy 

Hillsboro 

Chicago 



Thirteenth... 
Nineteenth... 

Second 

Third 

Third 

Fourth 

Fifth 

Eleventh 

Fifteenth 

Eighteenth... 

Twentieth 

Seventh 

Eighth 

Eighth 

Ninth 

Ninth 

Thirteenth ... 

First 

Second 

Fourth 

Fifth 

Sixth 

Ninth 

Tenth 

Eleventh 

Twelfth 

Fourteenth.,. 

Second 

Third 

Fifth 

Eighth 

Eighth 

Sixteenth 

Third 

Tenth 

Eleventh 

Twelfth 

Seventeenth. . 

First 

Eighth . 



1877-89.. 
1879-83. 



1879-81 I 

I879-8'i!! !!!!jbie<i, '82; succeeded by R. R. Hitt. 



1879-81., 
1879-83., 



1881-83, 
1883 So. 



1883-91, 
1881-83,, 



1883-89.. 
1883-85. 



1882-85 

1882-95 Succeeded R. M. A. Hawk, deceased. 



iss:j-J<7,. 
1883-87 , 



1883-91., 
188,3-91,, 



1885-95,, 
1895-,, 



1885-89 

1887-91 

1887-95 Died, Jan. 6,1895. 



Joliet 

Newton iSixteenlh 

Nashville lEighteenth ... . 

Carmi Eighteenth — 

Carmi ' Nineteenth.. . . 

Murphysboro iTvventieth 

Murphysboro i Twenty-sec' nd 

Chicago Second 

Chicago Third 

Chicago I Fourth 

Piano lEighlh 

Herman W. Snow, R Sheldon Ninth 

Benjamin T, Cable, D Rock Island Eleventh 

Owen Scott, D Bloomington Fourteenth,,.. 

Samuel T. Busey, D Urbana Fifteenth 

JolinC. Black, D Chicago Slate-at-large. 

Andrew J. Hunter. D | Paris State-at -large. 

Andrew J. Hunter, D Paris ! Nineteenth — 

J, Frank Aldrich.R Chicago First 

Julius Goldzier, D iCbicago Fourth 

Robert A. Childs, R Hinsdale Eighth 

Hamilton K, Wheeler, R,,, ! Kankakee Ninth 

John J, McDannoId. 1) i Mt, Sterling ITwelf th 

Benjamin F. Funk, R ; Bloomington 'Fourteenth — 

William Lorimer, R Chicago I Second 

Hugh R, Belknap, R Chicago Third 

CliarlesW, Woodman, R,, Chicago iFourth 

Geo, E, White, R Chicago Fifth 

Edward D, Cooke, R Chicago ;Sixth 

Ge<:>rge E, Foss, R Chicago .Seventh 

George W. Prince, R Galesburg Tenth 

Walter Reeves. R 'streator Eleventh 

Vespasian Warner, R ^Clinton | Thirteenth 

J. V. Graff. R ' Pekin Fourteenth.... 

Finis E. Downing. 1) ] Virginia , ! Sixteenth 

James A,Connoily,R Springfield Seventeenth,.. 

Frederick Remaim, R I Vandaha Eighteenth — 

Wm, F. L. Hadley.R lEdwardsville Eighteenth 

Benson Wood, R [Effingham Xi..eleenth. . 

Orlando Burrell.R , Carmi Twentieth ,,, 

Everett J, Murphy, R East St, Louis Twenty-tirst 

James R, Mann, R Chicago First 

Daniel W, Mills, R Chicago Second 

Thomas M, Jett, D Hillsboro Eighteenth 

James R, Campbell, D McLeansboro Twentieth.,,, 

George P. Foster. R Chicago Third . 

Thomas Cusack, D Chicago Fourth 

Edgar T, Noonan.l) Chicago Filth 

Henry S, lioutell, R IChicago Sixth 

W. E. Williams. D Pittsfleld Sixteenth 

B. F. Caldwell, D Chatham Seventeenth,. 

Joseph B. Crowley, D Robinson Nineteenth .,, 

W. A. Rodenberg, R EastSt. Louis |Twenty lirst,. 



1893-95 
1895—., 



1887-89. , 
1887-95.. 

)-93,, 
1889-91., 

S-95,. 
1889-95., 

S-95.. 
1899—,, 
1889-95,. 
1895- . . 
1891-95.. 

1-9.V, 
1891-93., 
1891-93,. 



1-.91-93.. 
1891-93., 



lt9.3-95.. 
1893-95.. 



1893-97,, 
1893-95.. 



1893-95.. 
1893-95.. 



1895— ' 

1895-99 .\warded seat aftercon. with L. E. McGann. 



1895-99 1 

1805-98 I Died, June 4, 



1893- 
1895- 



8; suc'd. by Henry a Boutell. 



1895— 

1895— 

1895— .!".'.'.'."."...... ..'Dietiijui.v 14. 'kV suc'd. ijy W. J?. il Hatjiey. 

lo95- Elected to fill vacancy. 

1895-97 

1895-97 

1895-97 ' 



1897- 
1897- 



1899- . 

11899-. 



1898— [Succeeded E. D. Cooke, deceased. 

1899— ' 



1899- 
1899- 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



449 



REYNOLDS, John, Justice of Supreme Court 
and fourth Governor of Illinois, was born of Irish 
ancestry, in ilontgomerj' County, Pa., Feb. 26, 
17S9, and brought by his parents to Kaskaskia, 
111., in 1800, .spending the first nine years of his 
life in Illinois on a farm. xVfter receiving a com- 
mon school education, and a two years' course of 
study in a college at Knoxville, Tenn., he studied 
law and began practice. In 1812-13 be served as 
a scout in the campaigns against the Indians, 
winning for himself the title, iu after life, of "The 
Old Ranger." Afterwards he removed to 
Cahokia, where he began the practice of 
law, and, in 1818, became As.sociate Justice of the 
first Supreme Court of the new State. Retiring 
from the bench in 1S2.5, he served two terms in 
the Legislature, and was elected Governor in 
1830, in 1833 personally commanding the State 
volunteers called for service in the Black Hawk 
War. Two weeks before the expiration of his 
term (1834), he resigned to accept a seat in Con- 
gress, to which he had been elected as the suc- 
cessor of Charles Slade, who had died in office, 
and was again elected in 1838, always as a Demo- 
crat. He dlso served as Representative in the 
Fifteenth General Assembly, and again in the 
Eighteenth (1853-54), being chosen Speaker of the 
latter. In 1858 he was the administration (or 
Buchanan) Democratic candidate for State Su- 
perintendent of Public Instruction, as opposed to 
the Republican and regular (or Douglas) Demo- 
cratic candidates. For some years he edited a 
daily paper called "The Eagle," which was pub- 
lished at Belleville. While Governor Reynolds 
acquired some reputation as a "classical scholar, ' ' 
from the time spent in a Tennessee College at 
that early day, this was not sustained by either 
his colloquial or written style. He was an 
ardent champion of slavery, and, in the early 
days of the Rebellion, gained unfavorable notori- 
ety in consequence of a letter written to Jefferson 
Davis expressing sympathy with the cause of 
"seces.sion. " Nevertheless, in spite of intense 
prejudice and bitter partisanship on some ques- 
tions, he possessed many amiable qualities, as 
shown by his devotion to temperance, and his 
popularity among persons of opposite political 
opinions. Although at times crude in style, ami 
not always reliable in his statement of historical 
facts and events. Governor Reynolds has rendered 
a valuable service to posteritj- by his writings 
relating to the early history of the State, espe- 
cially those connected with his own times. His 
best known works are: "Pioneer History of Illi- 
nois" (Belleville, 1848); "A Glance at the Crystal 



Palace, and Sketches of Travel" (1854); and "My 
Life and Times" (1855). His death occurred at 
Belleville. May 8, 1805. 

REYXOLDS, John Parker, Secretary and 
President of State Board of Agriculture, was born 
at Lebanon, Ohio, March 1, lbi30, antl graduated 
from tlie Miami University at the age of 18. In 
1840 he graduated from the Cincinnati Law 
School, and soon afterward began practice. He 
removed to Illinois in 1854, settling first in Win- 
nebago County, later, successi\ely in Marion 
County, in Springfield and in Chicago. From 
1860 to 1870 he was Secretary of the State Agri- 
cultural Society, and, upon the creation of the 
State Board of Agriculture in 1871, was elected 
its President, filling that position until 1888, 
when he resigned. He has also occupied numer- 
ous other posts of honor and of trust of a public 
or semi-public character, having been President 
of the Illinois State Sanitarj- Commission during 
the War of the Rebellion, a Commissioner to the 
Paris Exposition of 1867, Chief Grain Inspector 
from 1878 to 1882, and Secretary of the Inter- 
State Industrial Exposition Company of Chicago, 
from the date of its organization (1873) until its 
final dissolution. His most important public 
service, in recent yeai's, was rendered asDirector- 
in-Chief of the Illinois exhibit in the World's 
Columbian Exposition of 1893. 

REYNOLDS, Joseph Smith, soldier and legis- 
lator, was born at New Lenox, 111., Dec. 3, 1S39; 
at 17 years of age went to Chicago, was educated 
in the high school there, within a month after 
graduation enlisting as a private in the Sixty- 
fourth Illinois Volunteers. From the ranks he 
rose to a colonelcy through the gradations of 
Second-Lieutenant and Captain, and, in July, 
1865, was brevetted Brigadier-General. He was 
a gallant soldier, and was thrice wounded. On 
his return home after nearly four years" service, 
he entered the law department of the Chicago 
University, graduating therefrom and beginning 
practice in 18(36, General Reynolds has been 
prominent in jjublic life, having .served as a 
member of both branches of the General Assem- 
bly, and having been "h, State Commissioner to the 
Vienna Exposition of 1873. He is a member of 
the G. A. R. , and, in 1875, was elected Senior 
Vice-Commander of the order for the United 
States. 

REYNOLDS, William Morton, clerg3'man, was 
born in Fayette County, Pa. , March 4, 1812 ; after 
graduating at Jefferson College, Pa., in 1S33, was 
connected with various institutions in that State, 
as well as President of Capital University at 



450 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Columbus, Ohio, ; then, coming to Illinois, was 
President of the Illinois State University at 
Springfield, 1857-60, after which he became Prin- 
cipal of a female seminary in Chicago. Previ- 
ously a Lutlieran, he took orders in the Protestant 
Episcopal Church in 1804, and served several 
parishes until his death. In his early life he 
founded, and, for a time, conducted several reli- 
gious publications at Gettysburg, Pa., besides 
issuing a number of printed addresses and other 
published works. Died at Oak Park, near Chi- 
cago, Sept. 5, 1876. 

RHOADS, (Col.) Franklin Lawrence, soldier 
and steamboat captain, was born in Harrisburg, 
Pa., Oct. 11, 1824; brought to Pekin, Tazewell 
County, 111., in 1836, where he learned the print- 
er's trade, and, on the breaking out of the 
Mexican War, enlisted, serving to the close. 
Returning home he engaged in the river trade, 
and, for fifteen years, commanded steamboats on 
the Illinois, Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. In 
April, 1861. he was commissioned Captain of a 
company of three months' men attached to the 
Eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and, on the 
reorganization of the regiment for the three- 
years' service, was commissioned Lieutenant- 
Colonel, soon after being promoted to the colo- 
nelcy, as successor to Col. Richard J. Oglesby, who 
had been promoted Brigadier-General. After 
serving through the spring campaign of 1863 in 
Western Kentucky and Tennessee, he was com- 
pelled by rapidly declining health to resign, when 
he located in Shawneetown, retiring in 1874 to 
his farm near tliat city. During the latter years 
of his life he was a confirmed invalid, dying at 
Shawneetown, Jan. 6, 1879. 

RHOADS, Joshua, M.D., A.M., pliysician and 
educator, was born in Philadelphia, Sept. 14, 
1806; studied medicine and graduated at the 
University of Pennsylvania with the degi-ee of 
M.D., also receiving tlie degree of A.M., from 
Princeton; after several years spent in practice 
as a physician, and as Principal in some of the 
public schools of Philadelphia, in 1839 he was 
elected Principal of the Pennsylvania Institution 
for the Blind, and, in 1850, took charge of the 
State Institution for the Blind at Jacksonville, 
111., then in its infancy. Here he remained until 
1874, when he retired. Died, February 1, 1876. 
RICE, Edward T., lawyer and jurist, born in 
Logan County, Ky., Feb. 8, 1820, was educated in 
the common schools and at Shurtleff College, 
after which he read law with John M. Palmer at 
Carlinville, and was admitted to practice, in 1845, 
at Hillsboro ; in 1847 was elected County Recorder 



of Montgomer}' County, and, in 1848. to the Six- 
teenth General Assembly, serving one term. 
Later lie was elected County Judge of Montgom- 
ery County, was Master in Chancery from 1853 to 
1857, and the latter year was elected Judge of the 
Eighteenth Circuit, being re-elected in 1861 and 
again in 1867. He was also a member of the 
Constitutional Convention of 1869-70, and, at the 
election of the latter year, was chosen Repre- 
sentative in the Forty-second Congress as a 
Democrat. Died, April 16, 1883. 

RICE, John B., theatrical manager, Mayor of 
Chicago, and Congressman, was born at Easton, 
Md. , in 1809. By profession he was an actor, 
and, coming to Chicago in 1847, built and opened 
there the first theater. In 1857 he retired from 
the stage, and, in 1865, was elected Mayor of 
Chicago, the city of his adoption, and re-elected 
in 1867. He was also prominent in the early 
stages of the Civil War in the measures taken to 
raise troops in Chicago. In 1872 he was elected 
to the Forty-third Congress as a Republican, but, 
before the expiration of his term, died, at Nor- 
folk, Va., on Dec. 6, 1874. At a special election 
to fill the vacancy, Bernard G. Caulfield was 
chosen to succeed him. 

RICHARDSOX, William A., lawyer and poli- 
tician, born in Fayette County, Ky., Oct. 11, 
1811, was educated at Transylvania University, 
came to the bar at 19, and settled in Schuyler 
County, 111., becoming State's Attorney in 1835; 
was elected to the lower branch of the Legislature 
in 1836, to the Senate in 1838, and to the House 
again in 1844, from Adams County — the latter 
year being also chosen Presidential Elector on 
the Polk and Dallas ticket, and, at the succeeding 
session of the General Assembly, serving as 
Speaker of the House. He entered the Jlexican 
War as Captain, and won a Majority through 
gallantry at Buena Vista. From 1847 to 1856 
(when he resigned to become a candidate for 
Governor), lie was a Democratic Representative 
in Congress from the Quincy District ; re-entered 
Congress in 1861, and, in 1863, was chosen 
LTnited States Senator to fill the unexpired term 
of .Stephen A. Douglas. He was a delegate to tlie 
National Democratic Convention of 1868, but 
after that retired to private life, acting, for a 
short time, as editor of "The Quincy Herald." 
Died, at Quincy, Dec. 27, 1875. 

RICHLAND COUNTY, situated in the south- 
east quarter of the State, and lias an area of 361 
square miles. It was organized from Edwards 
County in 1841. Among the early pioneers may 
be mentioned the Evans brothers, Thaddeus 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



451 



Morehouse, Hugh Calhoun and son, Thomas 
Gardner, James Parker, Cornelius De Long, 
James Gilmore and Elijah Nelson. In 1820 
there were but tliirty families in the district. 
The first frame houses — the Nelson and More- 
house homesteads — were built in 1821, and, some 
years later, James Laws erected the first brick 
house. The pioneers traded at Vincennes, but, 
in 1825, a store was opened at Stringtown by 
Jacob May ; and the same year the first school was 
opened at Watertown, taught by Isaac Chaun- 
cey. The first church was erected by the Bap- 
tists in 1822, and services were conducted by 
William Martin, a Kentuckian. For a long time 
the mails were carried on horseback by Louis 
and James Beard, but. in 1824, Stills and Whet- 
sell established a line of four-horse stages. The 
principal road, known as the "trace road," lead- 
ing from Louisville to Cahokia. followed a 
buffalo and Indian trail about where the main 
street of Olney now is. Olney was selected as 
the county-seat upon the organization of the 
county, and a Mr. Lilly built the first liouse 
there. The chief branches of industry followed 
by the inliabitants are agriculture and fruit- 
growing. Population (1880), 15,545; (1890), 
15,019; (1000). ](;,391. 

KIDGE FARM, a villa leof Vermillion County, 
at junction of the Cleveland, Cincinnati. Chicago 
& St. Louis and the Toledo. St. Louis & Western 
Railroads, 174 miles northenst of St. Louis; has 
electric light plant, planmg mill, elevators, liank 
and two papers. Pop. (1900), 9:)::!; (1904), 1.300. 

RIDOELY, a manulacturing and mining sub- 
urb of the city of Springfield. An extensive 
rolling mill is located there, and there are several 
coal-shafts in the vicinity. Population(lyOO), 1.169. 

RIDOELY, Charles, manufacturer and capi- 
talist, born in Springfield. 111.. Jan. IT, 183G; was 
educated in private schools and at Illinois Col- 
lege; after leaving college spent some time as a 
clerk in his father's bank at Springfield, finally 
becoming a member of the firm and successively 
Cashier and Vice-President. In 1870 he was 
Democratic candidate for State Treasurer, but 
later has affiliated with the Republican party. 
About 1872 lie became identified with the Spring- 
field Iron Company, of which he lias been Presi- 
dent for many years ; has also been President of 
the Consolidated Coal Company of St. Louis and. 
for some time, was a Director of the W,abash Rail- 
road. Mr. Ridgely is also one of the Trustees of 
Illinois College. 

RIIMJELY, Nicholas H., early banker, was 
born in Baltimore, Md., April 27, 1800; after 



leaving school was engaged, for a time, in the 
dry-goods trade, but. in 1829, came to St. Louis 
to assume a clerkship in the branch of the 
United States Bank just organized there. In 
1835 a branch of the State Bank of Illinois was 
established at Springfield, and Mr. Ridgely 
became its cashier, and, when it went into liqui- 
dation, -was appointed one of the trustees to wind 
up its affairs. He subsequently became Presi- 
dent of the Clark's Exchange Bank in that city, 
but this having gone into liquidation a few years 
later, he went into the private banking business 
as head of the "Ridgely Bank," which, in 1866, 
became the "Ridgely National Bank," one of the 
strongest financial institutions in the State out- 
side of Chicago. After the collapse of the inter- 
nal improvement scheme, Mr. Ridgely became 
one of the purchasers of the "Northern Cross 
Railroad" (now that part of the Wabash system 
extending from the Illinois river to Springfield), 
when it was sold by the State in 1847, paying 
therefor §21,100. He was also one of the Spring- 
field bankers to tender a loan to the State at the 
beginning of the war in 1861. He was one of the 
builders and principal owner of the Springfield 
gas-light system. His business career was an 
eminently successful one, leaving an estate at 
his death, Jan. 31, 18S3. valued at over §2,000,000. 

RIDGWAY, a village of Gallatin County, on the 
Shawneetown Division of the Baltimore & Ohio 
Southwestern Railway, 12 miles northwest of 
ShawneetoTn ; has a bank and one newsiiappT. 
Pop. (1890). .523; (1900). 839; (1903, est), 1,000. 

RIDGWAY, Thomas S., merchant, banker and 
politician, was bom at Carmi. 111., August 30, 
182G. His father having died when he was but 4 
years old and his mother when he was 14, his 
education was largel}' acquired through contact 
with tlie world, apart from such as he received 
from his mother and during a year's attendance 
at a private school. When he was 6 years of age 
the family removed to Shawneetown, where he 
ever afterwards maile his home. In 1845 he em- 
barked in business as a merchant, and the firm 
of. Peeples & Ridgway soon became one of the 
most prominent in Southern Illinois. In 1865 tlie 
partners closed out their business and organized 
the first National Bank of Shawneetown, , of 
which, after the death of Mr. Peeples in 1875, 
Mr. Ridgway was President. He was one of 
the projectors of the Springfield & Illinois South- 
eastern Railway, now a part of the Baltimore & 
Ohio Southwestern system, and, from 1867 to 
1874, served as its President. He was an ardent 
and active Republican, and served as a delegate 



452 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



to every State and Xational Convention of his 
party from 1868 to 1S96. In 1874 he was elected 
State Treasurer, the candidate for Superintendent 
of Public Instruction on the same ticket being 
defeated. In 1876 and 1880 he was an unsuccess- 
ful candidate for his party's nomination for Gov- 
ernor. Three times he consented to lead the 
forlorn hope of the Republicans as a candidate 
for Congress from an impregnably Democratic 
stronghold. For several years lie was a Director 
of the McCormick Tlieological Seminary, at Clii- 
cago, and, for nineteen years, was a Trustee of the 
Southern Illinois Normal University at Carbon- 
dale, resigning in 1893. Died, at Shawneetown, 
Nov. 17, 1897. 

RIGGSj James M., ex-Congressman, was born 
in Scott County, 111., April 17, 1839, where he 
received a common school education, supple- 
mented by a partial collegiate course. He is a 
practicing lawj-er of Winchester. In 1864 he was 
elected Sheriff, serving two years. In 1871-73 he 
represented Scott County in the lower house of 
the Twenty-seventh General Assembly, and was 
State's Attorney from 1873 to 1876. In 1883, and 
again in 1884, he was the successful Democratic 
candidate for Congress in the Twelfth Illinois 
District. 

RIGGS, Scott, pioneer, was born in North 
Carolina about 1790; removed to Crawford 
Count}'. Ill, early in 181.5, and represented that 
county in the First General Assembly (1818-20). 
In 1835 he removed to Scott County, where he 
continued to reside until his death, Feb, 34, 1873. 

RI^AKER, John I., lawyer and Congressman, 
born in Baltimore, Md., Nov. 18, 1830. Left an 
orphan at an early age, he came to Illinois in 
1836. and, for several years, lived on farms in 
Sangamon and IMorgan Counties; was educated 
at Illinois and McKendree Colleges, graduating 
from the latter in 1851 ; in 1853 began reading 
law with John M. Pahuer at Carlinville, and was 
admitted to the bar in 1854. In August, 1863, he 
recruited the One Hundred and Twenty-second 
Illinois Volunteers, of which he was commis- 
sioned Colonel. Four months later he was 
wounded in battle, but served with his regiment 
through the war, and was brevetted Brigailier- 
General at its close. Returning from the war he 
resumed the practice of his profession at Carlin- 
ville. Since 1858 he has been an active Rejiub- 
lican; has twice (1872 and '76) served his party 
as a Presidential Elector— the latter year for the 
Stateat-large — and. in 1874, accepted a nomina- 
tion for Congi-ess against William R. Morrison, 
largely reducing the normal Democratic major- 



ity. At the State Republican Convention of 1880 
he was a prominent, but unsuccessful, candidate 
for the Republican nomination for Governor. In 
1894 he made the race as the Republican candi- 
date for Congress in the Sixteenth District and, 
although his opponent was awarded the certifi- 
cate of election, on a bare majority of 60 votes on 
the face of the returns, a re-count, ordered by the 
Fifty- fourth Congress, showed- a majority for 
General Riuaker, and he was seated near the 
close of the first session. He was a candidate 
for re-election in 1896, but defeated in a strongly 
Democratic District. 

RIPLEY, Edward Pay son. Railway President, 
was born in Dorchester (now a part of Boston), 
Mass., Oct. 30, 1845, being related, on his mother's 
side, to the distinguished author. Dr. Edward 
Payson. After receiving his education in the 
high school of his native place, at the age of 17 
he entered upon a commercial life, as clerk in a 
wholesale dry-goods establishment in Boston. 
About the time he became of age, he entered into 
the service of the Penn.sylvania Railroad as a 
clerk in the freight department in the Boston 
office, but, a few years later, assumed a responsible 
position in connection with the Chicago, Burling- 
ton & Quincy line, finally becoming General 
Agent for the business of that road east of 
Buffalo, though retaining his headquarters at 
Bo.ston. In 1878 he removed to Chicago to accept 
the position of General Freight Agent of the Chi- 
cago, Burlington & Quincj' System, with which 
he remained twelve years, serving successively as 
General Traffic Manager and General Manager, 
imtil June 1, 1890, when he resigned to become 
Third Vice-President of the Chicago. Milwaukee 
& St. Paul line. This relation was continued 
until Jan. 1, 1896, when Mr. Ripley accepted 
the Presidency of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa 
Fe Railroad, which (1899) he now holds. Mr. 
Ripley was a prominent factor in securing the 
location of the World's Columbian Exposition at 
Chicago, and, in April, 1891. was chosen one of 
the Directors of the Exposition, serving on the 
Executive Committee and the Committee of 
Ways and Means and Transportation, being Chair- 
man of the latter. 

RIVERSIDE, a suburban town on the Des 
Plaines River and the Chicago. Burlington & 
Quincy Railway. 11 miles west of Chicago; has 
handsome parks, several churches, a bank, 
two local jiapers and numerous fine residences. 
Population (1890). 1,000; (1900), 1,.')51 

RIVERTON, a village in Clear Creek Town- 
ship, Sangamon County,. at the crossing of the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



453 



Wabash Railroad over the Sangamon River, 6^ 
miles east-northeast of Springfield. It has four 
churches, a nursery, and two coal mines Popu- 
lation (1880). 70.5: (1890), 1,127, (1900), 1 511; (1903, 
est), about C. 000. 

RIVES, John Cook, early banker and journal- 
ist, was born in Franklin County, Va., Jlay ~4, 
1795; in. 1806 removed to Keutuckj', where he 
grew up under care of an uncle, Samuel Casey. 
He received a good education and was a man of 
high character and attractive manners. In his 
early manhood he came to Illinois, and was con- 
nected, for a time, with the Branch State Bank 
at Edwardsville, but, about 1824, removed to 
Shawneetown and held a position in the bank 
there; also studied law and was admitted to 
practice. Finally, having accepted a clerkship 
in the Fourth Auditor's Office in Washington, 
he removed to that city, and, in 1830, became 
associated with Francis P. Blair, Sr., in the 
establishment of "The Congressional Globe" (the 
predecessor of "The Congressional Record"), of 
which he finally became sole proprietor, so 
remaining until 1864. Like his partner, Blair, 
although a native of Virginia and a life-long 
Democrat, he was intensely loyal, and contrib- 
uted liberally of his means for the equipment of 
soldiers from the District of Columbia, and for 
the support of their families, during the Civil 
War. His expenditures for these objects have 
been estimated at some §30,000. Died, in Prince 
George's County, Md., April 10, 1864. 

ROAXOKE, a village of Woodford County, on 
the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway, 26 
miles northeast of Peoria; is in a coal district; 
has two banks, a coal mine, and one newspaper. 
Population (1880), 355; (1890), 831; (1900), 966. 

ROBB, Thomas Patten, Sanitary Agent, was 
born in Bath, Maine, in 1819; came to Cook 
County, 111., in 1838, and, after arriving at man- 
hood, established the first exclusive wholesale 
grocery house in Chicago, remaining in the busi- 
ness until 1850. He then went to California, 
establishing himself in mercantile business at 
Sacramento, where he remained seven years, 
meanwhile being elected Mayor of that city. 
Returning to Chicago on the breaking out of the 
war, he was appointed on the staff of Governor 
Yates with the rank of Major, and, while serv- 
ing in this capacity, was instrumental in giving 
General Grant the first duty he performed in the 
office of the Adjutant-General after his arrival 
from Galena. Later, he was assigned to duty as 
Inspector-General of Illinois troops with the rank 
of Colonel, having general charge of sanitary 



affairs until the close of the war, when he was 
appointed Cotton Agent for the State of Georgia, 
and, still later. President of the Board of Tax 
Commissioners for that State. Other positions 
held by him were those of Postmaster and Col- 
lector of Customs at Savannah, Ga. ; he was also 
one of the publishers of "The New Era," a 
Republican paper at Atlanta, and a prominent 
actor in reconstruction affairs. Resigning the 
Collectorship, he was appointed by the President 
United States Commissioner to investigate Mexi- 
can outi'ages on the Rio Grande border ; was sub- 
sequently identified with Texas railroad interests 
as the President of the Corpus Christi & Rio 
Grande Railroad, and one of the jjrojectors of the 
Chicago, Texas & Mexican Central Railway, being 
thus engaged until 1872. Later he returned to 
California, dying near Glenwood, in that State, 
April 10, 1895, aged 75 years and 10 months. 

ROBERTS, William' Charles, clergyman and 
educator, was born in a small village of Wales, 
England., Sept. 23, 1832; received his primary 
education in that countrj', but, removing to 
America during his minority, graduated from 
Princeton College in 1855, and from Princeton 
Theological Seminary in 1858. After filling vari- 
ous pastorates in Delaware, New Jersey and Ohio, 
in 1881 he was elected Corresponding Secretary 
of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, 
the next year being offered the Presidency of 
Rutgers College, which he declined. In 1887 he 
accepted the presidency of Lake Forest Univer- 
sity, which he still retains. From 1859 to 1,863 
he was a Trustee of Lafayette College, and, in 
1866, was elected to a trusteeship of his Alma 
Mater. He has traveled extensively in the 
Orient, and was a member of the first and third 
councils of the Reformed Churches, held at Edin- 
burgh and Belfast. Besides occasional sennons 
and frequent contributions to English, Ameri- 
can, German and Welsli jjeriodicals. Dr. Roberts 
has published a Welsh translation of the West- 
minster shorter catechism and a collection of 
letters on the great preachers of Wales, which 
appeared in Utica. 18C8. He received the degree 
of D.D., from Union College in 1872, and that of 
LL.D., from Princeton, in 1887. 

ROBINSON, an incorporated city and the 
county -seat of Crawford Courty. 25 miles north- 
west of Vincennes, Ind. , and 44 miles south of 
Paris, 111. ; is on two lines of railroad and in the 
heart of a fruit and agricultural region The 
city has water-works, electric lights, two banks 
and three weekly newspapers Population (1890) 
1,387; (1900), 1,683; (1904), about 2,000. 



454 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ROBINSON, James C, lawyer and former 
Congressman, was born in Edgar County, 111., in 
1822, read law and was admitted to the bar in 
1850. He served as a private during the Mexican 
War, and, in 1858, was elected to Congress as a 
Democrat, as be was again in 1860, '63, "70 and 
'73. In 1864 he was the Democratic nominee for 
Governor. He was a fluent speaker, and attained 
considerable distinction as an advocate in crimi- 
nal practice. Died, at Springfield, Nov. 3, 1886. 

ROBINSON, John M., United States Senator, 
born in Kentucky in 1793, was liberally educated 
and became a lawyer bj' profession. In early life 
lie settled at Carmi, 111., where he married. He 
was of fine physique, of engaging manners, and 
personally popular. Through his association 
with the State militia he earned the title of 
"General." In 1830 he was elected to the United 
States Senate, to fill the unexpired term of John 
McLean. His immediate predecessor was David 
Jewett Baker, ajipointed by Governor Edwards, 
who served one month but failed of election by 
the Legislature. In 1834 5Ir. Robinson was re- 
elected for a full term, which expired in 1841. 
In 1843 he was elected to a seat upon the Illinois 
Supreme bench, but died at Ottawa, April 27, of 
the same year, within three months after his 
elevation. 

ROCHELLE, a city of Ogle County and an 
intersecting point of the Chicago & Northwestern 
and the Chicago, Burlington & i^uiney Railways. 
It is 75 miles west of Chicago, 27 miles si^uth of 
Rockford, and 23 miles east by nortli of Dixon. 
It IS in a rich agricultural and stock-raising 
region, rendering Roehelle an important ship 
ping point. Among its industrial establish- 
ments are water work.s, electric lights, a flouring 
mill and silk underwear factory- The citj has 
three Iwiiks, live cluircbes and thi'ee newspapers. 
Pop (l.'-OO 1,789; (1900), 3,073, (1903), 3. 500. 

ROCnrSTEH, a village and early settlement 
in Sangamon County, laid out in 1819; in rich 
agri(niltm-,il district, on the Baltimore & Oliio 
Soirtli'.vestern Railroad, 7>4 miles southeast of 
Springfield; has a bank, two churches, one school, 
and a newspaper. Population (1900) 365 

ROCK F.VLLS, a city in Whiteside County, on 
Rock Riverand tlie Chicago, Burlington it Quincy 
Railroad; has excellent water-power, a good 
public school system with a high scliool, banks 
and a weekly new.'-p;i])er. Agriiniltural imple- 
ments, bar-bed wire, fiirnitnre. floirr and paper are 
its chief manufactures. Water for the navigable 
feeder of the Hennepin Canal is taken from Rock 
River at this point. Pop. (1900), 2,176. 



ROCKFORD, a flourishing manufacturing 

city, the county -seat of Winnebago County ; lies 
on both sides of the Rock River, 92 miles west of 
Chicago. Four trunk lines of railroad — the Chi- 
cago, Burlington & Quincy, the Cliicago & North- 
western, the Illinois Central and the Chicago, 
Milwaukee & St. Paul — intersect here. Excellent 
water-power is secured b}' a dam across the river, 
and communication between the two divisions of 
the city is facilitated by three railway and three 
highway bridges. Water is jirovided from five 
artesian wells, a reserve main leading to the 
river. The city is wealthy, prosperous and pro- 
gressive. The assessed valuation of property, in 
1893, was §6,531,235. Churches are numerous and 
schools, both public and private, are abrrndant 
and well conducted. The census of 1890 showed 
§7,715,069 capital invested in 246 manufacturing 
establishments, which employed 5,223 persons and 
turned oirt an annual product valued at §8.888,- 
904. The princijial industries are the manrrfac- 
ture of agricultural imijlements and furniture, 
though watches, silver-plated ware, paper, flour 
and grape sugar are among the other products. 
Pop. (1880), 13,129; (1890), 23,584; (1900), 31,051. 

ROCKFORD COLLEGE, located at Rockford, 
111., incorporated in 1847; in 1898 had a faculty 
of 21 instructors with 161 pupils. The branches 
taught include the classics, music and fine arts. 
It has a library of 6, 150 volumes, funds and en- 
dowment aggregating §50,880 and property 
vah-.ed at §240.880, of which §1,50,000 is real 
estate. 

ROCK Island, the principal city and county- 
seat of Rock L-land County, on the Mississippi 
River, 183 miles west by south from Chicago; is 
the converging point of five lines of railroad, and 
the western terminus of the Hennepin Canal. 
The name is derived from an island in the Missis- 
sippi River, opposite the city, 3 miles long, which 
belongs to the United States Government and 
contains an arsenal and armory. The river 
channel north of the island is navigable, the 
southern channel having been dammed by the 
Government, thereby giving great water power 
to Rock Island and Moline. A combined railway 
and high'vay bridge spans the river from Rock 
Island to Davenport, Iowa, crossing the island, 
while a railway bridge connects the cities a mile 
below. The island was tlie site of Fort Arm- 
strong during the Black Hawk War, and was also 
a place for the confinement of Confederate prison- 
ers during the Civil War. Rock Island is in a re- 
gion of much picturesque scenery and has exten- 
sive mamrfactrrres of lumber, agricultirral imple- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



455 



inents, iron, carriages anJ wagons and oilcloth; 
also five banks and three newspapers, two issuing 
daily editions. Pop. (1890), Vi.tiU; (1900), li),493. 

ROCK ISLAND COUXTY, in the northwest3rn 
section of the State bordering upon the Missis- 
sippi River (which constitutes its northwestern 
boundary for more tlian (in miles), ami having an 
area of 440 square miles. In ISUi the Govern- 
ment erected a fort on Rock Island (an island in 
the Mississippi, 3 miles long and one-half to 
three-quarters of a mile wide), naming it Fort 
Armstrong. It has always remained a military 
post, and is now the seat of an extensive arsenal 
and work-shops. In the spring of 1828, settle- 
ments were made near Port Byron by John and 
Thomas Kinney, Archibald Allen and George 
Harlan. Other early settlers, near Rock Island 
and Rapids City, were J. \V. Spencer, J. W. Bar- 
rials, Benjamin F. Pike and Conrad Leak; and 
among the pioneers were Wells and Jlichael Bart- 
lett, Joel Thompson, the Simms brothers and 
George Davenport. The country was full of 
Indians, this being the headquarters of Black 
Hawk and the initial point of the Black Hawk 
War. {See Black Hawk, a,nt\ Black Ilairk War. ) 
By 1829 settlers were increased in number and 
county organization was effected in 18.35, Rock 
Island (then called Stephenson) being made the 
county-seat. Joseph Conway was the first 
County Clerk, and Joel Wells, Sr., the first Treas- 
urer. The first court was held at the residence 
of John W. Barriels, in Farnhamsburg. The 
county is irregular in shape, and the soil and 
scenery greatly varied. Coal is abundant, the 
water-power inexhaustible, and the count3-'s 
mining and manufacturing interests are very 
extensive. Several lines of railway cross the 
county, affording admirable transportation facili- 
ties to both eastern and western markets. Rock 
Island and Moline (which see) are the two prin- 
cipal cities in the comity, though there are 
several other important points. Coal Valley is 
the center of large mining interests, and Milan is 
also a manufacturing center. Port Byron is one 
of the oldest towns in the county, and has con- 
siderable lime and lumber interests, while Water- 
town is the seat of the Western Hospital for the 
Insane. Population of the county (1880), 38,302; 
(1890), 41,917; (1900), .5.5.249. 

ROCK ISLAND & PEORIA RAILWAY, a 
standard-guage road, laid with steel rails, extend- 
ing from Rock Island to Peoria, 91 miles. It is 
lessee of the Rock Island & Mercer County Rail- 
road, running from Milan to Cable. 111., giving it 
A total length of 118 miles — with Peoria Terminal, 



121.10 miles.— (History.) The company is a 
reorganization (Oct. 9, 1877) of the Peoria & 
Rock Island Railroad Company, whose road was 
sold under foreclosure, April 4, 1877. The latter 
Road was the result of the consolidation, in 18C9, 
of two corporations — the Rock Island & Peoria 
and the Peoria &. Rock Island Railroad Compa- 
nies — the new organization taking the latter 
name. The road was opened through its entire 
length, Jan. 1, 1872, its sale under foreclosure and 
reorganization under its present name taking . 
place, as already stated, in 1877. The Cable 
Branch was organized in 1876, as the Rock Island 
& Mercer County Railroad, and opened in De- 
cember of the same year, sold under foreclosure in 
1877, and leased to the Rock Island & Peoria Rail- 
road. July 1, 1885, for 999 years, the rental for 
the entire period being commuted at §450,000. — 
(Fl.VANCi.\L.) The cost of the entire road and 
equipment was $2,654,487. The capital stock 
(1898) is 51,500.000; funded debt, §600,000; other 
forms of indebtedness increasing the total capital 
invested to 82,181,066. 

ROCK RIVER, a stream which rises in Wash- 
ington County, Wis., and flows generally in a 
southerly direction, a part of its course being very 
sinuous. After crossing the northern boundary 
of Illinois, it runs southwestward, intersecting 
the counties of Winnebago, Ogle, Lee, Whiteside 
and Rock Island, and entering the Mississippi 
three miles below the city of Rock Island. 
It is about 375 miles long, but its navigation is 
paftl.y obstructed by rapids, which, however, 
furnish abundant water-power. The principal 
towns on its banks are Rockford, Dixon and 
Sterling. Its valley is wide, and noted for its 
beauty and fertility. 

ROCKTOX, a village in Winnebago County, at 
tlie junction of two branches of the Chicago, 
Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, on Rock River, 
13 miles north of Rockford ; has manufactures of 
paper and agricultural iniiilements. a feed mill, 
and local paper. Pop. (1890), 892; (1900), 936. 

ROE, Edward Reynolds, A.B., M.D., physician, 
soldier and author, was born at Lebanon. Ohio, 
June 22, 1813; removed with his father, in 1819, 
to Cincinnati, and graduated at Louisville Med- 
ical Institute in 1842 ; began practice at Anderson, 
Ind., but soon removed to Shawneetown, 111., 
where he gave much attention to geological 
research and made some extensive natural his- 
tory collections. From 1848 to "52 he resided at 
Jacksonville, lectured extensively on his favorite 
science, wrote fur the press and, for two years 
(1850-53), edited "The Jacksonville Journal,"" still 



456 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



later editing the newly established "Constitu- 
tionalist" for a few months. During a part of 
this period he was lecturer on natural science at 
Shurtleff College ; also delivered a lecture before 
the State Legislature on the geology of Illinois, 
which was immediately followed bj- the passage 
of the act establishing tlie State Geological 
Department. A majority of both houses joined 
in a request for his appointment as State Geolo- 
gist, but it was rejected on partisan grounds — 
he, then, being a Whig. Removing to Blooming- 
ton in 18.52, Dr. Roe became prominent in educa- 
tional matters, being the first Professor of Natural 
Science in the State Normal University, and also 
a Trustee of the Illinois Wesleyan University. 
Having identified liimself with the Democratic 
party at this time, he became its nominee for 
State Superintendent of Public Instruction in 
18G0, but, on the inception of the war in 1801, he 
promptly espoused the cause of the Union, raised 
three companies (mostly Normal students) which 
were attached to the Thirtj'-third Illinois (Nor- 
mal) Regiment ; was elected Captain and succes- 
sively promoted to Major and Lieutenant-Colonel. 
Having been dangerously wounded in the assault 
at Vicksburg, on May 22, 1863, and compelled to 
return home, he was elected Circuit Clerk by the 
combined vote of both parties, was re-elected 
four years later, became editor of "The Bloom- 
ington Pantagrapli" and, in 1870, was elected to 
the Twenty-seventh General Assembly, where 
lie won distinction by a somewhat notal>le 
humorous speech in opposition to removing'the 
State Capital to Peoria. In 1871 he was ap- 
pointed Marshal for the Soutliern District of IIU- 
nois, serving nine years. Dr. Roe was a somewhat 
prolific author, having produced more tlian a 
dozen works which liave appeared in book form. 
One of these, "Virginia Rose; a Tale of Illinois 
in Early Days," first appeared as a prize serial in 
"The Alton Courier" in 18.53. Otliersof his more 
noteworthy productions are: "The Gray and the 
Blue"; "Brought to Bay"; "From the Beaten 
Path"; "G. A. R. ; or How She Married His 
Double"; "Dr. Caldwell; or tlie Trail of the 
Serpent"; and "Prairie-Land and Other Poems." 
He died in Chicago, Nov 6, 1893. 

ROGtERS, George Clarke, soldier, was born in 
Grafton County, N H., Nov. 22, 1838; but was 
educated in Vermont and Illinois, having re- 
moved to the latter State early in life. While 
teaching he studied law and was admitted to the 
bar in 18G0; was the first, in 1801, to raise a com- 
pany in Lake County for the war, which was 
mustered into the Fifteenth Illinois Volunteers; 



was chosen Second-Lieutenant and later Captain ; 
was wounded four times at Sliiloh, but refused to 
leave the field, and led liis regiment in the final 
charge; was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel and 
soon after commissioned Colonel for gallantry at 
Hatchie. At Champion Hills he received three 
wounds, from one of wliich he never fully re- 
covered; took a prominent part in the operations 
at Allatoona and commanded a brigade nearly 
two years, including the Atlanta campaign, 
retiring with the rank of brevet Brigadier-Gen- 
eral. Since the war has practiced law in Illinois 
and in Kansas. 

ROGERS, Henry Wade, educator, lawyer and 
author, was born in Central New York in 1853; 
entered Hamilton College, but the following 
year became a student in Michigan University, 
graduating there in 1874, also receiving the 
degree of A.M., from the same institution, in 
1877. In 1883 he was elected to a professorship 
in the Ann Arbor Law Scliool, and, in 1885, was 
made Dean of the Faculty, succeeding Judge 
Cooley, at the age of 32. Five years later lie was 
tendered, and accepted, the Presidency of the 
Northwestern University, at Evanston, being the 
first layman cliosen to the position, and succeed- 
ing a long line of Bishops and divines. The same 
year (1890), Wesleyan University conferred upon 
him the honorary degree of LL. D. He is a mem- 
ber of the American Bar Association, has served 
for a number of years on its Committee on Legal 
Education and Admission to tlie Bar, and was 
the first Chairman of tlie Section on Legal Edu- 
cation. President Rogers was the General Chair- 
man of the Conference on the Future Foreign 
Policy of the United States, held at Saratoga 
Springs, N. Y., in August, 1898. At tlie Con- 
gress held in 1893, as auxiliary to the Columbian 
Exposition, he was chosen Chairman of the Com- 
mittee on Law Reform and Jurisprudence, and 
was for a time associate editor of "The American 
Law Register," of Pliiladeljihia. He is also the 
author of a treatise on "Expert Testimony," 
which has passed through two editions, and lias 
edited a work entitled "Illinois Citations," 
besides doing much other valuable literary work 
of a similar character. 

ROGERS, John Gorin, jurist, was born at 
Glasgow, Ky., Dec. 28, 1818, of English and early 
Virginian ancestrj"; was educated at Center Col- 
lege, Danville, Ky. , and at Transylvania LTniver- 
sity, graduating from the latter institution in 
18il, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. For 
sixteen years he practiced in his native town, 
and, in 1857, removed to Chicago, where he soon. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



457 



attained professional prominence. In 1870 lie 
was elected a Judge of the Cook County Circuit 
Court, continuing on the beneli. through repeated 
re-elections, until his deatli, which occurred 
suddenly, Jan. 10, 1887, four years before the 
expiration of the term for which lie liad been 
elected. 

ROGERS PARK, a village and suburb 9 miles 
north of Cliicago, on Lake Michigan and the 
Cliicago & Northwestern and the Chicago, Mil- 
waukee & St. Paul Railways; has a bank and two 
weekly newspapers ; is reached by electric street- 
car line from Chicago, and is a popular residence 
suburb. Annexed to City of Chicago, 1893. 

ROLL, John E., pioneer, was born in Green 
Village, N. J., June 4, 1814: came to Illinois in 
1830, and settled in Sangamon County. He 
assisted Abraham Lincoln in the construction of 
the flat-boat with which the latter descended the 
Mississippi River to New Orleans, in 1831. Mr. 
Roll, who was a mechanic and contractor, built 
a number of houses in Springfield, where he has 
since continued to reside. 

ROMAX CATHOLIC CHURCH. The earliest 
Christians to establisli j)laces of worship in Illi- 
nois were priests of the Catholic faith. Early 
Catholic missionaries were explorers and hi.stori- 
ans as well as preachers. (See Allouez; Berg'wr; 
Early ^lissiotiaries; Oravier; Marquette.) The 
church went hand in hand with the represent- 
atives of the French Government, carrying in 
one hand the cross and in the other the flag of 
France, simultaneously disseminating the doc- 
trines of Christianity and inculcating loyalty to 
the House of Bourbon. For nearly a hundred 
years, the self-sacrificing and devoted Catholic 
clergy of the seventeenth and eighteenth cen- 
turies ministered to the spiritual wants of the 
early French settlers and the natives. They were 
not without factional jealousies, however, and a 
severe blow was dealt to a branch of them in the 
order for the banishment of the Jesuits and the 
confiscation of their property. (See Early Mis- 
sionaries.) The subsequent occupation of tlie 
country by the English, with the contemiioraue- 
ous emigration of a considerable portion of the 
French west of the Mississippi, dissipated many 
congregations. Up to 1830 Illinois was included 
in the diocese of Missouri ; but at that time it was 
constituted a separate diocese, under the episco- 
pal control of Rt. Rev. Joseph Rosatti. At that 
date there were few, if any, priests in Illinois. 
But Bishop Rosatti was a man of earnest purjwse 
and rare administrative ability. New parishes 
were organized as rapidly as circumstances 



would i^ermit, and the growth of the clmrch has 
been steady. By 1840 there were thirty-one 
parishes and twenty prie.sts. In 189fi there are 
reported 698 parishes, 704 clergymen and a 
Catholic population exceeding 850,000. (See also 
Hdir/iuns Dcnoiii inatioHS. ) 

ROODHOrSE, a city in Greene County, 21 
miles south of Jacksonville, and at junction of 
three divisions of the Chicago & Alton Rjiilroad ; 
is in fertile agricultural and coal-mining region; 
city contains a flouring mill, grain-elevator, stock- 
yards, railwaj' shops, water- works, electric light 
plant, two private banks, fine opera liouse, good 
school buildings, one daily and two weekly 
papers. Pop. (1890), 2,3G0; (1900), 2,351. 

ROODHOUSE, John, farmer and founder of 
the town of Roodhouse, in Greene County, 111., 
was born in Yorkshire, England, brought to 
America in childhood, his father settling in 
Greene County, 111., in 1831. In his early man- 
liood he opened a farm in Tazewell County, but 
finally returned to the paternal ' home in Greene 
County, where, on the location of the Jackson- 
ville Division of the Chicago & Alton Railroad, 
he laid out the town of Roodhouse, at the junc- 
tion of the Louisiana and Kansas City branch 
with the main line. 

ROOT, George Frederick, musical composer 
and author, was born at Shefiield, Mass., August 
30, 1820. He was a natural musician, and, while 
emploj-ed on liis father's farm, learned to play on 
various instruments. In 1838 he removed to Bos- 
ton, where he began his life-work. Besides 
teaching music in the public schools, he was 
employed to direct the musical service in two 
churches. From Boston he removed to New 
York, and, in 1850, went to Paris for purposes of 
musical study. In 18.53 he made his first public 
essay as a composer in the song, "Hazel Dell," 
which became popular at once. From this time 
forward his success as a song-writer was assured. 
His music, while not of a high artistic character, 
captivated the popular ear and ajiijcaled strongly 
to the heart. In 18(i0 he tiK)k up his residence in 
Chicago, where he conducted a musical journal 
and wrote those "war songs" which created and 
perpetuated his fame. Among tlie best known 
are "Rally Round the Flag"; "Just Before the 
Battle, Mother"; and "Tranii), Tramp, Tramp." 
Other popular songs by him are "Rosalie, the 
Prairie Flower"; "A Hundred Years Ago" ; and 
"The Old Folks are Gone." Besides songs he 
composed several cantatas and much sacred 
music, also publishing many books of instruction 
and numerous collections of vocal and instru- 



458 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



mental music. In 1872 tlie University of Chicago 
conferred on him tlie degree of Mus. Doc. Died, 
near Portland, JIaine, August 6, 1895. 

ROOTS, Benajah Guernsey, civil engineer, 
and educator, was born in Onondaga County 
N. Y., April 20, 1811, and educated in the schools 
and academies of Central New York; began 
teaching in 1827, and, after spending a year at 
sea for the benefit of his health, took a course in 
law and civil engineering. He was employed as 
a civil engineer on the Western Railroad of 
Massachusetts until 1838, when he came to Illi- 
nois and obtained employment on the railroad 
projected from Alton to Shawneetown, under 
the "internal improvement S3'stem" of 1837. 
When that was suspended in 1839, he settled on 
a farm near the present site of Tamaroa, Perry 
County, and soon after opened a boarding school, 
continuing its management until 184G, when he 
became Principal of a seminary at S]>arta. In 
1851 he went into the service of the Illinois Cen- 
tral Railroad, first as resident engineer in 
charge of surveys and construction, later as land 
agent and attorney. lie was prominent in the 
introduction of the graded school system in Illi- 
nois and in the establishment of the State Nor- 
mal School at Blooniington and the University of 
Illinois at Champaign ; was a member of the 
State Board of Education from its organization, 
and served as delegate to tlie National Repub- 
lican Convention of 1868. Died, at his home in 
Perry County, 111., May 9, 1888.— Philander Keep 
(Roots), son of the preceding, born in Tolland 
County, Conn., June 4, 1838, brought to Illinois 
the same year and educated in his father's school, 
and in an academy at CarroUton and the Wes- 
leyan University at Bloomington ; at the age of 
17 belonged to a corps of engineers employed on 
a Southern railroad, and, during the war, served 
as a civil engineer in the construction and repair 
of military roads. Later, he was Deputy Sur- 
veyor-General of Nebraska; in 1871 became Chief 
Engineer on the Cairo & Fulton (now a part of 
the Iron Mountain) Railway ; then engaged in 
the banking business in Arkansas, first as casliier 
of a bank at Fort Smith and afterwards of the 
Merchants' National Bank at Little Rock, of 
which his brother, Logan H., was President. — 
Logan H. (Roots), another son, born near Tama- 
roa, Perry County. Ill, March 22. 1841, was edu- 
cated at home and at the State Normal "at 
Hloomington, meanwhile serving as principal 
of a high school at Duquoin ; in 1802 enlisted in 
the Eighty-first Illinois Volunteers, serving 
through the war and acting as Cliief Commissary 



for General Sherman on the "Jlarch to the Sea," 
and participating in the great review in Wash- 
ington, in May, 1865. After the conclusion of 
the war he was appointed Collector of Internal 
Revenue for the First Arkansas District, was 
elected from 'that State to the Fortieth and 
Forty-first Congresses (1868 and 1870) — being, at 
the time, tlie youngest member in that body — and 
was ajipointed United States Marshal by Presi- 
dent (irant. He finally became President of the 
Merchants" National Bank at Little Rock, with 
which he remained nearly twentj' years. Died, 
suddenly, of congestion of the brain, May 30, 
1893, leaving an estate valued at nearly one and 
a half millions, of which he gave a large share to 
charitable purposes and to the city of Little 
Rock, for the benefit of its hospitals and the im- 
provement of its parks. 

ROSE, James A., Secretary of State, was born 
at Golconda, Pope County, 111., Oct. 13, 18.50. 
The foundation of his education was secured in 
the public schools of his native place, and, after 
a term in the Normal Universitj^ at Normal. III., 
at the age of 18 he took charge of a country 
school. Soon he was chosen Principal of the 
Golconda graded schools, was later made County 
Superintendent of Schools, and re-elected for a 
second term. During his second term he was 
admitted to the bar, and, resigning the pffice of 
Superintendent, was elected State's Attorney 
without opposition, being re-elected for another 
term. In 1889, by appointment of Governor 
Fifer, he became one of the Trustees of the 
Pontiac Reformatory, serving until the next 
j-ear, when he was transferred to the Board of 
Commissioners of the Southern Illinois Peniten- 
tiary at Chester, which position he continued to 
occupy until 1893. In 1890 he was electe<l Secre- 
tary of State on the Republican ticket, his term 
extending to January. 1901. 

ROSEVILLE, a village in Warren County, on 
the Rock Island Division of the Chicago, Burling- 
ton & Quincy Railroad, 17 miles northwest of 
Buslinell; has water and electric-light plants, two 
banks, public librarj' and one newspajier Region 
agricultural and coal-mining. Pop. (1900). 1.014. 

ROSS, Leonard Fulton, soldier, born in Fulton 
County, 111., July 18. 1823; was educated in the 
comm<m scliools and at Illinois College. Jackson- 
ville, studied law and admitted to the liar in 1845; 
the following year enlLsted in the Fourth Illinois 
Volunteers for the Mexican War, became First 
Lieutenant and was commended for services at 
Vera Cruz and Cerro Gordo; also performed im- 
portant service as bearer of dispatches for Gen- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



459 



eral Taylor. After the war he served six years 
as Probate Judge. In May, 18G1. lie enlisted in 
the war for the Union, and was chosen Colonel 
of the Seventeenth Illinois Volunteers, serving 
with it in Missouri and Kentuckj- ; was eoninii.s- 
sioned Brigadier-General a few weeks after the 
capture of Fort Donelson, and, after the evacu- 
ation of Corinth, was assigned to the command 
of a division with headquarters at Bolivar, Tenn. 
He resigned in July. 1863, and, in 1807, was 
appointed b}- President Johnson Collector of 
Internal Revenue for the Ninth District ; has 
been three times a delegate to National Repub- 
lican Conventions and twice defeated as a candi- 
date for Congress in a Democratic District. 
Since the war he has devoted his attention 
largely to stock-raising, having a large stock- 
farm in Iowa. In his later years was President 
of a bank at Lewistown, 111. Died Jan. 17, 1901. 
ROSS, (Col.) William, pioneer, was born at 
Monson, Hampden County, Mass., April 24, 1792; 
removed with his father's family, in 1805, to 
Pittsfield, Ma.ss., where he remained until his 
twentieth year, when he was commissioned an 
Ensign in the Twenty-first Regiment United 
States Infantry, serving through the War of 
1813 14, and participating in the battle of Sack- 
etfs Harbor. During the latter part of his serv- 
ice he acted as drill-master at various points. 
Then, returning to Pittsfield, he carried on the 
business of blacksmithing as an eni|)lo3er, mean- 
while filling some local offices. In 1820, a com- 
panj' consisting of himself and four brothers, 
with their families and a few others, started for 
the West, intending to settle in Illinois. Reach- 
ing the head-waters of the Allegheny overland, 
they transferred their wagons, teams and other 
property to flat-boats, descending that stream 
and the Ohio to Shawneetown, 111. Here they 
disembarked and, crossing the State, reached 
Upi)er Alton, where they found only one house, 
thatof Maj. Charles W. Hunter. Leaving their 
families at Upper Alton, the brothers proceeded 
north, crossing the Illinois River near its mouth, 
until they reached a point in the western part of 
the present county of Pike, where the town of 
Atlas was afterwards located. Here they 
erected four rough log-cabins, on a beautiful 
prairie not far from the Mississippi, remo% ing 
their families thither a few weeks later. They 
suffered the \isual privations incident to life in a 
new country, not excepting sickness and death 
of some of their number. At the next session of 
the Legislature (1820-21) Pike County was estab- 
lished, embracing all that part of the State west 



and north of the Illinois, and including the 
present cities of Galena and Chicago. The Ross 
settlement became tlie nucleus of the town of 
.\tlas, laid out by Colonel Ross and his associates 
in 1823. at an early day the rival of Quincy, and 
becoming the second county -seat of Pike County, 
so remaining from 1824 to 1833, when the seat of 
justice was removed to Pittsfield. During this 
period Colonel Ross was one of the most promi- 
nent citizens of the county, holding, simultane- 
ously or successively, the offices of Probate 
Judge, Circuit and County Clerk, Justice of the 
Peace, and others of a subordinate character. 
As Colonel of Militia, in 1832, he was ordered by 
Governor Rej'nolds to raise a company for the 
Black Hawk War, and, in four days, reported at 
Beardstown with twice the number of .men 
called for. In 1834 he was elected to the lower 
branch of the General Assembly, also serving in 
the Senate during the three following sessions, a 
part of the time as President pro tern, of the last- 
named body. While in the General Assembly he 
was instrumental in securing legislation of great 
importance relating to Military Tract lands. 
The year following the establishment of the 
county-seat at Pittsfield (1834) he became a citi- 
zen of that place, which he had the privilege of 
naming for his early home. He was a member 
of the Republican State Convention of 1856, and a 
delegate to the National Republican Convention 
of 1860, which nominated Mr. Lincoln for Presi- 
dent the first time. Beginning life poor he 
acquired considerable property : was liberal, pub- 
lic-spirited and patriotic, making a handsome 
donation to the first com|)any organized in Pike 
County, for the suppression of the Rebellion. 
Died, at Pittsfield, May 31, 1873. 

ROSSVILLE, a village of Vermillion County, 
on the Chicago & Eistern Illinois Railroad, 19 
miles north of Danville; has electric-light plant, 
water-works, tile and brick-works, two banks and 
two newspapers. Pop. (189U), 879; (1900), 1,435. 

ROrXDS, SterliiiiJ Parker, public printer, 
was born in Berksliire, Vt., Jvine 27, 1828; about 
1840 began learning the printer's trade at Ken- 
osha, Wis., and, in 1845, was foi-eman of the State 
printing office at Madison, afterward working in 
offices in Milwaukee, Racine and Buffalo, going 
to Chicago in 1851. Here he finally established 
a printer's warehouse, to which he later added an 
electrotype foundry and the manufacture of 
pres.ses, also commencing the i.ssue of "Round's 
Printers' Cabinet," a trade-paper, which was 
continued during his life. In 1881 he was ap- 
pointetl by President Garfield Public Printer at 



■ICU 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Wasliington, serving until 1885, when he removed 
to Omaha, Neb., and was identified with "The 
Republican," of that city, until liis death, Dec. 
17, 1887. 

ROO'TREE, Hiram, County Judge, born in 
Rutherford Couuty, N. C, Dec. 23, 1794; was 
brought to Kentucky in infancy, where he grew 
to manhood and served as an Ensign in the War 
of 1813 under Oeneral Shelby. In 1817 he re- 
moved to Illinois Territory, first locating in 
Madison County, where he taught school for two 
years near Edwardsville, but removed to Fayette 
County about the time of the removal of the 
State capital to Vandalia. On the organization 
of Montgomery County, in 1821, he was appointed 
to office there and ever afterwards resided at 
Hillaboro. For a number of years in the early 
history of the county, he held (at the same time) 
the offices of Clerk of the County Commissioners 
Court, Clerk of the Circuit Court, County 
Recorder, Justice of the Peace, Notary Public, 
Master in Chancery and Judge of Probate, besides 
that of Postmaster for the town of Hillsboro. In 
1836 he was elected Enrolling and Engrossing 
Clerk of the Senate and re-elected in 1830 ; served 
as Delegate in the Constitutional Convention of 
1847, and the next year was elected to the State 
Senate, serving in the Sixteenth and Seven- 
teenth General Assemblies. On retiring from 
the Senate (1853), he was elected County Judge 
without opposition, was re-elected to the same 
office in 1861, and again, in 1865, as the nominee 
of the Republicans. Judge Rountree was noted 
for his sound judgment and sterling integrity. 
Died, at Hillsboro, March 4, 1873. 

ROUTT, John L., soldier and Governor, was 
born at Eddyville, Ky., April 35, 1826, brought 
to Illinois in infancy and educated in the com- 
mon schools. Soon after coming of age he was 
elected and served one term as Sheriff of JIcLean 
County ; in 1862 enlisted and became Captain of 
Company E, Ninety-fourth Illinois Volunteers. 
After the war he engaged in business in Bloom- 
ington, and was appointed by President Grant, 
successively, United States Marshal for the 
Southern District of Illinois, Second Assistant 
Postmaster-General and Territorial Governor of 
Colorado. On the admission of Colorado as a 
State, he was elected the first Governor under the 
State Government, and re-elected in 1890 — serv- 
ing, in all, three years. His home is in Denver. 
He has been extensively and successfully identi- 
fied with mining enterprises in Colorado. 

ROWELL, Jonathan H., ex-Congressman, was 
born at Haverhill. N. H., Feb. 10, 1833. He is a 



graduate of Eureka College and of the havr 
Department of the Chicago University. During 
the War of the Rebellion he served three years as 
company officer in the Seventeenth Illinois 
Infantry. In 1868 he was elected State's Attor- 
ney for the Eighth Judicial Circuit, and, in 1880, 
was a Presidential Elector on the Republican 
ticket. In 1882 he was elected to Congress from 
the Fourteenth Illinois District and three times 
re-elected, serving until March, 1891. His home 
is at Bloomington. 

ROWETT. Richard, soldier, was born in Corn- 
wall, England, in 1830, came to the United 
States in 1851, finally settling on a farm near 
Carlinville, 111., and becoming a breeder of 
thorough-bred horses. In 1861 he entered the 
service as a Captain in the Seventh Illinois 
Volunteers and was successively promoted 
Major, Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel; was 
wounded in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth and 
AUatoona, especially distinguishing himself at the 
latter and being brevetted Brigadier-General for 
gallantry. After the war he returned to his 
stock-farm, but later held the positions of Canal 
Commissioner, Penitentiary Commissioner, Rep- 
resentative in the Thirtieth General Assem- 
bly and Collector of Internal Revenue for the 
Fourth (Quincy) District, until its consolidation 
with the Eighth District by President Cleveland. 
Died, in Chicago, July 13, 1887. 

RUSH MEDICAL COLLEGE, located in Chi- 
cago; incorporated by act of March 3, 1837, the 
cliarter having been prepared the previous year 
by Drs. Daniel Brainard and Josiah C. Goodhue. 
The extreme financial depression of the following 
year prevented the organization of a faculty 
until 1843. The institution was named in lienor 
of Dr. Benjamin Rush, the eminent practitioner, 
medical author and teacher of Philadelphia in tlie 
latter half of the eighteenth century. The first 
faculty consisted of four professors, and the first 
term opened on Dec. 4, 1843, with a class of 
twentj'-two students. Three years' study was 
required for graduation, but only two annual 
terms of sixteen weeks each need be attended at 
the college itself. Instruction was given in a 
few rooms temporarily opened for that purpose. 
The next year a small building, costing between 
83,000 and .$4,0(10, was erected. This was re-ar- 
ranged and enlarged in 1855 at a cost of $15,000. 
The constant and rapid growth of the college 
necessitated the erection of a new building in 
1867, the cost of which was .$70,000. This was 
destroyed in the fire of 1871, and another, costing 
§54,000, was erected in 1876 and a free dispensary 



niSTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



461 



added. In 1844 the Presbyterian Hospital was 
located on a portion of the college lot. and tlie 
two institutions connected, thus insuring abun- 
dant and stable facilities for clinical instruction. 
Shortly afterwards. Rush College became the 
medical department of Lake Forest University. 
The present faculty (1898) consists of 9.5 profes- 
sors, adjunct professors, lecturers and instructors 
of all grades, and over 600 students in attend- 
ance. The length of the annual terms is six 
months, and four years of study are required for 
graduation, attendance upon at least three col- 
lege terms being compulsorjr. 

RUSHTILLE, tlie county-seat of Schuyler 
County, 50 miles northeast of Quincy and 11 
miles northwest of Beardstown ; is the southern 
terminus of the Buda and Rushville branch of the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. The 
town was selected as the county-seat in 1826, 
the seat of justice being removed from a place 
called Beardstown, about five miles eastward 
(not the present Beardstown in Cass Count}'), 
where it had lieen located at the time of the 
organization of Schuyler County, a year previous. 
At first the new seat of justice was called Rush- 
ton, in honor of Dr. Benjamin Rush, but after- 
wards took its present name. It is a coal -mining, 
grain and fruit-growing region, and contains 
several manufactories, including flour-mills, brick 
and tile works; also has two banks (State and 
private) and a public library. Four periodicals 
(one dailj') are published here. Population 
(1880). 1.662; (1890), 2,0.31; (1900), 2,292. 

Rl'SSELL, John, pioneer teacher and author, 
was born at Cavendish, Vt., Jul}- 31, 1793, and 
educated in the common schools of his native 
State and at Middlebury College, where he gradu- 
ated in 1818 — having obtained means to support 
himself, during his college course, by teaching 
and by the publication, before he had reached his 
20th year, of a volume entitled "The Authentic 
History of Vermont State Prison." After gradu- 
ation he taught for a short time in Georgia; but, 
early in the following year, joined his father on 
the way to Missouri. Tlie next five years he 
spent in teaching in the "Bonhommie Bottom" 
on the Jlissouri River. During this period he 
pul)lished, anonymously, in "The St. Charles Mis- 
sourian," a temperance allegory entitled "The 
Venomous Worm" (or "The Worm of tlie Still"), 
which gained a wide popularity and was early 
recognized by the compilers of scliool-readers as 
a sort of classic. Leaving this locality he taught 
a year in St. Louis, when he removed to Vandalia 
(then the capital of Illinois), after which he .spent 



two years teaching in the Seminary at Upper 
Alton, which afterwards became Shurt leff College. 
In 1828 he removed to Greene County, locating 
at a point near the Illinois River to which he 
gave the name of Blulfdale. Here he was li- 
censed as a Baptist preacher, officiating in tliis ca- 
pacity only occasionally, while pursuing his 
calling as a teacher or writer for the jiress, to 
which he was an almost constant contributor 
during the last twenty-five years of his life. 
About 183T or 1838 he was editor of a paper called 
"The Backwoodsman" at Grafton— then a 2iart 
of f Ireene County, but now in Jersey County— to 
which he afterwards continued to be a contribu- 
tor .some time longer, and, in 1841-42, was editor 
of "The Advertiser, ' at Louisville, Ky. He was 
also, for several years, Principal of the Spring 
Hill Academy in East Feliciana Parish, La., 
meanwhile serving for a portion of the time as 
Superintendent of Public Schools. He was the 
author of a number of stories and sketches, some 
of which went through several editions, and, at 
the time of his death, had in preparation a his- 
tory of "The Black Hawk War," "Evidences of 
Christianity" and a "History of Illinois." He 
was an accomplished linguist, being able to read 
with fluency Greek, Latin, French, Spanish and 
Italian, besides having considerable familiarity 
with several other modern languages. In 1863 
he received from the University of Chicago the 
degree of LL.D. Died, Jan. 2. 1863, and was 
buried on the old homestead at Blulfdale. 

Rl'SSELL, Martin J., politician and journal- 
ist, born in Chicago, Dec. 20, 184,5. He was a 
nephew of Col. James A. Mulligan (see Mulligan, 
James A.) and served with credit as Adjutant- 
General on the staff of the latter in the Civil 
War. In 1870 he became a reporter on "The 
Chicago Evening Post." and was advanced to 
the position of city editor. Subsequently he was 
connected with "The Times," and "The Tele- 
gram" ; was also a member of the Board of Edu- 
cation of Hyde Park before tlie annexation of 
that village to Chicago, and lias been one of the 
South Park Commissioners of the city last named. 
After the purchase of "The Chicago Times" by 
Carter H. Harrison he remained for a time on 
the editorial staff. In 1894 President Cleveland 
appointed him Collector of the Port of Chicago. 
At the expiration of his term of office he resumed 
editorial work as editor-in-chief of "Tlie Chron- 
icle," the organ of the Democratic party in 
Chicago. Died June 2,5, 1900. 

RUTHERFORD, Friend S., lawyer and sol- 
dier, was born in Schenectady. X. Y., Sept. 35, 



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HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



1820; studied law in Troy and removed to Illi- 
nois, settling at Edwardsville, and finally at 
Alton; -was a Republican candidate for Presi- 
dential Elector in I806, and, in 1800, a member of 
the National Republican Convention at Chicago, 
which nominated Mr. Lincoln for the Presidency. 
In Sejitember, 1862, he was commissioned Colonel 
of the Ninety-seventh Illinois Volunteers, and 
participated in the capture of Port Gibson and in 
the operations about Vicksburg— also leading in 
the attack on Arkans;vs Post, and subsequently 
serving in Louisiana, but died as the result of 
fatigue and exposure in the service, June 20, 
1864, one week before his promotion to the rank 
of Brigadier-General. —Reuben C. (Rutherford), 
brother of the preceding, was born at Troy, N. Y. , 
Sept. 29, 1823, but grew up in Vermont and New 
Hampshire ; received a degree in law when quite 
young, but afterwards fitted himself as a lec- 
turer on physiology and hygiene, upon which he 
lectured extensively in Michigan, Illinois and 
other States after coming west in 1849. During 
1854-55, in co-operation with Prof. J. B. Turner 
and others, he canvassed and lectured extensively 
througliout Illinois in support of the movement 
which resulted in the donation of public lands, 
by Congress, for the establishment of "Industrial 
Colleges" in the several States. The establish- 
ment of the University of Illinois, at Champaign, 
was the outgrowth of this movement. In 1856 he 
located at Quiucy. where he resided some thirty 
years; in 1861, served for several months as the 
first Commissary of Subsistence at Cairo; was 
later associated with the State Quartermaster's 
Department, finally entering the secret service of 
the War Department, in which he remained until 
1867, retiring with the rank of brevet Brigadier- 
General. In 1886, General Rutherford removed 
to New York City, where he died. June 24, 1895. — 
George V. (Rutherford), anotlier brother, was 
born at Rutland, Vt. , 1830 ; was first admitted to 
the bar, but afterwards took charge of the con- 
struction of telegraph lines in some of the South- 
ern States; at the beginning of the Civil War 
became Assistant Quartermaster-General of the 
State of Illinois, at Springfield, under ex-Gov. 
John Wood, but subsequently entered the 
Quartermaster's service of the General Govern- 
ment in Washington, retiring after the war with 
the rank of Brigadier-General. He then returned 
to Quincy, 111., where he resided until 1872, when 
he engaged in manufacturing business at North 
ampton, Mass., but finally removed to California 
for the benefit of his failing health. Died, at St. 
Helena, Cal., August 28, 1872. 



RUTLAND, a village of La Salle County, on 
the Illinois Central Railroad, 25 miles south of La 
Salle; has a bank, five churches, schiX)!, and a 
newspaper, with coal mines in the vicinity. Pop. 
(1890), 509; (1900), 893; (190;^). 1,093. 

RUTLEDGE, (Rev.) Uilliam J., clergyman, 
Army Chaplain, born in Augusta County, Va., 
June 24, 1820; was converted at the age of 12 
years and, at 21, became a member of the Illinois 
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
serving various churches in the central and west- 
ern parts of the State — also acting, for a time, as 
Agent of the Illinois Conference Female CoUege 
at Jacksonville. From 1861 to 1863 he was Chap- 
lain of the Fourteenth Regiment Illinois Volun- 
teers. Returning from the war, he served as 
pastor of churches at Jacksonville, Bloomington, 
Quincy, Rushville, Springfield, Griggsville and 
other points; from 1881 to '84 was Chaplain of 
the Illinois State Penitentiary at Joliet. Mr. 
Rutledge was one of the founders of the Grand 
Armj' of the Republic, and served for many years 
as Chaplain of the order for the Department of 
Illinois. In connection with the ministry, he 
has occupied a supernumerary relation since 
1885. Died in Jacksonville. April 14, 1900. 

RUTZ, Edward, State Treasurer, was born in 
a village in the Duchy of Baden, Germany, May 
5, 1829; came to America in 1848, locating on a 
farm in St. Clair County, 111. ; went to California 
in 18.57, and, early in 1861, enlisted in the Third 
United States Artillery at San Francisco, serving 
with the Army of the Potomac until his discharge 
in 1804, and taking part in every battle in which 
his command was engaged. After his return in 
1865, he located in St. Clair County, and was 
elected County Surveyor, served three consecu- 
tive terms as Count}' Treasurer, and was elected 
State Treasurer three times — 1872, '7fl and '80. 
About 1892 he removed to California, wliere he 
now resides. 

RTAX, Edward G., early editor and jurist, 
born at Newcastle House, County Jleath, Ireland, 
Nov. IS, 1810; was educated for the priesthood, 
but turned his attention to law, and, in 1830, 
came to New York and engaged in teaching 
while prosecuting his legal studies; in 1836 re- 
moved to Chicago, where he was admitted to the 
bar and was, for a time, associated in practice 
with Hugh T. Dickey. In April, 1840, Mr. Ryan 
assumed the editorship of a weekly paper in Chi- 
cago called "The Illinois Tribune," which he 
conducted for over a year, and which is remem- 
bered chiefly on accoimt of its bitter assaults on 
Judge John Pearson of Danville, who had 



I 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



463 



aroused the hostility of some members of the 
Chicago bar by his rulings upon the bench. 
About 1843 Ryan removed to Milwaukee, Wis., 
where he was, for a time, a partner of Mattliew 
H. Carpenter (afterwards United States Senator), 
and was connected with a number of celebrated 
trials before tlie courts of that State, including 
tlie Barstow-Bashff)rd case, which ended with 
Bashford becoming the first Republican Governor 
of Wisconsin. In 1874 he was appointed Chief 
Justice of Wisconsin, serving until his death, 
which occurred at Madison, Oct. 19, 1880. He 
was a strong partisan, and, during the Civil War, 
was an intense opponent of tlie war policy of the 
Government. In spite of infirmities of temper, 
he appears to have been a man of much learning 
and recognized legal ability. 

RYAN, James, Roman Catholic Bishop, born 
in Ireland in 1848 and emigrated to America in 
childhood; was educated for the priesthood in 
Kentucky, and, after ordination, was made a pro- 
fessor in St. Joseph's Seminary, at Bardstown, 
Ky. In 1878 ho removed to Illinois, attaching 
himself to the diocese of Peoria, and having 
charge of parishes at Wataga and Danville. In 
1881 he became rector of the Ottawa parish, 
within the episc(.)pal jurisdiction of the Arch- 
bishop of Chicago. In 1888 he was made Bishop 
of the see of Alton, the prior incumbent (Bishop 
Baltes) having died in 1886. 

SACS AXD FOXES, two confederated Indian 
tribes, who were among the most warlike and 
powerful of the aborigines of the Illinois Country. 
The Foxes called themselves the Musk-wah-ha- 
kee, a name compounded of two words, signify- 
ing "those of red earth." The French called 
them Ou-ta-ga-mies, that being their spelling of 
the name given them by other tribes, the mean- 
ing of which was "Foxes," and which was 
bestowed upon them because their totem (or 
armorial device, as it may be called) was a fox. 
They seem to have been driven westwanl from 
the northern shore of Lake Ontario, by way of 
Niagara and Mackinac, to the region around 
Green Bay, Wis. — Concerning their allied bretli- 
ren, the Sacs, less is known. The name is vari- 
ously spelled in the Indian dialects — Ou-sa-kies, 
Sauks, etc. — and the term Sacs is unquestionably 
an abbreviated corruption. Black Hawk be- 
longed to this tribe. The Foxes and Sacs ft)rmed 
a confederation according to aboriginal tra<lition, 
on what is now known as the Sac River, near 
Green Bay. but the date of the alliance cannot 
be determined. The origin of the Sacs is equally 



uncertain. Black Hawk claimed that his tribe 
originally dwelt around Quebec, but, as to the 
authenticity of this claim, historical authorities 
differ widely. Subsequent to 1G70 the history of 
the allied tribes is tolerably well defined. Their 
characteristics, location and habits are described 
at some length by Father AUouez, who visited 
tliem in 1666-07. He says that tliey were numer- 
ous and warlike, but depicts them as "penurious, 
avaricious, thievish and quarrelsome." That 
they were cordially detested by their neighbors 
is certain, and Judge James Hall calls them "the 
Ishmaelites of the lakes. " They were unfriendly 
to the French, who attached to themselves other 
tribes, and, through the aid of tlie latter, had 
well-nigh exterminated them, when the Sacs and 
Foxes sued for peace, which was granted on 
terms most humiliating to the vanquished. By 
1718, however, the}' were virtually in possession 
of the region around Rock River in IlUnois, and, 
four years later, through the aid of the Mascou- 
tins and Kickapoos, tliey had expelled the Illinois, 
driving the last of that ill-fated tribe across the 
Illinois River. They abstained from taking part 
in the border wars that marked the close of the 
Revolutionary War, and therefore did not par- 
ticipate in the treaty of Greenville in 179,5. At 
that date, according to Judge Hall, tliey claimed 
the country as far west as Council Bluffs, Iowa, 
and as far north as Prairie du Chien. They 
offered to co-operate with the United States 
Government in the War of 1812, but this offer 
was declined, and a portion of tlie tribe, under 
tlie leadership of Black Hawk, enlisted on the 
side of the British. The Black Hawk War proved 
their political ruin. By the treaty of Rock Island 
they ceded vast tracts of laud, including a large 
part of the eastern half of Iowa and a large body 
of land east of the Mississippi. (See Black Hawk 
Wai-; Indian Treaties.) In 1842 the Government 
divided the nation into two bands, removing both 
to reservations in the farther West. One was 
located on the Osage River and the other on the 
soutli .side of the Nee-ma-ha River, near the 
northwest corner of Kan.sas. From these reser- 
vations, there is little doubt, many of them have • 
silently emigrated toward the Rocky Mountains, 
where the hoe might be laid aside for the rifle, 
the net and the spear of the hunter. A few 
years ago a part of these confederated tribes 
were located in the eastern part of Oklahoma. 

SAILOR SPRIN(}S,a village and health resort 
in Clay County. 5 miles nortli of Clay City, has 
an academy and a local paper. Population (1900), 
419; (1903, est ), 050. 



464 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLIXOIS. 



SALEM, an incorporated city, the county-seat 
of Marion County, on tlie Baltimore & Ohio South- 
western, tlie Chicago & Eastern Illinois and the 
Illinois Southern Railroads, 71 miles east of St. 
Louis, and 16 miles northeast of Centralia; in 
agriculturnl and coal district. A leading indus- 
try is the culture, evaporation and shipment of 
fruit. The city has flour-mills, two banks and 
three weekly newspapers. Pop. (1890), 1,493; 
(1900), 1.042. 

SALINE COUNTY, a southeastern county, 
organized in 1847, having an area of 380 square 
miles. It derives its name from the salt springs 
which are found in every part of the count}\ 
The northern portion is rolling and yields an 
abundance of coal of a quality suitable for smith- 
ing. The bottoms are swampy, but heavilj' 
timbered, and saw-mills abound. Oak, hickory, 
sweet gum, mulberry, locust and sassafras are 
the prevailing varieties. Fruit and tobacco are 
extensively cultivated. The climate is mild and 
humid, and the vegetation varied. The soil of 
the low lands is rich, and, when drained, makes 
excellent farming lands. In some localities a 
good gray sandstone, soft enough to be worked, 
is quarried, and millstone grit is frequently found. 
In the southern half of the county are the Eagle 
Mountains, a line of hills having an altitude of 
some 4.i0 to 500 feet above the level of the Mis- 
sissippi at Cairo, and believed by geologists to 
have been a part of the upheaval that gave birth 
to tlie Ozark Jlountains in Jlissouri and Arkan- 
sas. The highest land in the county is 864 feet 
above sea-level. Tradition says that these hills 
are rich in silver ore, but it has not been found 
in paying quantities. Springs strongly impreg- 
nated with sulphur are found on the slopes. The 
county-seat was originally located at Raleigh, 
which was platted in 184!?, but it was subse- 
quently removed to Harrisburg, which was laid 
out in 1859. Population of the county (1880), 
1.5,040; (1890), 19,342; (1900), 21,685. 

SALINE RIVER, a stream formed by the con- 
fluence of two branches, both of which flow 
through portions of Saline County, uniting in 
Gallatin County. The North Fork rises in Hamil- 
ton County and runs nearly south, while the 
South Fork drains part of Williamson County, 
and runs east through Saline. The river (which 
is little more than a creek), thus formed, runs 
sonthesist, entering the Ohio ten miles below 
Shawneetown. 

SALT MANUFACTURE. There is evidence 
going to show that the saline springs, in Oallatin 
County, were utilized by the aboriginal inhabit- 



ants in the making of salt, long before the advent 
of white settlers. There have been discovered, at 
various points, what appear to be the remains of 
evaporating kettles, composed of hardened clay 
and pounded shells, varying in diameter from 
three to four feet. In 1812, with a view to en- 
couraging the manufacture of salt from these 
springs, Congi'ess granted to lUiuois the use of 
36 square miles, the fee still remaining in the 
United States. These lands were leased by the 
State to private parties, but the income derived 
from them was comparatively small and fre- 
quently difficult of collection. The workmen 
were mostlj' slaves from Kentucky and Tennes- 
see, who are especially referred to in Article VI., 
Section 2, of the Constitution of 1818. The salt 
made brought So per 100 pounds, and was sliipped 
in keel-boats to various points on the Ohio, Mis- 
sissippi, Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers, while 
many purchasers came hundreds of miles on 
horseback and carried it away on pack animals. 
In 1827, the State treasury being empty and the 
General Assemblj- having decided to erect a peni- 
tentiary at Alton, Congress was petitioned to 
donate these lands to the State in fee, and per- 
mission was granted "to sell 30,000 acres of the 
Ohio Salines in Gallatin County, and apply the 
proceeds to such purposes as the Legislature 
might by law direct."' The sale was made, one- 
half of the proceeds set apart for the building of 
the penitentiary, and one-half to the improve- 
ment of roads and rivers in tlie eastern part of 
the State. The manufacture of salt was carried 
on, however — for a time by lessees and subse- 
quently by owners — until 1873, about which time 
it was abandoned, chiefly because it had ceased 
to be profitable on account of competition with 
other districts possessing superior facilities. 
Some salt was manufactured in Vermilion County 
about 1824. The manufacture has been success- 
fully carried on in recent years, from the product 
of artesian wells, at St. John, in Perry County. 

SANDOVAL, a village of Marion County, at 
the crossing of the western branch of the Illinois 
Central Riilroad, and the Baltimore & Ohio 
Southwestern, miles north of Centralia. The 
town has coal mines and some manufactures, 
with banks and one newspaper. Population 
(1880). .564; (1890), 834; (1900), 1,258. 

SANDSTONE, The quantity of sandstone quar- 
ried in Illinois is comparatively insignificant, its 
value being less than one fifth of one per cent of 
the value of the output of the entire country. 
In isno the State ranked twenty-fifth in the list 
of States producing this mineral, the total value 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



465 



of the stone quarried being but $17,896, repre- 
senting 141,605 cubic feet, taicen from ten quar- 
ries, whicli employed forty -six hands, and had an 
aggregate capital invested of §49,400. 

SANDWICH, a city in De Kalb County, incor- 
porated in 1878, on the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincj- Railroad. 58 miles southwest of Chicago. 
The principal indu-stries are the manufacture of 
agricultural implements, hay-presses, corn-shell- 
ers. pumps and wind-mills. Sandwich has two 
private banks, two weekly and one semi-weekly 
papers. Pop. (1890), 3,516; (1900), 2,530; (1903), 
3,865. 

SANGAMON COUNTY, a central comity, 
organized under act of June 30, 1821. from parts 
of Bond and Madison Counties, and embracing 
the present counties of Sangamon, Cass, Menard. 
Mason, Tazewell, Logan, and parts of ilorgan, 
McLean, Woodford, Marshall and Putnam. It 
was named for the river flowing through it. 
Though reduced in area somewhat, four years 
later, it extended to the Illinois River, but was 
reduced to its present limits by the setting apart 
of Menard, Logan and Dane (now Christian) 
Counties, in 1839. Henry Funderburk is believed 
to have been the first white settler, arriving 
there in 1817 and locating in what is now Cotton 
Hill Township, being followed, the next year, by 
"William Drennan, Joseph Dodds, James McCoy, 
Robert Pulliam and others. John Kelly located 
on the present site of the city of Springfield in 
1818, and was there at the time of the selection 
of that place as the temporary seat of justice in 
1821. Other settlements were made at Auburn, 
Island Grove, and elsewhere, and population 
began to flow in rapidlj-. Remnants of the Potta- 
watomie and Kickapoo Indians were still there, 
but soon moved north or west. County organi- 
zation was effected in 1821, the first Board of 
County Commissioners being composed of Wil- 
liam Drennan, Zachariah Peter and Samuel Lee. 
John Reynolds (afterwards Governor) held the 
first term of Circuit Court, with John Taylor, 
Sheriff; Henry Starr, Prosecuting Attorney, and 
Charles R. Matheny, Circuit Clerk. A LI'nited 
States Land Office was established at Springfield 
in 1823, with Pascal P. Enos as Receiver, the 
first sale of lands taking place the same year. 
Tlie soil of Sangamon Count}' is exuberantly fer- 
tile, with rich underlying deposits of bituminous 
coal, which is mined in large quantities. The 
chief towns are Springfield, Auburn, Riverton, 
lUiopolis and Pleasant Plains. Tlie area of the 
county is 860 square miles. Population (1880), 
52,894; (1890), 61,195; (lUOO), 71,593. 



SANGAMON RIYER, formed by the union of 
the Xorth and South Forks, of which the former 
is the longer, or main branch. The North Fork 
rises in the northern part of Champaign County, 
whence it rims southwest to the city of Decatur, 
thence westward tlu-ough Sangamon County, 
forming the north boundary of Christian County, 
and emptying into the Illinois River about 9 miles 
above Beardstow-n. The Sangamon is nearly 240 
miles long, including the North Fork. The 
South Fork flows through Christian County, and 
joins the North Fork about 6 miles east of 
Springfield. In the early history of the State the 
Sangamon was regarded as a navigable stream, 
and its improvement was one of the measures 
advocated by Abraliam Lincoln in 1832, when he 
was for the first time a candidate (though unsuc- 
cessfully) for the Legislature. In the spring of 
1832 a small steamer from Cincinnati, called the 
"Talisman," ascended the river to a point near 
Springfield. The event was celebrated with 
great rejoicing by the people, but the vessel 
encountered so much difficulty in getting out of 
the river that the experiment was never 
repeated. 

SANGAMON & MORGAN RAILROAD. (See 
Wabash Railroad.) 

SANGER, Lorenzo P., railway and canal con- 
tractor, was born at Littleton, N. H., March 2, 
1809; brought in childhood to Livingston County, 
N. Y., where his father became a contractor on 
the Erie Canal, the son also being emploj-ed upon 
the same work. The latter subsequently became 
a contractor on the Pennsylvania Canal on his 
own account, being known as "the boy contract- 
or." Then, aftera brief experience in mercantile 
business, and a year spent in the construction of a 
canal in Indiana, in 1836 he came to Illinois, and 
soon after became an extensive contractor on the 
Illinois & Michigan Canal, having cliarge of rock 
excavation at Lockport. He was also connected 
with the Rock River imijrovement scheme, and 
interested in a line of stages between Chicago 
and Galena, which, having been consolidated 
witli the line managed by tlie firm of Fink & 
Walker, finally became the Northwestern Stage 
Companj', extending its operations throughout 
Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa 
and Jlissouri— Mr. Sanger having charge of the 
Western Division, for a time, with headquarters 
at St. Louis. In 1851 he became tlie head of the 
firm of Sanger, Camp & Co., contractors for the 
construction of the Western (or Illinois) Division 
of tlie Ohio & Mi.ssi.ssippi (now the Baltimore & 
Ohio Southwestern) Mail way, upon which he 



466 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



was employed for several years. Other works 
with which he was connected %vere the North 
Missouri Railroad and the construction of the 
State Penitentiary at Joliet, as member of the 
firm of Sanger & Casey, for a time, also lessees of 
convict labor. In 1863 Mr. Sanger received from 
Governor Yates, by request of President Lincoln, 
a commission as Colonel, and was assigned to 
staff duty in Kentucky and Tennessee. After 
the war he became largely interested in stone 
quarries adjacent to Joliet ; also had an extensive 
contract, from the City of Chicago, for deepening 
the Illinois & Micliigan Canal. Died, at Oakland, 
Cal. , March 23, 187.5, whither he had gone for the 
benefit of his health. — James Young (Sanger), 
brother of the preceding, was born at Sutton, 
Vt., March 14, 1814; in boyhood spent some time 
in a large mercantile establishment at Pittsburg, 
Pa., later being associated with his father and 
elder brother in contracts on the Erie Canal and 
similar works in Pennsylvania. Ohio and Indi- 
ana. At the age of 32 he came with his father's 
family to St. Joseph, Mich., where they estab- 
lished a large supply store, and engaged in 
bridge-building and similar enterprises. At a 
later period, in connection with his father and 
his brother, L. P. Sanger, he was prominently 
connected with the construction of the Illinois & 
Michigan Canal — the aqueduct at Ottawa and 
the locks at Peru being constructed by them. 
About 1850 the Construction Company, of which 
he and his brother, L. P. Sanger, were leading 
members, undertook the construction of the Ohio 
& Mississippi (now Baltimore & Ohio Southwest- 
ern) Railroad, from St. Louis to Vincennes, Ind., 
and were prominently identified with other rail- 
road enterprises in Southern Illinois, Missouri and 
California. Died, July 3, 1867, when consum- 
mating arrangements for the performance of a 
large contract on the Union Pacific Railroad. 

SANITARY COMMISSION. (See niinois San- 
itary CoininiNniiin. ) 

SAMTARY DISTRICT OF CHICAGO. (See 
Chicago Drainage Canal.) 

SAUtiANASH, the Indian name of a half-breed 
known as Capt. Billy Caldwell, the son of a 
British officer and a Pottawatomie woman, born 
in Canada about 1780; received an education 
from the Jesuits at Detroit, and was able to 
speak and write English and French, besides 
several Indian dialects ; was a friend of Tecum- 
seh's and, during the latter part of his life, a 
devoted friend of tlie whites. He took up his 
residence in Chicago about 1820, and, in 1826, 
was a Justice of the Peace, while nominally a 



subject of Great Britain and a Chief of the Otta- 
was and Pottawatouiies. In 1828 the Govern- 
ment, in consideration of his services, built for 
him tlie first frame house ever erected in Chicago, 
which he occupied until his departure with his 
tribe for Council Bluffs in 183G. Bj' a treaty, 
made Jan. 2, 1830, reservations were granted by 
the Government to Sauganash, Shabona and 
other friendly Indians (see Shabona), and 1,340 
acres on the North Branch of Chicago River set 
apart for Caldwell, which he sold before leaving 
the country. Died, at Council Bluffs, Iowa, 
Sept. 28, 1841. 

SAVAGE, George S. F., D.D., clergyman, was 
born at Cromwell, Conn., Jan. 29. 1817; gradu- 
ated at Yale College in 1844; studied theology at 
Andover and New Haven, graduating in 1847; 
was ordained a home missionary the same year 
and spent twelve years as pastor at St. Charles, 
111., for four years being corresponding editor of 
"The Prairie Herald" and "The Congregational 
Herald." For ten years he was in the service of 
the American Tract Society, and, during the Civil 
War, was engaged in sanitary and religious work 
in the army. In 1870 he was appointed Western 
Secretary of the Congregational Publishing 
Society, remaining two years, after which he be- 
came Financial Secretary of the Chicago Theo- 
logical Seminary. He has also been a Director 
of the institution since 1854, a Trustee of Beloit 
College since 1850, and. for several years, editor 
and publisher of "The Congregational Review." 

SAVANNA, a city in Carroll County, situated 
on the Mississippi River and tlie Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Northern and the Chicago, Milwaukee 
& St. Paul Railways; is 10 miles west of Mount 
Carroll and about 20 miles north of Clinton, 
Iowa. It is an important shipping-point and con- 
tains several manufactories of machinery, lumber, 
flour, etc. It has two State banks, a public 
library, churches, two graded schools, township 
high school, and two daily and weekly news- 
papers. Pop. (1890), 3,097; (1900), 3,325. 

SAYBROOK, a village of McLean County, on 
the Lake Erie & Western Railroad, 36 miles east 
of Bloomington; district agricultural; county 
fairs held here; the town has two banks and two 
newspapers. Pop. (1890), 851; (1900), 879. 

SCATES, Walter Bennett, jurist and soldier, 
was born at South Boston, Halifax County, Va., 
Jan. 18, 1808; was taken in infancy to Ilopkins- 
ville, Ky., where he resided until 1831, having 
meanwliile learned the printer's trade at Nash- 
ville and studied law at Louisville. In 1831 he 
removed to Frankfort, Franklin County, III., 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



467 



where, for a time, he was County Surveyor. In 
1836, having been appointed Attornej'-General, 
he removed to Vandalia, then the seat of govern- 
ment, but resigned at the close of the same j-ear 
to accept tlie judgeship of the Tliird Judicial 
Circuit, and took up his residence at Shawnee- 
town. In 1841 he was one of five new Judges 
added to the Supreme Court bench, the others 
being Sidney Breese, Stephen A. Douglas, 
Thomas Ford and Samuel H. Treat. In that 
year he removed to Moimt Vernon, Jefferson 
County, and, in January, 1847, resigned his seat 
upon the bench to resume practice. The same 
year he was a member of the Constitutional Con- 
vention and Chairman of the Committee on 
Judiciary. In June, 1854, he again took a seat 
upon the Supreme Court bench, being chosen to 
succeed Lyman Trumbull, but resigned in May, 
1857, and resumed practice in Chicago. In 
1862 he volunteered in defense of the Union, 
received a Major's commission and was assigned 
to duty on the staff of General McClernand : was 
made. Assistant Adjutant-General and mustered 
out in January, 1866. In July, 1866, President 
Johnson appointed him Collector of Customs at 
Chicago, which position lie filled until July 1, 
1869, when he was removed by President Grant, 
during the same period, being ex-officio custodian 
of United States funds, the office of Assistant 
Treasurer not having been then created. Died, 
at Evanston, Oct. 26, 1886. 

SCAMMOX, Jonathan Young, lawyer and 
banker, wa.s born at Whitefield, Maine, July 27, 
1812; after graduating at Waterville (now Colby) 
University in 1831, he studied law and was 
admitted to the bar at IlalloweU, in 1835 remov- 
ing to Chicago, where he spent the remainder of 
his life. After a year spent as dejiuty in the 
office of the Circuit Clerk of Cook Cciuiity, during 
which he prepared a revision of the Illinois stat- 
iites, he was appointed attorney for the State 
Bank of Illinois in 1837. and, in 1839, became 
reporter of the Supreme Court, which office ho 
held until 1845. In the meantime, he was associ- 
ated with several prominent lawyers, his first 
legal firm being that of Scammon. McCagg & 
Fuller, which was continued up to the fire of 
1871. A large operator in real estate and identi- 
fied with many enterprises of a public or benevo- 
lent character, his most important financial 
venture was in connection witli the Chicago 
Marine & Fire Insurance Company, which con- 
ducted an extensive banking business for many 
years, and of which he was the President and 
leading spirit. As a citizen he was progressive, 



public-spirited and lilieral. He was one of the 
main promoters and organizers of the old Galena 
& Cliicago Union Railway, the first railroad to 
run west from Lake Michigan ; was also promi- 
nently identified with the foimdiiig of the Chi- 
cago public school system, a Trustee of the (old) 
Chicago University, and one of the founders of 
the Chicago Historical Society, of the Chicago 
Academy of Sciences and the Chicago Astro- 
nomical Society — being the first President 
of the latter body. He erected, at a cost of 
§30,000, the Fort Dearborn Observatory, in 
which he caused to be placed the most power- 
ful telescope which had at that time been brought 
to the West. He also maintained the observatory 
at his own expense. He was the pioneer of 
Swedenborgianisni in Chicago, and, in politics, a 
staunch Whig, and, later, an ardent Republican. 
In 1844 he was one of the founders of "The Chi- 
cago American," a paper designed to advance 
the candidacy of Henrj' Clay for the Presidency ; 
and, in 1872, when "The Chicago Tribune" 
espoused the Liberal Republican cause, he started 
"The Inter-Ocean" as a Republican organ, being, 
for some time, its sole proprietor and editor-in- 
chief. He was one of the first to encourage the 
adoption of the homeopathic system of medicine 
in Chicago, and was prominently connected with 
the founding of the Hahnemann Medical College 
and the Hahnemann Hospital, being a Trustee in 
both for many yeai-s. As a member of the Gen- 
eral Assembly he secured the passage of many 
important measures, among them being legisla- 
tion looking toward the bettering of the currency 
and the banking system. He accumulated a 
large fortune, but lost most of it by the fire of 
1871 and the panic of 1873. Died, in Chicago, 
March 17. 1890. 

SCARRITT, Xathan, pioneer, was born in Con- 
necticut, came toEdwardsville, 111., in 1820, and, 
in 1821, located in Scarritfs Prairie, Madison 
County. His sous afterward became influential 
in business and Methodist church circles. Died, 
Dec. 12, 1847. 

SCENERY, NATURAL. Notwithstanding the 
uniformity of surface which characterize^ a 
country containing no mountain ranges, but 
wliich is made up largely of natural prairies, 
there are a nmuber of localities in Illinois where 
.scenery of a picturesque, and even bold and 
rugged character, may be found. One of the 
most striking of these features is produced by a 
spur or low range of hills from the Ozark Moun- 
tains of Missouri, projected across the southern 
part of the State from the vicinity of Grand 



468 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Tower in Jackson County, through tlie northern 
part of Union, and through portions of AViUiam- 
son, Johnson, Saline, Pope and Hardin Counties. 
Grand Tower, the initial point in the western 
part of the State, is an isolated clitf of limestone, 
standing out in the channel of the Mississippi, 
and forming an island nearly 100 feet ahove low- 
water level. It has been a conspicuous landmark 
for navigators ever since the discovery of the 
Mississippi. "Fountain Bluff," a few miles 
above Grand Tower, is another conspicuous point 
immediately on the river bank, formed by some 
isolated hills about three miles long by a mile 
and a half wide, which have withstood the forces 
that excavated the valley now occupied by the 
Mississippi. About half a mile from the lower 
end of this hill, with a low valley between them, 
is a smaller eminence known as the "Devil's 
Bake Oven." The main chain of bluffs, known 
as the "Back Bone," is about five miles from the 
river, and rises to a height of nearly TOO feet 
above low-tide in the Gulf of Mexico, or more 
than 400 feet above the level of the river at 
Cairo. "Bald Knob" is a very prominent inland 
bluff promontory near Alta Pass on the line of 
the Mobile & Ohio Railroad, in the northern part 
of Union County, with an elevation above tide- 
water of 985 feet. The highest point in this 
range of hills is reached in the northeastern part 
of Pope County — the elevation at that point (as 
ascertained by Prof. Rolfe of the State University 
at Champaign) being 1,046 feet. — There is some 
striking scenery in the neighborhood of Grafton 
between Alton and the mouth of the Illinois, as 
well as some distance up the latter stream — 
though the landscape along the middle section of 
the Illinois is generally monotonous or only 
gentlj' undulating, except at Peoria and a few 
otlier i)oints, wliere bluffs rise to a consideiable 
height. On the Upper Illinois, beginning at 
Peru, the scenery again becomes picturesque, 
including the celebrated "Starved Rock," the 
site of La Salle's Fort St. Louis (which see). 
This rock rises to a perpendioilar height of 
about V2~) feet from the surface of the river at the 
ordinarj' stage. On the opposite side of the river, 
about four miles below Ottawa, is "Buffalo 
Rock," an isolated ridge of rock about two miles 
long by forty to sixty rods wide, evidently once 
an island at a period wlien the Illinois River 
occupied the whole .valley. Additional interest 
is given to both these localities by their associ- 
ation witli early historj'. Deer Park, on the Ver- 
milion River — some two miles from where it 
empties into the Illinois, just below "Starved 



Rock" — is a peculiar grotto-like formation, caused 
by a ravine which enters the Vermilion at this 
point. Ascending this ravine from its mouth, 
for a quarter of a mile, between almost perpen- 
dicular walls, the road terminates abruptly at a 
dome-like overhanging rock which widens at this 
point to about 150 feet in diameter at the base, 
with a heiglit of about 75 feet. A clear spring 
of water gushes from the base of the cliff, and, at 
certain seasons of the year, a beautiul water-fall 
poui's from the cliffs into a little lake at the bot- 
tom of the chasm. There is much other striking 
scenery higher up, on both the Illinois and Fox 
Rivers. — A point which arrested the attention of 
the earliest explorers in this region was Mount 
Joliet, near the city of that name. It is first 
mentioned by St. Cosme in 1698, and has been 
variously known as Mon jolly, Mont Jolie, Mount 
Juliet, and Mount Joliet. It had an elevation, in 
early times, of about 30 feet with a level top 
1,300 by 22.3 feet. Prof O. H. Marshall, in "The 
American Antiquarian," expresses the opinion 
that, originally, it was an island in the river, 
which, at a remote period, swept down the valley 
of the Des Plaines. Mount Joliet was a favorite 
rallying point of Illinois Indians, who were 
accustomed to hold their councils at its base. — 
The scenery along Rock River is not striking 
from its boldness, but it attracted the attention 
of early explorers by the picturesque beauty of 
its groves, undulating plains and sheets of water. 
The highest and most abrupt elevations are met 
with in Jo Daviess County, near the Wisconsin 
State line. Pilot Knob, a natural moiuid about 
three miles south of Galena and two miles from 
the Blississippi, has been a landmark well known 
to tourists and river men ever since the Upper 
Mississippi began to be navigated. Towering 
above the surrounding bluffs, it reaches an alti- 
tude of some 430 feet above the ordinary level of 
Fever River. A chain of some half <lozen of these 
mounds extends some four or five miles in a north- 
easterly direction from Pilot Knob, Waddel's and 
Jackson's Sloiinds being conspicuous among 
them. There are also some castellated rocks 
around the city of Galena which are very strik- 
ing. Charles Mound, belonging to the system 
already referred to, is believed to be the highest 
elevation in the State. It stands near the Wis- 
cousin State line, and, according to Prof. Rolte, 
has an altitude of 314 feet above the Illinois Cen- 
tral Railroad at Scales' Mound Station, and, 1,257 
feet above the (Julf of Mexico. 

SCH.vrJIBF.KG, a village in Sehaumberg 
Township, Cook County. Population, 573. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



469 



SCHXEIDER, George, journalist and banker, 
was born at Pirmasens, Bavaria, Dec. 13, 1823. 
Being sentenced to death for his participation in 
the attempted rebellion of 1848. he escaped to 
America in 1849, going from New York to Cleve- 
land, and afterwards to St. Louis. There, in con- 
nection witli his brother, he established a German 
daily — "Tlie New Era" — which was intensely 
anti-slavery and exerted a decided political influ- 
ence, especially among persons of German birth. 
In 1851 he removed to Chicago, where he became 
editor of "The Staats Zeitung," in wliioli he 
vigorously opposed tlie Kansas-Nebraska bill on 
its introduction by Senator Douglas. His attitude 
and articles gave such offense to the partisan 
friends of this measure, that "The Zeitung" was 
threatened with destruction by a mob in ISHo. 
He early took advanced ground in opposition to 
slavery, and was a member of the convention of 
Anti-Nebraska editors, held at Decatur in 1856, 
and of the first Republican State Convention, held 
at Bloomington the same year, as well as of the 
National Republican Conventions of 1856 and 
1860, participating in the nomination of both 
John C. Fremont and Abraham Lincoln for the 
Presidency. In 1861 he was a member of the 
Chicago Union Defense Committee, and was 
appointed, by Mr. Lincoln, Consul-General at 
ELsinore, Denmark. Returning to Ameri<!a in 
1862, he disposed of his interest in "Tlie Staats 
Zeitung" and was appointed the first Collector of 
Internal Revenue for the Chicago District. On 
retiring from this office he engaged in banking, 
subsequently becoming President of the National 
Bank of Illinois, with which he was associated 
for a quarter of a century. In 1877 President 
Hayes tendered him the ministry to Switzerland, 
wliich he declined. In 1880 he was chosen Presi- 
dential Elector for the State-at-large, also serving 
for a number of years as a member of the Repub- 
lican State Central Committee. 

SCHOFIELD, John McAllister, Major-General, 
was born in Chautauqua County, N. Y., Sept 29, 
1831; brought to Bristol, Kendall County, 111., in 
1843, and, two years later, removed to Freeport; 
graduated from the United States Military Acad- 
emy, in 1853, as classmate of Generals McPherson 
and Sheridan ; was assigned to the artillerj- ser- 
vice and served two years in Florida, after which 
he spent five years (1855-60) as an instructor at 
West Point. At the beginning of the Civil War 
he was on leave of absence, acting as Professor 
of Physics in Washington University at St. 
Louis, but, waiving his leave, he at once returned 
to <luty and was appointed mustering officer; 



then, by permission of the War Department, 
entered the First Missom-i Volunteers as Major, 
serving as Chief of Staff to General Lyon in the 
early battles in Missouri, including Wilson's 
Creek. His subsequent career included the 
organization of the Slissouri State Jlilitia (1862), 
command of the Army of the Frontier in South- 
west Missouri, command of the Department of 
the Missouri and Oliio, participation in the 
Atlanta campaign and co-operation with Slier- 
man in the capture of the rebel Gen. Joseph E. 
Johnston in North Carolina— his army having 
been transferred for this purpose, from Tennessee 
by way of Washington. After the close of the 
war he went on a special mission to Mexico 
to investigate the French occupation of that 
country; was commander of the Department of 
the Potomac, and served as Secretary of War, by 
appointment of President Johnson, from June, 
1868, to March, 1869. On retiring from the Cabi- 
net he was commissioned a full Major-General 
and held various Division and Department com- 
mands until 1886, when, on the death of General 
Sherman, he succeeded to the command of the 
Army, with headquarters at Washington. 
He was retired under the age limit. Sept. 29, 
1895. His present home is in Washington. 

SCHOLFIELD, John, jurist, was born in Clark 
County, 111., in 1834; acquired the rudiments of 
an education in the common schools during boy- 
hood, meanwhile gaining some knowledge of the 
higlier branches through toilsome application to 
text-books without a preceptor. At the age of 
20 he entered the law school at Louisville, Ky., 
graduating two years later, and beginning prac- 
tice at Marshall. 111. He defrayed liis expenses 
at the law school from the proceeds of the sale of 
a small piece of land to wliich he had fallen heir. 
In 1856 he was elected State's Attorney, and, in 
1860, was chosen to represent his county in the 
Legislature. After serving one term he returned 
to his professional career and succeeded in build- 
ing up a profitable practice. In 1869-70 he repre- 
sented Clark and Cumberland Counties in the 
Constitutional Convention, and, in 1870, became 
Solicitor for the Vandalia Railroad. In 1873 he 
was elected to fill the vacancy on the bench of the 
Supreme Court of the State for the Middle Grand 
Division, cau.sed by the resignation of Judge 
Anthony Thornton, and re-elected without oppo- 
sition in 1879 and 1888. Died, in office, Feb. 13, 
1893. It has been claimed that President Cleve- 
land would have tendered him the Chief Justice- 
ship of the United States Supreme Court, had he 
not insistently declined to accept the honor. 



470 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



SCHOOL-HOUSES, EARLY. The primitive 
school-houses of Illinois were built of logs, ami 
were extremely rude, as regards both structure 
and furnishing. Indeed, the earliest pioneers 
rarely erected a special building to be used as a 
school-house. An old smoke-house, an abandoned 
dwelling, an old block-house, or the loft or one 
end cf a settler's cabin not unf requeutly answered 
the purpose, and the church and the court-house 
were often made to accommodate the school. 
When a school-house, as such, was to be built, the 
men of the district gathered at the site selected, 
bringing their a.xes and a few other tools, with 
their ox-teams, and devoted four or five days to 
constructing a house into which, perhaps, not a 
nail was driven. Trees were cut from the public 
lands, and, without hewing, fashioned into a 
cabin. Sixteen feet square was usually con- 
sidered the proper dimensions. In the walls 
were cut two holes, one for a door to admit light 
and air, and the other for tlie open fireplace, from 
which rose a chimney, usually built of sticks and 
mud, on the outside. Danger of fii'e was averted 
by thickly lining the inside of the cliiinney with 
clay mortar. Sometimes, but only with great 
labor, stone was substituted for mortar made 
from the clay soil. The chimneys were always 
wide, seldom less than six feet, and sometimes 
extending across one entire end of the building. 
The fuel used was wood cut directly from the 
forest, frequently in its green state, dragged to 
the spot in the form of logs or entire trees to lie 
cut by the older pupils in lengths suited to the 
width of the chimney. Occasionallj' there was 
no chimney, the fire, in some of the most primi- 
tive structures, being built on the earth and the 
smoke escaping through a hole in the roof. In 
such houses a long board was set up on the wind- 
ward side, and shifted fiom side to side as the 
■wind varied. Stones or logs answered for 
andirons, clapboards served as shovels, and no 
one complained of the lack of tongs. Roofs were 
made of roughly split clapboards, held in place 
by "weight poles" laid on the boards, and by sup- 
ports starting from "eaves poles.'" The space 
between the logs, which constituted the walls of 
the building, was filled in with blocks of wood 
or "chinking," and the crevices, both exterior 
and interior, daubed over with clay mortar, in 
which straw was sometimes mixed to increase its 
adhesiveness. On one side of the structure one 
or two logs were sometimes cut out to allow tlie 
admission of light ; and, as glass could not always 
be procui-ed, rain and snow were excluded and 
light admitted by the use of greased paper. Over 



tins space a board, attached to the outer wall by 
leather hinges, was sometimes suspended to keep 
out the storms. The placing of a glass window 
in a country school house at Edwardsville, in 
182-t, was considered an important event. Ordi- 
narily the floor was of the natural earth, although 
this was sometimes covered with a layer of clay, 
firmly packed down. Only the more pretentious 
school- houses had "puncheon floors"; i. e., floors 
made of split logs roughly hewn. Few had 
"ceilings" (so-called), the latter being usually 
made of clapboards, sometimes of bark, on which 
was spread earth, to keep out the cold. The 
seats were also of puncheons (without backs) 
supported on four legs made of pieces of poles 
inserted through augur holes. No one liad a desk, 
except the advanced pupils who were learning to 
write. For their convenience a broader and 
smoother puncheon was fastened into the wall 
by wooden pins, in such a way that it would 
slope downward toward tlie pupil, the front being 
supported by a brace extending from the wall. 
Wlien a pupil was writing he faced the wall. 
When he had finished this task, he "reversed him- 
self" and faced the teacher and his schoolmates. 
These adjuncts completed the furnishings, with 
the exception of a split-bottomed chair for the 
teacher (who seldom had a desk) and a pail, or 
"piggin," of water, with a gourd for a drinking 
cup. Rough and uncouth as these structures 
were, they were evidences of public spirit and of 
appreciation of the advantages of education. 
The)' were built and maintained by mutual aid 
and sacrifice, and. in them, some of the great men 
of the State and Nation obtained that primary 
training which formed the foundation of their 
subsequent careers. (See Education.) 

SCHUYLER COUXTY, located in the western 
portion of the State, has an area of 430 square 
miles, and was named for Gen. Philip Schuyler. 
The first American settlers arrived in 1823, and, 
among the earliest pioneers, were Calvin Hobart, 
William H. Taylor and Orris McCartney. The 
county was organized from a portion of Pike 
County, in 1825, the first Commissioners being 
Thomas Blair, Thomas McKee and Samuel Hor- 
ney. The Commissioners appointed to locate the 
county-seat, selecteil a site in the eastern part of 
the county about one mile west of the jiresent 
village of Pleasant View, to which the name of 
Beardstown was given, and where the earliest 
court was held. Judge John York Sawyer presid- 
ing, with Hart Fellows as Clerk, and Orris Mc- 
Cartney, Sheriff. Tliis location, however, proving 
unsatisfactory, new Commissioners were ap- 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



471 



pointed, who, in the early part of 1826, selected 
the present site of the city of Rushville, some 
five miles west of the point originally chosen. 
The new seat of justice was first called Rushton, 
in honor of Dr. Benjamin Rush, but the name 
was afterwards changed to Ru.shville. Ephraiin 
Eggleston was the pioneer of Rushville. The 
surface of tlie county is rolling, and the region 
contains excellent farming laud, which is well 
watered by tlie Illinois River and numerous 
creeks. Population (1890), 10.013; (1900), 10,129. 

SCHWATKA, Frederick, Arctic explorer, was 
born at Galena, 111., Sept. 29, 1849: graduated 
from the United States Military .\cademy in 1871, 
and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 
Third Cavah-j-, serving on the frontier until 18TT, 
meantime studying law and medicine, being 
admitted to the bar in 187.), and graduating in 
medicine in 1876. Having his intere.st excited by 
reports of traces of Sir John Franklin's expedi- 
tion, found by the Esquimaux, he obtained leave 
of absence in 1878, and, with \Vm. H. Gilder as 
second in command, sailed from New York in the 
"Eothen," June 19, for King William's Land. 
The party returned, Sept. 22, 1880, having found 
and buried the skeletons of man.y of Franklin's 
party, besides discovering relics which tended to 
clear up the mystery of their fate. During this 
period he made a sledge journey of 3,2.51 miles. 
Again, in 1883, he headed an exploring expedition 
up the Yukon River. After a brief return to 
army duty he tendered his resignation in 1885, 
and the next year led a special expedition to 
Alaska, under the auspices of "The New 'York 
Times," later making a voyage of discovery 
among the Aleutian Islands. In 1889 he con- 
ducted an expedition to Northern Mexico, where 
he found many interesting relics of Aztec civili- 
zation and of the cliff and cave-dwellers. He 
received the Roquette Arctic Medal from the 
Geographical Society of Paris, and a medal from 
the Imperial Geographical Society of Russia; also 
published several volumes relating to his re- 
searches, under the titles. "Along Alaska's 
Great River"; "The Franklin Search Under 
Lieutenant Schwatka" ; "Nimrod of the North" ; 
and "Children of the Cold." Died, at Portland, 
Ore., Nov. 2, 1892. 

SCOTT, James W., journalist, was born in 
■Walworth County, Wis., June 20, 1S49, the son 
of a printer, editor and publisher. While a boy 
he accompanied his father to Galena, where the 
latter established a newspaper, and where he 
learned the printer's trade. After graduating 
from the Galena high school, he entered Beloit 



College, but left at the end of his sophomore 3'ear. 
Going to New York, he became interested in flori- 
culture, at the same time contributing short 
articles to horticultural periodicals. Later he 
was a compositor in Washington. His first news- 
paper venture was the publication of a weekly 
newspaper in Jlaryland in 1872. Returning to 
Illinois, conjointly with his father he .started 
"The Industrial Press" at Galena, but. in 1875, 
removed to Chicago. There he purchased "The 
Daily National Hotel Reporter,'" from which he 
withdrew a few years later. In Maj', 1881, in 
conjunction with others, he organized The Chi- 
cago Herald Company, in which he ultimately 
secured a controlling interest. His journalistic 
and executive capability soon brought additional 
responsibilities. He was chosen President of the 
American Newspaper Publishers' Association, of 
tlie Chicago Press Club, and of the United Press 
— the latter being an organization for the collec- 
tion and disisemination of telegraphic news to 
journals throughout the United States and Can- 
ada. He was also conspicuously connected with 
the preliminary organization of the World's 
Columbian Exposition, and Chairman of the 
Press Committee. In 1898 he started an evening 
paper at Chicago, which he named "The Post." 
Early in 1895 he purchased "The Chicago Times," 
intending to consolidate it with "The Herald." 
but before the final consummation of his plans, 
he died suddenly, while on a business visit in 
New York, April 14, 1895. 

SCOTT, John M., lawyer and jurist, was born 
in St. Clair County, 111., August 1, 1824; his 
father being of Scotch-Irish descent and his 
mother a Virginian. His attendance upon dis- 
trict schools was supplemented by private tuition, 
and his early education was the best that the 
comparatively new country afforded. He read 
law at Belleville, was admitted to the bar in 
1848, removed to McLean County, which con- 
tinued to be his home for nearly liftj' years. He 
served as County School Commissioner from 1849 
to 1852, and, in the latter year, waselected County 
Judge. In 1850 he was an unsuccessful Repub- 
lican candidate for the State Senate, frequently 
speaking from the same platform with Abraham 
Lincoln. In 1862 he was elected Judge of the 
Circuit Court of the Eighth Judicial Circuit, to 
succeed David Davis on the elevation of the 
latter to the bench of the United States Supreme 
Court, and was re-elected in 1807. In 1870, a 
new judicial election being rendered necessary 
by the ailoption of the new Constitution. Judge 
Scott was chosen Justice of the Supreme Court 



472 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



for a term of nine years; was re-elected in 1879, 
but declined a renomiuation in 1888. The latter 
years of his life were devoted to Iiis private 
affairs. Died, at Bloomington, Jan. 21, 1898. 
Shortly before his death Judge Scott published a 
volume containing a History of the Illinois 
Supreme Court, including brief sketches of the 
early occupants of the Supreme Court bench and 
early lawyers of the State. 

SCOTT, Matthew Thompson, agriculturist 
and real-estate operator, was born at Lexington, 
Ky., Feb. 34, 1828; graduated at Centre College 
in 1846, then spent several years looking after his 
father's landed interests in Ohio, when he came 
to Illinois and invested largely in lands for him- 
self and others. He laid out the town of Chenoa 
in 1856; lived in Springfield in 1870-72, wlien he 
removed to Bloomington, where he organized the 
McLean Count}- Coal Company, remaining as its 
head until his death; was also the founder of 
"The Bloomington Bulletin," in 1878. Died, at 
Bloomington, May 21, 1891. 

SCOTT, Owen, journalist and ex-Congressman, 
was born in Jackson Township, Effingham 
County, 111., July 6, 1848, reared on a farm, and, 
after receiving a thorough common-school edu- 
cation, became a teacher, and was. for eight 
years. Superintendent of Schools for his native 
county. In January, 1874, he was admitted to 
the bar, but abandoned practice, ten j'ears later, 
to engage in newspaper work. His first publi- 
cation was "The Effingham Democrat, " wliich he 
left to become proprietor and manager of "The 
Bloomington Bulletin." He was also publisher 
of "The Illinois Freemason," a monthly periodi- 
cal. Before removing to Bloomington lie filled 
the ofl[ices of City Attorney and Mayor of Effing- 
ham, and also served as Deputy Collector of 
Internal Revenue. In 1890 he was elected as a 
Democrat from the Fourteenth Illinois District 
to the Fifty-second Congress. In 1892 he was a 
candidate for re-election, but was defeated by his 
Republican opponent, Benjamin F. Funk. Dur- 
ing the past few years, Mr. Scott has been editor 
of "The Bloomington Leader." 

SCOTT COUNTY, lies in the western part of 
the State adjoining the Illinois River, and has an 
area of 248 square miles. The region was origi- 
nally owned by the Kickapoo Indians, who 
ceded it to the Government by the treaty of 
Edwardsville, July 30, 1819. Six months later 
(in January, 1820) a party of Kentuckians settled 
near Lynnville (now in Morgan County), their 
names being Thomas Stevens, James Scott, 
Alfred Miller, Thomas Allen, John Scott and 



Adam Miller. Allen erected the first house in the 
county, John Scott the second and Adam Miller 
the third. About the same time came Stephen 
M. Umpstead, whose wife was the first white 
woman in the county. Other pioneers were 
Jedediah Webster, Stephen Pierce, Joseph Dens- 
more, Jesse Roberts, and Samuel Bogard. The 
country was rough and the conveniences of civi- 
lization few and remote. Settlers took their corn 
to Edwardsville to be ground, and went to Alton 
for their mail. Turbulence early showed itself, 
and, in 1822, a band of "Regulators" was organized 
from the best citizens, who meted out a rough 
and ready sort of justice, until 1830, occasionally 
shooting a desperado at his cabin door. Scott 
County was cut off from Morgan and organized 
in 1839. It contains good farming land, much of 
it being originally timbered, and it is well 
watered by the Illinois River and numerous 
small streams. Winchester is the county-seat. 
Population of the county (1880), 10,741; (1890), 
10,304; (1900), 10,4.55. 

SCRIPPS, John L., journalist, was born near 
Cape Girardeau, Mo., Feb. 18, 1818; was taken to 
Rushville, 111., in childhood, and educated at 
McKendree College; studied law and came to 
Chicago in 1847, with the intention of practicing, 
but, a year or so later, bought a third interest in 
"The Cliicago Tribune," which Iiad been estab- 
lished during the previous year. In 1852 he 
withdrew from "The Tribune," and, in conjunc- 
tion with William Bross (afterwards Lieuten- 
ant-Governor), established "Tlie Daily Demo- 
cratic Press," which was consolidated with "The 
Tribune" in July, 1858, under the name of "The 
Press and Tribune," Mr. Scripps remaining one 
of the editors of the new concern. In 1861 he 
was appointed, by Mr. Lincoln, Postmaster of the 
city of Cliicago, serving until 1805, when, having 
sold his interest in "Tlie Tribune," he engaged in 
the banking business as a member of the firm of 
Scripps, Preston & Kean. His health, however, 
soon showed signs of failure, and he died. Sept. 
21, 1866, at Minneapolis, Minn., whither he had 
gone in hopes of restoration. Mr. Scripps was a 
finished and able writer who did much to elevate 
the standard of Chicago journalism. 

SCROUGS, Georgre, journalist, was born at 
Wilmington, Clinton, County, Ohio, Oct. 7, 1843 
— the son of Dr. John W. Scroggs, who came to 
Champaign County, 111., in 1851, and, in 1858, 
took ch.arge of "The Central Illinois Gazette." In 
186i)-67 Dr. Scroggs was active in securing the 
location of the State Universitj' at Champaign, 
afterwards serving as a member of the first Board 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



473 



of Trustees of that institution. Tlie son, at the 
age of 15, became an apprentice in his fatlier's 
printing office, continuing until 1862, when he 
enlisted as a pi'ivate in the One Hundred and 
Twenty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, being 
promoted through the positions of Sergeant-ilajor 
and Second Lieutenant, and finally serving on 
the staffs of Gen. Jeff. C. Davis and Gen. James 
D. Morgan, but declining a commission as Adju- 
tant of the Sixtieth Illinois. He participated in 
the battles of Perryville, Chickamauga, Mission 
Ridge and the march with Sherman to the sea. in 
the latter being severely wounded at Bentonville, 
N. C. He remained in tlie service until July, 
186.5, when he resigned; then entered the Uni- 
versity at Champaign, later studied law, mean- 
while writing for "The Champaign Gazette and 
Union," of which he finally became sole pi-opri- 
etor. In 1877 he was appointed an Aid-de-Camp 
on the staff of Governor CuUom, and, the follow- 
ing year, was elected to the Thirty-first General 
Assembly, but, before the close of the session 
(18T9), received the appointment of United States 
Consul to Hamburg, Germany. He was com- 
pelled to surrender this position, a year later, on 
account of ill-health, and, returning home, died, 
Oct. 15, 1880. 

SEATONVILLE, a village in Hall Township, 
Bureau County. Population (1900), 909. 

SECRETARIES OF STATE, The following is 
a list of the Secretaries of State of Illinois from 
its admission into the Union down to the present 
time (1899), witli the date and duration of the 
term of each incumbent: Elias Kent Kane, 
1818-32; Samuel D. Lockwood, 1823-23; David 
Blackwell, 1823-31; Morris Birkbeck, October, 
1821 to January, 182.5 (failed of confirmation by 
the Senate); George Forquer, 1825-28; Alexander 
Pope Field, 1828-40; Stephen A. Douglas, 1840-41 
(served three months — resigned to take a seat on 
the Supreme bench); Lyman Trumbull, 1841-43; 
Thompson Campbell, 1843-46; Horace S. Cooley, 
1846-50; David L. Gregg, 18.50-53; Alexander 
Starne, 1853-57; Ozias M. Hatch, 1857-65; Sharon 
Tyndale. 186.5-69; Edward Rummel. 1809-73; 
George H. Harlow, 1873-81; Henry D. Dement, 
1881-89; Isaac N. Pearson, 1889-93; William H. 

Hinrichsen, 1893-97; James A. Rose, 1897 . 

Nathaniel Pope and Joseph Phillips were the only 
Secretaries of Illinois during the Territorial 
period, the former serving from 1809 to 1816, and 
the latter from 1816 to 1818. Under the first Con- 
stitution (1818) the office of the Secretary of 
State was filled by appointment by the Governor, 
by and with the advice and consent of the 



Senate, but without limitation as to term of 
office. By the Constitution of 1848, and again by 
that of 1870, that officer was made elective by 
the people at the same time as the Governor, for 
a term of four years. 

SECRET TRE.\SOXABLE SOCIETIES. Early 
in the War of the Rebellion there sprang up, at 
various points in the Northwest, organizations of 
persons disaffected toward the National Govern- 
ment. They were most numerous in Ohio, Indi- 
ana, Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri. At first 
they were known by such titles as "Circles of 
Honor," "Mutual Protective Associations," etc. 
But they had kindred aims and tlieir members 
were soon united in one organization, styled 
"Knights of the Golden Circle." Its secrets 
having been partially disclosed, this body ceased 
to exist — or, it would be more correct to say, 
changed its name — being soon succeeded (1863) 
by an organization of similar character, called 
the "American Knights." These societies, as 
first formed, were rather political than military. 
The "American Knights" had more forcible 
aims, but this, in turn, was also exposed, and the 
order was re organized under the name of "Sons 
of Libert}'." The last named order started in 
Indiana, and, owing to its more perfect organi- 
zation, rapidly spread over the Northwest, 
acquiring much more strength and influence than 
its predecessors had done. The ultimate author- 
ity of the organization was vested in a Supreme 
Council, whose officers were a "supreme com- 
mander, " "secretary of state," and "treasurer." 
Each State represented formed a division, under a 
' 'deputy grand commander. ' ' States were divided 
into military districts, imder "major-generals." 
County lodges were termed "temples." The 
order was virtually an officered army, and its 
aims were aggressive. It had its commander-in- 
chief, its brigades and its regiments. Three 
degrees were recognized, and the oaths of secrecy 
taken at each initiation surpassed, in binding 
force, either the oatli of allegiance or an oath 
taken in a court of justice. The maintenance of 
slavery, and forcible opposition to a coercive 
policy by the Government in dealing with seces- 
sion, were the pivotal doctrines of the order. Its 
methods and purposes were to discourage enlist- 
ments and resist a draft; to aid and jjrotect 
deserters; to disseminate treasonable literature; 
to aid the Confederates in destroying Government 
property. Clement L. Vallandigbam, the expat- 
riated traitor, was at its lioad, and, in 1864, 
claimed that it had a numerical .strength of 400,- 
000, of whom 65,000 were in Illinois. Many overt 



474 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



acts were committed, but the organization, hav- 
ing been exposed and defeated in its objects, dis- 
banded in 1865. (See Camp Douglas Conspiracy.) 
SELBY, Fanl, editor, was born in Pickaway 
County, Ohio, July 20, 1825; removed with his 
parents, in ly37, to Van Buren County, Iowa, but, 
at tlie age of 19, went to Southern Illinois, where 
he spent four years teaching, chiefly in Madison 
County. In 1848 he entered the preparatory 
department of Illinois College at Jaclisonville, 
but left the institution during his junior year to 
assume the editorship of ''The Morgan Journal," 
at Jacksonville, with which he remained until 
the fall of 1858, covering the period of the 
organization of the Republican party, in which 
"The Journal" took an active part. He was a 
member of the Anti-Nebraska (afterwards known 
as Republican) State Convention, which met at 
Springfield, in October, 1854 (the first ever held in 
the State), and, on Feb. 22, 1856, attended and 
presided over a conference of Anti-Nebraska 
editors of the State at Decatur, called to devise a 
line of policy for the newly organizing Repub- 
lican party. (See Anti-Xebraska Editorial 
Convention.) This body appointed the first 
Republican State Central Committee and desig- 
nated the date of tlie Bloomingtou Convention 
of May 29, following, which jiut in nomination 
the first Republican State ticket ever named in 
Illinois, which ticket was elected in the following 
November (See Bloomington Convention.) In 
1859 he prepared a pamphlet giving a history of 
the celebrated Canal scrip fraud, which was 
widely circulated. (See Canal Scri2) Fraud.) 
Going South in the fall of 18.59, he was engaged 
in teaching in the State of Louisiana until the 
last of June, 1861. Just two weeks before the 
fall of Fort Sumter he was denounced to his 
Soutliern neighbors as an "abolitionist" and 
falsely charged with having been connected with 
the "underground railroad," in letters from 
secession sympathizers in the North, whose per- 
sonal and political enmity he had incurred while 
conducting a Republican paper in Illinois, some 
of whom referred to Jefferson Davis, Senator 
Slidell, of Louisiana, and other Southern leaders 
as vouchers for their characters. He at once 
invited an investigation by the Board of Trus- 
tees of the institution, of which he was the 
Principal, when that body — although composed, 
for the most part, of Southern men — on the basis 
of testimonials from prominent citizens of Jack- 
sonville, and other evidence, adopted resolutions 
declaring the charges prompted bj' personal hos- 
tility, and delivered the letters of his accusers into 



his hands. Returning North with his family in 
July, 1861, he spent some nine months in the com- 
missary and transportation branches of the ser- 
vice at Cairo and at Paducah, Ky. In July, 1862, 
he became associate editor of "The Illinois State 
Journal" at Springfield, remaining until Novem- 
ber. 1865. The next six months were spent as 
Assi.stant Deputy Collector in the Custom House 
at New Orleans, but, returning Nortli in June, 
1866, he soon after became identified with the 
Chicago press, serving, first upon the staff of "The 
Evening Journal" and, later, on "The Repub- 
lican." In May, 1868, he assumed the editorship 
of "The Quincy Whig," ultimately becoming 
part proprietor of that paper, but, in January, 
1874, resumed his old place on "The State Jour- 
nal," four years later becoming one of its propri- 
etors. In 1880 he was appointed by President 
Haj-es Postmaster of Springfield, was reappointed 
by Arthur in 1884, but resigned in 1886. Mean- 
while he had .sold his interest in "The Journal," 
but the following year organized a new company 
for its purchase, when he resumed his former 
position as editor. In 1889 he disposed of his 
holding in "The Journal." finally removing to 
Chicago, where he has been employed in literary 
work. In all he has been engaged in editorial 
work over thirty-five years, of which eighteen 
were spent upon "The State Journal." In 1860 
Mr. Selby was complimented by his Alma Mater 
with the honorary degree of A. M. He has been 
twice married, first to Miss Erra Post, of Spring- 
field, who died in November, 1865, leaving two 
daughters, and, in 1870, to Mrs. Mary J. Hitch- 
cock, of Quincy, by whom he had two children, 
both of whom died in infancj'. 

SEMPLE, James, United States Senator, was 
born in Green County, Ky., Jan. 5, 1798, of Scotch 
descent; after learning the tanner's trade, studied 
law and emigrated to Illinois in 1818, removing 
to Missouri four j-ears later, where he was ad- 
mitted to the bar. Returning to Illinois in 1828, 
he began practice at Edwardsville, but later 
became a citizen of Alton. During the Black 
Hawk War he served as Brigadier-General. He 
was thrice elected to the lower house of the 
Legislature (1832, '34 and '36), and was Speaker 
during the last two terms. In 1833 he was 
elected Attorney-General by the Legislature, but 
served only until the following year, and, in 
1837, was appointed Minister to Granaila, South 
America. In 1843 he was appointed, and after- 
wards elected. United States Senator to fill the 
unexpired term of Samuel McRoberts, at the 
expiration of his terra (1847) retiring to private 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



475 



life. He laid out the town of Elsah, in Jersej' 
County, just south of which he owned a large 
estate on the Mississippi bluffs, %vliere he died. 
Deo. 20, l.SGG. 

SENEC.V (formerly Crotty), a village of La 
Salle County, situated on the Illinois River, the 
Illinois it Michigan Canal and the Chicago, RocU 
Island & Pacific and the Cleveland, Cincinnati, 
Chicago & St. Louis Railways, 13 miles east of 
Ottawa. It ' has a graded school, several 
churches, a bank, some manufactures, grain 
warehouses, coal mines, telephone system and 
one newspaper. Pop. (1890), 1,1!)0; (1900), 1,036. 

SEXN, (Dr.) Nicholas, physican and surgeon, 
was born in the Canton of St. Gaul, Switzerland, 
Oct. 31, 1844; was brought to America at 8 j'ears 
of age, his parents settling at Washington, Wis. 
He received a grammar school education at Fond 
du Lac, and. in 1864, began the study of medi- 
cine, graduating at the Chicago Medical College 
in 1868. After some eighteen months spent as 
resident physician in the Cook County Hospital, 
he began practice at Ashford, Wis., but removed 
to Milwaukee in 1874, where he became attending 
phj-sician of the Milwaukee Hospital. In 1877 he 
visited Europe, graduated the following year from 
the University of Munich, and, on his return, 
became Professor of the Principles of Surgery 
and Surgical Pathology in Rush Medical College 
in Chicago — also has held the chair of the Prac- 
tice of Surgery in the same institution. Dr. 
Senn has achieved great .succe.ss and won an 
international reputation in the treatment of 
difficult cases of abdominal surgery. He is the 
author of a number of volumes on different 
branches of surgery which are recognized as 
standard authorities. A few years ago he pur- 
chased the extensive library of the late Dr. Will- 
iam Baum, Professor of Surgery in the University 
of Gottingen, which he presented to the New- 
berry Library of Chicago. In 1893, Dr. Seim was 
appointed Surgeon-General of the Illinois 
National Guard, and has also been President of 
the Association of Military Surgeons of the 
National Guard of the United States, besides 
being identified with various other medical 
bodies. Soon after the beginning of the Spanish- 
American War, he was appointed, by President 
McKinley, a Surgeon of Volunteers with the rank 
of Colonel, and rendered most efficient aid in the 
military branch of the service at Camp Chicka- 
mauga and in the Santiago camjiaign. 

SEXTOX, (Col.) James A., Commander-in- 
Chief of Grand Army of the Republic, was born 
in the city of Chicago, Jan. 0, 1844; in April, 



ISCl, being then only a little over 17, enlisted as a 
private soldier imder the first call for troops 
issued by President Lincoln; at the clo.se of his 
term was appointed a Sergeant, with authority to 
recruit a company which afterwards was attached 
to the Fifty-lirst Vohuiteer Infantry. Later, he 
was transferred to the Si.\t}'-seveiith with the 
rank of Lieutenant, and, a few months after, to 
the Sevent3'-second with a commission as Captain 
of Company D, which he had recruited. As com- 
mander of his regiment, then constituting a part 
of the Seventeenth Army Corjjs, he participated 
in the battles of Columbia, Duck Creek, Spring 
Hill, Franklin and Nashville, and in the Nash- 
ville campaign. Both at Nashville and Franklin 
he was wounded, and again, at Spanish Fort, by a 
piece of shell which broke his leg. His regiment 
took part in seven battles and eleven skirmishes, 
and, while it went out 967 strong in officers and 
men, it returned with only 332, all told, although 
it had been recruited by 234 men. He was known 
as "The boy Captain," being only 18 years old 
when he received his first commission, and 21 
when, after particijjating in the Mobile cam- 
paign, he was mustered out with the rank of 
Lieutenant-Colonel. A fter the close of the war 
he engaged in planting in the South, purchasing 
a plantation in Lowndes County, Ala., but, in 
1867, returned to Chicago, where he became a 
member of the firm of Cribben, Sexton & Co., 
stove manufacturers, from which he retired in 
1898. In 1884 he served as Presidential Elector 
on the Republican ticket for the Fourth District, 
and, in 1889,wasappointed, by President Ilarri.son. 
Postmaster of the city of Chicago, serving over 
five years. In 1888 he was chosen Department 
Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic 
for the State of Illinois, and, ten years later, to 
the position of Commander-in-Chief of the order, 
which he held at the time of his death. He had 
also been, for a number of years, one of the Trus- 
tees of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home at Quincy, 
and, during most of the time, President of the 
Board. Towards the close of the year 1898, he 
was appointed by Presi<lent McKinley a member 
of the Commission to investigate the conduct of 
the Spanish-American War, but. before the Com- 
mission had concluded its labors, was taken with 
"the grip," which developed into pneumonia, 
from which he died in Washington. Feb. .'), 189!). 
SEYMOri{,<Jeorge Franklin, Protestant Epis- 
copal Bishop, was born in New York City, Jan. .5, 
1829; graduated from Columbia College in IH.'iO, 
and from the General Theological Seminary 
(New York) in 1854. He received both minor 



476 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



and major orders at the hands of Bishop Potter, 
being made deacon in 1854 and ordained priest in 
1855. For several years he was engaged in mis- 
sionary work. Dui'ing tliis period he was pronii- 
nently identified with the founding of St. 
Stephen's College. After .serving as rector in 
various parishes, in 1865 he was made Professor 
of Ecclesiastical History in the New York Semi- 
nary, and, ten years later, was chosen Dean of 
the institution, still retaining his professorship. 
Racine College conferred upon him tlie degree of 
S.T.D., in 1867, and Columbia that of LL.D. in 
1878. In 1874 he was elected Bishop of Illinois, 
but failed of confirmation in the House of Depu- 
ties. Upon the erection of the new diocese of 
Springfield (1877) he accepted and was conse- 
crated Bishop at Trinity Church, N. Y., June 11, 
1878. He was a prominent member of the Third 
Pan- Anglican Council (London, 1885), and has 
done much to foster the growth and extend the 
influence of his church in his diocese. 

SHABBOXA, a village of De Kalb County, on 
the Iowa Division of the Chicago. Burlington & 
Quincy Railroad, 25 miles west of Aurora. 
Population (1890), 502; (1900), 587. 

SHABONA (or Shabbona), an Ottawa Chief, 
was born near the Maumee River, in Ohio, about 
1775, and served under Tecumseh from 1807 to 
the battle of the Thames in 1813. In 1810 he 
accompanied Tecumseh and Capt. Billy Caldwell 
(see Saiiganash) to the liomes of the Pottawalo- 
mies and other tribes within the present limits of 
Illinois and Wisconsin, to secure their co-oper- 
ation in driving the wliite settlers out of the 
country. At the battle of tlie Thames, he was by 
the side of Tecumseh when lie fell, and botli he 
and Caldwell, losing faith in their British allies, 
soon after submitted to the United States tlirough 
General Cass at Detroit. Shabona was opposed 
to Black Hawk in 1833, and did much to thwart 
the plans of the latter and aid the whites. Hav- 
ing married a daughter of a Pottawatomie chief, 
who had a village on the Illinois River east of 
the present city of Ottawa, he lived there for 
some time, but finally removed 25 miles north to 
Shabona's Grove in De Kalb County. Here he 
remained till 1837, when he removed to Western 
Missouri. Black Hawk's followers having a 
reservation near by, hostilities began between 
them, in wliioh a son and nephew of Shabona 
were killed. He finally returned to his old home 
in Illinois, but found it occupied by whites, wlio 
drove him from the grove that bore his name. 
Some friends then bought for him twenty acres 
of land on Mazon Creek, near Morris, where he 



died, July 27, 1859. He is described as a noble 
specimen of his race. A life of him has been 
published bj' N. Matson (Chicago, 1878). 

SHAXNOX, a village of Carroll County, on the 
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, 18 miles 
southwest of Freeport. It is an important trade 
center, has a bank and one newspaper. Popu- 
lation (1890), 591; (1900), 678. 

SHAW, Aaron, former Congressman, born in 
Orange County, N. Y., in 1811; was educated at 
the Montgomery Academy, studied law and was 
admitted to tlie bar at Goshen in tliat State. In 
1833 he removed to Lawrence County, 111. He 
has held various important public offices. He 
was a member of the first Internal Improvement 
Convention of the State; was chosen State's 
Attorney by the Legislature, in which body he 
served two terms ; served four years as Judge of 
the Twenty-fifth Judicial Circuit; was elected to 
the Thirty-fifth Congress in 1856, and to the 
Forty-eighth in 1882, as a Democrat. 

SHAW, James, law}'er, jurist, was born in Ire- 
land, May 3, 1832, brought to this country in in- 
fancy and grew up on a farm in Cass County, 111. ; 
graduated from Illinois College in 1857, and, after 
admission to the bar, began practice at Mount 
Carroll. In 1870 he was elected to the lower 
house of the General Assembly, being re-elected 
in 1872, '76 and '78. He was Speaker of the 
House during the session of 1877, and one of the 
Republican leaders on tlie floor during the suc- 
ceeding session. In 1872 lie was cliosen a Presi- 
dential Elector, and, in 1891, to a seat on the 
Circuit bench from the Thirteenth Circuit, 
and, in 1897 was re-elected for the Fifteenth 
Circuit. 

SHAWNEETOWN, a city and the county-seat 
of Gallatin County, on the Ohio River 120 miles 
from its mouth and at the terminus of the Sliaw- 
neetown Divisions of the Baltimore & Ohio South- 
western and the Louisville & Nashville Railroads; 
is one of the oldest towns in the State, having 
been laid out in 1808, and noted for the number 
of prominent men wlio resided there at an early 
day. Coal is extensively mined in that section, 
and Shawneetown is one of the largest shipping 
points for lumber, coal and farm products 
between Cairo and Louisville, navigation being 
open the year round. Some manufacturing is 
done here; the city lias several mills, a foundry 
and machine shop, two or three banks, several 
churches, good schools and two weekly papers. 
Since the disastrous floods of 1884 and 1898, Shaw- 
neetown has reconstructed its levee system on a 
substantial scale, which is now believed to furnish 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



477 



ample protection against the recurrence of similar 
disaster. Pop. (1!)00), 1,698; (1903, est.), 2,200. 

SHEAH.VX, JaiiiPS W., journalist, was burn in 
Baltimore, Md., spent his early life, after reaching 
manhood, in Washington City as a Congressional 
Reporter, and, in 1847, reported the proceedings 
of tlie Illinois State Constitutional Convention at 
Springfield. Through the iutluence of Senator 
Douglas he ■was induced, in 18.")4, to accept the 
editorship of "The Young America" newspaper 
at Chicago, which was soon after changed to 
'"The Chicago Times." Here he remained until 
the fall of 1860, when, "The Times" having been 
sold and consolidated with "The Herald," a 
Buchanan-Breckenridge organ, he established a 
new paper called "The Morning Post." This he 
made representative of the views of the "War 
Democrats" as against "The Times," which was 
opposed to the war. In Jlay, 1865, he sold the 
plant of "The Post" and it became "The Chicago 
Republican" — now "Inter Ocean." A few 
mouths later. Mr. Sheahan accepted a position as 
chief writer on the editorial staff of "The Chicago 
Tribune," which he retained until his death, 
June 17, 1883. 

SHEFFIELD, a prosperous village of Bureau 
County, on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific 
Railroad, 44 miles east of Roak Island; has valu- 
able coal mines, a bank and one newspaper. 
Population (1890). 993; (1900), 1,26.5. 

SHELBY COUNTY, lies south of the center of 
the State, and contains an area of 776 square 
miles. The tide of immigration to this county 
was at first from Kentucky, Tennessee and North 
Carolina, although later it began to set in from 
the Northern States. The first cabin in the 
county was built by Simeon Wakefield on what is 
now the site of Williamsljurg, fir.st called Cold 
Spring. Joseph Daniel was the earliest settler in 
what is now Shelbyville, pre-empting ten acres, 
wliich he soon afterward sold to Joseph Oliver, 
the pioneer merchant of the countj', and father 
of the first white child born within its limits. 
Other pioneers were Shimei Wakefield, Levi 
Casey and Samuel Hall. In lieu of hats the early 
settlers wore caps made of squirrel or coon skin, 
with the tails dangling at the backs, and he was 
regarded as well dressed who boasted a fringed 
buckskin shirt and trousers, «ith moccasins. 
The county was formed in 1827, and Shelbyville 
made the county-seat. Both county and town 
are named in honor of Governor Shelby, of Ken- 
tucky. County Judge Joseph Oliver held the 
finst court in the cabin of Barnott Bone, and 
Judge Theophilus W. Smith presided over the 



first Circuit Court in 1828. Coal is abundant, 
and limestone and sandstone are also found. The 
surface is somewhat rolling and well wooded. 
The Little Wabash and Kaskaskia Rivers flow 
through the central and southeastern portions. 
The county lies in the very heart of the great 
corn belt of the State, and has excellent transpor- 
tation facilities, being penetrated by four lines of 
railway. Population (1880), 30,270; (1890), 31,- 
191; (1900), .S2.120. 

SHELBYVILLE, the countj'-seat and an incor- 
porated city of Shelby County, on the Kaskaskia 
River and two lines of railway, 32 miles southeast 
of Decatur. Agriculture is carried on exten- 
sively, and there is considerable coal mining in 
the immediate vicinity. The city has two flour- 
ing mills, a handle factory, a creamery, one 
National and one State bank, one daily and four 
weeklj' papers and one montlily periodical, an 
Orphans" Home, ten churches, two graded 
•soliools, and a public library. Population (1890), 
3,162; (1900), 3,.546. 

SHELDON, a village of Iroquois County, at the 
intersection of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago 
& St. Louis and the Toledo, Peoria it Western 
Railways, 9 miles east of Watseka; has two banks 
and a newspaper. The region is agricultural. 
Pop- (1890), 910; (1900), 1,103. 

SHELDON, Benjamin R., jurist, was born in 
Massachusetts in 181:), graduated from Williams 
College in 1831, studied law at the Yale Law 
School, and was admitted to practice in 1836. 
Emigrating to Illinois, he located temporarily at 
Hennepin, Putnam County, but soon removed to 
Galena, and finally to Rockford. In 1848 he was 
elected Circuit Judge of the Si.xth Circuit, which 
afterwards being divided, he was assigned to the 
Fourteenth Circuit, remaining until 1870, when 
he was elected a Justice of the Supreme Court, 
presiding as Chief Ju.stice in 1877. He was re- 
elected in 1879, but retired in 1888, being suc- 
ceeded by the late Justice Bailey. Died, April 
13, 1897. 

SHEI'P.VRD, Nathan, author and lecturer, was 
born in Baltimore, Md., Nov. 9, 1834; graduated 
at Rochester Theological Seminary in 1859; dur- 
ing the Civil War was siwcial corresjiondent of 
"The New York World" and "The Chic;igo Jour- 
nal" and "Tribune," and, during the Franco- 
German War, of "The Cincinnati Gazette;" also 
served as special American correspondent of 
"The London Times," and was a contributor to 
"Frazer's Magazine" and "Temple Bar. " In 1873 
he became a lecturer on Modern English Liter- 
atnire and Rhetoric in Chicago University and. 



478 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



four years later, accepted a similar position in 
Allegheny College; also spent four years in 
Europe, lecturing in the principal towns of Great 
Britain anil Ireland. In 1884 he founded the 
"Athenaeum" at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., of 
which he was President until his death, early in 
1888. "The Dickens Reader," "Character Read- 
ings from George Eliot" and "Essays of George 
Eliot" were among the volumes issued by him 
between 1881 and 1887. Died in New York City, 
Jan. 34, 1888. 

SHERMAX, Alson Smith, early Chicago Mayor, 
was born at Barre, Vt., April 21, 1811, remaining 
there until 1836, when he came to Chicago and 
began business as a contractor and builder. Sev- 
eral years later he opened the first stone quarries 
at Lemont, 111. Sir. Sherman spent many years 
in the service of Chicago as a public official. 
From 1840 to 1842 he was Captain of a company 
of militia ; for two years served as Chief of the 
Fire Department, and was elected Alderman in 
1842, serving again in 1846. In 1844, he was 
chosen Mayor, his administration being marked 
by the first extensive public improvements made 
in Chicago. After his term as Ma}'or he did 
much to secure a better water supply for the 
city. He was especially interested in promoting 
common school education, being for several years 
a member of the City School Board. He was 
Vice-President of the first Board of Trustees of 
Northwestern University. Retired from active 
pursuits, Mr. Sherman is now (18!t9) spending a 
serene old age at "VVaukegan, 111. — Oren (Sherman) 
brother of the preceding and early Chicago mer- 
chant, was born at Barre, Vt., March 5, 1816. 
After spending several years in a mercantile 
house in Jlontpelier, Vt., at the age of twenty he 
came west, first to New Buffalo, Mich., and, in 
1836, to Chicago, opening a dry-goods store there 
the next spring. With various partners Mr. 
Sherman continued in a general mercantile busi- 
ness until 1853, at the same time being extensively 
engaged in the provision trade, one-half the entire 
transactions in pork in tlie city passing through 
Lis hands. Next he engaged in developing stone 
quarries at Lemont, 111. ; also became extensively 
interested in the marble business, continuing in 
this until a few years after the panic of 1873, 
when he retired in consequence of a sliock of 
paralysis. Died, in Chicago, Dec. 15, 1898. 

SHERMAN, Elijah B., lawyer, was born at 
Fairfield, Vt., June 18, 1832— his family being 
distantly related to Roger Sherman, a signer of 
the Declaration of Independence, and the late 
G3n. W. T. Sherman; gained his education in the 



common schools and at Middlebury College, 
where he graduated in 1860 ; began teaching, but 
soon after enlisted as a private in the war for the 
Union; received a Lieutenant's commission, and 
served until captured on the eve of the battle at 
Antietam, when he was paroled and sent to Camp 
Douglas, Chicago, awaiting exchange. During 
this period he commenced reading law and, hav 
ing resigned his commission, graduated from the 
law department of Chicago University in 1864 
In 1876 he was elected Representative in the 
General Assembly from Cook County, and re- 
elected in 1878, and the following year appointed 
Master in Chancery of the United States District 
Court, a position which he still occupies He has 
repeatedly been called upon to deliver addresses 
on political, literary and patriotic occasions, one 
of these being before the alumni of his alma 
mater, in 1884, when he was complimented with 
the degree of LL.D. 

SHIELDS, James, soldier and United States 
Senator, was born in Ireland in 1810, emigrated 
to the United States at the age of sixteen and 
began the practice of law at Kaskaskia in 1833. 
He was elected to the Legislature in 1836, and 
State Auditor in 1839. In 1843 he became a 
Judge of the Supreme Court of the State, and, in 
1845, was made Commissioner of the General 
Land Office. In July, 1846, he was commissioned 
Brigadier-General in the Mexican War gaining 
the brevet of Major-General at Cerro-Gordo, 
where he was severely wounded. He was again 
wounded at Chapultepec, and mustered out in 
1848. The same year he was appointed Governor 
of Oregon Territory. In 1849 the Democrats in 
the Illinois Legislature elected him Senator, and 
he resigned his office in Oregon. In 1856 he 
removed to Minnesota, and, in 1858, was chosen 
United States Senator from that State, his term 
expiring in 1859, when he established a residence 
in California. At the outbreak of the Civil War 
(1861) he was superintending a mine in Me.xico, 
but at once hastened to Washington to tender his 
services to the Governmnet. He was commis- 
sioned Brigadier-General, and served with dis- 
tinction until March, 1863, when the effect of 
numerous wounds caused him to resign. He sub- 
sequently removed to Missouri, practicing law at 
Carrollton and serving in the Legislature of that 
State in 1874 and 1879. In tlie latter year he was 
elected United States Senator to fill out the unex- 
pired term of Senator Bogy, who had died in 
office — serving only six weeks, but being tlie onlj' 
man in the history of the country who filled the 
office of United States Senator from three differ- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



i7'J 



ent States. Died, at Ottumwa, Iowa, June 1, 
1879. 

SHIPMAN, a town of Jlacoupin County, on the 
Chicago & Alton Railwaj-, 19 inilea north-uorth- 
east of Alton and 14 miles southwest of Carlin- 
ville. Population (1890), 410; (1900). 39(j. 

SHIPMAX, Georg^e E., M.D., physician and 
philanthropist, born in New York City, March 4, 
1820 ; graduated at the University of New York 
in 1839, and took a course in the College of Phy- 
sicians and Surgeons; practiced for a time at 
Peoria, 111., but, in 184(), located in Chicago, where 
he assisted in organizing the first Homeopathic 
Hospital in that citj-, and, in 18.55, was one of the 
first Trustees of Hahnemann College. In 1871 he 
established, in Chicago, the Foundlings" Home at 
his own expense, giving to it the latter years of 
his life. Died. Jan. 20, 1893. 

SHOREY, Daniel Lewis, lawyer and philan- 
thropist, was born at Jonesborough, Washington 
County, Maine, Jan. 31, 1824; educated at Phil- 
lips Academy, Andover, Mass., and at Dartmouth 
College, graduating from the latter in 18.")1; 
taught two years in Washington City, meanwhile 
reading law, afterwards taking a course at Dane 
Law School, Cambridge ; was admitted to the bar 
in Boston in 1854, the nest year locating at 
Davenport, Iowa, where he remained ten years. 
In 186.5 he removed to Chicago, where he prose- 
cuted his profession until 1890, when he retired. 
Mr. Shorey was prominent in the establishment 
of the Chicago Public Library, and a member of 
the first Library Board ; was also a prominent 
member of the Chicago Literary Club, and was a 
Director in the new University of Chicago and 
deeply interested in its prosperity. Died, in Chi- 
cago, March 4, 1899. 

SHORT, (Rev.) William P., clergyman and 
educator, was born in Ohio in 1829, brought to 
Morgan County, III., in childhood, and lived upon 
a farm until 20 years of age, when he entered 
McKendree College, spending his senior year, 
however, at Wesleyan Universit.v. Blooniington, 
where he graduated in 1854. He had meanwhile 
accepted a call to the Missouri Conference Semi- 
nary at Jackson, Mo. ; where he remained three 
years, when he returned to Illinois, serving 
churches at Jacksonville and elsewhere, for a 
jiart of the time being Presiding Elder of the 
Jack.sonviUe District. In 1875 he was elected 
President of Illinois Female College at Jackson- 
ville, continuing in that position until 1^93, when 
lie was appointed Superintendent of the Illinois 
:Uate Institution for the Blind at the same iilace, 
but resigned earlv in 1897. Dr. Short received 



the degree of D.D., conferred upon him by Ohio 
Wesleyan L'niversity. 

SHODP, tJeorge L., United States Senator, 
was born at Kittanning, I'a., June 15, 183(5, came 
to Illinois in 1S.5>, his father locating on a stock- 
farm near Galesburg; in 1859 removed to Colo- 
rado, where he engaged in mining and mercantile 
business until 1801, when he enlisted in a com- 
pany of scouts, being advanced from the rank of 
First Lieutenant to the Colonelcy of the Tliird 
Colorado Cavalry, meanwhile serving as Delegate 
to the State Constitutional Convention of 1864. 
Retiring to private life, he again engaged in mer- 
cantile and mining business, first in Nevada and 
then in Idaho; served two terms in the Terri 
torial Legislature of the latter, was appointed 
Territorial Governor in 1889 and, in 1890, was 
chosen the first Governor of the State, in October 
of the same year being elected to the United 
States Senate, and re-elected in 1895 for a second 
term, which ends in 1901. Senator Shoup is one 
of the few Western Senators who remained faith- 
ful to the regular Republican organization, during 
the political campaign of 1896. 

SHOW ALTER, John W., jurist, was born in 
Mason County, Ky., Feb. 8, 1844; resided some 
years in Scott County in that State, and was 
educated in the local schools, at Majsville and 
Ohio University, finally graduating at Y'ale Col- 
lege in 1867; came to Chicago in 1869, studied 
law and was admitted to the bar in 1870. He 
returned to Kentucky after the fire of 1871, but, 
in 1872, again came to Chicago and entered the 
employment of the firm of Jloore & Caulfield, 
with whom he had been before the fire. In 1879 
he became a member of the firm of Abbott, 
Oliver & Showalter (later, Oliver & Showalter), 
where he remained until his appointment as 
United States Circuit Judge, in March, 1895. 
Died, in Chicago, Dec. 12, 1898. 

SHUMAN, Andrew, journalist and Lieutenant- 
Governor, was born at ^lanor. Lancaster County, 
Pa., Nov. 8, 1830. His father dying in 1837, he 
was reared by an uncle. At the age of 15 he 
became an apprentice in the office of "The Lan- 
caster Union and Sentinel." A year later he ac- 
companied his employer to Auburn, N.Y^., working 
for two yeai'S on "The Daily Advertiser" of that 
city, then known as Governor Seward's "home 
organ." At the age of 18 he edited, published 
and distributed — during his leisure hours — a 
small weekly paper called "The Auburnian." At 
the conclusion of his apprenticeship he was em- 
ployed, for a year or two, in editing and publish- 
ing "The Caj'uga Chief," a temperance journal. 



480 



EISTOEICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



In 1851 he entered Hamilton College, but, before 
the completion of his junior year, consented, at 
the solicitation of friends of William H. Seward, 
to assume editorial control of "The Syracuse 
Daily Journal." In July, 1856, he came to Clii- 
cago, to accei)t an editorial position on "The 
Evening Journal" of that city, later becoming 
editor-in-cliief and President of the Journal Com- 
pany. From 1865 to 1870 (first by executive 
appointment and afterward by popular election) 
he was a Commissioner of the Illinois State Peni- 
tentiary at Joliet, resigning the office four years 
before the expiration of his term. In 1876 he 
was elected Lieutenant-Governor on the Repub- 
lican ticket. Owing to declining liealth, he 
abandoned active journalistic work in 1888. 
dying in Chicago, May 5, 1890. His home during 
the latter years of his Ufe was at Evanston. 
Governor Shuman was author of a romance 
entitled "Loves of a Lawyer," besides numerous 
addresses before literary, commercial and scien- 
tific associations. 

SHU M WAY, Dorice D wight, merchant, was 
born at 'Williamsburg. Worcester County, Mass., 
Sept. 28, 1813, descended from French Huguenot 
ancestry; came to Zanesville, Ohio, in 1837, and 
to Montgomery County, III., in 1841; married a 
daughter of Hiram Rountree, an early resident 
of Hillsboro, and, in 1843, located in Christian 
County ; was engaged for a time in merchandis- 
ing at Taylorville, but retired in 1858, tliereafter 
giving his attention to a large landed estate. In 
1846 he was chosen Representative in the General 
Assembly, served in the Constitutional Conven- 
tion of 1847, and four jears as County Judge of 
Christian County. Died, May 9, 1870. — Hiram 
P. (Shumwaj'), eldest son of the preceding, was 
born in Montgomery County, 111., June. 1842; 
spent liis boyhood on a farm in Christian County 
and in his father's store at Taylorville; took an 
academy course and, in 1864, engaged in mercan- 
tile business; was Representative in the Twenty- 
eighth General Assembly and Senator in the 
Thirty-sixth and Thirty-seventh, afterwards 
removing to Spiingfield, where he engaged in 
the stone business. 

SHl'RTLEFF COLLEGE, an institution 
located at Upper Alton, aud the third estab- 
lished in Illinois. It was originally incorporated 
as the "Alton College" in 1831, under a special 
charter which was not accepted, but re-incorpo- 
rated in 1835, in an "omnibus bill" with Illi- 
nois and SIcKendree Colleges. (See Early Col- 
leges.) Its primal origin was a school at Rock 
Spring in St. Clair County, founded about 1824, 



by Rev. John M. Peck. This became the "Rock 
Spring Seminary" in 1827, and, about 1831, was 
united with an academy at Upper Alton. This 
was the nucleus of "Alton" (afterward "Shurt- 
leff") College. As far as its denominational 
control is concerned, it has always I)een domi- 
nated by Baptist influence. Dr. Peck's original 
idea was to found a school for teaching theology 
and Biblical literature, but this project was at 
first inhibited by the State. Hubbard Loomis 
and John Russell were among the first instruc- 
tors. Later, Dr. Benjamin Shurtleff donated the 
college §10,000. and the institution was named in 
his honor. College cla.sses were not organized 
vmtil 1840, and several j-ears elapsed before a class 
graduated. Its endowment in 1898 was over 
§126,000, in addition to §125,000 worth of real and 
personal property. About 255 students were in 
attendance. Besides preparatory and collegiate 
departments, the college also maintains a theo- 
logical scliool- It has a faculty of twenty 
instructors and is co-educational. 

SIBLEY, a village of Ford County, on the Chi- 
cago Division of the Wabash Railway, 105 miles 
south-southwest of Chicago; has banks aud a 
weekly newspaper. The district is agricultural. 
Population (1890), 404; (1900), 444. 

SIBLEY, Joseph, lawyer and jurist, was bom 
at Westfield. Mass., in 1818; learned tlie trade of 
a whip maker and afterwards engaged in mer- 
chandising. In 1843 he began the study of law 
at Syracuse, N. Y., and, upon admission to the 
bar, came west, finally settling at Nauvoo. Han- 
cock County. He maintained a neutral attitude 
during the Mormon troubles, tlius giving offense 
to a section of the community. In 1847 lie was 
an unsuccessful candidate for the Legislature, 
but was elected in 18.50, and re-elected in 1852. 
In 1853 lie removed to Warsaw, and, in 18.55, was 
elected Judge of the Circuit Court, and re-elected 
in 1861, '67 and '73, being as.signed to the bench 
of the Appellate Court of the Second District, in 
1877. His residence, after 1865, was at Quincy, 
where he died. June 18, 1897. 

SIDELL,a village of Vermillion County, on the 
Chicago & Eastern Illinois and Cincinnati. Hamil- 
ton it Dayton Railroads; has a bank, electric 
light plant and a newspaper. Pop. (1900), 776. 

SIDNEY, a village of Champaign County, on 
the main line of the Wabash Railway, at the junc- 
tion of a branch to Champaign, 48 miles east-north- 
east of Decatur. It is in a farming district; has a 
bank and a newspaper. Population. (1900;, 5G4. 

SIM, (Dr.) IVilliani, pioneer iihysician, was 
born at Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1795, came to 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



481 



America in early manhood, and was the first phy- 
sician to settle at Golconda, in Pope County, 
which he represented in the Fovuth and Fifth 
General Assemblies (1824 and '28). He married 
a Miss Elizabeth Jack of Pliiladelpliia, making 
the journey from Golconda to Philadelphia for 
that purpose on horseback. He had a family of 
five cliildren, one son, Dr. Francis L. Sim, rising 
to distinction as a physician, and, for a time, 
being President of a Jledical College at Menipliis, 
Tenn. The elder Dr. Sim died at Golconda, in 
1868. 

SIMS, James, early legislator and Methodist 
preacher, was a native of South Carolina, but 
removed to Kentucky in early manhood, thence 
to St. Clair County, III, and, in 1820, to Sanga- 
mon County, where he was elected, in 1822, as the 
first Representative from that county in the 
Third General Assembly. At the succeeding .ses- 
sion of the Legislature, he was one of those wlio 
voted against the Convention resolution designed 
to prepare the way for making Illinois a slave 
State. Mr. Sims resided for a time in Menard 
County, but finally removed to Morgan. 

SINGER, Horace M., capitalist, was born in 
Schnectady, N. Y., Oct. 1, 1823; came to Chicago 
in 1836 and found employment on the Illinois & 
Michigan Canal, serving as superintendent of 
repairs upon the Canal until 18.53. Wliile thus 
employed he became one of the projirietors of 
the stone-quarries at Lemont, managed by the 
firm of Singer & Talcott until about 1890, when 
they became tlie property of the Western Stone 
Company. Originally a Democrat, he became a 
Republican during the Civil War, and served as a 
member of the Twenty-fifth General As.sembly 
(1867) for Cook County, was elected County Com- 
missioner in 1870, and was Chairman of the 
Republican County Central Committee in 1880. 
He was also associated with several financial 
institutions, being a director of the First National 
Bank and of the Auditorium Company of Chi- 
cago, and a member of the Union League and 
Calumet Clubs. Died, at Pa.sadena, Cal., Dec. 
28, 1896. 

SINGLETON, James Vf., Congressman, born 
at Paxton, Va., Nov. 28, 1811; was educated at 
the Winchester (Va. ) Academy, and removed to 
Illinois in 1833, settling first at Mount Sterling, 
Brown County, and, some twenty years later, 
near Quincy. By profession he was a lawyer, 
and was prominent in political and commercial 
affairs. In his later years he devoted consider- 
able attention to stock-raising. He was elected 
Brigadier-General of the Illinois militia in 1844, 



being identified to .some extent with the "Mor- 
mon War"; was a member of tlie Con.stituti()nal 
Conventions of 1847 and 1862, served six terms in 
the Legislature, and was elected, on the Demo- 
cratic ticket, to Congress in 1878, and again in 
1880. In 1882 he ran as an independent Demo- 
ci'at, but was defeated by the regular nominee of 
his party. James M. Riggs. During the War of 
the Rebellion he was one of the most consjjicuous 
leaders of the "peace party." He constructed 
the Quincy & Toledo (now part of the Wabash) 
and the Quincy, Alton & St. Louis (now part of 
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy) Railways, 
being President of both companies. His death 
occurred at Baltimore, Md., April 4, 1892. 

SINNET, John S., pioneer, was born at Lex- 
ington, Ky., March 10, 1796; at three years of age, 
taken by his parents to Missouri ; enlisted in the 
War of 1812, but, soon after the war, came to 
Illinois, and, about 1818, settled in what is now 
Christian County, locating on land constituting 
a part of the present city of Taj'lorville. In 1840 
he removed to Tazewell County, dying there, Jan. 
13, 1872. 

SKINNER, Mark, jurist, was born at Manches- 
ter, Vt., Sept. 13, 1813; graduated from Middle- 
bury College in 1833, studied law, and, in 1836, 
came to Chicago; was admitted to the bar in 
1839, became City Attorney in 1840, later Master 
in Chancery for Cook County, and finally United 
States District Attorney under President Tj'ler. 
As member of the House Finance Committee in 
the Fifteenth General Assembly (1846-48), he 
aided influentially in securing the adoption of 
measures for refunding and paying the State 
debt. In 18.51 he was elected Judge of the Court 
of Common Pleas (now Superior Court) of Cook 
County, but declined a re-election in 18.53. Origi- 
nally a Democrat, Judge Skinner was an ardent 
opponent of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill and a 
libei'al supporter of the Government policy dur- 
ing the rebellion. He liberally aided the United 
States Sanitary Commission and was identified 
with all the leading charities of the city. 
Among the great business enterprises with which 
he was officially associated were the Galena & Chi- 
cago Union and tlie Chicago. Burlington & Quincy 
Railways (in each of whioli he was a Director), 
tlie Chicago Marine & Fire Insurance Company, 
the Gas-Light and Coke Companj' and others. 
Died, Sept. 16, 1887. Judge Skinner's only sur- 
viving .son was killed in the trenches before 
Petersburg, the last year of the Civil War. 

SKINNER, Otis Ainsnortli, clergyman and 
author, w.as born at Royalton, Vt., July 3. 1807; 



482 



HISTORICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



taught for some time, became a Universalist 
minister, serving churches in Baltimore, Boston 
and New York between 1831 and 1857; then 
came to Elgin, 111., was elected President of Lom- 
bard University at Galesbm-g, but the following 
year took cliarge of a church at Joliet. Died, at 
Naperville, Sept. 18, 1861. He wrote several vol- 
umes on religious topics, and, at different times, 
edited religious periodicals at Baltimore, Haver- 
hill, Mass., and Boston. 

SKINNER, Ozias C, lawyer and jurist, was 
born at Floyd, Oneida County, N. Y., in 1817; in 
1836, removed to Illinois, settling in Peoria 
County, where he engaged in farming. In 1838 
he began the study of law at Greenville, Ohio, 
and was admitted to the bar of that State in 1840. 
Eighteen months later he returned to Illinois, 
and began practice at Carthage, Hancock County, 
removing to Quincy in 1841. During the '"Mor- 
mon War" he served as Aid-de-camp to Governor 
Ford. In 1848 he was elected to the lower house 
of the Sixteenth General Assembly, and, for a 
short time, served as Prosecuting Attorney for 
the district including Adams and Brown Coun- 
ties. In 1851 he was elected Judge of the (then) 
Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, and, in 1855, suc- 
ceeded Judge S. H. Treat on the Supreme bench, 
resigning this position in April, 1858, two months 
before the expiration of his term. He was a 
large land owner and had extensive agricultural 
interests. He built, and was the first President 
of the Carthage & Quincy Railroad, now a part 
of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy system. He 
was a prominent member of the Constitutional 
Convention of 1869, serving as Chairman of the 
Committee on Judiciary. Died in 1877. 

SLADE, Charles, early Congressman; his early 
history, including date and place of birth, are 
unknown. In 1820 he was elected Representative 
from Washington County in the Second General 
Assembly, and, in 1826, was re-elected to the 
same body for Clinton and Washington. In 1833 
he was elected one of the three Congressmen 
from Illinois, representing the First District. 
After attending the first session of the Twenty- 
third Congress, while on his waj' home, he was 
attacked with cholera, dying near Vincennes, 
Ind., July 11, 1834. 

SLADE, James P., ex-State Superintendent of 
Public Instruction, was born at Westerlo, Albany 
County, N. Y., Feb. 9, 1837, and spent his boy- 
hood with his parents on a farm, except while 
absent at school; in 1856 removed to Belleville, 
111., where he soon became connected with the 
public schools, serving for a number of years as 



Principal of the Belleville High School. While 
connected with the Belleville schools, he was 
elected County Superintendent, remaining in 
office some ten years ; later had charge of Almira 
College at Greenville, Bond Coimty, served six 
years as Superintendent of Schools at East St. 
Louis and, in 1878, was elected State Superintend- 
ent of Public Instruction as the nominee of the 
Republican party. On retirement from the 
office of State Superintendent, he resumed his 
place at the head of Almira College, but, for the 
past few years, has been Superintendent of 
Schools at East St. Louis. 

SLATERY AGITATION OF 1823-24. (See 
Slavery and Slave Laws.) 

SLAVERY AND SLAY'E LAWS. African slaves 
were first brought into the Illinois country by a 
Frenchman named Pierre F. Renault, about 
1722. At that time the present State formed a 
part of Louisiana, and the traffic in slaves was 
regulated by French royal edicts. AVhen Great 
Britain acquired the territorj', at the close of tlie 
French and Indian War, the former subjects of 
France were guaranteed security for their per- 
sons "and effects," and no interference with 
slavery was attempted. Upon the conquest of 
Illinois by Virginia (see Clark, George Rogers). 
the French very generally professed allegiance to 
that commonwealth, and, in her deed of cession 
to the United States, Virginia expressly stipulated 
for the protection of the "rights and liberties" 
of the French citizens. This was construed as 
recognizing the right of property in negro 
slaves. Even the Ordinance of 1787, while pro- 
hibiting slavery in the Northwest Territory, pre- 
served to the settlers (reference being especially 
made to the French and Canadians) "of the Kas- 
kaskias, St. Vincents and neighboring villages, 
their laws and customs, now (then) in force, 
relative to the descent and conveyance of prop- 
erty. ' ' A conservative construction of this clause 
was, that while it prohibited the extension of 
slavery and the importation of slaves, the status 
of those who were at that time in involuntary 
servitude, and of their descendants, was left un- 
changed. There were those, however, who denied 
the constitutionality of the Ordinance in toto, 
on the ground that Congress had exceeded its 
powers in its passage. There was also a party 
which claimed that all children of slaves, born 
after 1787, were free from birth. In 1794 a con- 
vention was held at Vincennes, pursuant to a call 
from Governor Harrison, and a memorial to Con- 
gress was adopted, praying for tlie repeal — or. at 
least a modification — of the sixth clause of the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



483 



Ordinance of 1787. The first Congressional Com- 
mittee, to which this petition was referred, 
reported adversely upon it ; but a second commit- 
tee recommended the suspension of the operation 
of tlie clause in question for ten years. But no 
action was taken by the National Legislature, 
and, in 1807, a counter petition, extensively 
signed, was forwarded to that body, and Congress 
left the matter in statu quo. It is worthy of note 
tliat some of the most earnest opponents of tlie 
measure were Representatives from Soutliern 
Slave States, John Randolph, of Virginia, being 
one of them. Tlie pro-slavery party in the State 
then prepared what is popularly known as tlie 
"Indenture Law," which was one of the first acts 
adopted by Governor Edwards and liis Council, 
and was re-enacted by the first Territorial Legis- 
lature in 1812. It was entitled, "An Act relating 
to the Introduction of Negroes and Mulattoes into 
this Territory." and gave permission to bring 
slaves above 15 years of age into tlie State, when 
they might be registered and kept in servitude 
within certain limitations. Slaves under tliat 
age might also be brought in, registered, and held 
in bondage until they reached the age of 35, if 
males, and 30, if females. The issue of registered 
slaves were to serve tlieir mother's master until 
tlie age of 30 or 28, according to sex. The effect 
of this legislation was rapidly to increase tlie 
number of slaves. The Constitution of 1818 pro- 
hibited the introduction of slavery thereafter — 
that is to saj-, after its adoption. In 1822 the 
slave-holding party, with their supporters, began 
to agitate the question of so amending the 
organic law as to make Illinois a slave State. To 
effect .such a change the calling of a convention 
was necessary, and, for eighteen months, the 
struggle between "conventionLsts" and their 
opponents was bitter and fierce. The question 
was submitted to a popular vote on August 2, 
1834, the result of the count showing 4,973 votes 
for such convention and 6,640 against. This 
decisive result settled the question of slave-hold- 
ing in Illinois for all future time, though the 
existence of slavery in the State continued to be 
recognized by the National Census until 1840. 
The number, according to the census of 1810. was 
168; in 1820 they had increased to 917. Then 
the number began to diminish, being reduced in 
1830 to 747, and, in 1840 (the la.st census which 
shows any portion of the population lielil in 
bondage), it was 331. 

Hooper Warren — who has been mentioned else- 
where as editor of "The Edwardsville Spectator," 
and a leading factor in securing the defeat of the 



scheme to make Illinois a slave State in 1822 — in 
an article in the first number of "The Genius of 
Liberty" (January, 1841), speaking of that con- 
test, says there were, at its beginning, only three 
papers in the State — "The Intelligencer" at Van- 
dalia, "The Gazette" at Shawneetown, and "The 
Spectator" at Edwardsville. The first two of 
these, at the outset, favored the Convention 
scheme, while "The Spectator" opposed it. The 
management of the campaign on the part of the 
pro-slavery party was assigned to Emanuel J. 
West, Theophilus W. Smith and Oliver L. Kelly, 
and. a paper was established by the name of "The 
Illinois Republican." with Smith as editor. 
Among the active opponents of the measure were 
George Churchill, Thomas Lijipincott, Samuel D. 
Lockwood, Henry Starr (afterwards of Cincin- 
nati), Rev. John M. Peck and Rev. James 
Lenien, of St. Clair County. Others who con- 
tributed to the cause were Daniel P. Cook, Morris 

Birkbeok, Dr. Hugh Steel and Burton of 

Jackson County, Dr. Henry Perrine of Bond; 
William Leggett of Edwardsville (afterwards 
editor of "The New York Evening Post"), Ben- 
jamin Lundy (then of Jlissouri), David Blackwell 
and Rev. John Dew, of St. Clair County. Still 
otiiers were Nathaniel Pope (Judge of the United 
States District Court), William B. Archer, Wil- 
liam H. Brown and Benjamin Mills (of Vandalia), 
John Tillson, Dr. Horatio Newhall, George For- 
quer. Col. Thomas Mather, Thomas Ford, Judge 
David J. Baker, Charles W. Hunter and Henry H. 
Snow (of Alton). This testimony is of interest 
as coming from one who probably had more to do 
with defeating tlie scheme, with the exception of 
Gov. Edward Coles. Outside of the more elabor- 
ate Histories of Illinois, the most accurate and 
detailed accounts of this particular period are to 
be found in "Sketch of Edward Coles" by the late 
E. B. Washburne, and "Early Movement in Illi- 
nois for the Legalization of Slavery," an ad- 
dress before the Chicago Historical Society 
(1864), by Hon. William H. Brown, of Chicago. 
(See also, Co?t's, Edward; Wai-ren. Hooper: Brou-n. 
William H.; Churchill, Oeorge; Lippincott, 
Tliomus; &nA Newspapers, Early, elsewhere in this 
volume. ) 

SLOAN, Wesley, legislator and jurist, was 
born in Dorchester County, Md., Feb. 20,, 1806. 
At the age of 17, having received a fair academic 
education, he accompanied his parents to Phila- 
delphia, where, for a year, he was employed in a 
wholesale grocery. His father dying, he returned 
to Maryland and engaged in teaching, at the 
same time studying law, and being admitted to 



484 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



the bar in 1831. He came to Illinois in 1838, 
going first to Chicago, and afterward to Kaskas- 
kia, finally settling at Golconda in 1839, whicli 
continued to be his home the remainder of his 
life. In 1848 he was elected to the Legislature, 
and re-elected in 18,50, '52, and '56, serving tliree 
times as Cliairman of the Judiciary Committee. 
He was one of the members of the first State 
Board of Education, created by Act of Feb. 18, 
1857, and took a prominent part in the founding 
and organization of the State educational insti- 
tutions. In 1857 lie was elected to the bench of 
the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, and re-elected in 
1861, but declined a re-election for a third term. 
Died, Jan. 15, 1887, 

SMITH, Abiier, jurist, was born at Orange, 
Franklin County, Mass., August 4, 1843, of an 
old New England family, whose ancestors came 
to Massachusetts Colony about 1630; was edu- 
cated in the public schools and at Middlebury 
College, Vt., graduating from the latter in 1866. 
After graduation he spent a year as a teacher in 
Newton Academy, at Shoreham, Vt., coming to 
Chicago in 1867, and entering upon the study of 
law, being admitted to the bar in 1868. The next 
twenty-five years were spent in the practice of 
his profession in Chicago, within that time serv- 
ing as the attorney of several important corpo- 
rations. In 1893 he was elected a Judge of the 
Circuit Court of Cook County, and re-elected 
in 1897, his term of service continuing until 
1903. 

SMITH, (Dr.) Charles (xilmau, physician, was 
born at Exeter, N. H., Jan. 4, 1838, received his 
early education at Phillips Academy, in his native 
place, finally graduating from Harvard Univer- 
sity in 1847. He soon after commenced the study 
of medicine in the Harvard Medical School, but 
completed his course at the University of Penn- 
sylvania in 1851. After two years spent as 
attending physician of the Alms House in South 
Boston, Mass., in 1853 he came to Chicago, where 
he soon acquired an extensive practice. During 
the Civil War he was one of six physicians 
employed by the Government for the treatment 
of prisoners of war in hosjiital at Camp Douglas. 
In 1868 he visited Europe for the purpose of 
observing the management of hospitals in Ger- 
many, France and England, on his return being 
invited to lecture in the Woman's Medical College 
in Chicago, and also becoming consulting phy- 
sician in the Women's and Children's Hospital, 
as well as in the Pi'esbyterian Hospital — a position 
which he continued to occupy for the remainder 
of his life, gaining a wide reputation in the treat- 



ment of women's and children's diseases. Died, 
Jan. 10, 1894. 

SMITH, David Allen, lawyer, was born near 
Richmond, Va., June 18, 1809; removed with his 
father, at an early day, to Pulaski, Tenn. ; at 17 
went to Courtland, Lawrence County, Ala., 
where he studied law with Judge Bramlette and 
began practice. His father, dying about 1831, left 
him the owner of a number of slaves whom, in 
1837, he brought to Carlinville. 111., and emanci- 
pated, giving bond that they should not become 
a charge to the State. In 1839 he removed to 
Jacksonville, where he practiced law until his 
death. Col. John J. Hardin was his partner at 
the time of his death on the battle-field of Buena 
Vista. Mr. Smith was a Trustee and generous 
patron of Illinois College, for a quarter of a cen- 
tury, but never held any political office. As a 
lawyer he was conscientious and faithful to the 
interests of his clients ; as a citizen, liberal, pub- 
lic-spirited and patriotic. He contributed liber- 
ally to the support of the Government dur- 
ing the war for the Union. Died, at Anoka, 
Minn., July 13, 1865, where he had gone to 
accompany an in%alid son. — Thomas William 
(Smith), eldest son of the preceding, born at 
Courtland, Ala., Sept. 27, 1832; died at Clear- 
water, Minn., Oct. 29, 1865. He graduated at 
lUinois College in 1853, studied law and served 
as Captain in the Tenth Illinois Volunteers, 
until, broken in health, he returned home to 
die. 

SMITH, Dietrich C, ex-Congressman, was 
born at Ostfriesland, Hanover, April 4, 1840, in 
boyhood came to the United States, and, since 
1849, has been a resident of Pekin, Tazewell 
County. In 1861 he enli.sted in the Eighth Illi- 
nois Volunteers, was promoted to a Lieutenancy, 
and, while so serving, was severely wounded at 
Shiloh. Later, he was attached to the One Hun- 
dred and Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry, and was 
mustered out of service as Captain of Company C 
of that regiment. His business is that of banker 
and manufacturer, besides which he has had con- 
siderable experience in the construction and 
management of railroads. He was a member of 
the Thirtieth General Assembly, and, in 1880, was 
elected Representative in Congress from what 
was then the Thirteenth District, on the Repub- 
lican ticket, defeating Adlai E. Stevenson, after- 
wards Vice-President. In 1882, his county (Taze- 
well) having been attached to the district for 
many years rejiresented b}- Wm. 51. Si)ringer, he 
was defeated by the latter as a candidate for re- 
election. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



485 



SMITH, George, one of Chicago's pioneers and 
early bankers, was born in Aberdeenshire, Scot- 
land, March 8, 1808. It was his early intention 
to study medicine, and he entered Aberdeen Col- 
lege with this end in view, but was forced to quit 
the institution at the end of two years, because 
of impaired vision. In 1833 he came to America, 
and, in 1834, settled in Chicago, where he resided 
until 1861, meanwhile spending one year in Scot- 
land. He invested largely in real estate in Chi- 
cago and Wisconsin, at one time owning a 
considerable portion of the present site of Mil- 
waukee. In 1837 he secured the charter for the 
Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance Company, 
whose headquarters were at Milwaukee. He was 
really the owner of the company, although Alex- 
ander Jlitchell, of Milwaukee, was its Secretary. 
Under this charter Jlr. Smith was able to issue 
$1,500,000 in certificates, which circulated freely 
as currency. In 1839 he founded Chicago's first 
private banking house. About 1843 he was inter- 
ested in a storage and commission business in 
Chicago, with a Mr. Webster as partner. He 
was a Director in the old Galena & Chicago 
Union Railroad (now a part of the Chicago & 
Northwestern), and aided it, while in course of 
construction, by loans of money ; was also a 
charter member of the Chicago Board of Trade, 
organized in 1848. In 18.54, the State of Wiscon- 
sin having prohibited the circulation of the Wis- 
consin Marine and Fire Insurance certificates 
above mentioned, Mr. Smith sold out the com- 
pany to his partner, Mitchell, and bought two 
Georgia bank charters, which, together, em- 
powered him to issue §3,000,000 in currency. Tlie 
notes were dulj- issued in Georgia, and put into 
circulation in Illinois, over the counter of George 
Smith & Co. "s Cliicago bank. About 18.56 Mr. 
Smith began winding up his affairs in Chicago, 
meanwhile spending most of his time in Scotland, 
but, returning in 1860, made extensive invest- 
ments in railroad and other American securities, 
which netted him large profits. The amount of 
capital whicli he is reputed to have taken with 
him to his native land has been estimated at 
§10,000,000, though he retained considerable 
tracts of valuable lands in Wisconsin and about 
Chicago. Among those who were associated 
with him in business, eitlier as employes or 
otherwise, and who have since been prominently 
identified with Chicago business affairs, were 
Hon. Charles B, Farwell, E. I. Tinkham (after- 
wards a prominent banker of Chicago). E. W. 
Willard, now of Newport. R. I., and others. Mr. 
Smith made several visits, during the last forty 



years, to the United States, but divided his time 
chiefly between Scotland (where he was the 
owner of a castle) and London. Died Oct. 7, 1899. 

SMITH, (ileorge W., soldier, lawyer and State 
Treasurer, was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., Jan. 
8, 1837. It was his intention to acquire a col- 
legiate education, but his father's business 
embarrassments having compelletl the abandon- 
ment of his studies, at 17 of years age he went 
to Arkansas and taught school for two years. In 
18.56 he returned to Albany and began the study 
of law, graduating from the law school in 18.58. 
In October of that year he removed to Chicago, 
where he remained continuously in practice, with 
the exception of the years 1862-65, when he was 
serving in the Union army, and 1867-68, when he 
filled the office of State Treasurer. He was mus- 
tered into service, August 27, 1862, as a Captain in 
the Eighty-eighth Illinois Infantry — the second 
Board of Trade regiment. At Stone River, he 
was seriously wounded and captured. After 
four days' confinement, he was aided by a negro 
to escape. He made his way to the Union lines, 
but was granted leave of absence, being incapaci- 
tated for service. On his return to duty he 
joined his regiment in the Chattanooga cam- 
paign, and was officially complimented for his 
bravery at Gordon's Mills. At Mission Ridge he 
was again severely wounded, and was once more 
personally complimented in the official repoi't. 
At Kenesaw Mountain (June 27, 1864), Capt. 
Smith commanded the regiment after the killing 
of Lieutenant-Colonel Chandler, and was pro- 
moted to a Lieutenant-Colonelcy for bravery on 
the field. He led the charge at Franklin, and 
was brevetted Colonel, and thanked by the com- 
mander for his gallant service. In the spring of 
1865 he was brevetted Brigadier-General, and, in 
June following, was mustered out. Returning 
to Chicago, he resumed the practice of his pro- 
fession, and gained a prominent position at the 
bar. In 1866 he was elected State Treasurer, and, 
after the expiration of his term, in January, 
1869, held no public office. General Smith was, 
for many years, a Trustee of the Cliicago Histor- 
ical Society, and Vice-President of the Board. 
Died, in Chicago, Sept. 16, 1898. 

SMITH, tieorgc W., lawyer and Congressman, 
was born in Putnam County, Ohio. August 18, 
1846. When he was four years old, his father 
removed to Wayne County, 111., settling on a 
farm. He attended the common schools and 
graduated from the literary department of Mc- 
Kendree College, at Lebanon, in 1868. In his 
youth he learned the trade of a bLacksmith, but 



486 



HISTORICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



later determined to study law. After reading for 
a time at Fairfield, 111., he entered the Law- 
Department of the Bloomington (Ind.) Univer- 
sity, graduating there in 1870. The same year he 
was admitted to tlie bar in Illinois, and has since 
practiced at Murphysboro. In 1880 he was a 
Republican Presidential Elector, and, in 1888, was 
elected a Republican Representative to Congress 
from the Twentieth Illinois District, and lias 
been continuously re-elected, now (1899) serving 
his sixth consecutive term as Representative 
from the Twenty-second District. 

SMITH, Giles Alexander, soldier, and Assist- 
ant Postmaster-General, was born in Jefferson 
County, N. Y., Sept. 29. 1829; engaged in dry- 
goods business in Cincinnati and Bloomington, 
111., in 1861 being proprietor of a hotel in tlie 
latter place; became a Captain in the Eighth 
Missouri Volunteers, was engaged at Forts Henry 
and Donelson, Shiloh and Corinth, and promoted 
Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel in 1862 ; led liis 
regiment on the first attack on Vicksburg. and 
was severely wounded at Arkansas Post ; was pro- 
moted Brigadier General in August, 1863, for 
gallant and meritorious conduct; led a brigade 
of the Fifteenth Army Corps at Chattanooga and 
Missionary Ridge, as also in the Atlanta cam- 
paign, and a division of the Seventeenth Corps in 
the "March to the Sea." After the surrender of 
Lee he was transferred to the Twenty fifth Army 
Corps, became Major-General in 1865, and 
resigned in 1866, having declined a commission 
as Colonel in the regular army ; about 1869 was 
appointed, by President Grant, Second Assistant 
Postmaster-General, but resigned on account of 
failing health in 1872. Died, at Bloomington, 
Nov. 8, 1876. (ieneral Smith was one of the 
founders of the Society of. the Army of the 
Tennes-see. 

SMITH, Gustavus Adolplins, soldier, was born 
in Philadelphia, Dec. 26. 1820; at 16 joined two 
brothers who had located at Springfield, Oluo, 
where he learned tlie trade of a carriage-maker. 
In December, 1837, he arrived at Decatur, 111., 
but soon after located at Springfield, where he 
resided some six years. Tlien, returning to 
Decatur, he devoted his attention to carriage 
manufactiu-e, doing a large business with the 
South, but losing heavily as the result of the 
war. An original Wliig, he became a Democrat 
on the dissolution of the AVhig party, but early 
took ground in favor of the Union after the firing 
on Fort Sumter; was offereil and accepted the 
colonelcy of the Thirty-fifth Regiment Illinois 
Volunteers, at the same time assisting Governor 



Yates in the selection of Camp Butler as a camp 
of recruiting and instruction. Having been 
assigned to duty in Missouri, in the summer of 
1861, he proceeded to Jefferson City, joined Fre- 
mont at Carthage in tliat State, and made a 
forced march to Springfield, afterwards taking 
part in the campaign in Arkansas and in tlie 
battle of Pea Ridge, where he had a horse shot 
under him and was severely (and, it was supposed, 
fatally) wounded, not recovering until 1868. 
Being compelled to return home, he received 
authority to raise an independent brigade, but 
was unable to accompany it to the field. In Sep- 
tember, 1862, he was commissioned a Brigadier- 
General by President Lincoln, "for meritorious 
conduct.-"' but was unable to enter into active 
service on account of his wound. Later, he was 
assigned to the command of a convalescent camp 
at Murfreesboro, Tenn., under Gen. George H. 
Thomas. In 1864 he took part in securing the 
second election of President Lincoln, and, in the 
early part of 1865, was commissioned by Gov- 
ernor Oglesby Colonel of a new regiment (the 
One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Illinois), but, on 
account of his wounds, was assigned to court- 
martial duty, remaining in the service until 
January, 1866, when he was mustered out with 
the brevet rank of Brigadier-General. During 
the second year of his service he was presented 
with a magnificent sword by the rank and file of 
his regiment (the Thirty-fifth), for brave and gal- 
lant conduct at Pea Ridge. After retiring from 
the army, lie engaged in cotton planting in Ala- 
bama, but was not successful ; in 1868, canvas.sed 
Alabama for General Grant for President, but 
declined a nomination in his own favor for Con- 
gress. Ill 1870 he was appointed, by General 
Grant, United States Collection and Disbursing 
Agent for the District of New Jlexico, where he 
continued to reside. 

SMITH, John Corson, soldier, ex-Lieutenant- 
Go veriior and ex-State Treasurer, was born in 
Philadelphia. Feb. 13, 1832. At the age of 16 he 
was apprenticed to a carpenter and builder. In 
18.")4 he came to Chicago, and worked at his trade, 
for a time, but soon removed to Galena, where he 
finally engaged in business as a contractor. In 
1862 he enlisted as a private in the Seventy-fourth 
Illinois Volunteers, but, having received author- 
ity from Governor Yates, raised a company, of 
which he was chosen Captain, and which was 
incorporated in the Ninety-si.xth Illinois Infan- 
try. Of this regiment he was soon elected Major. 
After a short service about Cincinnati, Oliio, 
and Covington and Newport, Ky., the Ninety- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



487 



sixth was sent to the front, and took part (anioii}; 
other battles) in the secoiul engagement at Fort 
Donelson and in the bloody light at Franklin, 
Tenu. Later, Major Smith was assigned to statT 
duty under Generals Baird and Steedman. serv- 
ing through the TuUahoma campaign, and par- 
ticipating in the liattlesof Chickaniauga, Lookout 
Mountain and Jlissionarj- Ridge. Being promoted 
to a Lieutenant-Colonelcy, he rejoined his regi- 
ment, and was given command of a brigade. In 
the xVtlanta campaign he served gallantly, tak- 
ing a conspicuous part in its long series of bloody 
engagements, and being severely wounded -'it 
Kenesaw Jlountain. In February, 1865, he was 
brevetted Colonel, and, in June, 1865, Brigadier- 
General. Soon after liis return to Galena he was 
appointed Assistant Assessor of Internal Revenue, 
but was legislated out of office in 1873. In 1873 
he removed to Chicago and embarked in business. 
In 1874-76 he was a member (and Secretary) of 
the Illinois Board of Commissioners to the Cen- 
tennial Exposition at Philadeli)hia. In 1875 he 
was appointed Chief Grain-Inspector at Chicago, 
and held the office for several years. In 1872 and 
'76 he was a delegate to the National Republican 
Conventions of those years, and, in 1878, was 
elected State Treasurer, as he was again in 1883. 
In 1884 he was elected Lieutenant-Governor, serv- 
ing until 1889. He is a prominent Mason, Knight 
Templar and Odd Fellow, as well as a distin- 
guished member of the Order of Nobles of the 
Mystic Shrine, and was prominently connected 
with the erection of the "Masonic Temple Build- 
ing" in Chicago. 

SMITH, John Eugene, soldier, was born in 
Switzerland, August 3, 1816, the son of an officer 
who had served under Napoleon, and after the 
downfall of the latter, emigrated to Philadelphia. 
The subject of this sketch received an academic 
education and became a jeweler ; in 1861 entered 
the volunteer service as Colonel of the Forty-fifth 
Illinois Infantry ; took part in the capture of 
Forts Henry and Donelson, in the battle of Shiloh 
and siege of Corinth ; was promoted a Brigadier- 
General in November, 1862, and placed in com- 
mand of a division in tlie Sixteenth Army Corps; 
led the Third Division of the Seventeenth Army 
Cori)S in the Vicksburg campaign, later being 
transferred to the Fifteenth, and taking jiart in 
the battle of Missionary Ridge and the Atlanta 
and Carolina campaigns of 1864-65. He received 
the brevet rank of Major-General of Volunteers 
in January, 1865, and, on his muster-out from the 
volunteer service, became Colonel of the Twenty- 
seventh United States Infantry, being transferred, 



in 1870, to the Fourteenth. In 1867 his services 
at Vicksburg antl Savannah were further recog- 
nized by conferring upon him the brevets of Brig- 
adier and Major-G(>neral in the regular army. 
In May, 1881, he was retired, afterwards residing 
in Chicago, where he died, Jan. 39, 1897. 

S3IITH, Joseph, the founder of the Mormon 
sect, was born at Sharon, Vt., Dec. 23, 1805. In 
1815 his parents removed to Palmj-ra, N. Y., and 
still later to Slanchester. He early showed a 
dreamy mental cast, and claimed to bo able to 
locate stolen articles by means of a magic stone. 
In 1820 he claimed to have seen a vision, but his 
pretensions were ridiculed by liis acquaintances. 
His story of the revelation of the golden plates 
by the angel Moroni, and of the latter's instruc- 
tions to him, is well known. With the aid of 
Slartin Harris and Oliver Cowdery he prepared 
the "Book of Mormon," alleging that he had 
deciphered it from heaven-sent characters, 
through the aid of miraculous spectacles. This 
was published in 1830. In later years Smith 
claimed to have received supplementary reve- 
lations, which so taxed the credulity of his fol- 
lowers that some of them apostatized. He also 
claimed supernatural power, such as exorcism, 
etc. He soon gained followers in considerable 
numbers, whom, in 1832, he led west, a part 
settling at Kirtland, Ohio, and the remainder in 
Jackson County, Mo. Driven- out of Ohio five 
years later, the bulk of the sect found the way to 
their friends in Missouri, whence they were 
finally expelled after many conflicts with the 
authorities. Smith, with the other refugees, fled 
to Hancock County, 111., founding the city of 
Nauvoo, which was incorporated in 1840. Here 
was begun, in the following year, the erection of a 
great temple, but again he aroused the hostility 
of the authorities, although .soon wielding con- 
siiler.able political power. After vario\is unsuc- 
cessful attempts to arrest him in 1844, .Smith and 
a number of his followers were induced to sur- 
render themselves under the promise of protection 
from violence and a fair trial. Having been 
taken to Carthage, the county-seat, all were dis- 
cliarged under recognizance to appear at coui-t 
except Smith and his brother Hyrum, who were 
held under the new charge of "trea-son," and were 
])laced in jail. So intense had been the feeling 
against the Mormons, that Governor Ford called 
out the militia to preserve the peace; but it is 
evident that the feeling among the latter was in 
sympathy with that of the populace. Most of 
the militia were disbanded after Smith's ari'est, 
one companj- being left on duty at Carthage, 



488 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



from whom only eight men were detailed to 
guard the jail. In this condition of affairs a mob 
of 150 disguised men, alleged to be from "Warsaw, 
appeared before the jail on the evening of June 
27, and, forcing the guards — who made only a 
feeble resistance, — Joseph Smith and his brother 
Hyrum were both shot down, while a friend, who 
had remained with them, was wounded. The fate 
of Smith undoubtedly went far to win for him 
the reputation of martyr, and give a new impulse 
to the Mormon faith. (See Mormons; Kauvoo. ) 

SMITH, Justin Almerin, D.D., clergyman 
and editor, was born at Ticonderoga, N. Y., Dec. 
29, 1819, educated at New Hampton Literary and 
Theological Institute and Union College, gradu- 
ating from the latter in 1843; served a year as 
Principal of the Union Academy at Bennington, 
Vt., followed by four years of pastoral work, 
when he assumed the pastorate of the First Bap- 
tist church at Rochester, N. Y. , wliere he 
remained five years. Then (1853) he removed to 
Chicago to assume the editorship of "The Chris- 
tian Times" (now "The Standard"), with which 
he was associated for the remainder of his life. 
Meanwhile he assisted in organizing three Baptist 
churches in Chicago, serving two of them as 
pastor for a considerable period; made an ex- 
tended tour of Europe in 1809, attending the 
Vatican Council at Rome; was a Trustee and 
one of the founders of the old Chicago Univer- 
sity, and Trustee and Lecturer of the Baptist 
Theological Seminary ; was also the author of 
several religious works. Died, at Morgan Park, 
near Chicago, Feb. 4, 1890. 

SMITH, Perry H., lawyer and politician, was 
born in Augusta, Oneida County, N. Y., March 
18, 1828; entered Hamilton College at the age of 
14 and graduated, second in his class, at 18 ; began 
reading law and was admitted to the bar on com- 
ing of age in 1849. Then, removing to Appleton, 
Wis., when 23 years of age he was elected a 
Judge, served later in both branches of the 
Legislature, and, in 1857, became Vice-President 
of the Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac Railway, 
retaining the same position in the reorganized 
corporation %\'hen it became the Chicago & 
Northwestern. In 1850 Mr. Smith came to Chi- 
cago and resided there till his death, on Palm 
Sunday of 1885. He was prominent in railway 
circles and in the coimcils of the Democratic 
party, being the recognized representative of Jlr. 
Tilden's interests in the Northwest in the cam- 
paign of 1870. 

SMITH, Robert, Congressman and lawyer, 
was born at Petersborough, N. H., June 12, 1802; 



was educated and admitted to the bar in his 
native town, settled at Alton, 111., in 1832, and 
engaged in practice. In 1830 he was elected to 
the General Assembly from Madison County, 
and re-elected in 1838. In 1842 he was elected to 
the Twenty-eighth Congress, and twice re-elected, 
serving three successive terms. During the Civil 
War he was commissioned Paymaster, with the 
rank of Major, and was stationed at St. Louis. 
He was largely interested in the construction of 
water power at Minneapolis, Minn., and also in 
railroad enterprises in Illinois. He was a promi- 
nent Mason and a public-spirited citizen. Died, 
at Alton, Dec. 20, 1807. 

SMITH, Samuel Lisle, lawyer, was born in 
Philadelphia, Pa., in 1817, and, belonging to a 
wealthy family, enjoyed superior educational 
advantages, taking a course in the Yale Law 
School at an age too earh' to admit of his receiv- 
ing a degree. In 1830 he came to Illinois, to look 
after some landed interests of his father's in the 
vicinity of Peru. Returning east within the next 
two years, he obtained his diploma, and, again 
coming west, located in Chicago in 1838, and, 
for a time, occupied an office with the well-known 
law firm of Butterfield & Collins. In 1839 he was 
elected City Attorney and, at the great Whig 
meeting at Springfield, in June, 1840, was one of 
the principal speakers, establishing a reputation 
as one of the most brilliant campaign orators in 
the West. As an admirer of Henry Clay, he was 
active in the Presidential campaign of 1844, and 
was also a prominent speaker at the River and 
Harbor Convention at Chicago, in 1847. With a 
keen sense of humor, brilliant, witty and a mas- 
ter of repartee and invective, he achieved popu- 
larity, both at the bar and on the lecture 
platform, and had the promise of future success, 
which was unfortunately marred by his convivial" 
habits. Died of cholera, in Chicago, July 30, 1854. 
Mr. Smith married the daughter of Dr. Potts, of 
Philadelphia, an eminent clergyman of the 
Episcopal Church. 

SMITH, Sidney, jurist, was born in Washing- 
ton County, N. Y., May 12, 1829; studied law and 
was admitted to the bar at Albion, in that State, 
in 1S51 ; came to Chicago in 1850 and entered 
into partnership with Grant Goodrich and Will- 
iam W. Farwell, both of whom were afterwards 
elected to jjlaces on the bench — the first in the 
Sui)erior, and the latter in the Circuit Court. In 
1879 Judge Smith was elected to the Superior 
Court of Cook County, serving until 1885, when 
he became the attorney of the Chicago Board of 
Trade. He was the Republican candidate for 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



489' 



Mayor, in opposition to Carter H. Harrison, in 
18S.5, and is believed bj- many to have been 
honestly elected, though defeated on the face of 
the returns. A recount was orilered by the court, 
but so much delaj- was incurred and so many 
obstacles placed in the way of carrying the order 
into eflfect, that Judge Smith abandoned the con- 
test in disgust, although making material gains 
as far as it had gone. During liis professional 
career he was connected, as counsel, with some of 
the most important trials before the Chicago 
courts; was also one of the Directors of the Chi- 
cago Public Library, on its organization in 1871. 
Died suddenly, in Chicago, Oct. 6. 1898. 

SMITH, Theophiliis Wasliington, Judge and 
politician, was born in New York City, Sept. 28, 
1784, served for a time in the United States navy, 
was a law student in the office of Aaron Burr, 
was admitted to the bar in his native State in 
1805, and, in 1816, came west, finally locating at 
Edwardsville, where he soon became a prominent 
figure in early State history. In 1820 he was an 
unsuccessful candidate before the Legislature for 
the office of Attorney-General, being defeated by 
Samuel D. Lockwood, but was elected to the 
State Senate in 1822, serving four years. In 1823 
he was one of the leaders of the "Conventionist" 
party, whose aim was to adopt a new Constitution 
wliich would legalize slavery in Illinois, during 
tliis period being the editor of tlie leading organ 
of the pro-slavery party. In 1825 he was elected 
one of the Associate Justices of the Supreme 
Court, but resigned, Dec. 26, 1842. He was im- 
peached in 1832 on charges alleging oppressive 
conduct, corruption, and other high misdemean- 
ors in office, but secured a negative acquittal, a 
two-thirds vote being necessary to conviction. 
The vote in the Senate stood twelve for convic- 
tion (on a part of the charges) to ten for acquittal, 
four being excused from voting. During the 
Black Hawk War he served as Quartermaster- 
General on the Governor's staff. As a jurist, he 
was charged by his political opponents with 
being unable to divest himself of his partisan 
bias, and even with privately advising counsel, in 
political causes, of defects in the record, which 
they (the counsel) liad not discovered. He was 
also a member of the first Board of Commission- 
ers of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, appointed in 
1823. Died, in Chicago, May 0, 184G. 

SMITH, WilHam Henry, journalist. Associ- 
ated Press Manager, was born in Columbia 
County, N. Y., Dec. 1, 1833; at three years of age 
was taken by his parents to Oliio, where he 
enjoyed the best educational advantages that 



State at the time afforded. After completing his 
school course he began teaching, and, for a time, 
served as tutor in a Western college, but soon 
turned his attention to journalism, at first as 
assistant editor of a weekly publication at Cincin- 
nati, still later becoming its editor, and, in 1855, 
city editor of "The Cincinnati Gazette," with 
which he was connected in a more responsible 
position at the beginning of the war, incidentally 
doing work upon "The Literary Review." His 
connection with a leading paper enabled him to 
exert a strong influence in sujjport of tlie Govern- 
ment. This he used most faithfully in assisting 
to raise troops in the first years of the war, and, 
in 1863, in bringing forward and securing the 
election of John Brough as a Union candidate for 
Governor in opposition to Clement L. Vallandi- 
gham, the Democratic candidate. In 1864 he was 
nominated and elected Secretary of State, being 
re-elected two years later. After retiring from 
office he returned to journalism at Cincinnati, as 
editor of "The Evening Chronicle," from which 
he retired in 1870 to become Agent of the West- 
ern Associated Press, with headquarters, at first 
at Cleveland, but later at Chicago. His success 
in this line was demonstrated by the final union 
of the New York and Western Associated Press 
organizations under his management, continuing 
until 1893, when he retired. Mr. Smith was a 
strong personal friend of President Hayes, by 
whom he was appointed Collector of the Port of 
Chicago in 1877. While engaged in official duties 
he found time to do considerable literary work, 
having published, several years ago, "The St. Clair 
Papers," in two volumes, and a life of Charles 
Hammond, besides contributions to periodicals. 
After retiring from the management of the 
Associated Press, he was engaged upon a "His- 
tory of American Politics" and a "Life of Ruther- 
ford B. Hayes," which are said to have been well 
advanced at the time of his death, which took 
place at his home, at Lake Forest, 111., July 27, 
1896. 

SMITH, William M., mercliant, stock- breeder 
and politician, was born near Frankfort. Ky., 
Ma}' 23. 1827; in 1846 accompanied his father's 
family to Lexington, McLean County, 111., where 
they settled. A few years later lie bought forty 
acres of government land, finally increasing his 
holdings to 800 acres, and becoming a breeder of 
fine stock. Still later he added to his agricultural 
pursuits the business of a mercliant. Having 
early identified himself witli the Republican 
party, lie remained a firm adlierent of its i)rin- 
ciples during the Civil War, and, while declining 



490 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



a commission tendered him by Governor Yates, 
devoted his time and means liberally to the re- 
cruiting and organization of regiments for serv- 
ice in the field, and pi-oeuring supplies for the 
sick and wounded. In 1866 he was elected to the 
lower house of the Legislature, and was re-elected 
in 1868 and 'TO. serving, during his last term, as 
Speaker. In 18T7 he was appointed by Governor 
CuUora a member of the Railroad and Warehouse 
Commission, of which body he served as President 
until 1883. He was a man of remarkably genial 
temperament, liberal impulses, and wide popu- 
larity. Died. March 2.5, 1886. 

SMITH, William Sooy, soldier and civil engi- 
neer, was boru at Tarlton, Pickaway County, 
Ohio, July 22, 1830; graduated at Ohio University 
in 1849, and, at the United States Jlilitary Acad- 
emy, in 18r)3, having among his classmates, at the 
latter. Generals McPherson, Schofield and Sheri- 
dan. Coming to Chicago the following year, he 
first found emplo3'ment as an engineer on the 
Illinois Central Railroad, but later became assist- 
ant of Lieutenant-Colonel Graham in engineer 
service on the lakes ; a year later took charge of 
a select school in Buffalo; in 18.")T made the first 
surveys for the International Bridge at Niagara 
Falls, then went into the service of extensive 
locomotive and bridge- works at Trenton, N. J., 
in tlieir interest making a visit to Cuba, and also 
superintending the construction of a bridge 
across the Savannah River. The war intervening, 
he retvu-ned North and was appointed Lieutenant- 
Colonel and assigned to duty as Assistant Adju- 
tant-General at Camp Denison, Ohio, but, in 
June, 1862, was commissioned Colonel of the 
Thirteenth Ohio Volunteers, participating in the 
West Virginia cami)aigns. and later, at Shiloh and 
Perryville. In April, 1862, he was promoted 
Brigadier-General of volunteers, commanding 
divisions in the Army of the Ohio until the fall 
of 1862, when he joined Grant and took part in 
the Vicksbiu-g campaign, as commander of the 
First Division of the Sixteenth Army Corps. 
Subsequently he was made Chief of the Cavalry 
Department, serving on the staffs of (irant and 
Sherman, until compelled to resign, in 1864, on 
account of impaired health. During the war 
General Smith rendered valuable service to the 
Union cause in great emergencies, bj- his knowl- 
edge of engineering. On retiring to private life 
he resumed his profession at Chicago, and since 
has been employe<l by the Government on some 
of its most stupendous works on the lakes, and 
has also planned several of the most imjiortant 
railroad bridges across the Jlissouri and other 



streams. He has been much consulted in refer- 
ence to municipal engineering, and his name is 
connected with a number of the gigantic edifices 
in Chicago. 

SMITH BORO, a village and railroad junction 
in Bond County, 3 miles east of Greenville. 
Population. 3!t:5; (I'JOO), 314. 

SNAPP, Henry, Congressman, born in Livings- 
ton County, N. Y., June 30, 1822, came to Illinois 
with his father when 11 years old, and, having 
read law at Joliet, was admitted to the bar in 
1847. He practiced in Will County for twenty 
years before entering public life. In 1868 he was 
elected to the State Senate and occupied a seat in 
that body until his election, in 1871, to the Forty- 
second Congress, by the Republicans of the (then) 
Sixth Illinois District, as successor to B. C. Cook, 
who had resigned. Died, at Joliet, Nov. 23, 189.x 

SNOW, Herman W., e.x-Congressman, was born 
in La Porte County, Ind., July 3, 1836, but was 
reared in Kentucky, working upon a farm for 
five years, while yet in his minority becoming a 
resident of Illinois. For several j'ears he was a 
school teacher, meanwhile studying law and 
being admitted to the bar. Early in the war he 
enlisted as a private in the One Hundred and 
Thirty-ninth Illinois Vidunteers, rising to the 
rank of Captain. His term of service having 
expired, he re-enlisted in the One Hundred and 
Fifty-first Illinois, and was mustered out with 
the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. After the close 
of the war he resumed teaching at the Chicago 
High School, and later served in the General 
Assembly (1873-74) as Representative from Wood- 
ford County. In 1890 he was elected, as a Demo- 
crat, to represent the Ninth Illinois District in 
Congress, but was defeated by his Republican 
opiionent in 1892. 

SNOW HOOK, WiUiam B., first Collector of 
Customs at Chicago, was born in Ireland in 1804; 
at the age of eight years was brought to New 
York, where he learned the printer's, trade, 
and worked for some time in the same office 
with Horace Greeley. At 16 he went back to 
Ireland, remaining two years, but, returning to 
the United States, liegan the study of law ; was 
also employed on the Passaic Canal; in 1836, 
came to Chicago, and was soon after associated 
with William B. Ogden in a contract on the Illi- 
nois & Michigan Canal, which lasted until 1841. 
As early as 1840 he became prominent as a leader 
in the Democratic party, and, in 1846, received 
from President Polk an ap]iointment as first Col- 
lector of Customs for (^hicago (having previously 
served as Special Surveyor of the Port, while 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



491 



attached to the District of Detroit) ; in 1853, was 
re-appointed to tlie Collectorship by President 
Pierce, serving two years. During the "Mormon 
War'' (1844) he organized and equipped, at his 
own expense, the ilontgoniery Guards, and was 
conimis.sioned Colonel, but the disturbances were 
brought to an end before the order to march. 
From ISoO he devoted his attention chiefly to his 
practice, but, in 1S62, was one of the Democrats 
of Chicago who took part in a movement to sus- 
tain the Government by stimulating enlistments ; 
was also a member of the Convention which 
nominated Mr. Greeley for President in 1872. 
Died, in Chicago, May 5. 1882. 

SNYDER, Adam Wilson, pioneer lawyer, and 
early Congressman, was born at Connellsville, 
Pa.. Oct. 6, 1799. In early life he followed the 
occupation of ivool-curling for a livelihood, 
attending school in the winter. ' In 1815, he emi- 
grated to Columbus, Ohio, and afterwards settled 
in Ridge Prairie, St. Clair County, 111. Being 
offered a situation in a wool-curling and fulling 
mill at Cahokia, he removed thither in 1817. He 
formed the friendship of Judge Je.sse B. Thomas, 
and. through the latter"s encouragement and aid, 
studied law and gained a solid professional, poli- 
tical, social and financial position. In 188U he 
was elected State Senator from St. Clair County, 
and re-elected for two successive terms. He 
served through the Black Hawk War as private. 
Adjutant and Captain. In 18.33 he removed to 
Belleville, and, in 1834. was defeated for Congress 
by Governor Reynolds, whom he, in turn, defeated 
in 1836. Two years later Reynolds again defeated 
him for the same position, and, in 1840, he was 
elected State Senator. In 1841 he was the Demo- 
cratic nominee for Governor. The election was 
held in Augast, 1842, but, in May jjreceding, he 
died at his home in Belleville. His place on tile 
ticket was filled by Thomas Ford, who was 
elected.— William H. (Snyder), son of the pre- 
ceding, was born in St. Clair Count)', 111., July 
12, 18^25; educated at McKendree College, studied 
law with Lieutenant-Governor Koerner, and was 
admitted to practice in 1845; also .served for a 
time as Postmaster of the city of Belleville, and, 
during the Mexican War, as First-Lieutenant and 
Adjutant of the Fifth Illinois Volunteers. From 
1850 to "54 he represented his county in the Legis- 
lature; in 1855 was appointed, by Governor Mat- 
teson. State's Attorney, which position he filled 
for two years. He was an unsuccessful candidate 
for the office of Secretary of State in 185(i, and, 
in 1857, was elected a Judge of the Twenty- 
fourth Circuit, was re-elected for the Third Cir- 



cuit in "73, "79 and "85. He was also a member of 
the Constitutional Convention of 1869-70. Died, 
at Belleville, Dec. 24, 1892. 

SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' HOME, a State 
charitable institution, founded by act of the 
Legislature in 1885, and located at Quincy, 
Adams County. The object of its establish- 
ment was to provide a comfortable home for 
such disabled or dependent veterans of the 
United States land or naval forces as had 
honorably served during the Civil War. It 
was opened for the reception of veterans on 
March 3, 1887, the first cost of site and build- 
ings having been about §350,000. The total num- 
ber of inmates admitted up to June 30, 1894, was 
2,813; the number in attendance during the two 
previous years 988, and the whole number present 
on Xov. 10, 1894, 1,088. The value of property at 
that time was .§393,636.08. Considerable appro- 
priations have been made for additions to the 
buildings at subsequent sessions of the Legisla- 
ture. The General Government pa3's to the State 
8100 per year for each veteran supported at the 
Home. 

SOLDIERS' ORPHANS' HOME, ILLINOIS, an 
institution, created by act of 1865, for the main- 
tenance and education of children of deceased 
soldiers of the Civil War. An eighty-acre tract, 
one mile north of Normal, was selected as the 
site, and the first principal building was com- 
pleted aTid opened for the admission of benefici- 
aries on June 1, 1869. Its first cost was §135,000, 
the site having been donated. Repairs and the 
construction of new buildings, from time to 
time, have considerably increased this sum. In 
1875 the benefits of the institution were extended, 
by legislative enactment, to the children of sol- 
diers who had died after the close of the war. 
The aggregate number of inmates, in 1894, was 
572, of whom 323 were males and 249 females. 

SOLDIERS' WIDOWS' HOME. Provision was 
made for the establishment of tliis institution by 
the Thirty-ninth General As.sembly, in an act, 
approved, June 13, 1895, appropriating §20,000 for 
the purchase of a site, the erection of buildings 
and furnishing the same. It is designed for the 
reception and care of the mothers, wives, widows 
and daughters of such honorably discharged 
soldiers or sailors, in the United States service, as 
may have died, or may be physically or men- 
tally unable to provide for the fandlies natu- 
rally dependent on them, provided that such 
persons have been residents of the State for 
at least one year previoiis to admission, and 
are without means or ability for self-support. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



The affairs of the Home are managed by a 
board of five trustees, of whom two are men and 
three women, the former to be members of tlie 
Grand Army of the Republic and of different 
political parties, and the latter members of the 
Women's Relief Corps of tliis State. The institu- 
tion was located at Wilmington, occupying a 
site of seventeen acres, where it was formally 
opened in a house of eighteen rooms, March 11, 
189G, with twenty-six applications for admit- 
tance. The plan contemplates an early enlarge- 
ment by the erection of additional cottages. 

SOREMO, a village of Bond County, at the 
intersection of the Jacksonville & St. Louis and 
the Toledo, St. Louis & Western Railways, 14 
miles southeast of Litchfield; has a bank and a 
newspaper. Its interests are agricultural and 
mining. Pop. (1890). 538; (1900), 1,000. 

SOULARD, James Gaston, pioneer, born of 
French ancestry in St. Louis, Mo., July 15, 1798; 
resided there until 1821, when, having married 
the daughter of a soldier of the Revolution, he 
received an appointment at Fort Snelling, near 
the present city of St. Paul, then under command 
of Col. Snelling, who was his wife's brother-in- 
law. Tlie Fort was reached after a tedious jour- 
ney by flat-boat and overland, late in the fall of 
1821, his wife accompanying him. Three j'ears 
later they returned to St. Louis, where, being an 
engineer, he was engaged for several j-ears in 
surveying. In 1827 he removed with his family 
to Galena, for the next six years had charge of a 
store of the Gratiot Brothers, early business men 
of that locality. Towards the close of this period 
he received the appointment of County Recorder, 
also holding the position of County Surveyor and 
Postmaster of Galena at the same time. His 
later years were devoted to farming and horti- 
culture, his death taking place, Sept. 17, 1878. 
Mr. Soulard was probably the first man to engage 
in freighting between Galena and Chicago. 
"The Galena Advertiser" of Sept. 14, 1829, makes 
mention of a wagon-load of lead sent by him to 
Chicago, his team taking back a load of salt, the 
paper remarking: "This is the first wagon that 
has ever passed from the Mississippi River to 
Chicago." Great results were predicted from 
the exchange of commodities between the lake 
and the lead mine district. — Mrs. Eliza M. 
Hunt (Soulard), wife of the preceding, was born 
at Detroit, Dec. 18, 1804, her father being Col. 
Thomas A. Hunt, who had taken part in the 
Battle of Bunker Hill and remained in the army 
until his death, at St. Louis, in 1807. His descend- 
ants have maintained their connection with the 



army ever since, a son being a prominent artillery 
oflicer at the Battle of Gettysburg. Mrs. Soulard 
was married at St. Louis, in 1820, and sur^-ived 
her husband some sixteen years, dying at Galena, 
Augxist 11, 1894. She had resided in Galena 
nearly seventy years, and at the date of her 
death, in the 90th year of her age, she was that 
city's oldest resident. 

SOUTH CHICAGO & WESTERN INDIANA 
RAILROAD. (See Chicago & Western Indiana 
Railroad. ) 

SOUTH DANVILLE, a suburb of the city of 
Danville, Vermilion Coimty. Population (1890), 
799; (I'JOO), 898. 

SOUTHEAST & ST. LOUIS RAILWAY. (See 
Loui.'iviUc &• Nashville Railroad.) 

SOUTH ELGIN, a village of Kane County, 
near the city of Elgin. Population (1900), 515. 

SOUTHERN COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE, 
located at Albion, Edwards Countj% incorporated 
in 1891 ; had a faculty of ten teachers with 219 
pupils (1897-98) — about equally male and female. 
Besides classical, scientific, normal, music and 
fine arts departments, instruction is given in pre- 
paratory studies and business education. Its 
property is valued at $16, .500. 

SOUTHERN HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE, 
located at Anna, Union County, founded by act 
of the Legislature in 18G9. The original site com- 
prised 290 acres and cost a little more than 
§22,000, of which one-fourth was donated by citi- 
zens of the county. Tlie construction of build- 
ings was begun in 1869, but it was not until 
March, 1875, that the north wing (the first com- 
pleted) was ready for occupancy. Other portions 
were completed a year later. The Trustees jjur- 
chased 160 additional acres in 1883. Tlie first 
cost (up to September, 1876) was nearly 8635.000. 
In 1881 one wing of the main building was de- 
stroyed by fire, and was subsequently rebuilt ; the 
patients being, meanwhile, cared for in temporary 
wooden barracks. The total value of lands and 
buildings belonging to the State, June 30, 1894, 
was estimated at §738,580, and, of property of all 
sorts, at .?833.700. The wooden barracks were 
later converted into a permanent ward, additions 
made to the main buildings, a detached building 
for the accommodation of 300 patients erected, 
numerous outbuildings put up and general im- 
provements made. A second fire on the night of 
Jan. 3, 1895, destroyed a large part of the main 
building, inflicting a loss upon the State of 
8175,000. Provision was made for rebuilding by 
the Legislature of that year. The institution has 
capacity for about 750 patients. 



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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



493 



SOUTHERN ILLINOIS XOUMAL UNIVER- 
SITY, established in ISGl), an.I loc-ateil, after 
competitive bidding, at Caibondale. wliirh offered 
lands and bonds at first estimated to he of tlie 
value of 5229,000, but ivliich later depreciated, 
through shrinkage, to §75,000. Construction was 
commenced in May, 1870, and the first or main 
building was completed and appropriately dedi- 
cated in July, 1874. Its cost was ?2l!r),()IIO, but it 
was destroyed by fire, Nov. 26, 188:1 In Febru- 
ary, 1887, a new structure was comideted at a cost 
of §150,000. Two normal courses of instruction 
are given — classical and scientific — each extend, 
ing over a period of four years. The conditions 
of admission require that the pupil shall be 16 
j'sars of age, and shall possess the qualifications 
enabling him to pass examination for a second- 
grade teacher's certificate. Those unable to do so 
may enter a preparatory' department for six 
months. Pupils who pledge themselves to teach 
in the public schools, not less than lialf the time 
of their attendance at the University, receive 
free tuition with a small charge for incidentals, 
while others pay a tuition fee. The number of 
students in attendance for the year 1897-98 was 
720, coming from forty-seven counties, chiefly in 
the southern half of the State, with represent- 
atives from eight other States. The teaching 
faculty for the same year consisted, besides the 
President, of sixteen instructors in the various 
departments, of whom five were ladies and 
eleven gentlemen. 

SOUTHERN PENITENTIARY, THE, located 
near Chester, on the Mississippi River. Its erec- 
tion was rendered necessary by the overcrowding 
of the Northern Penitentiary. (See Northej-7i 
Penitentiary.) The law providing for its estab- 
lishment required the Commissioners to select a 
site convenient of access, adjacent to stone and 
timber, and having a high elevation, with a never 
failing supply of water. In 1877, 122 acres were 
purchased at Chester, and the erection of build- 
ings commenced. The first appropriation was of 
,$200,000, and .$300,000 was added in 1879. By 
March, 1878, 200 convicts were received, and 
their labor was utilized in the completion of the 
buildings, which are constructed upon ap])r()ved 
modern principles. The prison receives convicts 
sent from the southern portion of the State, and 
has accommodation for some 1,200 iirisoners. In 
connection with this penitentiarj' is an asylum 
for insane convicts, the erection of which was 
provided for by the Legislature in 1889. 

SOUTH (JROVE, a village of De Kalb County. 
Population (1890), 730. 



SPALDING, Jes.se, manufacturer. Collector of 
Customs and Street Railway President, was born 
at Athens, Bradford County, Pa., April 15, 1833; 
early commenced lumbering on the Susquehanna, 
and, at 23, began dealing on his own account. In 
1857 he removed to Chicago, and soon after bought 
the property of the New York Lumber Company 
at the mouth of the Menominee River in Wiscon- 
sin, where, with different partners, and finally 
practically alone, he has carried on the business 
of lumber manufacture on a large scale e\'er 
since. In 1881 he was appointed, by President 
Arthur, Collector of the Port of Chicago, and, in 
1889, received from Presiilent Harrison an 
appointment as one of the Government Directors 
of the Union Pacific Railway. Mr. Spalding was 
a zealous supporter of the Government during 
the War of the Rebellion and rendered valuable 
aid in the construction and equipment of Camp 
Douglas and the barracks at Cliicago for the 
returning soldiers, receiving Auditor's warrants 
in payment, when no funds in the State treasury 
were availalde for the purpose. He was associ- 
ated with William B. Ogden and others in the 
project for connecting Green Bay and Sturgeon 
Bay by a ship canal, which was completed in 
1882, and, on the death of Mr. Ogden, succeeded 
to the Presidency of the Canal Company, serving 
until 1893, when the canal was turned over to the 
General Government. He has also been identified 
with many other public enterprises intimately 
connected with the development and prosperity 
of Chicago, and, in Jul}', 1899, became President 
of the Chicago Union Traction Company, having 
control of the North and West Chicago Street 
Railway Systems. 

SPALDING, John Laiioastcr, Catholic Bishop, 
was born in Lebanon, Ky., June 2, 1840; educated 
in the United States and in Europe, ordained a 
priest in the Catholic Church in 1863, and there- 
upon attached to the cathedral at Louisville, as 
assistant. In 18C9 lie organized a congregation 
of colored people, and built for their use the 
Church of St. Augustine, having been assigned 
to that parish as pastor. Soon afterwards he was 
appointed Secretary to the Bishop and made 
Chancellor of the Diocese. In 1873 he was trans- 
ferred from Louisville to New York, where he 
was attached to the missionary parisli of St. 
Michael's. He lia<I, l)y this time, achieved no little 
fame as a pulpit orator and lecturer. When 
the diocese of Peoria, 111., was created, in 1877, the 
choice of the Pope fell upon him for the new see, 
and he was consec;rated Bishop, on May 1 of that 
year, by Cardinal McCloskey at New York. His 



494 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



administration has been cliaracterized by both 
energy ami success. He has devoted much atten- 
tion to the subject of emigration, and has brought 
about the founding of many new settlements in 
the far West. He was also largely instrumental 
in bringing about the founding of the Catholic 
University at Washington. Ho is a frequent 
contributor to the reviews, and the author of a 
number of religious works. 

SPANISH INVASION OF ILLINOIS. In tlie 
month of June, 1779, soon after the declaration 
of war between Spain and Great Britain, an expe- 
dition was organized in Canada, to attack the 
Spanish posts along the Mississippi. Simultane- 
ously, a force was to be dispatched from Pensa- 
cola against New Orleans, then commanded by 
a young Spanish Colonel, Don Bernardo de 
Galvez. Secret instructions had been sent to 
British Commandants, all through tlie Western 
country, to coopei-ate with both expeditions. De 
Galvez, having learned of the scheme through 
intercepted letters, resolved to forestall the attack 
by becoming the assailant. At the head of a 
force of 670 men, he set out and captured Baton 
Rouge, Fort Manchac and Natchez, almost with- 
out opposition. The British in Canada, being 
ignorant of what had been going on in the South, 
in February following dispatched a force from 
Mackinac to support the expedition from Pensa- 
cola, and, incidentally, to subdue the American 
rebels while en route. Cahokia and Kaskaskia 
were contemplated points of attack, as well as 
the Spanish forts at St. Louis and St. Genevieve. 
This movement was planned by Capt. Patrick 
Sinclair, commandant at Mackinac, but Captain 
Hesse was placed in charge of the expedition, 
which numbered some 750 men, including a force 
of Indians led by a chief named Wabasha. The 
British arrived before St. Louis, early on the 
morning of May 26, 17S0, taking tlie Spaniards 
by surprise. Meanwhile Col. George Rogers 
Clark, having been apprised of the pioject, 
arrived at Cahokia from the falls of the Ohio, 
twenty-four hours in advance of the attack, his 
presence and readiness to co-operate with the 
Spanish, no doubt, contributing to the defeat of 
the expedition. The accounts of what followed 
are conllicting, tlie number of killed on the St. 
Louis shore being variously estimated from seven 
or eight to sixty -eight — the last being the esti- 
mate of Capt. Sinclair in liis official report. All 
agree, however, that the invading party was 
forced to retreat in great haste. Colonel Mont- 
gomery, who had been in command at Cahokia, 
with a force of 350 and a party of Spanish allies, 



pursued the retreating invaders as far as the 
Rock River, destroying many Indian villages on 
the way. This movement on tlie part of the 
British served as a pretext for an attempted re- 
prisal, undertaken by the Spaniards, with tlie aid 
of a number of Cahokians, earl3' in 1781. Starting 
early in January, this latter expedition crossed 
Illinois, with the de.sign of attacking Fort St. 
Joseph, at the head of Lake Michigan, which had 
been captured from the English by Thomas Brady 
and afterwards retaken. The Spaniards were com- 
manded by Don Eugenio Pourre, and supported 
by a force of Cahokians and Indians. The fort 
was easily taken and the British flag replaced by 
the ensign of Spain. The affair was regarded as 
of but little moment, at the time, the post being 
evacuated in a few days, and the Spaniards 
returning to St. Louis. Yet it led to serious 
international comjilications, and the "conquest" 
was .seriously urged by the Spanish ministry as 
giving that country a right to the territory trav- 
ersed. This claim was supported bj' France 
before the signing of the Treaty of Paris, but 
was defeated, through the combined efforts of 
Messrs. Jay, Franklin and Adams, the American 
Commissioners in charge of the peace negoti- 
ations with England. 

SPARKS, (Capt.) David R., manufacturer and 
legislator, was born near Laiiesville, Ind., in 
1823; in 1886, removed with his parents to Ma- 
coupin County, 111. ; in 18-17, enlisted for the 
Mexican War, crossing the plains to Santa Fe, 
New Mexico. In 1850 he made the overland trip 
to California, returning the next j"ear by the 
Isthmus of Panama. In 1855 he engaged in the 
milling business at Staunton, Macoupin County, 
but, in 1860, made a third trip across the jilains 
in search of gold, taking a quartz-mill wliicli was 
erected near where Central City, Colo., now is. 
and which was the second steam-engine in that' 
region. He returned home in time to vote for 
Stephen A, Douglas for President, the same j'ear, 
l)ut became a stalwart Republican, two weeks 
later, when the advocates of secession began to 
develop their policy after the election of Lincoln. 
In 1861 he enlisted, under the call for 500,000 vol- 
unteers following the first battle of Bull Run. and 
was commissioned a Captain in the Third Illinois 
Cavaliy (Col. Eugene A. Carr), .serving two and a 
half years, during which time he took part in 
several hard-fought battles, and being present at 
the fall of Vicksburg. At the end of his service 
he became associated with his former partner in 
the erection of a large flouring mill at LitcOifield, 
but, in 1869, the firm bought an extensive flour- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



495 



ing mill at Alton, of which he became the princi- 
pal owner in 1881, and wliich has since been 
greatly enlarged and improved, until it is now one 
of the most extensive establishments of its kind 
in the State. Capt. Sparks was elected to the 
House of Representatives in 1888, and to the State 
Senate in 1894, serving in the sessions of 1805 and 
'97; was also strongly supported as a candidate 
for the Republican nomination for Congress in 
1890. 

SPARKS, William A. J., ex-Congressman, was 
born near New Albany, Ind., Nov. 19, 1828, at 8 
years of age was brought by his parents to Illi- 
nois, and shortl3' afterwards left an orphan. 
Thrown on his own resources, he found work 
upon a farm, his attendance at the district 
schools being limited to the winter months. 
Later, he passed through McKendree College, 
supporting himself, meanwhile, by teaching, 
graduating in 1850. He read law with Judge 
Sidney Breese, and was admitted to the bar in 
1851. His first public office was that of Receiver 
of the Land Office at Edwardsville, to which he 
was appointed by President Pierce in 1853, re- 
maining until 1856, when he was chosen Presi- 
dential Elector on the Democratic ticket. The 
same year he was elected to the lower house of 
the General Assemblj', and, in 1863-04, served in 
the State Senate for the unexpired term of James 
M. Rodgers, deceased. He was a delegate to the 
National Democratic Convention in 1868, and a 
Democratic Representative in Congress from 1875 
to 1883. In 1885 he was appointed, by President 
Cleveland, Commissioner of the General Land 
Office in AVashington, retiring, by resignation, in 
1887. His home is at Carlyle. 

SPAKTA & ST. GENEVIEVE RAILROAD. 
(See Ccntralia & Chester Railroad.) 

SPEED, Joshua Fry, merchant, and intimate 
friend of Abraham Lincoln; was educated in the 
local schools and at St. Joseph's College, Bards- 
town, Ky., after which he spent some time in a 
wholesale mercantile e.stablishment in Louisville. 
About 1835 he came to Springfield, 111., where he 
engaged in the mercantile business, later becom- 
ing the intimate friend and associate of Abraham 
Lincoln, to whom he offered the privilege of 
sharing a room over his store, when Mr. Lincoln 
removed from New Salem to Springfield, in 1836. 
Mr. Speed returned to Kentucky in 1842, but the 
friendship with Mr. Lincoln, which was of a 
mo.st devoted character, continued until the 
death of the latter. Having located in Jefferson 
County, Ky., Mr. Speed was elected to tlie I..egis- 
lature in 1848, but was never again willing to 



accept office, though often solicited to do so. In 
1851 he removed to Louisville, wliere he acquired 
a hand.some fortune in the real-estate business. 
On the breaking out of the rebellion in 1861, he 
heartily embraced the cause of the Union, and, 
during the war, was entruste<l with many deli- 
cate and important duties in tlie intere.st of the 
Government, by Mr. Lincoln, whom he frequently 
visited in Washington. His death occurred at 
Louisville, May 29, 1883. — Jauies (Speed), an 
older brother of the preceding, was a prominent 
Unionist of Kentucky, and, after the war, a 
leading Republican of that State, serving as dele- 
gate to tlie National Republican Conventions of 
1872 and 1876. In 1864 he was appointed Attor- 
ney-General by Mr Lincoln and served until 1806, 
when he resigned on account of disagreement 
with President Johnson. He died in 1887, at the 
age of 75 years. 

SPOON RIVER, rises in Bureau County, flows 
southward through Stark County into Peoria, 
thence southwest through Knox, and to the south 
and southeast, through Fulton County, entering 
the Illinois River opposite Havana. It is about 
150 miles long. 

SPRINGER, (RcT.) Francis, D.D., educator 
and Army Chaplain, born in Franklin County, 
Pa., March 19, 1810; was left an orphan at an 
early age, and educated at Pennsylvania College, 
Gettysburg; entered the Lutherau ministry in 
1836, and, in 1839, removed to Springfield, 111., 
where he preached and taught school; in 1847 
became President of Ilillsboro College, which, in 
1852, was removed to Springfield and became Illi- 
nois State University, now known as Concordia 
Seminary. Later, he served for a time as Super- 
intendent of Schools for the city of Springfield, 
but, in September, 1861, resigned to accept the 
Chaplaincy of the Tenth Illinois Cavalry ; by suc- 
cessive i-esignations and appointments, held the 
positions of Chaplain of the First Arkan.sas Infan- 
try (1863-64) and Post Chaplain at Fort Smith, 
Ark., serving in the latter position until April, 
1867, when he was commissioned Cliaplain of tlie 
United States Army. This position he resigned 
while stationed at Fort Harker, Kan. , August 23, 
1867. During a considerable part of his incum- 
bency as Chaplain at Fort Smith, he acted as 
Agent of the Bureau of Refugees and Freedmen, 
performing important service in caring for non- 
combatants rendered homeless by the vicissitudes 
of war. After the war he served, for a time, as 
Superintendent of Schools for Montgomery 
County, III. ; was instrumental in the founding 
of Carthage (111.) College, and was a member of 



496 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Its Board of Control at the time of his death. He 
was elected Chaplain of the Illinois House of 
Representatives at the session of the Thirty-fifth 
General Assembly (1887), and Chaplain of the 
Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of 
Illinois for two consecutive terms (1890-"92). 
He was also member of the Stephenson Post, 
No. 30, G. A. R., at Springfield, and served as its 
Chaplain from January, 1884, to his death, which 
occurred at Springfield, Oct. 21, 1883. 

SPRINGER, William McKendree, ex-Congress- 
man, Justice of United States Court, was born in 
Sullivan County, Ind., May 30, 1836. In 1848 lie 
removed witli his parents to Jacksonville, 111., 
was fitted for college in the jjublic high school at 
Jacksonville, under the tuition of the late Dr. 
Bateman, entered Illinois College, remaining 
three years, when he removed to the Indiana 
State University, graduating there in 1858. The 
following year he was admitted to the bar and 
commenced practice in Logan County, but soon 
after removed to Springfield. He entered public 
life as Secretary of the Constitutional Convention 
of 1862. In 1871-73 he represented Sangamon 
County in the Legislature, and, in 1874, was 
elected to Congress from the Thirteenth Illinois 
District as a Democrat. From that time until 
the close of the Fifty-third Congress (1895). he 
served in Congress continuously, and was recog- 
nized as one of the leaders of his party on the 
floor, being at the head of many important com- 
mittees when that party was in the ascendancy, 
and a candidate for the Democratic caucus nomi- 
nation for Speaker, in 1893. In 1894 he was the 
candidate of his part}' for Congress for the 
eleventh time, but was defeated by his Repub- 
lican opponent, James A. Connolly. In 1895 
President Cleveland appointed him United 
States District Judge for Indian Territory. 

SPRINGFIELD, the State capital, and the 
covmty-seat of Sangamon Count}', situated five 
miles south of tlie Sangamon River and 185 miles 
southvi'est of Chicago; is an important railway 
center. The first settlement on the site of the 
present city was made by John Kelly in 1819. 
On April 10, 1831, it was selected, by the first 
Board of County Commissioners, as the temporary 
county-seat of Sangamon County, the organi- 
zation of which had been authorized by ac't of 
the Legislature in January previous, and the 
name Springfield was given to it. In 1823 the 
selection was made permanent. The latter year 
the first sale of lands took place, the original site 
being entered by Pascal P. Enos, Elijah lies and 
"Thomas Cox. The town was platted about the 



same time, and the name "Calhoun" was given to 
a section in the northwest quarter of the present 
city— this being the "hey-day" of the South 
Carolina statesman's greatest popularity — but 
the change was not popularly accepted, and the 
new name was soon dropped. It was incorpo- 
rated as a tovs'n, April 2, 1833, and as a city, April 
6, 1840; and re-incorporated, under the general, 
law in 1882. It was made the State capital by 
act of the Legislature, passed at the session of 
1837, which went into effect, July 4, 1839, and the 
Legislature first convened tliere in December of 
the latter year. The general surface is. flat, 
though tliere is rolling ground to tlie west. The 
city has excellent water-works, a paid fire-depart- 
ment, six banks, electric street railways, gas and 
electric lighting, commodious hotels, fine 
churches, numerous handsome residences, beauti- 
ful parks, thorough sewerage, and is one of the 
best paved and handsomest cities in the State. 
The city proper, in 1890, contained an area of four 
S(juare miles, but has since been enlarged by tlie 
annexation of the following suburbs: North 
Springfield, April 7, 1891 ; West Springfield, Jan. 
4, 1898 ; and South Springfield and the village of 
Laurel, April 5, 1898. These additions give to 
the present city an area of 5.84 square miles. 
The population of the original city, according to 
the census of 1880, was 19,743, and, in 1890, 34.903, 
while that of the annexed suburbs, at tlie last 
census, was 3,109 — making a total of 39.073. The 
latest school census (1898) showed a total popu- 
lation of 33,375— population by census (1900), 
34,159. Besides the State House, the city has a 
handsome United States Government Building 
for United States Court and post-office purposes, 
a county courthouse (the former State capitol), 
a city hall and (State) Executive Mansion. 
Springfield was the home of Abraham Lincoln. 
His former residence has been donated to the 
State, and his tomb and monument are in the 
beautiful Oak Ridge cemetery, adjoining the 
city. Springfield is an important coal-mining 
center, and has many important industries, 
notably a watch factory, rolling mills, and exten- 
sive manufactories of agricultural implements 
and furniture. It is also the permanent location 
of the State Fairs, for which extensive buildings 
have been erected on the Fair (irounds nortli of 
the city. There are three daily papers — two morn- 
ing and one evening — published hei-e, besides 
various other publications. Pop. (1900), 34.159. 

SPRINGFIELD, EFFINGHAM & SOUTH- 
E.\STERN RAILRO.^D. (See St. Louis. Indian- 
upulis <& Easter7i Jiailroad. ) 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



497 



• SPRI>'GF1ELD & ILLINOIS SOUTHEAST- 
ERN RAILROAD. (See Baltimore A Ohio 

Soiitliwestcni Ritilroad. ) 

SPRIX(iFIELl) A: NORTHWESTERN RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Chicago, Peoria & Ht Louis 
Railroad of Illinois.) 

Sl'RIN(i VALLEY, an incorporated city in 
Bureau County, at intersection of the Chicago & 
Northwestern, tlie Cliicago, Rock Island & Pacific, 
the Chicago, Burlington tt Quincy, and the 
Toluca, Marquette & Northern Railways, 100 
miles soutliwest of Chicago. It lies in a coal- 
mining region and has important manufacturing 
interests as well. It has two banks, electric 
street and interurban railways, and two news- 
papers. Population (1^90), 3,887; (1900), 6,214. 

ST. AGATHA'S SCHOOL, an institution for 
young ladies, at Springfield, under the patronage 
of the Bishop of the Episcopal Church, incorpo- 
rated in 1889. It has a faculty of eight teachers 
giving instruction in the preparatory and higher 
branches, including music and fine arts. It 
reported fifty-five pupils in 1894, and real estate 
valued at §15,000. 

ST. ALBAN'S ACADEMY, a boys' and young 
men's school at Knoxville, 111., incorporated in 
1896 under the auspices of the Episcopal Church ; 
in 1898 had a faculty of seven teachers, with 
forty-five pupils, and property valued at §61,100, 
of which !$54,000 was real estate. Instruction is 
given in the classical and scientific branches, 
besides music and preparatory studies. 

ST. ANNE, a village of Kankakee County, 
at the crossing of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois 
and the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. 
Louis Railways, 60 miles south of Chicago. The 
town has two banks, tile and brick factory, and a 
weekly newspaper. Pop. (1900), 1,000. 

ST. CHARLES, a city in Kane County, on both 
sides of Fox River, at intersection of the Cliicago 
& Northwestern and the Cliicago Great Western 
Railways; 38 miles west of Chicago and 10 miles 
south of Elgin. The river furnishes excellent 
water-power, wliicli is being utilized by a number 
of important manufacturing enterprises. The 
city is connected with Chicago and many towns 
in the Fox River valley by interurban electric 
trolley lines ; is also the seat of tlie State Home 
for Boys. Pop. (1890), 1,690; (1900), 2,67r). 

ST. CLAIR, Arthur, first Governor of the 
Northwe.st Territory, was born of titled ancestry 
at Thurso, Scotland, in 1734; came to America in 
1757 as an ensign, having purchased his commis- 
sion, participated in the capture of Louisburg, 
Canada, in 17.58, and fought under Wolfe at 



Quebec. In 1764 he settled in Pennsylvania, 
where lie amassed a moderate fortune, and be- 
came prominent in public affairs. He served with 
distinction during the Revolutionary War, rising 
to the rank of JIajor-General, and succeeding 
Cieneral Gates in command at Ticonderoga, but, 
later, was censured by Washington for his hasty 
evacuation of the post, though finally vindicated 
by a military court. His Revolutionary record, 
however, was generally good, and even distin- 
guished. He represented Pennsylvania in the 
Continental Congress, and presided over that 
body in 1787. He served as Governor of the 
Northwest Territory (including the present State 
of Illinois) from 1789 to 1803. As an executive 
he was not successful, being unpopular because 
of his arbitrariness. In November, 1791, he 
suffered a serious defeat by the Indians in the 
valley between the Miami and the Wabash. In 
this campaign he was badly crippled by the gout, 
and had to be carried on a litter ; he was again 
vindicated by a Congressional investigation. His 
first visit to the Illinois Country was made in 
1790, when he organized St. Clair County, which 
was named in his honor. In 1802 President Jef- 
ferson removed him from the governorship of 
Ohio Territory, of which he had continued to be 
the Governor after its separation from Indiana 
and Illinois. The remainder of his life was 
spent in comparative penury. Shortly before his 
decease, he was granted an annuity by the Penn- 
sylvania Legislature and by Congress. Died, at 
Greensburg, Pa., August 31, 1818. 

ST. CLAIR COUNTY, the first county organ- 
ized within the territory comprised in the pres- 
ent State of Illinois — the whole region west 
of the Ohio River having been first placed under 
civil jurisdiction, under the name of "Illinois 
County," by an act of the Virginia House of 
Delegates, passed in October, 1778, a few months 
after the capture of Kaskaskia by Col. George 
Rogers Clark. (See Illinois; also Clark, George 
Rogers.) St. Clair County was finally set off 
by an order of Gov. Arthur St Clair, on occa- 
sion of his first visit to the "IlUnois Country," 
in April, 1790 — more than two years after his 
assumption of the duties of Governor of the 
Northwest Territory, which then comprehended 
the "Illinois Country" as well as the whole 
region within the present States of Ohio, Indiana, 
Michigan and Wisconsin. Governor .St. Clair's 
order, which bears date, April 27, 1790. defines 
the boundaries of the new county — which took 
his own name — as follows: "Beginning at the 
mouth of the Little Michillimackanack River, 



49S 



niSTOPJCxVL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



running thence southerl}- in a direct line to tlie 
moutli of tlie little river above Fort Massac upon 
the Ohio River; thence with tlie said river to its 
junction with the Mississippi ; thence vip the 
Mississippi to the mouth of tlie Illinois, and so up 
the Illinois River to the place of beginning, with 
all the adjacent islands of said rivers, Illinois and 
Mississippi."' The "Little Michillimackanack," 
the initial ijoint mentioned in this description — 
also variously spelled "Makina" and "Macki- 
naw," the latter being the name by which the 
stream is now known — empties into the Illinois 
River on the south side a few miles below 
Pekin, in Tazewell Coimty. The boundaries 
of St. Clair County, as given by Gov. St. Clair, 
indicate the imperfect knowledge of the topog- 
raphy of the "Illinois Country" existing in 
that day, as a line drawn south from the mouth 
of the Mackinaw River, instead of reaching the 
Ohio "above Fort Massac." would have followed 
the longitude of the present city of Springfield, 
striking the Mississippi about the northwestern 
corner of Jackson County, twenty-five miles west 
of the mouth of the Ohio. The object of Gov- 
ernor St. Clair's order was, of course, to include 
the settled portions of the Illinois Country in the 
new county ; and, if it had had the effect intended, 
the eastern border of the county would have fol- 
lowed a line some fifty miles farther eastward, 
along the eastern border of Marion, Jefferson, 
Franklin, Williara.son and Jolinson Counties, 
reaching the Ohio River about the present site of 
Metropolis City in Massac Count)', and embracing 
about one-half of the area of the present State of 
Illinois. For all practical purposes it embraced 
all the Illinois Country, as it included that por- 
tion in which the wliite settlements were located. 
(See St. Clair, Arthur; also Illinois Country.) 
The early records of St. Clair County are in the 
French language ; its first settlers and its early 
civilization were French, and the lirst church to 
inculcate the doctrine of Christianity was the 
Roman Catholic. Tlie first proceedings in court 
under the common law were had in 1T9G. The 
first Justices of the Peace were appointed in 1807, 
and, as there was no penitentiary, the whipping- 
post and pillory played an important part in tlie 
code of penalties, these punishments being im- 
partially meted out as late as the time of Judge 
(afterwards Governor) Reynolds, to "the lame, the 
halt and the blind," for sucli offenses as the lar- 
ceny of a silk haiidkercliief. At first three 
places — Cahokia, Prairie du Roclier and Kaskas- 
kia — were named as coimty seats by Governor St. 
Clair; but Randolph County having been set off 



in 1895, Cahokia became the county-seat of the 
older couuty, so remaining until 1813, when 
Belleville was selected as the seat of justice. At 
that time it was a mere cornfield owned by 
George Blair, althougli settlements had previously 
been established in Ridge Prairie and at Badgley. 
Judge Jesse B. Thomas held his first court in a 
log-cabin, but a rude court house was erected in 
1814, and, the same year, George E. Blair estab- 
lished a hostelry, Joseph Kerr opened a store, 
and, in 1817, additional impiovements were 
inaugurated by Daniel Murray and others, from 
Baltimore. John H. Dennis ami the Mitchells 
and Wests (from Virginia) settled soon after- 
ward, becoming farmers and mechanics. Belle- 
ville was incorporated in 1819. In 1825 Governor 
Edwards bought the large landed interests of 
Etienne Personeau, a large French land-owner, 
ordered a new survey of the town and infused fresh 
life itito its development. Settlers began to arrive 
in large numbers, mainly Virginians, who brought 
with them their slaves, the right to hold which 
was, for many years, a fruitful and perennial 
source of strife. Emigrants from Germany 
began to arrive at an early day. and now a large 
proportion of the population of Belleville and St. 
Clair County is made up of that nationality. The 
county, as at present organized, lies on the west- 
ern border of the south half of the State, iinmedi- 
atel)' opposite St. Louis, and comprises some 680 
square miles. Three-fourths of it are underlaid 
by a vein of coal, six to eight feet tliick, and 
about one hundred feet below the surface. Con- 
siderable wheat is raised. The princip:il towns 
are Belleville. East St. Louis, Lebanon and Mas- 
coutah. Population of the county (1880), 61,806; 
(1890), 66,.571; (1900), 86,685. 

ST. JOHN, an incorporated village of Perry 
County, on the Illinois Central Railway, one mile 
north of Duquoin. Coal is mined and salt manu- 
factured here. Population about 500. 

ST. JOSEPH, a village of Champaign County, 
on the Cleveland, Cincinnati. Chicago it St. Louis 
Railway, 10 miles east of Cliampaign; has inter- 
urban railroad connection. Pop. (1900), 637. 

ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL, (Chicago), founded 
in 1860, by the Sisters of Charity. Having been de- 
stroyed in the fire of 1871, it was rebuilt in the 
following year. In 1892 it was reconstructed, en- 
larged and made thoroughly modern in its appoint- 
ments. It can accommodate aliout 250 jiatients. 
The Sistersattend to tlie nursing, and conduct tlie 
domestic and financial affairs. Tlie medical staff 
comprises ten physicans and surgeons, among 
whom are some of the most eminent in Chicaga 



IIISTOUICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



499 



ST. LOUIS, ALTON & CHICAGO RAILROAD. 

(See Chicago <£• Alton Rati road.) 

ST. LOUS, ALTOS A. SPRINGFIELD RAIL- 
ROAD. (See St. Louis. Chicago & St. Paul 
Railroad.) 

ST. LOUIS, ALTON ic TERRE HAUTE 
RAILOAD, a corporation formerly operating an 
extensive system of railroads in Illinois. TheTerre 
Haute & Alton Railroad Company (the original 
corporation) was chartered in Januai-y, 1851, 
work begun in 1853, and the main line from 
Terre Haute to Alton (173.5 miles) crompleted, 
March 1, 1856. The Belleville & lUinoistown 
branch (from Belleville to East St. Louis) was 
chartered in 1853, and completed between the 
points named in the title, in the fall of 1854. 
This corporation secured authority to construct 
an extension from lUinoistown (now East St. 
Louis) to Alton, which was completed in October, 
1856, giving the first railroad connection between 
Alton & St. Louis. Simultaneously with this, 
these two roads (the Terre Haute & Alton and 
the Belleville & lUinoistown) were consolidated 
under a single charter by special act of the Legis- 
lature in February, 1854, the consolidated line 
taking the name of the Terre Haute, Alton & St. 
Louis Railroad. Subsequently the road became 
financiall}' embarassed, was sold under foreclosure 
and reorganized, in 1863, under the name of the 
St. Louis. Alton & Terre Haute Railroad. June 
1, 1867, the main line (from Terre Haute to St. 
Louis) was leased for niety-nine j'ears to the 
Indianapolis & St. Louis Railway Company (an 
Indiana corporation) guaranteed by certain other 
lines, but the lease was subsequently broken by 
the insolvency of the lessee and some of the 
guarantors. The Indianapolis & St. I^ouis went 
into the hands of a receiver in 1883, and was sold 
under foreclosure, in July of the same year, its 
interest being absorbed by the Cleveland, Cin- 
cinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway, by which 
the main line is now operated. The ])rt>perties 
officially reported as remaining in the hands of 
the St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Railroad, 
June 30, 1895, beside the Belleville Branch (14.40 
miles), included the following leased and subsidi- 
ary lines: Belleville & Southern Illinois — "Cairo 
Short Line" (56.40 miles); Belleville & Eldorado, 
(50.30 miles); Belleville & Carondelet (17.30 
miles); St. Louis Southern and branches (47.27 
miles), and Chicago, St. Louis & Paducah Rail- 
way (53.50 miles). AH these have been leased, 
since the close of the fiscal year 1895, to the Illi- 
nois Central. (For sketches of these several 
roads see headings of each. ) 



ST. LOUIS, CHICAGO & ST. PAUL RAIL- 
ROAD, (Bluif Line), a line running from Spring- 
field to Granite Cit}', 111., (opposite St. Louis), 
103.1 miles, with a branch from Lock Haven to 
Grafton, 111., 8.4 miles — total length of line in 
Illinois, 110.5 miles. The track is of standard 
gauge, laid with 56 to 70-pound steel rails. — (His- 
tory. ) The road was originally incorporated 
under the name of the St. Louis, Jerseyville & 
Springfield Railroad, built from Bates to Grafton 
in 1883, and absorbed by the Wabash, St. Louis & 
Pacific Railway Company ; was surrendered by the 
receivers of the latter in 1886, and passed under 
the control of the bond-holders, by whom it was 
transferred to a corporation known as the St. 
Louis & Central Illinois Railroad Company. In 
June, 1887, the St. Louis, Alton & Springfield 
Railroad Company was organized, with power to 
build extensions from Newborn to Alton, and 
from Bates to Springfield, which was done. In 
October, 1890, a receiver was appointed, followed 
by a reorganization under the present name (St. 
Louis, Chicago & St. Paul). Default was made 
on the interest and, in June following, it was 
again placed in the hands' of receivers, by whom 
it was operated until 1898. The total earnings 
and income for the fiscal year 1897-98 were 
§318,815, operating expenses, $373,370; total 
capitalization, §4,853,536, of which, §1,500,000 
was in the form of stock and §1,235 000 in income 
bonds. 

ST. LOUIS, INDIANAPOLIS & EASTERN 
RAILROAD, a railroad line 90 miles in length, 
extending from Switz City, Ind., to Effingham, 
111. — 56 miles being within the State of Illinois. 
It is of standard gauge and the track laid chiefly 
with iron rails. — (History.) The orginal corpo- 
ration was chartered in 1869 as the Springfield, 
Effingham & Quincy Railway Company. It was 
built as a narrow-gauge line bj- the Cincinnati, 
Eflingham & Quincj- Construction Company, 
which went into the hands of a receiver in 1878. 
The road was completed by the receiver in 1880, 
and, in 1885, restored to the Construction Com- 
pany by the discharge of the receiver. For a 
short time it was operated in connection with 
the Bloomfield Railroad of Indiana, but was 
reorganized in 18^16 as the Indiana & Illinois 
Southern Railroad, and the gauge changed to 
standard in 1S87. Having made defavilt in the 
payment of interest, it was sold under foreclosure 
in 1890 and purchased in the interest of the bond- 
holders, by whom it was conveyed to the St. 
Louis, Indianapolis & Eastern Railroad Company, 
in whose name the line is' operated. Its business 



500 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



is limited, and chiefly local. The total earnings 
in 1898 were §65,583 and the expenditures §69,112. 
Its capital stock was $740,900; bonded debt, 
§978,000, other indebtedness increasing the total 
capital investment to §1,810,736. 

ST. LOUIS, JACKSONVILLE & CHICAGO 
RAILROAD. (See Chicacjo d- Alton Railroad.) 

ST. LOUIS, JERSEYVILLE & SPRIXUFIELD 
RAILROAD. (See St. Louis, Cliicago & St. Paul 
Railroad.) 

ST. LOUIS, MOUNT CARMEL & NEW AL- 
BANY RAILROAD. (See Louisville, Evansville 
& St. Louis (^Consolidated) Railroad.) 

ST. LOUIS, PEORIA & NORTHERN RAIL- 
WAY, known as "Peoria Short Line,"' a corpo- 
ration organized, Feb. 29, 1896, to take over and 
unite the properties of the St. Louis & Eastern, 
the St. Louis & Peoria and the North and South 
Railways, and to extend tlie same due north 
from Springfield to Peoria (60 miles), and thence 
to Fulton or East Clinton, 111. , on the L^pper Mis- 
sissippi. The line extends from Springfield to 
Glen Carbon (84.46 miles), with trackage facilities 
over the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Railroad 
and the Merchants' Terminal Bridge (18 miles) 
to St. Louis. — (History.) This road haS been 
made up of three sections or divisions. (1) The 
initial section of the line was constructed under 
the name of the St. Louis & Chicago Railroad of 
Illinois, incorporated in 1885, and opened from 
Mount Olive to Alhambra in 1887. It passed 
into the hands of a receiver, was sold under fore- 
closure in 1889, and reorganized, in 1890, as the St. 
Louis & Peoria Railroad. The St. Louis & East- 
ern, chartered in 1889, built the line from Glen 
Carbon to Marine, which was opened in 1893; the 
following year, bought the St. Louis & Peoria 
line, and, in 1895, constructed tlie link (8 miles) 
between Alliambra and Marine. (3) The North 
& South Railroad Company of Illinois, organized 
in 1890, as successor to the St. Louis & Chicago 
Rjiilway Company, proceeded in the construction 
of the line (50.46 miles) from Mt. Olive to Spring- 
field, whicli was subsequently leased to the Chi- 
cago, Peoria & St. Louis, then under the 
management of the Jacksonville, Louisville & St. 
Louis Railway. The latter corporation having 
defaulted, the property passed into the hands of 
a receiver. By expiration of the lease in Decem- 
ber, 1896, the property reverted to the proprietary 
Company, whicli took possession, Jan. 1, 1896. 
Tlie St. Louis & Southeastern then bought the 
line outright, and it was incorporated as apart of 
the new organization under the name of tlie St. 
Louis, Peoria & Northern Railway, the North 



& South Railroad going out of existence. In 
May, 1899, the St. Louis, Peoria & Northern was 
sold to the reorganized Chicago & Alton Railroad 
Comjiany, to be operated as a short line between 
Peoria & St. Louis. 

ST. LOUIS, ROCK ISLAND & CHICAGO 
RAILROAD. (See Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
Railroad.) 

ST. LOUIS SOUTHERN RAILROAD, a line 
running from Piuckneyville, 111., via Murphys- 
boro, to Carbondale. The company is also the 
lessee of the Carbondale & Shawneetown Rail- 
road, extending from Carbondale to Marion, 17.5 
miles — total, 50.5 miles. The track is of standard 
gauge and laid with 56 and 60-pound steel rails. 
The company was organized in August, 1886, to 
succeed to the property of the St. Louis Coal Rail- 
road (organized in 1879) and the St. Louis Central 
Railway; and was leased for 980 years from Dec. 
1, 1886, to the St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute 
Railroad Companj', at an annual rental equal to 
thirty per cent of the gross earnings, with a mini- 
mum guarantee of §32,000, which is sufficient 
to pay the interest on the first mortgage bonds. 
During the year 1896 this line passed under lease 
from the St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Rail- 
road Companj-, into the hands of the Illinois 
Central Railroad Comi>an}-. 

ST. LOUIS, SPRINGFIELD & VINCENNES 
RAILROAD COMPANY, a corporation organized 
in July, 1899, to take over the propertj' of the 
Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railway in the 
State of Illinois, known as the Ohio & Mississippi 
and the Springfield & Illinois Southeastern 
Railways — the former extending from Viu- 
cennes, Ind., to East St. Louis, and the latter 
from Beardstown to Shawneetown. The prop- 
erty was sold under foreclosure, at Cincinnati, 
July 10, 1899, and transferred, for purposes of 
reorganization, into the hands of the new cor- 
poration, July 28, 1899. (For history of the 
several lines see Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern 
Railway.) 

ST. LOUIS, VANDALIA & TERRE HAUTE 
RAILROAD. This line extends from East St. 
Louis eastward acro-ss the State, to the Indiana 
State line, a distance of 158.3 miles. The Terre 
Haute & Indianapolis Railroad Company is the 
lessee. Tlie track is single, of standard gauge, 
and laid with steel rails. The outstanding capi- 
tal stock, in 1898, was §3,924,058, the bonded debt, 
§4,496,000, and the floating debt, §218.480.— (His- 
tory ) The St. Louis, Vandalia & Terre Haute 
Railroad was chartered in 18()5, openeil in 1870 
and leased to the Terre Haute & Indianapolis 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



501 



Railroad, for itself and the Pittsburg, Cincinnati. 
Cliicago & St. Louis Railroad. 

ST. LOUIS & C.4IR0 RAILROAD, extend.s 
from East St. Loui.s to Cairo, 111., 151.0 miles, with 
a branch from Millstadt Jiiiiotion to High Prairie, 
y miles. The track is of standard gauge and laid 
mainl}- with steel rails. — (History.) The origi- 
nal charter was granted to the Cairo & St. Louis 
Railroad Company, Feb. 16, 186.5, and the road 
opened, March 1, 1875. Subsequently it passed 
into tlie hands of a receiver, was sold under fore- 
closure, July 14, 1881, and was taken charge of 
by a new company under its present name, Feb. 
1, 1882. On Feb. 1, 1886, it was leased to the 
Mobile & Ohio Railroad Companj- for forty-five 
years, and now constitutes the Illinois Division 
of that line, giving it a connection with St. 
Louis. (See Mobile & Oh lo Hailway. ) 

ST. LOUIS & CENTRAL ILLINOIS RAIL- 
KOAD. (See St. Louis, Chicago & St. Paul 
Railroad.) 

ST. LOUIS & CHICAGO RAILROAD (of 
Illinois). (See St. Louis, Peoria & Northern 
Railu-ay.) 

ST. LOUIS & EASTERN RAILROAD. (See 
St. Louis, Peoria & Xortheru Railway.) 

ST. LOUIS & PEORIA RAILWAY. (See 
St. Louis. Peoria <f- Xorthern Railway.) 

ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL, located in Chicago. 
It was chartered in 1865, its incorporators, in 
their initial statement, substantially declaring 
their object to be the establisliment of a free lios- 
pital under the control of tlie Protestant Epis- 
copal Church, which should be open to the 
afflicted poor, without distinction of race or 
creed. The hospital was opened on a small scale, 
but steadily increased until 1879, when re-incor- 
poration was effected under the general law. In 
1885 a new building was erected on land donated 
for that purpose, at a cost exceeding §150,000, 
exclusive of 820,000 for furnishing. While its 
primary object has been to afford accommoda- 
tion, with medical and surgical care, gratuitously, 
to the needy poor, the institution also provides a 
considerable number of comfortable, well-fur- 
nislied private rooms for patients who are able 
and willing to pay for the same. It contains an 
amphitheater for surgical operations and clinics, 
and has a free dispensary for out-patients. Dur- 
ing the past few years important additions 
have been made, the number of beds increased, 
and provision made for a training school for 
nurses. The medical staff (1896) consi.st3 of 
thirteen physicians and .surgeons and two 
pathologists. 



ST. MART'S SCHOOL, a young ladies' semi- 
nary, under the patronage of the Episcopal 
Church, at Knoxville, Knox County, 111. ; was 
incorporated in 1858, in 1898 had a faculty of four- 
teen teachers, giving instruction to 113 pupils. 
The branches taught include tlie classics, the 
sciences, fine arts, music and preparatory studies. 
The institution has a library of 2,200 volumes, 
and owns property valued at §130,500, of which 
§100,000 is real estate. 

STAGER, Anson, soldier and Telegraph Super- 
intendent, was born in Ontario County, N. Y., 
April 20, 1825; at 16 years of age entered the serv- 
ice of Henry O'Reilh-, a printer wlio afterwards 
became a pioneer in building telegraph lines, and 
with whom he became associated in various enter- 
prises of this character. Having introduced 
several improvements in the construction of bat- 
teries and the arrangement of wires, he was, in 
1852, made General Superintendent of the princi- 
pal lines in the West, and, on the organization of 
the Western Union Company, %vas retained in 
this position. Early in the Civil War he was 
entrusted with the management of telegraph 
lines in Southern Ohio and along the Virginia 
border, and, in October following, was appointed 
General Superintendent of Government tele- 
graphs, remaining in this position until Septem- 
ber, 1868, his services being recognized in his 
promotion to a brevet Brigadier-Generalship of 
Volunteers. In 18G9 General Stager returned to 
Chicago and, in addition to his duties as General 
Superintendent, engaged in the promotion of a 
number of enterprises connected with the manu- 
facture of electrical ajjpliances and other 
branches of the business. One of these was the 
consolidation of the telephone companies, of 
which lie became President, as also of the West- 
ern Edison Electric Liglit Company, besides being 
a Director in several otlier corporations. Died, 
in Chicago, March 26, 1H85. 

STANDISH, John Yan Ness, a lineal descendant 
of Capt. Miles Standish, the Pilgrim leader, was 
born at Woodstock, Vt., Feb. 26, 1825. His early 
years were spent on a farm, but a love of knowl- 
edge and books became his ruling passion, and he 
devoted several years to study, in the "Liberal 
Institute" at Lebanon, N. H., finally graduating, 
with the degree of A. B., at Norwich University 
in the class of 1847. Later, he received the 
degree of A.M., in due course, from his Alma 
Mater in 1855; that of Ph.D. from Knox College, 
in 1883, of LL.D from St. Lawrence University 
in 1893, and from Norwich, in 1898. Dr. Standish 
chose the profession of a teacher, and has spent 



502 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



over fifty years in its pursuit in connection with 
private and public schools and the College, of 
which more than forty years were as Professor and 
President of lionibard University at Galesburg. 
He has also lectured and conducted Teachers" 
Institutes all over the State, and, in 1S.j9, was 
elected President of the State Teachers" Associ- 
ation. He made three visits to the Old World — 
in 1879, '82-83, and '91-92 — and, during his second 
trip, traveled over 40,000 miles, visiting nearly 
every country of EuroiJe, including the "Land of 
the Midnight Sun," besides Northern Africa 
from the Mediterranean to tlie Desert of Sahara, 
Egypt, Palestine, Syria and Asia Minor. A lover 
of art, he has visited nearly all the principal 
museums and picture galleries of the world. In 
politics he is a Republican, and, in opposition to 
many college men, a firm believer in the doctrine 
of protection. In religion, he is a Universalist. 

STAPP, James T. B., State Auditor, was born 
in Woodford County, Ky., April 1.3, 1804; at the 
age of 13 accompanied his widowed inother to 
Kaskaskia, 111., where she settled; before he was 
20 years old, was employed as a clerk in the office 
of the State Auditor, and, upon the resignation of 
that officer, was appointed his .successor, being 
twice thereafter elected by the Legislature, serv- 
ing nearly five years. He resigned the auditor- 
ship to accept the Presidency of the State Bank 
at Vandalia, which post he filled for thirteen 
year.s; acted as Aid-de-camp on Governor Rey- 
nolds staff in the Black Hawk War, and served 
as Adjutant of the Third Illinois Volunteers dur- 
ing the war with Mexico. President Taylor 
appointed Mr. Stapp Receiver of the United 
States Land Officie at "V^audalia, which office he 
held during the Fillmore administration, resign- 
ing in 18.j5. Two years later he removed to 
Decatur, where he continued to reside until his 
death in 1876. A handsome Methodist chapel, 
erected by him in that citj, bears his name. 

STARK COUNTY, an interior county in the 
northern half of the State, lying west of the Illi- 
nois River ; has an area of 290 square miles. It 
has a rich, alluvial soil, well vpatered by numer- 
ous small streams. The principal industries are 
agriculture and stock-raising, and the chief 
towns are Toulon and Wyoming. The county 
was erected from Putnam and Knox in 1839, and 
named in honor of General Stark, of Revolution- 
ary fame. The earliest settler was Isaac B. 
Essex, who built a cabin on Spoon River, in 1828, 
and gave his name to a township. Of other pio- 
neer families, the Buswells, Smiths, Spencers and 



Eastmans came from New England; the Thom- 
ases, Moores, Holgates, Fullers and Whittakers 
from Pennsylvania; the Coxes from Ohio, the 
Perrys and Parkers from Virginia ; the McClana- 
hans from Kentucky ; the Hendersons from Ten- 
nessee ; the Lees and Hazens from New Jersey ; 
the Halls from England, and the Turnbulls and 
Olivers from Scotland. The pioneer church was 
the Congregational at Toulon. Population (1880), 
11,207; (1890), 9,982; (1900), 10,18G. 

ST.VRVEH ROCK, a celebrated rock or cliff on 
the south .side of Illinois River, in La Salle 
County, upon which the French explorer, La 
Salle, and his lieutenant, Tonty, erected a fort Ln 
1082, which tliey named Fort St. Louis. It was 
one mile north of the supposed location of the 
Indian village of La Vantum, the metropolis, so 
to speak, of the Illinois Indians about the time of 
the arrival of the fir.st French explorers. The 
population of this village, in 1680, according to 
Father IMenibre, was some seven or eight thou- 
sand. Both La Vantiun and Fort St. Louis were 
repeatedly attacked by the Iroquois. The Illinois 
were temporarily driven from La Vantum, but 
the French, for the time being, successfulh' 
defended their fortification. In 1702 the fort was 
abandoned as a military post, but continued to 
be used as a French trading-post until 1718, 
when it was burned by Indians. The Illinois 
were not again molested until 1722, when the 
Foxes made an unsuccessful attack upon them. 
The larger portion of the tribe, however, resolved 
to cast in their fortunes with other tribes on the 
Mississippi River. Those who remained fell an 
easy prey to the foes by whom they were sur- 
rounded. In 1769 they were attacked from the 
north by tribes %vho desired to avenge the murder 
of Pontiac. Finding themselves hard pressed, 
they betook themselves to the bluff where Fort 
St. liOuis had formerly stood. Here they were 
besieged for twelve days, when, destitute of food 
or water, they made a gallant but hopeless sortie. 
According to a tradition handed down among the 
Indians, all were ma.ssacred by the besiegers in 
an attempt to escape by night, except one half- 
breed, who succeeded in evading his pursuers. 
This sanguinary catastrophe has given the rock 
its popular name. Elmer Baldwin, in his History 
of La Salle County (1877), says: "The bones of 
the victims lay scattered about the cliff in jiro- 
fusion after the settlement by the whites, and 
are still found mingled plentifully with the soil. "' 
(See La Salle, Hubert Cavelier; Tonty; Fort St. 
Louis.) 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



503 



STARXE, Alexander, Secretary of State and 
State 'Treasurer, was born iu Philadeliiliia. Pa., 
Nov. 21, 1813; in tlie spring of 1S3G removed to 
Illinois, settling at Griggsville, Pike County, 
where he opened a general store. From 1839 to 
"42 he served as Comuiissioner of Pike County, 
and. in the latter year, was elected to the lower 
house of the General Assembly, and re-elected in 
1841. Having, iu the meanwhile, ilisposed of his 
store at Griggsville and removed to Pittsiield, he 
was a[)poiuted, by Judge Purple, Clerk of the 
Circuit Court, and elected to the same office for 
four years, when it was made elective. In 1853 
he was elected- Secretary of State, when he 
removed to Springfield, returning to Griggsville 
at the expiration of his term in 18.57, to assume 
the Presidency of the old Hannibal and Naples 
Railroad (now a part of the Wabash system). 
He represented Pike and Brown Counties in the 
Constitutional Convention of 1862. and the same 
year was elected State Treasurer. He thereupon 
again removed to Springfield, where he resided 
until his death, being, with his sons, extensivelj' 
■engaged in coal mining. In 18T0, and again in 
1873. he was elected State Senator from San- 
gamon County. He died at Springfield, March 
31, 1886. 

STATE BAXK OF ILLINOIS. The first legis- 
lation, having for its object the establishment of 
a bank within the territory which now consti- 
tutes the State of Illinois, was the passage, by 
the Territorial Legislature of 1816, of an act 
incorporating the "Bank of Illinois at Shawnee- 
town, with branches at Edwardsville and Kas- 
kaskia."' In the Second General Assembly of 
the State (1830) an act was passed, over the 
Governor's veto and in defiance of the adverse 
judgment of the Council of Revision, establish- 
ing a State Bank at Vandalia with branches at 
Shawneetown, Edwardsville, and Brownsville in 
Jackson County. This was, in effect, a recharter- 
ing of the banks at Shawneetown and Edwards- 
ville. So far as the former is concerned, it seems 
to have been well managed; but the official 
conduct of the officers of the latter, on the basis 
of charges made by Governor Edwards in 1830, 
was made the subject of a legislative investiga- 
tion, which (although it resulted in nothing) 
seems to have had some basis of fact, in view of 
the losses finally sustained in winding up its 
affairs — that of the General Government amount- 
ing to 8,54,001). Grave charges were made in this 
connection against men who were then, or 
afterwards became, prominent in State affairs, 
including one Justie^e of the Supreme Court and 
■one (still later) a United States Senator. The 



experiment was disastrous, as, ten years later 
(1831), it was found necessary for the State to 
incur a debt of §100,000 to redeem the outstand- 
ing circulation. Influenced, however, bj- the 
popular demand for an increase in the "circu- 
lating medium," the State continued its experi- 
ment of becoming a stockholder in banks 
manage<l by its citizens, and acconlingly we find 
it, in 183.5. legislating iu the same direction for 
the establishing of a central "Bank of Illinois" 
at .Springfield, with branches at other j)oints as 
might be required, not to exceed six in number. 
One of these branches was established at Van- 
dalia and anotlier at Chicago, furnishing the first 
banking institution of the latter city. Two 
years later, when the State was entering upon 
its scheme of internal improvement, laws were 
enacted increasing the capital stock of the.se 
banks to 84,000,000 in the aggregate. Following 
the example of similar institutions elsewliere, 
they suspended specie payments a few months 
later, but were protected by ''stay laws" and 
other devices until 1842, when the internal 
improvement sclieme having been finally aban- 
doned, they fell in general collapse. The State 
ceased to be a stock-holder in 1843, and the banks 
were put in course of liquidation, though it 
required several years to complete the work. 

STATE CAPITALS. The first State capital of 
Illinois was Kaskaskia, where the first Territorial 
Legislature convened, Nov. 25, 1812. At that 
time there were but five counties in the State — 
St. Clair and Randolph being the most important, 
and Kaskaskia being the county-seat of the 
latter. Illinois was admitted into the Union as a 
State in 1818, and the first Constitution provided 
that tlie seat of government should remain at 
Kaskaskia until removed by legislative enact- 
ment. That instrument, however, made it obli- 
gatory upon the Legislature, at its first session, 
to petition Congress for a grant of not more than 
four sections of land, on which should be erected 
a town, wliich should remain the seat of govern- 
ment for twenty years. The petition was duly 
presented and granted; and. in accordance with 
the power granted b)- the Constitution, a Board 
of five Goinmi.ssionei'S selected the site of the 
present city of Vandalia, then a point in the 
wilderne.ss twenty miles north of any settle- 
ment. But so great was the faith of speculators 
in the future of the proposed city, that town lots 
were soon .selling at SlOO to 8780 each. The Com- 
missioners, in obedience to law, erected a plain 
two-story frame building — scarcely more than a 
commodious shanty — to whicli the State offices 
were removed in December, 1820. This building 



504 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



was burned, Dec. 9, 1823, and a brick structure 
erected in its place. Later, when tlie question of 
a second removal of the capital began to be agi- 
tated, the citizens of Vandalia assumed the risk 
of erecting a new, brick State House, costing 
316,000. Of this amount .$6,000 was reimbursed 
by the Governor from the contingent fund, and 
the balance (.$10,000) was appropriated in 1837, 
when the seat of government was removed to 
Springfield, by vote of the Tenth General Assem- 
bly on the fourth ballot. The other places receiv- 
ing the principal vote at the time of the removal 
to Springfield, were Jacksonville, Vandalia, 
Peoria, Alton and Illiopolis — Springfield receiv- 
ing the largest vote at each ballot. The law 
removing the capital appropriated .$50,000 from 
the State Treasury, provided that a like amount 
should be raised by private subscription and 
guaranteed by bond, and that at least two acres 
of land should be donated as a site. Two State 
Houses have been erected at Springfield, the first 
cost of the present one (including furnishing) 
having been a little in excess of §4,000,000. 
Abraham Lincoln, who was a member of the 
Legislature from Sangamon County at the time, 
was an influential factor in securing the removal 
of the capital to Springfield. 

STATE DEBT. The State debt, which proved 
so formidable a burden upon the State of Illinois 
for a generation, and, for a part of that period, 
seriously checked its prosperit}', was the direct 
outgrowth of the internal improvement scheme 
entered upon in 1837. (See Internal Improvement 
Policy. ) At the time this enterprise was under- 
taken the aggregate debt of the State was less 
than .$400,000 — accumulated within the preceding 
six years. Two years later (1838) it had increased 
to over $6,500,000, while the total valuation of 
real and personal propertj', for the purposes of 
taxation, was less than $60,000,000, and the aggre- 
gate receipts of the State treasury, for the same 
year, amounted to less than §150,000. At the 
same time, the disbursements, for the support of 
the State Government alone, had grown to more 
than twice the receipts. This disparity continued 
until the declining credit of the State forced upon 
the managers of public affairs an involuntary 
economy, when the means could no longer be 
secured for more lavish expenditures. The first 
bonds issued at the inception of the internal 
improvement scheme sold at a premium of 5 per 
cent, but rapidly declined until they were hawked 
in the markets of New York and London at a dis- 
count, in some cases falling into the hands of 
brokers who failed before completing their con- 



tracts, thus causing a direct loss to the State. If 
the internal improvement scheme was ill-advised, 
the time chosen to carry it into effect was most 
unfortunate, as it came simultaneously with the 
panic of 1837, rendering the disaster all the more 
complete. Of the various works undertaken by 
the State, only the Illinois & Michigan Canal 
brought a return, all the others resulting in more 
or less comptete loss. The internal improvement 
scheme was abandoned in 1839-40, but not until 
State bonds exceeding §13,000,000 had been 
issued. For two years longer the State struggled 
with its embarrassments, increased by the failure 
of the State Bank in February, 1842, and, by that 
of the Bank of Illinois at Shawneetown, a few 
months later, with the proceeds of more than two 
and a half millions of the State's bonds in their 
possession. Thus left without credit, or means 
even of paying the accruing interest, there were 
those who regarded the State as hopelessly bank- 
rupt, and advocated repudiation as the only 
means of escape. Better counsels prevailed, how- 
ever; the Constitution of 1848 put the State on a 
basis of strict economy in the matter of salaries 
and general expenditures, with restrictions upon 
the Legislature in reference to incurring in- 
debtedness, while the beneficent "two-mill tax"' 
gave assurance to its creditors that its debts 
would be paid. While the growth of the State, 
in wealth and population, had previously been 
checked by the fear of excessive taxation, it now 
entered upon a new career of prosperity-, in spite 
of its burdens — its increase in population, be- 
tween 1850 and 1860, amounting to over 100 per 
cent. The movement of the State debt after 1840 
— when the internal improvement scheme was 
abandoned — cliiefly by accretions of unpaid inter- 
est, has been estimated as follows: 1842, $13,- 
637,9.50; 1844, §14,633,969; 1846, $16,389,817; 1848, 
$16,661,795. It reached its maximum in 18.53— 
the first year of Governor Mattesons administra- 
tion — when it was ofBciallj- reported at $16,724,- 
177. At this time the work of extinguishment 
began, and was prosecuted under successive 
administrations, except during the war, wlien 
the vast expense incurred in sending troops to 
the field caused an increase. During Governor 
Bissell's administration, the reduction amounted 
to over §3,000,000; during Oglesby's. to over five 
and a quarter million, besides two and a quarter 
million paid on interest. In 1880 the debt had 
been reduced to §281,0.59.11, and, before the close 
of 1882, it had been entirely extinguished, except 
a balance of $18,.500 in bonds, which, having been 
called in years previously and never presented for 



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HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



505 



payment, are supposed to have been lost. (See 
Macalititer and Stebbins Bonds.) 

STATE UUARDI.VNS FOR GIRLS, a bureau 
organized for the care of female juvenile delin- 
quents, by act of June 2, 189.3. Tlie Board consists 
of seven members, nominated by the Executive 
and confirmed by the Senate, and wlio consti- 
tute a body politic and corporate. Not more than 
two of the members may reside in the same Con- 
gressional District and, of the seven members, 
four must be women. (See also Home for Female 
Juvenile Offenders.) The term of office is six 
years. 

STATE HOUSE, located at Springfield. Its 
construction was begun under an act passed by 
the Legislature in February, 1867, and completed 
in 1887. It stands in a park of about eight acres, 
donated to tlie State by tlie citizens of Spring- 
field. A provision of the State Constitution of 
1870 prohibited the expenditure of anj- sum in 
excess of .?3,.'>00,000 in the erection and furnishing 
of the building, without previous approval of such 
additional expenditure by the people. This 
amount proving insufficient, the Legislature, at 
its session of 1885, passed an act making an addi- 
tional appropriation of §.531,712, which having 
been apjjroved by popular vote at the general 
election of 1886, the expenditure was made and 
the oapitol completed during the following j-ear, 
thus raising the total cost of construction and fur- 
nisliing to a little in excess of §4,000,000. The 
building is cruciform as to its ground plan, and 
classic in its style of aroliitecture ; its extreme 
dimensions (including porticoes), from north |to 
south, being 379 feet, and, from east to west, 286 
feet. Tlie walls are of dressed Joliet limestone, 
while tlie porticoes, which are spacious and 
lofty, are of .sandstone, supported by polished 
columns of gray granite. Tlie three stories of 
the building are surmounted by a Jlansard roof, 
with two turrets and a central dome of stately 
dimensions. Its extreme height, to the top of 
the iron flag-staff, which rises from a lantern 
springing from the dome, is 364 feet. 

STATE NORMAL UNIVERSITY, an institu 
tion for the education of teachers, organized 
under an act of the General Assembly, passed 
Feb. 18, 1857. This act placed the work of 
organization in the hands of a board of fifteen 
persons, which was styled "The Board of Educa- 
tion of the State of Illinois," and was constituted 
as follows: C. B. Denio of Jo Daviess County; 
Simeon Wright of Lee ; Daniel Wilkins of Mc- 
Lean ; Charles E. Hovey of Peoria ; George P. Rex 
of Pike; Samuel W. Moulton of Shelby; John 



Gillespie of Jasper; George Bunsen of St. Clair; 
Wesley Sloan of Pope; Ninian W. Edwards of 
Sangamon ; John R. Eden of Moultrie ; Flavel 
Moseley and William Wells of Cook ; Albert R. 
Shannon of White ; and the Superintendent o\. 
Public Instruction, ex-officio. The object of the 
University, as defined in the organizing law, is 
to qualify teachers for the public schools of the 
State, and the course of instruction to be given 
embraces "the art of teaching, and all branches 
which pertain to a common school education; in 
the elements of the natural sciences, including 
agricultural chemistry, animal and vegetable 
physiology; in the fundamental laws of the 
United States and of the State of Illinois in 
regard to the rights and duties of citizens, and 
sucli other studies as the Board of Education may, 
from time to time, prescribe." Various cities 
competed for the location of the institution, 
Bloomington being finally selected, its bid, in- 
cluding 160 acres of land, being estimated as 
equivalent to §141,725. The corner-stone was 
laid on September 29, 1857, and the first building 
was ready for permanent occupancy in Septem- 
ber, 1860. Previously, however, it had been 
sufficiently advanced to permit of its being used, 
and the first commencement exercises were held 
on June 29 of the latter year. Tliree years 
earlier, the academic department liad been organ- 
ized under the charge of Charles E. Hovey. The 
first cost, including furniture, etc., was not far 
from §200,000. Gratuitous instruction is given to 
two pupils from each countj', and to three from 
each Senatorial District. The departments are : 
Grammar school, liigh school, normal department 
and model school, all of which are overcrowded. 
The whole number of students in attendance on 
the institution during the school year, 1897-98, 
was 1,197, of whom 891 were in the normal 
department and 306 in the practice school depart- 
ment, including representatives from 86 coun- 
ties of the State, with a few pupils from other 
States on the payment of tuition. Tlie teacliing 
faculty (including tlie President and Librarian) 
for the same j-ear, was made up of twenty-six 
members— twelve ladies and fourteen gentlemen. 
The expenditures for the year 1897-98 aggregated 
§47,626.92, against §66,528.69 for 1896-97. Nearly 
§22,000 of the amount expended during the latter 
year was on account of the construction of a 
gymnasium building. 

STATE PROPERTY. The United States Cen- 
sus of 1890 gave the value of real and personal 
property belonging to the State as follows; Pub- 
lic lands, §328,000; buildings, §23,104,000; mis- 



50C 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



cellaneous property, 82,650,000— total, S'35, 142,000. 
The land may be subdivided thus : Camp-grounds 
of the Illinois National Guard near Springfield 
(donated), .$40,000; Illinois and Michigan Canal, 
$168,000; Illinois University lands, in Illinois 
(donated by the General Government), .$41,000, in 
Minnesota (similarly donated), $79,000. The 
buildings comprise those connected with the 
charitable, penal and educational institutions of 
the State, besides the State Arsenal, two build- 
ings for the use of the Appellate Courts (at 
Ottawa and Mount Vernon), the State House, 
the Executive Mansion, and locks and dams 
erected at Henry and Copperas Creek. Of the 
miscellaneous property, §120,000 represents the 
equipment of tlie Illinois National Guard ; Sl,9''59,- 
000 the value of the movable property of public 
buildings; 8'>50,000 the endowment fund of tlie 
University of Illinois; and .$21,000 the movable 
property of the Illinois & Michigan Canal. The 
figures given relative to the value of the public 
buildings include onlj' the first appropriations 
for their erection. Considerable sums have 
since been expended upon some of them in repairs, 
enlargements and im])rovements. 

STATE TREASURERS. The only Treasurer 
of Illinois during the Territorial period was John 
Thomas, who served from 1813 to 1818, and 
became the first incumbent under the State 
Government. Under the Constitution of 1818 
the Treasurer was elected, biennially, by joint vote 
of the two Houses of the General Assembly ; by 
the Constitution of 1848, tliis officer was made 
elective by the people for the same period, with- 
out limitations as to number of terms ; imder tlio 
Con.stitution of 1870, the manner of election and 
duration of term are unchanged, but the incum- 
bent is ineligible to re-election, for two years 
from expiration of the term for which he may 
have been chosen. The following is a list of the 
State Treasurers, from the date of the admission 
of the State into the Union down to the present 
time (1899), with the date and duration of the 
term of each: John Thomas, 1818-19; Robert K. 
McLaughlin, 1819-23; Abner Field, 1823 27; 
James Hall, 1827 31; John Dement, 1831-36; 
Charles Gregory, 1830-37; John D. Whiteside, 
1837-41; Milton Carpenter, 1841-48; John Moore, 
1848-57; James Miller, 1857-59; William Butler, 
1859-63; Alexander Starne, 1863-65; James H. 
Beveridge, 1865-67; George W. Smith, 1867-69; 
ErastusN. Bates, 1869-73; Edward Rutz. 1873-7.5; 
Thomas S. Ridgway, 1875-77; Edward Rutz. 
1877-79; John C. Smith. 1879-81; Edward Rutz, 
1881-83, John C. Smith, 1883-85; Jacob Gross, 



1885-87; John R. Tanner, 1887-89; Charles 
Becker, 1889-91; Edward S. Wilson, 1891-93; 
Rufus N. Ramsay, 1893-95 ; Henry Wulff, 1895-97 ; 
Henry L. Hertz, 1897-99; Floyd K. Whittemore, 
1899-. 

STAl'XTOX, a village in the southeast corner 
of Macoupin County, on the Chicago, Peoria & 
St. Louis and the Wabash Railways; is 36 miles 
northeast of St. Louis, and 14 miles .southwest of 
Litchfield. Agriculture and coal-mining aie the 
industries of the surrounding region. Staunton 
lias two banks, eight churches and a weekly 
newspappr. Population (1880), 1,358; (1890), 2,309; 
(1900), 2,786 

STEEL PRODUCTION. In the manufacture 
of steel, Illinois has long ranked as the second 
State in the Union in the amount of its output, 
and, during the period between 1880 and 1890, 
the increase in production was 241 per cent. In 
1880 there were but six steel works in the State ; 
in 1890 these had increased to fourteen ; and the 
production of steel of all kinds (in tons of 2,000 
pounds) had risen from 254,569 tons to 868,250. 
Of the 3.837,039 tons of Bessemer steel ingots,^5r 
direct castings, produced in the United States in 
1890, 22 per cent were turned out in Illinois, 
nearl}- all the steel produced in the State being 
made by that process. From the tonnage of 
ingots, as given above, Illinois produced 622,260 
pounds of steel rails, — more than 30 per cent of 
the aggregate for the entire country. This fact 
is noteworthy, inasmuch as the competition in 
the manufacture of Bessemer steel rails, since 
1880, has been so great that many rail mills have 
converted their steel into forms other than rails, 
experience having proved tlieir production to 
anj' considerable extent, during the past few 
years, unprofitable except in works favorably 
located for obtaining cheap raw material, or 
operated under the latest and most approved 
methods of manufactvure. Open-hearth steel is 
no longer made in Illinois, but the manufacture 
of crucible steel is slightly increasing, the out- 
put in 1890 being 445 tons, as against 130 in 1880. 
For purposes rec|uiring special grades of steel the 
product of the crucible process will be always 
in demand, but the high cost of manufacture 
prevents it, in a majority of instances, from 
successfully competing in price with the other 
processes mentioned. 

STEPHENSON, Renjamin, pioneer and early 
politician, came to Illinois from Kentucky in 
1809, and was appointed the first Sheriff of 
Randol])!! County by Governor Edwards \mder 
the Territorial Government; afterwards served 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



507 



as a Colonel of Illinois militia during the War of 
1S1~; represented Illinois Territory as Delegate 
in Congress. 1814-lG, and, on bis retirement from 
Congress, became Register of the Land Oflice at 
Edwardsville. finally d3'ingat Edwardsville — Col. 
James W. (Stephenson), a son of the preceding, 
was a soldier during the Black Hawk War, after- 
wards became a prominent politician in the north- 
western part of the State, served as Register of 
the Land Office at Galena and, in 1838, received 
the Democratic nomination for Governor, but 
withdrew before the election. 

STEPHEXSOX, (Dr.) Benjamin Franklin, 
physician and soldier, was born in Wajne 
County, 111., Oct. 30, 1823, and accompanied his 
parents, in 182.5, to Sangamon County, where the 
family settled. His early educational advantages 
were meager, and he did not studj' his profession 
(medicine) until after reaching his majoritj-, 
graduating from Rush Medical College, Chicago, 
in 18.50. He began practice at Petersburg, but, 
in April, 1863, was mustered into the volunteer 
army as Surgeon of the Fourteenth Illinois 
Infantry. After a little over two years service he 
was mustered out in June, 18(i4. when he took up 
his residence in Springfield, and, for a year, was 
engaged in the drug business there. In 18G.5 lie 
resumed professional practice. He lacked tenac- 
ity of purpose, however, was indifferent to money, 
and always willing to give his own services and 
orders for medicine to the poor. Hence, his prac- 
tice was not lucrative. He was one of the leaders 
in the organization of the Grand Army of the 
Republic (which see), in connection with wliich 
he is most widely known; but' his services in its 
cause failed to receive, during his lifetime, the 
recognition which they deserved, nor did the 
organization promptly flourish, as he had hoped. 
He finally returned with his family to Peters- 
burg. Died, at Rock Creek, Menard, County, 111., 
August 30, 1871. 

STEPHENSON COUNTY, a northwestern 
county, with an area of 560 square miles. The 
soil is rich, productive and well timbered. Fruit- 
culture and stock-raising are among the chief 
industries. Not until 1827 did the aborigines quit 
the locality, and the county was organized, ten 
years later, and named for Gen. Henjamin 
Stephenson. A man named Kirker, who had 
been in the employment of Colonel Gratiot as a 
lead-miner, near Galena, is said to have built the 
first cabin within the present limits of wliat was 
called Burr Oak Grove, and .set himself up as an 
Indian-trader in 1826, but only remained a short 
time. He was followed, the next j'ear, by Oliver 



W. Kellogg, who took Kirker's place, built a 
more pretentioi'is dwelling and became the first 
permanent settler. Later came WilUam Wad- 
dams, the Montagues, Baker, Kilpatrick, Preston, 
the Goddards. and others whose names are linked 
with the county's early history. The first house 
in Freeport was built bj- William Baker. Organi- 
zation was effected in 1837, the total poll being 
eighty-four votes. The earliest teacher was Nel- 
son Martin, who is said to have taught a school 
of some twelve pupils, in a house which stood on 
tlie site of the present city of Freeport. Popula- 
tion (1880), 31,963; (189U), 31,338; (1900), 34,933. 

STERLING, a flourisliing city on the north 
bank of Rock River, in Wiiiteside County, 109 
miles west of Chi(;ago, 39 miles east of Clinton, 
Iowa, and 52 miles east-northeast of Rock Island. 
It lias ample railway facilities, furnished by the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, the Sterling & 
Peoria, and the Chicago & Northwe.stern Rail- 
roads. It contains fourteen churches, an opera 
house, high ami grade schools, Carnegie library, 
Government postoffice building, three banks, 
electric street and interurban car lines, electric 
and gas lighting, water-works, paved streets and 
sidewalks, fire department and four newspaper 
offices, two issuing daily editions. It has fine 
water-power, and is an important manufacturing 
center, its works turning out agricultural imple- 
ments, carriages, paper, barbed-wire, school furni- 
ture, burial caskets, pumps, sash, doors, etc. It 
also has the Sterling Iron Works, besides foundries 
and machine shops. The river here flows through 
charming scenery. Pop. (1890), 5,824; (1900) 6.309. 

STEVENS, Bradford &., ex-Congressman, was 
born at Boscawen (afterwards Webster), N. H., 
Jan. 8, 1813. After attending schools in New 
Hampshire and at Montreal, he entered Dart- 
mouth College, graduating therefrom in 1835. 
During the six years following, he devoted him- 
self to teaching, at Hopkinsville, Ky., and New 
York City. In 1843 he removed to Bureau 
County, 111., where he became a merchant and 
farmer. In 1868 he was chairman of the Board 
of Supervisors, and, in 1870, was elected to Con- 
gress, as an Independent Democrat, for the Fifth 
District. 

STEVENSON, Adlai E., ex-Vice-President of 
the United States, was born in Christian County, 
Ky., Oct. 23, 1835. In 1852 he removed witli his 
parents to Blooniington, McLean County, 111., 
where the family settled; was educated at the 
Illinois Wesleyaii University and at Centre Col- 
lege, K}'., was admitted to the bar in 1858 and 
began practice at Metamora. Woodford County, 



508 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



where he was Master in Chancery, 1861-65, and 
State's Attorney, 1865-69. In 1864 he was candi- 
date for Presidential Elector on the Democratic 
ticket. In 1869 he returned to Bloomington, 
where he has since resided. In 1874, and again 
in 1876, he was an unsuccessful candidate of his 
party for Congress, but was elected as a Green- 
back Democrat in 1878, though defeated in 1880 
and 1883. In 1877 he was appointed by President 
Hayes a member of the Board of Visitors to 
West Point. During the first administration of 
President Cleveland (1885-89) he was First Assist- 
ant Postmaster General; was a member of the 
National Democratic Conventions of 1884 and 
1892, being Chairman of the Illinois delegation 
the latter year. In 1892 he received his party's 
nomination for the Vice-Presidency, and was 
elected to that office, serving until 1897. Since 
retiring from office he has resumed his residence 
at Bloomington. 

STEWARD, Lewis, manufacturer and former 
Congressman, was born in Wayne Countj", Pa., 
Nov. 20, 1824, and received a common school 
education. At the age of 14 he accompanied his 
parents to Kendall County, 111., where he after- 
wards resided, being engaged in farming and the 
manufacture of agricultural implements at 
Piano. He studied law but never practiced. In 
1876 he was an unsuccessful candidate for Gov- 
ernor on the Democratic ticket, being defeated 
by Shelby M. Cullom. In 1890 the Democrats of 
the Eighth Illinois District elected him to Con- 
gress. In 1892 he was again a candidate, but was 
defeated by his Republican opponent, Robert A. 
Childs, by the narrow margin of 27 votes, and. 
In 1894, was again defeated, this time being pitted 
against Albert J. Hopkins. Mr. Steward died at 
his home at Piano, August 26, 1896. 

STEWARDSOX, a town of Shelby County, at 
the intersection of the Toledo, St. Louis & Kan- 
sas City RiiiUvay with the Altamont branch of 
the Waba.sh, 12 miles southeast of Shelby ville; 
is in a grain and lumber region ; has a bank and 
a weekly paper. Population, (1900), 677. 

STICKXEY, William H., pioneer lawyer, was 
born in Baltimore, Md., Nov. 9, 1809, studied law 
and was admitted to the bar at Cincinnati in 
1831, and, in Illinois in 1834, being at that time a 
resident of Shawneetown; was elected State's 
Attorney by the Legislature, in 1839, for the cir- 
cuit embracing some fourteen counties in the 
southern and southeastern part of the State ; for 
a time also, about 1835-36, officiated as editor of 
"The Gallatin Democrat," and "The Illinois 
Advertiser, ' ' published at Shawneetown. In 1846 



Mr. Stickney was elected to the lower branch of 
the General Assembly from Gallatin County, and, 
twenty-eight years later — having come to Chi- 
cago in 1848 — to the same body from Cook 
County, serving in the somewhat famous Twenty- 
ninth Assembly. He also held the office of 
Police Justice for some thirteen years, from 1860 
onward. He lived to an advanced age, dying in 
Chicago, Feb. 14, 1898, being at the time the 
oldest surviving member of the Chicago bar. 

STILES, Isaac Newton, lawyer and soldier, 
bom at Suffield, Conn., July 16, 1833; was ad- 
mitted to the bar at Lafayette, Ind., in 1855, 
became Prosecuting Attorney, a member of the 
Legislature and an effective speaker in the Fre- 
mont campaign of 1856 ; enlisted as a private sol- 
dier at the beginning of the war, went to the 
field as Adjutant, was captured at Malvern Hill, 
and, after six weeks' confinement in Libby 
prison, exchanged and returned to duty; was 
promoted Major, Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel, 
and brevetted Brigadier-General for meritorious 
service. After the war he practiced his profes- 
sion in Chicago, though almost totally blind. 
Died, Jan. 18, 1895. 

STILLMAX, Stephen, first State Senator from 
Sangamon County, 111. , was a native of Massachu- 
setts who came, with his widowed mother, to 
Sangamon County in 1820, and settled near 
Williarasville, where he became the first Post- 
master in the first postoffice in the State north of 
the Sangamon River. In 1822, Mr. Stillman was 
elected as the first State Senator from Sangamon 
County, serving four years, and. at his first session, 
being one of the opponents of the pro-slavery 
Convention resolution. He died, in Peoria, some- 
where between 1835 and 1840. 

STILLMAN VALLEY, village in Ogle County, 
on Chicago Great We.stern and the Chicago, Mil- 
waukee & St. Paul Railways; site of first battle 
Black Hawk War; has graded schools, four 
churches, a bank and a newspaper. Pop. , 475. 

STITES, Samuel, pioneer, was born near 
Mount Bethel, Somerset County, N. J., Oct. 31, 
1776; died, August 16. 1839, on his farm, which 
subsequently became the site of the city of Tren- 
ton, in Clinton County, 111. He was descended 
from John Stites, M.D., who was born in Eng- 
land in 1595, emigrated to America, and died at 
Hempstead, L. I., in 1717. at the age of 122 years. 
The family removed to New Jersey in the latter 
part of the seventeenth century. Samuel was a 
cou.sin of Benjamin Stites, the first white man to 
settle within the present limits of Cincinnati, and 
various members of the family were prominent in 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



509 



the settlement of the upper Ohio Valley as early 
as 1788. Samuel Stites married, Sept. 14, 1794, 
Martha Martin, daughter of Ephraim Martin, 
and grand- daugliter of Col. Ephraim Martin, botli 
soldiers of the New Jersey line during the Revo- 
lutionary War — with the la.st named of whoni 
he had (in connection witli John Cleves Symmes) 
been intimately associated in the purchase and 
settlement of the Miami Valley. In 1800 he 
removed to Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1803 to 
Greene County, and, in 1818, in company with his 
son-in-law. Anthony Wayne Casad, to St. Clair 
County, 111., settling near Union Grove. Later, he 
removed to O'Fallon, and, .still later, to Clinton 
County. He left a large family, several members 
of wliich became prominent pioneers in the 
movements toward Minne.sota and Kansas. 

STOLBRAXD, Carlos John Mueller, soldier, 
■was born in Sweden, May 11, 1821; at the age of 
18, enlisted in the Royal Artillery of his native 
land, serving through the campaign of Sehleswig- 
Holstein (1848) ; came to the United States soon 
after, and, in 1861, enlisted in the first battalion 
of Illinois Light Artillerj", finally becoming Chief 
of Artillery under Gen. John A. Logan. When 
the latter became commander of the Fifteenth 
Army Corps, Col. Stolbrand was placed at the 
head of the artillery brigade; in February, 1865, 
was made Brigadier-General, and mustered out 
in January, 1866. After the war he went South, 
and was Secretary of the South Carolina Consti- 
tutional Convention of 1868. The same year he 
was a delegate to the Republican National Con- 
vention at Chicago, and a Presidential Elector. 
He was an inventor and patented various im- 
provements in steam engines and boilers; was 
also Superintendent of Public Buildings at 
Charleston, S. C, under President Harrison. 
Died, at Charleston, Feb. 3, 1894. 

STONE, Daniel, early lawyer and legislator, 
was a native of Vermont and graduate of Middle- 
bury College; became a member of the Spring- 
field (111.) bar in 1833, and, in 1836, was elected 
to the General Assembly — being one of the cele- 
brated "Long Nine" from Sangamon County, and 
joining Abraham Lincoln in his protest against 
a series of pro-slavery resolutions which had been 
adopted by the House. In 1837 he was a Circuit 
Court Judge and, being assigned to the nortli- 
western part of the State, removed to Galena, 
but was legislated out of office, when he left the 
State, dying a few years later, in Essex County, 
N. J. 

STONE, Horatio 0., pioneer, was born in 
Ontario (now Monroe) County, N. Y., Jan. 2, 



1811 ; in boyhood learned the trade of shoemaker, 
and later acted as overseer of laborers on the 
Lackawanna Canal. In 1831, having located in 
Wayne County, Mich., he was drafted for the 
Black Hawk War, serving twenty-two days under 
Gen. Jacob Brown. In January, 1835, he came 
to Chicago and, having made a fortunate specu- 
lation in real estate in that earlj' day, a few 
months later entered upon the grocery and pro- 
vision trade, which he afterwards extended to 
grain ; finally giving his chief attention to real 
estate, in which he was remarkably successful, 
leaving a large fortune at his death, which 
occurred in Chicago, June 20, 1877. 

STONE, (Rev.) Luther, Baptist clergyman, 
was born in the town of Oxford, Worcester 
County, Mass., Sept. 26, 1815, and spent his boy- 
hood on a farm. After acquiring a common 
school education, he prepared for college at Lei- 
cester Academy, and, in 1835, entered Brown 
University, graduating in the class of 1839. He 
then spent three years at the Theological Insti- 
tute at Newton, Mass. ; was ordained to the 
ministry at Oxford, in 1843, but, coming west the 
next year, entered ujKm evangelical work in 
Rock Island, Davenport, Burlington and neigh- 
boring towns. Later, he was pastor of the First 
Baptist Church at Rockford, 111. In 1847 Mr. 
Stone came to Chicago and established "The 
Watchman of the Prairies," which survives to- 
day under the name of "The Standard," and has 
become the leading Baptist organ in the West. 
After six years of editorial work, he took up 
evangeli.stic work in Chicago, among the poor 
and criminal classes. During the Civil War he 
conducted religious services at Camp Douglas, 
Soldiers" Rest and the Marine Hospital. He was 
associated in the conduct and promotion of many 
educational and charitable institutions. He did 
much for the First Baptist Church of Chicago, 
and, during the latter years of his life, was 
attached to the Immaiiuel Baptist Church, 
which he labored to establish. Died, in July, 
1890. 

STONE, Melville E., journalist, banker, Man- 
ager ot Associated Press, born at Hudson, 111., 
August 18, 1848. Coming to Chicago in 1860, he 
grailuated from the local high school in 1867, 
and, in 1870, acquired the sole proprietorship of 
a foundry and machine shop. Finding himself 
without re.sourci's alter the great fire of 1871, he 
embarked in journalism, rising, through the suc- 
cessive grades of rej>()rter, city editor, assistant 
editor and Washington correspondent, to the 
position of editor-in-chief of his own journal. 



510 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



He was connected with various Chicago dailies 
between 1871 and 187"), and, on Christmas Day 
of the latter year, issued the first number of "The 
Chicago Daily Xews." He gradually disposed of 
his interest in this journal, entirely severing 
his connection therewith in 1S88. Since that 
date he has been engaged in banking in the city 
of Chicago, and is also General JIanager of the 
Associated Press. 

STONE, Samuel, philanthropist, was born at 
Chesterfield, Mass., Dec. 6, 1798; left an orphan 
at seven years of age, after a short term in Lei- 
cester Academy, and several years in a wholesale 
store in Boston, at the age of 19 removed to 
Rochester, N. Y., to take charge of interests in 
the "Holland Purchase." belonging to his father's 
estate ; in 1843-49, was a resident of ^Detroit and 
interested in some of the early railroad enter- 
prises centering there, but the latter year re- 
moved to Milwaukee, lieing there associated with 
Ezra Cornell in telegraph construction. In 1859 
he became a citizen of Chicago, where he was 
one of tlie founders of the Chicago Historical 
Society, anjl a liberal patron of many enterprises 
of a public and benevolent character. Died, May 
4, 1876. 

STONE FORT, a village in the counties of 
Saline and Williamson. It is situated on the Cairo 
Division of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & 
St. Louis Railway, .')7 miles northeast of Cairo. 
Population (1900), 479. 

STOREY, Wilbur P., journalist and news- 
paper publisher, was born at Salisbur}-, Vt., Dec. 
19, 1819. He began to learn the printer's trade 
at 12, and, before he was 19, was part owner of a 
Democratic paper called "The Herald," published 
at La Porte, Ind. Later, he either edited or con- 
trolled journals published at Mishawaka, Ind., 
and Jackson and Detroit, Mich. In Januar}-, 
1861, he became the principal owner of "The 
Chicago Times," then the leading Democratic 
organ of Cliicago. His paper soon came to be 
regarded as the organ of the anti-war party 
throughout the Northwest, and, in June, 1863, 
was suppressed by a ndlitary order issued by 
General Burnside, which was subsequently 
revoked by President Lincoln. Tlie net result 
was an increase in "The Times' " notoriety and 
circulation. Other charges, of an equally gj-ave 
nature, relating to its sources of income, its char- 
acter as a family newspaper, etc., were repeateiUy 
made, but to all these Mr. Storey turned a deaf 
ear. He lost heavily in the fire of 1871, but, in 
1872, appeared as the editor of "The Times," 
then destitute of political ties. About 187G his 



health began to decline. Medical aid failed to 
afford relief, and, in August, 1884, he was ad- 
judged to be of unsound mind, and his estate was 
placed in the hands of a conservator. On the 
27th of the following October (1884), he died at 
his home in Chicago. 

STORRS, Emery Alexander, lawyer, was born 
at Hinsdale. Cattaraugus Count3-, X. Y., August 
12, 1835 ; began the study of law with his father, 
later pursued a legal course at Buifalo, and, in 
1853, was admitted to the bar; spent two years 
(1857-59) in New York City, the latter year re- 
moving to Chicago, wliere he attained great 
prominence as an advocate at the bar. as well as 
an orator on other occasions. Politically a 
Republican, he took an active part in Presidential 
campaigns, being a delegate-at-large from Illinois 
to the National Republican Conventions of 1868, 
'72, and '80, and serving as one of the Vice-Presi- 
dents in 1872. Erratic in habits and a master of 
epigram and repartee, manj- of his speeches are 
quoted with relish and appreciation by those who 
were his contemporaries at the Chicago bar. 
Died suddenly, wliile in attendance on the Su- 
preme Court at Ottawa. Sejjt. 12, 1885. 

STRAWN, Jacob, agriculturist and stock- 
dealer, born in Somerset County, Pa., May 30, 
1800; removed to Licking County, Ohio, in 1817, 
and to Illinois, in 1831, settling four miles south- 
west of Jacksonville. He was one of the first to 
demonstrate the possibilities of Illinois as a live- 
stock state. Unpretentious and despising mere 
show, he illustrated the virtues of industry, fru- 
gality and honesty. At his death^which occurred 
August 23, 186.5 — he left an estate estimated in 
value at about §1,000,000, acquired bj- industry 
and business enterprise. He was a zealous 
Unionist during the war, at one time contributing 
§10.000 to the Cliristian Commission. 

STREATOR, a city (laid out in 1868 and incor- 
porated in 1882) in the southern part of La Salle 
Count}-, 93 miles southwest of Chicago ; situated 
on the Vermilion River and a central point for 
five railr(,)a<ls. It is surrounded by a rich agri- 
cultural country, and is untlerlaid by coal seams 
(two of wliich are worked) and by shale and 
various clay products of value, adapted to the 
manufacture of fire and building-brick, drain- 
pipe, etc. The city is thoroughly modern, having 
gas. electric lighting, street railways, water- 
works, a good fire-department, and a large, im- 
proved public park. Clmrches and schools are 
numerous, as are also line public and private 
buildin.i;s. One of the cliief industries is the 
manufacture of glass, including rolled-plate, 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



511 



window-glass, flint and Bohemian ware and glass 
bottles. Otlier successful iudustries are foundries 
aud inacliine shops, flour mills, and clay working 
establisliments. There are several banks, and 
three daily and weekly papers are pulilished here. 
The estimated property valuation, iu 1884, was 
S1'.2,0()(),(M)(). Streator boasts some liandsome 
public buildings, especially the (Jovernment post- 
oflice and the Carnegie public library building, 
both of which have been erected within the past 
few years. Pop. (1890), 11,414; (1900), 14,079. 

STREET, Joseph M., pioneer and early politi- 
cian, settled at Shawneetown aliout 1812, coming 
from Kentucky, though believed to have been a 
native of Eastern Virginia. In 1827 he was a 
Brigadier-General of militia, and appears to have 
been prominent in the affairs of that section of 
the State. His correspondence with Governor 
Edwards, about this time, shows him to have been 
a man of far more than ordinary education, with 
a good opinion of his merits and capabilities. He 
was a most persistent applicant for office, making 
urgent appeals to Governor Edwards, Henry C'laj' 
and other jioliticians in Kentucky, Virginia and 
"Washington, on the ground of his poverty and 
large family. In 1827 he received the offer of 
the clerkship of the new county of Peoria, but, 
on visiting that region, was disgusted with the 
prospect ; returning to Shawneetown, bought a 
farm in Sangamon Count}-, but. before the close 
of the year, was appointed Indian Agent at 
Prairie du Chien. This was during the difficul- 
ties with the "Winnebago Indians, upon which he 
made voluminous reports to the Secretary of 
War. Mr. Street was a son-in-law of Gen. 
Thomas Posey, a Revolutionary soldier, who was 
prominent in the early historj- of Indiana and its 
last Territorial Governor. (See Posey, (Gen.) 
IViomas.) 

STREETER, Alson J., farmer and politician, 
was l)orn in Rensselaer Count}", N. Y., in 1823; 
at the age of two years accompanied his father to 
Illinois, the family settling at Dixon, Lee County, 
He attended Knox College for three years, and, 
in 1849, went to California, where he spent two 
years in gold mining. Returning to Illinois, he 
purchased a farm of 240 acres near New "Windsor, 
Mercer County, to which he has since added sev- 
eral thousand acres. In 1872 he was elected to 
the lower house of the Twenty-eighth General 
A.ssembly as a Democrat, but, in 187:3, allied him- 
self with the Greenback i>arty. whose candidate 
for Congress he was in 1878, and for Governor in 
1880, when he received nearly 3,000 votes more 
than his party's Presidential nominee, in Illinois. 



In 1884 he was elected Stq,te Senator by a coali- 
tion of Greenbackers and Democrats in the 
Twenty-fourth Senatorial Distriit, but acted as 
an independent throughout his entire term. 

STRONG, William Emerson, soldier, was born 
at Granville. N. Y. in IsKJ; from 13 years of age, 
spent his early life in Wisconsin, studied law and 
was admitted to the bar at Racine in 1861. Tlie 
same year he enlisted under the first call for 
troops, took part, as Captain of a Wisconsin Com- 
pany, in the first battle of Bull Run; was 
afterwards promoted and assigned to duty as 
Inspector-General in the West, participated in 
the Vicksburg and Atlanta campaigns, being 
finally advanced to the rank of Brigadier-Gen- 
eral. After some fifteen months spent in the 
position of Inspector-General of the Freedmen's 
Bureau (186.5-66), he located in Chicago, and 
became connected with several important busi- 
ness enterprises, besides assisting, as an officer on 
the staff of Governor Cullom, in the organization 
of the Illinois National Guard. He was elected 
on the first Board of Directors of the World's 
Columbian Exposition, and, while making a tour 
of Europe in the interest of that enterprise, died, 
at Florence, Italy. Ajn-il 10, 1891. 

STUART, John Todd, lawyer and Congress- 
man, born near Lexington, Ky., Nov. 10, 1807 — 
the son of Robert Stuart, a Presbyterian minister 
and Professor of Languages in Transylvania 
University, and related, on the maternal side, to 
the Todd family, of whom Mrs. Abraham Lincoln 
was a member. He graduated at Centre College, 
Danville, in 182G, and, after studying law, re- 
moved to Springfield, 111., in 1828, and began 
practice. In 1832 he was elected Representative 
in the General Assembly, re-elected in 1834, and, 
in 1836, defeated, as the Whig candidate for Con- 
gress, by Wm. L. May, though elected, two years 
later, over Stephen A. Douglas, and again in 1840. 
In 1837, Abraham Lincoln, who had been 
studying law under Mr. Stuart's advice and 
in.struction, became his partner, the relation- 
ship continuing until 1841. He served in the 
State Senate, ISIO-.'jS, was the Bell-Everett 
candidate for Governor in 1860, and was 
elected to Congress, as a Democrat, for a third 
time, in 1862, but, in 1864, was defeated by 
Shelby M. Cullom, his former pupil. During the 
latter years of his life. Mr Stuart was head of the 
law firm of Stuart, Edwards & Brown. Died, at 
Springfield. Nov. 2S, 1885. 

STl'RCiES, Solomon, merchant and banker, 
was born at Fairfield, Conn., April 21, 1796, early 
manifested a passion for the sea and, in 1810, 



512 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



made a voyage, on a vessel of which his brother 
was captain, from New York to Georgetown, 
D. C, intending to continue it to Lisbon. At 
Georgetown he was induced to accept a position 
as clerk with a Mr. 'NViUiams, where he was 
associated with two otlier youths, as fellow-era- 
ployes, who became eminent bankers and 
capitalists— W. W. Corcoran, afterwards the 
well-known banker of Washington, and George 
W. Peabody, who had a successful banking career 
in England, and won a name as one of the most 
liberal and public-spirited of philanthropists. 
During tlie War of 1612 young Sturges joined a 
volunteer infantry company, where he had, for 
comrades, George W. Peabody and Francis S. Key, 
the latter author of the popular national song, 
"The Star Spangled Banner." In 1814 Mr. 
Sturges accepted a clerkship in the store of his 
brother-in-law, Ebenezer Buckingham, at Put- 
nam, Muskingum County, Ohio, two years later 
becoming a partner in the concern, where he 
developed that business capacity which laid the 
foundation for his future wealth. Before steam- 
ers navigated the waters of the Ohio and Missis- 
sippi Rivers, he piloted flat-boats, loaded with 
produce and merchandise, to New Orleans, return- 
ing overland. During one of his visits to that 
city, he witnessed the arrival of the "Washing- 
ton," the first steamer to descend the Mississippi, 
as, in 1817, he saw the arrival of the "W^alk-in- 
the- Water" at Detroit, the first steamer to arrive 
from Buffalo — the occasion of his visit to Detroit 
being to carry funds to General Cass to pay off 
the United States troops. About 1849 he was 
associated with the construction of the Wabash 
& Erie Canal, from the Ohio River to Terre Haute, 
Ind., advancing money for the prosecution of the 
work, for wliich was reimbursed by the State. In 
1854 he came to Chicago, and, in partnership 
with his brothers-in-law, C. P. and Alvah Buek- 
ingliam, erected the first large grain-elevator in 
that cit}', on land leased from the Illinois Central 
Railroad Company, follovi-ing it, two years later, 
by another of equal capacity. For a time, sub- 
stantially all the grain coming into Chicago, by 
railroad, passed into these elevators. In 1857 he 
established the private banking house of Solomon 
Sturges & Sons, which, shortly after his death, 
under the management of his son, George Stur- 
ges, became tlie Northwestern National Bank of 
Chicago. He was intensely patriotic and, on the 
breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, used 
of his means freely in support of the Govern- 
ment, equipping the Sturges Rifles, an independ- 
ent company, at a cost of §20,000. He was also a 



subscriber to the first loan made by the Govern- 
ment, during this period, taking $100,000 in 
Government bonds. While devoted to his busi- 
ness, he was a hater of shams and con'uption, and 
contributed freelj- to Christian and benevolent 
enterprises. Died, at the home of a daughter, at 
Zanesville, Ohio, Oct. 14, 1864, leaving a large 
fortune aeiiuired by legitimate trade. 

STURTEVAM, JnUau Miinson, D.D., LL.D., 
clergyman and educator, was born at Warren, 
Litchfield County, Conn., July 26, 1805; spent his 
}-outh in Summit County, Oliio, meanwhile pre- 
paring for college; in 1822, entered Yale College 
as the classmate of the celebrated Ehzur Wright, 
graduating in 1826. After two years as Princi- 
pal of an academy at Canaan, Conn. , he entered 
Yale Divinity School, graduating there in 1829; 
then came west, and, after spending a year in 
superintending the erection of buildings, in De- 
cember, 1830, as sole tutor, began instruction to <> 
class of nine pupils in what is now Illinois Col- 
lege, at Jacksonville. Having been joined, the 
following year, by Dr. Edward Beecher as Presi- 
dent, Mr. Sturtevant assumed tlie chair of Mathe- 
matics, Natural Philosophy and Astronomy, 
wliich he retained until 1844, when, by the 
retirement of Dr. Beecher, lie succeeded to the 
offices of President and Professor of Intellectual 
and Moral Philosophy. Here he labored, inces- 
santly and unselfishly, as a teacher during term 
time, and, as financial agent during vacations, 
in tlie interest of the institution of which he had 
been one of the chief founders, serving until 1876, 
when he resigned the Presidency, giving his 
attention, for the next ten years, to the duties of 
Professor of Mental Science and Science of Gov- 
ernment, whicli he had discharged from 1870. 
In 1886 he retired from the institution entirely, 
having given to its service fifty-six years of his 
life. In 1863, Dr. Sturtevant visited Europe in 
the interest of the Union cause, delivering effec- 
tive addresses at a number of points in England. 
He was a frequent contributor to the weekly 
religious and periodical press, and was the author 
of "Economics, or the Science of Wealth" (1876) 
— a text-book on political economy, and "Keys 
of Sect, or the Church of the New Testament" 
(1879), besides frequently occupying the pulpits 
of local and distant churches — having been early 
ordained a Congregational minister. He received 
the degree of D.D. from the University of Mis- 
souri and that of LL.D. from Iowa University. 
Died, in Jacksonville, Feb. 11, 1886.— Julian M. 
(Sturtevant). Jr.. son of the preceding, was born 
at Jacksonville, III. Feb. 2, 1834; fitted for col- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



513 



lege in the preparatory department of Illinois 
College and graduated from the college (proper) 
in 1S54. After leaving college lie served as 
teacher in the Jacksonville public schools one 
year, then spent a year as tutor in Illinois Col- 
lege, when he began the study of theology at 
Andover Theological Seminary, graduating there 
in 1859, meanwhile having discharged the duties 
of Chaplain of the Connecticut State's prison in 
1858. He was ordained a minister of the Con- 
gregational Church at Hannibal, Mo., in 1860, 
remaining as pastor in that city nine years. He 
has since been engaged in pastoral work in New 
York City (1809-70), Ottawa. III., (1870-73); Den- 
ver, Colo., (1873-77); Grinnell, Iowa, (1877-84); 
Cleveland. Ohio, (1884-90); Galesburg, lU., 
(1890-93), and Aurora, (1893-97). Since leaving 
the Congregational church at Aurora, Dr. Sturte- 
vant has been engaged in pastoral work in Chi- 
cago. He was also editor of "The Congrega- 
tionalisf " of Iowa (1881-84), and, at different 
periods, has served as Trustee of Colorado, 
Marietta and Knox Colleges; being still an 
honored member of the Knox College Board. 
He received the degree of D.D. from Illinois 
College, in 1879. 

SUBLETTE, a station and village on the Illi- 
nois Central Railroad, in Lee County, 8 miles 
northwest of Mendota. Population, (1900), 306. 

SUFFRAGE, in general, the right or privilege 
of voting. The qualifications of electors (or 
voters), in the choice of public officers in Illinois, 
are fixed by the State Constitution (Art. VII.), 
except as to school officers, which are prescribed 
by law. Under the State Constitution the exer- 
cise of the right to vote is limited to persons who 
were electors at the time of the adoption of the 
Constitution of 1848, or who are native or natu- 
ralized male citizens of the United States, of the 
age of 21 years or over, who have been residents 
of the State one year, of the county ninety days, 
and of the district (or precinct) in which they 
offer to vote, 30 days. Under an act passed in 
1891, women, of 21 years of age and upwards, are 
entitled to vote for school officers, and are also 
eligible to such offices under the .same conditions, 
as to age and residence, as male citizens. (See 
Elections; Australian Ballot.) 

SULLIVAN, a city and county-seat of Moultrie 
County, 25 miles southeast of Decatur and 14 
miles northwest of Mattoon ; is on three lines of 
railway. It is in an agricultural and stock-rais- 
ing region; contains two State banks and four 
weekly newspapers. Population (1880), 1,305; 
<1890), 1,468; (1900), 2,399; (1900, est.). 3,100. 



SULLIVAX, William K., journalist, was born 
at Waterford, Ireland, Xov. 10, 1843; educated at 
the Waterford Model School and in Dulilin; came 
to the United States in 1863, and, after teaching 
for a time in Kane County, in 1864 enlisted in the 
One Himdred and Forty-first Regiment Illinois 
Volunteers. Then, after a brief season spent in 
teaching and on a visit to his native land, he 
began work as a reporter on New York papers, 
later being employed on "The Chicago Tribime"' 
and "The Evening Journal," on the latter, at 
different times, holding the position of city edi- 
tor, managing editor and correspondent. He 
was also a Representative from Cook County in 
the Twenty -seventh General Assembly, for three 
years a member of the Chicago Board of Edu- 
cation, and appointed United States Consul to the 
Bermudas by President Harrison, resigning in 
1892. Died, in Chicago, January 17, 1899. 

SULLIVAXT, Michael Lucas, agriculturist, 
was born at Franklinton (a suburb of Columbus, 
Ohio), August 6, 1807; was educated at Ohio 
University and Centre College, Ky., and — after 
being engaged in the improvement of an immense 
tract of land inherited from his father near his 
birth-place, devoting much attention, meanwhile, 
to the raising of improved stock— in 1854 sold his 
Ohio lands and bought 80,000 acres, chiefly in 
Champaign and Piatt Counties, 111., where he 
began farming on a larger scale than before. The 
enterprise proved a financial failure, and he was 
finally compelled to sell a considerable portion of 
his estate in Champaign County, known as Broad 
Lands, to John T. Alexander (see Alexander, 
John T.), retiring to a farm of 40,000 acres at 
Burr Oaks, 111. He died, at Henderson, Ky., Jan. 
29, 1879. 

SUMMERFIELD, a village of St. Clair County, 
on the Baltimore &; Ohio Southwestern Railwa}-, 
27 miles east of St Louis ; was the home of Gen. 
Fred. Hecker. Population (1900), 360. 

SUMNER, a city of Lawrence County, on the 
Baltimore & Ohio .Southwestern Railroad, 111 miles 
west of Vincenues, Ind. : has a fine school Iiouse, 
four churches, two banks, two flour mills, tele- 
phones, and one weekly newspaper. Pop. (1890), 
1,037; (1900), 1,268. 

SUPERINTENDENTS OF PUBLIC INSTRUC- 
TION. The office of State Superintendent of 
Public Instruction was created by act of the 
Legislature, at a special session held in 1851. its 
duties previous to that time, from 1845, having 
been discharged by the Secretary of State as 
Siiperinten<lent, ex-officio. The following is a list 
of the incumbents from the date of the formal 



514 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



creation of the oflBce down to the present time 
(1899), with the date and duration of the term of 
each Ninian W. Edwards (by appointment of 
the Governor), 1854-57; WiUiam H. Powell (by 
election), 1857-59; Newton Bateman, 1859-63; 
John P. Brooks, 1863-05; Newton Bateman, 
1865-75; Samuel W. Etter, 1875-79; James P. 
Slade, 1879-83; Henry Raab, 1883-87; Richard 
Edwards, 1887-91; Henry Raab, 1891-95; Samuel 
M. IngUs, 1895-98; James H. Freeman, June, 
1898, to January, 1899 (by appointment of the 
Governor, to fill the unexpired term of Prof. 
Inglis, who died in office, June 1, 1898) ; Alfred 
Baylis, 1899—. 

Previous to 1870 the tenure of the office was 
two years, but, by the Constitution adopted that 
year, it was extended to four years, the elections 
oocurrmg on the even years between those for 
Governor and other State officers except State 
Treasurer. 

SUPREME COURT, JUDGES OF THE. The 
following is a list of Justices of tlie Supreme 
Court of Illinois who have held office since the 
organization of the State Government, with the 
period of their respective incumbencies: Joseph 
Phillips, 1813-22 (resigned); Thomas C. Browne, 
1818 48 (term expired on adoption of new Con- 
stitution); William P. Foster, Oct. 9, 1818, to 
July 7, 1819 (resigned), John Reynolds, 1818-25; 
Thomas Reynolds (vice Phillips), 1822-25; Wil- 
liam Wilson (vice Foster) 1819-48 (term expired 
on adoption of new Constitution) ; Samuel D 
Lockwood, 1825-48 (term expired ou adoption of 
new Constitution) ; Theophilus W. Smith, 1825-42 
(resigned); Thomas Ford, Feb. 15, 1841, to Au- 
gust 1, 1842 (resigned) ; Sidney Breese, Feb. 15, 
1841, to Dec. 19, 1842 (resigned)— also (by re-elec- 
tions), 1857-78 (died in office) ; Walter B. Scales, 
1841-47 (resigned)— also (vice Trumbull), 1854-57 
(resigned); Samuel H. Treat, 1841-55 (resigned); 
Stephen A. Douglas, 1841-42 (resigned); John D. 
Caton (vice Ford) August, 1842, to March, 1843— 
also (vice Robins(jn and by successive re-elec- 
tions). May, 1843 to January, 1804 (resigned) ; 
James Semple (vice Breese), Jan. 14, 1843, to 
April 16, 1843 (resigned) ; Richard M. Young (vice 
Smith), 1843-47 (resigned); John M. Robinson 
(vice Ford), Jan. 14, 1843, to April 27, 1843 (died 
in office); Jesse B. Thomas, Jr., (vice Douglas), 
1843-45 (resigned) — also (vice Young), 1847-48; 
James Shields (vice Semple), 1843-45 (resigned) ; 
Norman H. Purple (vice Thomas), 1843-48 (retired 
under Constitution of 1848) ; Gustavus Koerner 
(vice Shields), 1845-48 (retired by Constitution); 
William A. Denning (vice Scates), 1847-48 (re- 



tired by Constitution) ; Lyman Trumbull, 1848-53 
(resigned); Ozias C. Skinner (vice Treat), 1855-58 
(resigned); Pinkney H. Walker (vice Skinner), 
1858-85 (deceased); Corydon Beck with (by ap- 
pointment, vice Caton), Jan. 7, 1864, to June 6, 
1804; Charles B. Lawrence (one term), 1804-73; 
Anthony Thornton, 1870-73 (resigned) ; John M. 
Scott (two terms), 1870-88 ; Benjamin R. Sheldon 
(two terms), 1870-88; William K. McAlUster, 
1870-75 (resigned) ; John Scholfield (vice Thorn- 
ton), 1873 93 (died); T. Lyle Dickey (vice 
McAllister), 1875-85 (died) ; David J. Baker (ap- 
pointed, vice Breese), Jul}' 9, 1878, to June 3, 
1879— also, 1888-97; John H. Mulkey, 1879-88; 
Damon G. Tunnicliffe (appointed, vice Walker), 
Feb. 15, 1885, to June 1, 1885; Simeon P. Shope, 
1885-94, Joseph M. Bailey, 1888-95 (died in office). 
The Supreme Court, as at present constituted 
(1899), is as follows: Carroll C. Boggs, elected, 
1897; Jesse J. Phillips (vice Scholfield, deceased) 
elected, 1893, and re-elected, 1897; Jacob W. Wil- 
kin, elected, 1888, and re-elected, 1897; Joseph 
N. Carter, elected, 1894; Alfred M. Craig, elec- 
ted, 1873, and re-elected, 1882 and '91 ; James H. 
Cartwright (vice Bailey), elected, 1895, and re- 
elected, 1897 ; Benjamin D. Magruder (vice 
Dickey), elected, 1885, '88 and "97. The terms o£ 
Justices Boggs, Phillips, Wilkin, Cartwright and 
Magruder expire in 1906; that of Justice Carter 
on 1903 ; and Justice Craig's, in 1900. Under the 
Constitution of 1818, the Justices of the Supreme 
Court were chosen by joint ballot of the Legisla- 
ture, but, under the Constitutions of 1848 and 
1870, by popular vote for terms of nine years 
each. (See Judicial System; also sketches of 
individual members of the Supreme Court under 
their proper names.) 

SURVEYS, EARLY (JOVERNMEXT. The first 
United States law passed on the subject of Gov- 
ernment surveys was dated. May 20, 1785. After 
reserving certain lands to be allotted by way of 
pensions and to be donated for school jiurposes, 
it provided for the division of the remaining pub- 
lic lands among the original thirteen States. 
This, however, was, in effect, repealed by the Ordi- 
nance of 1788. The latter provided for a rectan- 
gular system of surveys which, with but little 
modification, has remained in force ever since. 
Briefly outlined, the system is as follows: Town- 
shijjs, six miles square, are laid oct from principal 
bases, each township containing thirty -si.\ sec- 
tions of one square mile, numbered eoiisecutivelj", 
the numeration to commence at the upper right 
hand corner of the township. The first principal 
meridian (84' 51' west of Greenwich), coincided 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



515 



with the line dividing Indiana and Ohio. The 
second (T 37' farther west) had direct relation 
to suri-eys in Eastern Illinois. The third (89' 10' 
30" west of Greenwich) and the fourth (90' 29' 
56" west) goTerued the remainder of Illinois sur- 
veys. The first Public Surveyor was Thomas 
Hutcliins, who was called "the geographer." 
(See Hutchins, Thomas.) 

SWEET, ((ien.) Benjamin J., soldier, was 
born at Kirkland, Oneida County, N. Y., April 
24, 1S32; came with his father, in 1848, to Sheboy- 
gan, Wis , studied law, was elected to the State 
Senate in 1859, and, in 1861, enlisted in the Sixth 
Wisconsin Volunteers, being commissioned Major 
in 1862. Later, he resigned and, returning home, 
assisted in the organization of the Twenty-first 
and Twenty-second regiments, being elected 
Colonel of the former; and with it taking part in 
the campaign in Western Kentucky and Tennes- 
see. In 1863 he was assigned to command at 
Camp Douglas, and was there on the exposure, 
in November, 1864, of the conspiracy to release 
the rebel prisoners. (See Cam.}} Douglas Conspir- 
acy.) The service which he rendered in the 
defeat of this bold and dangerous conspiracy 
evinced his courage and sagacity, and was of 
inestimable value to the country. After the 
war, General Sweet located at Lombard, near 
Chicago, was appointed Pension Agent at Chi- 
cago, afterwards served as Supervisor of Internal 
Revenue, and, in 18T2, became Deputy Commis- 
sioner of Internal Revenue at Washington. Died, 
in Washington, Jan. 1, 1874. — Miss Ada C. 
(Sweet), for eight years (1874-82) the efficient 
Pension Agent at Chicago, is General Sweet's 
daugliter. 

SWEETSER, A. C, soldier and Department 
Commander G. A. R., was born in Oxford Count}', 
Maine, in 1839; came to Bloomington, III., in 
1857; enlisted at tlie beginning of the Civil War 
in the Eighth Illinois Volunteers and, later, in the 
Thirty-ninth; at the battle of Wierbottom 
Church, Va., in June, 1864, was shot through 
both legs, necessitating tlie amputation of one of 
them. After the war he held several offices of 
trust, including those of City Collector of Bloom- 
inj^ton and Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue 
for the Springfield District ; in 1887 was elected 
Dejiartment Commander of the Grand Army of 
the Republic for Illinois. Died, at Bloomington. 
March 23. 1896. 

SWETT, Leonard, lawyer, was born near 
Turner, JIaine, August 11, 1825; was educated at 
Waterville College (now Colby University), but 
left before graduation ; read law in Portland, and, 



while seeking a location in the West, enlisted in 
an Indiana regiment for the Mexican War, being 
attacked by climatic fever, was discliarged before 
completing his term of enlistment. He soon 
after came to Bloomington, 111., wliere he became 
the intimate friend of Abraham Lincoln antl 
David Davis, traveling the circuit with them for 
a number of years. He earlj- became active in 
State politics, was a member of tlie Republican 
State Convention of 1856, was elected to the 
lower house of the General Assembly in 1858, 
and, in 1860, was a zealous supporter of Mr. Lin- 
coln as a Presidential Elector for the State-at- 
large. In 18G3 he received the Republican 
nomination for Congress in his District, but was 
defeated. Removing to Chicago in 1865, he 
gained increased distinction as a lawyer, espe- 
cially in the management of criminal cases. In 
1872 lie was a supporter of Horace Greeley for 
President, but later returned to tlie Republican 
party, and, in the National Republican Conven- 
tion of 1888, presented the name of Judge 
Gresham for nomination for the Presidency. 
Died, June 8, 1889. 

SWIGERT, Charles Philip, ex- Auditor of Pub- 
lic Accounts, was born in the Province of Baden, 
Germany, Nov. 27, 1843, brought by his parents 
to Chicago, 111., in childhood, and, in his boy- 
hood, attended the Scammon Scliool in that city. 
In 1854 Iiis family removed to a farm in Kanka- 
kee County, where, between the ages of 12 and 
18, he assisted his father in "breaking" between 
400 and 500 acres of prairie land. On the break- 
ing out of the war, in 1861, although scarcely 18 
years of age, he enlisted as a private in the Forty- 
second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and, in April, 
1862, was one of twenty lieroic volunteers who 
ran the blockade, on the gunboat Caroudelet, at 
Island No. 10, assisting materially in the reduc- 
tion of that rebel stronghold, which resulted in 
the capture of 7,000 prisoners. At the battle of 
Farmington, Miss., during the siege of Corinth, 
in May, 1862, he had his right arm torn from its 
socket by a six-pound cannon-ball, compelling his 
retirement from the army. Returning home, 
after many weeks spent in hospital at Jefferson 
Barracks and Quincy, 111., he received his final 
discharge, Dec. 21, 1862, spent a year in school, 
also took a course in Bryant & Stratton's Com- 
mercial College in Chicago, and having learned 
to write with his left hand, taught for a time in 
Kankakee County ; served as letter-carrier in Chi- 
cago, and for a year as Deputy County Clerk of 
Kankakee County, followed by two terms (1867- 
69) as a student in tlie Soldiers' College at Fulton. 



516 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



111. The latter year he entered upon the duties 
of Treasurer of Kankakee County, serving, by 
successive re-elections, until 1880, when he re- 
signed to take the position of State Auditor, to 
which he was elected a second time in 1884. In 
all these positions Mr. Swigert has proved him- 
self an upright, capable and high-minded public 
official. Of late years his residence has been in 
Chicago. 

SWING, (Rev.) David, clergyman and pulpit 
orator, was born of German ancestry, at Cincin- 
nati, Ohio, August 23, 1836. After 1837 (his 
father dying about this time), the family resided 
for a time at Reedsbiu'gh, and, later, on a farm 
near Willianisburgli, in Clermont County, in the 
same State. In 1852, having graduated from the 
Miami (Ohio) University, he commenced the 
study of theology, but, in 1854, accepted the 
position of Professor of Languages in his Alma 
Mater, which he continued to lill for tliirteen 
years. His first pastorate was in connection with 
the Westminster Presbyterian Church of Chi- 
cago, which he assumed in 1866. His church 
edifice was destroyed in the great Chicago flre, 
but was later rebuilt. As a preacher he was 
popular ; but, in April, 1874, he was placed on trial, 
before an ecclesiastical court of his own denomi- 
nation, on charges of heresy. He was acquitted 
by tlie trial court, but, before the appeal taken by 
tlie i)rosecution could be heard, he personally 
withdrew from affiliation with the denomination. 
Shortly afterward he became pastor of an inde- 
pendent religious organization known as the 
"Central Church," jireaching, first at McVicker's 
Theatre and, afterward, at Central Music Hall, 
Chicago. He was a fluent and popular speaker 
on all themes, a frequent and valued contributor 
to numerous magazines, as well as the author of 
several volumes. Among his best known books 
are "Motives of Life," "Truths for To-day," and 
"Club Essays." Died, in Chicago, Oct. 3, 1894. 

SYCAMORE, tlie county-seat of De Kalb 
County (founded in 1836), 56 miles west of Chi- 
cago, at the intersection of the Chicago & North- 
western and the Chicago Great Western Rail- 
roads; lies in a region devoted to agriculture, 
dairying and stock-raising. The city itself con- 
tains several factories, the principal products 
being agricultural implements, flour, insulated 
wire, brick, tile, varnish, furniture, soap and 
carriages and wagons. There are also works for 
canning vegetables and fruit, besides two creamer- 
ies. The town is lighted by electricity, and has 
high-pressure water-works. There are eleven 
churches, three graded public schools and a 



young ladies' seminary. Population (1880), 
3,028; (1890), 2,987; (1900), 3,653. 

TAFT, Lorado, sculptor, was born at Elmwood, 
Peoria County, 111., April 29, 1860; at an early 
age evinced a predilection for sculpture and 
began modeling; graduated at the Univer.sity of 
Illinois in 1880, then went to Paris and studied 
sculpture in tlie famous Ecole des Beaux Arts 
until 1885. The following year lie settled in Chi 
cago, finally becoming associated with the Chi- 
cago Art Institute. He has been a lecturer on 
art in the Chicago University. BIr. Taft fur- 
nished the decorations of tlie Horticultural Build- 
ing on the World's Fair Grounds, in 1893. 

TALCOTT, Mancel, business man, was born 
in Rome, N. Y., Oct. 12, 1817; attended the com- 
mon schools until 17 years of age, when he set 
out for the West, traveling on foot from Detroit 
to Chicago, and thence to Park Ridge, where he 
worked at farming until 1850. Then, having 
followed the occupation of a miner for some time, 
in California, with some success, he united with 
Horace M. Singer in establishing the firm of 
Singer & Talcott, stone-dealers, which lasted dur- 
ing most of his life. He served as a member of 
the Chicago City Council, on the Board of County 
Commissioners, as a member of the Police Board, 
and was one of the founders of the First National 
Bank, and President, for several years, of the 
Stock Yards National Bank. Liberal and public- 
spirited, he contributed freely to works of 
charity. Died, June 5, 1878. 

TALCOTT, (Capt.) William, soldier of the 
War of 1813 and pioneer, was born in Gilead, 
Conn., March 6, 1774; emigrated to Rome, Oneida 
County, N. Y., in 1810, and engaged in farming; 
served as a Lieutenant in the Oneida County 
militia during the War of 1812-14, being stationed 
at Sackett's Harbor under the coinniand of Gen. 
Wiufield Scott. In 1835, in company with his 
eldest son, Thomas B. Talcott, he made an ex- 
tended tour through the West, finally selecting a 
location in Illinois at the junction of Rock River 
and the Pecatonica, where the town of Rockton 
now stands — there being only two white families, 
at that time, within the present limits of Winne- 
bago County. Two years later (1837), he brought 
his family to this point, with his sons took up a 
considerable body of Government land and 
erected two mills, to which customers came 
from a long distance. In 1888 Captain Talcott 
took part in the organization of the first Congre- 
gational Church in that section of the State. A 
zealous anti-slavery man, he supported James G. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



517 



Birney (the Libert}' canJidate for President) iu 
1844, continuing to act with that party until the 
organization of the Republican party in 1856; 
was deeply interested in the War for the Union, 
but died before its conclusion, Sept. 2, 1864. — 
Maj. Thomas B. (Talcott), oldest son of the pre- 
ceding, was born at Hebron, Conn , April 17, 
.806; was taken to Rome, N. Y. , by his father in 
nfanc}', and, after reaching maturity, engaged 
in mercantile business with liis brother in Che- 
mung County ; in 1835 accompanied his father in 
a tour through the West, finally locating at 
Rookton, where lie engaged in agriculture. On 
the organization of Winnebago County, in 1836, 
he was elected one of the first County Commis- 
sioners, and, in 1850, to the State Senate, serving 
four years. He also held various local offices. 
Died, Sept. 30, 1894.— Hon. Wait (Talcott), second 
son of Capt. William Talcott, was born at He- 
bron, Conn., Oct. 17, 1807, and taken to Rome, 
N. Y., where he remained until his 19th j-ear, 
when he engaged in business at Booneville and, 
still later, in Utica; in 1838, removed to Illinois 
and joined his father at Rockton, finallj' 
becoming a citizen of Rockford, where, in his 
later j-ears, he was extensively engaged in manu- 
facturing, having become, in 1854, with his 
brother Sylvester, a partner of the firm of J. H. 
Manny & Co., in the manufacture of the Slanny 
reaper and mower. He was an original anti- 
slavery man and, at one time, a Free-Soil candidate 
for Congress, but became a zealous Republican 
and ardent friend of Abraham Lincoln, whom he 
emplojed as an attorney in the famous suit of 
McCormick vs. the Manny Reaper Company for 
infringement of patent. In 1854 he was elected 
to the State Senate, succeeding his brother, 
Thomas B., and was the first Collector of Internal 
Revenue in the Second District, appointed by Mr. 
Lincoln in 1862, and continuing in ofTice some 
five years. Though too old for active .service in 
the field, during the Civil War, he voluntarily 
hired a substitute to take his place. Jlr. Talcott 
was one of the original incorpoi'ators and Trus- 
tees of Beloit College, and a founder of Kockford 
Female Seminar}', remaining a trustee of each 
for many years. Died, June 7, 1890. — SylTCster 
(Talcott), third son of William Talcott, born at 
Rome, N. Y., Oct. 14, 1810; when of age, engaged 
in mercantile business in Chemung County ; in 
1837 removed, with other members of the family, 
to Winnebago County, 111., where ho joined liis 
father in the entry of Government lands and the 
erection of mills, as already detailed. He became 
one of the first Justices of the Peace in Winne- 



bago County, also served as Supervisor for a 
number of years and, although a farmer, became 
interested, in 1854, with his brother Wait, 
in the Manny Reaper Comijany at Rockford. 
He al.so followed the example of his brother, 
just named, in furnishing a substitute for the 
War of the Rebellion, though too old for service 
himself. Died, June 19, 1885.— Henry Walter 
(Talcott), fourth son of AVilliani Talcott, was 
born at Rome, N. Y., Feb. 13, 1814; came with 
his father to Winnebago County, 111., in 1835, and 
was connected with his father and brothers iu busi- 
ness. Died, Dec. 9, 1870.— BwigUt Lewis (Tal- 
cott), oldest son of Henry Walter Talcott, born 
in Winnebago County; at the age of 17 years 
enlisted at Belvidere, in January, 1864, as a soldier 
in the Ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry ; served 
as provost guard some two months at Fort Picker- 
ing, near Memphis, and later took part in many 
of the important battles of that year in Jlissis- 
sippi and Tennessee. Having been captured at 
CampbellsviUe. Tenn. , he was taken to Anderson- 
ville, Ga., where he suffered all the horrors of 
that famous prison-pen, until JIarch, 1865, when 
he was released, arriving at home a helpless 
skeleton, the day after Abraham Lincoln's assas- 
sination. Jlr. Talcott subsequently settled in 
Muscatine County, Iowa. 

TALLULA, a prosperous village of Menard 
County, on the Jacksonville branch of the Chi- 
cago & Alton Railway, 24 miles northeast of 
Jacksonville; is in the midst of a grain, coal- 
mining, and stock-growing region; has a local 
bank and newspaper. Pop. (1890), 445 ; (1900), 639. 

TAMAK<)A,a village in Perry County, situated 
at the junction of the Illinois Central with the 
Wabash, Chester & Western Railroad, 8 miles 
north of Duquoin, and 57 miles east-southeast of 
Belleville. It has a bank, a newspaper office, a 
large public school, Ave churches and two flour- 
ing mills. Coal is mined here and exported in 
large quantities. Pop. (1900). 8.53. 

TAMAUOA A. MOUNT VERNON RAILROAD. 
(See Wabash, Chi:stcr d- Western Railroad.) 

TANNER, Edward Allen, clergyman anil edu- 
cator, was born of New England ancestry, at 
Waverly, 111., Nov. 29, 1837— being the first child 
who could claim nativity there; was educated 
in the local schools and at Illinois College, 
graduating from the latter in 1857; spent four 
years teaching in his native place and at Jack- 
sonville; then accepted the Profe.ssorship of 
Latin in Pacific University at Portland, Oregon, 
remaining four years, when he returned to his 
Alma Mater ( 1865), assuming there the chair of 



518 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Latin and Rhetoric. In 1881 he was appointed 
financial agent of the latter institution, and, in 
1883, its President. While in Oregon he had 
been ordained a minister of the Congregational 
Church, and, for a considerable period during 
his connection with Illinois College, officiated as 
Chaplain of the Central Hospital for the Insane 
at Jacksonville, besides supplying local and 
other pulpits. He labored earnestly for the 
benefit of the institution under his charge, and, 
dui'ing his incumbency, added materially to its 
endowment and resources. Died, at Jackson- 
ville, Feb. 8, 1892. 

TAXXER, Jobn R., Governor, was born in 
"Warrick County, Ind., April 4, 1814, and brought 
to Southern Illinois in boyhood, where he grew 
up on a farm in the vicinity of Carbondale, 
enjoying only such educational advantages as 
were afforded by the common school; in 1863, at 
the age of 19, enlisted in the Ninety-eighth Illi- 
nois Volunteers, serving until June, 1865, when 
he was transferred to the Sixty-first, and finally 
mustered out in Sejiteniber following. All the 
male members of Governor T.mner's family were 
soldiers of the late war, his father dying in a 
rebel prison at Columbus, Miss. , one of his bro- 
thers suffering the .same fate from wounds at Nash- 
ville, Tenn. , and another brother dying in hospital 
at Pine Bluff, Ark. Only one of this patriotic 
family, besides Governor Tanner, still survives — 
Mr. J. M. Tanner of Clay Count}', who left the 
service with the rank of Lieutenant of the Thir- 
teenth Illinois Cavalry. Returning from the 
war, Mr. Tanner established himself in business 
as a farmer in Clay County, later engaging suc- 
cessfully in the milling and lumber business as 
the partner of his brother. The public positions 
held by him, since the war, include those of 
Sheriff of Clay County (1870-72), Clerk of the Cir- 
cuit Court (1872-76), and State Senator (1880-83). 
During the latter j-ear he received the appoint- 
ment of United States Marshal for the Southern 
District of Illinois, serving until after the acces- 
sion of President Cleveland in 188.3. In 1886, he 
was the Republican nominee for State Treasurer 
and was elected by an unusually large majority ; 
in 1891 was appointed, by Governor Fifer, a 
member of the Railroad and Warehouse Commis- 
sion, but, in 1892, received the appointment of 
Assistant Uniteil States Treasurer at Chicago, 
continuing in the latter office until December, 
1893. For ten j-ears (1874-84) he was a member 
of the Republican State Central Committee, re- 
turning to that body in 1894, when he was chosen 
Chairman and conducted the campaign which 



resulted in the unprecedented Republican suc- 
cesses of that year. In 1896 he received the 
nomination of his party for Governor, and was 
elected over Gov. John P. Altgeld, his Demo- 
cratic opponent, by a plurality of over 113,000, 
and a majority, over all, of nearly 90,000 votes. 

TAXXER, Tazewell B., jurist, was born in 
Henry County, Va., and came to Jefferson 
County, III, about 1846 or '47, at first taking a 
position as teacher and Superintendent of Public 
Schools. Later, he was connected with "The 
Jeffersonian," a Democratic paper at Mount Ver- 
non, and, in 1849, went to the gold regions of 
California, meeting with reasonable success as a 
miner. Returning in a year or two, he was 
elected Clerk of the Circuit Court, and, while in 
the discharge of his duties, prosecuted the study 
of law, finally, on admission to the bar, entering 
into partnership with the late Col. Thomas S. 
Casey. In 1854 he was elected Representative in 
the Nineteenth General Assembly, and was in- 
strumental in securing the appropriation for the 
erection of a Supreme Court building at Mount 
Vernon. In 1862 he served as a Delegate to the 
State Constitutional Convention of that year; %vas 
elected Circuit Judge in 1873, and, in 1877, was 
assigned to duty on the Appellate bench, but, at 
the expiration of his term, declined a re-election 
and resumed the practice of his profession at 
Mount Vernon. Died, March 25, 1880. 

TAXATION, in its legal sen.se, the mode of 
raising revenue. In its general sense its purposes 
are the support of the State and local govern- 
ments, the promotion of the public good by 
fostering education and works of public improve- 
ment, the protection of society by the preser- 
vation of order and the punishment of crime, and 
the support of the helpless and destitute. In 
practice, and as prescribed by the Constitution, 
the raising of revenue is required to be done "by 
levying a tax by valuation, so that every person 
and corporation shall pay a tax in proportion to 
the value of his, her or its property — such value 
to be ascertained by some person or persons, to be 
elected or appointeil in such manner as the Gen- 
eral Assembly shall direct, and not otherwise." 
(State Constitution, 1870 — Art. Revenue, Sec. 1.) 
The person selected under the law to make this 
valuation is the Assessor of the county or the 
township (in counties under township organiza- 
tion), and he is required to make a return to the 
Countj- Board at its July meeting each year — the 
latter having authority to hear complaints of tax- 
payers and adjust inequalities when found to 
exist. It is made the duty of the Assessor to 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



519 



include in his return, as real-estate, all lands and 
the buildings or other improvements erected 
thereon; and, under the head of personal prop- 
erty, all tangible effects, besides moneys, credits, 
bonds or stocks, shares of stock of companies or 
corporations, investments, annuities, franchises, 
royalties, etc. Property used for school, church 
or cemetery purposes, as well as public buildings 
and other property belonging to the State and 
General Government, municipalities, jjublic 
charities, public libraries, agricultural and scien- 
tific societies, are declared exempt. Nominally, 
all propert}" subject to taxation is required to be 
assessed at its cash valuation ; but, in reality, the 
valuation, of late years, has been on a basis of 
twenty-fi%"e to thirty-three per cent of its esti- 
mated cash value. In the larger cities, however, 
the valuation is often much lower than this, 
while very large amounts escape assessment 
altogether. The Revenue Act, passed at the 
special session of the Fortieth General Assembly 
(1898), requires the Assessor to make a return of 
all property subject to taxation in his district, at 
its cash valuation, upon which a Board of Review 
fixes a tax on the basis of twenty per cent of 
such cash valuation. An abstract of the property 
assessment of each county goes before the State 
Board of Equalization, at its annual meeting in 
August, for the purpose of comparison and equal- 
izing valuations between counties, but the Board 
has no power to modify the assessments of indi- 
vidual tax-payers. (See State Bocud of Equali- 
zation.) This Board has exclusive power to fix 
the valuation for purposes of taxation of the 
capital stock or franchises of companies (except 
certain specified manufacturing corporations), in- 
corporated under the State laws, togetlier with the 
'■railroad track" and "rolling stock" of railroads, 
and the capital stock of railroads and telegraph 
lines, and to fix the distribution of the latter 
between counties in which tliey lie. — The Consti- 
tution of 1848 empowered the Legislature to 
impose a capitation tax, of not less than fifty 
cents nor more than one dollar, upon each free 
white male citizen entitled to the right of suf- 
frage, between the ages of 21 and 60 ^ears, but the 
Constitution of 1870 grants no such power, 
tliough it authorizes the extension of the "objects 
and subjects of taxation" in accordance with the 
principle contained in the first section of the 
Revenue Article. — Special assessments in cities, 
for the construction of sewers, pavements, etc., 
being local and in the form of benefits, cannot 
lie said to come under the head of general tax- 
ation. The same is to be said of revenue derived 



from fines and jienalties, which are forms of 
punishment for specific oiTenscs, and go to the 
benefit of certain specified funds. 

TAYLOR, Abner, ex-Congressman, is a native 
of Maine, and a resident of Chicago. He has been 
in active business all his life as contractor, builder 
and merchant, and, for some time, a member of 
the wholesale dry-goods firm of J. V. Farwell & 
Co., of Chicago. He was a member of the Thirty- 
fourth General Assembly, a delegate to the 
National Republican Convention of 1884, and 
represented the First Illinois District in the Fifty- 
first and Fifty-second Congresses, 1889 to 1893. 
Mr. Taylor was one of the contractors for the 
erection of the new State Capitol of Texas. 

TAYLOR, Benjamin Franklin, journalist, poet 
and lecturer, was born at Lowville, N. Y., July 
19, 1819; graduated at Madison University in 
1839, the next year becoming literary and dra- 
matic critic of "The Chicago Evening Journal." 
Here, in a few years, he acquired a wide reputa- 
tion as a journalist and poet, and was much in 
demand as a lecturer on literary topics. His 
letters from the field during the Rebellion, as 
war correspondent of "The Evening Journal," 
won for him even a greater popularity, and were 
complimented by translation into more than one 
European language. After the war, he gave his 
attention more unreservedly to literature, his . 
principal works appearing after tliat date. His 
publications in book form, including both prose 
ani poetry, comprise the following: "Attractions 
of Language" (1845) ; "January and June" 
(1853); "Pictures in Camp and Field" (1871); 
"The World on Wheels" (1873); "Old Time Pic- 
tures and Sheaves of Rhyme" (1874); "Songs of 
Yesterdaj'" (1877); "Summer Savory Gleaned 
from Rural Nooks" (1879); "Between the Gates" 
— pictures of California life — (1881); "Dulce 
Domum, the Burden of Song" (1884), and "Theo- 
philus Trent, or Old Times in the Oak Openings." 
a novel (1887). The last was in the hands of the 
publishers at his death, Feb. 27, 1887. Among 
his most popular poems are "The Isle of the Long 
Ago," "The Old Village Choir," and "Rhymes of 
the River." "The London Times" complimented 
Mr. Taylor with the title of "The Oliver Gold- 
smith of America. " 

TAYLOR, Edmund Dick, early Indian-trader 
and legislator, was born at Fairfield C. H. , Va. , 
Oct. 18, 1802 — the son of a commissary in the 
army of the Revolution, under General Greene, 
and a cousin of General (later. President) Zacliary 
Taylor; left his native State in his youth and. at 
an early day, came to Springfield, 111., where he 



520 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



opened an Indian-trading post and general store ; 
was elected from Sangamon County to the lower 
branch of the Seventli General Assembly (1830) 
and re-elected in 1832— the latter year being a 
competitor of Abraham Lincoln, whom he 
defeated. In 1834 he was elected to the State 
Senate and, at the next session of the Legislature, 
was one of the celebrated "Long Nine" who 
secured the removal of the State Capital to 
Springfield. He resigned before the close of liis 
term to accept, from President Jackson, the ap- 
pointment of Receiver of Public Moneys at Chi- 
cago. Here he became one of the promoters of 
the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad (1837), 
serving as one of the Commissioners to secure 
subscriptions of stock, and was also active in 
advocating the construction of the Illinois & 
Michigan Canal. The title of "Colonel," by 
which he was known during most of his life, was 
acquired by service, witli that rank, on tlie staff 
of Gov. John Reynolds, during the Black Hawk 
War of 1832. After coming to Chicago, Colonel 
Taylor became one of the Trustees of the Chicago 
branch of the State Bank, and was later identified 
with various banking enterprises, as also a some- 
what extensive operator in real estate. An active 
Democrat in the early part of his career in Illi- 
nois, Colonel Taylor was one of the members of 
his party to take ground against the Kansas-Neb 
raska bill in 18.54, and advocated the election of 
General Bissell to the governorship in 18.56. In 
1860 he was again in line with his party in sup- 
port of Senator Douglas for the Presidency, and 
was an opponent of the war policy of the Govern- 
ment still later, as shown by his participation in 
the celebrated "Peace Convention" at Spring- 
field, of June 17, 1863. In the latter years of his 
life he became extensively interested in coal 
lands in La Salle and adjoining counties, and, 
for a considerable time, served as President of the 
Northern Illinois Coal & Mining Company, his 
home, during a part of this period, being at 
Mendota. Died, in Chicago, Deo. 4, 1891. 

T.VYLORVILLE, a city and county-seat of 
Christian County, on the South Fork of tlie Sanga- 
mon River and on the Wabash Railway at its 
point of intersection with tlie Springfield Division 
of tlie Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern. It is 
about 27 miles southeast of Springfield, and 
28 miles southwest of Decatur. It has several 
banks, flour mills, paper mill, electric light and 
gas plants, water-works, two coal mines, carriage 
and wagon shops, a manufactory of farming 
implements, two daily and weekly papers, nine 
churches and five graded and tovrnship liigh 



schools. Much coal is mined in this vicinity. 
Pop. (1890), 2,839; (1900), 4,248. 

TAZEWELL COUNTY, a central county on 
the Illinois River; was first settled in 1823 and 
organized in 1827 ; has an area of 650 square miles 
— was named for Governor Tazewell of Virginia. 
It is drained by the Illinois and Mackinaw Rivers 
and traversed by several lines of railway. The 
surface is generally level, the soil alluvial and 
rich, but, requiring drainage, especially on the 
river bottoms. Gravel, coal and sandstone are 
found, but. generally speaking, Tazewell is an 
agricultural county. The cereals are extensively 
cultivated; wool is also clipped, and there are 
dairy interests of some importance. Distilling is 
extensively conducted at Pekin, the county-seat, 
which is also the seat of other mechanical indus- 
tries. (See also Pekin.) Population of the 
county (1880), 29,666; (1890), 29,556; (1900), 33,221. 

TEMPLE, John Taylor, M.D., early Chicago 
physician, born in Virginia in 1804. graduated in 
medicine at Middlebury College, Vt., in 1830, and, 
in 1833, arrived in Chicago. At this time he had 
a contract for carrying the United States mail 
from Chicago to Fort Howard, near Green Bay, 
and the following year undertook a similar con- 
tract between Chicago and Ottawa. Having sold 
these out three years later, he devoted his atten- 
tion to the practice of his profession, though 
interested, for a time, in contracts for the con- 
struction of the Illinois & Michigan Canal. Dr. 
Temple was instrumental in erecting the first 
house (after Rev. Jesse Walker's missionary 
station at Wolf Point), for public religious 
worship in Chicago, and, although himself a 
Baptist, it was used in common by Protestant 
denominations. He was a member of the first 
Board of Trustees of Rush Medical College, 
though he later became a convert to homeopathy, 
and finally, removing to St. Louis, assisted in 
founding the St. Louis School of Homeopatliy, 
dying there, Feb. 24, 1877. 

TEXURE OF OFFICE. (See Elections.) 

TERUE HAUTE, ALTON & ST. LOUIS 
RAILROAD. (See St. Louis, Alton & Tcrre 
Haute Roil road.) 

TERRE HAUTE & ALTON RAILROAD (See 
St. Lonis. Alton ct Terrc Haute liailroail.) 

TERRE HAUTE At INDIANAPOLIS RAIL- 
RO.\D, a corporation operating no line of its own 
within the State, but the lessee and operator of 
the following lines (which see): St. Louis, 
Vandalia & TeiTe Haute, 158.3 miles; Terre 
Haute & Peoria, 145.12 miles; East St. Louis 
& Carondelet, 12.74 miles — total length of leased 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



521 



lines in Illinois, 316.16 miles. The Terre Haute 
& Indianapolis Railroad was incorporated in 
Indiana in 1847, as the Terre Haute & Rich- 
mond, completed a line between the points 
named in the title, in ISii'Z, and took its present 
name in 1860. The Pennsylvania Railroad Com- 
pany purchased a controlling interest in its stock 
in 1893. 

TERRE HAITE & PEORIA RAILROAD, 
(Vandalia Line), a line of road extending from 
Terre Haute, Ind., to Peoria, 111., 145.13 miles, 
with 28.78 miles of trackage, making in all 173.9 
miles in operation, all being in Illinois — operated 
by the Terre Haute & Indianapolis Railroad Com- 
pany. The gauge is standard, and the rails are 
steel. (History.) It was organized Feb. 7, 1887, 
successor to the Illinois Midland Railroad. The 
latter was made up by the consolidation (Nov. 4, 
1874) of three lines; (1) The Peoria, Atlanta & 
Decatur Railroad, chartered in 18(i0 and opened in 
1874; (2) the Paris & Decatur Railroad, chartered 
in 1861 and opened in December, 1873 ; and (3) the 
Paris & Terre Haute Railroad, chartered in 1873 
and opened in 1874 — the consolidated lines 
assuming the jiame of the Illinois Midland Rail- 
road. In 1886 the Illinois Midland was sold under 
foreclosure and, in Februarj-, 1887, reorganized 
as the Terre Haute & Peoria Railroad. In 1893 
it was leased for ninety-nine years to the Terre 
Haute & Indianapolis Railroad Company, and is 
operated as a part of the "Vandalia System." 
The capital stock (1898) was §3.764,300; funded 
debt, §3,330,000,— total capital invested, §6,237,- 
481. 

TEUTOPOLIS, a village of Efflngham County, 
on the Terre Haute & IndianaiK)lis Railroad, 4 
miles east of Effingham; was originally settled 
by a colony of Germans from Cincinnati. Popu- 
lation (1900), 498. 

THOMAS, Horace H., lawyer and legislator, 
was born in Vermont, Dec. 18, 1831, graduated at 
Middlebury College, and, after admission to the 
bar, removed to Chicago, where he commenced 
practice. At the outbreak of the rebellion he 
enlisted and was commissioned Assistant Adju- 
tant-General of the Army of the Ohio. At the 
close of the war he took up his residence in Ten- 
nessee, serving as Quartermaster upon the stalT 
of Governor Brownlow. In 1867 he returned to 
Chicago and resumed practice. He was elected 
a Representative in the Legislature in 1878 and 
reelected in 1880, being chosen Speaker of tlie 
House during his latter term. In 1888 he was 
elected State Senator from the Sixth District, 
serving during the sessions of the Thirty-sixth 



and Thirty-seventli General Assemblies. In 
1897, General Thomas was appointed United 
States Appraiser in connection with the Custom 
Hou.se in Chicago. 

THOMAS, Jesse Burg'ess, jurist and United 
States Senator, was born at Hagerstown, Md., 
claiming direct dese^ent from Lortl Baltimore. 
Taken west in cliildhood, he grew to manhood 
and settled at Lawrenceburg, Indiana Territory, 
in 1803; in 180.5 was Speaker of the Territorial 
Legislature and, later, represented the Territory 
as Delegate in Congress. On the organization of 
Illinois Territory (which he had favored), he 
removed to Kaskaskia, was appointed one of the 
first Judges for the new Territory, and. in 1818, 
as Delegate from St. Clair County, presided over 
the first State Constitutional Convention, and, on 
the admission of the State, became one of the 
first United States Senators — Governor Edwards 
being his colleague. Though an avowed advo- 
cate of slavery, lie gained no little prominence 
as the author of the celebrated "Missouri Com- 
promise," adopted in 1830. He was re-elected to 
tlie Senate in 1823, serving until 1829. He sub- 
sequently removed to Moimt Vernon, Ohio, where 
he died by suicide. May 4, 1853. — Jesse Burgess 
(Thomas), Jr., nephew of the United .States Sena- 
tor of the same name, was born at Lebanon, Ohio, 
July 31, 1806, was educated at Transylvania 
University, and, being admitted to the bar, 
located at Edwardsville, 111. He first appeared 
in connection with public affairs as Secretary of 
the State Senate in 1830, being re-elected in 1832; 
in 1834 was elected Representative in the General 
Assembly from Madison County, but. in Febru- 
ary following, was ajipointed Attorney-General, 
serving only one year. He afterwards held the 
position of Circuit Judge (1837-39), his home being 
then in Springfield; in 1843 he became Associ- 
ate Justice of the Supreme Court, by appointment 
of the Governor, as successor to Stephen A. Doug- 
las, and was afterwards elected to the same 
office by the Legislature, remaining until 1848. 
During a part of liis professional career he was 
the partner of David Prickett and William L. 
May, at Springfield, and afterwards a member of 
the Galena bar, finally removing to Chicago, 
wliere he died, Feb. 21, 1850.— Jesse B. (Thomas) 
third, clergyman and son of the last named ; born 
at Edwardsville, 111., July 29, 1832; educated at 
Kenyon College, Ohio, and Rocliester (N. Y.) 
Tlieological Seminary ; practiced law for a time 
in Cliicago. but finally entered the Baptist minis- 
try, serving churches at AVaukegan. III.. Brook- 
lyn, N. Y., and San Francisco (1892-69). He 



522 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



then became pastor of the Michigan Avenue Bap- 
tist Church, in Chicago, remaining until 1874, 
when he returned to Brookljn. In 1887 lie 
became Professor of Biblical History in the 
Theological Seminary at Newton, Mass. , where he 
has since resided. He is the author of several 
volumes, and, in 18C0, received the degree of D.D. 
from the old University of Chicago. 

THOMAS, John, pioneer and soldier of the 
Black Hawk War, was born in Wythe County, 
Va., Jan. 11, 1800. At the age of 18 he accom- 
panied his parents to St. Clair County, 111., where 
the family located in what was then called the 
Alexander settlement, near the present site of 
Shiloh. When he was 22 he rented a farm 
(although he had not enough money to buy a 
hor.se) and married. Six years later he bought 
and stocked a farm, and, from that time forward, 
rapidly accumulated real property, until he 
became one of the most extensive owners of farm- 
ing land in St. Clair Count}-. In early life he 
was fond of military exercise, holding various 
offices in local organizations and serving as a 
Colonel in the Black Hawk War. In 182-1 he was 
one of the leaders of the party opposed to tlie 
amendment of the State Constitution to sanction 
slaver}', was a zealous ojiponent of the Kansas- 
Nebraska bill in 18.54, and a firm supporter of tlie 
Republican party from the date of its formation. 
He was elected to the lower house of the General 
Assembly in 1838, "62, "64, "72 and "74; and to the 
State Senate in 1878, serving four years in the 
latter body. Died, at Belleville, Dec. 16, 1894, in 
the 95th year of his age. 

THOMAS, John R., ex-Congressman, was born 
at Mount Vernon, 111., Oct. 11, 1840. He served 
in the Union Army during the AVar of the Rebel- 
lion, rising from the ranks to a captaincy. After 
his return home he studied law, and was admit- 
ted to the bar in 1869. From 1872 to 1876 he was 
State's Attorney, and, from 1879 to 1889, repre- 
sented his District in Congress. In 1897, Mr. 
Thomas was appointed by President McKinley 
an additional United States District Judge for 
Indian Territory. His home is now at Vanita, 
in that Territory. 

THOMAS, William, pioneer lawyer and legis- 
lator, was born in what is now Allen County, 
Ky., Nov. 22, 1802; received a rudimentary edu- 
cation, and served as deputy of his father (who 
was Sheriff), and afterwards of the County Clerk ; 
studied law and was a<lnutte<l to the bar in 1823; 
in 1826 removed to Jacksonville, III, where he 
taught school, served as a private in the Winne- 
bago War (1827), and at the session of 1828-29, 



reported the proceedings of the General Assem- 
bly for ''The Vandalia Intelligencer" ; wasState"s 
Attorney and School Commissioner of Morgan 
County; served as Quartermaster and Commis- 
.sary in the Black Hawk War (1831-32), first under 
Gen. Josejih Duncan and, a year later, under 
General Whiteside; in 1839 was appointed Circuit 
Judge, but legislated out of office two years later. 
It was as a member of the Legislature, however, 
that he gained the greatest prominence, first as 
State Senator in 1834-40, and Representative in 
1846-48 and 1850-52, when he was especially influ- 
ential in the legislation which resulted in estab- 
lishing the institutions for the Deaf and Dumb 
and the Blind, and the Hospital for the Insane 
(the first in the State) at Jacksonville— serving, 
for a time, as a member of the Board of Trustees 
of the latter. He was also prominent in connec- 
tion with many enterprises of a local character, 
including the establishment of the Illinois Female 
College, to which, although without children of 
his own, he was a liberal contributor. During 
the first year of the war he was a member of the 
Board of Army Auditors by appointment of Gov- 
ernor Yates. Died, at Jacksonville, August 22, 
1889. 

THORXTO>', Anthony, jurist, was born in 
Bourbon County, Ky., Nov. 9, 1814 — being 
descended from a Virginia family. After tlie 
usual primary instruction in the common schools, 
he spent two years in a high school at Gallatin, 
Tenn., when he entered Centre College at Dan- 
ville, Ky., afterwards continuing his studies at 
Miami University, Ohio, where he graduated in 
1834. Having studied law with an uncle at 
Paris. Ky., he was licensed to practice in 1836, 
when he left his native State with a view to set- 
tling in Jlissouri, but. visiting his uncle. Gen. 
William F. Thornton, at Shelby ville. 111., was 
induced to establish himself in practice there, 
lie served as a member of the State Constitutional 
Conventions of 1847 and 1862, and as Represent- 
ative in the Seventeenth General Assembly 
(1850-52) for Shelby County. In 1864 he was 
elected to the Thirty-ninth Congress, and. in 
1870, to the Illinois Supreme Court, but .served 
only until 1873, wlien he resigned. In 1879 
Judge Thornton removed to Decatur, 111., but 
subsequently returned to Shelbyville, where 
(1898) he now resiiles. 

THORNTON, WilHam Fitzhusrh, Commissioner 
of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, was born in 
Hanover County, Va., Oct. 4, 1789: in 1800. went 
to Alexandria, Va. , where he conducted a drug 
business for a time, also acting as associate 



li 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



523 



editor of "The Alexandria Gazette." Subse- 
quently removing to Washington City, he con- 
ducted a paper there in the interest of John 
Quincy Adams for the Presidency. During the 
War of 1812-14 he served as a Captain of cavalry, 
and, for a time, as .staff-officer of General Winder. 
On occasion of the visit of Marquis La Fayette to 
America (1824-25) he accompanied the distin- 
guished Frenchman from Baltimore to Kich- 
mond. In 1829 he removed to Kentucky, and, 
in 1833, to Shelbyville, 111., where he soon after 
engaged in mercantile business, to which he 
added a banking and brokerage business in 1859, 
with which he was actively associated vmtil his 
death. In 1836, he was appointed, by Governor 
Duncan, one of the Commissioners of the Illinois 
& Michigan Canal, serving as President of the 
Board until 1842. In 1840, he made a visit to 
London, as financial agent of the State, in the 
interest of the Canal, and succeeded in making a 
sale of bonds to the amount of §1,000,000 on what 
were then considered favorable terms. General 
Thornton was an ardent Whig until the organi- 
zation of the Republican party, when he became 
a Democrat. Died, at Shelbyville, Oct. 21, 
1873. 

TILLSON, John, pioneer, was born at Halifax, 
Mass., March 13, 1796; came to Illinois in 1819, 
locating at Hillsboro, Montgomery County, where 
he became a prominent and enterprising operator 
in real estate, doing a large business for eastern 
parties; was one of the founders of Hillsboro 
Academy and an influential and liberal friend of 
Illinois College, being a Trustee of the latter 
f roni its establishment until his death ; was sup- 
ported in the Legislature of 1827 for State Treas- 
urer, but defeated by James Hall. Died, at 
Peoria, May 11, 1853.— Christiana Holmes (Till- 
son), wife of the preceding, was born at Kingston, 
Mass., Oct. 10, 1798; married to John Tillson in 
1822, and immediately came to Illinois to reside ; 
was a woman of rare culture and refinement, and 
deeply interested in benevolent enterprises. 
IMed, in New York City, May 29, 1872.— Cliarles 
Holmes (Tillson), son of John and Christiana 
Holmes Tillson, was born at Hillsboro, 111., Sept. 
15, 1823; educated at Hillsboro Academy and 
Illinois College, graduating from the latter in 
1844; studied law in St. Louis and at Transyl- 
vania University, was admitted to the bar in St. 
Louis and practiced there some years — al.so served 
several terms in the City Council, and was a 
member of tlie National Guard of Missouri in tlie 
War of tlie Rebellion. Died, Nov. 25, 1865.— 
John (Tillson), Jr., another son, was born at 



Hillsboro, 111., Oct. 13, 1825; educated at Hills- 
boro Academy and Illinois College, but did not 
graduate from the latter; graduateil from Tran- 
sylvania Law ,SchooI, Ky., in 1847, and was 
admitted to tlie bar at Quincy. 111., the same 
year; practiced two years at Galena, when he 
returned to Quincy. In ISGl he enlisted in the 
Tentli Regiment Illinois Volunteers, became its 
Lieutenant-Colonel, on the jiromotion of Col. J. D. 
Morgan to Brigadier-General, was advanced to 
the colonelcy, and, in July, 186.5, was mustered 
out with the rank of brevet Brigadier-General; 
for two years later held a commission as Captain 
in the regular army. Daring a portion of 1869-70 
he was editor of "The Quincy Wliig"; in 1873 
was elected Representative in the Twenty-eiglith 
General Assembly to succeed Nehemiah Bushnell, 
who had died in office, and, during the same year, 
was appointed Collector of Internal Revenue for 
the Quincy District, serving until 1881, Died, 
Augast 6, 1892. 

TILLSON, Robert, pioneer, was born in Hali- 
fax County, Mass., August 12, 1800; came to Illi- 
nois in 1823, and was employed, for several years, 
as a clerk in the land agencj- of his brother, John 
Tillson, at Hillsboro. In 1826 he engaged in the 
mercantile business with Charles Holmes, Jr,, in 
St. Louis, but, in 1828, removed to Quincy, 111,, 
where he opened the first general store in tliat 
city ; also served as Postmaster for some ten 
years During this period he built tlie first two- 
story frame building erected in Quincy, up to 
that date. Retiring from the mercantile business 
in 1840 he engaged in real estate, ultimately 
becoming the proprietor of considerable property 
of this character ; was also a contractor for fur- 
nishing cavalry accouterments to the Government 
during the war. Soon after the war he erected 
one of the hand.somest business blocks existing 
in the city at that time. Died, in Quincy, Dec. 
27, 1892. 

TINCHER, John L.. banker, was born in Ken- 
tucky in 1831 ; brought by his parents to Vermil- 
ion County, Ind., in 1829, and left an orphan at 
17; attended school in Coles County, 111 , and 
was employed as clerk in a store at Danville, 
1843-53. He then became a member of the firm 
of Tincher & Englisli. merchants, later establish- 
ing a bank, wliich became the First National 
Bank of Danville. In 1864 Jlr Tincher was 
elected Representative in tlie Twenty-fourth 
General Assembly and, two ^-ears later, to the 
Senate, being re-elected in 1870. He was also a 
member of the State Constitutional Convention 
of 1869-70. Died, in Springfield, Dec. 17, 1871, 



524 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



while in attendance on the adjourned session of 
tliat year. 

TIPTOX, Thomas F., lawyer and jurist, was 
born in Franklin County, Ohio, August 29, 1833 ; 
has been a resident of McLean County, 111., from 
the age of 10 years, his present home being at 
Bloomington. He was admitted to the bar in 
185T, and, from January, 1867, to December, 1868, 
was State's Attorney for the Eighth Judicial 
Circuit. In 1870 he was elected Judge of the 
same circuit, and under the new Constitution, 
was chosen Judge of the new Fourteenth Circuit. 
From 1877 to 1879 he represented the (then) 
Thirteenth Illinois District in Congress, but, in 
1878, was defeated by Adlai E. Stevenson, the 
Democratic nominee. In 1891 he was re-elected 
to a seat on the Circuit bench for the Bloomington 
Circuit, but resumed practice at the expiration 
of his term in 1897. 

TISKILWA, a village of Bureau County, on the 
Chicago, Rock Island it Pacific Railway, 7 miles 
southwest of Princeton; has creameries and 
cheese factories, churches, school, library, water- 
works, bank and a newspaper. Pop. (1900), 965. 

TODD, (Col.) John, soldier, was born in Mont- 
gomery County, Pa., in 1750; took part in the 
battle of Point Plea.sant, Va., in 1774, as Adju- 
tant-General of General Lewis; settled as a 
lawyer at Fincastle, Va., and, in 1775, removed 
to Fayette County, Ky., the next year locating 
near Lexington. He was one of the first two 
Delegates from Kentucky County to the Virginia 
House of Burgesses, and, in 1778, accompanied 
Col. George Rogers Clark on his expedition 
against Kaskaskia and Vincennes. In Decem- 
ber, 1778, lie was appointed by Gov. Patrick 
Henry, Lieutenant Commandant of Illinois 
County, embracing the region northwest of the 
Ohio River, serving two years; in 1780, was again 
a member of the Virginia Legislature, where he 
procured grants of land for public schools and 
introduced a bill for negro-emancipation. He 
was killed by Indians, at the battle of Blue 
Licks, Ky., August 19, 1782. 

TODD, (Dr.) John, physician, born near Lex- 
ington, Ky., April 27, 1787, was one of the earli- 
est graduates of Transylvania University, also 
graduating at the Medical University of Pliila- 
delphia ; was appointed Surgeon-General of Ken- 
tucky troops in the War of 1812, and captured at 
tue battle of River Raisin. Returning to Lex- 
ington after his release, he practiced there and 
at Bardstown. removed to Edwardsville, 111., in 
1817, and, in 1827, to Springfield, where he had 
been appointed Register of the Laud Office by 



President John Quincy Adams, but was removed 
by Jackson in 1829. Dr. Todd continued to reside 
at Springfield until his deatli, which occurred, 
Jan. 9, 1865. He was a grandson of John Todd, 
who was appointed Commandant of Illinois 
County by Gov. Patrick Henry in 1778, and an 
uncle of Mrs. Abraham Lincoln. — John Dlair 
Smith (Todd), son of the preceding, was born at 
Lexington, Ky., April 4, 1814; came with his 
father to Illinois in 1817; graduated at the United 
States Military Academy in 1837, serving after- 
wards in the Florida and Mexican wars and on 
the frontier; resigned, and was an Indian-trader 
in Dakota, 1856-61 ; the latter year, took his 
seat as a Delegate in Congress from Dakota, 
then served as Brigadier-General of Volun- 
teers, 1861-62; was again Delegate in Congress 
in 1863-05, Speaker of the Dakota Legislature 
in 1867, and Governor of the Territory, 1869-71. 
Died, at Yankton City, Jan. 5, 1872. 

TOLEDO, a village and the county-seat of 
Cumberland County, on the Illinois Central Rail- 
road; founded in 18.54; has five churches, a graded 
school, two banks, creamery, flour mill, elevator, 
and two weekly newspapers. There are no manu- 
factories, the leading industry in the surrounding 
country being agriculture. Pop. (1890), 676; 
(1900), 818. 

TOLEDO, CINCINNATI & ST. LOUIS RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Toledo, St. Louis & Kansas Cits 
Railroad. ) 

TOLEDO, PEORIA & WARSAW RAILROAD. 
(See Toledo, Peoria d- Western Railway.) 

TOLEDO, PEORIA & WESTERN RAILROAD. 
(See Toledo. Peoria d- We.ifern Railwai/.) 

TOLEDO, PEORIA & WESTERN RAILWAY, 
a line of railroad wholly within the State of Illi- 
nois, extending from Effner. at the Indiana State 
line, west to the Mississippi River at \Vars;iw. 
The length of the whole line is 230.7 miles, owned 
entirely bj' the company. It is made up of a 
division from Effner to Peoria (110.9 miles)— 
which is practically an air-line throughout nearly 
its entire length — and the Peoria and Warsaw 
Divi.sion (108.8 miles) with branches from La 
Harpe to Iowa Junction (10.4 miles) and 0.6 of a 
mile connecting with the Keokuk bridge at 
Hamilton. — (History.) The original charter for 
this line was granted, in 1863. under the name of 
the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw Railroad ; the main 
line was completed in 1868, and the Lii Harpe & 
Iowa Junction branch in 1873. Default was 
made in 1873, the road sold under foreclosure, in 
1880, and reorganized as the Toledo. Peoria & 
Western Railroad, and the line leased for 49^ 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



525 



years to the AVabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway 
Companj-. The latter defaulted in July, 1(?S4, 
and, a year later, the Toledo, Peoria & Western 
was transferred to trustees for the first mortgage 
bond -holders, was sold under foreclosure in 
October, 1886, and, in March, 1887, the present 
company, under the name of the Toledo, Peoria 
& Western Railway Company, wa.s organized for 
the purpose of taking over the property. In 1893 
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company obtained a 
controlling interest in the stock, and, in 1894, an 
agreement, for joint ownership and management, 
was entered into between that corporation and 
the Chicago, Burlington & Quiucy Railroad Com- 
panj'. The total capitalization, in 1898, was 
§9,712,433, of which §4,076,900 was in stock and 
$4,89.1,000 in bonds. 

TOLEDO, ST, LOUIS i' KANSAS CITY RAIL- 
ROAD. This line crosses the State in a northeast 
direction from East St. Louis to Humrick, near 
the Indiana State line, with Toledo as its eastern 
terminus. The length of the entire line is 4.')0.73 
miles, of which 179V'2 miles are operated in Illi- 
nois. — (History.) The Illinois portion of the 
line grew out of the union of charters granted to 
the Tuscola, Charleston & Vincennes and the 
Charleston, Neoga & St. Louis Railroad Com- 
panies, which were consolidated in 1881 with 
certain Indiana lines under the name of the 
Toledo, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad. During 
1883 a narrow-gauge road was constructed from 
Ridge Farm, in Vermilion County, to East St. 
Louis (172 miles). In 1885 this was sold under 
foreclosure and, in June, 1886, consolidated with 
the main line under the name of the Toledo, St. 
Louis & Kansas City Railroad. The whole line 
was changed to standard gauge in 1887-89, and 
otherwise materially improved, but, in 1893, 
went into the hands of receivers. Plans of re- 
organization have been under consideration, but 
the receivers were still in control in 1898. 

TOLEDO, WABASH & WESTERN RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Wabash Railroad.) 

TOLONO, a city in Champaign County, situ- 
ated at the intersection of the Wabash and the 
Illinois Central Railroads, 9 miles south of Cham- 
paign and 37 miles east-northeast of Decatur. It 
is the business center of a prosperous agricultural 
region. The town has five churches, a graded 
school, a bank, a button factory, and a weekly 
newspaper. Population (1880), 905; (1890), 902; 
(1900), 845. 

TOXICA, a village of La Salle County, on the 
Illinois Central Railway, 9 miles .south of La Salle; 
the district is agricultural, but the place has some 



manufactures and a newspaper. Population 
(1890), 473; (1900), 497. 

TONTY, Chevalier Henry de, explorer and sol- 
dier, born at Gaeta. Italy, about 1650 What is 
now known as the Tontine system of insurance 
undoubtedly originated with his father. The 
younger Tonty was adventurous, and, even as a 
youth, tool^ part in numerous land and naval 
encounters. In the course of his experience he 
lost a hand, which was replaced by an iron or 
copper substitute. He embarked with La Salle 
in 1678, and aided in the construction of a fort at 
Niagara. He advanced into the country of the 
Illinois and established friendly relations with 
them, only to witness the defeat of his putative 
savage allies by the Iroquois. After various 
encounters (chiefly under the direction of La 
Salle) with the Indians in Illinois, he returned 
to Green Bay in 1681. The same year— under La 
Salle's orders— he began the erection of Fort St. 
Louis, on what is now called "Starved Rock" in 
La Salle County. In 1682 he descended the Mis- 
sissippi to its mouth, with La Salle, but was 
ordered back to Mackinaw for assistance. In 
1684 he returned to Illinois and successfully 
repulsed the Iroquois from Fort St. Louis. In 
1686 he again descended the Mississippi in search 
of La Salle. Disheartened by the death of his 
commander and the loss of his early comrades, 
he took up his residence with the Illinois Indians. 
Among them he was found by Iberville in 1700, 
as a hunter and fur-trader. He died, in Mobile, 
in September, 1704. He was La Salle's most effi- 
cient coadjutor, and next to his ill-fated leader, 
did more than any other of the early French 
explorers to make Illinois known to the civilized 
world. 

TOPOGRAPHY. Illinois is, generally speak- 
ing, an elevated table-laud. If low water at 
Cairo be adopted as the maximum depression, and 
the summits of the two ridges hereinafter men- 
tioned as the highest points of elevation, the alti- 
tude of this table land above the sea-level varies 
from 300 to 850 feet, the mean elevation being 
about 600 feet. The State has no mountain 
chains, and its few hills are probably the result 
of unequal denudation during the drift epoch. 
In some localities, particularly in the valley of 
the upper Mississippi, the streams have cut 
channels from 200 to 300 feet deep through the 
nearly horizontal strata, and here are found pre- 
cipitous scarps, but, for the most part, the 
fundamental rocks are covered by a thick layer 
of detrital material. In the northwest there is a 
broken tract of uneven ground ; the central por- 



52G 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



tion of the State is almost wholly flat prairie, 
and, in the alluvial lands in the State, there are 
many deep valleys, eroded by the action of 
streams. The surface generally slopes toward 
the south and southwest, but the uniformity is 
broken by two ridges, which cross the State, one 
in either extremity. The northern ridge crosses 
the Rock River at Grand Detour and the Illinois 
at Split Rock, with an extreme altitude of 800 to 
850 feet above sea level, though the altitude of 
Mount Morris, in Ogle County, exceeds 900 feet. 
That in the south consists of a range of hills in 
the latitude of Jonesboro, and extending from 
Shawneetown to Grand Tower. These hills are 
also about 800 feet above the level of the ocean. 
The liigliest point in the State is in Jo Daviess 
County, just south of the Wisconsin State line 
(near Scale's Mound) reaching an elevation of 
1,257 feet above sea-level, while the highest in 
the south is in the northeast corner of Pope 
County — 1,046 feet — a spur of the Ozark moun- 
tains. The following statistics regarding eleva- 
tions are taken from a report of Prof. C. W. 
Rolfe, of the University of Illinois, based on 
observations made under the auspices of the Illi- 
nois Board of World's Fair Commissioners: The 
lowest gauge of tlie Ohio river, at its mouth 
(above sea-level), is 2(i8.58 feet, and the mean 
level of Lake Michigan at Chicago 581,28 feet. 
The altitudes of a few prominent points are as 
follows: Highest point in Jackson County, 695 
feet; "Bald Knob" in Union County, 985; high- 
est point in Cook County (Barrington), 818; in La 
Salle County (Mendota), 747; in Livingston 
(Strawn), 770; in Will (Monee), 804; in Pike 
(Arden), 790; in Lake (Lake Zurich), 880; in 
Bureau, 910; in Boone, 1,010; in Lee (Carnahan), 
1,017; in Stephenson (Waddam's Grove), 1,018; 
in Kane (Briar Hill), 974; in Winnebago, 985. 
The elevations of important towns are : Peoria, 
465; Jacksonville, 602; Springfield, .596; Gales- 
burg, 7.55; Joliet, 537; Rockford, 728; Blooming- 
ton, 821. Outside of the immediate valleys of 
the streams, and a few isolated groves or copses, 
little timber is foiuid in the northern and central 
portions of the State, and such growth as there 
is, lacks the thriftiness characteristic of the for- 
ests in the Ohio valley. These forests cover a 
belt extending some sixty miles north of Cairo, 
and, while they generally include few coniferous 
trees, they abound in various species of oak, 
black and white walnut, white and yellow pop- 
lar, ash, elm, .sugar maple, linden, honey Iocu.st, 
Cottonwood, mulberry, :--.ycaraore, pecan, persim- 
mon, and (in the immediate valley of the Ohio) 



the cypress. From a commercial point of view, 
Illinois loses nothing through the lack of timber 
over three-fourths of the State's area. Chicago 
is an accessible market for the product of the 
forests of the upper lakes, so that the supply of 
lumber is ample, while extensive coal-fields sup- 
pl}' abundant fuel. The rich soil of the prairies, 
witli its abundance of organic matter (see Oeo- 
logical Formations), more than compensates for 
the want of pine forests, whose soil is ill adapted 
to agriculture. About two-thirds of the entire 
boundary of tlie State consists of navigable 
waters. These, with their tributary streams, 
ensure suflicient drainage. 

TORRENS LAND TITLE SYSTEM. A system 
for the registration of titles to, and incumbrances 
upon, land, as well as transfers thereof, intended 
to i-emove all unnecessary obstructions to the 
cheap, simple and safe sale, acquisition and 
transfer of realty. The system has been in suc- 
cessful operation in Canada, Australia, New Zea- 
land and British Columbia for many years, and 
it is also in force in some States in the American 
Union. An act providing for its introduction 
into Illinois was first passed by the Twenty- 
ninth General Assembly, and approved, June 13, 
1895. The final legislation in reference thei'eto 
was enacted by the succeeding Legislature, and 
was approved, May 1, 1897. It is far more elabo- 
rate in its consideration of details, and is believed 
to be, in many respects, much better adapted to 
accomplish the ends in view, than was the origi- 
nal act of 1895. The law is applicable only to 
counties of the first and second class, and can be 
adopted in no county except by a vote of a 
majority of the qualified voters of the same — the 
vote "for" or "against" to be taken at either the 
November or April elections, or at an election 
for the clioice of Judges. Thus far the only 
county to adopt the system has been Cook, and 
there it encountered strong opposition on the 
part of certain parties of influence and wealth. 
After its adoption, a test case was brought, rais- 
ing the question of the constitutionality of the 
act. The issue was taken to tlie Supreme Court, 
which tribunal finall}' upheld the law. —The 
Torrens system substitutes a certificate of regis- 
tration and of transfer for the more elaborate 
deeds and mortgages in use for centuries. Under 
it there can be no actual transfer of a title until 
the same is entered upon the public land regis- 
ter, kept in the office of the Registrar, in which 
case the deed or mortgage becomes a mere power 
of attorney to autl\orize the transfer to be made, 
upon the principle of an ordiuarj' stock transfer, 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



527 



or of the registration of a Uniteil States bond, 
the actual transfer and public notice thereof 
being siumltaueo-os. A brief sj'nopsis of the pro- 
visions of the Illinois statute is given below; 
Recorders of deeds are made Registrars, and 
required to give bonds of either SoO.OOO or $200,- 
000, according to the population of the county. 
Any person or corporation, having an interest in 
land, may make application to an}- court having 
chancery jurisdiction, to have his title thereto 
registered. Such application must be in writ- 
ing, signed and verified by oath, and must con- 
form, in matters of specification and detail, with 
the requirements of the act. The coui't may refer 
the application to one of the standing examiners 
appointed by the Registrar, who are required to 
be competent attorneys and to give bond to ex- 
amine into the title, as well as the truth of the 
applicant's statements. Immediately upon the 
filing of the application, notice thereof is given 
by the clerk, through publication and the is.suance 
of a summons to be served, as in other proceed- 
ings in chancery, against all persons mentioned 
in the petition as having or claiming any inter- 
est in the property described. Any person inter- 
ested, whether named as a defendant or not, may 
enter an appearance witliin the time allowed. A 
failure to enter an appearance is regarded as a 
confession by default. The court, in passing 
upon the application, is in no case bound by the 
examiner's report, but may require other and 
further proof ; and, in its final adjudication, passes 
upon all questions of title and incumbrance, 
directing the Registrar to register the title in the 
party in whom it is to be vested, and making 
provision as to the manner and order in which 
incumbrances thereon shall appear upon the 
certificate to be issued. An appeal may be 
allowed to the Supreme Court, if prayed at the 
time of entering the decree, upon like terms as 
in other cases in chancery; and a writ of error 
may be sued out from that tribunal within two 
years after the entry of the order or decree. 
The period last mentioned maj' be said to be the 
statutory period of limitation, after which the 
decree of the court must be regarded as final, 
although safeguards are provided for those who 
may have been defrauded, and for a few other 
classes of persons. Upon the filing of the order 
or decree of the court, it becomes the duty of the 
Registrar to issue a certificate of title, the form 
of which is prescribed by the act, making such 
notations at the end as shall show and preserve 
the priorities of all estates, mortgages, incum- 
brances and changes to which the owner's title is 



subject. For llie purpose of preserving evidence 
of the owner's han:lw"it!ng, a receipt for the 
certificate, duly witnessed or acknowledged, is 
required of him, which is preserved in the Regis- 
trar's office. In case any registered owner 
should desire to transfer the whole or any part of 
his estate, or any interest therein, he is required 
to execute a convej'ance to the transferee, which, 
together with the certificate of title last issued, 
must be surrendered to the Registrar. That 
official thereupon issues a new certificate, stamp- 
ing the word "cancelled" across the surrendered 
certificate, as well as upon the coiTesponding 
entry in his books of record. When land is first 
brought within the operation of the act, the 
receiver of the certificate of title is required to 
pay to the Registrar one-tenth of one per cent of 
the value of the land, the aggregate so received 
to be deposited with and invested by the County 
Treasurer, and reserved as an indemnity fund 
for the reimbursement of persons sustaining any 
loss through any omission, mistake or malfea- 
sance of the Registrar or his subordinates. The 
advantage claimed for the Torrens system is, 
chiefly, that titles registered thereunder can be 
dealt with more safely, quickly and inexpensively 
than under the old system ; it being possible to 
close the entire transaction within an hour or 
two, without the need of an abstract of title, 
while (as the law is administered in Cook County) 
the cost of transfer is only S3. It is asserted that 
a title, once registered, can be dealt with almost 
as quickly and cheaply, and quite as safely, as 
shares of stock or registered bonds. 

TOULO>\ the county-seat of Stark County, on 
the Peoria & Rock Island Railroad, 37 niiies north- 
northwest of Peoria, and 11 miles .southeast of 
Galva. Besides the county court- house, the town 
has five churches and a high school, an academy, 
steam granite works, two banks, and two weekly 
papers. Population (1880), 967; (1890), 945; (1900), 
1,057. 

TOWER HILL, a village of Shelby County, on 
tlie Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis 
and the Baltimore & Ohio Soutliwestern Rail- 
roads, 7 miles east of Pana; has bank, grain ele- 
vators, and coal mine. Pop. (1900), 615. 

TOW.XSHEXD, Kicliard W., lawyer and Con- 
gressman, was born in Prince George's County, 
Md., April 30, 1840. Between the ages of 10 
and 18 he attended public and private schools 
at Washington, D. C. In 1858 he came to 
Illinois, where he began teaching, at the same 
time reading law with S. S. Marshall, at Mc- 
Leansboro, where he was admitted to the bar 



528 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



in 1862, and where he began jjractice. From l.S(i3 
to 1868 he was Circuit Clerk of Hamilton County, 
and, from 1868 to 1872, Prosecuting Attorney for 
the Twelfth Judicial Circuit. In 1873 he removed 
to Shawneetown, where he became an officer of 
the Gallatin National Bank. From 1C64 to 1875 
lie was a member of the Democratic State Cen- 
tral Committee, and a delegate to the National 
Democratic Convention at Baltimore, in 1872. 
For twelve years (1877 to 1889) he represented 
his District in Congress; was re-elected in 1888, 
but died, March 9, 1889, a few days after the 
beginning of his seventh term. 

TRACY, John M., artist, was born in Illinois 
about 1842 ; served in an Illinois regiment during 
the Civil War; studied jjaiuting in Paris in 
1866-76 ; e.stablished himself as a portrait painter 
in St. Louis and, later, won a high reputation as 
a painter of animals, being regarded as an author- 
ity on the anatomy of the horse and the dog. 
Died, at Ocean Springs, Miss., March 30, 1893. 

TREASURERS. (See State Treasurers.) 

TREAT, Samuel Hubbel, lawyer and jurist, 
was born at Plainfield, Otsego County, N. Y., 
June 21, 1811, worked on his father's farm and 
studied law at Richfield, where he was admitted 
to practice. In 1834 he came to Springfield, 111., 
traveling most of the way on foot. Here he 
formed a partnership with George Forquer, who 
had held the offices of Secretary of State and 
Attorney-General. In 1839 he was appointed a 
Circuit Judge, and, on the reorganization of the 
Supreme Court in 1841, was elevated to the 
Supreme bench, being acting Chief Justice at the 
time of the adoption of the Constitution of 1848. 
Having been elected to the Supreme bench under 
the new Constitution, he remained in office until 
March, 1855, when he resigned to take the posi- 
tion of Judge of the United States District Court 
for the Southern District of Illinois, to which he 
had been appointed by President Pierce. This 
position he continued to occupy until his death, 
which occurred at Springfield, March 27, 1887. 
Judge Treat's judicial career was one of the long- 
est in the history of the State, covering a period 
of forty-eight years, of which fourteen were 
spent vipon the Supreme bench, and thirty-two 
in the position of Judge of the United States Dis- 
trict Court. 

TREATIES. {See Greenville, Treaty of; Indian 
Treat iCK.) 

TREE, Lambert, jurist, diplomat and ex-Con- 
gressman, was born in Washington, D. C, Nov. 
29, 1832, of an ancestry distinguished in the War 
of the Revolution. He received a superior clas- 



sical and professional education, and was admit- 
ted to the bar, at Washington, in October, 185.'). 
Removing to Chicago soon afterward, his profes- 
sional career has been chiefly connected with 
that city. In 1864 he was chosen President of 
the Law Institute, and served as Judge of the 
Circuit Court of Cook County, from 1870 to 1875, 
when he resigned. The three following years he 
spent in foreign travel, returning to Chicago in 
1878. In that year, and again in 1880, he was 
the Democratic candidate for Congress from the 
Fourth Illinois District, but was defeated by his 
Republican opponent. In 1885 he was the candi- 
date of h.is party for United States Senator, but 
was defeated by John A. Logan, by one vote. In 
1884 he' was a member of the National Democratic 
Convention which first nominated Grover Cleve- 
land, and, in July, 1885, President Cleveland 
appointed him Jlinister to Belgium, conferring 
the Russian mission upon him in September, 1888. 
On March 3, 1889, he resigned this post and 
returned home. In 1800 he was appointed by 
President Harrison a Commissioner to the Inter- 
national Monetai-y Conference at Washington. 
The year before he had attended (altliough not as 
a delegate) the International Conference, at Brus- 
sels, looking to the suppression of the slave-trade, 
where he exerted all his influence on the side of 
liumanity. In 1892 Belgium conferred upon him 
the distinction of "Councillor of Honor" upon its 
commission to the World's Columliian Exposi- 
tion. In 1896 Judge Tree was one of the most 
earnest opponents of the free-silver policy, and, 
after the Spanish- American War, a zealous advo- 
cate of the policy of retaining the territory 
acquireil from Spain. 

TREMONT, a town of Tazewell County, on the 
Peoria Division of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, 
Chicago & St. Louis Railway, 9 miles southeast 
of Pekin ; has two banks, two telephone 
exchanges, and one newspaper. Pop. (1900), 768. 

TRENTON, a town of Clinton County, on the 
Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railway, 31 miles 
east of St. Louis: in agricultural district; has 
creamery, milk condensery, two coal mines, six 
ohui'clies, a public school and one newspaper 
Pop. (1890), 1,384; (1900), 1,706: (1904), about 3,000. 

TROY, a village of Madison County, on the 
Teire Haute it Indianapolis railroad, 21 miles 
northeast of St. Louij ; has churches, a bank and 
a newspaper. Pop. (1900), 1,080. 

TRUITT, James MadLsoii, lawyer and soldier, 
a native of Trimble County, Ky., was born Feb. 
12, 1843, but lived in Illinois since 1843, his father 
having settled near Carrollton that year; was 



1 



HISTOraCAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



529 



educated at Hillsboro and at MoKen dree College ; 
enlisted in the One Hundred and Seventeenth 
Illinois Volunteers in 1862, and was promoted 
from the ranks to Lieutenant. After tlie war he 
studied law with Jesse J. Phillips, now of the 
Supreme Court, and, in 1873, was elected to the 
Twenty -eighth General Assemblj', and, in 1888, a 
Presidential Elector on the Republican ticket. 
Mr. Truitt has been twice a prominent but unsuc- 
cessful candidate for the Republican nomination 
for Attorney-General. His home is at Hillsboro, 
where he is engaged in the practice of his profes- 
sion. Died July 26, 1900. 

TRUMBULL, Lyman, statesman, was born at 
Colchester, Conn., Oct. 12, 1813, descended from 
a historical family, being a grand-nephew of 
Gov. Jonathan Trumbull, of Connecticut, from 
whom the name "Brother Jonathan" was derived 
as an appellation for Americans. Having received 
an academic education in his native town, at the 
age of 16 he began teaching a district school near 
his home, went South four years later, and en- 
gaged in teaching at Greenville, Ga. Here he 
studied law with Judge Hiram Warner, after- 
wards of the Supreme Court, and was admitted to 
the bar in 1837. Leaving Georgia the same year, he 
came to Illinois on horseback, visiting Vandalia, 
Belleville, Jack.sonville, Springfield, Tremont and 
La Salle, and finally reaching Chicago, then a 
village of four or five thousand inhabitants. At 
Jacksonville he obtained a license to practice 
from Judge Lockwood. and, after visiting Michi- 
gan and his native State, he settled at Belleville, 
which continued to be his home for twenty years. 
His entrance into public life began with his elec- 
tion as Representative in the General Assembly 
in 1840. This was followed, in February, 1841, 
by his appointment by Governor Carlin, Secre- 
tary of State, as the successor of Stephen A. 
Douglas, who, after holding the position only two 
months, had resigned to accept a seat on the 
Supreme bench. Here he remained two years, 
when he was removed by Governor Ford, March 
4, 1843, but, five years later (1848), was elected a 
Justice of the Supreme Court, was re-elected in 
1852, but resigned in 18.)3 on account of impaired 
health. A year later (18.")4) he was elected to 
Congress from the Belleville District as an anti- 
Nebraska Democrat, but, before taking Ins seat. 
was promoted to the United States Senate, as the 
siiccessor of General Shields in the memorable con- 
test of 1855, which resulted in the defeat of Abra- 
ham Lincoln. Senator TrumbulTs career of 
eighteen years in the United States Senate (being 
re-elected in 1861 and 1867) is one of the most 



memorable in the history of that body, covering, 
as it does, the whole history of the war for the 
Union, and the period of reconstruction which 
followed it. During this period, as Chairman of 
the Senate Committee on Judiciary, he liad more 
to do in shaping legislation on war and recon- 
struction measures than any other single member 
of that body. While he disagreed with a large 
majoritj' of his Reijublican associates on the ques- 
tion of Andrew Jolui-son's impeachment, he was 
always found in sympatliy with them on the vital 
questions affecting the war and restoration of the 
Union. The Civil Rights Bill and Freedmen's 
Bureau Bills were shaped by his hand. In 1872 
he joined in the "'Liberal Republican" movement 
and afterwards co-operated with the Democratic 
party, being their candidate for Governor in 
1880. From 1863 his home was in Chicago, 
where, after retiring from the Senate, he con- 
tinued in the practice of his profession until his 
death, which occurred in that city, June 25, 1896. 

TU(i MILLS. These were a sort of primitive 
machine used in grinding corn in Territorial and 
early State days. The mechanism consisted of an 
upright shaft, into the upper end of which were 
fastened bars, resembling those in the capstan of 
a ship. Into the outer end of each of tliese bars 
was driven a pin. A belt, made of a broad strip 
of ox-hide, twisted into a sort of rope, was 
stretched around these pins and wrapped twice 
around a circular piece of wood called a trundle 
head, tlirough which passed a perpendicular flat 
bar of iron, which turned the millstone, usually 
about eighteen inches in diameter. From the 
upright shaft projected a beam, to which were 
hitched one or two horses, wliich furnished the 
motive power. Oxen were sometimes employed 
as motive power in lieu of horses. These rudi- 
mentary contrivances were capable of grinding 
about twelve busliels of corn, each, per day. 

TULEY, Murray Floyd, lawyer and jurist, was 
born at Louisville, Ky., March 4, 1827, of English 
extraction and descended from the early settlers 
of Virginia. His father died in 1832, and, eleven 
years later, his mother, having married Col. 
Richard J. Hamilton, for many years a ])rominent 
lawyer of Chicago, removed with her family to 
that city. Young Tuley began reading law with 
his step-father and completed his studies at the 
Louisville Law Institute in 1847, the same j-ear 
being admitted to the bar in Chicago. About the 
same time he enlLsted in the Fifth Illinois Volun- 
teers for service in the Mexican War, and was 
commissioned First Lieutenant. The war having 
ended, he settled at Santa Fe, N. M., where he 



530 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



practiced law, also served as Attorney-General 
and in the Territorial Legislature. Returning to 
Chicago in 1854, he was associated in practice, 
successively, with Andrew Harvie, Judge Garj- 
and J. N. Barker, and finally as head of the firm 
of Tuley, Stiles & Lewis. From 1869 to 1873 he 
was Corporation Counsel, and during this time 
framed the General Incorporation Act for Cities, 
under which the City of Chicago was reincor- 
porated. In 1879 he was elevated to the bench 
of the Circuit Court of Cook County, and re- 
elected every six years thereafter, his last election 
being in 1897. He is now serving his fourth 
term, some ten years of his incumbency having 
been spent in the capacity of Chief Justice. 

TUXXICLIFFE, Damon (;., lawyer and jurist, 
was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., August 20, 
1839 ; at the age of 20, emigrated to Illinois, set- 
tling in Vermont, Fulton County, where, for a 
time, he was engaged in mercantile pursuits. He 
subsequently studied law, and was admitted to 
the bar in 18.53. In 1854 he established himself 
at Macomb, IMcDonough County, where he built 
up a large and lucrative practice. In 1868 he 
was chosen Presidential Elector on the Repub- 
lican ticket, and. from February to June, 1885, 
by appointment of Governor Oglesby, occupied a 
seat on the bench of the Supreme Court, vice 
Pinkney H. Walker, deceased, who had been one 
of his first professional preceptors. 

TURCHIN, John Basil (Ivan Vasilevitch Tur- 
chinoff), soldier, engineer and author, was born 
in Russia, Jan. 30, 1822. He graduated from the 
artillery school at St. Petersburg, in 1841, and 
was commissioned ensign ; participated in the 
Hungarian campaign of 1849, and, in 18.52, was 
assigned to the staff of the Imperial Guards; 
served through the Crimean War, rising to the 
rank of Colonel, and being made senior staff 
officer of the active corps. In 1856 he came to 
this country, settling in Chicago, and, for five 
years, was in the service of the Illinois Central 
Railway Company as topographical engineer. In 
1861 he was commissioned Colonel of the Nine- 
teenth Illinois Volunteers, and, after leading his 
regiment in Missouri, Kentucky and Alabama, 
was, on July 7, 1862, promoted to a Brigadier- 
Generalship, being attached to the Army of the 
Cumberland until 1864, when he resigned. After 
the war he was, for six years, solicitor of patents 
at Chicago, but, in 1873, returned to engineering. 
In 1879 he established a Polish colony at Radom, 
in Washington County, in this State, and settled 
as a farmer. He is an occasional contriliutor to 
the press, writing usually on military or scientific 



subjects, and is the author of the "Campaign and 
Battle of Cluckamauga" (Chicago, 1888). 

TURNER (now WEST CHICAGO), a town and 
manufacturing center in Winfield Township, Du 
Page County, 30 miles west of Chicago, at the 
junction of two divisions of the Chicago, Burling- 
ton it Quincy, the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern and the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railroads. The town 
has a rolling mill, manufactories of wagons and 
pumps, and railroad repair shops. It also has live 
churches, a graded school, and two newspapers. 
Pop. (1900), 1,877; with suburb, 3,270. 

TURXER, (Col.) Henry L., soldier and real- 
estate operator, was born at Oberlin, Ohio, 
August 26, 1845, and received a part of his edu- 
cation in the college there. During the Civil 
War he served as First Lieutenant in the One 
Hundred and Fiftieth Ohio Volunteers, and 
later, with the same rank in a colored regiment, 
taking part in the operations about Richmond, 
the capture of Fort Fisher, of Wilmington and of 
Gen. Joe Johnston's army. Coming to Chi- 
cago after the close of the war, he became con- 
nected with the business office of "The Advance," 
but later was employed in the banking house of 
Jay Cooke & Co., in Philadelphia. On the failure 
of that concern, in 1S72, he returned to Chicago 
and bought "The Advance," which he conducted 
some two years, when he sold out and engaged in 
the real estate business, with which he has since 
been identified — being President of the Chicago 
Real Estate Board in 1888. He has also been 
President of the Western Publishing Comi>any 
and a Trustee of Oberlin College. Colonel Turner 
is an enthusiastic member of the Illinois National 
Guard and. on the declaration of war between the 
United States and Spain, in April, 1898, promptly 
resumed his connection with the First Regiment 
of the Guard, and finally led it to Santiago de 
Cuba during the fighting there — his regiment 
being the onlj' one from Illinois to see actual serv- 
ice in the field during the progress of the war. 
Colonel Turner won the admiration of his com- 
mand and the entire nation by the manner in 
which he discharged his duty. The regiment 
was mustered out at Chicago, Nov. 17, 1898, when 
he retired to private life. 

TURXER, John Bice, Railway President, was 
born at Colchester, Delaware County, N. Y., Jan. 
14, 1799; after a brief business career in his 
native State, lie became identified with the con- 
struction and operation of railroads. Among the 
works with which he was thus connected, were 
the Delaware Division of the New York & Erie 
and the Troy & Sclienectady Roads. In 1843 he 



II 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



531 



came to Chicago, having previously purchased a 
large body of land at Blue Island. In 1847 he 
joined with W. B. Ogden and others, in resusci- 
tating the Galena & Cliicago Union Railway, 
which had been incorporated in 1836. lie became 
President of the Company in IS.JO. and a.ssi.sted in 
constructing various sections of road in Northern 
Illinois and Wisconsin, whicli have since become 
portions of the Chicago & Northwestern sj-stem. 
He was also one of the original Directors of the 
North Side Street Railway Company, organized 
in 18.")9. Died. Feb. 26, 1871. 

TUK>En, Joiiatliait Baldwin, educator and 
agriculturist, was born in Templeton. Mass., Dec. 
7, 180.5; grew up on a farm and. before reaching 
his majority, began teaching in a country school. 
After spending a short time in an academy at 
Salem, in 1827 he entered the preparatorj' depart- 
ment of Yale College, supporting himself, in part, 
by manual labor and teaching in a gymnasium. 
In 1829 he matriculated in the classical depart- 
ment at Yale, graduated in 188.3, and the same 
year accepted a position as tutor in Illinois Col- 
lege at Jacksonville, 111., which had been opened, 
three years previous, by the late Dr. J. M. Sturte- 
vant. In the next fourteen years he gave in- 
struction in nearly every branch embraced in the 
college curriculum, though holding, during most 
of this period, the chair of Rhetoric and English 
Literature. In 1847 he retired from college 
duties to give attention to scientific agriculture, 
in which he had always manifested a deep inter- 
est. The cultivation and sale of the Osage orange 
as a hedge plant now occupied his attention for 
many years, and its successful introduction in 
Illinois and other Western States — where the 
absence of timber rendered some substitute a 
necessit)' for fencing purposes — was largely due 
to his efforts. At the same time he took a deep 
interest in the cause of practical scientific edu- 
cation for the industrial classes, and, about 1850, 
began formulating that system of industrial edu- 
cation which, after twelve years of labor and 
agitation, he had the satisfaction of seeing 
recognized in the act adopted by Congress, anil 
approved by President Lincoln, in July, 18G2, 
making liberal donations of public lands for the 
establishment of "Industrial Colleges"' in the 
several States, out of which grew the University 
of Illinois at Champaign. Wliile Professor Tur- 
ner had zealous colaborers in this field, in Illinois 
and elsewhere, to him. more than to any other 
single man in the Nation, belongs the credit for . 
this magnificent achievement. (See Education. 
and University of Illinois.) He was also one of 



tlie chief factors in founding and building up 
tlie Illinois State Teachers' ^Vssociation, and the 
State Agricultural anil Horticultural Societies. 
His address on "The Millennium of Labor, ' 
delivered at the first State Agricultural Fair at 
.Springfield, in 18.58, is still remembered as mark- 
ing an era in industrial progress in Illinois. A 
zealous champion of free thought, in lioth political 
and religious affairs, he long bore the reproach 
which attached to the radical Abolitionist, only 
to enjoy, in later years, the respect universally 
accorded to those who had the courage and 
independence to avow their honest convictions. 
Prof. Turner was twice an unsuccessful candidate 
for Congress — once as a Reiniblican and once as 
an "Independent" — and wrote nmch on political, 
religious and educational topics. The evening of 
an honored and useful life was spent among 
friends in Jacksonville, which was his home for 
more than sixty j'ears, his death taking place in 
that city, Jan. 10, 1899, at the advanced age of 
93 years.— Mrs. Mary Turner Carriel, at the pres- 
ent time (1899) one of the Trustees of the Univer- 
sity of Illinois, is Prof. Turner's only daughter. 

TUBNER, Thomas J., lawyer and Congress- 
man, born in Trumbull County, Ohio, April 5, 
181.3. Leaving home at the age of 18, he spent 
three years in Indiana and in the mining dis- 
tricts about Galena and in Southern Wisconsin, 
locating in Stephenson County, in 1836, where he 
was admitted to the bar in 1840, and elected 
Probate Judge in 1841, Soon afterwards Gov- 
ernor Ford appointed him Prosecuting .\ttorney, 
in which capacity he secured the conviction and 
punishment of the murderers of Colonel Daven- 
port. In 1846 he was elected to Congress as a 
Democrat, and, the following year, founded "The 
Prairie Democrat" (afterward "The Freeport 
Bulletin"), the first newspaper published in the 
county. Elected to tlie Legislature in 1854, he 
was chosen Speaker of tlie House, the next year 
becoming the first Mayor of Freeport. He was a 
member of the Peace Cfniference of 1861, and, in 
May of that year, was commissioned, by Governor 
Yates, Colonel of the E'ifteeuth Illinois Volun- 
teers, but resigned in 1862. He served as a mem- 
ber of the Constitutional Convention of 1869-70, 
and, in 1871, was again elected to the Legisla- 
ture, where he received the Democratic caucus 
nomination for United States Senator against 
General Logan. In 1871 lu" removed to Chicago, 
and was twice an imsuccessful candidate for the 
office of State's Attorney. In February, 1874, he 
went to Hot Springs, Ark., for medical treatment, 
and died there, April 3 following. 



632 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



TUSCOLA, a city and the county-seat of 
Douglas County, located at the intersection of the 
Illinois Central and two other trunk lines of rail- 
way, 23 miles south of Champaign, and 36 miles 
east of Decatur. Besides a brick court-house it 
has five churches, a graded school, a national 
bank, two weekly newspapers and two establish- 
ments for th^ manufacture of carriages and 
wagons. Population (1880), 1,457; (1890), 1,897; 
(1900), 3,569. 

TUSCOLA, CHARLESTON & TIXCENNES 
RAILROAD. (See Toledo. St. Louis <£■ Kansas 
City Railroad. ) 

TUTHILL, Richard Stanley, jurist, was born 
at Vergennes, Jackson County, 111., No%'. 10, 1841. 
After passing through the common schools of his 
native county, he took a preparatory course in a 
high school at St. Louis and in Illinois College, 
Jacksonville, when he entered Middlebury Col- 
lege, Vt. , graduating there in 1863. Immediately 
thereafter he joined the Federal army at Vicks- 
burg, and, after .serving for some time in a com- 
pany of scouts attached to General Logan's 
command, was commissioned a Lieutenant in the 
First Michigan Light Artillery, with which he 
served until the close of the war, meanwhile 
being twice promoted. During this time he was 
•with General Sherman in the march to Meridian, 
and in the Atlanta campaign, also took part with 
General Thomas in the operations against the 
rebel General Hood in Tennessee, and in the 
battle of Nashville. Having resigned his com- 
mission in May, 1865, he took up the study of 
law, which he had prosecuted as he had opportu- 
nity while in the army, and was admitted to the 
bar at Nashville in 1866, afterwards serving for 
a time as Prosecuting Attorney on the Nashville 
circuit. In 1873 he removed to Chicago, two 
years later was elected City Attornej- and re- 
elected in 1877 ; was a delegate to the Republican 
National Convention of 1880 and, in 1884, was 
ap])ointed L'nited States District Attorney for 
the Northern District, serving until 1886. In 
1887 he w'as elected Judge of the Circuit Court of 
Cook County to fill the vacancy caused by the 
death of Judge Rogers, was re-elected for a full 
term in 1891, and again in 1897. 

TYXDALE, Sharon, Secretary of State, born in 
Philadelphia, Pa., Jan. 19, 1816; at the age of 17 
came to Belleville, 111., and was engaged for a 
time in mercantile business, later being employed 
in a surveyor's corps under the internal impi-ove- 
ment system of 1837. Having married in 1839, 
he returned soon after to Philadelphia, where he 
engaged in mercantile business with his father; 



then came to Illinois, a second time, in 1845, spend- 
ing a year or two in business at Peoria. About 
1847 he returned to Belleville and entered upon a 
course of mathematical study, with a view to 
fitting himself more thoroughly for the profe.ssion 
of a civil engineer. In 1851 he graduated in 
engineering at Cambridge, Ma.ss., after xvhich he 
was employed for a time on the Sunbury & Erie 
Railroad, and later on certain Illinois railroads. 
In 1857 he was elected County Surveyor of St. 
Clair County, and, in 1861, by appointment of 
President Lincoln, became Postmaster of the city 
of Belleville. He held this position until 1864, 
when he received the Republican nomination for 
Secretary of State and was elected, remaining in 
ofKce four years. He was an earnest advocate, 
and virtually author, of the first act for the regis- 
tration of voters in Illinois, passed at the session 
of 1865. After retiring from office in 1869, he 
continued to reside in Springfield, and was em- 
ployed for a time in the survej* of the Gihnan, 
Clinton & Springfield Raihvay — now the Spring- 
field Division of the Illinois Central. At an early 
hour on tlie morning of April 29, 1871, while 
going from his home to the railroad station at 
Springfield, to take the train for St. Louis, he was 
assassinated upon the street bj- shooting, as sup- 
posed for the purpose of robbery — his dead body 
being found a few hours later at the scene of the 
tragedy. Mr. Tyndale was a brother of Gen. 
Hector Tyndale of Pennsj-lvania, who won a 
high reputation by his services during the war. 
His second wife, who survived him, was a 
daughter of Shadrach Penn, an editor of con- 
siderable reputation who was the contemporary 
and rival of George D. Prentice at Louisville, for 
some years. 

"UNDERGROUND RAILROAD," THE. A 
historj' of Illinois would be incomplete without 
reference to the unique system which existed 
there, as in other Northern States, from forty to 
seventy jears ago, known by the somewhat mys- 
terious title of "The Undei-gi'ound Railroad." 
The origin of tlie term has been traced (probably 
in a spirit of facetiousness) to the expression of 
a Kentucky planter who, having pursued a fugi- 
tive slave across the Ohio River, was so surprised 
b_v his sudden disappearance, as soon as he had 
reached the opposite shore, that he was led to 
remark. "The nigger must have gone off on an 
underground road." From "underground road" 
to "underground railroad," the transition would 
appear to have been easy, especially in view of 
the increased facility with which the work was 
performed when railroads came into use. For 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



533 



readers of the present generation, it may be well 
to explain what "The Underground Railroad" 
really was It may be defined as the figurative 
appellation for a si»utaneous movement in the 
free States — extending, sometimes, into the 
slave States themselves — to assist slaves in their 
efforts to escape from bondage to freedom. The 
movement dates back to a period close to the 
Revolutionarj' War, long before it received a 
definite name. Assistance given to fugitives 
from one State by citizens of another, became a 
cause of complaint almost as soon as the Govern- 
ment was organized. In fact, the first President 
himself lost a slave who took refuge at Ports- 
mouth, N. H., where the public sentiment was 
so strong against his return, that the patriotic 
and philosophic "Father of his Country" chose 
to let him remain unmolested, rather than "excite 
a mob or riot, or even vmeasy sensations, in the 
minds of well-disposed citizens." That the mat- 
ter was already one of concern in the minds of 
slaveholders, is shown by the fact that a provision 
was inserted in the Con.stitution for their coucili- 
ation, guaranteeing the return of fugitives from 
labor, as well as from justice, from one State to 
another. 

In 1793 Congress passed the first Fugitive Slave 
Law, which was signed by President Washing- 
ton. This law provided that the owner, his 
agent or attorney, miglit follow the slave into 
any State or Territory, and, upon oath or affi- 
davit before a court or magi.strate, be entitled 
to a warrant for his return. Any jjerson who 
should hinder the arrest of the fugitive, or who 
should harbor, aid or assist him, knowing him 
to be such, was subject to a fine of §000 for each 
offense. — In 18.50, fifty-seven years later, the first 
act having proved inefficacious, or conditions 
having changed, a second and more stringent 
law was enacted. This is the one usually referred 
to in discussions of the subject. It i^rovided for 
an increased fine, not to exceed §1,000, and im- 
prisonment not exceeding six months, with 
liability for civil damages to the party injured. 
No proof of ownership was required beyond the 
statement of a claimant, and the accused was not 
))erniitted to testify for himself. The fee of the 
United States Commissioner, before whom the 
case was tried, was ten dollars if he found for 
the claimant: if not, five dollars. This seemed 
to many an indirect form of bribery; clearly, it 
made it to the Judge's pecuniary advantage to 
decide in favor of the claimant. The law made 
it possible and easy for a white man to arrest, 
and carry into slavery, any free negro who could 



not innnediately prove, by other witnesses, that 
he was born free, or had purcliased liis freedom. 

Instead of discouraging the disposition, on 
the part of the opponents of slavery, to aid fugi- 
tives in their efforts to reach a region where 
they would be secure in their freedom, the effect 
of the Fugitive Slave Law of 18.50 (as that of 1793 
had been in a smaller degree) was the very oppo- 
site of that intended by its authors — unless, 
indeed, they meant to make matters worse. The 
provisions of the act seemed, to many people, so 
unfair, so one-sided, that they rebelled in spirit 
and refused to be made parties to its enforce- 
ment. The law aroused the anti-slavery senti- 
ment of the North, and stimulated the active 
friends of the fugitives to take greater risks in 
their behalf. New efforts on the part of the 
slaveholders were met by a determination to 
evade, hinder and nullify the law. 

And here a strange anomaly is presented. The 
slaveholder, in attempting, to recover his slave, 
was acting within his constitutional and legal 
rights. The slave was his property in law. He 
had purchased or inherited his bondman on the 
same plane with his horse or his land, and, apart 
from the right to hold a human being in bond- 
age, regarded his legal rights to the one as good 
as the other. From a legal standpoint his posi- 
tion was impregnable. The slave was his, repre- 
senting so much of monej' value, and whoever 
was instrumental in the loss of that slave was, 
both tlieoretically and technically, a partner in 
robbery. Therefore he looked on "The Under- 
ground Railway" as the work of thieves, and en- 
tertained bitter hatred toward all concerned in its 
operation. On tlie other hand, men who were, 
in all other respects, gooil citizens — often relig- 
iously devout and pillars of the church — became 
bold and flagrant violators of the law in relation 
to this sort of property. They set at nought a 
plain provision of the Constitution and the act of 
Congress for its enforcement. Without hope of 
personal gain or reward, at the risk of fine and 
imprisonment, with the certainty of social ostra- 
cism and bitter opposition, they harbored the 
fugitive and helped him forward on every 
occasion. And why? Because they saw in him 
a man, with the same inherent right to "life, 
liberty and the pursuit of liajjpine.ss" tliat they 
themselves possessed. To them this was a higher 
law than anj- Legislature. State or National, could 
enact. They denied that there could be truly 
such a thing as property in man. Believing that 
the law violated human rights, they justified 
themselves in rendering it null and void. 



534 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



For the most part, the "Underground Rail- 
road" operators and promoters were plain, 
obscure men, without hope of fame or desire for 
notoriety. Yet there were some whose names 
are con.spicuous in history, such as Wendell 
Phillips, Thomas VVentworth Higginscu and 
Theodore Parker of Massachusetts; Gerrit Smith 
and Thurlow Weed of Kew York; Joshua R. 
Giddings of Ohio, and Owen Lovejoy of Illinois. 
Tliese had their followers and sympathizers in 
all the Northern States, and even in some por- 
tions of the South. It is a curious fact, that 
some of the most active spirits connected with 
the "Underground Railroad" were natives of the 
South, or had resided there long enough to 
become thoroughly accpiainted with the "insti- 
tution." Levi Coffin, who had the reputation of 
being the "President of the Underground Rail- 
road' — at least so far as the region west of the 
Ohio was concerned — was an active operator on 
the line in North Carolina before his removal 
from that State to Indiana in 1836. Indeed, as a 
system, it is claimed to have had its origin at 
Guilford College, In the "Old North State" in 
1X19, though the evidence of this maj' not be 
conclusive. 

Owing to the peculiar nature of their business, 
no official reports were made, no lists of officers, 
conductors, station agents or operators preserved, 
and few records kept which are now accessible. 
Consequently, we are dependent chiefly upon the 
peisonal recollection of individual operators for 
a history of their transactions. Each station on 
the road was the house of a "friend" and it is 
rigniflcant. in this connection, that in every 
. e'.tlement <jf Friends, or Quakers, there was 
i.uro to be a house of refuge for the slave. For 
tliis reason it was, perhaps, that one of the most 
frequently traveled lines extended from Vir- 
gi::ia a::J Maryland through Eastern Pennsyl- 
vania, u_:.- t'.icn on towards ITow Voik or i'!:o- 1!/ 
to Canada. From the proximity of C. lo ; > 
Virginia and Kentucky, and the fact that it 
offered the shortest route through free soil to 
Canada, it was traversed by more lines than any 
other State, although Indiana was pretty 
thoroughly "grid-ironed" by roails to freedom. 
In all, however, the routes were irregular, often 
zigzag, for purposes of security, and the "con- 
ductor" was any one who conveyed fugitives from 
one station to another The "train" was some- 
times a farm-wagon, loaded with produce for 
market at some town (or depot) on the line, fre- 
quently a closed carriage, and it is related that 
once, in Ohio, a number of carriages conveying 



a large party, were made to represent a funeral 
procession. Occasionally the train ran on foot, 
for convenience of side-tracking into the woods 
or a cornfield, in case of pursuit by a wild loco- 
motive. 

Then, again, there were not wanting lawjers 
who, in case the operator, conductor ur station 
agent got into trouble, were ready, without fee or 
reward, to defend either him or his human 
freight in the courts. These included such 
names of national repute as Salmon P. Cliase, 
Thaddeus Stevens, Charles Sumner, William IL 
Seward, Rutherford B. Hayes, Richard H. Dana, 
and Isaac N. Arnold, while, taking the whole 
country over, their "name was legion." And 
there were a few men of wealth, like Thomas 
Garrett of Delaware, willing to contribute money 
by thousands to their assistance. Although 
technically acting in violation of law — or, as 
claimed by themselves, in obedience to a "higher 
law" — the time has already come when there is a 
disposition to look upon the actors as, in a certain 
sense, heroes, and their deeds as fitly belonging 
to the field of romance. 

The most comprehensive collection of material 
relating to the history of this movement has 
been furnished in a recent volume entitled, "The 
Underground Railroad from Slavery to Free- 
dom," by Prof. Wilbur II. Siebert, of Ohio State 
University; and, while it is not wholly free from 
errors, both as to individual names and facts, it 
will probably remain as the best compilation of 
history bearing on this subject — especially as the 
principal actors are fast pas.sing away. One of 
the interesting features of Prof. Siebert's book is 
a map purporting to give the i>rincipal routes 
and stations in the States northwest of the Ohio, 
yet the accuracy of this, as well as the correct- 
ness ). personal names given, has been ijuestioned 
1 >■ .'iir.ie best infomied on the subject. As 
j.iiC .; 'ie expected from its geographical position 
bi-lA<>a two slave States — Kentucky and Mis- 
t,..a.i — on the one hand, and the lakes offering a 
highway to Canada on the other, it is naturally 
to be assumed (hat Illinois would be an attract- 
ive fiekl, bt)t!i for the fugitive and his sympa- 
thizer. 

The period of greatest activitj- of the system in 
this .State was between 1840 and 1861 — the latter 
being the year when the pro-slavei'y party in the 
South, by their attempt forcibly to dissolve the 
Union, took the business out of the hands of the 
secret agents of the "Underground Railroad." 
and — in a certain sense — ^placed it in the hands 
of the Union armies. It was in 1841 that Abra- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



535 



ham Lincoln — then a conservative opponent of 
tlie extension of slavery — on an appeal from a 
jiulgiuent, rendered bj' the Circuit Court in Taze- 
well County, in favor of the holder of a note 
given for the service of the indentured slave- 
girl "Nance," obtained a decision from the 
Supreme Court of Illinois upholding the doctrine 
that the girl was free under the Ordinance of 
IT.ST and the State Constitution, and that tlie 
note, given to the person wlio claimed to be her 
owner, was void. And it is a somewhat curious 
coincidence that the same Abraham Lincoln, as 
President of the United States, in the second 
year of the War of the Rebellion, issued the 
Proclamation of Emancipation which finally 
resulted in striking the shackles from the limbs 
of every slave in the Union. 

In the practical operation of aiding fugitives 
in Illinois, it was natural that the towns along 
the border upon the Ohio and Mississijipi Rivers, 
sliould have served as a sort of entrepots, or 
initial stations, for the reception of this class of 
freight — especially if adjacent to some anti- 
slavery community. Tliis was the case at Ches- 
ter, from which access was easy to Sparta, where 
a colony of Covenanters, or Seceders, was 
located, and whence a route extended, by way of 
Oakdale, Nashville and Centralia, in the direction 
of Chicago. Alton offered convenient access to 
Bond County, where there was a communitj- of 
anti-slavery people at an early day, or the fugi- 
tives could be forwarded northward by way of 
Jerseyville, Waverly and Jacksonville, about 
each of which there was a strong anti-slavery 
sentiment. Quincy, in spite of an intense hos- 
tiUty among the mass of the community to anj- 
thing savoring of abolitionism, became the 
theater of great activity on the part of the 
opponents of the institution, especially after the 
advent there of Dr. David Nelson and Dr. Rich- 
ard Eells, both of whom had rendered themselves 
obnoxious to the people of Missouri by extending 
aid to fugitives. The former was a practical 
abolitionist who, liaving freed his .slaves in his 
native State of Virginia, removed to Missouri and 
attempted to estalilish Marion College, a few miles 
from Palmyra, l)ut was soon driven to Illinois. 
Locating near Quincy, he founded the "Mission 
Institute" thei'e, at which lie continued to dis- 
seminate his anti-slavery views, while educating 
young men for missionary work. The "Insti- 
tute" was finally burned by emissaries from Mis- 
souri, while three young men wlio had been 
connected with it, having been caught in Mis- 
souri, were condenmed to twelve years" confine- 



ment in the penitentiary of that State — partly on 
the testimony of a negro, ahhough a negro was 
not then a legal witness in the courts against a 
white man. Dr. Eells was prosecuted before 
Steplien A. Douglas (then a Judge of the Circuit 
Court), and fined for aiding a fugitive to escape, 
and tlie judgment against him was finally con- 
firmed by tlie Supreme Court after his death, in 
1852, ten years after the original indictment. 

A map in Professor .Siebert's book, showing the 
routes and principal stations of the "Undergound 
Railroad," makes mention of the following places 
in Illinois, in addition to those alreadj' referred 
to: Carlinville, in Macoupin County; Payson 
and Mendon, in Adams; Washington, in Taze- 
well ; 5Ietamora, in Woodford ; Magnolia, in Put- 
nam ; Galesburg, in Knox ; Princeton (the home 
of Owen Lovejoy and the Bryants), in Bureau, 
and many more. Ottawa appears to have been 
the meeting point of a number of lines, as well 
as the home of a strong colony of practical abo 
litionists. Cairo also became an important 
transfer station for fugitives arriving by river, 
after the completion of the Illinois Central Rail- 
road, especially as it offered the speediest way of 
reaching Chicago, towards which nearly all the 
lines converged. It was here that tlie fugitives 
could be most safely disposed of by placing them 
upon vessels, which, without stopping at inter- 
mediate ports, could soon land them on Canadian 
.soil. 

As to methods, these differed according to cir- 
cumstances, tlie emergencies of the occasion, or 
the taste, convenience or resources of the oper- 
ator. Deacon Levi Morse, of Woodford County, 
near Metamora, had a route towards Magnolia, 
Putnam County; and his favorite "car" was a 
farm wagon in which there was a double bottom. 
The passengers were snugly placed below, and 
grain sacks, filled with bran or other light material, 
were laid over, so that the whole presented the 
appearance of an ordinary load of grain on its 
way to market. The same was true as to stations 
and routes. One, who was an operator, says: 
"Wherever an abolitionist hiippened on a fugi- 
tive, or the conver.se, there was a station, for the 
time, and the route was to the next anti-slavery 
man to the east or the north. As a general rule, 
the agent preferred not to know an3-tliing beyond 
the operation of his own immediate section of the 
road. If he knew nothing about the operations 
of another, and the other knew nothing of his, 
they could not be witnesses in court. 

We have it on the authority of Judge Harvey B. 
Hurd, of Chicago, that runaways were usually 



536 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS 



forwarded from that city to Canada by way of the 
Lakes, there being several steamers available for 
that purpose. On one occasion thirteen were 
put aboard a vessel under the eyes of a United 
States Marshal and his deputies. The fugitives, 
secreted in a woodshed, one by one took the 
places of colored stevedores carrying wood 
aboard the ship. Possibly the term, "There's a 
nigger in tlie woodpile," may have originated in 
this incident. Thirteen was an "unlucky num- 
ber" in this instance — for the masters. 

Among the notable trials for assisting runaways 
in violation of the Fugitive Slave Law, in addi- 
tion to the case of Dr. Eells, already mentioned, 
were those of Owen Lovejoy of Princeton, and 
Deacon Gushing of Will County, both of whom 
were defended by Judge James Collins of Chi- 
cago. John Hossack and Dr. Joseph Stout of 
Ottawa, with some half-dozen of their neighbors 
and friends, were tried at Ottawa, in 1859, for 
assisting a fugitive and acquitted on a techni- 
cality. A strong array of attornej-s, afterwards 
widely known through the northern part of the 
State, appeared for the defense, including Isaac 
N. Arnold, Joseph Knox, B. C. Cook, J. V. Eus- 
tace, Edward S. Leland and E. C. Lamed. Joseph 
T. Morse, of Woodford County, was also arrested, 
taken to Peoria and committed to jail, but 
acquitted on trial. 

Another noteworthy case was that of Dr. 
Samuel Willard (now of Chicago) and his father, 
Julius A. Willard, charged with assisting in the 
escape of a fugitive at Jacksonville, in 1843, when 
the Doctor was a student in Illinois College. 
"The National Corporation Reporter," a few 
years ago, gave an account of this affair, together 
with a letter from Dr. Willard, in which he states 
that, after protracted litigation, during which 
the case was carried to the Supreme Court, it was 
ended by his pleading guilty before Judge Samuel 
D. Lockwood, when he was fined one dollar and 
costs — the latter amounting to twenty dollars. 
The Doctor frankly adds: "My father, as well 
as myself, helped many fugitives afterwards." 
It did not always happen, however, that offenders 
escaped so easily. 

Judge Harvey B. Hurd, alreadj- referred to, 
and an active anti-slavery man in tlie days of the 
Fugitive Slave Law, relates the following: Once, 
when the trial of a fugitive was going on before 
Ju.stice Kercheval, in a room on the second floor 
of a two-story frame building on Clark Street in 
the city of Chicago, the crowd in attendance 
filled the room, the stairway and the adjoining 
sidewalk. In some way the prisoner got mixed 



in with the audience, and passed down over the 
heads of those on the stairs, where tlie officers 
were unable to follow. 

In another case, tried before United States 
Commissioner Geo. W. Meeker, the result was 
made to hinge upon a point in the indictment to 
the effect that the fugitive was "copper-colored." 
The Commissioner, as the story goes, being in- 
clined to favor jjublic sentiment, called for a large 
copper cent, that he might make comparison. 
The decision was, that the prisoner was "off 
color," so to speak, and he was hustled out of the 
room before the officers could re-arrest him, as 
they had been instructed to do. 

Dr. Samuel Willard, in a review of Professor 
Siebert's book, published in "The Dial" of Chi 
cago, makes mention of Henry Irving and Will- 
iam Chauucey Carter as among his active allies 
at Jacksonville, with Rev. Bilious Pond and 
Deacon Lyman of Farmington (near the present 
village of Farmiugdale in Sangamon County), 
Luther Ransom of Springfield, Andrew Borders 
of Randolph County, Joseph Gerrish of Jersey 
and William T. Allan of Henry, as their coadju- 
tors in other parts of the State. Other active 
agents or promoters, in the same field, included 
such names as Dr. Charles V. Dyer, Philo Carpen- 
ter, Calvin De Wolf, L. C. P. Freer, Zebina East- 
man, James H. Collins, Harvey B. Hurd, J. Young 
Scammon, Col. J. F. Farnsworth and others of 
Chicago, whose names have alreadj- been men- 
tioned ; Rev. Asa Turner, Deacon Ballard, J. K. 
Van Dorn and Erastus Benton, of Quincy and 
Adams County; President Rufus Blanchard of 
Knox College, Galesburg ; John Leeper of Bond ; 
the late Prof. J. B. Turner and Elihu Wolcott of 
Jacksonville; Cajit. Parker Slorse and his four 
.sons — Joseph T. , Levi P., Parker, Jr., and Jhirk 
— of Woodford County ; Rev. William Sloane of 
Randolph; William Strawn of La Salle, besides a 
Iiost who were willing to aid their fellow men in 
tlieir aspirations to freedom, without advertising 
their own exploits. 

Among the incidents of "Underground Rail- 
road" in Illinois is one which had some importance 
I)olitically, having for its climax a dramatic scene 
in Congre.ss, but of wliich. .so far as known, no 
full account has ever been written. About 18.")5, 
Epliraim Lombard, a Mississippi planter, l)ut a 
New Englander by birtli, purchased a large body 
of i)rairie land in the nt)rtheastern part of Stark 
County, and, taking up his residence temporarily 
in the village of Bradford, began its improve- 
ment. He had brought with him from Mississippi 
a negro, gray-haired and bent with age, a slave 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



537 



of probably no great value. "Old Mose, " as he 
was calleii, soon came to be well known and a 
favorite in the neighborhood. Lombard boldly 
stated that he had brought liim there as a slave ; 
that, by virtue of the Dred Scott decision (then 
of recent date), he had a constitutional right to 
take his slaves wherever he plea.sed, and that 
"Old Mose" was just as much liis property in 
Illinois as in Mississippi. It soon became evident 
to some, that his bringing of the negro to Illinois 
was an experiment to test the law and the feel- 
ings of the Northern people. This being the case, 
a shrewd plaj' would have been to let him have 
his way till other slaves should have been 
brought to stock the new plantation But this 
was too slow a process for the abolitionists, to 
whom the holding of a slave in the free State of 
Illinois appeared an unbearable outrage. It was 
feared that he might take the old negro back to 
Mississippi and fail to bring any others. It was 
reported, also, that "Old Mose" was ill-treated; 
that he was given only the coarsest food in a 
back shed, as if he were a horse or a dog. instead 
of being permitted to eat at table with the family. 
The prairie citizen of that time was verj- par- 
ticular upon this point of etiquette. The hired 
man or woman, debarred from the table of his or 
her emploj'er, would not have remained a daj'. 
A quiet consultation with "Old Mose" revealed 
the fact that he would hail the gift of freedom 
joyously. Accordinglj-, one Peter Risedorf, and 
another equally daring, met him by the light of 
the stars and, before morning, he was placed in 
the care of Owen Lovejoy, at Princeton, twenty 
miles away. From there he was speedily 
"franked" by the member of Congress to friends 
in Canada. 

There was a great commotion in Bradford over 
the "stealing" of "Old Mose.'' Lombard and his 
friends denounced the act in terms bitter and 
profane, and threatened vengeance upon the per- 
petrators. The conductors were known only to a 
few, and the}' kept their secret well. Lovejoy's 
part in the affair, however, soon leaked out. 
Lomljard returned to Mississippi, where he 
related his experiences to Mr. Singleton, the 
Representative in Congress from his district. 
During the next session of Congress, Singleton 
took occasion, in a speech, to sneer at Lovejoj' as a 
"nigger-stealer. ■" citing the case of "Old Mose." 
Mr. Lovejoy replied in his usual fervid and 
dramatic style, making a speech which ensured 
his election to Congress for life — "Is it desired to 
call attention to this fact of my assisting fugitive 
slaves'i" he said, "Owen Lovejoy lives at Prince- 



ton, 111., three quarter's of a mile east of the 
village, antl he aids every slave that comes to his 
door and asks it. Thou invisible Demon of 
Slavery, dost thou think to cross my humble 
threshold and forbid me to give bread to the 
hungry and shelter to the homeless'? I bid you 
defiance, in the name of my God!" 

AVith another incident of an amusing charac- 
ter this article may be closetl: Hon. J. Young 
Scammon, of Chicago, being accused of conniving 
at the escape of a slave from officers of the law, 
was asked by the court what he would do if sum- 
moned as one of a posse to pursue and capture a 
fugitive. "I would certainlj' obey the summons," 
he replied, "but — I sliould probablj- stub my toe 
and fall down befoi'e I reached him." 

Note.— Those who wish to pursue the subject of the 
" Underground Railroad " in lUinois further, are referred 
to the work of Dr. Siebert, already mentioned, and to the 
various County Histories which have been issued and may 
he found in the i)Uhlic libraries; also for interesting inci- 
dents, to "Keminiscences of Levi Coffin," .Johnson's 
" From Dixie to Canada," Tetifs Sketches, ".still. Under- 
ground Railroad, " and a pamphlet of the same title by 
James H. Fairchild, ex-President of Oberlin College. 

UNDERWOOD, William H., lawyer, legislator 
and jurist, was born at Schoharie Court House, 
N. Y., Feb. 31, 1818, and, after admission to the 
bar, removed to Belleville, 111., where he began 
practice in 1840. The following year he was 
elected State's Attorney, and re-elected in 1843. 
In 1846 he was chosen a member of the lower 
house of the General Assembly, and, in 1848-.54. 
sat as Judge of the Second Circuit. During this 
period he declined a nomination to Congress, 
although equivalent to an election. In 1856 he 
was elected State Senator, and re-elected in 1860. 
He was a member of the Constitutional Conven- 
tion of 1869-70. and, in 1870, was again elected to 
the Senate, retiring to private life in 1872. Died, 
Sept. 23, 1875. 

UNIOiV COUNTY, one of the fifteen counties 
into which Illinois was divided at the time of its 
admission as a State — having been organized, 
under the Territorial Government, in Januarj', 
1818. It is situated in the southern division of 
the State, bounded on the west by the Mississippi 
River, and has an area of 400 square miles. The 
eastern and interior portions are drained by the 
Cache River and Clear Creek. The western part 
of the county comprises the broad, rich bottom 
lands lying along the Mississippi, but is subject 
to frequent overflow, while the eastern jjortion is 
liilly, and most of its area originally heavily tim- 
bered. The cotiuty is especially rich in minerals. 
Iron-ore, lead, bituminous coal, chalk, alum and 



538 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



potter's clay are found in considerable abun- 
dance. Several lines of railway (the most impor 
tant being the Illinois Central) either cross or 
tap the county. The chief occupation is agri- 
culture, although manufacturing is carried on to 
a limited extent. Fruit is extensively cultivated. 
Jonesboro is the county-seat, and Cobden and 
Anna important shipping stations. The latter is 
the location of the Southern Hospital for the 
Insane. The population of the county, in 1890, 
was 21,529. Being next to St. Clair, Randolph 
and Gallatin, one of the earliest settled counties 
in the State, many prominent men found their 
first home, on coming into the State, at Jones- 
boro, and this region, for a time, exerted a strong 
influence in public affairs. Pop, (1900), 22,610. 

i:mo\ le.\gue of America, a secret pout- 

ical and patriotic order wliich liad its origin 
early in the late Civil AVar, for the avowed pur- 
pose of sustaining the cause of the Union and 
counteracting the machinations of the secret 
organizations designed to promote the success of 
the Rebellion. The first regular Council of the 
order was organized at Pekin, Tazewell County, 
June 25, 1862, consi.sting of eleven members, as 
follows: John W. Glasgow, Dr. D. A. Cheever, 
Hart Montgomery, Maj. Richard N. CuUom 
(father of Senator Cullom), Alexander Small, 
Eev. J. W. M. Vernon, George n. Harlow (after- 
ward Secretary of State), Charles Turner, Col. 
Jonathan Merriam, Henry Pratt and L. F. Gar- 
rett. One of the number was a Union refugee 
froni Tennessee, who dictated the first oath from 
memory, as administered to members of a some- 
what similar order which had been organized 
among the Unionists of his own State. It sol- 
emnly pledged the taker, (1) to preserve invio- 
late tlie secrets and business of the order; (2) to 
"support, maintain, protect and defend the civil 
liberties of the Union of these United States 
against all enemies, either domestic or foreign, 
at all times and under all circumstances, "" even 
"if necessary, to the sacrifice of life"; (3) to aid 
in electing only true Union men to offices of 
trust in the town, county. State and General 
Government; (4) to assist, protect and defend 
any member of the order who might be in jieril 
from his connection with the order, and (5) to 
obej- all laws, rules or regulations of any Council 
to which the taker of the oath might be attached. 
The oath was taken upon the Bible, the Decla- 
ration of Independence and Constitution of the 
United States, the taker pledging his sacred 
honor to its fulfillment. A special reason for tlie 
organization existed in the activity, about this 



time, of the "Knights of the Golden Circle," a 
disloyal organization which had been introduced 
from the South, and which afterwards took the 
name, in the North, of "American Kniglits" and 
"Sons of Liberty. " (See Secret Treasonable Soci- 
eties.) Three months later, the organization had 
extended to a number of other counties of the 
State and, on the 2.jth of September following, 
the first State Council met at Bloomington — 
twelve counties being represented — and a State 
organization was effected. At this meeting the 
following general officers were chosen; Grand 
President — Judge Mark Bangs, of Marshall 
County (now of Chicago) ; Grand Vice-President 
— Prof. Daniel Wilkin, of McLean ; Grand Secre- 
tary — George H. Harlow, of Tazewell ; Gi-and 
Treasurer — H. S. Austin, of Peoria, Grand Mar- 
shal— J. R. Gorin, of Macon; Grand Herald — 
A. Gould, of Henry; Grand Sentinel — John E. 
Rosette, of Sangamon. An Executive Committee 
was also appointed, consisting of Joseph Medill 
of "The Chicago Tribune"; Dr. A. J. McFar- 
land, of Morgan County; J. K. Warren, of Macon; 
Rev. J. C. Rybolt, of La Salle; the President, 
Judge Bangs; Enoch Emery, of Peoria; and 
John E. Rosette. Under the direction of tliis 
Committee, with Mr. Medill as its Cliairman, 
the constitution and by-laws were thorouglilj* 
revised and a new ritual adopted, which materi- 
ally changed the phraseology and removed some 
of the crudities of the original obligation, as well 
as increased the beauty and impressiveness of 
the initiator}- ceremonies. New signs, grips and 
pass-words were also adopted, which were finally 
accepted by the various organizations of the 
order throughout the Union, which, by this time, 
included many soldiers in the arm}-, as well as 
civilians. The second Grand (or State) Council 
was held at Springfield, January 14, 1863, witli 
only seven counties represented. The limited 
representation was discouraging, but the mem- 
bers took lieart from the inspiring words of Gov- 
ernor Yates, addressed to a committee of the 
order who waited upon liim. At a special ses- 
sion of the Executive Committee, helil at Peoria, 
six days later, a vigorous campaign was 
mapped out. mider which agents were sent 
into nearly every county in the State. In Oc- 
tober, 1862, the strength of the order in Illi- 
nois was estimated at three to five thousand ; 
a few months later, the number of enrolled 
members had increased to 50,000 — so rapid 
liad been the growth of the order. On March 
25, 1803, a Grand Council met in Chicago — 
404 Councils in Illinois being represented, with 



HISTORICAL EXCYCLUPEDIA OF ILLL\"Ol«. 



a number from Ohio, Indiana, Micliigan, Wiscon- 
sin. Iowa and Jliunesota. At this meeting a 
Committee was appointed to prepare a plan of 
organization for a National Grand Council, which 
was carried out at Cleveland, Ohio, on the 20th 
of May following — the constitution, ritual and 
signs of the Illinois organization being adopted 
with slight modifications. The levised obligation 
— taken upon the Bible, the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence and the Constitution of the United 
States — bound members of the League to "sup- 
port, protect and defend the Government of the 
United States and the (lag thereof, against all 
enemies, foreign and domestic,"' and to' "bear true 
faith and allegiance to the same"; to "defend 
the State against invasion or insurrection"; to 
support only "true and reliable men" for offices 
of trust and profit; to protect and defend 
worthy members, and to preserve inviolate the 
secrets of the order. The address to new mem- 
bers was a model of impressiveness and a ])o\verf ul 
appeal to their patriotism. The organization 
extended rapidly, not only throughout the North- 
west, but in the South also, especially in the 
army. In 1864 the number of Councils in Illinois 
was estimated at 1,300, with a membership of 
175,000; and it is estimated that the total mem- 
bership, throughout the Union, was 2,000,000. 
The influence of the silent, but zealous and effect- 
ive, operations of the organization, was shown, 
not onlj' in the stimulus given to enlistments and 
support of the war policy of the Government, 
but in the raising of supplies for the sick and 
wounded soldiers in the field. Within a few 
weeks before the fall of Vicksburg, over §25,000 in 
cash, besides large quantities of stores, were sent 
to Col. John Williams (then in charge of the 
Sanitarj' Bureau at Springfield), as the direct 
result of appeals made through circulars sent out 
by the officeis of t'.te "Ijcague." Large contri- 
butions 01 money and suiiplies also reached the 
sic'.; .".nd wounded in hospital through the medium 
of tlie Salutary Commission in Chicago. Zealous 
efforts were made by the o^jposition to get at the 
secrets of the order, and, in one case, a complete 
copy of the ritual was published by one of their 
organs ; but the effect was so far the reverse of 
what was anticipated, that this line of attack was 
not continued. During the stormy session of the 
Legislature in 1803, the League is said to have 
rendered effective service in protecting Gov- 
ernor Yates from threatened assassination. It 
continued its silent but effective operations until 
the complete overthrow of the rebellion, when it 
ceased to exist as a political organization. 



IMTED ST.VTES SEXATOKS. The follow- 
ing is a list ol' United States .sfuators from Illinois, 
from the date of the admission of the State into 
the Union until 1899, with the date and duration 
of the term of each: Ninian Edwards, 1818-24; 
Jesse B. Thomas, Sr., 1818-29; John McLean, 
1824-25 and 1829-30; EUas Kent Kane, 1825 35; 
David Jewett Baker, Nov. 12 to Dec. 11, 1830; 
John M. Robinson, 1830-41; William L. D. Ewing, 
1835-37; Richard M. Yoimg, 1837-43; .Samuel Mc- 
Roberts, 1841-43; Sidney Bree.se, 1843-49; James 
Semple, 1843-47; Stephen A. Douglas, 1847-61; 
James Shields, 1849-55; Lyman Trumbull, 1855-78; 
Orville II. Browning. 1801-U3; William A. Rich- 
ardson, 1863-65; Richard Yate.s, 1865-71; John A. 
Logan, 1871-77 and 1879-86: Richard J. Ogle.sby, 
1873-79; David Davis, 1877-83; Shelby M. Cullom, 
first elected in 1883, and re-elected in "89 and '95, 
his third term expiring in 1901; Charles B. Far- 
well, 1887-91; John McAuley Palmer, 1891-97; 
William E. Mason, elected in 1897, for the term 
expiring, March 4, 1903. 

IM VERSITY OF CHIC.VGO (The New). One 
of the leading educational iu.stitutions of the 
country, located at Chicago. It is the outgrowth 
of an attempt, put forth by the American Educa- 
tional Society (organized at Washington in 1888), 
to supply the place which the original institution 
of the same name had been designed to fill. (See 
Uniwrsify of Chicago— Tlie Old.) The following 
year, Mr. John D. Rockefeller of New York ten- 
dered a contribution of §600. 000 toward the endow- 
ment of the enterprise, conditioned upon securing 
additional pledges to the amount of 8400,000 by 
June 1, 1890. The offer was accepted, and the 
sum promptly raised. In addition, a site, covering 
four blocks of land in the city of Chicago, was 
secured — two and one-half blocks being acquired 
by purchase for $282,500, and one and one-half 
(valued at 8125,000) donated by Mr. Marshall 
Field. A charter was secured and an organiza- 
tion effected, Sept. 10, 1890. The Presidency of 
the institution was tendered to, and accepted by. 
Dr. William R. Harper. Since that time the 
University has been the recipient of other gener- 
ous benefactions by Mr. Rockefeller and others, 
until the aggregate donations (1898) exceed §10,- 
000.000. Of this amount over one half has been 
contril)uted hj' Mr. Rockefeller, wliilo he has 
jjledged himself to make additifinal contributions 
of §2.000,000, conditioned upon the raising of a 
like sum, from other donors, by Jan. 1, 1900. The 
buildings erected on the campus, prior to 1896, 
include a chemical laboratory costing §182,000; a 
lecture hall, §150,000; a pliysical laboratory 



I 



540 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLIXOIS. 



SloO.OOO; a museum, §100,000; an academy dor- 
mitory, $30,U0U; three dormitories for women, 
$150,000; two dormitories for men, §100,000, to 
which several important additions were made 
during 189(3 and 97. The faculty embraces over 
150 instructors, selected with reference to their 
fitness for their respective departments from 
among the most eminent scholars in America and 
Europe. Women are admitted as students and 
graduated upon an equaUty with men. The work 
of practical instruction began in October, 1892, 
with 589 registered students, coming from nearly 
every Northern State, and including 250 gradu- 
ates from other institutions, to wliich accessions 
were made, during the year, raising the aggregate 
to over 900. The second year the number ex- 
ceeded 1,100; the thu-d, it rose to 1,750, and the 
fourth (1895-96), to some 2,000, including repre- 
sentatives from ever^' State of the Union, besides 
many from foreign countries. Special features 
of tlie institution include the admission of gradu- 
ates from other institutions to a post-graduate 
course, and the Fniversity Extension Division, 
■ whicli is conducted largely by means of lecture 
courses, in other cities, or through lecture centers 
in the vicinity of the University, non-resident 
students having the privilege of written exami- 
nations. The various libraries embrace over 
300,000 volumes, of which nearly 60,000 belong 
to what are called the "Departmental Libraries," 
besides a large and valuable collection of maps 
and pamphlets. 

UXIVERSITY OF CHICAGO (The Old), an 
educational institution at Chicago, under the 
care of the Baptist denomination, for some years 
known as the Douglas University. Senator 
Stephen A. Douglas offered, in 1854, to donate ten 
acres of land, in what was then near the southern 
border of the city of Chicago, as a site for an 
institution of learning, provided buildings cost- 
ing §100,000, be erected thereon within a stipu- 
lated time. The corner-stone of the main building 
wa,s laid, July 4, 1857. but the financial panic of 
that year prevented its completion, and Mr. Doug- 
las extended the time, and finally deeded the 
land to the trustees without reserve. For eighteen 
years the institution led a precarious existence, 
struggling under a heavj- debt. By 1885, mort- 
gages to the amount of §320,000 having accunui- 
lated. tlie trustees abandoned further effort, and 
acquiesced in the sale of the property under fore- 
closure proceedings. The original plan of tlie 
institution contemplated preparatorj' and col- 
legiate departments, together with a college of 
law and a theological school. 



UNIVERSITY OF ILLIXOIS, the leading edu- 
cational institution under control of the State, 
located at Urbaua and adjoining the city of 
Champaign. The Legislature at the session of 1863 
accepted a grant of 480,000 acres of land under 
Act of Congress, approved July 2, 1862, making an 
appropriation of public lands to States — 30,000 
acres for each Senator and each Representative in 
Congress — establishing colleges for teaching agri- 
culture and tlie mechanic arts, though not to the 
exclusion of clas.sical and scientific studies. Land- 
scrip under this grant was issued and placed in 
the hands of Governor Yates, and a Board of 
Trustees appointed under the State law was organ- 
ized in March, 1867, the institution being located 
the same year. Departments and courses of study 
were established, and Dr. John M. Gregory, of 
Michigan, was chosen Regent (President). — The 
landscrip issued to Illinois was sold at an early 
day for what it wonld bring in open market, 
except 25,000 acres, which was located in Ne- 
braska and Minnesota. This has recently been 
sold, realizing a larger sum than was received 
for all the scrip otherwise disposed of. The entire 
sum thus secured for permanent endowment ag- 
gregates §613,026. Tlie University revenues were 
further increased by donations from Congress to 
each institution organized under the Act of 1863, 
of §15,000 per annum for the maintenance of an 
Agricultural Experiment Station, and, in 1890, of 
a similar amount for instruction — the latter to be 
increased §1.000 annually until it should reacli 
§25.000.— A mechanical building was erected in 
1871, and this is claimed to have been the first of 
its kind in America intended for strictly educa- 
tional purposes. What was called '"the main 
building" was formally opened in December, 
1873. Other buildings embrace a "Science Hall,"' 
opened in 1892; a new "Engineering Hall," 1894; 
a fine Library Building, 1897. Eleven other prin- 
cipal structures and a number of smaller ones 
have been erected as conditions -equired. The 
value of property aggregates nearly §2,500,000, and 
appropriations from the State, for all purposes, 
previous to 1904, foot up §3,123,517.90.— Since 
1871 the institution has been open to women. 
The courses of study embrace agriculture, chem- 
istry, polyteclmics, military tactics, natural and 
general sciences, languages and literature, eco- 
nomics, household science, trade and commerce. 
The Graduate School dates from 1891. In 1896 
the Chicago College of Pharmacy was connected 
with the University: a College of Law and a 
Library School were opened in 1897, and the same 
year the Chicago College of Physicians and Sur- 



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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



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geons was affiliated as the College of Medicine — a 
School of Dentistry being added to tlie latter in 
1901. In 1S85 the State Laboratory of Natural 
History was transferred from Normal, 111., and an 
Agricultural Experiment Station entablished in 
1888, from which bulletins are sent to farmers 
throughout the State who may desire them. — The 
first name of the Institution was "Illinois Indus- 
trial University," but, in 1885, this was changed 
to "University of Illinois." In 1887 the Trustees 
(of whom there are nine) were made elective by 
popular vote — three being elected every two 
years, eacli holding office six _vears. Dr. Gregory, 
having resigned the office of Regent in 1880, was 
succeeded by Dr. Selim H. Peabody, who had 
been Professor of Jlechanical and Civil Engineer- 
ing. Dr. Peabody resigned in 1891. The duties 
of Regent were then discharged by Prof. Thomas 
J. Burrill until August, 1894, when Dr. Andrevi^ 
Sloan Draper, former State Superintendent of 
Public Instruction of the State of New York, was 
installed as President, .serving until 1904. — The 
corps of instruction (1904) includes over 100 Pro- 
fessors, 60 Associate and Assistant Professors and 
200 Instructors and Assistants, besides special 
lecturers, demonstrators and clerks. The num- 
ber of students has increased rapidly in recent 
years, as shown by the following totals for suc- 
cessive years from 1890-91 to 1903-04, inclusive: 
519; 583; 714; 743; 810; 8.52; 1,075: 1,582; 1,824; 
2,234; 2,505; 2,932; 3,289; 3,.589. Of the last num- 
ber, 2,271 were men and 718 women. During 
1903-04 there were in all departments at Urbana, 
3,547 students (256 being in the Preparatory Aca- 
demy) ; and in the three Professional Departments 
in Chicago, 1,042, of whom 694 were in the Col- 
lege of Medicine, 185 in the School of Pllarmacy, 
and 163 in the School of Dentistry. The Univer- 
sity Library contains 63.700 volumes and 14,500 
pamphlets, not including 5,350 volumes and 
15,850 pamphlets in the State Laboratory of Nat- 
ural History. — The University occupies a con- 
spicuous and attractive site, embracing 220 acres 
adjacent to the line between Urbana and Cham- 
paign, and near the residence portion of the two 
cities. The athletic field of 11 acres, on vi-hich 
stand the gymnasium and armory, is enclosed 
with an ornamental iron fence. The campus, 
otherwise, is an open and beautiful park with 
fine landscape effects. 

UNORGANIZED COUXTIES. In addition to 
the 103 counties into which Illinois is divided, 
acts were passed by the General A.ssembly, 
at diiTerent times, providing for the organiza- 
tion of a number of others, a few of wliich 



were subsequently organized under different 
names, but the majorit3' of whicli were never 
organized at all — the propo.sition for such or- 
ganization being rejected by vote of the people 
within the proposed boundaries, or allowed to 
lapse by non-action. These unorganized coun- 
ties, with the date of the several acts authorizing 
them, ;.nd the territory which they were in- 
tended to include, were as follows; Allen 
County (1841) — comprising portions of Sanga- 
mon, Morgan and Macoupin Counties; Audobon 
(Audubon) County (1843) — from portions of Mont- 
gomery, Fayette and Sholljy; Benton County 
(1843) — from Morgan, Greene and Slacoupin; 
Coffee County (1837) — with substantially the 
same territory now comprised within the bound- 
aries of Stark County, authorized two years 
later; Dane County (1839) — name changed to 
Christian in 1840; Harrison Count}' (1855)— 
from McLean, Champaign and Vermilion, com- 
prising territory since partially incorporated 
in Ford County; Holmes County (1857) — from 
Champaign and Vermilion; Marquette Comity 
(1843), changed (1847) to Highland— compris- 
ing the northern portion of Adams, (this act 
was accepted, with Columbus as the county- 
seat, but organization finally vacated) ; IMichi- 
gan County (1837) — from a part of Cook; Milton 
County (1843) — from the south part of Vermil- 
ion; Okaw County (1841) — comprising substan- 
tially the same territory as Moultrie, organized 
imder act of 1843; Oregon County (1851) — from 
parts of Sangamon, Morgan and Macoupin Coun- 
ties, and covering substantially the same terri- 
tory as projjosed to be incorporated in Allen 
County ten years earlier. Tlie last act of this 
character was passed in 1867, wlien an attempt 
was made to organize Lincoln Count}' out O- 
l)arts of Chamjiaign and Vermilion, but whicu 
failed for want of an affirmative vote. 

UPPER ALTON, a city of Madison County, 
situated on the Chicago it Alton Railroad, about 
1^ miles northeast of Alton— laid out in 1816. It 
has several churches, and is the seat of Shurtleff 
College and the Western Military Academy, the 
former founded about 1831, and controlled by the 
Baptist denomination. Beds of excellent clay are 
found in the vicinity and utilized in pottery 
manufacture. Pop. (1890). 1.803; (1900). 2.373. 

UPTON, George Putnam, journalist, was born 
at Roxbury, Mass., Oct. 25, 1834; graduated from 
Brown University in 1854, removed to Chicago 
in 1855, and began newspaper work on "The 
Native American," the following year taking 
the place of city editor of "The Evening Jour- 



542 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



nal." In 1863, Mr. Upton became musical critic 
on "The Chicago Tribune," serving for a time 
also as its war correspondent in the field, later 
(about 1881) taking a place on the general edi- 
torial staff, which he still retains. He is regarded 
as an authority on musical and dramatic topics. 
Mr. Upton is also a stockholder in, and, for sev- 
eral years, has been V^ice-President of the "Trib- 
une" Company. Besides numerous contributions 
to magazines, his works include: "Letters of 
Peregrine Pickle" (1869) ; "Memories, a Story of 
German Love," translated from the German of 
Ma.x Muller (1879); "Woman in Music" (1880); 
"Lives of German Composers" (3 vols. — 1883-84); 
liesides four volumes of standard operas, oratorios, 
cantatas, and symphonies (1885-88). 

URBANA, a flourishing city, the county-seat 
of Champaign County, on the "Big Four," the 
Illinois Central and the Wabash Railways: 130 
miles south of Chicago and 31 miles west of Dan- 
ville; in agricultural and coal-mining region. 
The mechanical industries include extensive rail- 
road shops, manufacture of brick, suspenders and 
lawn-mowers. The Cunningham Deaconesses' 
Home and Orphanage is located here. The city 
has water-works, gas and electric light plants, 
electric car-lines (local and interurban), superior 
.schools, nine churches, three banks and three 
newspapers. Urbana is the seat of the University 
of Illinois. Pop. (1890), 3,.511; (1900). 5,728. 

(JSREY, William J., editor and soldier, was 
born at Washington (near Natchez). Miss., May 
16, 1827; was educated at Natchez, and, before 
reaching manhood, came to Macon Count}-, 111., 
where he engaged in teaching until 1846, when 
he enlisted as a private in Company C, Fourth 
Illinois Volunteers, for the Mexican War. In 
1855, he joined with a Mr. Wingate in the estab- 
lishment, at Decatur, of "The Illinois State Chron- 
icle." of whicli he soon after took sole charge, 
conducting tlie paper until 1861, when he enlisted 
in the Thii-ty-fifth Illinois Volunteers and was 
appointed Adjutant. Although born and edu- 
cated in a slave State, Mr. Usrey was an earnest 
opponent of slavery, as proved by the attitude of 
his paper in opposition to the Kansas-Nebraska 
Bill. He was one of the most zealous endorsers 
of the proposition for a conference of the Anti- 
Nebraska editors of the State of Illinois, to agree 
upon a line of jiolicy in opposition to the fiuther 
extension of slavery, and, wlien that body met at 
Decatur, on Feb. 22, 1856, he served as its Secre- 
tary, thus taking a prominent part in the initial 
steps which resulted in the organization of the 
Republican party in Illinois. (See Anti-I^'ebraska 



Editorial Convention.) After returning from 
the war he resumed his place as editor of "The 
Chronicle," but finallj' retired from newspaper 
work in 1871. He was twice Postmaster of the 
city of Decatur, first previous to 1850, and again 
under the administration of Pre.sident Grant; 
served also as a member of the City Council and 
was a member of the local Post of the G. A. R., 
and Secretary of the Macon County Association 
of Mexican War Veterans. Died, at Decatur, 
Jan. 20, 1894. 

UTICA, (also called North Utica), a village of 
La Salle County, on the Illinois & Michigan 
Canal and the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific 
Railway, 10 miles west of Ottawa, situated on the 
Illinois River opposite "Starved Rock," also 
believed to stand on the site of the Kaskaskia 
village found by the French Explorer, La Salle, 
when he first visited Illinois. "Utica cement" is 
produced here ; it also has several factories or 
mills, besides banks and a weekly paper. Popu- 
lation (1880), 767; (1890), 1,094; (1900), 1,160. 

VAJf ARJfAM, John, lawj'er and soldier, was 
born at Plattsburg, N. Y., March 3, 1820. Hav- 
ing lost his father at five years of age, he went to 
live with a farmer, but ran away in his boyhood; 
later, began teaching, studied law, and was ad- 
mitted to the bar in New York City, beginning 
practice at 5Iarshali, Jlich. In 1858 he removed 
to Chicago, and, as a member of the firm of 
Walker, Van Arnam & Dexter, became promi- 
nent as a criminal lawyer and railroad attorney, 
being for a time Solicitor of the Chicago, Burling- 
ton & Quincy Railroad. In 1862 he assisted in 
organizing the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh 
Illinois Volunteer Infantrj' and was commissioned 
its Colonel, but was comjielled to resign on 
account of illness. After spending some time in 
California, he resumed practice in Chicago in 
1865. His later years were spent in California, 
dying at San Diego, in that State, April 6, 1S90. 

VAXD.VLIA, tlie principal city and count}- -.seat 
of Fayette County. It is situated on the Kas- 
kaskia River, 30 miles north of Centralia, 63 
miles south by west of Decatur, and 68 miles 
east-northeast of St. Louis. It is an intersecting 
point for the Illinois Central and the St. Louis, 
Vandalia and Terre Haute Railroads. It was the 
capital of the ,State fi-om 1820 to 1839, the seat of 
government being removed to Springfield, the 
latter year, in accordance with act of the General 
Assembly passed at the session of 1837. It con- 
tains a court house (old State Capitol building), 
six churches, two banks, three weekly papers, a 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



543 



graded school, flour, saw and paper mills, foundry, 
stave and heading mill, carriage and wagon 
and brick works. Pop. (1890), 2,144; (1900), 2 06.5. 

V.\JiDEVEER, Horatio 31., pioneer lawyer, 
was bom in Washington County, Ind., March 1, 
1816; came with his family to Illinois at an early 
age, settling on Clear Creek, now in Christian 
County; taught school and studied law, using 
books borrowed from the late Hon. John T. Stuart 
of Springfield ; was elected first County Recorder 
of Christian County and, soon after, appointed 
Circuit Clerk, filling both offices three years. 
He also held the office of County Judge from 1848 
to 1857 ; was twice chosen Representative in the 
General Assembl3' (1843 and 1850) and once to the 
State Senate (1862); in 1846, euU-sted and was 
chosen Captain of a company for the Mexican 
War, but, having been rejected on account of the 
quota being full, was appointed Assistant-Quarter- 
master, in this capacity serving on the staff of 
General Taylor at the battle of Buena Vista. 
Among other offices held by Mr. Vandeveer, were 
those of Postmaster of Taylorville, Master in 
Chancery, Presidential Elector (1848), Delegate 
to the Constitutional Convention of 1862, and 
Judge of the Circuit Court (1870-79). In 1868 
Judge Vandeveer established the private banking 
firm of H. M. Vandeveer & Co., at Taylorville, 
which, in conjunction with his sons, he continued 
successfully during the remainder of his life. 
Died, March 12, 1894. 

VAN HORNE, William C, Railway Manager 
and President, was born in Will County, 111., 
Februarj-, 1843; began his career as a telegraph 
operator on tiie Illinois Central Railroad in 1856, 
was attached to the Michigan Central and Chi- 
cago & Alton Railroads (1858.72), later being 
General JIanager or General Superintendent of 
various other lines (1872-79). He next .served as 
General Superintendent of the Chicago, Milwau- 
kee & St. Paul, but soon after became General 
Manager of the Canadian Pacific, which he 
assisted to construct to the Pacific Coast; was 
elected Vice-President of the line in 1884, and its 
President in 1888. His services have been recog- 
nized by conferring upon liim the order of 
knighthood by tlie British Government. 

VASSEl'R, Noel C, pioneer Indian-trader, was 
born of French parentage in Canada, Dec. 25, 
1799; at the age of 17 made a trip with a trading 
part}' to the West, crossing Wisconsin by way of 
the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, the route inirsued 
by Joliet and JIarquette in 1673; later, was associ- 
ated with Gurdon S. Hubbard in the service of 
the American Fur Company, in 1820 visiting the 



region now embraced in Iroquois County, where 
he and Hubbani subsequently established a trad- 
ing post among the Pottawatomie Indians, 
believed to have been the site of the present town 
of Iroquois. The way of reaching their station 
from Chicago was by the Chicago and Des 
Plaines Rivers to the Kankakee, and ascending 
the latter and the Iroquois. Here Vasseur re- 
mained in trade until the removal of the Indians 
west of the l\Iississippi. in which he served as 
agent of the Government. WHiile in the Iroquois 
region he married W'atseka, a somewhat famous 
Pottawatomie woman, for whom the town of 
Watseka was named, and who had previously 
been the Indian wife of a fellow-trader. His 
later years were spent at Bourbonnais Grove, in 
Kankakee County, where he died, Dec. 12, 1879. 

VENICE, a city of Madison County, on the 
Mississippi River opposite St. Louis and 2 miles 
north of East St. Louis ; is touched by six trunk 
lines of railroad, and at the eastern approach to 
the new "'Merchants' Bridge," with its round- 
house, has two ferries to St. Louis, street car line, 
electric lights, water-works, some manufactures 
and a newspaper. Pop. (1890), 933; (1900), 2.450. 

VENICE & CARONDELET RAILROAD. (See 
Louisville, Evcnsville & St. Louis (Consolidated) 
Railroad.) 

VERMILION COUNTY, an eastern county, 
bordering on tlie Indiana State line, and drained 
by the Vermilion and Little Vermilion Rivers, 
from which it takes its name. It was originally 
organized in 1826, when it extended north to 
Lake Michigan. Its present area is 926 square 
miles. The discovery of salt springs, in 1819, 
aided in attracting immigration to this region, 
but the manufacture of salt was abandoned 
many years ago. Early settlers were Seymour 
Treat, James Butler, Henry Johnston. Harvey 
Lidington, Gurdon S. Hubbard and Daniel W. 
Beckwith. James Butler and Achilles Morgan 
were the first County Commissioners. Many 
interesting fossil remains have been found, 
among them the skeleton of a mastodon (1868). 
Fire clay is found in large quantities, and two 
coal seams cross the county. The surface is level 
.-ind the soil fertile. Corn is the chief agricultural 
product, although oats, wheat, rye, and potatoes 
are extensively cultivated. Stock-raising and 
wool-growing are important industries. There 
are also several manufactories, chiefly at Dan- 
ville, which is the county-seat. Coal mining 
is carried on extensively, especially in the vicin- 
ity of Danville. Population (1880), 41,588; (1890). 
49,905; (1900), 65,035. 



544 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



VERMILION RITER, a tributary of the lUi- 
nois; rises in Ford and the northern part of 
McLean County, and, running northwestward 
through Livingston and the southern part of 
La Salle Counties, enters the Illinois River 
nearly opposite the city of La Salle ; has a length 
of about 80 miles. 

VERMILION RIVER, an affluent of the Wa- 
bash, formed by the union of the North, Middle 
and South Forks, which rise in Illinois, and 
come together near Danv-.lle in this State. It 
flows southeastward, and enters the Wabash in 
Vermilion County, Ind. The main stream is 
about 28 miles long. The South Fork, however, 
which rises in Champaign Count}' and runs east- 
ward, has a length of nearly 75 miles. The 
Little Vermilion River enters the Wabash about 
7 or 8 miles below the Vermilion, which is some- 
times called the Big Vermilion, by way of 
distinction. 

VER3I0NT, a village in Fulton County, at 
junction of Galesburg and St. Louis Divi.sion of 
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 24 
miles north of Beardstown ; has a carriage manu- 
factory flour and saw-mills, brick and tile works, 
electric light plant, besides two banks, four 
churches, two graded schools, and one weekly 
newspaper. An artesian well has been sunk here 
to the depth of 2 600 feet Pop. (1900), 1,195. 

VERSAILLES, a town of Brown County, on 
the AVabash Railway, 48 miles east of Quincy ; is 
in a timber and agricultural district ; has a bank 
and weekly newspaper. Population (1900), 624. 

VIENNA, the county-seat of Johnson County, 
situated on the Cairo and Vincennes branch of 
the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis 
Railroad, 36 miles north-northwest of Cairo. It 
has a court house, several churches, a graded 
school, banks and two weekly newspapers. 
Population (1880), 494; (1890), 828: (1900), 1,217. 

VIGO, Francois, pioneer and early Indian- 
trader, was born at Mondovi, Sardinia (Western 
Italy), in 1747, served as a private soldier, first at 
Havana and afterwards at New Orleans. When 
he left the .Si)auish army he came to St. Louis, 
then the military headquarters of Spain for L^pper 
Louisiana, where he liecame a partner of Com- 
mandant de Leba, and was extensively engaged 
in the fur-trade among the Indians on the Obit) 
and Mississippi Rivers. On the occupation of 
Kaskaskia by Col. George Rogers Clark in 1778, 
he rendered valuable aid to the Americans, turn- 
ing out supplies to feeil Clark's destitute soldiers, 
and accepting Virginia Continental money, at 
par, in paj-ment, incurring liabilities in excess of 



$20,000. This, followed by the confiscation policy 
of the British Colonel Hamilton, at Vincennes, 
where Vigo had considerable property, reduced 
him to extreme penury. H. W. Beckwith says 
that, towards the close of his life, he lived on his 
little liome.stead near Vincennes, in great poverty 
but cheerful to the last He was never recom- 
pensed during his life for his .sacrifices in behalf 
of the American cause, though a tardy restitution 
was attempted, after his death, by the United 
States Government, for the benefit of his heirs. 
He died, at a ripe old age, at Vincennes, Ind., 
March 22, 1835. 

VILLA RIDGE, a village of Pula.ski County, 
on the Illinois Central Railwaj", 10 miles north of 
Cairo. Population, 500. 

VINCENNES, Jean Baptiste Bissot, a Canadian 
explorer, born at Quebec, January, 1688, of aris- 
tocratic and wealthy ancestry. He was closely 
connected with Louis Joliet — probably his 
brother-in-law. although some historians say that 
he was the latter's nephew. He entered the 
Canadian army as ensign in 1701. and had a long 
and varied experience as an Indian fighter. 
About 1725 he took up his residence on what is 
now the site of the present city of Vincennes, 
Ind., which is named in his honor. Here he 
erected an earth fort and established a trading- 
post. In 1726. imder orders, he cooperated with 
D'Artaguiette (then the French Governor of Illi- 
nois) in an expedition against the Chickasaws. 
The expedition resulted disastrously. Vincennes 
and D'Artaguiette were captured and burned 
at the stake, together with Father Senat (a 
Jesuit priest) and others of the command. 
(See also D'Artaguiette/ French Governors of 
Illinois. ) 

VIRDEN, a city of Macoupin County, on the 
Chicago & Alton and the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy Railroads, 21 miles .south by west from 
Springfield, and 31 miles east-southeast of Jack- 
sonville. It has five churches, two banks, two 
newspapers, telephone service, electric lights, 
grain elevators, machine shop, and extensive coal 
mines. Pop.(1900), 2,280; (school censusl903), 3,651. 

VIRGINIA, an incorporated city, the county- 
seat of Cass County, situated at the intersection of 
the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis, with the Spring- 
field Division of the Baltimore & Ohio South- 
western Railroad. 15 miles north of Jacksonville, 
and 33 miles west-northwest of Springfield. It 
lies in the heart of a rich agricultural region. 
There is a flouring mill here, besides manu- 
fivctories of wagons and cigars. The city has two 
National and one State bank, five churches, a 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOrEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



545 



higli scliool, and two weekly papers. Pop (1890), 
1,602; (1900). 1.600. 

YOCKE, William, lawyer, was born at Miu- 
deu, Westphalia ^Germauy), in 1S39, the son of a 
Government Secretary in the Prussian service. 
Having lost his father at an early age, he emi- 
grated to America in 1856, and, after a short 
stay in New York, came to Chicago, where he 
found employment as a paper-carrier for "The 
Staats-Zeitung," meanwhile giving his attention 
to the study of law. Later, he became associated 
with a real-estate firm; on the commencement 
of the Civil "War, enlisted as a private in a 
three months' regiment, and, finally, in the 
Twenty-fouith Illinois (the first Hecker regi- 
ment), in which he rose to the rank of Captain. 
Returning from the army, he was employed as 
city editor of "The Staats-Zeitung," but, in 
1865, became Clerk of the Chicago Police Court, 
serving until 1869. Meanwhile he had been 
admitted to the bar, and, on retii'ement from 
office, began practice, but, in ISTO, was elected 
Representative in tlie Twenty-seventh General 
Assembly, in which he bore a leading part in 
framing "the burnt record act" made necessary 
by the lire of 1871. He has since been engaged 
in the practice of his profession, having been, 
for a number of years, attorney for the German 
Consulate at Chicago, also serving, for several 
years, on the Chicago Board of Education. Mr. 
Vocke is a man of high literary tastes, as shown 
by his publication, in 1869, of a volume of poems 
translated from the German, which has been 
highly commended, besides a legal work on 
"The Administration of Justice in the United 
States, and a Synopsis of the Mode of Procedure 
in our Federal and State Com'ts and All Federal 
and State Laws relating to Subjects of Interest 
to Aliens," which has been pubhshed in the Ger- 
man Language, and is highly valued by German 
lawyers and business men. Mr. Vocke was a 
member of the Republican National Convention 
of 1872 at Philadelphia, which nominated General 
Grant for the Presidency a second time. 

VOLK, Leonard Wells, a distinguished Illinois 
sculptor, born at Wellstown (afterwards Wells), 
N. Y., Nov. 7, 1828. Later, his father, who was 
a marble cutter , removed to Pittsfield, Mass., 
and, at the age of 16, Leonard began work in his 
shop. In 1848 he came west and began model- 
ing in clay and drawing at St. Louis, being only 
self-taught. He married a cousin of Stephen A. 
Douglas, and the latter, in 1855, aided him in 
the prosecution of his art studies in Italy. Two 
years afterward he settled in Chicago, where he 



modeled the first portrait bust ever made in the 
city, having for his subject his first patron — the 
"Little Giant." The ue.\t year (18.58) he made a 
life-size marble statue of Douglas. In 1860 he 
made a portrait bust of Abraham Lincoln, which 
]iassed into the possession of tlie Cliicago His- 
torical Society and was destroyed in the great fire 
of 1871. In 1808-G9, and again in 1871-73, he 
revisited Italy for purposes of study. In 1867 he 
was elected academician of the Chicago Academy, 
and was its President for eight years. He was 
genial, companionable and charitable, and always 
ready to assist his yoimger and less fortunate pro- 
fessional brethren. His best known works are the 
Douglas Monument, in Chicago, .several soldiers' 
monuments in different parts of the country, 
the statuary for the Henry Keep mausoleum at 
Watertown, N. Y., life-size statues of Lincoln 
and Douglas, in the State House at Springfield, 
and numerous portrait busts of men eminent 
in political, ecclesiastical and commercial life. 
Died, at Osceola, Wis., August 18, 1805. 

VOSS, Arno, journalist, law3-er and soldier, 
born in Prussia, April 10, 1821 ; emigrated to the 
United States and was admitted to the bar in 
Chicago, in 1848, the same year becoming editor 
of "The Staats-Zeitung"; was elected City 
Attorney in 1852, and again in 1853; in 1861 
became Major of the Sixth Illinois Cavalry, but 
afterwards assisted in organizing the Twelfth 
Cavalry, of which he was commissioned Colonel, 
still later serving with his command in Vir- 
ginia. He was at Harper's Ferrj' at the time of 
the capture of that place in September, 1862, but 
succeeded in cutting his way, with his command, 
through the rebel lines, escaping into Pennsyl- 
vania. Compelled by ill-health to leave the serv- 
ice in 1863, he retired to a farm in Will County, 
but, in 1869. returned to Chicago, where he served 
as Master in Chancery and was elected to the 
lower branch of the General Assembly in 1876, 
but declined a re-election in 1878. Died, in Chi- 
cago, March 23, 1888. 

WABASH, CHESTER & WESTERN RAIL- 
ROAD, a railway running fiom Chester to Mount 
Vernon, 111. , 63. 33 miles, with a branch extend- 
ing from Chester to Menard. 1.5 miles; total 
mileage, 64.83. It is of standard gauge, and 
almost entirely laid with 00-pound steel rails. — 
(History.) It was organized, Feb. 20, 1878, as 
successor to the Iron Jlountain, Chester & East- 
ern Railroad. Dining the li.scal year 1893-94 the 
Company i)urchased the Tamaroa & IMount Ver- 
non Railroad, extending from Mount Vernon to 



546 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Tamaroa, 23.5 miles. Capital stock (1898), $1,- 
250,000; boniled indebtedness, $090,000; total 
capitalization, §3,038,573. 

WABASH COUNTY, situated in the southeast 
corner of the State ; area 220 square miles. The 
county was carved out from Edwards in 1834, 
and the first court house built at Centerrille, in 
May, 182G. Later, Mount Carmel was made the 
county-seat. (See Mount Car7nel.) The Wabash 
Eiver drains the county on the east; other 
streams are the Bon Pas, Coffee and Crawfish 
Creeks. The surface is undulating with a fair 
growth of timber. The chief industries are the 
raising of live-stock and the cultivation of cere- 
als. The wool-crop is likewise valuable. The 
county is crossed by the Louisville. Evansville & 
St. Louis and the Cairo and Vincennes Division 
of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. 
Louis Raib-oads. Population (1880), 4,945; (1890), 
11,8GG; (1900), 12,583. 

WABASH RAILROAD, an extensive railroad 
system connecting the cities of Detroit and 
Toledo, on the east, with Kansas City and Council 
Bluffs, on the west, with branches to Chicago, St. 
Louis, Quincy and Altamont, 111., and to Keokuk 
and Des Sloines, Iowa. The total mileage (1898) 
is 1,874.90 miles, of which 077.4 miles are in Illi- 
nois — all of the latter being the property of the 
company, besides 170.7 miles of yard-tracks, sid- 
ings and spurs. The company has trackage 
privileges over the Toledo, Peoria & Western (0.5 
miles) between Elvaston and Keokuk bridge, and 
over the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy (31.8 
miles) between Camp Point and Quincy. — (His- 
tory.) A considerable portion of this i-oad in 
Illinois is constructed on the line upon which the 
Northern Cross Railroad was projected, in the 
"internal improvement" scheme adopted in 1837, 
and embraces the only section of road completed 
under that scheme — that between the Illinois 
River and Springfield. (1) The construction of 
this section was begun by the State, May 11, 
1837, the first rail laid. May 9, 1838, the road 
completed to Jacksonville, Jan. 1, 1840, and to 
Springfield, Maj' 13, 1842. It was operated for a 
time by "mule power." but the income was in- 
sufficient to keep the line in repair and it was 
finally abandoned. In 1847 the line was sold for 
$21,100 toN. H. Ridgelyand Thomas Mather of 
Springfield, and by them transferred to New 
York capitalists, who organized the Sangamon & 
Morgan Railroad Company, reconstructed the 
road from Springfield to Naples and opened it for 
business in 1849. (2) In 1853 two corporations 
■were organized in Ohio and Indiana, respectively. 



under the name of the Toledo & Illinois Railroad 
and the Lake Erie, Wabash & St. Louis Railroad, 
which were consolidated as the Toledo, Wabash 
& Western Railroad, June 25, 1856. In 1858 
these lines were sold separately under foreclo- 
sure, and finally reorganized, under a special char- 
ter granted by the Illinois Legislature, under the 
name of the Great Western Railroad Company. 
(3) The Quincy & Toledo Railroad, extending 
from Camp Point to the Illinois River opposite 
Meredosia, was constructed in 1858-59, and that, 
with the Illinois & Southern Iowa (from Clay- 
ton to Keokuk), was united, July 1, 1865, with 
the eastern divisions extending to Toledo, the 
new organization taking the name of the main 
line, (Toledo, Wabash & Western). (4) The 
Hannibal & Naples Division (49.6 miles), from 
Bluff's to Hannibal, Mo., was chartered in 1803, 
opened for business in 1870 and leased to the 
Toledo, Wabash & Western. The latter defaulted 
on its interest in 1875, was placed in the hands 
of a receiver and, in 1877, was turned over to a 
new company under the name of the Wabash 
Railway Company. (5) In 1868 the companj', 
as it then existed, promoted and secured the con- 
struction, and afterwards acquired the owner- 
ship, of a line extending from Decatur to East St. 
Louis (110.5 miles) under the name of the Deca- 
tur & East St. Louis Railroad. (0) The Eel River 
Railroad, from Butler to Logansport, Ind., was 
acquired in 1877, and afterwards extended to 
Detroit under the name of the Detroit, Butler & 
St. Louis Railroad, completing the connection 
from Logansport to Detroit. — In November, 1879, 
the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway Com- 
pany was organized, took the property and con- 
solidated it with certain lines west of the 
Mississippi, of which tlie chief was the St. Louis, 
Kansas City & Northern. A line had been pro- 
jected from Decatur to Chicago as early as 1870, 
but, not having been constructed in 1881, the 
Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific purchased what was 
known as the Chicago & Paducah Railroad, 
uniting with the main line at Bement, and (by 
way of the Decatur and St. Louis Division) gi%-- 
ing a direct line between Chicago and St. Louis. 
At this time the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific was 
operating the following additional leased lines: 
Pekin, Lincoln & Decatur (07.2 miles); Hannibal 
& Central 3Iis.souri (70.2 miles); Lafayette, Mun- 
cie & Bloomington (36.7 miles), anil the Lafayette 
Bloomington & Muncie (80 miles). A connection 
between Chicago on the west and Toledo and 
Detroit on the east was established over the 
Grand Trunk road in 1883, but, in 1890, the com- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



547 



pany constructed a line from 5Iontpelier. Ohio, to 
Clark, InJ. (149.7 miles), thence by track lease 
to Chicago (17.5 miles), giving an independent 
line between Chicago and Detroit by wliat is 
known to investors as the Detroit & Chicago 
Division. 

The total mileage of the Wabash, St. Louis & 
Pacific system, in 1884, amounted to over 3,600 
miles; but, in May of that year, default having 
been made in the paj'ment of interest, the work 
of disintegration began. The main line east of 
the Slississippi and tliat on the west were sepa- 
rated, the latter taking the name of the "Wabash 
Western." The Eastern Division was placed in 
the hands of a receiver, so remaining until May, 
1889, when the two divisions, having been 
bought in by a purchasing committee, were 
consolidated under the present name. The total 
earnings and income of the road in Illinois, for 
the fiscal year 1898, were $4,403,021, and tlie 
expenses $4,836,110. The total capital invested 
(1898) was 8139,889,643, including capital stock 
of $52,000,000 and bonds to the amount of §81,- 
534,000. 

WABASH KIVER, rises in northwestern Ohio, 
passes into Indiana, and runs northwest to Hun- 
tington. It then flows nearly due west to Logans- 
port, thence southwest to Covington, finally 
turning southward to Terre Haute, a few miles 
below which it strikes the western boundary of 
Indiana. It fornas the boundary between Illinois 
and Indiana (taking into account its numerous 
windings) for some 300 miles. Below Vincennes 
it runs in a south-southwesterly direction, and 
enters the Ohio at the south- west extremity of 
Indiana, near latitude 37^ 49' north. Its length 
is estimated at 557 miles. 

WABASH & MISSISSIPPI RAILROAD. 
(See lUinois Central Railruad.) 

WABASH, ST. LOUIS & PACIFIC RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Wabash Railroail.) 

WABASH & WESTERN RAILROAD. (See 
Wabash Railroad.) 

WAIT, William Smith, pioneer, and original 
suggestor of the Illinois Central Railroad, was 
born in Portland, Maine, March 5, 1789, and edu- 
cated in the public schools of his native place. 
In his youth he entered a book publishing house 
in which his father was a partner, and was for a 
time associated with the pulilication of a weekly 
paper. Later the business was conducted at 
Boston, and extended over the Eastern, Miildle, 
and Southern States, the subject of this sketch 
making extensive tours in the interest of the 
firm. In 1817 he made a tour to the West, 



reaching St. Louis, and, early in the following 
year, visited Bond County, 111., wliere he made 
his first entrj- of land from the Government. 
Returning to Boston a few months later, he con- 
tinued in the service of the publishing firm until 
1820, when he again came to Illinois, and, in 
1831, began farming in Ripley Township, Bond 
County. Returning East in 1824, he spent the 
next ten years in the employment of the publish- 
ing firm, with occasional visits to Illinois. In 
1835 he located permanently near Greenville, 
Bond County, and engaged extensively in farm- 
ing and fruit-raising, planting one of the largest 
apple orchards in the State at that early day. In 
1845 he presided as chairman over the National 
Industrial Convention in New York, and, in 
1848, was nominated as the candidate of the 
National Reform As.sociation for Vice-President 
on the ticket with Gerrit Smith of New York, 
but declined. He was also prominent in County 
and State Agricultural Societies. Mr Wait has 
been credited with being one of the first (if not 
the very first) to suggest the construction of the 
Illinois Central Railroad, which he did as early 
as 1835 ; was also one of the prime movers in the 
construction of the Mississippi & Atlantic Rail- 
road — now the "Vandalia Line'" — giving much 
time to the latter enterprise from 1840 for many 
years, and was one of the original incorporators 
of the St. Louis & lUinois Bridge Company. 
Died, July 17, 1865. 

WALKER, Cyrus, pioneer, lawyer, born in 
Rockbridge County, Va., May 14, 1791; was taken 
while an infant to Adair County, Ky., and came 
to Macomb, 111., in 1833, being the second lawyer 
to locate in SIcDonough County. He had a wide 
reputation as a successful advocate, especially in 
criminal cases, and practiced extensively in the 
courts of Western Illinois and also in Iowa. Died, 
Dec. 1, 1875. Jlr. Walker was uncle of the late 
Piukney H. Walker of the Supreme Court, who 
studied law with him. He was Whig candidate 
for Presidential Elector for the State-at- large in 
1840. 

WALKER, James Barr, clergyman, was born 
in Philadelphia, July 29, 1805; in his youth 
served as errand boy in a country store near 
Pittsburg and spent four j'ears in a printing 
oflice ; then became clerk in the office of Monlecai 
M. Noah, in New York, studied law and gradu- 
ated from Western Reserve College, Ohio ; edited 
various religious papers, including "The Watch- 
man of the Prairies" (now "The Advance") of 
Chicago, was licensed to preach by the Presbytery 
of Chicago, and for some time was lec-turer on 



548 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



"Harmony between Soience and Revealed Reli- 
gion" at Uberliu College and Chicago Theological 
Seminary. He was author of several volumes, 
one of which — "Tlie Philosophy of the Plan of 
Salvation," published anonyitiously under the 
editorship of Prof. Calvin E. Stowe (1855) — ran 
through several editions and was translated into 
five different languages, including Hindustanee. 
Died, at Wheaton, 111., March 6, 1887. 

WALKER, James Monroe, corporation lawyer 
and Railway President, was born at Claremont, 
N. H., Feb. 14, 1820. At fifteen he removed with 
his parents to a farm in Michigan ; was educated 
at Oberlin, Ohio, and at the University of Michi- 
gan, Ann Arbor, graduating from the latter in 
1849. He then entered a law office as clerk and 
student, was admitted to the bar the next year, 
and soon after elected Prosecuting Attorney of 
Washtenaw County ; was also local attorney for 
the Michigan Central Railway, for which, after 
his removal to Chicago in 185.3, he became Gen- 
eral Solicitor. Two years later the firm of Sedg- 
wick & Walker, which had been organized in 
Michigan, became attorneys for the Chicago, 
Burliugtbn & Quincy Railroad, and, until his 
death, Mr. Walker was associated with this com- 
pany, either as General Solicitor, General Counsel 
or President, filling the latter position from 1870 
to 1875. Mr. Walker organized both the Chicago 
and Kansas City stock-yards, and was President 
of these corporations, as also of the Wilmington 
Coal Company, down to the time of his death, 
which occurred on Jan. 22, 1881, as a result of 
heart disease. 

WALKER, (Rev.) Jesse, Methodist Episcopal 
missionary, was born in Rockingham County, 
Va., June 9, 1766; in 1800 removed to Tennessee, 
became a traveling preacher in 1802, and, in 
1806, came to Illinois under the presiding-elder- 
ship of Rev. William McKendree (afterwards 
Bishop), locating first at Turke}- Hill, St. Clair 
County. In 1807 he held a camp meeting near 
Edwardsville — the first on Illinois soil. Later, 
he transferred his labors to Northern Illinois; 
was at Peoria in 1824; at Ottawa in 1825, and 
devoted much time to missionary work among 
the Pottawatomies, maintaining a school among 
them for a time. He visited Chicago in 1826, and 
there is evidence that he was a prominent resident 
there for several years, occupying a log house, 
which he used as a church and living-room, on 
"Wolf Point" at the junction of the North and 
South Branches of the Chicago River. While 
acting as superintendent of the Fox River mis- 
sion, his residence appears to have been at Plain- 



field, in the northern part of Will County. Died, 
Oct. 5, 1835. 

WALKER, Pinkney H., lawj-er and jurist, 
was born in Adair County, Ky., June 18, 1815. 
His boyhood was chiefl}' passed in farm work and 
as clerk in a general store ; in 1834 he came to Illi- 
nois, settling at Rushville, where he worked iu a 
store for four years. In 1838 he removed to 
Macomb, where he began attendance at an acad- 
emy and the study of law with his uncle. Cj'rus 
W^alker, a leading lawyer of his time. He was 
admitted to the bar in 1839, practicing at Macomb 
until 1848, when he returned to Rushville. In 
1853 he was elected Judge of the Fifth Judicial 
Circuit, to fill a vacancy, and re-elected in 1855. 
This position he resigned in 1858, having been 
appointed, by Governor Bissell, to fill the vacancy 
on the bench of the Supreme Court occasioned by 
the resignation of Judge Skinner. Two months 
later he was elected to the same position, and 
re-elected in 1807 and "70. He presided as Chief 
Justice from January, 1864, to June, '67, and 
again from June, 1874, to June, "75. Before the 
expiration of his last term he died, Feb. 7, 1885. 

WALL, George Willard, lawyer, politician and 
Judge, was born at Chillicothe, Ohio, April 22, 
1839; brought to Perry County, 111., in infancy, 
and received bis preparatory education at McKen. 
dree College, finally graduating from the Uni- 
versity of Michigan in 1858, and from the 
Cincmnati Law School in 1859, when he began 
practice at Duquoin, 111. He was a member of 
the Constitutional Convention of 1862, and, from 
1864 to "68, served as State's Attorney for the 
Third Judicial District ; was also a Delegate to the 
State Constitutional Convention of 1869-70. In 
1872 he was an unsuccessful Democratic candi- 
date for Congress, although running ahead of his 
ticket. In 1877 he was elected to the bench of 
the Third Circuit, and reelected in "79, "85 and 
'91, much of the time since 1877 being on duty 
upon the Appellate bench. His home is at 
Duquoin. 

WALLACE, (Rev.) Peter, D.D., clergyman 
and soldier; was born in Mason County, Ky., 
Ajjril 11, 1813; taken in infancy to Brown 
County, Ohio, where he grew up on a farm until 
15 years of age, when he was apprenticed to a 
carpenter; at the age of 20 came to Illinois, 
where he became a contractor and builder, fol- 
lowing this occupation for a number of years. He 
was converted in 1835 at Springfield, 111., and, 
some years later, having decided to enter the 
ministry, was admitted to the Illinois Conference 
as a deacon by Bishop E. S. Janes in 1855, and 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



549 



placed in charge of the Danville Circuit. Two 
years later he was ordained by Bishop Scott, and, 
in the next few years, held pastorates at various 
places in the central and eastern parts of the 
State. From 1807 to 1874 he was Presiding Elder 
of the Mattoon and Quiuej' Districts, and, for six 
years, held the position of President of the Board 
of Trustees of Chaddock College at Quincy, from 
•which he received the degree of D.D. in 1881. 
In the second year of the Civil War he raised a 
company in Sangamon County, was chosen 
its Captain and assigned to the Seventy-third 
Illinois Volunteers, known as the "preachers' 
regiment" — all of its ofBcers being ministers. In 
1864 he was compelled by ill-health to resign his 
commission. While pastor of the church at Say- 
brook. 111., he was offered the position of Post- 
master of that place, which he decided to accept, 
and was allowed to retire from the active minis- 
try. On retirement from office, in 1884, he 
removed to Chicago. In 1889 he was appointed 
by Governor Fifer the first Chaplain of the Sol- 
diers' and Sailors' Home at Quincj', but retired 
some four years afterward, when he returned to 
Chicago. Dr. Wallace was an eloquent and 
effective preacher and continued to preach, at 
intervals, until within a short time of his decease, 
which occurred in Chicago, Feb. 21, 1897, in his 
84th year. A zealous patriot, he frequently 
spoke very effectively upon the political rostrum. 
Originally a Whig, he became a Republican on 
the organization of that party, and took pride in 
the fact that the first vote he ever cast was for 
Abraham Lincoln, for Representative in the Legis- 
lature, in 1834. He was a Knight Templar, Vice- 
President of tlie Tippecanoe Club of Chicago, 
and, at his deatli. Chaplain of America Post, No. 
708, G. A. R. 

WALLACE, William Henry Lamb, lawyer and 
soldier, was born at Urbana, Ohio, July 8, 1831 ; 
brought to Illinois in 1833, his father settling 
near La Salle and, afterwards, at Slount IMorris, 
Ogle County, where young Wallace attended tlie 
Rock River Seminary ; was admitted to the bar in 
184.'); in 1846 enlisted as a private in the First Illi- 
nois Volunteers (Col. John J. Hardin's regiment), 
for the Mexican War, rising to the rank of Adju- 
tant and participtingin the battle of Buena Vista 
(wliere his connuander was killed), and in other 
engagements. Returning to his profession at 
Ottawa, he served as Di-strict Attorney (18.'J'2-.')6), 
tlien became partner of Iiis father-in-law. Col. 
T. Lyle Dickey, afterwards of the Supreme Court. 
In April, ls61, lie was one of the first to answer 
the call for troops by enlisting, and became Colo- 



nel of the Eleventh Illinois (three-months' 
men), afterwards re-enlisting for three years. 
As commander of a brigade he participated in 
the capture of Forts Henry and Donelson, in Feb- 
ruary, 1862, receiving promotion as Brigadier- 
General for gallantry. At Pittsburg Landing 
(Shiloh), as commander of Gen. C. F. Smith's 
Division, devolving on him on account of the 
illness of his superior officer, he showed great 
courage, but fell mortally wounded, dying at 
Charleston, Tenn. , April 10, 1862. His career 
promised great brilliancy and his loss was greatly 
deplored.— Martin R. M. ( Wallace), brother of 
the preceding, was born at Urbana, Ohio, Sept. 
29, 1829, came to La Salle County, 111. , witli his 
father's family and was educated in the local 
schools and at Rock River Seminary ; studied law 
at Ottawa, and was admitted to the bar in 1856, 
soon after locating in Chicago. In 1861 he 
assisted in organizing the Fourth Regiment Illi- 
nois Cavalry, of which he became Lieutenant- 
Colonel, and was complimented, in 186.5, with the 
rank of brevet Brigadier-General. After the 
war he served as Assessor of Internal Revenue 
(1866-69); County Judge (1809-77) ; Pro-secuting 
Attorney (1884); and, for many years past, lias 
been one of the Justices of the Peace of the city 
of Chicago. 

WALNUT, a town of Bureau County, on the 
Mendota and Fulton branch of the Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Quincy Railroad, 26 miles west of 
Mendota; is in a farming and stock-raising dis- 
trict; has two banks and two newspapers. Popu- 
lation (1890), 605; (1900), 791. 

WAR OF 1S12, Upon the declaration of war 
by Congress, in June, 1812, the Pottawatomies, 
and most of the other tribes of Indians in the 
Territorj' of Illinois, strongly sympatliized with 
the British. The savages had been hostile and 
restless for some time previous, and blockhouses 
and family forts had been erected at a number 
of points, especially in the settlements most 
exposed to the incursions of the savages. Gov- 
ernor Edwards, becoming apprehensive of an 
outbreak, constructed Fort Russell, a few miles 
from Edwardsville. Taking the Held in person, 
he made this his headipiarters, and collected a 
force of 2.50 mounted volunteers, who were later 
reinforced by two companies of rangers, under 
Col. William Russell, numbering about 100 men. 
An independent company of twenty-one spies, of 
wliicli John Reynolds — afterwards Governor — 
was a member, was also formed and led by Capt. 
Samuel Ju<ly. The (Jovernor organized his little 
army into two regiments under Colonels Rector 



550 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



and Stephenson, Colonel Rnssell serving as 
second to the commander-in-chief, other mem- 
bers of his staff being Secretary Nathaniel Pope 
and Robert K. McLaughlin. On Oct. 18, 1812, 
Governor Edwards, with his men, set out for 
Peoria, where it was expected that their force 
would meet that of General Hopkins, who had 
been sent from Kentucky with a force of 2,000 
men. En route, two Kickapoo villages were 
burned, and a number of Indians unnecessarily 
slain by Edwards" party. Hopkins had orders to 
disperse the Indians on the Illinois and Wabash 
Rivers, and destroy their villages. He deter- 
mined, however, on reaching the headwaters of 
the Vermilion to proceed no farther. Governor 
Edwards reached the head of Peoria Lake, but. 
failing to meet Hopkins, returned to Fort Russell. 
About the same time Capt. Thomas E. Craig led 
a party, in two boats, up the Illinois River to 
Peoria. His boats, as he alleged, having been 
fired upon in the night by Indians, who were har- 
bored and protected by the French citizens of 
Peoria, he burned the gi-eater part of the village, 
and capturing the population, carried them down 
the river, putting them on shore, in the early part 
of the winter, just below Alton. Other desultory 
expeditions marked the campaigns of 1S13 and 
1814. The Indians meanwhile gaining courage, 
remote settlements were continually harassed 
by marauding bands. Later in 1811, an expedi- 
tion, led by Major (afterwards President) Zachary 
Taylor, ascended the Mississippi as far as Rock 
Island, where he found a large force of Indians, 
supported by British regulars with artillery. 
Finding himself unable to cope witli so formida- 
ble a foe. Major Taylor retreated down the river. 
On the site of the present town of Warsaw he 
threw up fortifications, which he named Fort 
Edwards, from which point he was subsequently 
compelled to retreat. The same year the British, 
with their Indian allies, descended from Macki- 
nac, captured Prairie du Chien, and burned Forts 
Madison and Johnston, after which they retired 
to Cap au Gris. The treaty of Ghent, signed 
Dec. 24, 1814, closed the war, although no formal 
treaties were made with tlie tribes until tlie year 
following. 

WAR OF THE REBELLION. At the outbreak 
of the Civil War, the e.xecutive chair, in Illinois, 
vras occupied by Gov. Richard Yates. Immedi- 
ately upon the issuance of President Lincoln's 
first call for troops (April 1.5. 18G1), the Governor 
issued his proclamation summoning the Legisla- 
ture together in special session and, tlie .sauie 
day, issued a call for "six regiments of militia," 



the quota assigned to the State under call of the 
President. Public excitement was at fever heat, 
and dormant patriotism in both sexes was 
aroused as never before. Party lines were 
broken down and. with comparatively few excep- 
tions, the mass of the jieople were actuated by a 
common sentiment of patriotism. On April 19, 
Governor Yates was instructed, by the Secretary 
of War, to take possession of Cairo as an important 
strategic point. At that time, the State militia 
organizations were few in number and poorly 
equipped, consisting chiefly of independent com- 
panies in the larger cities. The Governor acted 
with great promptitude, and, on April 21, seven 
companies, numbering 595 men, commanded by 
Gen. Richard K. Swift of Chicago, were en route 
to Cairo. The first volunteer company to tender 
its services, in response to Governor Yates' proc- 
lamation, on April 16, was the Zouave Grays of 
Springfield. Eleven other companies were ten- 
dered the same day, and, bj' the evening of the 
18th, the number had been increased to fifty. 
Simultaneously with these proceedings, Chicago 
bankers tendered to the Governor a war loan of 
S.-500,000, and those of Springfield, .?100, 000. The 
Legislature, at its special session, passed acts in- 
creasing the efficiency of the militia law, and 
provided for the creation of a war fund of §2,- 
000.000. Besides the six regiments alread}- called 
for, the raising of ten additional volunteer regi- 
ments and one battery of light artillery was 
authorized. The last of the six regiments, 
apportioned to Illinois under the first presidential 
call, was dispatched to Cairo early in May. The 
six regiments were numbered the Seventh to 
Twelfth, inclusive — the earlier numbers. First to 
Sixth, being conceded to the six regiments wliicli 
had served in the war with ^Mexico. The regi- 
ments were commanded, respectively, liy Colonels 
John Cook, Richard J. Oglesby, Eleazer A. Paine, 
James D. Morgap, William H. L. Wallace, and 
John McArthur, constituting the "First Brigade 
of Illinois 'Volunteers." Benjamin M. Prentiss, 
having been chosen Brigadier-General on arrival 
at Cairo, assumed command, relieving General 
Swift. Tlie quota imder the .second call, consist- 
ing of ten regiments, was mustered into service 
within sixt}' days, 200 companies being tendered 
immediatel}-. Many more volunteered than could 
be accepted, and large numbers crossed to IMis- 
souri and enlisted in regiments forming in that 
State. During June and July the Secretary of 
War aiithorized Governor Yates to recruit twenty- 
two .additional regiments (seventeen infantry and 
five cavalry), which were promptly raised. On 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



551 



July 22, the day following the defeat of the Union 
armj' at Bull Run, President Lincoln called for 
500,000 more volunteers. Governor Yates im- 
mediately responded with an oiler to tlie War 
Departuient of sixteen more regiments (tliirteen 
of infantry and three of cavalry), and a battalion 
of artillery, adding, that tlie State claimed it as 
her right, to do lier full share toward the preser- 
vation of the Union. Under supplemental author- 
ity, received from the Secretary of War in 
August, 1861, twelve additional regiments of in- 
fantrj- and five of cavalry were raised, and, by De- 
cember, 18G1, the State had 43,000 vohmteers in 
the field and 17,000 in camps of instruction. 
Other calls were made in July and August, ISUS, 
each for 300,000 men. Illinois' quota, under both 
calls, was over 52,000 men, no regard being paid 
to the fact that the State had alreadj- furnished 
16.000 troops in excess of its quotas under previ- 
ous calls. Unless this number of volunteers was 
raised by September 1, a draft would be ordered. 
The tax was a severe one, inasmuch as it would 
fall chiefly upon the prosperous citizens, the float- 
ing population, the idle and the extremely poor 
having alreadj- followed the army's march, either 
as soldiers or as camp-followers. But recruiting 
was activelj' carried on, and, aided by liberal 
bounties in many of the counties, in less than a 
fortnight the 52,000 new troops were secured, the 
volunteers coming largely from the substantial 
classes — agricultural, mercantile, artisan and 
professional. By the end of December, fifty-nine 
regiments and four batteries had been dispatched 
to the front, besides a considerable number to fill 
up regiments already in i;he field, which had suf- 
fered severely from battle, exposure and disease. 
At this time, Illinois had an aggregate of over 
135,000 enlisted men in tlie field. The issue of 
President Lincoln's preliminary proclamation of 
emancipation, in September, 1862, was met bj- a 
storm of hostile criticism from his political 
opponents, who — aided by the absence of so 
large a proportion of the loyal population of tlie 
State in the field — were able to carry the elec- 
tions of that }-ear. Consequently, when the 
Twenty-third General Assembly convened in 
regular session at Springfield, on Jan. 5, 1863, a 
large majority of that body was not only opposed 
to both tlie National and State administrations, 
but avowedly ojjposed to the further prosecution 
of the war under the existing policy. The Leg- 
islature reconvened in Jime, but was prorogued 
by Governor Yates Between Oct. 1, 1803, and 
July 1, 1864. 16.000 veterans re-enli.sted ami 
37,000 new volunteers were enrolled; and, by the 



date last mentioned, Illinois had furnished to the 
Union army 244,490 men, being 14.590 in ex- 
cess of the allotted <iuotas, constituting fifteen 
per cent of the entire population. The.se were 
comprised in 151 regiments of infantry, 17 of 
cavalry and two complete regiments of artillery, 
besides twelve independent batteries. The total 
losses of Illinois organizations, during the war, 
has been reported at 34,834, of which 5,874 were 
killed in battle, 4,020 died from wounds, 22,786 
from disease and 2,154 from other caiuses — being 
a total of thirteen per cent of the entire force of 
the State in the service. The part which Illinois 
played in the contest was conspicuous for patriot- 
ism, jjromptness in response to every call, and 
the bravery and efficiency of its troops in the 
field — reflecting honor upon the State and its liis- 
tory. Nor were its loyal citizens — who, while 
staying at home, furnished moral and material 
support to the men at the front — less worthy of 
praise than those who volunteered. By uphold- 
ing the Government — National and State — and 
by their zeal and energy in collecting and sending 
forward immense quantities of supplies — surgical, 
medical and other — often at no little sacrifice, 
they contributed much to the success of the 
Union arms. (See also Camp Douglas; Camp 
Douglas Conspiracy; Secret Treasonable Soci- 
eties.) 

ViXn OF THE REBELLION (History of Illi 
NOis Regiments). The following is a list of the 
various militaiy organizations mustered into the 
service during the Civil War (1861-05), with the 
terms of service and a summary of the more 
important events in the history of each, while 
in the field : 

Seventh Infantry. Illinois having sent six 
regiments to the Mexican War, by courtesy the 
numbering of the regiments which took part in 
the war for the Union began with number 
Seven. A number of regiments which responded 
to the first call of the President, claimed the right 
to be recognized as the first regiment in the 
field, but the honor was finally accorded to that 
organized at Springfield by Col. John Cook, and 
lience his regiment was numbered Seventh. It 
was mustered into the service, April 25, 1801, and 
remained at Mound City during the tliree months' 
.service, the period of its first enli.stment. It was 
subseiiuently reorganized and mustered for the 
three years' service, July 25, 1801, and was 
engaged in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, 
Corinth, Clierokee, Allatoona Pass, Salkah.atchie 
Swamp, Bentonville and Columbia. The regi- 
ment re-enlisted as veterans at Pulaski, Tenn., 



552 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Dec. 23, 18G3; was mustered out at Louisville, 
July 9, 1865, and paid off and discharged at 
Spi'ingfield, July 11. 

Eighth Infantry. Organized at Springfield, 
and mustered in for three months" service, April 
26, 1861, Richard J. Oglesby of Decatur, being 
appointed Colonel. It remained at Cairo during 
its term of service, when it was mustered out. 
July 25, 1861, it was reorganized and mustered in 
for three years" service. It participated iu the 
battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Port Gibson, 
Thompson Hill, Raymond, Champion Hill, Vicks- 
burg, Brownsville, and Spanish Fort ; re-enlisted 
as veterans, March 24, 1864 ; was mustered out at 
Baton Rouge, May 4, 1866, paid off and dis- 
charged. May 13, having served five years. 

Ninth Inf.\ntry. Mustered into the service 
at Springfield. April 26, 1861, for the term of 
three months, under Col. Eleazer A. Paine. It 
was reorganized at Cairo, in August, for three 
years, being composed of companies from St. 
Clair, Madison, Montgomery, Pulaski, Alexander 
and Mercer Counties ; was engaged at Fort Donel- 
son, Shiloh, Jackson (Tenn.), Meed Creek 
Swamps, Salem, Wyatt, Florence, Montezuma, 
Athens and Grenada. Tlie regiment was mounted, 
JIarch 15, 1863, and so continued during the 
remainder of its service. Mustered out at Louis- 
ville, July 9, 1863. 

Tenth Infantry. Organized and mustered 
into the service for three months, on April 29, 
1861, at Cairo, and on Julj' 29, 1861, was mustered 
into the service for three years, with Col. James 
D. Morgan in command. It was engaged at 
Sykeston, New Madrid, Corinth, Missionary 
Ridge. Buzzard"s Roost, Resaca, Rome, Kenesaw, 
Chattahoochie, Savannah and Bentonville. Re- 
enlisted as veterans, Jan. 1, 1864, and mustered 
out of service, July 4. 1865, at Louisville, and 
received final discharge and i)ay, Jul}- 11, 1865, 
at Chicago. 

Eleventh Infantry. Organized at Spring- 
field and mustered into service, April 30, 1861, 
for three months. July 30, the regiment was 
mustered out, and re-enlisted for three years' 
service. It was engaged at Fort Donelson, 
Sliiloh, Corinth, Tallahatchie, Vicksburg, Liver- 
pool Heights, Yazoo City, Spanish Fort anil 
Fort Blakely. W. H. L. Wallace, afterwards 
Brigadier-General and killed at Shiloh, was its 
first Colonel. Mustered out of service, at Baton 
Rouge, July 14, 1865 ; paid off and discharged at 
Springfield. 

Twelfth Infantry. Mustered into service 
for three years, August 1, 1861; was engaged at 



Columbvis, Fort Donelson, Sliiloh, Corinth, Lay"s 
Ferry, Rome Cross Roads, Dallas, Kenesaw, 
Nickajack Creek, Bald Knob, Decatur, Ezra 
Church, Atlanta, Allatoona and Goldsboro. On 
Jan. 16, 1864, the regiment re-enlisted as veter- 
ans. John McArthur was its first Colonel, suc- 
ceeded by Augustus L. Chetlain, both being 
promoted to Brigadier-Generalships. ]\Iustered 
out of service at Louisville, Ky., July 10, 1865, 
and received final pay and discharge, at Spring- 
field, July 18. 

Thirteenth Infantry. One of the regiments 
organized under the act known as the "Ten Regi- 
ment Bill"" ; was mustered into service on May 24, 
1861, for three years, at Dixon, with John B. 
Wyman as Colonel; was engaged at Chickasaw 
Bayou, Arkansas Post, Vicksburg, Jackson, Mis- 
sionary Ridge, Rossville and Ringgold Gap. 
Mustei'ed out at Springfield, June 18, 1864, hav- 
ing served three years and two months. 

Fourteenth Infantry*. One of the regiments 
raised under the "Ten Regiment Bill," which 
anticipated the requirements of the General 
Government by organizing, equipping and dril- 
ling a regiment in each Congressional District in 
the State for thirtj' daj'S, unless sooner required 
for service by the L^nited States. It was mustered 
in at Jacksonville for three j-ears. May 25, 1861, 
under command of John M. Palmer as its first 
Colonel; was engaged at Shiloh, Corinth, Jleta- 
mora, Vicksburg, Jackson, Fort Beauregard and 
Meridian; consolidated with the Fifteenth Infan- 
try, as a veteran battalion (both regiments hav- 
ing enlisted as veterans), on July 1, 1864. In 
October, 1864, the major part of the battaUon 
was captured by General Hood and sent to 
Ander.sonville. The remainder participated in 
the "'March to the Sea," and through tlie cam- 
paign in the Carolinas. In the spring of 1865 tlie 
battalion organization was discontinued, both 
regiments having been filled up by recruits. The 
regiment was mustered out at Fort Leaven- 
worth, Kan., Sept. 16, 1865; and arrived at 
Springfield, 111., Sept. 22, 2865, where it received 
final payment and discharge. The aggregate 
number of men who belonged to this organization 
was 1,9S0, and the aggregate mustered out at 
Fort Leavenworth, ISO. During its four years 
and four months of service, the regiment 
marched 4,490 miles, traveled by rail, 3,330 miles, 
and, by river, 4,490 miles — making an aggregate 
of 11,670 miles. 

Fifteenth Infantry. Raised under the "Ten 
Regiment Act,"' in the (then) First Congressional 
District; was organized at Freeport, and mus- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



553 



tered into service, May 24, 18G1. It was engaged 
at Sedalia, Shiloli, Corinth, Metamora Hill, 
Vicksburg, Fort Beauregard, Champion Hill, 
Allatoona and Bentonville. In March, 1864, the 
regiment re-enlisted as veterans, and, in July, 
1864, was consolidated with the Fourteenth Infan- 
try as a Veteran Battalion. At Big .Slianty and 
Adkworth a large portion of the battalion was 
captured by General Hood. At Raleigh the 
Veteran Battalion was discontinued and the 
Fifteenth reorganized. From July 1, to Sept. 1, 
186.5, the regiment was stationed at Forts Leaven- 
worth and Kearney. Having been mustered out 
at Fort Leavenworth, it was sent to Springfield 
for final payment and discharge — liaving served 
four years and four months. Miles marched, 
4,200; miles by rail, 2.403, miles by steamer, 
4,310; men enlisted from date of organization, 
1,063; strength at date of muster-out, 640. 

Sixteenth Lnfaxtey. Organized and mus- 
tered into service at Quincy under the "Ten-Regi- 
ment Act," May 24, 1861. The regiment was 
engaged at New Madrid, Tiptonville, Corinth, 
Buzzards" Roost, Resaca, Rome, Kenesaw Moun- 
tain, Chattahoochie River, Peach Tree Creek, 
Atlanta, Savannah, Columbia, Fayetteville, 
Averysboro and Bentonville. In December, 
1864, the regiment re-enlisted as veterans; was 
mustered out at Louisville, Ky. , July 8, 1865, 
after a terra of service of four years and three 
months, and, a week later, arrived at Spring- 
field, where it received its final pay and discharge 
papers. 

Seventeenth Infantry. Mustered into the 
service at Peoria, 111., on May 24, 1861; was 
engaged at Fredericktown (Mo. ), Greenfield 
(.Vrk.), Shiloh, Corinth. Hatchie and Vicksburg. 
In May, 1864, the term of enlistment having 
expired, the regiment was ordered to Springfield 
for pay and discharge. Those men and officers 
who re-enlisted, and those whose term had not 
expired, were consolidated with the Eighth Infan- 
try, wliich was mustered out in the spring of 1866. 

Eighteenth Inf.\ntry. Organized under the 
provisions of the "Ten Regiment Bill," at Anna, 
and m\istered into the service on May 28, 1861, 
the term of enlistment being for three years. 
The regiment participated in the capture of Fort 
McHenry, and was actively engaged at Fort 
Donelson, Shiloh and Corinth. It was mustered 
out at Little Rock, Dec. 16. 186.5, and Dec. 31, 
thereafter, arrived at Springfield, 111., for pay- 
ment and discliarge. The aggregate enlistments 
in the regiment, from its organization to date of 
discharge (rank and file), numbered 2.043. 



Nineteenth Infantry. Mustered into the 
United States service for three years, June 17, 
1861, at Chicago, embracing four companies 
which had been accepted under the call for three 
montlis' men; participated in the battle of 
Stone River and in tlie TuUahoma and Chatta- 
nooga campaigns; was also engaged at Davis" 
Cross Roads, Chiokamauga. Missionary Ridge and 
Resaca. It was mustered out of service on July 
9, 1864, at Chicago. Originally consisting of 
nearly 1,000 men, besides a large number of 
recruits received during the war, its strength at 
the final muster-out was less than 350. 

Twentieth Infantry Organized, May 14. 
1861, at Joliet, and June 13, 1861, and mustered 
into the service for a term of three years. It 
participated in the following engagements, bat- 
tles, sieges, etc.: Fredericktown (Mo..), Fort 
Donelson, Shiloh, Corintli, Tliompson's Planta- 
tion, Champion Hills, Big Black River, Vicks- 
burg, Kenesaw Mountain and Atlanta. After 
marching through the Carolinas, the regiment 
was finally ordered to Louisville, where it was 
mustered out, July 16, 1865, receiving its final 
discharge at Chicago, on July 34. 

Twenty-first Infantry. Organized under 
the "Ten Regiment Bill,"" from tlie (then) Sev- 
enth Congressional District, at Mattoon, and 
mustered into service for three years, June 28, 
1861. Its first Colonel was U. S. Grant, who was 
in command until August 7, when he was com- 
missioned Brigadier-General. It was engaged 
at Fredericktown (Mo.), Corinth, Perry ville, Mur- 
freesboro. Liberty Gap, Chickamauga, Jonesboro, 
Franklin and Nashville. The regiment re-enlisted 
as veterans, at Chattanooga, in February, 1864. 
From June, 1864, to December, 1865, it was on 
duty in Texas. Mustered out at San Antonio, 
Dec. 16, 1865, and pnul off and discharged at 
Springfield, Jan. 18, 1866. 

Twenty-second Infantry. Organized at 
Belleville, and mustered into service, for three 
years, at Caseyville, 111., June 25, 1861; was 
engaged at Belmont, Charleston (Mo.), Sikestown, 
Tiptonville. Farmington, Corinth, Stone River, 
Chickamauga, Jlissionar.v Ridge, Resaca, New 
Hope Church, and all the battles of the Atlanta 
campaign, except Rocky Face Ridge. It was 
mustered out at Springfield, July 7, 1864, the vet- 
erans and recruits, wliose term of service had not 
expired, being consolidated with tlie Forty-second 
Regiment Illinois Infantry Volunteers. 

Twenty-third Infantry. The organization 
of the Twentytliird Infantry Volunteers com- 
menced, at Chicago, under the popular name of 



554 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



the "Irish Brigade," immediately upon the 
opening of hostilities at Sumter. The formal 
muster of the regiment, under the command of 
Col. James A. Mulligan, was made, June 15, 1861, 
at Chicago, when it was occupj-ing barracks 
known as Kane".s brewery near the river on 
AVest Polk Street. It was early ordered to North- 
ern Missouri, and was doing garrison duty at 
Lexington, when, in September. ISGl, it surren- 
dered with the rest of the garrison, to the forces 
under the rebel General Price, and was paroled. 
From Oct. 8, 1861, to June 14, 1862, it was detailed 
to guard prisoners at Camp Douglas. Thereafter 
it participated in engagements in the Virginias, 
as follows: at South Fork, Greenland Gap, Phi- 
lippi, Hedgeville, Leetown, Maryland Heights, 
Snicker's Gap, Kerustown, Cedar Creek, Win- 
chester, Charlestown, Berr}-ville, Opequan Creek, 
Fisher's Hill, Harrisonbiu-g. Hatcher's Run and 
Petersburg. It also took part in the siege of 
Richmond and the pursuit of Lee, being present 
at the surrender at Appomattox. In January 
and February, 1864, the regiment re-enlisted as 
veterans, at Greenland Gap, W. Va. In August, 
1864, the ten companies of the Regiment, then 
numbering 440, were consolidated into five com- 
panies and designated, "Battalion, Twenty-third 
Regiment, Illinois Veteran Volunteer Infantry. " 
The regiment was thanked bj' Congress for its 
part at Lexington, and was authorized to inscribe 
Lexington upon its colors. (See also Mulligan, 
James A.) 

Twenty-fourth Infantry, (known as the 
First Hecker Regiment). Organized at Chicago, 
with two companies — to-wit: the Union Cadets 
and the Lincoln Rifles — from the three months' 
service, in June, 1861, and mustered in, July 8, 
1861. It participated in the battles of Perryville, 
Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Resaca, Kenesaw 
Mountain and other engagements in the Atlanta 
campaign. It was mustered out of service at 
Chicago, August 6, 1864. A fraction of the regi- 
ment, which had been recruited in the field, and 
whose term of service had not expired at the date 
of muster-out, was organized into one company 
and attached to the Third Brigade, First Divi- 
sion, Fourteenth Ar)ny Corps, and mustered out 
at Camp Butler, August 1, 1865. 

Twenty-fifth Infantry. Organized from 
the counties of Kankakee, Iroquois, Ford, Vermil- 
ion, Douglas, Coles, Chamiiaign and Edgar, and 
mustered into service at St. Louis, August 4. 1861. 
It participated in the battles of Pea Ridge, Stone 
River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, in the 
siege of Corinth, the battle of Kenesaw Moun- 



tain, the siege of xltlanta, and innumerable skir- 
mishes ; was mu.stered out at Springfield, Sept. 5, 
1864. During its three years' .service the regi- 
ment traveled 4,963 miles, of which 3,253 were on 
foot, the remainder by steamboat and railroad. 

Twenty-sixth Infantry. Mustered into serv- 
ice, consisting of seven companies, at Springfield, 
August 31, 1861. On Jan. 1, 1864, the reKiment 
re-enlisted as veterans. It was authorized by the 
commanding General to inscribe upon its ban- 
ners "New Madrid" ; "Island No. 10;" "Farming- 
ton;" "Siege of Corinth;"' "luka;"' "Corinth — 
3d and 4th, 1862;'' "Resaca;" "Kenesaw;" "Ezra 
Church;" "Atlanta;" "Jonesboro;" "Griswold- 
ville;" "McAllister;'' "Savannah;" "Colimibia," 
and "Bentonville."' It was mustered out at 
Louisville, July 20, 1865, and paid off and 
discharged, at Springfield, Jul}' 28 — the regiment 
having marched, during its four years of service, 
6,931 miles, and fought twenty-eight hard battles, 
besides innumerable skirmishes. 

Twenty-seventh Infantry. First organized, 
with only seven companies, at Springfield, 
August 10, 1861, and organization completed by 
the addition of three more companies, at Cairo, 
on September 1. It took part in the battle of Bel- 
mont, the siege of Island No. 10, and the battles 
of Farmington, Nashville, Murfreesboro, Chicka- 
mauga, Missionarj- Ridge, Rocky Face Ridge, 
Resaca, Calhoun, Adairsville, Dallas, Pine Top 
Mountain and Kenesaw Mountain, as well as in 
the investment of Atlanta; was relieved from 
duty, August 25, 1864, while at the front, and 
mustered out at Springfield, September 20. Its 
veterans, with the recruits whose term of serv- 
ice had not expired, were consolidated with the 
Ninth Infantry. 

TwENTYEloiiTH INFANTRY. Composed of 
companies from Pike, Fulton, Schuyler, Mason, 
Scott and Menard Counties; was organized at 
Springfield, August 15, 1861, and mustered into 
service for three years. It participated in the 
battles of Shiloh and Metamora, the siege of 
Vicksburg and the battles of Jackson, Mississippi, 
and Fort Beauregard, and in the capture of 
Spanish Fort, Fort Blakeh' and Mobile. From 
June, 1864, to March, 1866, it was stationed in 
Texas, and was mustered out at Brownsville, in 
that State, March 15, 1866, having served four 
years and seven months. It was discharged, at 
Springfield, May 13. 1866. 

TwENTY-NiNTH INFANTRY. Mustered into serv- 
ice at Springfield, August 19, 1861, and was 
engaged at Fort Donelson and Shiloh. and in the 
sieges of Corinth, Vicksburg and Jlobile. Eight 



4 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



555 



companies were detailed for duty at Holly Springs, 
and were there captured by General Van Dorn, 
in December. 1862. but were exclianged, six 
months later. In January, 1864, the regiment 
re-enlisted as veterans, and, from June, 1804, to 
November, 1865. was on duty in Texas. It was 
mustered out of service in that State, Nov. 6, 
1865, and received final discharge on November 28. 

Thirtieth Ixf.\ntry. Organized at Spring- 
field, August 28. ISGl ; was engaged at Belmont, 
Fort Donelson, the siege of Corinth, Medan 
Station, Raymond, Champion Hills, the sieges of 
Vicksburg and Jackson, Big Shanty, Atlanta, 
Savannah, Pocotaligo, Orangeburg, Columbia, 
Cheraw, and Fayetteville; mustered out, July 
17, 1805. and received final payment and discharge 
at Springfield, July 27, 1805. 

Thirty-first Infantry. Organized at Cairo, 
and there mustered into service on Sept. 18, 
1861; was engaged at Belmont, Fort Donelson, 
Shiloh, in the two expeditions against Vicks- 
burg. at Thompson's Hill, Ingram Heights, Ray- 
mond, Jackson, Champion Hill, Big Shanty, 
Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Lovejo}' Station and 
Jonesboro; also participated in the "March to 
the Sea" and took part in the battles and skir- 
mishes at Columbia. Cheraw, Fayetteville and 
Bentonville. A majority of the regiment re- 
enlisted as veterans in March, 1864. It was 
mustered out at Louisville, July 19, 1865, and 
finally discharged at Springfield, July 23. 

Thirty-second Inf.\ntry. Organized at 
Springfield and mustered into service, Dec. 31, 
1861. By special authority from the War Depart- 
ment, it originally consisted of ten companies of 
infantry, one of cavalry, and a battery. It was 
engaged at Fort Donelson. Shiloh, in the sieges 
of Corinth and Vicksburg, and in the battles of 
La Grange, Grand Junction, Metamora, Harrison- 
burg, Kenesaw Mountain, Niokajack Creek, 
AUatoona, Savannah, Columbia, Cheraw and 
Bentonville. In January, 1864, the regiment 
re-enlisted as veterans, and, in June, 1865, was 
ordered to Fort Leavenworth. Mustered out 
there. Sept. 16, 1865, and fiuallj- discharged at 
Springfield. 

Thirty-third Infantry. Organized and mus- 
tered into service at Springfield in September, 
1861; was engaged at Fredericktown (Mo.), Port 
Gibson. Champion Hills, Black River Bridge, the 
assault and siege of Vicksburg. siege of Jackson, 
Fort Esperanza, and in the expedition against 
Mobile. The regiment veteranized at Vicksburg, 
Jan. 1, 1864; was mustered out. at the same point, 
Nov. 34, 1805, and finally discharged at Spring- 



field, Dec. 6 and 7. 1805. The aggregate enroll- 
ment of the regiment was between 1,900 and 
2,000. 

Thirty-fourth Infantry. Organized at 
Springfield, Sept. 7, 1861 ; was engaged at Shiloh, 
Corinth, Murfreesboro, Rocky Face Ridge, Re- 
saca, Big Shanty, Kenesaw Moimtain. Atlanta. 
Jonesboro. and. after participating in the "March 
to the Sea" snd through the Carolinas. took part 
in the battle of Bentonville. After the surrender 
of Johnston, the regiment went with Sherman's 
Army to Washington, D. C, and took part in the 
grand review, May 24, 1865; left Washington, 
June 12, and arrived at Louisville, Ky., June 18, 
where it was mustered out, on July 12 ; was dis- 
charged and paid at Chicago, July 17. 1865. 

Thirty-fifth Infantry. Organized at De- 
catur on July 3, 1801, and its services tendered to 
the President, being accepted b}- the Secretary of 
War as "Col. G. A. Smith's Independent Regi- 
ment of Illinois Volunteers," on Jul}" 23, and 
mustered into .service at St. Louis. August 13. It 
was engaged at Pea Ridge and in the siege of 
Corinth, also participated in the battles of Perry- 
ville. Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary 
Ridge, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Dallas and 
Kenesaw. Its final muster-out took place at 
Springfield, Sept. 27. 1804, tlie regiment having 
marclied (exclusive of railroad and steamboat 
transportation) 3,056 miles. 

Thirty-sixth Infantry. Organized at Camp 
Hammond, near Aurora, 111., and mustered into 
service, Sept. 33, 1861, for a term of three years. 
The regiment, at its organization, nund^eretl 965 
officers and enlisted men, and had two companies 
of Cavalry ("A" and "B"), 180 officers and 
men. It was engaged at Leetown, Pea Ridge, 
Perryville, Stone River, Cliickamauga, the siege 
of Chattanooga. Missionarj' Ridge. Rocky Face 
Ridge. Resaca. Adairsville, New Hope Church, 
Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Cieek, Jones- 
boro, Franklin and Nashville. Mustered out. 
Oct. 8. 1865, and disbanded, at Springfield, Oct. 
27, having marched and been transjiorted, during 
its term of service, more than 10,000 miles. 

Thirty-seventh Infantry. Familiarly kncvn 
as "Fremont Rifles"; organized in August, 1801. 
and mustered into service, Sept. 18. The regi- 
ment was presented with battle-flags by the Chi- 
cago Board of Trade. It participated in the 
battles of Pea Ridge, Neosho, Prairie Grove and 
Chalk Bluffs, the siege of Vicksburg. and in the 
battles of Yazoo City and Morgan's Bend. In 
October, 1803, it was ordered to the defense of the 
frontier along the Rio Grande; re-enlisted as 



556 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



veterans in February, 1864; took part in the 
siege and storming of Fort Blakely and tlie cap- 
ture of Mobile; from July, 1805, to May, 18G6, 
was again on duty in Texas; was mustered out 
at Houston. May 1"), 18G6, and finally discharged 
at Springfield, May 31, having traveled some 
17,000 miles, of which nearly 3,300 were by 
marching. 

Thirty-eighth Infantry. Organized at 
Springfield, in September, 1861. The regiment 
was engaged in the battles of Fredericktown, 
Perryville, Knob Gap, Stone River. Liberty Gap, 
Chickamauga, Pine Top, Kenesaw Mountain, 
Atlanta, Jonesboro, Franklin and Nashville; 
re-enlisted as veterans in February. 1864 ; from 
June to December, 1865, was on duty in Louisi- 
ana and Texas; was mustered out at Victoria, 
Texas, Dec. 31, 1865, and received final discharge 
at Springfield. 

Thirty-ninth Infantry. The Organization of 
this Regiment was commenced as soon as the 
news of the firing on Fort Sumter reached Chi- 
cago. General Thomas O. Osborne was one of its 
contemplated field officers, and labored zealously 
to get it accepted under the first call for troops, 
but did not accomplish his object. The regiment 
had already assumed the name of the "Yates 
Phalanx" in honor of Governor Yates. It was 
accepted by the War Department on the day 
succeeding the first Bull Run disaster (July 22, 
1861), and Austin Light, of Chicago, was appointed 
Colonel. Under his direction the organization was 
completed, and the regiment left Camp Mather, 
Chicago, on the morning of Oct. 13, 1861. It par- 
ticipated in the battles of Winchester, Malvern 
Hill (the second), Morris Island, Fort Wagner, 
Drur3''s Bluff, and in numerous engagements 
before Petersburg and Richmond, including the 
capture of Fort Gregg, and was present at Lee's 
surrender at Appomattox. In the meantime the 
regiment re-enlisted as veterans, at Hilton Head, 
S. C. , in September, 1863. It was mustered out 
at Norfolk. Dec. 6, 1SG5, and received final dis- 
charge at Chicago, December 16. 

Fortieth Infantry. Enlisted from the coun- 
ties of Franklin. Hamilton, Wayne, White, 
Wabash, Marion, Clay and Fayette, and mustered 
into service for three years at Springfield, 
August 10, 1861. It was engaged at Shiloli, in 
the siege of Corinth, at Jackson (Miss), in the 
siege of Vicksburg, at Missionary Ridge, New 
Hope Churcli, Black Jack Knob, Kenesaw Moun- 
tain. Atlanta, Jonesboro, Ezra Chapel, Gris- 
woldville. siege of Savannah, Columbia (S. C), 
and Bentonville. It re-enlisted, as veterans, at 



Scottsboro, Ala., Jan. 1, 1864, and was mustered 
out at Louisville, July 24, 1865, receiving final 
discharge at Springfield. 

Forty-first Infantry'. Organized at Decatur 
during July and August, 1861, and was mustered 
into service. August 5. It was engaged at Fort 
Donelson. Shiloh, the siege of Corinth, the second 
battle of Corinth, the siege of Vicksburg and 
Jackson, in the Red River campaign, at Guutown, 
Kenesaw Mountain and AUatoona, and partici- 
pated in the "March to the Sea." It re-enlisted, 
as veterans, March 17, 1864, at Vicksburg. and 
was consolidated with the Fifty-third Infantry, 
Jan. 4, 1865, forming Companies G and H. 

Forty-second Infantry. Organized at Chi- 
cago, July 22, 1861 ; was engaged at Island No. 10, 
the siege of Corinth, battles of Farmington, 
Columbia (Tenn.), was besieged at Nashville, 
engaged at Stone River, in the Tullahoma cam- 
paign, at Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Rocky 
Face Ridge, Resaca, Adairsville, New Hope 
Church, Pine and Kenesaw Mountains, Peach 
Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station, 
Spi-ing Hill, Franklin and Nashville. It re- 
enlisted, as veterans, Jan. 1, 1864; was stationed 
in TeSas from July to December, 1865 ; was mus- 
tered out at Indianola, in that State, Dec. 16, 
1865, and finally discharged, at Springfield, Jan. 
12, 1866. 

Forty-third Infantry. Organized at Spring- 
field in September, 1861, and mustered into 
service on Oct. 12. The regiment took part in 
the battles of Fort Donelson. Shiloh and in the 
campaigns in West Tennessee, Mississippi and 
Arkansas: was mustered out at Little Rock, 
Nov. 30, 1865, and returned to Springfield for 
final pay and discharge, Dec. 14, 1865. 

FoRTY'-FOURTH INFANTRY'. Organized in Au- 
gust, 1861, at Chicago, and mustered into service, 
Sept. 13, 1861 ; was engaged at Pea Ridge, 
Perryville, Stone River, Hoover's Gap, Shelby- 
ville, Tullalioma, Chickamauga, Missionary 
Ridge. Buzzard's Roost, Rockj' Face Ridge, 
Adairsville, Dallas, New Hope Church, Kene- 
saw Mountain. Gulp's Farm, Chattahoochie 
River, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, 
Franklin and Nashville. The regiment re-enlisted 
as veterans in Tennessee, in January, 1864. 
From June to September, 1865, it was stationed 
in Louisiana and Texas, was mustered out at 
Port Lavaca, Sept. 25, 1865, and received final 
discharge, at Springfield, three weeks later. 

Forty-fifth Infantry. Originally called 
the "Washburne Lead Mine Regiment"; was 
organized at Galena, July 23, 1861, and nmstered 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



557 



into service at Chicago, Dec. 25, 1861. It was 
engaged at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, the siege of 
Corinth, battle of Metlan, tlie campaign against 
Vicksburg, tlie Meridian raid, the Atlanta ('ani- 
paign, the "Jlarch to the Sea," and tlie advance 
through the Carolinas. Tlie regiment veteran- 
ized in January, 1804; was mustered out of .serv- 
ice at Louisville, Ky., July 12, lbG.5, and arrived 
in Chicago, July 15, 1865, for final pay and dis- 
charge. Distance marched in four years, 1,750 
miles. 

Forty-sixth Ixf.\ntry. Organized at Spring- 
field, Dec. 28, 1801 ; was engaged at Fort Donel- 
son, Shiloh, the siege of Corinth, battle of 
Metamora, siege of Vicksburg (where five com- 
panies of the regiment were captured), in the 
reduction of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakeley, 
and the capture of Mobile. It was mustered in 
as a veteran regiment, Jan. 4, 1864. From May, 

1865, to January, 1866, it was on duty in Louisi- 
ana; was mustered out at Baton Rouge, Jan. 20, 

1866, and, on Feb. 1, 1866, finallj- paid and dis- 
charged at Springfield. 

Forty-seventh Infantry*. Organized and 
mustered into service at Peoria, 111., on August 
16, 1861. The regiment took part in the expe- 
dition against New Madrid and Island No. 10; 
also participated in the battles of Farmington, 
luka. the second battle of Corinth, the capture 
of Jackson, the siege of Vicksburg, the Red 
River expedition and the battle of Pleasant Hill, 
and in the struggle at Lake Chicot. It was 
ordered to Chicago to assist in quelling an antici- 
pated riot, in 1864, but, returning to the front, 
took part in the reduction of Spanish Fort and 
the capture of Mobile; was mustered out, Jan. 
21, 1866, at Selma, Ala., and ordered to Spring- 
field, where it received final pay and discharge. 
Those members of the regiment who did not re-en- 
list as veterans were mustered out, Oct. 11, 1864. 

FORTY'-F.KiHTH INFANTRY. Organized at Spring- 
field. September, 1861, and i)articii)ated in battles 
and sieges as follows: Fort Henry and Fort 
Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth (siege of), Vicksburg 
(first expedition against), Missionary Ridge, as 
well as in the Atlanta campaign and the "March 
to the Sea." The regiment re-enlisted as veter- 
ans, at Scottsboro, Ala., Jan. 1, 1864; was mus- 
tered out, August 15, 1865, at Little Rock, Ark., 
and ordered to Springfield for final discharge, 
arriving, August 21, 1865. The distance marched 
was 3,000 miles; moved by water, 5,000; by rail- 
road. 3.4.5()-total, 11,4.50. 

FoKTY-xiNTH INFANTRY. Organized at Spring- 
field, 111., Dec. 31, 1861; was engaged at Fort 



Donelson, Shiloh and Little Rock; took part in 
tlie campaign against Sleridian and in tlie Red 
River expedition, being in the battle of Pleasant 
Hill. Jan. 15, 1804; tliree-fourths of the regiment 
re-enlisted and were mustered in as veterans, 
returning to Illinois on furlough. The non- 
veterans took part in the battle of Tujielo. The 
regiment participated in the battle of Nashville, 
and was mustered out, Sept. 9, 1865, at Paducah, 
Ky., and arrived at Springfield, Sept, 15, 1805, 
for final jiayment and discharge. 

Fiftieth Infantry. Organized at Quincy. in 
August, 1861, and mustered into .service, Sept. 12, 
1861 ; was engaged at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, the 
siege of Corinth, the second battle of Corinth, 
Allatoona and Bentonville, besides many minor 
engagements. The regiment was mounted, Nov. 
17, 1863; re-enlisted as veterans, Jan. 1, 1864, was 
mustered out at Louisville, July 13, 1865, and 
reached Springfield, the following day, for final 
pay and discliarge. 

Fifty-first Infantry. Organized at Chi- 
cago, Dec. 24, 1861 ; was engaged at New Madrid, 
Island No. 10, Farmington, the siege of Corinth, 
Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, 
Rocky Face Kidge, Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw 
Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jones- 
boro. Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville. The 
regiment was mustered in as veterans, Feb. 16, 
1864 ; from July to September, 1865, was on duty 
in Texas, and mustered out, Sept. 25. 1805, at 
Camp Irwin, Texas, arriving at Springfield, 111., 
Oct. 15, 1865, for final payment and discharge. 

Fifty-second Infantry-. Organized at Ge- 
neva in November, 1861, and mustered into serv- 
ice, Nov. 19. The regiment participated in the 
following battles, sieges and expeditions: Shiloh, 
Corinth (siege and second battle of), luka, Town 
Creek, Snake Creek Gap, Resaca, Lay's Ferry, 
Rome Cross Roads, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, 
Nickajack Creek, Decatur, Atlanta, Jonesboro 
and Bentonville. It veteranized, Jan. 9, 1S04; 
was mustered out at Louisville, July 4, 1805, 
and received final payment and discharge at 
Springfield, July 12. 

Fifty-third Infantry. Organized at Ottawa 
in the winter of 1861-62, and ordered to Chicago, 
Feb. 27, 1862, to complete its organization. It 
took part in the siege of Corinth, and was engaged 
at Davis' Bridge, the siege of Vicksburg, in the 
Meridian campaign, at Jackson, tlie siege of 
Atlanta, the "Maich to the Sea," the capture of 
Savannah and the campaign in the Carolinas, 
including tlio battle of Bentonville. The regi- 
ment was mustered out of service at Louisville, 



558 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



July 22, 1865, and received final discharge, at 
Chicago, July 28. It marched 2,855 miles, and 
was transported by boat and cars, 4,168 miles. 
Over 1,800 officers and men belonged to the regi- 
ment during its term of service. 

FiFTY-FOCRTH INFANTRY. Organized at Anna, 
in November, 1861, as a part of the "Kentucky 
Brigade," and was mustered into service, Feb. 
18, 1862. No complete history of the regiment 
can be given, owing to the loss of its official 
records. It served mainly in Kentucky, Tennes- 
see, Mississippi and Arkansas, and always effect- 
ively. Three-fourths of the men re-enlisted as 
veterans, in January, 1864. Six companies were 
captured by the rebel General Shelby, in August, 
1864, and were exchanged, the following De- 
cember. The regiment was mustered out at 
Little Rock, Oct. 15, 1865; arrived at Springfield, 
Oct. 26, and was discharged. During its organi- 
zation, the regiment had 1,343 enlisted men and 
71 commissioned officers. 

Fifty-fifth Infa.ntrt. Organized at Chi- 
cago, and mu.stered into service. Oct. 31, 1861. 
The regiment originally formed a part of the 
"Douglas Brigade," being chiefly recruited from 
the young farmers of Fulton, McDonough, 
Grundy, La Salle, De Kalb, Kane and Winnebago 
Counties. It participated in the battles of Shiloh 
and Corinth, and in the Tallahatchie campaign; 
in the battles of Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas 
Pest, around Vicksburg, and at Missionarj' Ridge ; 
was in the Atlanta campaign, notably in the 
battles of Kenesaw Mountain and Jonesboro. In 
all, it was engaged in thirty -one battles, and was 
128 days under fire. The total mileage traveled 
amounted to 11,965, of which 3,240 miles were 
actually marched. Re-enlisted as veterans, while 
at Larkinsville, Tenn. , was mustered out at Little 
Rock, August 14, 1865, receiving final discharge 
at Chicago, the same month. 

Fifty-sixth Infantry'. Organized with com- 
panies principally enlisted from the counties of 
Massac, Pope, Gallatin, Saline, Wliite, Hamilton, 
Franklin and Waj-ne, and mustered in at Camp 
Mather, near Shawneetown. The regiment par- 
ticipated in the siege, and second battle, of 
Corinth, the Yazoo expedition, the siege of 
Vicksburg — being engaged at Champion Hills, 
and in numerous assaults ; also took part in the 
battles of Missionary Ridge and Resaca, and in 
the campaign in the Carolinas, including the 
battle of Bentonville. Some 200 members of the 
regiment perished in a wreck off Cape Hatteras, 
March 31, 1865. It was mustered out in Arkan- 
sas, August 12, 1865. 



Fifty-seventh Infantry-. Mustered into serv- 
ice, Dec. 26, 1861, at Chicago; took part in the 
battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh, the siege of 
Corinth, and the second battle at that point ; was 
also engaged at Resaca. Rome Cross Roads and 
Allatoona ; participated in the investment and 
capture of Savannah, and the campaign through 
the Carolinas, including the battle of Benton- 
ville. It was mustered out at Louisville, July 7, 
1865, and received final discharge at Chicago, 
July 14. 

Fifty'-eiohth Infantry". Recruited at Chi- 
cago, Feb. 11, 1862; participated in the battles of 
Fort Donelson and Shiloli, a large number of the 
regiment being captured during the latter engage- 
ment, but subsequently exchanged. It took part 
in the siege of Corinth and the battle of luka, 
after whicli detachments were sent to Springfield 
for recruiting and for guarding prisoners. 
Returning to the front, the regiment was engaged 
in the capture of Meridian, the Red River cam- 
paign, the taking of Fort de Russey, and in many 
minor battles in Louisiana. It was mustered out 
at Montgomery, Ala., April 1, 1866, and ordered 
to Springfield for final payment and discharge. 

Fifty'-nixth Infantry. Originally known as 
the Ninth Missoiu'i Infantry, although wholly 
recruited in Illinois. It was organized at St. 
Louis, Sept. 18, 1861, the name being changed to 
the Fifty-ninth Illinois, Feb. 12, 1862, by order of 
tlie AVar Department. It was engaged at Pea 
Ridge, formed part of the reserve at Farmington, 
took part at Perryville, Nolansville, Knob Gap 
and Murfreesboro, in the Tullahoma campaign 
and the siege of Cliattanooga, in the battles of 
Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Adairsville, Kingston, 
Dallas, Ackworth, Pine Top, Kenesaw ilountain, 
Smyrna, Atlanta, Spring Hill, Franklin and 
Nashville. Having re-enlisted as veterans, the 
regiment was ordered to Texas, in June, 1865, 
where it was mustered out, December, 1865, 
receiving its final discharge at Springfield. 

Sixtieth Infantry'. Organized at Anna, 111., 
Feb. 17, 1862: took part in the siege of Corinth 
and was besieged at Nashville. The regiment 
re-enlisted as veterans wliile at the front, in 
January, 1864; participated in the battles of 
Buzzard's Roost, Ringgold, Dalton. Resaca, 
Rome, Dallas, New Hope Church, Kenesaw 
Mountain, Nickajack, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, 
Jonesboro, Averysboro and Bentonville; was 
mustered out at Louisville, July 31, 1865, and 
received final discharge at Springfield. 

Sixty-first Infantry'. Organized at Carroll- 
ton, 111., three full companies being mustered 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



550 



in, Feb. 5, 1862. On February 21, the regiment, 
being still incomplete, moved to Benton Bar- 
racks, Mo. , where a sufficient number of recruits 
joined to make nine full conipatiies. The regiment 
was engaged at Shiloh anil Bolivar, took part 
in the Yazoo expedition, and re-enlisted as veter- 
ans earh- in 1864. Later, it took part in the battle 
of Wilkinson's Pike (near JIurfreesboro), and 
other engagements near that point ; was mustered 
out at Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 8, 1865, and paid 
off and discharged at Springfield, Septem- 
ber 27. 

Sixty-second Infantry. Organized at Anna, 
III., April 10, 1862; after being engaged in several 
skirmishes, the regiment sustained a loss of 170 
men. who were captured and paroled at Holly 
Springs, Miss., by the rebel General Van Dorn, 
where the regimental records were destroj-ed. 
The regiment took part in forcing the evacuation 
of Little Rock; re-enlisted, as veterans, Jan. 9, 
1864 ; was mustered out at Little Rock, March 6, 
1866, and ordered to Springfield for final payment 
and discharge. 

Sixty-third Infantry. Organized at Anna, 
in December. 18G1, and mustered into service, 
April 10, 1862. It participated in the first invest- 
ment of Yicksburg, the capture of Richmond 
Hill, La. , and in the battle of Missionary Ridge. 
On Jan. 1, 1864, 273 men re-enlisted as veterans. 
It took part in the capture of Savannah and in 
Sherman's march through the Carolinas, partici- 
pating in its important battles and skirmishes; 
was mustered out at Louisville. July 13, 186.5, 
reaching Springfield, July 16. The total distance 
traveled was 6,4.53 miles, of which 2.2.50 was on 
the march. 

Sixty-fourth Infantry. Organized at Spring- 
field, December, 1861, as the "First Battalion of 
Yates Sharp Shooters." The last company was 
mustered in, Dec. 31, 1861. The regiment was 
engaged at New JIadrid, the siege of Corinth, 
Chambers' Creek, the second battle of Corinth, 
Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Decatur, the 
siege of Atlanta, the investment of Savannah and 
the battle of Bentonville; re-enlisted as veterans, 
in January, 1864; was mustered out at Louisville, 
July 11, 1865, and finally discharged, at Chicago, 
July 18. 

Sixty-fifth Infantry. Originally known as 
the "Scotch Regiment"; was organized at Chi- 
cago, and mustered in. May 1, 1862. It was cap- 
tured and paroled at Harper's Ferry, and ordered 
to Chicago; was exchanged in April, 1863; took 
part in Burnside's defen.se of Knoxville; re-en- 
listed as veterans in March, 1864, and participated 



in the Atlanta campaign and the "March to the 
Sea." It was engaged in battles at Columbia 
(Tenn.), Franklin and Nashville, and later near 
Federal Point and Smithtown, N. C, being mus- 
tered out, July 13, 1865, and receiving final pay- 
ment and discharge at Chicago, July 26, 18G5. 

Sixty-sixth Infantry. Organized at Benton 
Barracks, near St. Louis, Mo., during September 
and October, 1861— being designed as a regiment 
of "Western Sharp Shooters" from Illinois, Mis- 
souri, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Indiana and 
Ohio. It was mustered in, Nov. 23, 1861, was 
engaged at Mount Ziou (Mo.), Fort Donelson, 
Shiloh, the siege of Corinth, luka, the second 
battle of Corinth, in the Atlanta campaign, the 
"March to the Sea" and the campaign through 
the Carolinas. The regiment was variously 
known as the Fourteenth Missouri Volunteers, 
Birge's Western Sharpshooters, and the Sixty- 
sixth Illinois Infantry. The latter (and final) 
name was conferred by the Secretary of War, 
Nov. 30, 1862. It re-enlisted (for the veteran 
service), in December, 1863, was mustered out at 
Camp Logan. Ky., July 7, 186.5, and paid off and 
discharged at Springfield. July 15. 

Sixty-seventh Infantry. Organized at Chi- 
cago, June 13, 1862, for three months' service, in 
response to an urgent call for the defense of 
Washington. The Sixty-seventh, by doing guard 
duty at the camps at Chicago and Springfield, 
relieved the veterans, who were sent to the front. 

Sixty-eighth Infantry. Enlisted in response 
to a call made by the Governor, early in the sum- 
mer of 1862, for State troops to serve for three 
months as State Militia, and was mustered in 
early in June. 1862. It was afterwards mustered 
into the United States service as Illinois Volun- 
teers, by petition of the men, and received 
marching orders, July 5, 1862 ; mustered out, at 
Springfield, Sept. 26, 1862— many of the men re- 
enli.sting in other regiments. 

Sixty-ninth Infantry. Organized at Camp 
Douglas, Chicago, and mustered into service for 
three months, June 14, 1862. It remained on 
duty at Camp Douglas, guarding the camp and 
rebel prisoners. 

Seventieth Inf.\.ntry. Organized at Camp 
Butler, near Springfield, and mustered in, Jul}' 4, 
1863. It remained at Camp Butler doing guard 
duty. Its term of service was three months. 

Seventy-first Infantry. Mustered into serv- 
ice, July 26. 1862, at Chicago, for three months. 
Its service was confined to garrison duty in Illi- 
nois and Kentucky, being mustered out at Chi- 
cago, Oct. 29, 1862. 



560 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Sevexty-secoxd Infantry. Organized at Chi- 
cago, as the First Regiment of the Chicago Board 
of Trade, and mustered into service for three 
years, xVugust 23, 18G2. It was engaged at Cham- 
pion Hill, Vicksburg, Natchez. Franklin, Nash- 
ville. Spanish Fort and Fort Blakelj-; mustered 
out of service, at Vicksburg, August 6, 1865, and 
discharged at Chicago. 

Sevexty-third Ixfaxtry'. Recruited from 
the counties of Adams, Champaign, Christian, 
Hancock, Jackson, Logan, Piatt, Pike, Sanga- 
mon, Tazewell and Vermilion, and mxistered into 
service at Sjiringfleld. August 21, 1862. 900 strong, 
rt participated in the battles of Stone River, 
Perryville, Chickamauga, Jlissionary Ridge, 
Re.saca, Adairsville, Burnt Hickory, Pine and 
Lost Mountains. New Hope Church, Kencsaw 
Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Spring Hill, Frank- 
lin and Nashville ; was mustered out at Nashville, 
June 12, 1865, and, a few daj-s later, -rent to 
Springfield to receive pay and final discharge. 

Sevexty-fourth Ixfaxtry*. Organized at 
Rockford, in August, 1862, and mustered into 
service September 4. It was recruited from "Win- 
nebago, Ogle and Stephenson Counties. This regi- 
ment was engaged at Perryville, Murfreesboro 
and Nolansville, took part in the Tullahoma 
campaign, and the battles of Missionary Ridge, 
Resaca, Adairsville, Dallas, Keuesaw Mountain, 
Tunnel Hill, and Rocky Face Ridge, the siege of 
Atlanta, and the battles of Spring Hill. Franklin 
and Nasliville. It was mustered out at Nashville, 
June 10. 1865, with 343 officers and men, the 
aggregate number enrolled having been 1.001. 

Sevexty-fifth Ixfaxtry*. Organized at 
Dixon, and mustered into service, Sept. 2. 1862. 
The regiment participated in the battles of Perry- 
ville, Nolansville, Stone River, Lookout Mountain, 
Dalton, Resaca, Marietta. Kenesaw, Franklin and 
Nashville; was mustered out at Nashville, June 
12, 1865, and finally discharged at Chicago, July 
1, following. 

Seventy-sixth Infantry". Organized at Kan- 
kakee, 111., in August, 1862, and mustered into the 
.service, August 22. 1862; took part in the siege of 
Vicksburg, the engagement at Jackson, the cam- 
paign against Meridian, the expedition to Yazoo 
City, and the capture of Mobile, was ordered to 
Texas in June, 1865, and mustered out at Galves- 
ton, July 22, 1865, being paid off and disbanded 
at Cliicago, August 4, 1865 — having traveled 
10,000 miles. 

Sf.vexty-sevexth Infantry. Organized and 
niu.stered into service. Sept. 3, 1862, at Peoria; 
was engaged in the battles of Chickasaw Bayou, 



Arkansas Post, the siege of Vicksburg (including 
the battle of Champion Hills), the capture of 
Jackson, the Red River expedition, and the bat- 
tles of Sabine Cross Roads and Pleasant Hill ; the 
reduction of Forts Gaines and Morgan, and the 
capture of Sjianish Fort, Fort Blakely and Mobile. 
It was mustered out of service at Mobile, July 
10, 1865, and ordered to Springfield for final pay- 
ment and discharge, where it arrived, July 22, 1865, 
having participated in sixteen battles and sieges. 
Sevexty'-eighth Ixfantrt. Organized at 
Quincy, and mustered into sei-vice, Sept. 1, 1862; 
participated in the battles of Chickamauga, Mis- 
sionary Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Rome, 
New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach 
Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Averysboro and 
Bentonville ; was mustered out, June T, 1865, and 
sent to Chicago, where it was paid off and dis- 
charged. Joie 12, 1865. 

Sevexty-xinth Ixfaxtry. Organized at Mat- 
toon, in August, 1862, and mustered into service, 
August 28, 1862; participated in the battles of 
Stone River, Liberty Gap, Chickamauga, Mis- 
sionary Ridge, Rocky Face Ridge. Resaca, Kene- 
saw Mountain, Dallas. Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, 
Jonesboro, Lovejoy, Franklin and Nashville; was 
mustered out, June 12, 1865; arrived at Camp 
Butler, June 15, and, on June 23, received final 
pay and discharge. 

Eightieth Ixfaxtry. Organized at Centralia, 
111,, in August, 1862, and mustered into service, 
August 25, 1862. It was engaged at Perryville, 
Dug"s Gap, Sand Mountain and Blunfs Farm, 
surrendering to Forrest at the latter point. After 
being exchanged, it participated in the battles of 
AVauhatchie, Missionary Ridge, Dalton, Resaca, 
Adairsville, Cassville, Dallas, Pine Mountain, 
Kenesaw Mountain, Marietta, Peach Tree Creek, 
Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station and Nash- 
ville. The regiment traveled 6,000 miles and 
participated in more than twenty engagements. 
It was mustered out of service, June 10, 1865, and 
proceeded to Camp Butler for final pay and 
discharge. 

Eighty-first Infantry*. Recruited from the 
counties of Perry, Franklin. Williamson, .Jack- 
son, Union, Pulaski and Alexander, and mustered 
into service at Anna, August 26, 1862. It partici- 
pated in the battles of Port Gibson, Raymond, 
Jackson, Champion Hill, Black River Bridge, and 
in the siege and capture of Vicksburg, Later, 
the regiment was engaged at Fort de Russey, 
Alexandria, Guntown and Nashville, besides 
assisting in the investment of Mobile, It was 
mustered out at Chicago, August 5. 1864. 



IIISTOrJCAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



5GJ 



Eighty-second Ixfantry. Sometimes called 
the "Second Ilecker Regiment,'" in honcr of Col- 
onel Frederick Hecker, its first Colonel, and for 
merlv Colonel of the Twenty-fourth Illinois 
Infantry — being chiefly composed of German 
members of Chicago. It was organized at Spring- 
field, Sept. 26, 1862, and mustered into service, 
Oct. 23, 1862; participated in the battles of 
Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Wauhatchie, Or- 
chard Knob, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, New 
Hope Church, Dallas, ilarietta. Pine Moimtain, 
Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta and Bentonville : was 
mustered out of service, June 9, 1865, and 
returned to Chicago, June 16 — having marched, 
during its time of service, 2,503 miles. 

Eighty-third Infantry. Organized at Mon- 
mouth in August, 1862, and mustered into serv- 
ice, August 21. It participated in repelling the 
rebel attack on Fort Donelson, and in numerous 
hard- fought skirmishes in Tennessee, but was 
chiefly engaged in the performance of heavy 
guard duty and in protecting lines of communi- 
cation. The regiment was mustered out at Nash- 
ville, June 26, 1865, and finally paid off and 
discharged at Chicago, July 4, following. 

Eighty-fourth Infantry'. Organized at 
Quincy, in August, 1863, and mustered into serv- 
ice. Sept, 1, 1862, with 939 men and officers. The 
regiment was authorized to inscribe upon its 
battle-flag the names of Perryville, Stone River, 
Woodburj-, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, 
Missionary Ridge, Ringgold, Dalton, Buzzard's 
Roost, Resaca, Burnt Hickory, Kenesaw Moun- 
tain, Smyrna, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Sta- 
tion, Franklin, and Nashville. It was mustered 
out, June 8, 1865. 

Eighty-fifth Infantry. Organized at Peoria, 
about Sept. 1, 1862, and ordered to Louisville. It 
took part in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, 
Chickamauga, Knoxville, Dalton, Rocky-Face 
Ridge, Resaca, Rome, Dallas, Kenesaw, Peach 
Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Savannah, Ben- 
tonville, Goldsboro and Raleigh; was mustered 
out at Washington, D. C, June 5, 1865, and 
sent to Springfield, where the regiment was 
paid oflf and discharged on the 20th of the same 
month. 

Eighty-sixth Infantry. Mustered into serv- 
ice, August 27, 1862, at Peoria, at which time it 
numbered 923 men, rank and file. It took part 
in the battles of Perryville, Chickamauga, Mis- 
sionary Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Rome, 
Dallas, K«ne.saw, Peach Tree Creek, Jonesboro, 
Averysboro and Bentonville; was mustered out 
on June 6, 1865, at Washington, D. C, arriving 



on June 11, at Chicago, where, ten days later, the 
men received their )iay anil final discharge. 

Eighty-seventh Inf.vntry. Enlisted in Au- 
gust, 1862; was composed of com|Kinies from 
Hamilton, Edwards, Wayne and White Counties; 
was organized in the latter part of August, 1863, 
at Shawneetown; mustered in, Oct. 3, 1862, the 
muster to take effect from August 2. It took 
part in the siege and capture of Warrenton and 
Jackson, and in the entire campaign through 
Louisiana and Southern Jli.ssissi])pi, participating 
in the battle of Sabine Cross U>.ails and in numer- 
ous skirmishes among the bayous, being mustered 
out, June Hi, 1865, and ordered to Springfield, 
where it arrived, June 24, 1865, and was paid off 
and disbanded at Camp Butler, on July 2. 

Eighty-eighth Infantry. Organized at Chi- 
cago, in September, 1863, and known as the 
"Second Board of Trade Regiment." It was 
mustered in, Sept. 4, 1862 ; was engaged at Perry- 
ville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary 
Ridge, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Adairsville, 
New Hope Church, Pine Mountain, Mud Creek, 
Kenesaw Mountain, Smyrna Camp Ground, 
Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station, Franklin 
and Nashville; v.-as mustered out, June 9, 1865, 
at Nashville, Tenn., and arrived at Chicago, 
June 13, 1865, where it received final pay and 
discharge. June 22, 1865. 

Eighty-ninth Infantry. Called the "Rail- 
road Regiment" ; was organized by the railroad 
companies of Illinois, at Chicago, in August, 
1862, and mustered into service on the 2Tth of 
that month. It fought at Stone River, Chicka- 
mauga, Missionary Ridge, Knoxville, Resaca, 
Rocky Face Ridge, Pickett's Mills, Kenesaw 
Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, 
Lovejoy's Station, Spring Hill, Columbia, Frank- 
lin and Nashville; was mustered out, June 10, 
1865, in the field near Nashville, Tenn. ; arrived 
at Chicago two days later, and was finally dis- 
charged, June 24, after a service of two years, 
nine months and twenty seven days. 

Ninetieth Infantry. Mustered into service 
at Chicago, Sept. 7, 1862 ; participated in the siege 
of Vicksburg and the campaign against Jackson, 
and was engaged at Missionary Ridge, Resaca, 
Pallas, New Hope Church, Big Shanty. Kenesaw 
Mountain, Marietta, Nickajack Creek, Rosswell, 
Atlanta, Jonesboro and Fort McAllister. After 
the review at Washington, the regiment was 
mustered out, June 6, and returned to Chicago, 
June 9, 1865, where it was finally discharged, 

KiNETY-FlRST INFANTRY. Organized at Camp 
Rutler, near Springfield, in August. 1862, and 



562 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



mustered in on Sept. 8, 1862 : participated in the 
campaigns against Vicksl)urg and New Orlean.s, 
and all along tlie soutliwestern frontier in 
Louisiana and Texas, as well as in tlie investiture 
and cajsture of Mobile. It was mustered out at 
Mobile, July 13, 1865, starting for home the same 
day, and being finally paid off and discharged on 
July 28, following. 

NiXETY-SECOXD INFANTRY (Mounted). Organ- 
ized and mustered into service, Sept. 4, 1862, 
being recruited from Ogle, Stephenson and Car- 
roll Counties. During its term of service, the 
Ninety-second was in more tlian sixty battles and 
skirmishes, including Ringgold, Chickamauga, 
and the numerous engagements on the "March 
to the Sea," and during the pursuit of Jolinston 
through the Carolinas. It was mustered out at 
Concord, N. C, and paid and discharged from tlie 
service at Cliicago, July 10, 1865. 

Ninety-third Infantry. Organized at Chi- 
cago, in September, 1862, and mustered in, Oct. 
13, 998 strong. It participated in the movements 
against Jackson anil Vieksburg, and was engaged 
at Cliampion Hills and at Fort Fisher ; also was 
engaged in the battles of Missionary Ridge, 
Dallas, Resaca, and many minor engagements, 
following Sherman in his camijaign thougli the 
Carolinas. Mustered out of service, June 23, 
1865, and, on the 2.5th, arrived at Chicago, receiv- 
ing final payment and discharge. July 7, 1865, the 
regiment liaving marclied 2,551 miles, traveled 
by water, 2,206 miles, and. by railroad, 1.237 
miles — total, 6,U87 miles. 

Ninety-fourth Infantry. Organized at 
Bloomington in August, 1862, and enlisted wholly 
in McLean Count}-. After some warm experi 
ence in Southwest Missouri, tlie regiment took 
part in the siege and capture of Vieksburg. and 
was. later, actively engaged in the campaigns in 
Louisiana and Texas. It participated in the cap- 
ture of Mobile, leading the final assault. After 
several months of garrison dutj', the regiment was 
mustered out at Galveston, Texas, on July 17, 
1865, reaching Bloomington on August 9, follow- 
ing, having served just three years, marched 1,200 
miles, traveled by railroad 610 miles, and. by 
steamer, 6,000 miles, and taken part in nine bat- 
tles, sieges and skirmishes. 

Ninety-fifth Inp.^ntry. Organized at Rock- 
ford and mustered into service, Sept. 4, 1S62. It 
was recruited from the counties of JIcHenry and 
Boone — three companies from the latter and 
seven from the former. It took part in the cam- 
paigns in Northern Mississippi and against Vieks- 
burg. in the Rod River expedition, the campaigns 



against Price in Missouri and Arkansas, against 
Mobile and around Atlanta. Among the battles 
in which the regiment was engaged were those 
of the Tallahatchie River, Grand Gulf, Raymond, 
Champion Hills, Fort de Russey, Old River, 
Cloutierville, Mansura, Yellow Bayou, Guntown, 
Nashville, Spanish Fort, Fort Blakely, Kenesaw 
Mountain, Cbattahoochie River, Atlanta, Ezra 
Church, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station and Nash- 
ville. The distance traveled by the regiment, 
while in the service, was 9.960 miles. It was 
transferred to the Forty-seventh Illinois Infan- 
try, August 25, 1865. 

Ninety-sixth Infantry. Recruited during 
the months of July and August, 1862. and mus- 
tered into service, as a regiment, Sept. 6, 1862. 
The battles engaged in included Fort Donelson, 
Spring Hill, Franklin, Triune, Liberty Gap, 
Shelbj'ville. Chickamauga, Wauhatchie, Lookout 
Mountain. Buzzard's Roost, Rocky Face Ridge, 
Resaca. Kingston. New Hope Church, Dallas, 
Pine Jlountain, Kenesaw Jlountain, Smyrna 
Camp Ground, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Rough 
and Ready, Jonesboro, Lovejoy's Station, Frank- 
lin and Nashville. Its date of final pay and dis- 
charge was June 30, 1865. 

Ninety-seventh Infantry. Organized in 
August and September, 1802, and mustered in on 
Sept. 16; participated in the battles of Chickasaw 
Bluffs, Arkansas Post. Port Gibson, Champion 
Hills, Black River, Vieksburg. Jackson and 
Mobile. On July 20, 1865, it was mustered out 
and proceeded homeward, reaching Sj^ringfield, 
August 10, after an absence of three years, less a 
few days. 

Ninety-eighth Infantry. Organized at Cen- 
tralia, September, 1802. and mustered in, .Sept. 3; 
took part in engagements at Chickamauga, Mc- 
Minnville, Farmington and Selma, besides many 
others of less note. It was mustered out. June 
27, 1865, the recruits being transferred to the 
Sixty-first Illinois Volunteers. The regiment 
arrived at Springfield, June 30. and received final 
payment and discharge, July 7, 1865. 

Ninety-ninth Infantry. Organized in Pike 
County and mustered in at Florence, August 23, 
1862; participated in the following battles and 
skirmislies: Beaver Creek, Hartsville. Magnolia 
Hills, Raymond. Cliampion Hills, Black River, 
Vieksburg, Jackson. Fort Esperanza. Grand 
Coteau, Fish River, Spanish Fort and Blakely: 
days under fire, 62; miles traveled, 5,900; men 
killed in battle, 38; men died of wounds and 
disease, 149; men discharged for disability. 127; 
men deserted, 35; oflScers killed in battle. 3: 



HISTORICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



563 



officers died, 2; officers resigned, 26. Tlie regi- 
ment was mustered out at Baton Rouge, July 31, 
1805, and paid off and discharged, August 9, 
following. 

O.VE Hundredth Ixf.^^xtry. Organized at 
Joliet, in August, 1862, and mustered in, August 
30. The entire regiment was recruited in Will 
County. It was engaged at Bardstown, Stone 
Eiver, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and 
Nashville; was mustered out of service, June 12, 
186.], at Nashville. Tenn., and arrived at Chicago, 
June lo, where it received final payment and 
discharge. 

One Hundred .\nd First Inf.^ntry. Organ- 
ized at Jacksonville during the latter part of the 
month of August, 1862, and, on Sept. 2, 1862, 
was mustered in. It participated in the battles 
of Wauhatchie, Chattanooga, Resaca, New Hope 
Church, Kenesaw and Pine Mountains, Peach 
Tree Creek, Atlanta, Averysboro and Bentonville. 
On Dec. 20, 1862, five companies were cajjtured 
at Holly Springs, Miss., paroled and sent to 
Jefferson Barracks, Mo. , and formally exchanged 
in June, 1863. On the 7th of June, 186.J, it was 
mustered out, and started for Springfield, where, 
on the 21st of June, it was paid off and disbanded. 

One Hundred and Second Infantry. Organ- 
ized at Knoxville, in August, 1862, and mustered 
in, September 1 and 2. It was engaged at Resaca, 
Camp Creek, Burnt Hickory. Big Shanty, Peach 
Tree Creek and Averysboro; mustered out of 
service June 6. 1865, and started home, arriving 
at Chicago on the 9th, and, June 14, received 
final payment and discharge. 

One Hundred and Third Inf.a.ntry. Re- 
cruited wholly in Fulton County, and mustered 
into the service, Oct. 2, 1862. It took part in 
the Grierson raid, the sieges of Vicksburg, Jack- 
son. Atlanta and Savannah, and the battles of 
Missionary Ridge, Buzzard's Roost. Resaca, Dal- 
las. Kenesaw Mountain and Griswoldsville; was 
also in the cami)aigu through the Carolinas. 
The regiment was mustered out at Louisville, 
June 21, and received final discharge at Chi- 
cago, July 9, I860. The original strength of 
the regiment was 808, and 84 recruits were 
enlisted. 

One Hundred and Fourth Infantry. Organ- 
ized at Ottawa, in Augu.st, 1862, and composed 
almost entirely of La Salle County men. The 
regiment was engaged in the liattles of Harts- 
ville, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain. Mission- 
ary Ridge, Resaca, Peach Tree Creek. Utoy 
Creek, Jonesboro and Bentonville, besides many 
severe skirmishes; was mustered out at Washing- 



ton, D. C. . June 6, 1865. and, a few days later, 
received final discharge at Chicago. 

One Hundred and Fifth Infantry. Mus- 
tered into service, Sept. 2, 1862, at Dixon, and 
participated in the Atlanta campaign, lieing 
engaged at Resaca, Peach Tree Creek and 
Atlanta, and almost constantly skirmishing; 
also took part in the "March to tlie Sea" and the 
campaign in the Carolinas, including the siege of 
Savannah and the battles of Averysboro and 
Bentonville. It was mustered out at Washing- 
ton, D. C. , June 7, 180.5, and paid off and dis- 
charged at Chicago, June 17. 

One Hundred .\nd Sixth Inf.4..ntry. Mus- 
tered into service at Lincoln, Sept. 18. 1862. 
eight of the ten companies having been recruited 
in Logan County, the other two being from San- 
gamon and Menard Counties. It aided in the 
defense of Jackson, Tenn.. where Company "C 
w-as captured and paroled, being exchanged in 
the summer of 1863; took part in the siege of 
Vicksburg, the Yazoo expedition, the capture of 
Little Rock, the battle of Clarendon, and per- 
formed service at various points in Arkansas. It 
was mustered out, July 12, 1865, at Pine Bluff, 
Ark , and arrived at Springfield, July 24, 1865, 
where it received final payment and discharge 

One Hundred axd Seventh Infantry. Mus- 
tered into service at Springfield, Sept. 4, 1862; 
was composed of six companies from DeWitt and 
four companies from Piatt County. It was 
engaged at Campbell's Station, Dandridge, 
Rocky-Face Ridge, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, 
.\tlanta. Spring Hill, Franklin, Nashville and 
Fort Anderson, and mustered out, June 21, 1865, 
at Salisbury, N. C, reaching Springfield, for 
final payment and discliarge, July 2, 1865. 

One Hundred and Eighth Infantry. Organ- 
ized at Peoria, and mustered into service, August 
28, 1862 ; took part in the first expedition against 
Vicksljurg and in the battles of Arkansas Post 
(Fort Hindman), Port Gib.son and Champion 
Hills; in the capture of Vicksburg. the battle of 
Guntown, the reduction of Siianish Fort, and the 
capture of Mobile. It was mustered out at Vicks- 
burg, August 5, 1865, and received final discharge 
iit Chicago. August 11. 

One Hundred and Ninth Infantry. Re- 
cruited from Union and Pulaski Counties and 
mastered into the service, Sejjt. 11, 1802. Owing 
to its number being greatly reduced, it was con- 
solidated with tlie Eleventh Infantry in April, 
1863. (See Eleventh Infantry.) 

One Hundred and Tenth Infantry. Organ- 
ized at Anna and mustered in. Sept. 11. 1802; was 



564 



HISTORICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



engaged at Stone River. Woodbuiy, and in 
numerous skirmishes in Kentucky and Tennessee. 
In Maj-, 1803, the regiment was consolidated, its 
numbers having been greatlj- reduced. Subse- 
quently it participated in the battles of Chicka- 
mauga and Jlissionary Ridge, the battles around 
Atlanta and the campaign through the Carolinas, 
being present at Johnston's surrender. The regi- 
ment was mustered out at "Washington, D. C, 
June 5, 1865, and received final discliarge at 
Chicago, June 15. The enlisted men whose term 
of service liad not expired at date of muster-out, 
were consolidated into four companies and trans- 
ferred to the Sixtieth Illinois Veteran Volunteer 
Infantry. 

One Hundred and Eleventh Infantry. Re- 
cruited from Marion, Clay, Washington, Clinton 
and Wayne Counties, and mustered into the serv- 
ice at Salem, Sept. 18, 1862. The regiment aided 
in the capture of Decatur, Ala. ; took part in the 
Atlanta campaign, being engaged at Resaca, 
Dallas, Kenesaw, Atlanta and Jonesboro ; i)artici- 
pated in the '"March to the Sea"" and the cam- 
paign in the Carolinas, taking part in the battles 
of Fort McAllister and Bentonville. It was mus- 
tered out at Washington, D. C, June 7, 1865, 
receiving final di,scharge at Springfield, June '.27, 
having traveled 3,736 miles, of which 1,836 was 
on the march. 

One Hundred and Twelfth Infantry. Mus- 
tered into service at Peoria, Sept. 20 and 2"2, 
1862 ; participated in the campaign in East Ten- 
nessee, under Burnside, and in that against 
Atlanta, under Sherman; was also engaged in 
the battles of Columbia, Franklin and Nashville, 
and the capture of Fort Anderson and Wilming- 
ton. It was mustered out at Goldsboro, N. C, 
June 20, 1865, and finally discharged at Chicago, 
July 7, 1865. 

One Hundred and Thirteenth Infantry. 
Left Camp Hancock (near Chicago) for the front, 
Nov. 6, 1862; was engaged in the Tallahatchie 
expedition, participated in the battle of Chicka- 
saw Bayou, and was sent North to guard prison- 
ers and recruit. The regiment also took part in 
the siege and capture of Vicksburg, was mustered 
out, June 20, 1865, and finally discharged at Chi- 
cago, five days later. 

One Hundred and Fourteenth Infantry. 
Organized in July and August, 1862, and mustered 
in at Springfield, Sept. 18, being recruited from 
Cass, Menard and Sangamon Counties. The regi- 
ment participated in the battle of Jackson (Miss.), 
the siege and capture of Vicksburg, and in the 
battles of Guntown and Harrisville, the pursuit 



of Price through Missouri, the battle of Nash- 
ville, and tlie capture of Mobile. It v.as mustered 
out at Vicksburg. August 3. 186."). receiving final 
payment and discliarge at Springfield. August 15, 
1865. 

One Hundred and Fifteenth Infantry*. 
Ordered to the front from Springfield, Oct. 4, 
1802 ; was engaged at Chickamauga, Chattanooga, 
Missionary Ridge. Tunnel Hill, Resaca and in all 
the principal battles of the Atlanta campaign, 
and in the defense of Nasliville and pursuit of 
Hood; was mustered out of service, June 11, 
1865, and received final pay and discharge, June 
23, 186.5, at Springfield. 

One Hundred and Sixteenth Infantry. 
Recruited almost wholly from Macon County, 
numbering 980 officers and men when it started 
from Decatur for" the front on Nov. 8, 1862. It 
participated in the battles of Cliickasaw Bayou, 
Arkansas Post, Champion Hills, Black River 
Bridge. Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Dallas. Big 
Shant\', Kenesaw Mountain, Stone Mountain, 
Atlanta, Fort McAllister and Bentonville, and 
was mustered out, June 7, 1805, near Washington, 
D. C. 

One Hundred and Seventeenth Infantry. 
Organized at Springfield, and mustered in, Sept. 
19, 1862 ; participated in the Meridian campaign, 
the Red River expedition (assisting in the cap- 
ture of Fort de Russey), and in the battles of 
Pleasant Hill, Yellow Bayou, Tupelo, Franklin, 
Nashville, Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely. It 
was mustered out at Springfield, August 5, 1865, 
having traveled 9,276 miles, 3,307 of wliich were 
marched. 

One Hundred and Eighteenth Infantry'. 
Organized and mustered into the service at 
Springfield, Nov. 7, 1862 ; was engaged at Chicka- 
saw Bluffs, Arkansas Post, Port Gibson, Cham- 
pion Hills, Black River Bri<lge, Jackson (Miss.), 
Grand Coteau, Jackson (La.), and Amite River. 
The regiment was moimted, Oct. 11, 1863, and 
dismounted, May 22, 1865. Oct. 1, 1865, it was 
mustered out, and finally discharged, Oct. 13. 
At the date of the muster-in, the regiment num- 
bered 820 men and officers, received 283 recruits, 
making a total of 1,103; at muster-out it num- 
bered 523. Distance marched, 2,000 miles; total 
distance traveled, 5,700 miles. 

One Hundred and Nineteenth Infantry. 
Organized at Quincy, in September, 1862, and 
was mustered into the United States service, 
October 10; was engaged in the Red River cam- 
paign and in the battles of Shreveport, Yellow 
Bayou, Tupelo, Nasliville, Spanish Fort and Fort 



I 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



565 



Blakely. Its final muster-out took place at 
Mobile, August 26, 1865, and its discharge at 
Springfield. 

One Hundred .4^.nd Twextiety Infantry. 
Mustered into the service, Oct. 28, 1862, at Spring- 
field ; was mustered out, Sept. 7, 186.'), and received 
final payment and discharge, September 10, at 
Springfield. 

One Hundred and Twenty-first Infan- 
try. (The organization of this regiment was not 
completed.) 

One Hundred and Twenty-second Infan- 
try. Organized at Carlinville, in August, 1862, 
and mustered into the service, Sept. 4, with 960 
enlisted men. It participated in the battles of 
Tupelo and Nashville, and in the capture of 
Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely, and was mustered 
out, July 15, 1865, at Mobile, and finally dis- 
charged at Springfield, August 4. 

One Hundred and Twe.vty-third Infan- 
try. Mustered into service at Mattoon, Sept. 6, 
1862 : participated in the Vjattles of Perry ville, 
Milton, Hoover's Gap, and Farmington : also took 
part in the entire Atlanta campaign, marching 
as cavalry and fighting as infantry. Later, it 
ser^-ed as mounted infantry in Kentucky, Tennes- 
see and Alabama, taking a prominent part in the 
capture of Selma. The regiment was discharged 
at Springfield, July. 11, 1865 — the recruits, whose 
terms had not expired, being transferred to the 
Sixty-first Volunteer Infantry. 

One Hundred and Twenty'-fourth Inf.an- 
TRY'. Mustered into the service, Se[>t. 10, 1862, at 
Springfield ; took part in the Vicksburg campaign 
and in the battles of Port Gibson, Raymond and 
Champion Hills, the siege of Vicksburg, the 
Meridian raid, the Yazoo expedition, and the 
capture of Mobile. On the 16th of August. 1865, 
eleven days less than three years after the first 
company went into camp at Springfield, the regi- 
ment was mustered out at Chicago. Colonel 
Howe's history ofthe battle-flag of the regiment, 
stated that it had been borne 4.100 miles, in four- 
teen skirimishes, ten battles and two sieges of 
forty-seven days and nights, and tliirteen days 
and nights, respectively. 

One Hundred and Twenty'-fifth Infan- 
try'. Mustered into service, Sept. 3, 1862; par- 
ticipated in the battles of PerryviUe, Chicka- 
mauga. Missionary Ridge, Kene.saw Mountain, 
Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta and Jonesboro, and in 
the "Ma'-cli to the Sea" and the Carolina cam- 
paign, being engaged at Averysboro and Benton- 
ville. It was mustered out at Washington, D. C, 
June 9, 1865, and finally discharged at Chicago. 



One Hundred .and Twenty-sixth Infan- 
try". Organized at Alton and mustered in, Sept. 4, 
1862, and participated in the siege of Vicksburg. 
Six companies were engaged in skirmish line, near 
Humboldt, Tenn., and the regiment took part in' 
the capture of Little Rock and in the fight at 
Clarendon, Ark. It was nmstered out July 12, 1865. 

One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Infan- 
try'. Mustered into service at Chicago, Sept. 6, 
1862; took part in the first campaign against 
Vicksburg, and in the battle of Arkansas Post, 
the siege of Vicksburg under Grant, the capture 
of Jackson (Miss.), the battles of Missionary 
Ridge and Lookout Mountain, the Meridian raid, 
and in the fighting at Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw 
Mountain, Atlanta and Jonesboro; also accom- 
panied Sherman in his march through Georgia 
and the Carolinas, taking part in the battle of 
Bentonville ; was mustered out at Chicago. June 
IT, 1865. 

One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Infan- 
try. Mustered in, Dec. 18, 1862, but remained 
in service less than five months, when, its num- 
ber of officers and men having been reduced from 
860 to 161 (largely by desertions), a number of 
officers were dismissed, and the few remaining 
officers and men were formed into a detachment, 
and transferred to another Illinois regiment. 

One Hundred and Twenty'-ninth Infan- 
try*. Organized at Pontiac, in August, 1862, and 
mustered into the service Sept. 8. Prior to May, 
1864, the regiment was chiefly engaged in garri- 
son duty. It marched with Sherman in the 
Atlanta campaign and through Georgia and the 
Carolinas, and took part in the battles of Resaca, 
Buzzard's Roost, Lost Mountain, Dallas, Peach 
Tree Creek, Atlanta. Averysboro and Benton- 
ville. It received final pay and discharge at Chi- 
ca'-o, June 10, 1865. 

One Hundred and Thirtieth Infantry. 
Organized at Springfield and mustered into 
service, Oct. 25, 1862; was engaged at Port Gib- 
son, Champion Hills, Black River Bridge, Vicks- 
burg, Jackson (Miss.), and in the Red River 
expedition. While on this expedition almost the 
entire regiment was captured at the battle of 
Mansfield, and not paroled until near the close of 
the war. The remaining officers and men were 
consolidated with the Seventy-seventh Infantry 
in January, 1865, and participated in the capture 
of Mobile. Six months later its regimental re- 
organization, as the One Hundred and Thirtieth, 
was ordered. It wivs mustered out at New 
Orleans, August 15, 1865, and discharged at 
Springfield, Aug^t 31. 



566 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



One Huxdred and Thikty-first Infan- 
try. Organized in September, Vili'Z, and mus- 
tered into the service, Nov. 13, with 815 men, 
exclusive of officers. In October, 1863, it was 
consolidated with the Twentj-ninth Infantry, 
and ceased to exist as a separate organization. 
Up to that time the regiment had been in but a 
few conflicts and in no jjitclied battle. 

One Hundred a-Xd Thirty'-second Infan- 
try'. Organized at Chicago and mustered in for 
100 days from June 1, 18G4. The regiment re- 
mained on duty at Paducah until the expiration 
of its service, when it moved to Chicago, and 
was mustered out, Oct. 17, 1864. 

One Hundred ajjd Thirty-third Infan- 
try'. Organized at Springfield, and mustered in 
for one hundred days, May 81, 1864; was engaged 
during its term of service in guarding prisoners 
of war at Rock Island ; was mustered out, Sept. 
4, 1864, at Camp Butler. 

One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Infan- 
try'. Organized at Chicago and mustered in, 
May 31, 1864, for 100 days; was assigned to 
garrison duty at Columbus, Ky., and mustered 
out of service, Oct. 25, 1864, at Chicago. 

One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Infan- 
try'. Mustered in for lOO-days" service at Mat- 
toon, June 6, 1804, having a strength of 853 men. 
It was chiefly engaged, during its term of service, 
in doing garrison duty and guarding railroads. 
It was mustered out at Springfield, Sept. 28, 1864. 

One Hundred and Thirty'-sixth Infan- 
try. Enlisted about the first of May, 1864, for 
100 days, and went into camp at Centralia, 111., 
but was not mustered into service until June 1, 
following. Its principal service was garrison 
duty, with occasional scouts and raids amongst 
guerrillas. At the end of its term of service the 
regiment re-enlisted for fifteen days; was mus- 
tered out at Springfield, Oct. 23, 1864, and dis- 
charged eight days Uiter 

One Hundred and Thirty'-seventh Inf.\n- 
TRY'. Organized at Quincy, with ex-Gov. John 
Wood as its Colonel, and mustered in, June 5, 
1864, for 100 days. Was on duty at Mempliis, 
Tenn , and mustered out of service at Spring- 
field. III. Sept. 4, 1864. 

One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Infan- 
try' Organized at Quincy, and mustered in, 
June 21, 1864, for 100 days; was assigned to garri- 
son duty at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and in 
Western Missouri. It was mustered out of serv- 
ice at Si)riugfield, 111., Oct. 14. 1864. 

One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Infan- 
try. Mustered into service as a 100-day's regi- 



ment, at Peoria, Jime 1, 1864; was engaged in 
garrison duty at Columbus and Cairo, in making 
reprisals for guerrilla raids, and in the pursuit of 
tlie Confederate General Price in Missouri. The 
latter service was rendered, at the President's 
request, after the term of enlistment had expired. 
It was mustered out at Peoria, Oct. 25, 1864, hav- 
ing been in the service nearly five months. 

One Hundred ^0\D Fourtieth Infantry*. 
Organized as a lOO-daj's' regiment, at Springfield, 
Jime 18, 1864, and mustered into service on that 
date. The regiment was engaged in guarding 
railroads between Memphis and Holly Springs.and 
in garrison duty at Memphis. After the term of 
enlistment Lad expired and the regiment had 
been mustered out, it aided in the jjursuit of 
General Price through Missouri ; was finally dis- 
charged at Chicago, after serving about five 
months 

One Hundred and Forty-first Infan- 
try'. Mustered into service as a 100- days' regi- 
ment, at Elgin, June 16, 1864 — strength, 843 men; 
departed for the field, June 27, 1864; was mus- 
tered out at Chicago, Oct. 10, 1804. 

One Hundred and Forty'-second Infan- 
try'. Organized at Freeport as a battalion of 
eight companies, and sent to Camp Butler, where 
two companies were added and the regiment 
mastered into service for 100 days, June 18, 1864. 
It was ordered to Memphis, Tenn. , five days later, 
and assigned to duty at White's Station, eleven 
miles from that city, where it was employed in 
guarding the Mempliis & Charleston railroad. 
It was mustered out at Chicago, on Oct, 27, 1864, 
the men having voluntarily served one month 
beyond their term of enlistment. 

One Hundred .and Forty'-third Infan- 
try'. Organized at Mattoon, and mustered in, 
June 11, 1864, for 100 daj-s. It was assigned to 
garrison duty, and mustered out at Mattoon, 
Sept. 26, 1864. 

One Hundred and Forty'-fourth Infan- 
try'. Organized at Alton, in 1864, as a one-year 
regiment; was nmstered into the service, Oct. 21, 
its strength being 1,159 men. It was mustered 
out, July 14, 1865. 

One Hundred and Forty'-fifth Infan- 
try. Mustered into service at Springfield, June 
9, 1864 ; strength, 880 men. It departed for tlie 
field, June 12, 1864; was mustered out, Sept. 23, 
1864. 

One Hundred and Forty'-sixth Infan- 
try'. Organizeil at Springfield, Sept. 18, 1864, for 
one year. Was assigned to the duty of guarding 
drafted men at Brighton, Quincy, Jacksonville 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



567 



and Springfield, and mustered out at Springfield, 

July 5, imr>. 

One Hundred and Forty-seventh Infan- 
try. Organized at Chiuago, and mustered into 
service for one year, Feb. IS and 19, 186.5; was 
engaged chiefly on guard or garri.son duty, in 
scouting and in skirmishing with guerrillas. 
Mustered out at Nashville, Jan. 22, 18G6. and 
received final discharge at Springfield, Feb. 4. 

One Hundred and Forty-eighth Infan- 
try. Organized at Springfield, Feb. 21, 186.5, for 
the term of one year ; was assigned to garrison 
and guard duty and mustered out, Sept. 5, 186.5, 
at Nashville, Tenn ; arrived at Si^ringfield, Sept. 
9, 1865, where it was paid off and discharged. 

One Hundred axd Forty-ninth Inf.\x- 
TRY'. Organized at Springfield, Feb. 11, 1865, 
and mustered in for one j-ear; was engaged in 
garrison and guard dut}' ; mustered out, Jan. 27, 
1866, at Dalton, Ga. . and ordered to Springfield, 
where it received final payment and discharge. 

One Hundred and Fiftieth Infantry. 
Organized at Springfield, and mustered in, Feb. 14, 
1865, for one year; was on duty in Tennessee and 
Georgia, guarding railroads and garrisoning 
towns. It was mustered out, Jan. 16, 1866, at 
Atlanta, Ga. , and ordered to Springfield, where it 
received final paj-ment and discharge. 

One Hundred and Fifty-first Infantry. 
This regiment was organized at Quincy, 111., 
and mustered into the United States service, 
Feb. 23, 1865, and was composed of companies 
from various parts of the State, recruited, under 
the call of Dec. 19, 1864. It was engaged in 
guard duty, with a few guerrilla skirmishes, and 
was present at the surrender of General War- 
ford's army, at Kingston, Ga. ; was mustered out 
at Columbus, Ga., Jan. 24, 1866, and ordered to 
Springfield, where it received final payment and 
discharge, Feb. 8, 1866. 

One Hundred and Fifty-second Infan- 
try. Organized at Springfield and mustered in, 
Feb. 18, 1865, for one year ; was mustered out of 
.service, to date Sept. 11, at Memphis, Tenn., and 
arrived at Camp Butler, Sept. 9, 1865, where it 
received final payment and discharge. 

One Hundred .and Fifty-third Infan- 
try. Organized at Chicago, and mustered in, 
Feb. 27, 1865. for one year; was not engaged in 
any battles. It was miistered out, Sept. 15, 1865, 
and moved to Springfield, 111., and, Sept. 24, 
received final pay and discharge. 

One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Infan- 
try. Organized at Springfield, Feb. 21, 1865, 
for one year. Sept. 18, 1865, the regiment was 



mustered out at Nashville, Tenn., and ordered to 
Springfield for final payment and discharge, 
\vliere it arrived, Sept. 22; was paid oU and dis- 
cliarged at Camp Butler, Sept. 29. 

One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Infan- 
try. Organized at Springfield and mustered in 
Feb. 28, 1865, for one year, 904 strong. On Sept. 
4, 1865, it was mustered out of service, and moved 
to Camp Butler, where it received final pay and 
discharge. 

One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Infan- 
try. Organized and mustered in during the 
months of February and March, 1865, from the 
northern counties of the State, for the term of 
one year. The officers of tlie regiment have left 
no written record of its history, but its service 
seems to have been rendered chiefly in Tennessee 
in the neighborhood of Memphis, Nashville and 
Chattanooga. Judging by the muster-rolls of 
the Adjutant-General, the regiment would apjiear 
to have been greatly depleted by desertions and 
otherwise, the remnant being finally mustered 
out, Sept. 20, 1865. 

First Cavalry. Organized — consisting of 
seven companies, A, B, C, D, E, F and G — at 
Alton, in 1861, and mustered into the United 
States service, July 3. After some service in 
Missouri, the regiment participated in the battle 
of Lexington, in that State, and was surrendered, 
with the remainder of the garrison, Sept. 20, 1861. 
The oSicers were paroled, and the men sworn not 
to take up arms again until discharged. No ex- 
change having been effected in November, the 
non-commissioned officers and privates were 
ordered to Springfield and discharged. In June, 
1863, the regiment was reorganized at Benton 
Barracks, Mo., being afterwards employed in 
guarding supply trains and supply depots at 
various points. Mustered out, at Benton Bar- 
racks, July 14, 1862. 

Second Cavalry. Organized at Springfield 
and mustered into service, August 12, 1861, with 
Company M (which joined the regiment some 
montlis later), numbering 47 commissioned offi- 
cers and 1,040 enlisted men. This number was in- 
creased by recruits and re-enlistments, during its 
four and a half year's term of service, to 2,236 
enlisted men and 145 commissioned officers. It 
was engaged at Belmont; a portion of the regi- 
ment took part in the battles at Fort Hemy, 
Fort Donelsun and Shiloh, another portion at 
Merriweather's Ferry, Bolivar and Holly Springs, 
and participated in the investment of Vicksburg. 
In January, 1864, the major part of the regiment 
re-enlisted as veterans, later, participating in the 



568 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Red River expedition and the investment of Fort 
Blakely. It was mustered out at San Antonio, 
Tex., Nov. 23, 186.5, and finally paid and dis- 
charged at Springfield, Jan. 3, 1800. 

Third Cavalry. Composed of twelve com- 
panies, from various localities in the State, the 
grand total of company officers and enlisted men, 
under the first organization, being 1,433. It was 
organized at Springfield, in August, 1801 ; partici- 
pated in the battles of Pea Ridge, Haines' Bluff, 
Arkansas Post, Port Gibson, Cliampion Hills, 
Black River Bridge, and the siege of Vicksburg. 
In July, 1804, a large portion of the regiment re- 
enlisted as veterans. The remainder were mus- 
tered out, Sept. n, 1804. The veterans iKirticipated 
in the repulse of Forrest, at Memphis, and in tlie 
battles of Lawrenceburg, Spring Hill, Campbells- 
ville and Franklin. From May to October, 180.5, 
engaged in service against the Indians in the 
Northwest The regiment was mustered out at 
Springfield, Oct. 18, 1805. 

Fourth Cavalry. Mustered into service, 
Sept. 20, 1801, and participated in the battles of 
Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, and Sliiloli; in the 
siege of Corintli, and in many engagements of 
less historic note; was mustered out at Springfield 
in November, 18G4. By order of the War Depart- 
ment, of June 18, 180.5, the members of the 
regiment whose terms liad not exiiired, were con- 
solidated with the Twelfth Illinois Cavalry. 

Fifth Cavalry. Organized at Camp Butler, 
in November, 1801 ; took part in the Sleridian 
raid and the expedition against Jackson, Miss., 
and in numerous minor expeditions, doing effect- 
ive work at Canton, Grenada, "Woodville, and 
other points. On Jan. 1, 1804, a large portion of 
the regiment re-enlisted as veterans. Its final 
muster-out took place, 0(^t. 27, 1805, and it re- 
ceived final payment and discharge, October 30. 

Sixth Cavalry. Organized at Springfield, 
Nov. 19, 1861 ; participated in Sherman's advance 
upon Grenada; in the Grierson raid through Mis- 
sissippi and Louisiana, the siege of Port Hudson, 
the battles of Moscow (Tenn), West Point (Miss.), 
Franklin and Nashville; re-enlisted as veterans, 
March 30, 1864; was mustered out at Selma, Ala., 
Nov. 5, 1S05, and received discharge, November 
20, at Springfield. 

Seventh Cavalry. Organized at Springfield, 
and was mastered into service, Oct. 13, 1801. It 
participated in the battles of Farmington, luka, 
Corinth (second battle) ; in Grierson's raid 
through Mississippi and Louisiana; in the en- 
gagement at Plain's Store (La.), and the invest- 
ment of Port Hudson. In March, 1864, 388 



officers and men re-enlisted as veterans. The 
non-veterans were engaged at Guntown, and the 
entire regiment took part in the battle of Frank- 
lin. After the close of hostilities, it was stationed 
in Alabama and Mississippi, until the latter part 
of October, 1805 ; was mustered out at NashviUe, 
and finally discharged at Springfield, Nov. 17, 
1865. 

EiQiiTH Cavalry. Organized at St. Charles, 
111., and mustered in, Sept. 18, 1801. The regi- 
ment was ordered to Virginia, and participated 
in the general advance on Manassas in March, 
1802; was engaged at Mechanicsville, Gaines' 
Hill, Malvern Hill, Sugar Loaf Mountain, Middle- 
town, South Jlountain, Antietam, Fredericks- 
burg, Sulphur Springs, Warrenton, Rapidan 
Station, Northern Neck, Gettysburg, Williams- 
burg, Funkstown, Falling Water, Chester Gap 
Sandy Hook, Culpepper, Brandy Station, and in 
many raids and skirmishes. It was mustered 
out of service at Benton Barracks, Mo., July 17, 
1865, and ordered to Chicago, where it received 
final paj'ment and discharge. 

Ninth Cavalry Organized at Chicago, in 
the autumn of 1861, and mustered in, November 
30; was engaged at Cold water, Grenada, Wyatt, 
Saulsburj-, Moscow, Guntown, Pontotoc, Tupelo, 
Old Town Creek, Hurricane Creek, Lawrence- 
burg, Campellsville, Franklin and Nashville. 
The regiment re-enlisted as veterans, Marcli 16, 
1864; was mustered out of service at Selma, Ala., 
Oct. 31, 1865, and ordered to Springfield, where 
the men received final payment and discharge. 

Tenth Cavalry. Organized at Springfield in 
the latter part of September, 1801, and mustered 
into .service, Nov. 25, 1801; was engaged at Prairie 
Grove, Cotton Plant, Arkansas Post, in the 
Yazoo Pass expedition, at Richmond (La,), 
Brownsville, Baj-ou Metoe, Bayou La Fourche 
and Little Rock. In February, 1804, a large 
portion of tlie regiment re enlisted as veter- 
ans, the non-veterans accompanying General 
Banks in liis Red River expedition. On Jan. 27, 
1805, the veterans, and recruits were consolidated 
with the Fifteenth Cavalry, and all reorganized 
under the name of the Tenth Illinois Veteran 
Volunteer Cavalry. JIustered out of service at 
San Antonio, Texas, Nov. 22, 1805, and received 
final discliarge at Springfield, Jan. 6, 1866. 

Ele\'enth Cavalry. Robert G. Ingersoll of 
Peoria, and Basil D. Meeks, of Woodford County, 
obtained permission to raise a regiment of 
cavalry, and recruiting commenced in October, 
1801. The regiment was recruited from the 
counties of Peoria, Fulton, Tazewell, Woodford, 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



569 



Marshall, Stark, Knox, Henderson and Warren; 
was mustered into the service at Peoria, Dec. 20, 
1861, and was first under fire at Shiloh. It also 
took part in the raid in the rear of Corinth, and 
in the battles of Bolivar, Corinth (second battle), 
luka, Lexington and Jackson (Tenn.); in Mc- 
pherson's expedition to Canton and Sherman's 
Meridian raid, in the relief of Yazoo City, and in 
numerous less important raids and skirmishes. 
Most of the regiment re-enlisted as veterans in 
December, 1863; tlie non- veterans being mus- 
tered out at Memphis, in the autumn of 1864. The 
veterans were mustered out at the same place, 
Sept. 30, 1865, and discharged at Springfield, 
October 20. 

Twelfth Cavalry. Organized at Spiingfield, 
in February, 1862, and remained there guarding 
rebel prisoners until June 2r>, when it was 
mounted and sent to Martinsburg, Va. It was 
engaged at Fredericksburg, Williamsport. Falling 
Waters, the Rapidan and Stevensburg. On Nov. 
26, 1863, the regiment was relieved from service 
and ordered home to reorganize as veterans. 
Subsequently it joined Banks in the Red River 
expedition and in Davidson's expedition against 
Mobile. While at Memphis the Twelfth Cavalry 
was consolidated into an eight-company organi- 
zation, and the Foui'th Cavalry, having previously 
been consolidated into a battalion of five com- 
panies, was consolidated with the Twelfth. The 
consolidated regiment was mustered out at 
Houston, Texas, May 29, 1866, and, on June 18, 
received final'pay and discharge at Springfield. 

Thirteenth C.vvalry. Organized at Chicago, 
in December, 1861 ; moved to the front from 
Benton Barracks, Mo., in February, 1862, and 
was engaged in the following battles and skir- 
mishes (all in Missouri and Arkansas) : Putnam's 
Ferry, Cotton Plant, Union City (twice). Camp 
Pillow, Bloomfield (first and second battles). Van 
Buren, Allen, Eleven Point River, Jackson, 
White River. Chalk Bluff, Busly>- Creek, near 
Helena, Grand Prairie, White River, Deadnian's 
Lake, Brownsville, Bayou Metoe, Austin, Little 
Rock, Benton, Batesville, Pine Blull. Arkadel- 
phia, Okolona, Little Missouri River, Prairie du 
Anne, Camden, Jenkins' Ferry, Cross Roads, 
Mount Elba, Douglas Landing and Monticello. 
The regiment was mustered out, August 31, 1863, 
and received final pay and discharge at Spring- 
field, Sept. 13, 186.5. 

Fourteenth Cavalry. Mustered into service 
at Peoria, in January and February, 1863; par- 
ticipated in the battle of Cumberland Gap, in tlie 
defense of Knoxville and the pursuit of Long- 



street, in the engagements at Bean Station and 
Daudridge, in the Jlacon raid, and in the cavalry 
l)attle at Sunshine Church. In the latter Gen- 
eral Stoneman surrendered, but the Fourteenth 
cut its way out. On their retreat the men were 
betrayed by a guide and the regiment badly cut 
U]) and scattered, those escaping being hunted by 
soldiers with bloodhounds. Later, it was engaged 
at Waynesboro and in tlie battles of Franklin and 
Nashville, and was mustered out at Nashville, 
July 31, 180.5, having marched over 10,000 miles, 
exclusive of duty done by detachments. 

Fifteenth Cavalry. Composed of companies 
originally independent, attached to infantry regi- 
ments and acting as such; participated in the 
battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh, and in the 
siege and capture of Corinth. Regimental or- 
ganization was effected in the spring of 1863, and 
thereafter it was engaged chiefly in scouting and 
post duty. It was mustered out at Springfield, 
August 25, 1864, the recruits (whose term of 
service had not expired) being consolidated with 
the Tenth Cavalry. 

Sixteenth Cavalry. Composed principally 
of Chicago men— Thieleman's and Schambeck's 
Cavalry Companies, raised at the outset of the 
war, forming the nucleus of the regiment. The 
former served as General Sherman's body-guard 
for some time. Captain Thieleman was made a 
Major and authorized to raise a battalion, the 
two companies named thenceforth being known 
as Thieleman's Battalion. In September, 1862, 
the War Department authorized the extension of 
the battalion to a regiment, and, on the lltli of 
June, 1863. the regimental organization was com- 
pleted. It took part in the East Tennessee cam- 
paign, a portion of the regiment aiding in the 
defense of Knoxville, a part garrisoning Cumber- 
and Gap, and one battalion being captured by 
Longstreet. The regiment also participated in 
the battles of Rocky Face Ridge, Buzzard's 
Roost, Resaca, Kingston, Cassville, Carterville, 
Allatoona, Kenesaw, Lost Mountain, Mines 
Ridge, Powder Springs, Chattahoochie, Atlanta, 
Joneslioro, Franklin and Nashville. It arrived 
in Chicago, August 23, 1865, for final payment 
and discharge, having marched about 5,000 miles 
and engaged in thirty-one battles, besides numer- 
ous skirmishes. 

Seventeenth Cavalry. Mustered into serv- 
ice in January and February, 1864 ; aided in the 
repulse of Price at Jefferson City, Mo. , and was 
engaged at Booneville, Independence, Mine 
Creek, and Fort Scott, besides doing garrison 
duty, scouting and raiding. It was mustered 



570 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



out in November and December, 1805, at Leaven- 
worth, Kan. Gov. Jolin L. Beveridge. who had 
previously been a Captain and Major of the 
Eighth Cavahy, was the Colonel of this regi- 
ment. 

First Light Artillery. Consisted of ten 
batteries. Batterj' A was organized under the 
first call for State troops, April 21, 1861, but not 
mustered into the three years' service until Juh' 
16; was engaged at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, 
Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, the sieges of 
Vicksburg and Jackson, and in the Atlanta cam- 
paign; was in reserve at Champion Hills and 
Nashville, and mustered out July 3, 1865, at 
Chicago. 

Battery B was organized in April, 1861, en- 
gaged at Belmont, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, in the 
siege of Corinth and at La Grange, Holly Springs, 
Memphis, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, the 
siege of Vicksburg, Mechanicsburg, Richmond 
(La.), the Atlanta campaign and the battle of 
Nashville. The Battery was reorganized by con- 
solidation with Battery A, and mustered out at 
Chicago, July 2, 1865. 

Battery D was organized at Cairo, Sept. 2, 1861 ; 
was engaged at Fort Donelson and at Shiloh, 
and mustered out, Jul}- 28, 1865, at Chicago. 

Batteiy E was organized at Camp Douglas and 
mustered into service, Dec. 19, 1861 ; was engaged 
at Shiloh, Corinth, Jackson, Vicksburg, Gun- 
town, Pontotoc, Tupelo and Nashville, and mus- 
tered out at Louisville, Dec. 24, 1864. 

Battery F was recruited at Dixon and mus- 
tered in at Springfield, Feb. 25, 1863. It took 
part in the siege of Corinth and the Yocona 
expedition, and was consolidated with the other 
batteries in the regiment, March 7, 1865. 

Battery G was organized at Cairo and mus- 
tered in Sept. 28, 1861 ; was engageil in the siege 
and the second battle of Corinth, and mustered 
out at Springfield, July 24, 1865. 

Battery H was recruited in and about Chicago, 
during January and February, 1862 ; participated 
in the battle of Shiloh, siege of Vicksburg, and 
in the Atlanta campaign, the "March to the 
Sea," and through the Carolinas with Sherman. 

Battery I was organized at Camp Douglas and 
mustered in, Feb. 10, 1862; was engaged at 
Shiloh. in the Tallahatchie raid, the sieges of 
Vicksburg and Jackson, and in the battles of 
Chattanooga and Vicksburg It veteranized, 
March 17, 1864, and was mustered out, July 26, 
1865. 

Battery K was organized at Shawneetown and 
mustered in, Jan. D, 1862, particijiated in Burn- 



side's campaign in Tennessee, and in the capture 
of Knoxville. Part of the men were mustered 
out at Springfield iu June, 1865, and the re- 
manider at Chicago in July. 

Battery M was organized at Camp Douglas and 
mustered into the service, August 12, 1862, for 
three years. It served through the Chickamauga 
campaign, being engaged at Cliickamauga; also 
was engaged at Missionary Ridge, was besieged 
at Chattanooga, and took part in all the impor- 
tant battles of the Atlanta campaign. It was 
mustered out at Chicago, July 24, 1864, having 
traveled 3,102 miles and been under fire 178 days. 

Second Light Artillery. Consisted of nine 
batteries. Battery A was organized at Peoria, 
and mustered into service, May 23, 1861 ; served 
in Missouri and Arkansas, doing brilliant work 
at Pea Ridge. It was mustered out of service at 
Springfield. July 27, 1865. 

Battery D was organized at Cairo, and mustered 
into service in December, 1861 ; was engaged at 
Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Vicksburg, Jackson, 
Meridian and Decatur, and mustered out at 
Louisville, Nov. 21, 1864. 

Battery E was organized at St. Louis, Mo. , in 
August, 1861, and mustered into service. August 
20, at that jjoint. It was engaged at Fort Donel- 
son and Shiloh, and in the siege of Corinth and 
the Yocona expedition — was consolidated with 
Battery A. 

Battery F was organized at Cape Girardeau, 
Mo., and mustered in, Dec. 11, 1861; was engaged 
at Shiloh, in the siege and second battle of 
Corinth, and the Meridian campaign; also 
at Kenesaw, Atlanta and Jonesboro. It was 
mustered out, July 27, 1865, at Springfield. 

Battery H was organized at Springfield, De- 
cember, 1801, and mustered in, Dec. 31, 1861; was 
engaged at Fort Donelson and in the siege of 
Fort Pillow; veteranized, Jan. 1, 1804, was 
mounted as cavalrj- the following summer, and 
mustered out at Springfield, July 29, 1805. 

Battery I was recruited in Will County, and 
mustered into service at Camp Butler, Dec. 31, 
1861. It participated in the siege of Island No. 
10, in the advance upon Cornith, and in the 
battles of Perryville, Chickamauga. Lookout 
Mountain, Missionary Ridge and Chattanooga. 
It veteranized, Jan. 1, 1804, marched with Sher- 
man to Atlanta, and thence to Savannah and 
through the Cai'olinas, and was mustered out at 
Sjiringfield. 

Battery K was organized at Springfield and 
mustered in Dec. 31, 1863; was engaged at Fort 
Pillow, the capture of Clarkston, Mo., and the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



571 



siege of Vicksbiirg. It was mustered out, Jul}- 
14. 1865, at Chicago. 

Battery L was organized at Chicago and mus- 
tered in, Feb. 28, 1862; participated in the ad- 
vance on Corintli, tlie battle of Hatchie and the 
advance on tlie Tallahatchie, and was mustered 
out at Chicago, August 9, 1865. 

Battery JI was organized at Chicago, and mus- 
tered in at Springfield, Juue, 1862 ; was engaged 
at Jonesboro, Blue Spring, Blount.sville and 
Rogersville, being finally consolidated with 
other batteries of the regiment. 

Chicago Boakd of Trade Battery. Organ- 
ized through the efforts of the Chicago Board of 
Trade, which raised §15,000 for its equipment, 
within fort3-eight hours. It was mustered into 
service, August 1, 1862, was engaged at Law- 
renceburg, Murfreesboro, Stone River, Chicka- 
mauga, Farmington, Decatur (Ga. ), Atlanta, 
Lovejoy Station, Nashville, Selma and Columbus 
(Ga. ) It was mustered out at Chicago, June 30, 
1865, and paid in full, July 3, having marched 
5.268 miles and traveled by rail 1,231 miles. The 
battery was in eleven of the hardest battles 
fought in the West, and in twenty-six minor 
battles, being in action forty-two times while on 
scouts, reconnoissances or outpost duty. 

Chicago Mercantile Battery. Recruited 
and organized under the auspices of the Mercan- 
tile Association, an association of prominent and 
patriotic merchants of the City of Chicago. It 
was mustered into service, Avigust 29, 1862, at 
Camp Douglas, participated in the Tallahatchie 
and Yazoo expeditions, the first attack upon 
Vicksburg, the battle of Arkansas Post, the siege 
of Vicksburg. the battles of Magnolia Hills, 
Champion Hills, Black River Bridge and Jackson 
(Miss.); also took part in Banks' Red River ex- 
pedition; was mustered out at Chicago, and 
received final payment, July 10, 1865, having 
traveled, bj' river, .sea and land, over 11,000 
miles. 

Springfield Light Artillery. Recruited 
principallj' from the cities of Springfield, Belle- 
ville and Wenona. and mustered into service at 
Springfield, for the term of three 3-ears, August 
21, 1862, numbering 109 men and officers. It 
participated in the capture of Little Rock and in 
the Red River expedition, and was mustered out 
at Springfield, 114 strong, June 30, 1865. 

Cogswell's Battery, Light Artillery. 
Organized at Ottawa. 111., and mustered in. Nov. 
11, 1861, as Company A (Artillery) Fifty-third 
Illinois Volunteers, Colonel Cushman command- 
ing the regiment. It participated in the 



advance on Corinth, the siege of Vicksburg, the 
battle of Missionary Ridge, and the capture of 
Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely, near Mobile. The 
regiment was mustered out at Springfield, August 
14, 1865, having served three years and nine 
months, marched over 7,500 miles, and partici- 
pated in seven sieges and battles. 

Sturges Rifles. An independent company, 
organized at Chicago, armed, equipped and sub- 
sisted for nearly two months, by the patriotic 
generosity of Mr. Solomon Sturges; was mustered 
into service. May 6, 18G1 ; in June following, was 
ordered to West Virginia, serving as body- 
guard of General McClellan; was engaged at 
Rich Mountain, in the siege of Yorktown, and in 
the seven days' battle of tlie Chickahorainy. A 
portion of the company was at Antietam, the 
remainder having been detached as foragers, 
scouts, etc. It was mustered out at Washington, 
Nov. 25, 1862. 

WAR, THE SPANISH - AMERICAN. The 
oppressions and misrule which had character- 
ized the administration of affairs by the Spanish 
Government and its agents for generations, in the 
Island of Cuba, culminated, in April, 1898, in 
mutual declarations of war between Spain and 
the United States. The causes leading up to this 
result were the injurious effects upon American 
commerce and the interests of American citizens 
owning property in Cuba, as well as the constant 
expense imposed upon the Government of the 
United States in the maintenance of a large navy 
along the South Atlantic coast to suppress fili- 
bustering, superadded to the friction and unrest 
produced among the people of this country by the 
long continuance of disorders and abuses so near 
to our own shores, which aroused the sympathy 
and indignation of the entire civilized world. 
For three j-ears a large proportion of the Cuban 
population had been in open rebellion against the 
Spanish Government, and, while the latter had 
imported a large army to the island and sub- 
jected the insurgents and their families and 
sj'mpathizers to the grossest cruelties, not even 
excepting torture and starvation itself, their 
policy had failed to bring the insurgents into 
subjection or to restore order. In this condition 
of affairs the United States Government had 
endeavored, through negotiation, to secure a miti- 
gation of the evils complained of, by a modifica- 
tion of the Spanish policy of government in the 
island : but all suggestions in this direction had 
either been resented by Spain as unwarrantable 
interference in her affairs, or promises of reform, 
when made, had been as invariably broken. 



572 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



In the meantime an increasing sentiment had 
been growing up in the United States in favor of 
conceding belligerent rights to the Cuban insur- 
gents, or the recognition of their independence, 
which found expression in measures proposed in 
Congress — all offers of friendly intervention by 
the United States having been rejected by Spain 
with evidences of indignation. Compelled, at 
last, to recognize its inability to subdue the insur- 
rection, the Spanish Government, in November, 
1897, made a pretense of tendering autonomy to 
the Cuban people, with the privilege of amnesty 
to the insurgents on laying down their arms. 
The long duration of the war and the outrages 
perpetrated upon the lielpless "reconcentrados, '' 
coupled with the increased confidence of the 
insurgents in the final triumph of their cause, 
rendered this movement — even if intended to be 
carried out to the letter — of no avail. The 
proffer came too late, and was promptly rejected. 

In this condition of affairs and with a view to 
greater security for American interests, the 
American battleship JIaine was ordered to 
Havana, on Jan. 24, 1898. It arrived in Havana 
Harbor the following day, and was anchored at a 
point designated by the Spanish commander. On 
the night of February l.i, following, it was blown 
up and destroyed by some force, as shown by after 
investigation, applied from without. Of a crew 
of 3.54 men belonging to the vessel at the time, 
266 were either killed outright by the explosion, 
or died from their wounds. Not only the Ameri- 
can people, but the entire civilized world, was 
shocked by the catastrophe. An act of horrible 
treachery had been perpetrated against an 
American vessel and its crew on a peaceful mis- 
sion in the harbor of a professedly friendly na- 
tion. 

The successive steps leading to actual hostili- 
ties were rapid and eventful. One of the earliest 
and most significant of these was the passage, by 
a unanimous vote of both houses of Congress, on 
March 9, of an appropriation placing §50,000,000 
in the hands of the President as an emergency 
fund for purposes of national defense. This was 
followed, two days later, by an order for the 
mobilization of the army. The more important 
events following this step were : An order, under 
date of April 5, withdrawing American consuls 
from Spanish stations; the departure, on April 9, 
of Consul-General Fitzhugh Lee from Havana; 
April 19, the adoption by Congress of concurrent 
resolutions declaring Cuba independent and 
directing the President to use the land and naval 
forces of the United States to put an end to 



Spanish authority in the island; April 20, the 
sending to the Spanish Government, by the Presi- 
dent, of an ultimatum in accordance with this 
act; April 21, the delivery to Minister Woodfoi'd, 
at Madrid, of his passports without waiting for 
the presentation of the ultimatum, with the 
de[xirture of the Spanish Minister from Washing- 
ton ; April 23, the issue of a call by the President 
for 12.j,000 volunters; April 24, the final declara- 
tion of war by Spain ; April 25, the adoption by 
Congress of a resolution declaring that war had 
existed from April 21; on the same date an order 
to Admiral Dewey, in command of the Asiatic 
Squadron at Hongkong, to sail for Manila with a 
view to investing that city and blockading 
Philippine ports. 

The chief events subsequent to the declaration 
of war embraced the following: May 1, the 
destruction by Admiral Dewey"s squadron of the 
Spanish fleet in the harbor of Manila; May 19, 
the arrival of the Spanish Admiral Cervera"s fleet 
at Santiago de Cuba; May 25, a second call by 
the President for 75,000 volunteers; July 3, the 
attempt of Cervera's fleet to escape, and its 
destruction off Santiago; July 17. the surrender 
of Santiago to the forces under General Shafter; 
July 30, the statement by the President, through 
the French Ambassador at Wasliington, of the 
terms on which the United States would consent 
to make peace ; August 9, acceptance of the peace 
terms by Spain, followed, three days later, by the 
signing of the peace protocol ; September 9, the 
appointment by the President of Peace Couimi.s- 
sioners on the part of the United States; Sept. 18, 
the announcement of the Peace Commissioners 
selected by Spain ; October 1, the beginning of the 
Peace Conference by the representatives of the 
two powers, at Paris, and the formal signing, on 
December 10, of the peace treaty, including the 
recognition by Spain of the freedom of Cuba, 
with the transfer to the United States of Porto 
Rico and her other West India islands, together 
with the surrender of the Philippines for a con- 
sideration of §20,000,000. 

Seldom, if ever, in the history of nations have 
such vast and far-reaching results been accom- 
plished within so short a period.' The war, 
which practically began with the destruction of 
the Spanish fleet in Manila Harbor — an event 
which aroused the enthusiasm of the whole 
American jMjople, and won the respect and 
admiration of other nations — was practically 
ended by the surrender of Santiago and the 
declaration by the President of the conditions of 
peace Just three months later. Succeeding 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



573 



events, up to the formal signing of the jjeace 
treaty, vere merely the recognition of results 
previousl}' determined. 

HlSTOKY OF IlLLNOIS REGIMENTS.— The part 
played by Illinois in connection with these events 
may be brietl)' summarized in the history of lUi- 
•nois regiments and other organizations. Under 
the first call of the President for 125,000 volun- 
teers, eight regiments — seven of infantry and one 
of cavalry — were assigned to Illinois, to which 
was subsequently added, on application through 
Governor Tanner, one battery of light artil- 
lery. Tlie infantry regiments were made up 
of the Illinois National Guard, numbered 
consecutivel}' from one to seven, and were 
practically mobilized at their home stations 
within forty-eight hours from the receipt of the 
call, and began to arrive at Camp Tanner, near 
Springfield, the jjlace of rendezvous, on April 26, 
the daj' after the issue of the Governor's call. 
The record of Illinois troops is consijicuous for 
the promptness of their response and the com- 
pleteness of their organization — in this respect 
being unsurpassed by those of any other State. 
Under tlie call of May 2.) for an additional force 
of 75,000 men, the quota assigned to Illinois was 
two regiments, which were promptly furnished, 
taking the names of the Eighth and Ninth. The 
first of these belonged to the Illinois National 
Guard, as the regiments mustered in under the 
first call had done, while the Ninth was one of a 
number of "Provisional Regiments" which had 
tendered their services to the Government. Some 
twenty-five other regiments of this class, more or 
less complete, stood ready to perfect their organi- 
zations should there be occasion for their serv- 
ices. The aggregate strength of Illinois organi- 
zations at date of muster out from the United 
States service was 12,280—11,789 men and 491 
officers. 

First Reoime.vt Illinois Volunteers (orig- 
inally Illinois National Guard) was organized at 
Chicago, and mustered into the United States 
service at Camp Tanner (Springfield), under tlie 
command of Col. Henry L. Turner, May 13, 1898 ; 
left Springfield for Camp Thomas (Chickamauga) 
May 17; assigned to Fir.st Brigade, Third 
Division, of the First Army Corps; started for 
Tampa, Fla., June 2, but soon after arrival tliere 
was transferred to Picnic Island, and assigned to 
provost duty in place of the First United States 
Infantry. On June 30 the bulk of the regiment 
embarked for Cuba, but was detained in tlie har- 
bor at Key West until .luly 5, when the vessel 
sailed for Santiago, arriving in Guantanamo Bay 



on the evening of the 8th. Disembarking on 
the 10th, the whole regiment arrived on the 
firing line on the 11th, spent several days and 
niglits in the trenches before Santiago, and 
were present at tlie surremler of that city 
on the 17th. Two companies had previously 
been detached for the scarcely less perilous duty 
of service in the fever hospitals and in caring 
for their wounded comrades. The next month 
was spent on guard duty in the captured city, 
until August 25, when, depleted in numbers and 
weakened by fever, the bulk of the regiment was 
transferred by hospital boats to Camp Wikoff, on 
Jlontauk Point, L. I. The members of the regi- 
ment able to tra\el left Camp Wikoff, Sejitember 
8, for Chicago, arriving two days later, wliere they 
met an enthusiastic reception and were mustered 
out, November 17, 1,233 strong (rank and file) — a 
considerable number of recruits having joined the 
regiment just before leaving Tampa. The record 
of the First was con.spicuous by the fact that it 
was the only Illinois regiment to see service in 
Cuba during the progress of actual hostilities. 
Before leaving Tampa some eighty members of the 
regiment were detailed for engineering dut\' in 
Porto Rico, sailed for that island on July 12, and 
were among the first to perform service there. 
The First suffered severely from yellow fever 
while in Cuba, but, as a regiment, while in the 
service, made a brilliant record, which was highly 
complimented in the official reports of its com- 
manding officers. 

Second Regiment Illinois Volunteer In- 
fantry (originally Second I. N. G.). This regi- 
ment, also from Chicago, began to arrive at 
Springfield, April 37, 1898 — at that time number- 
ing 1,202 men and 47 officers, under command of 
Col. George 51. Moulton; was mustered in 
between May 4 and May 15; on May 17 started 
for Tampa. Fla., but en route its destination was 
changed to Jack.sonville, where, as a part of the 
Seventh Army Corps, under command of Gen. 
Fitzhugh Lee, it a.ssisted in the dedication of 
Camp Cuba Libre. October 25 it was transferred 
to Savannah, Ga., remaining at "Camp Lee" until 
December 8, when two battalions embarked for 
Havana, landing on the 15th, being followed, a 
few days later, by the Third Battalion, and sta- 
tioned at Camj) Columbia. From Dec. 17 to Jan. 
11, 1809, Colonel Moulton served as Cliief of 
Police for the city of Havana. On March 28 to 80 
the regiment left Camp Columbia in detach- 
ments for Augusta, Ga., where it arrived April 
5, and was mustered out, April 2fl, 1,051 strong 
(rank and file), and returned to Chicago. Dur- 



674 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ing its stay in Cuba the regiment did not lose a 
man. A liistory of this regiment lias been 
written by Rev. H. W. Bolton, its late Chaplain. 

Third Regiment Illinois Volunteer In- 
fantry, composed of companies of the Illinois 
National Guard from the counties of La Salle. 
Livingston, Kane, Kankakee, McHenry, Ogle, 
Will, and AVinnebago, under command of Col. 
Fred Beuuitt, reported at Springfield, with 1,170 
men and 50 officers, on April ^'T; was mustered 
in Jlay 7, 1898; transferred from Springfield to 
Camp Thomas (Chickamauga), Jlay 14; on July 
22 left Chickamauga for Porto Rico; on the 28th 
sailed from Newport News, on the liner St. Louis, 
arriving at Ponce, Porto Rico, on July 31; soon 
after disembarking captured Arroyo, and assisted 
in the capture of Guayama, which was the 
beginning of General Brooke's advance across 
the island to San Juan, when intelligence was 
received of the signing of' the peace protocol by 
Spain. From August 13 to October 1 the Third 
continued in the performance of guard duty in 
Porto Rico ; on October 22. 980 men and 39 offi- 
cers took transport for home by way of New York, 
arriving in Chicago, November 11, the several 
companies being mustered out at their respective 
home stations. Its strength at final muster-out 
was 1,273 men and officers. This regiment had 
the distinction of being one of the first to see 
service in Porto Rico, hut suffered severely from 
fever and other diseases during the three months 
of its stay in the islaml. 

Fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, com- 
posed of companies from Champaign, Coles, 
Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Jackson, 
Jefferson, Montgomery, Richland, and St. Clair 
counties; mu.stered into the .service at Spring- 
field, May 20, under command of Col. Casimer 
Andel; started immediatelj- for Tampa, Fla., but 
en route its destination was changed to Jackson- 
ville, where it was stationed at Camp Cuba Libre 
as a part of the Seventh Corps under command of 
Gen. Fitzhugh Lee; in October was transferred 
to Savannah, Ga., remaining at Camp Onward 
until about the first of Januai-y, when the regi- 
ment took sliip for Havana. Here the regiment 
was stationed at Camp Columbia until A])i-il 4, 
1890, when it returned to Augusta, Ga., and was 
mustered out at Camp Mackenzie (Augusta), May 
2, the companies returning to their respective 
home stations. During a part of its stay at 
Jacksonville, and again at Savannah, the regi- 
ment was employed on guard duty. While at 
Jacksonville Colonel Andel was suspended by 
court-martial, and finally tendered his resigna- 



tion, his place being supplied by Lieut. -Col. Eben 
Swift, of the Ninth. 

Fifth Regiment Illinois Volunteer In- 
F.\NTRY was the first regiment to report, and was 
mustered in at Springfield, May 7, 1898, under 
command of Col. James S. Culver, being finally 
composed of twelve companies from Pike, Chris- 
tian, Sangamon, McLean, Montgomery, Adams, 
Tazewell, Macon, Morgan, Peoria, and Fulton 
counties; on May 14 left Springfield for Camp 
Thomas (Chickamauga, Ga. ), being assigned to 
the command of General Brooke ; August 3 left 
Chickamauga for Newport News, Va., with the 
expectation of embarking for Porto Rico — a 
previous order of July 26 to the same piu^jort 
having been countermanded; at Newport News 
embarked on the transport Obdam, but again the 
order was rescinded, and, after remaining on 
board thirty-six hours, the regiment was disem- 
barked. The next move was made to Lexington, 
Ky., where the regiment — having lost hope of 
reaching "the front" — remained until Sept. 5, 
when it returned to Springfield for final muster- 
out. This regiment was composed of some of the 
best material in the State, and anxious for active 
service, but after a succession of disappoint- 
ments, was compelled to return to its home sta- 
tion without meeting the enemy. After its arrival 
at Springfield the regiment was furloughed for 
thirtj- days and finally mustered out, October 16, 
numbering 1,213 men and 47 officers. 

Sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteer In- 
F.\NTRY, consisting of twelve companies from the 
counties of Rock Island, Knox, Whiteside, Lee, 
Carroll, Stephenson, Henry, Warren, Bureau, and 
Jo Daviess, was mustered in May 11, 1898, under 
command of Col. D. Jack Foster; on May 17 left 
Springfield for Camp Alger, Va. ; July ■> the 
regiment moved to Charleston, S. C, where a 
part embarked for Siboney, Cuba, but the wliole 
re.giment was soon after united in General 
Jliles" expedition for the invasion of Porto Rico, 
landing at Guanico on July 25, and advancing 
into the interior as far as Adjunta and Utuado. 
After several weeks' service in the interior, the 
regiment returned to Ponce, and on September 7 
took transport for the return home, arrived at 
Springfield a week later, and was nuistered out 
November 2.">, the regiment at that time consist- 
ing of 1,239 men and 49 officers. 

Seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry 
(known as the "Hibernian Rifles"). Two 
battalions of this regiment reported at Spring, 
field, April 27, with 33 officers and 765 enlisted 
men, being after.vards increased to the maxi- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



575 



mum; was miistereil into the United States serv- 
ice, umler command of Col. Marcus Kavanagh, 
Jlay 18, 1S9S; on May 28 started for Camp Alger, 
Va. ; was afterwards encamped at Thorouglifare 
Gap and Camp Meade; on September 9 returned 
to Springfield, was furloughed for thirty days, 
and mustered out, October 20, numbering 1,260 
men and 49 officers. Like the Fifth, the Seventh 
saw no actual service in the field. 

Eighth Illinois Volunteer Inf.\ntry (col- 
ored regiment), mustered into the service at 
Springfield under the second call of the Presi- 
dent, July 23, 1898, being composed wholly of 
Afro- Americans under officers of their own race, 
with Col. John R. Marshall in command, the 
muster-roll showing 1,195 men and 76 officers. 
The six companies, from A to P, were from Chi- 
cago, the other five being, respectively, from 
Bloomington, Springfield, Quincy, Litchfield, 
Mound City and Metropolis, and Cairo. The 
regiment having tendered their services to 
relieve the First Illinois on duty at Santiago de 
Cuba, it started for Cuba, August 8, by way of 
New York ; immediately on arrival at Santiago, 
a we.ek later, was assigned to duty, but subse- 
quently transferred to San Luis, where Colone, 
Marshall was made military governor. The 
major part of the regiment remained here until 
ordered home early in March, 1899, arrived at 
Chicago, March 15, and was mustered out, April 
3, 1,226 strong, rank and file, having been in 
service nine months and six days. 

Ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry was 
organized from the counties of Southern Illinois, 
and mustered in at Springfield under the second 
call of the President, July 4-11, 1898, under com- 
mand of Col. James R. Campbell; arrived at 
Camp Cuba Libre (Jacksonville, Fla. ), August 9; 
two months later was transferred to Savannah, 
Ga. ; was moved to Havana in December, where 
it remained until ilay, 1899. wlien it returned to 
Augusta, Ga., and was mustered out tliere, May 
20, 1899, at that time consisting of 1,095 men and 
46 officers. From Augusta the several companies 
returned to their respective home stations. Tlie 
Ninth was the only "Provisional Regiment" from 
Illinois mustered into the service during the 
war, the other regiments all belonging to the 
National Guard. 

First Illinois Cavalry was organized at Clii- 
cago immediately after the President's first call, 
seven companies being recruited from Chicago, 
two from Bloomington, and one each from 
Springfield, Elkhart, and Lacon; was mustered in 
at Springfield. May 21. 1S9S. under command of 



Col. Edward C. Young; left Springfield for Camp 
Thomas, Ga., May 30, remaining there until 
August 24, when it returned to Fort Sheriiian, 
near Chicago, where it was stationed until October 
11, wlien it was mustered out, at that time con- 
sisting of 1,158 men and 50 officers. Although 
the regiment saw no active service in the field, it 
established an excellent record for itself in respect 
to discipline. 

First Engineering Corps, consisting of 80 
men detailed from tlie First Illinois Volunteers, 
were among the first Illinois soldiers to see serv- 
ice in Porto Rico, accompanj'ing General Miles' 
expedition in the latter part of July, and being 
engaged for a time in the construction of bridges 
in aid of the intended advance across the island. 
On September 8 they embarked for the return 
home, arrived at Chicago, September 17, and 
were mustered out November 20. 

B.^ttery A (I. N. G.), from Danville, 111., was 
mustered in under a special order of the War 
Department, May 12, 1898, under command of 
Capt. Oscar P. Yaeger, consisting of 118 men; 
left Springfield for Camp Thomas, Ga., May 19, 
and, two months later, joined in General Miles' 
Porto Rico expedition, landing at Guanico on 
August 3, and taking part in the affair at Gua- 
yama on the 12th. News of peace having been 
received, the Battery returned to Ponce, where 
it remained until September 7, when it started 
on the return liome by way of New York, arrived 
at Danville, September 17, was furloughed for 
sixty days, and mustered out November 25. The 
Battery was equipped with modern breech-load- 
ing rapid-firing guns, operated by practical artil- 
lerists and prepared for effective service. 

Naval Reserves. — One of the earliest steps 
taken by the Government after it became ap- 
parent that hostilities could not be averted, was 
to begin preparation for strengthening the naval 
arm of the service. The existence of tlie "Naval 
Militia," first organized in 1893, placed Illinois in 
an exceptionally favorable position for making a 
pi'ompt response to the call of the Government, as 
well as furnishing a superior class of men for 
service — a fact evidenced during the operations 
in the West Indies. Gen. John McNulta. as head 
of tlie local committee, was active in calling tlie 
attention of the Navj' Department to the value of 
the service to be rendered by this organization, 
which resulted in its being enlisted practically as 
a body, taking the name of "Naval Reserves" — 
all but eighty -eight of the number passing the 
]iliysical examination, the places of these being 
j)rc>iiipMy inied by new recruits. The first de- 



576 



HISTORICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



tachment of over 200 left Chicago Ma}- 3, under 
the eonimauJ of Lieut.-Com. John M. Ifawley, 
followed soon after l)y the remainder of the First 
Battalion, making tlie whole number from Chi- 
cago 400, with 307, constituting the Second Bat- 
talion, from other towns of the State. The latter 
was. made up of 147 men from Moline, 38 from 
Quincy, and 62 from Alton— making a total from 
the State of 667. This does not include others, 
not belonging to this organization, who enlisted 
for service in the navy during the war, which 
raised the whole number for the State over 1,000. 
The Reserves enlisted from Illinois occupied a 
different relation to the Government from that 
of the "naval militia" of other States, which 
retained their State organizations, while those 
from Illinois were regularly mustered into the 
United States service. The recruits from Illinois 
were embarked at Key West, Norfolk and New 
York, and distributed among fifty-two different 
vessels, including nearly every vessel belonging 
to the North Atlantic Sfjuadrou. They saw serv- 
ice in nearly every department from the position 
of stokers in the hold to that of gunners in the 
turrets of the big battleships, the largest nvimber 
(60) being assigned to the famous battleship Ore- 
gon, while the cruiser Yale followed with 47; the 
Harvard with 3.5; Cincinnati, 27; Yankton, 19; 
Franklin, 18; Montgomery and Indiana, each, 17; 
Hector, 14; Marietta, 11; Wilmington and Lan- 
caster, 10 each, and others down to one each. 
Illinois sailors thus had the privilege of partici- 
pating in the brilliant affair of July 3, which 
resulted in the destruction of Cervera's fleet off 
Santiago, as also in nearly every other event in 
the West Indies of less importance, without the 
lo.ss of a man while in the service, although 
among the most exjiosed. They were mustered 
out at different times, as they could be spared 
from the service, or the vessels to which they 
were attached went out of commission, a portion 
serving out their full term of one year. The 
Reserves from Chicago retain their organization 
under the name of "Naval Reserve Veterans," 
with headquarters in the Masonic Temple Build- 
ing, Chicago. 

WARD, James H., ex-Congressman, was born 
in .Chicago, Nov. 30, 18.53, and educated in the 
Chicago public schools and at the University of 
Notre Dame, graduating from the latter in 1873. 
Three years later he graduateil from the Union 
College of Law, Chicago, and was admitted to 
the bar. Since then he has continued to practice 
his i)rofession in his native city. In 1879 he was 
elected Supervisor of the town of West Chicago, 



and, in 1884, was a candidate for Presidential 
Elector on the Democratic ticket, and the same 
year, was the successful candidate of his party 
for Congress in the Third Illinois District, serv- 
ing one term. 

>VIXNEBAGO INDIANS, a tribe of the Da- 
cota, or Sioux, stock, which at one time occupied 
a part of Northern IlUnoLs. The word Winne- 
bago is a corruption of the French Ouinebe- 
goutz, Ouimbegouc, etc., the diphthong "ou" 
taking the place of the consonant "w," which is 
wanting in the French alphabet. These were, 
in turn, French missi^ellings of an Algonquin 
term meaning "fetid," which the latter tribe 
applied to the Winnebagoes because they had 
come from the western ocean — the salt (or 
"fetid") water. In their advance towards the 
East the Winnebagoes early invaded the country 
of the Illinois, but were finally driven north- 
ward by the latter, who surpassed them in num- 
bers rather than in bravery. The invaders 
settled in Wisconsin, near the Fox River, and 
here they were first visited by the Jesuit Fathers 
in the seventeenth century. (See Jesuit Rela- 
tions.) The Winnebagoes are commonly re- 
garded as a Wisconsin tribe; yet, that they 
claimed territorial rights in Illinois is shown by 
the fact that the treaty of Prairie du Chien 
(August 1, 1829), alludes to a Winnebago village 
located in what is now Jo Daviess County, near 
the mouth of the Pecatonica River. While, as a 
rule, the tribe, if left to itself, was disposed to 
live in amity with the whites, it was carried 
away by the eloquence and diplomacy of 
Tecumseh and the cajoleries of "The Prophet."' 
General Harrison especially alludes to the brav- 
ery of the Winnebago warriors at Tippecanoe* 
which he attributees in part, however, to a super- 
stitious faith in "The Prophet." In Jime or 
July, 1827, an unprovoked and brutal outrage by 
the whites upon an unoffending and practically 
defenseless party of Winnebagoes, near Prairie 
du Chien brought on what is known as the 
'Winnebago War." (See Winnchacjo War.) 
The tribe took no part in the Black Hawk War, 
largely because of the great influence and shrewd 
tactic of their chief, Naw-caw. By treaties 
executed in 1833 and 1837 the Winnebagoes ceded 
to the United States all their lands lying east of 
the Jlississippi. They were finally removed west 
of that river, and, after many shiftings of loca- 
tion, were placed upon the Omaha Reservation in 
Eastern Nebraska, where their industry, thrift 
and peaceable disposition elicited high praise 
from Government officials. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



577 



WARNER, Vespasian, lawyer and Member of 
Congress, was born in De Witt County, 111., April 
23, 18-12, and has Lived all his life in his native 
county — his present residence being Clinton. 
After a short course in Lombard University, 
while studying law in the office of Hon. Law- 
rence Weldon, at Clinton, he enli.sted as a private 
soldier of the Twentieth Illinois Volunteers, in 
June, 1861, serving until July, 180G, wlien he was 
nuistered out with the rank of Captain and 
brevet Major. He received a gunshot wound at 
Shiloh, but continued to serve in the Army of 
the Tennessee until the evacuation of Atlanta, 
when he was ordered North on account of dis- 
ability. His last service was in fighting Indians 
on the plains. After the war he completed his 
law studies at Harvard University, graduating in 
1808, when he entered into a law partnership 
with Clifton H. Moore of Clinton. He served as 
Judge-Advocate General of the Illinois National 
Guard for several years, with the rank of Colonel, 
under the administrations of Governors Hamil- 
ton, Oglesby and Fifer, and, in 1894, was nomi- 
nated and elected, as a Republican, to the 
Fifty-fourth Congress for the Thirteentli District, 
being re-elected in 1896, and again in 1898. In 
the Fifty-tifth Congress, Mr. Warner was a mem- 
ber of the Committees on Agriculture and Invalid 
Pensions, and Chairman of the Committee on 
Revision of the Laws. 

WARREN, a village in Jo Daviess County, at 
intersection of the Illinois Central and the Chi- 
cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railways, 26 miles 
west-nortliwest of Freeport and 27 miles east by 
north of Galena. The surrounding region is 
agricultural and stock-raising ; there are also lead 
mines in the vicinity. Tobacco is grown to some 
extent. Warren has a flouring mill, tin factory, 
creamery and stone quarries, a State bank, water 
supply from artesian wells, fire department, gas 
plant, two weekly newspapers, five churches, a 
high school, an academy and a public library. 
Pop. (1890), 1,172; (1900), 1,337. 

WARREX, Calvin A., lawyer, was born in 
Es.sex County, N. Y., June 3, 1807; in his youth, 
worked for a time, as a typographer, in the office 
of "The Northern Spectator," at Poultney, Vt., 
side by side with Horace Greeley, afterwards the 
founder of "The New York Tribune." Later, he 
became one of the publishers of "The Palladium" 
at Ballston, N. Y., but, in 1832, removed to 
Hamilton County, Ohio, where he began the 
stuily of law, completing liis course at Transyl- 
vaiua University, Ky., in 1834, and beginning 
practice at. Batavia, Ohio, as the partner of 



Thomas Morris, then a United States Senator 
from Ohio, whose daughter he married, thereby 
becoming the brother-in-law of tlie late Lsaac N. 
Morris, of Quincy, 111. In 1836, Mr. Warren 
came to Quinc}% Adams County, 111., but soon 
after removed to Warsaw in Hancock County, 
where he resided until 1H39, when he returned to 
Quincy. Here he continued in practice, either 
alone or as a partner, at different times, of sev- 
eral of the leading attorneys of tliat city. 
Although he held no office except tliatof Masier 
in Chancery, which he occuijied for some si.vteen 
years, the possession of an inexhaustible fund of 
humor, with strong practical sense and decided 
ability as a speaker, gave him great popularity 
at the bar and upon the stump, and made him a 
recognized leader in tlie ranks of the Democratic 
l^arty, of which he was a life-long member. He 
served as Presidential Elector on tlie Pierce 
ticket in 18.52, and was the nominee of liis party 
for the same position on one or two other occa- 
sions. Died, at Quincy, Feb. 22, 1881. 

WARREN, Hooper, pioneer journalist, was 
born at Walpole, N. H., in 1790; learned the print- 
er's trade on the Rutland (Vt. ) "Herald"; in 
1814 went to Delaware, whence, three years later, 
he emigrated to Kentucky, working for a time 
on a paper at Frankfort. In 1818 he came to St. 
Louis and worked in the office of the old "Mis- 
souri Gazette" (the predeces.sor of "The Repub- 
lican"), and also acted as the agent of a lumber 
company at Cairo, 111. , when the whole popula- 
tion of that place consisted of one family domi- 
ciled on a grounded flat-boat. In March, 1819, 
he established, at Edvvardsville, the third paper 
in Illinois, its predecessors being "The Illinois 
Intelligencer," at Kaskaskia, and "The Illinois 
Emigrant," at Shawneetown. The name given 
to the new paper was "The Spectator," and the 
contest over the effort to introduce a pro-slavery 
clause in the State Constitution soon brought it 
into prominence. Backed by Governor Coles, 
Congressman Daniel P. Cook, Judge S. D. Lock- 
wood, Rev. Tliomas Lipjiincott, Judge Wm. H. 
Brown (afterwards of Chicago). George Churchill 
and other opponents of slavery, "The Spectator" 
made a sturdy fight in opposition to the scheme, 
which ended in defeat of the measure by the 
rejection at the polls, in 1824, of the proposition 
for a Constitutional Convention. Warren left 
the Edwardsville paper in 182.1, and was, for a 
time, associated witli "The National Crisis," an 
anti-slavery paper at Cincinnati, but soon re- 
turned to Illinois and establislied "The Sangamon 
Spectator" — tlie first paper ever published at the 



578 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



present State capital. This he sold out in 1829, 
and, for the next three years, was connected 
with "The Advertiser and Upper Mississippi Her- 
ald," at Galena. Abandoning this field in 1832, 
he removed to Hennepin, where, within the next 
five years, he held the offices of Clerk of the Cir- 
cuit and County Commissioners" Courts and ex- 
oflScio Recorder of Deeds. In 1836 he began the 
publication of the third paper in Chicago — "The 
Commercial Advertiser" (a weekly) — which was 
continued a little more than a year, when it was 
abandoned, and he settled on a farm at Henry, 
Marshall County. His further newspaper ven- 
tures were, as the associate of Zebina Eastman, in 
the publication of "The Genius of Liberty," at 
Lowell, La Salle County, and "The Western 
Citizen" — afterwards "The Free West" — in Chi- 
cago. (See Eastman, Zebina, and Lundy, Ben- 
jamin.) On the discontinuance of "The Free 
West" in 1856, he again retired to his farm at 
Henry, where he spent the remainder of his days. 
While returning home from a visit to Chicago, 
in August, 1864, he was taken ill at Mendota, 
dying there on the 22d of tlie month. 

WARREN, John Esaias, diplomatist and real- 
estate operator, was born in Troy, N. Y., in 1826, 
graduated at Union College and was connected 
with the American Legation to Spain during the 
administration of President Pierce; in 1859-60 
was a member of the Minnesota Legislature and, 
in 1861-62, Mayor of St. Paul; in 1867, came to 
Chicago, where, while engaged in real-estate 
business, he became known to the press as the 
author of a series of articles entitled "Topics of 
the Time." In 1886 he took up his residence in 
Brussels, Belgium, where he died, July 6, 1896. 
Mr. Warren was author of several volumes of 
travel, of which "An Attache in Spain" and 
"Para" are most important. 

WARREN COUNTY. A western county, 
created by act of the Legislature, in 1825, but 
not fully organized until 1830, having at that time 
about 350 inhabitants ; has an area of 540 square 
miles, and was named for Gen. Joseph Warren. 
It is drained by the Henderson River and its 
affluents, and is traversed b}- the Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Quincy (two divisions), tlie Iowa 
Central and the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe 
Railroads. Bituminous coal is mined and lime- 
stone is quarried in large quantities. The count)-"s 
early development was retarded in consequence 
of having become the "seat of war," during the 
Black Hawk War. The principal products are 
grain and live-stock, although manufacturing is 
carried on to some extent. The county -seat and 



chief city is Jlonmouth (which see). Roseville 
is a shipping point. Population (1880), 22,933. 
(1890), 21.281; (1900), 23,163. 

WARRENSBURG, a town of Macon County, 
on Peoria Division 111. Cent. Railway, 9 miles 
northwest of Decatur; has elevators, canning 
factory, a bank and newspaper. Pop. (1900), 503. 

WARS.VW, the largest town in Hancock 
County, and admirably situated for trade. It 
stands on a bluif on the Mississippi River, some 
three miles below Keokuk, and about 40 miles 
above Quincy. It is the western terminus of the 
Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway, and lies 116 
miles west-southwest of Peoria. Old Fort 
Edwards, established by Gen. Zachary Taylor, 
during the War of 1812, was located within the 
limits of the present city of Warsaw, opposite the 
mouth of the Des Moines River. An iron 
foundry, a large woolen mill, a plow factory 
and cooperage works are its principal manufac- 
turing establishments. The channel of the Missis- 
sippi admits of the passage of the largest steamers 
up to this point. Warsaw has eight churches, a 
system of common schools comprising one high 
and three grammar schools, a National bank and 
two weekly newspapers. Population (1880), 3,105; 
(1890), 2,721; (1900), 2,335. 

WASHBURN, a village of Woodford County, on 
a branch of the Chicago & Alton Railway 25 
miles northeast of Peoria; has banks and a 
weekly paper ; the district is agricultural. Popu- 
lation (1890), .598; (1900), 703. 

WASHBURNE, Elihu Benjamin, Congressman 
and diplomatist, was born at Livermore, Maine, 
Sept. 23, 1816; in early life learned the trade of a 
printer, but graduated from Harvard Law School 
and was admitted to the bar in 1840. Coming 
west, he settled at Galena, forming a partnership 
with Charles S. Hempstead, for the practice of 
law, in 1841. He was a stalwart Whig, and, as 
such, was elected to Congress in 1852. He con- 
tinued to represent his District until 1869, taking 
a prominent position, as a Republican, on tlie 
organization of that party. On account of his 
long service he was known as the "Father of the 
House," administering the Speaker's oath three 
times to Schuyler Colfax and once to James O. 
Blaine. He was appointed Secretary of State by 
General Grant in 1869, but surrendered his port- 
folio to become Envoy to France, in which ca- 
pacity he acliieved great distinction. He was the 
only official representative of a foreign govern- 
ment who remaineil in Paris, during the siege of 
that city by the Germans (1870-71) and the reign 
of the "Commune." For his conduct he was 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



579 



honored by the Governments of France and Ger- 
man}' alike. On his returu to the United States, 
he made his home in Chicago, where he devoted 
his latter years chiefly to literary labor, and 
where he died, Oct. 23, 1887. He was strongly 
favored as a candidate for the Presidency in 1880. 
WASHINGTON, a city in Tazewell County, 
situated at the intersection of the Chicago & 
Alton, the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, and the 
Toledo, Peoria & Western Railroads. It is 31 
miles west of El Paso, and 12 miles east of Peoria. 
Carriages, plows and farming implements con- 
stitute the manufactured output. It is also an 
important shipping-point for farm products. It 
has electric light and water-works plants, eight 
churches, a graded school, two banks and two 
newspapers. Pop. (1890), 1,301; (1900), 1,451. 

WASHINGTON COUNTY, an interior county of 
Southern Illinois, east of St Louis; is drained by 
the Kaskaskia River and the Elkhorn, Beaucoup 
and Muddy Creeks; was organized in 1818, and 
has an area of .5'40 square miles. The surface is 
diversified, well watered and timbered. The 
soil is of variable fertility. Corn, wheat and 
oats are the chief agricultural products. Manu- 
facturing is carried on to some extent, among 
the products being agricultural implements, 
flour, carriages and wagons. The most impor- 
tant town is Nashville, which is also the county- 
seat. Population (1890), 19,262; (1900), 19,526. 
Washington was one of the fifteen counties into 
which Illinois was divided at the organization of 
the State Government, being one of the last 
three created during the Territorial period — the 
other two being Franklin and Union. 

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, a village of Cook 
County, on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific 
and the Pittsburg, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. 
Louis Railways, 12 miles soutliwest of Chicago; 
has a graded school, female seminary, military 
school, a car factory, several churches and a 
newspaper. Annexed to City of Chicago, 1890. 

WATAGA, a village of Knox County, on the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 8 miles 
northeast of Galesburg. Population (1900), 545. 
WATERLOO, the county-seat and chief town 
of Monroe County, on the Illinois Division of the 
Mobile & Ohio Railroad, 24 miles east of south 
from St. Louis. The region is chiefly agricultural, 
but underlaid with coal. Its industries embrace 
two flour mills, a plow factory, distillery, cream- 
ery, two ice plants, and some minor concerns. 
The city has municipal water and electric light 
plants, four churches, a graded .school and two 
newspapers. Pop. (1890), 1,860; (1900) 2,114 



WATERMAN, Arba Nelson, lawyer and jurist, 

was burn at Greensboro, Orleans County. Vt., 
Feb. 3, 1836. After receiving an academic edu- 
cation and teaching for a time, he read law at 
Montpelier and, later, passed through the Albany 
Law School. In 1861 he was admitted to the 
bar, removed to Joliet, 111., and opened an office. 
In 1863 he enlisted as a private in the One Hun- 
dredth Illinois Volunteers, serving with the 
Army of the Cumberland for two years, and 
being mustered out in August, 1864, with the 
rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. On leaving the 
army, Colonel Waterman commenced practice in 
Chicago. In 1873-74 he represented the Eleventh 
Ward in the City Council. In 1887 he was elected 
to the bench of the Cook County Circuit Court, 
and was re-elected in 1891 and. again, in 1897. In 
1890 he was assigned as one of the Judges of the 
Appellate Court. 

WATSEKA, the county-seat of Iroquois County, 
situated on the Iroquois River, at the mouth of 
Sugar Creek, and at tlie intersection of the Chi- 
cago & Eastern Illinois and the Toledo, Peoria & 
Western Railroads, 77 miles south of Chicago, 46 
miles north of Danville and 14 miles east of 
Oilman. It has flour-mills, brick and tile works 
and foundries, besides several churches, banks, a 
graded school and three weekly newspapers. 
Artesian well water is obtained by boring to the 
depth of 100 to 160 feet, and some forty flowing 
streams from these shafts are in the place. Popu- 
lation (1890), 2,017; (1900), 2,.505. 

WATTS, Amos, jurist, was born in St. Clair 
County, 111., Oct. 2.5, 1821, but removed to Wash- 
ington County in boyhood, and was elected County 
Clerk in 1847, '49 and '53, and .State's Attorney 
for the Second Judicial District in 18,56 and '60; 
then became editor and proprietor of a news- 
paper, later re.suming the practice of law, and. in 
1873, was elected Circuit Judge, remaining in 
oflice until his death, at Nashville, lU., Dec. 6, 
1888. 

WAUKEGAN, the county-.seat and principal 
city of Lake County, situated en the shore of 
Lake Michigan and on the Chicago & North- 
western Railroad, about 36 miles north by west 
from Chicago, and .50 miles south of Milwaukee: 
is also the northern terminus of the Elgin, Joliet 
& Eastern Railroad and connected by electric 
lines with Chicago and Fox Lake. Lake Michigan 
is about 80 miles wide opposite this point. 
Waukegan was first known as "Little Fort." 
from tlie remains of an old fort that stood on its 
site. The principal part of the city is built on a 
bluff, which rises abruptly to the height of about 



580 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



tifty feet. Between the blutf and the shore is a 
flat tract about 400 yards wide which is occupied 
by gardens, dwellings, warehouses and manu- 
factories. The manufactures include steel-wire, 
refined sugar, scales, agricultural implements, 
brass and iron products, sash, doors and blinds, 
leather, beer, etc. ; the city has paved streets, gas 
and electric light plants, three banks, eight or 
ten churches, graded and high schools and two 
iiew.spapers. A large trade in grain, lumber, coal 
and dairy products is carried on. Pop. (1890), 
4,91.^; (1900), 9,426. 

WALKEGAN & SOUTHWESTERN RAIL- 
WAY. (See Elgin, Joliet cfc Easteni Railway.) 

WAVER LY, a city in Morgan Count}", IS miles 
southeast of Jacksonville, on the Jacksonville & 
St. Louis and the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis 
Railroads. It was originally settled by enter- 
prising emigrants from New England, whose 
descendants constitute a large proportion of the 
population. It is the center of a rich agricultural 
region, has a fine graded school, six or seven 
churches, two banks, two newspapers and tile 
works. Population (1880), 1,124; (1890), 1,337; 
(1900), 1,573. 

WAYNE, (Gen.) Anthony, soldier, was born in 
Chester County, Pa., Jan. 1, 1745, of Anglo-Irish 
descent, graduated as a Surveyor, and first prac- 
ticed his profession in Nova Scotia. During the 
years immediately antecedent to the Revolution 
he was prominent in the colonial councils of his 
native State, to which he had returned in 1767, 
where he became a member of the "Committee of 
Safety." On June 3, 1776, he was commissioned 
Colonel of the Fourth Regiment of Pennsylvania 
troops in the Continental army, and, during the 
War of the Revolution, was conspicuous for his 
courage and ability as a leader. One of his most 
daring and successful achievements was the cap- 
ture of Stony Point, in 1779, when — the works 
having been carried and Wayne having received, 
what was supposed to be. his death-wound— he 
entered the fort, supported by his aids. For this 
service he was awarded a gold medal by Con- 
gress. He also took a conspicuous part in the 
investiture and capture of Yorktown. In October, 
1783, he was brevetted Major-General. In 1784 
he was elected to the Pennsylvania Legislature. 
A few j'ears later he settled in Georgia, which 
State he represented in Congress for seven 
months, when his seat was declared vacant after 
contest. In April, 1792. he was confirmed as 
General-in-Chief of the United States Army, on 
nomination of President Washington. His con- 
nection with Illinois history began shortly after 



St. Clair's defeat, when he led a force into Ohio 
(1783) and erected a stockade at Greenville, 
which he named Fort Recovery ; his object being 
to subdue the hostile savage tribes. In this he 
was eminently successful and, on August 3, 
1793, after a victorious campaign, negotiated the 
Treaty of Greenville, as broad in its provisions as 
it was far-reaching in its influence. He was a 
daring fighter, and although Washington called 
him "prudent," his dauntlessness earned for him 
the sobriquet of "Mad Anthony." In matters of 
dress he was punctilious, and, on this account, 
he was sometimes dubbed "Dandy Wayne.' He 
was one of the few white officers whom all the 
Western Indian tribes at once feared and re- 
spected. They named him "Black Snake" and 
"Tornado." He died at Presque Isle near Erie, 
Dec. 15, 1796. Thirteen years afterward his 
remains were removed by one of his sons, and 
interred in Badnor churchyard, in his native 
count}-. The Pennsylvania Historical Society 
erected a marble monument over his grave, and 
appropriately dedicated it on July 4 of the same 
year. 

WAYXE COUNTY, in the southeast quarter of 
the State ; has an area of 720 square miles ; was 
organized in 1819, and named for Gen. Anthony 
Wayne. The county is watered and drained by 
the Little Wabash and its branches, notably the 
Skillet Fork. At the first election held in the 
county, only fifteen votes were cast. Earh' life 
was exceedingly primitive, the first settlers 
pounding corn into meal with a wooden pestle, 
a hollowed stump being used as a mortar. The 
first mill erected (of the antique South Carolina 
pattern) charged 25 cents per bushel for grinding. 
Prairie and woodland make up the surface, and 
the soil is fertile. Railroad facilities are furnished 
by the Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis and the 
Baltimore & Ohio (Southwestern) Railroads. 
Corn, oats, tobacco, wheat, hay and wool are the 
chief agricultural products. Saw mills are numer- 
ous and there are also carriage and wagon facto- 
ries. Fairfield is the county-seat. Population 
(1880), 21,291; (1890), 23,806; (1900), 27,626. 

WEAS, THE, a branch of the Miami tribe of 
Indians. They called them.selves "We-wee- 
hahs," and were spoken of by the French as "Oui- 
at-a-nons" and "Oui-as." Other corruptions of 
the name were common among the British and 
American colonists. In 1718 they had a village 
at Chicago, but abandoned it through fear of 
their hostile neighViors, the Chippewas and Potta- 
watomies. The Weas were, at one time, brave 
and warlike; but their numliers were reduced by 



HISTORICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



58; 



constant warfare and disease, and, in the end, 
debauchery enervated and demoralized them. 
They were removed west of the Mississippi and 
given a reservation in Miami County, Kan. This 
they ultimately sold, and, under the leadership 
of Bapti.ste Peoria, united witli their few remain- 
ing brethren of the Miamis and with the remnant 
of the mini under the title of the "confederated 
tribes," and settled in Indian Territory. (See also 
Mia m is; Pia n kcsli a ics. ) 

WEBB, Edwin B., early lawyer and politician, 
was born about 1802, came to the vicinity of 
Carmi, White County, III, about 1808 to 1830, 
and, still later, studied law at Transylvania Uni- 
versity. He held the oiSce of Prosecuting 
Attorney of Wliite County, and, in 1834. was 
elected to the lower branch of the General 
Assemblj-, serving, by successive re-electious, 
until 1843, and, in the Senate, from 1842 to "46. 
During his service in the House he was a col- 
le^igue and political and personal friend of 
Abraham Lincoln. He opposed the internal 
improvement sclieme of 1837, predicting many 
of the disasters wliich were actually realized a 
few years later. He was a candidate for Presi- 
dential Elector on the Whig ticket, in 1844 and 
'48, and, in 1852, received the nomination for 
Governor as the opponent of Joel A. Matteson, 
two years later, being an unsuccessful candidate 
for Justice of the Supreme Court in opposition to 
Judge W. B. Scales. While practicing law at 
Carmi, he was also a partner of his brother in 
the mercantile business. Died, Oct. 14. 1858, in 
the 56th j-ear of bis age. 

WEBB, Henry Livingston, soldier and pioneer 
(an elder brother of James Watson Webb, a noted 
New York journalist), was born at Claverack, 
N. Y., Feb. 6, 1795; served as a soldier in the 
War of 1812, came to Southern Illinois in 1817, 
and became one of the founders of the town of 
America near the mouth of the Ohio ; was Repre- 
sentative in tlie Fourth and Eleventli General 
Assemblies, a Major in tlie Black Hawk War and 
Captain of volunteers and, afterwards, Colonel of 
regulars, in tlie Mexican War. In 1860 lie went 
to Texas and served, for a time, in a .semi-mili- 
tary capacity under the Confederate Govern- 
ment; retilrned to Illinois in 1869, and died, at 
Makanda. Oct. 5, 1876. 

WEBSTER, Fletclier, lawyer and soldier, was 
born at Portsmouth, N. H., July 23, 1813; gradu- 
ated at Harvard in 1833, and studied law witli 
his father (Daniel Webster) ; in 1837, located at 
Peru, 111., where lie practiced three years. His 
father having been appointed Secretary of State 



in 1841, the son became his private secretary, 
was also Secretary of Legation to Caleb Gushing 
(Minister to China) in 1843, a member of the 
Massachusetts Legislature in 1847, and Surveyor 
of the Port of Boston, 1850-61 ; the latter year 
became Colonel of the Twelfth Massachusetts 
Volunteers, and was killed in the second battle 
of Bull Run, Augu.st 30, 1862. 

WEBSTER, Joseph Dana, civil engineer and 
soldier, was born at Old Hampton, N. H., 
August 25, 1811. He graduated from Dart- 
mouth College in 1832, and afterwards read 
law at Newburyport, Mass. His natural incli- 
nation was for engineering, and, after serv- 
ing for a time in the Engineer and War offices, 
at Washington, was made a United States civil 
engineer (1835) and, on July 7, 1838, entered the 
army as Second Lieutenant of Topographical 
Engineers. He served through the Mexican 
War, was made First Lieutenant in 1849, and 
promoted to a captaincy, in March, 1853. Thir- 
teen months later he resigned, removing to Chi- 
cago, where he made his permanent home, and 
soon after was identified, for a time, with the 
proprietorship of "The Chicago Tribune." He 
was President of the commission that perfected 
the Chicago sewerage system, and designed and 
executed the raising of the grade of a large por- 
tion of the city from two to eight feet, whole 
blocks of buildings being rai;!ed by jack screws, 
while new foundations were inserted. At the 
outbreak of the Civil War he tendered his serv- 
ices to the Government and superintended the 
erection of the fortifications at Cairo, 111., and 
Paducah, Ky. On April 7, 1861, he was com- 
niissioned Paymaster of Volunteers, with the 
i-ank of Major, and, in February, 1862, Colonel of 
the First Illinois Artillery. For several months 
he was chief of General Grant's staff, participat- 
ing in the capture of Forts Donelson and Henrj-, 
and in the battle of Shiloh. in the latter as Chief 
of Artillery. In October. 1862, the War Depart- 
ment detailed him to make a survey of the Illi- 
nois cV Michigan Canal, and, the following month, 
he was commissioned Brigadier-General of 
Volunteers, servingas Military Governor of Mem- 
phis and Superintendent of military railroads. 
He was again chief of staff to General Grant 
during the Vicksburg campaign, and. from 1864 
until the clo.se of the war, occujiied the same 
relation to General Sherman. He w.as brevetted 
Major-General of Volunteers, March 13. 18(i5. but, 
resigning Nov. (!, following, returned to Chicago, 
where he s|ient the remainder of liis life. From 
1869 to 1872 he was Asse.ssor of Internal Revenue 



682 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



there, and, later, Assistant United States Treas- 
urer, and, in July, 1872, was appointed Collector 
of Internal Revenue. Died, at Chicago, March 
13, 1876. 

WELCH, William R., lawyer and jurist, was 
born in Jessamine County, Ky., Jan. 23, 1828, 
educated at Transj-lvauia University, Lexington, 
graduating from the academic department in 
1847, and, from the law school, in 1851. In 1864 he 
removed to Carlinville, Macoupin County, 111., 
which place he made his permanent home. In 
1877 he was elected to the bench of the Fifth 
Circuit, and re-elected in 1879 and "8.5. In 1884 
he was assigned to the bench of the Appellate 
Court for tlie Second District. Died, Sept. 1, 
1888. 

WELDOX, Layrrence, one of the Judges of the 
United States Court of Claims, Washington, 
D. C, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, in 
1829 ; while a child, removed with his parents to 
Madison County, and was educated in the com- 
mon schools, the local academy and at Wittenberg 
College, Springfield, in the same State ; read law 
with Hon. R. A. Harrison, a prominent member 
of the Ohio bar, and was admitted to practice in 
1854, meanwhile, in 18,52-.53, having served as a 
clerk in the office of the Secretary of State at 
Columbus. In 1854 he removed to Illinois, locat- 
ing at Clinton, DeWitt County, where he engaged 
in practice ; in 1860 was elected a Representative 
in the Twenty-second General Assembly, was 
also chosen a Presidential Elector the same year, 
and assisted in the first election of Abraham 
Lincoln to the Presidencj'. Early in 1861 he 
resigned his seat in the Legislature to accept the 
position of United States District Attorney for 
the Southern District of Illinois, tendered him by 
President Lincoln, but resigned the latter office 
in 1866 and, the following year, removed to 
Bloomington, where he continued the practice of 
his profession until 1883, when he was appointed, 
by President Arthur, an Associate Justice of the 
United States Court of Claims at Washington — 
a position which he still (1899) continues to fill. 
Judge Weldon is among the remaining few who 
rode the circuit and practiced law with Mr. Lin- 
coln. From the time of coming to the State in 
1854 to 1860, he was one of Mr. Lincoln's most 
intimate traveling companions in the old 
Eighth Circuit, which e.xtended from Sangamon 
Count)' on the west to Vermilion on the east, and 
of which Judge David Davis, afterwards of the 
Supreme Court of tlie United States and LTnited 
States Senator, was the presiding Justice. Tlie 
Judge holds in his memory many pleasant remi- 



niscences of that daj', especially of the eastern 
portion of the District, where he was accustomed 
to meet the late Senator Voorhees, Senator Mc- 
Donald and other leading lawj-ers of Indiana, as 
well as the historic men whom he met at the 
State capital. 

WELLS, Albert W., lawyer and legislator, was 
born at Woodstock, Conn., May 9, 1839, and 
enjoyed only such educational and other advan- 
tages as belonged to the average New England 
boy of that period. During his boyhood his 
family removed to New Jersey, where he attended 
an academy, later, graduating from Columbia 
College and Law School in New York City, and 
began practice with State Senator Robert Allen 
at Red Bank, N. J. During the Civil War he 
enlisted in a New Jersey regiment and took part 
in the battle of Gettysburg, resuming his profes- 
sion at the close of the war. Coming west in 
1870, he settled in Quincy, 111., where he con- 
tinued practice. In 1886 he was elected to the 
House of Representatives from Atlams County, 
as a Democrat, and re-elected two years later. 
In 1890 he was advanced to the Senate, where, 
by re-election in 1894, he served continuously 
until his death in office, March 5, 1897. His 
abilities and long service — covering the sessions 
of the Thirty-fifth to the Fortieth General Assem- 
blies — placed him at the head of the Democratic 
side of the Senate during the latter part of his 
legislative career. 

WELLS, William, soldier and victim of the 
Fort Dearborn massacre, was born in Kentucky, 
about 1770. When a boy of 12, he was captured 
by the Miami Indians, whose chief. Little Turtle, 
adopted him. giving him his daughter in mar- 
riage when he grew to manhood. He was higlily 
esteemed by the tribe as a warrior, and, in 1790, 
was present at the battle where Gen. Arthur St. 
Clair was defeated. He then realized that he 
was fighting against his own race, and informed 
his father-in-law that he intended to ally liimself 
with the whites. Leaving the Miamis, he made 
his way to General Wayne, who made him Cap- 
tain of a company of scouts. After the treaty of 
Greenville (1795) he settled on a farm near Fort 
Wayne, where he was joined by his Indian wife. 
Here he acted as Indian Agent and Justice of the 
Peace. In 1813 he learned of the contemplated 
evacuation of Fort Dearborn, and, at the head of 
tliirty Jliamis, he set out for the post, his inten- 
tion being to furnish a body-guard to the non- 
combatants on their projiosed march to Fort 
Wayne. On August 13, he marched out of the 
fort with fifteen of his duskv warriors behind 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



563 



him, the remainder bringing up the rear. Before 
a mile and a half had been traveled, the party fell 
into an Indian ambuscade, and an indiscrimi- 
nate massacre followed. (See Fort Deai-botm.) 
The Miamis fled, and Captain Wells' body was 
riddled with bullets, his head cut off and his 
heart taken out. He was an uncle of Mrs. Heald, 
wife of the commander of Fort Dearborn. 

WELLS, William Harvey, educator, was born 
in Tolland, Corm., Feb. 2', 1812; lived on a farm 
until 17 years old, attending school irregularly, 
but made such progress that he became succes- 
sive!}' a teacher in the Teachers" Seminary at 
Andover and Newburyport, and, finally. Principal 
of the State Normal School at Westfield, Mass. 
In 18.56 he accepted the position of Superintend- 
ent of Public Schools for the city of Chicago, 
serving till 1864, when he resigned. He was an 
organizer of the Massachusetts State Teachers' 
Association, one of the first editors of "The 
Massachusetts Teacher" and prominently con- 
nected with various benevolent, educational and 
learned societies : was also author of several text- 
books, and assisted in the revision of "Webster's 
Unabridged Dictionary." Died, Jan. 21, 1885. 

WENONA, city on the eastern border of Mar- 
shall County, 20 miles south of La Salle, has 
zinc works, public and parochial schools, a 
weekly paper, two banks, and five churches. A 
good quality of soft coal is mined here. Popu- 
lation (1880), 911; (1890), 1,053; (1900), 1,486. 

WENTWORTH, John, early journalist and 
Congressman, was born at Sandwich, N. H., 
March 5, 1815, graduated from Dartmouth Col- 
lege in 1836, and came to Chicago the same year, 
where he became editor of "The Chicago Demo- 
crat, " which had been estabhshed by John Cal- 
houn three years previoiis. He soon after became 
proprietor of "The Democrat," of which he con- 
tinued to be the publisher until it was merged 
into "The Chicago Tribune," July 24, 1864. He 
also studied law, and was admitted to the Illinois 
bar in 1841. He served in Congress as a Demo- 
crat from 1843 to 1851, and again from 1853 to 
1855, but left the Democratic party on the repeal 
of the Missouri Compromise. He was elected 
Mayor of Chicago in 1857, and again in 1860, 
during his incumbency introducing a number of 
important municipal reforms ; was a member of 
the Constitutional Convention of 1862, and twice 
served on the Board of Education. He again 
represented Illinois in Congress as a Republican 
from 1865 to 1867 — making fourteen years of 
service in that body. In 1872 he joined in the 
Greeley movement, but later renewed liis alle- 



giance to the Republican party. In 1878 Mr. Went- 
worth published an elaborate genealogical work 
in three volumes, entitled "Historj' of the Went- 
worth Family." A volume of "Congressional 
Reminiscences" and two by him on "Early Chi- 
cago," published in connection with the Fergus 
Historical Series, contain some valuable informa- 
tion on early local and national liistory. On 
account of his extraordinary height he received 
the sobriquet of "Long John," by which he was 
familiarly known throughout the State. Died, 
in Chicago, Oct. 16, 1888. 

WEST, Ednard M., merchant and banker, was 
born in Virginia, May 2, 1814; came with his 
father to Illinois in 1818; in 1829 became a clerk 
in the Recorder's office at Edwardsville, also 
served as deputy postmaster, and, in 1833, took a 
position in tlie United States Land Office there. 
Two years later he engaged in mercantile busi- 
ness, which he prosecuted over thirty years — 
meanwhile filling the office of County Treasurer, 
ex-officio Superintendent of Schools, and Delegate 
to the Constitutional Convention of 1847. In 1867, 
in conjunction with W. R. Prickett, he established 
a bank at Edwardsville, with which he was con- 
nected until his death, Oct. 31, 1887. Mr. West 
ofliciated frequently as a "local preacher" of the 
Methodist Church, in which capacity he showed 
much ability as a public speaker. 

WEST, Mary Allen, educator and pliilanthro- 
pist, was born at Galesbm-g, lU.; July 31, 1837; 
graduated at Knox Seminary in 1854 and taught 
until 1873, when she was elected County Super- 
intendent of Schools, serving nine jears. She 
took an active and influential interest in educa- 
tional and reformatory movements, was for two 
years editor of "Our Home Monthly," in Phila- 
delphia, and also a contributor to otlier journals, 
besides being editor-in-chief of "The Union Sig- 
nal," Chicago, the organ of the Woman's Chris- 
tian Temperance Union — in which she held the 
position of President ; was also President, in the 
latter days of her life, of the Illinois Woman's 
Press Association of Chicago, that city having 
become her home in 1885. In 1892, Miss West 
started on a tour of the world for the benefit of 
her health, but died at Tokio, Japan, Dec. 1, 1892. 
WESTERN HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE, 
an institution for the treatment of tlie insane, 
located at Watertown, Rock Island County, in 
accordance with an act of the General Assembly, 
approved. May 22, 1895. Tlie Thirty-ninth Gen- 
eral Assembly made an appropriation of .§100,000 
for the erection of fire-proof buildings, while 
Rock Island Countj' donated a tract of 400 acres 



584 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



of land valued at S40, OOU. The site selected by the 
Commissioners, is a commanding one overlooking 
the Mississippi River, eight miles above Rock 
Island, and five and a half miles from Moline, and 
the buildings are of the most modern style of con- 
struction. Watertown is reached by two lines of 
railroad — the Chicago, ilihvaukee & St. Paul and 
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy — besides the 
Mississippi River. The erection of buildings was 
begun in 1896, and they were opened for the 
reception of patients in 1898. They have a ca- 
pacitv for 800 patients. 

WESTERN MILITARY ACADEMY, an insti 
tution located at Upper Alton, Madison County, 
incorporated in 189'2; has a facultj' of eight mem- 
bers and reports eiglity pupils for 1897-98, with 
property valued at 8T0,000. The institution gives 
instruction in literary and scientific branches, 
besides preparatory and business courses. 

WESTERN NORMAL COLLEGE, located at 
Bushnell, McDonough County; incorporated in 
1888. It is co-educational, has a corps of twelve 
instructors and reported 500 pupils for 1897-98, 
300 males and 200 females. 

WESTERN SPRINGS, a village of Cook 
County, and residence suburb of the city of Chi- 
cago, on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- 
road, 15 miles west of the initial station. 
Population (1890), 451; (IHOO), 662. 

WESTERN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, 
located in Chicago and controlled by the Protes- 
tant Episcopal Church. It was founded in 1883 
through the munificence of Dr. Tolman Wheeler, 
and was opened for students two years later. It 
has two buildings, of a superior order of archi- 
tecture — one including the school and lecture 
rooms and the other a dormitory. A hospital 
and gj-mnasium are attached to the latter, and a 
school for boys is conducted on the first floor of 
the main building, which is known as Wheeler 
Hall. The institution is under the general super- 
vision of Rt. Rev. William E. McLaren, Protes- 
tant Episcopal Bishop of tlie Diocese of Illinois. 

WESTFIELI), village of Clark County, on Cin., 
Ham. & Dayton R. R., 10 m. s -e. of Charleston; 
seat of Westfield College; has a bank, five 
churches and two newspapers. Pop. (1900), 820. 

WEST SALEM, a town of Edwards County, on 
the Peoria-Evansville Div. 111. Cent. R. R., 12 
miles northeast of Albion; has a bank and a 
weekly paper. Pop. (1890), 476; (1900), 700. 

WETHERELL, Emma Abbott, vocalist, was 
born in Chicago, Dp/?. 9, 1849; in her childhood 
attracted attention while singing with her father 
(a poor musician) in hotels and on the streets in 



Chicago, Peoria and elsewhere; at 18 years of 
age, went to New York to study, earning her way 
by giving concerts en route, and receiving aid 
and encouragement from Clara Louisa Kellogg; 
in New York was patronized by Henry Ward 
Beecher and others, and aided in securing the 
training of European masters. Compelled to sur- 
mount many obstacles from poverty and other 
causes, her after success in her profession was 
phenomenal. Died, during a professional tour, 
at Salt Lake City, Jan. 5, 1891. Miss Abbott 
married her manager, Eugene Wetherell, who 
Llied before her. 

WH EATON, a city and the county-seat of Du 
Page County, situated on the Chicago & North- 
western Railway, 25 miles west of Chicago. Agri- 
culture and stock-raising are the chief industries 
in the surrounding region. The city owns a new 
water- v,-crks plant (costing §60,000) and has a 
public library valued at §75.000, the gift of a 
resident, Mr. John Quincy Adams; has a court 
house, electric light plant, sewerage and drainage 
system, seven churches, three graded schools, 
four weekly newspapers and a State bank. 
Wheaton is the seat of Wheaton College (which 
see) Population (1880). 1,160; (1890), 1,622; 
(1900), 2,345. 

WHEATON COLLEGE, an educational insti- 
tution located at Wheaton, Du Page County, and 
under Congregational control. It was founded 
in 1853, as the Illinois Institute, and was char- 
tered under its present name in 1860. Its early 
existence was one of struggle, but of late years it 
has been establislied on a better foundation, in 
1898 having §54,000 invested in productive funds, 
and property aggregating §136,000. The faculty 
comprises fifteen professors, and, in 1898, there 
were 321 students in attendance. It is co-edu- 
cational and instruction is given in business and 
preparatory studies, as well as the fine arts, 
music and cla.'ssical literature. 

WHEELER, David Hilton, D.D., LL.D., clergy- 
man, was bom at Ithaca, N. Y., Nov. 19, 1829; 
graduated at Rock River Seminary, Mount 
Jlorris, in 1851; edited "The Carroll County 
Republican" and held a professorship in Cornell 
College, Iowa, (1857-61); was United States Con- 
sul at Geneva, Switzerland, (1861-66) ; Professor of 
English Literature in Northwestern University 
(1867-75); edited "The Methodist" in New York, 
seven years, and was President of Allegheny 
College (1883-87); received the degi-ee of D.D. 
from Cornell College in 1867, and that of LL. D. 
from the Northwestern University in 1881. He 
is the author of "Brigandage in South Italy" 



HISTOEICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



585 



(two volumes, 1864) and "By-Ways of Literature" 
(1883), besides some translations. 

WHEELER, Hamilton K., ex-Congressman, 
was born at Ballston. X. Y., August 5. 1848, but 
emigrated with his parents to Illinois in 18.52; 
remained on a farm until 19 years of age. his 
educational advantages being limited to three 
months' attendance upon a district school each 
year. In 1871, he was admitted to the bar at 
Kankakee, where he has since continued to prac- 
tice. In 1884 he was elected to represent the Six- 
teenth District in the State Senate, where he 
served on many important committees, being 
Chairman of that on the Judicial Department. 
In 1892 he was elected Representative in Con- 
gress from the Ninth Illinois District, on the 
Republican ticket. 

WHEELIMi, a town on the northern border of 
Cook County, on the Wisconsin Central Railway. 
Population "(1890). 811; (19001, 331. 

WHISTLER, (Maj.) John, soldier and builder 
of the first Fort Dearborn, was born in Ulster, Ire- 
land, about 1756; served imder Burgoyne in the 
Revolution, and was with the force surrendered 
by that officer at Saratoga, in 1777. After the 
peace he returned to the United States, settled at 
Hagerstown, Md., and entered the United States 
Army, serving at first in the ranks and being 
severely wounded in the disastrous Indian cam- 
paigns of 1791. Later, he was promoted to a 
captaincy and, in the summer of 1803, sent with 
his company, to the head of Lake Michigan, 
where he constructed the first Fort Dearborn 
within the limits of the present city of Chicago, 
remaining in command until 1811, when he was 
succeeded by Captain Heald. He received the 
brevet rank of Major, in 1815 was appointed 
military store- keeper at Newport, Ky., and after- 
wards at Jefferson Barracks, near St. Louis, 
where he died, Sept. 3, 1829. Lieut. William 
Whistler, his son. who was with his father, for a 
time, in old Fort Dearborn — but transferred, in 
1809, to Fort Wayne — was of tlie force included 
in Hull's surrender at Detroit in 1812. After 
his exchange he was promoted to a captaincy, to 
the rank of JIajor in 1826 and to a Lieutenant-Colo- 
nelcy in 1845, dying at Newport, Ky., in 1863. 
James Abbott McNiel Wliistler, the celebrated, 
but eccentric artist of that name, is a grandson 
of the first Major Whistler. 

WHITE, George E., ex-Congressman, was born 
in Massachusetts in 1848: after graduating, at the 
age of 16, he enlisted as a private in the Fifty- 
seventh Massachusetts Veteran 'Volunteers, serv- 
ing under General Grant in the campaign 



against Richmond from the battle of the Wilder- 
ness until the surrender of Lee. Having taken a 
course in a commercial college at Worcester, 
Mass., in 1867 he came to Chicago, securing em- 
ployment in a lmnl)er yard, but a year later 
began business on his own account, which he has 
successfully conducted. In 1878 he was elected 
to the State Senate, as a Republican, from one of 
the Chicago Districts, and re-elected four years 
later, serving in that body eight years. He 
declined a nomination for Congre.ss in 1884, but 
accepted in 1894, and was elected for tlie Fifth 
District, as he was again in 1896, but was 
defeated, in 1898, by Edward T. Noonan, Demo- 
crat. 

WHITE, Horace, journalist, was born at Cole- 
brook, N. H., August 10, 1834; in 1853 graduated 
at Beloit College, Wis., whither his father had 
removed in 1837 ; engaged in journalism as city 
editor of "The Chicago Evening Journal," later 
becoming agent of the Associated Press, and, in 
1857, an editorial writer on "The Chicago Trib- 
une," during a part of the war acting as its 
Washington correspondent. He also served, in 
1856. as Assistant Secretary of the Kansas 
National Committee, and, later, as Secretary of 
the Republican State Central Committee. In 
1864 he purchased an interest in "The Tribune," 
a year or so later becoming editor-in-chief, but 
retired in October, 1874. After a protracted 
European tour, he united with Carl Sohurz and 
E. L. Godkin of "The Nation," in the purchase 
and reorganization of "The New York Evening 
Post." of which he is now editor-in-chief. 

WHITE, Jnlins, soldier, was born in Cazen- 
ovia, N. Y., Sept. 29, 1816; removed to Illinois 
in 1836, residing there and in Wisconsin, wiiere 
he was a member of the Legislature of 1849; in 
1861 was made Collector of Customs at Chicago, 
but resigned to assume the colonelcy of the 
Thirty-.seventh Illinois Volunteers, which he 
commanded on the Fremont expedition to South- 
west Missouri. He afterwards served with Gen- 
eral Curtiss in Arkansas, participated in the 
battle of Pea Ridge and was promoted to the 
rank of Brigadier-General. He was suljsequently 
assigned to the Department of the Slienandoah, 
but finding his position at Martinsburg, W. Va., 
untenable, retired to Harper's Ferry, voluntarily 
serving under Colonel Miles, his inferior in com- 
mand. When this i)ost was surrendered (Sept. 
15. 1862). he was made a prisoner, but released 
under parole ; was tried by a court of inquiry at 
his own request, and acquitted, the court finding 
that he had acted with courage and cai)ability. 



686 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



He resigned in 1864, and, in Marcli, 1865, was 
brevetted Major-General of Volunteers. Died, 
at Evanston, May 13, 1890. 

WHITE COUNTY, .situated in the southeastern 
quarter of the State, and bounded on the east by 
tlie Wabash River; was organized in 1816, being 
the tenth county organized during the Territorial 
period: area, 500 square miles. The county is 
crossed by three railroads and drained by the 
Wabash and Little Wabash Rivers. The surface 
consists of prairie and woodland, and the soil is, 
for the most part, liighly productive. The princi- 
pal agricultural products are corn, wheat, oats, 
potatoes, tobacco, fruit, butter, sorghum and 
wool. The principal industrial establishments 
are carriage factories, saw mills and flour mills. 
Carmi is the county-seat. Other towns are En- 
field, Grayville and Norris City. Population 
(1880), 23,087; (1890), 25,005; (1900). 25,380. 

WHITEHALL, a city in Greene County, at the 
inter.section of the Chicago & Alton and the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroads, 65 miles 
north of St. Louis and 2-1 miles south-southwest 
of Jacksonville; in rich farming region; has 
stoneware and sewer-pipe factories, foundry and 
machine shop, flour mill, elevators, wagon shops, 
creamery, water system, sanitarium, heating, 
electric light and power system, nurseries and 
fruit-supply hou.ses, and two poultry packing 
houses; also has five churches, a graded school, 
two banks and three newspapers — one daily. Pop- 
ulation (1890), 1,961; (1900), 2,030. 

WHITEHOUSE, Henry John, Protestant Epis 
copal Bishop, was born in New York City, August 
19, 1803; graduateil from Columbia College in 
1821, and from the (New York) General Theolog- 
ical Seminary in 1824. After ordination he was 
rector of various parishes in Pennsylvania and 
New York until 1851, when he was chosen Assist- 
ant Bishop of Illinois, succeeding Bishop Chase 
in 1853. In 1867, by invitation of the Archbishop 
of Canterbury, he delivered the opening sermon 
before the Pan-Anglican Conference held in 
England. During this visit he received the 
degree of D.D. from Oxford University, and that 
of LL.D. from Cambridge. His rigid views as a 
churchman and a disciplinarian, were illustrated 
in his prosecution of Rev. Charles Edward 
Cheney, which resulted in the formation of the 
Reformed Episcopal Church. He was a brilliant 
orator and a trenchant and unj-ielding controver- 
sialist. Died, in t^liicago, August 10, 1874. 

WHITESIDE COUNTY, in the northwestern 
portion of the State bordering on the Mississippi 
River; created by act of the Legislature passed in 



1830, and named for Capt. Samuel Whiteside, a 
noted Indian fighter; area, 700 square miles. The 
surface is level, diversified by prairies and wood- 
land, and the soil is extremely fertile. The 
countj'-seat was first fixed at Lyndon, then at 
Sterling, and finally at Morrison, its present 
location. The Rock River crosses the county 
and furnishes abundant water power for numer- 
ous factories, turning out agricultural imple- 
ments, carriages and wagons, furniture, woolen 
goods, flour and wrapping paper. There are also 
distilling and brewing interests, besides .saw and 
planing mills. Corn is the stai)le agricultural 
product, although all the leading cereals are 
extensively grown. The principal towns are 
Morrison. Sterling. Fulton and Rock Falls. Popu- 
lation (1880), 30,885; (18:i0), 30 854; (1900), 34.710. 

WHITESIDE, William, pioneer and soldier of 
the Revolution, emigrated from the frontier of 
North Carolina to Kentucky, and thence, in 1793. 
to the present limits of Monroe County, 111., 
erecting a fort between Cahokia and Kaskaskia, 
which became widely known as "Whiteside 
Station." He served as a Justice of the Peace, 
and was active in organizing the militia during 
the War of 1813-14, dying at the old Station in 
1815. — John (Whiteside), a brother of the preced- 
ing, and also a Revolutionary soldier, came to 
Illinois at the same time, as also did William B. 
and Samuel, sons of the two brothers, respec- 
tively'. All of them became famous as Indian 
fighters. The two latter served as Captains of 
companies of "Rangers" in the War of 1812, 
Samuel taking part in the battle of Rock Island 
in 1814, and contributing greatly to the success 
of the day. During the Black Hawk War (1832) 
he attained the rank of Brigadier-General. 
Whiteside County was named in his honor. He 
made one of the earliest improvements in Ridge 
Prairie, a rich section of Madison County, and 
represented that county in the First General 
Assembly. William B. served as Sheriff of Madi- 
son County for a number of j'ears. — John D. 
(Whiteside), another member of this historic 
family, became very prominent, serving in the 
lower House of the Seventh, Eighth, Ninth and 
Fourteenth General Assemblies, and in the Sen- 
ate of the Tenth, from Slonroe County ; was a 
Presidential Elector in 1836, State Treasurer 
(1837-41) and a member of the State Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1847. General Whiteside, as 
he was known, was the second of James Shields 
in the famous Shields and Lincoln duel (so-called) 
in 1842, and, as such, carried the challenge of the 
former to Mr. Lincoln. (See Duels. ) 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



587 



■WHITING, Lorenzo D., legislator, was born 
in Wayne Count}', N. Y., Nov. 17, 1819; came to 
Illinois in 1838, but diil not settle there perma- 
nently until 1849, when he located in Bureau 
County. He was a Kejiresentative from that 
county in the Twenty-sixth General Assembly 
(1869), and a member of the Senate continuously 
from 1871 to 1887, serving in the latter through 
eight General Assemblies. Died at his home 
near Tiskilwa, Bureau County, 111., Oct. 10, 
1889. 

WHITING, Richard H., Congressman, was 
born at West Hartford, Couu., June 17, 1826, and 
received a common school education. In 1H62 he 
was commissioned Pajiuaster in the Volunteer 
Army of the Union, and resigned in 186G. Hav- 
ing removed to Illinois, he was appointed Assist- 
ant Assessor of Internal Revenue for the Fifth 
Illinois District, in February, 1870, and so contin- 
ued until the abolition of the office in 1873. On 
retiring from the Assessorship he was appointed 
Collector of Internal Revenue, and served until 
March 4, 1875, when he resigned to take his seat 
as Republican Representative in Congress from 
the Peoria District, to which he had been elected 
in November, 1874. After the expiration of his 
term he held no public office, but was a member 
of the Republican National Convention of 1884. 
Died, at the Continental Hotel, in New York 
City, May 24, 1888. 

WHITXEY, James TV., pioneer lawyer and 
early teacher, known by the nickname of "Lord 
Coke"; came to Illinois in Territorial days (be- 
lieved to have been about 1800) ; resided for some 
time at or near Edwardsville, then became a 
teacher at Atlas, Pike County, and, still later, the 
first Circuit and County Clerk of that county. 
Though nominally a law3-er, he had little if any 
practice. He acquired tlie title, by which lie was 
popularly known for a quarter of a century, by 
his custom of visiting the State Capital, during 
the sessions of the General Assembly, when 
he would organize the lobbyists and visit- 
ors about the capital — of which there were an 
unusual number in those days — into wliat was 
called the "Third House." Having been regu- 
larly chosen to preside under the name of 
"Speaker of the Lobby," he would deliver a mes- 
sage full of practical hits and jokes, aimed at 
members of the two houses and others, which 
would be received with cheers and laughter. 
The meetings of the "Tliird House," being held 
in the evening, were attended by many members 
and visitors in lieu of other forms of entertain- 
ment. Mr. Whitney's home, in his latter years. 



was at Pittsfield. He resided for a time at 
yuincy. Died. Dec. 13, 1860, aged over 80 years. 
WHITTExMORK, Floyd K., State Treasurer, is 
a native of New York, came at an early age, with 
his parents, to Sycamore, 111., where he was edu- 
cated in the high school there. lie purposed 
becoming a lawyer, but, on the election of the 
late James H. Beveridge State Treasurer, in 1864, 
accepted the position of clerk in the office. 
Later, he was employed as a clerk in the banking 
house of Jacob Bunn in Springfield, and, on the 
organization of the State National Bank, was 
chosen cashier of that Institution, retaining the 
position some twenty years. After the appoint- 
ment of Hon. John R. Tanner to the position of 
Assistant Treasurer of the United States, at Chi- 
cago, in 1892, Mr. Whittemore became cashier in 
that office, and, in 186.5, Assistant State Treas- 
rure under the administration of State Treasurer 
Henry Wulff. In 1898 lie was elected State 
Treasurer, receiving a plurality of 43,450 over 
his Democratic opponent. 

WICKERSHAM, (Col.) Dudley, soldier and 
merchant, was born in W(.)odfurd County, Ky., 
Nov. 22, 1819; came to Springfield, 111., in 1843, 
and served as a member of the Fourth Regiment 
Illinois Volunteers (Col. E. D. Baker's) through 
the Mexican War. On the return of peace he 
engaged in the dry-goods trade in Springfield, 
until 1861, when he enlisted in the Tenth Regi- 
ment Illinois Cavalry, serving, first as Lieutenant- 
Colonel and then as Colonel, until May, 1864, 
when, his regiment having been consolidated 
with the Fifteenth Cavalry, he resigned. After 
the war, he held the office of Assessor of Internal 
Revenue for several years, after which he en- 
gaged in the grocery trade. Died, in Springfield, 
August 8, 1898. 

WIDEN, Raphael, pioneer and early legislator, 
was a native of Sweden, who, having been taken 
to France at eight years of age, was edut'ated for 
a Catholic priest. Coming to the United States 
in 1815, he was at Cahokia, 111., in 1818, wliere, 
during the same year, he married into a French 
family of that place. He served in the House of 
Representatives from Randolph County, in the 
Second and Third General Assemblies (1820-24), 
and as Senator in the Fourtli and Fifth (1824-28). 
During his last term in the House, he was one of 
tliose who voted against the pro-slavery Con- 
vention resolution. He died of cholera, at Kas- 
kaskia. in 1.S33. 

WIKE, Seott, lawyer and ex-Congressman, was 
born at Meadville, Pa., April 6, 1834; at 4 years 
of age removed with his parents to Quincj-, 111., 



588 



HISTORICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLIXOIS. 



and, in 1844, to Pike County. Having graduated 
from Lombard Unirersity, Galesburg, in 1857, he 
began reading law witli Judge O. C. Skinner of 
Quincy. He was admitted to the bar in 1858, 
but, before commencing practice, spent a year at 
Harvard Law Scliool, graduating there in 1859. 
Immediately thereafter he opened an ofBce at 
Pittsfield, 111., and has resided there ever since. 
In politics he has alwaj's been a .strong Democrat. 
He seri-ed two terms in the Legislature (1863-67) 
and, in 1874, was oliosen Representative from his 
District in Congress, being re-elected in 1888 and, 
again, in 1890. In 1893 he was appointed by 
President Cleveland Third Assistant Secretary 
of the Treasury, which position he continued 
to fill until March, 1897, when he resumed the 
practice of law at Pittsfield. Died Jan. 15, 1901 
WILEY, (Col.) Benjamin Ladd, .soldier, was 
born in Smithfleld, Jefferson County, Ohio, 
March 25, 1821. came to Illinois in 1845 and began 
life at Vienna, Johnson County, as a teacher. 
In 1846 he enlisted for the Mexican War, as a 
member of the Fifth (Colonel Newby's) Regiment 
Illinois Volunteers, serving chiefly iu New 
Mexico until mustered out in 1848. A year later 
he removed to Jonesboro, where lie spent some 
time at the carpenter's trade, after which he 
became clerk in a store, meanwhile assisting to 
edit "The Jonesboro Gazette" until 1853; then 
became traveling salesman for a St. Louis firm, 
but later engaged in the hardware trade at 
Jonesboro, in which he continued for several 
years. In 1856 lie was the Republican candidate 
for Congi-ess for the Ninth District, receiving 
4,000 votes, while Fremont, the Republican can- 
didate for President, received only 825 in the 
same district. In 1857 he opened a real estate 
office in Jonesboro in conjunction with David L. 
Phillips and Col. J. W. Ashley, with which he 
was connected until 1860. when he removed to 
Makanda, Jackson Countj'. In September, 1861, 
he was mustered in as Lieutenant-Colonel of the 
Fifth Illinois Cavab-j-, later serving in Missouri 
and Arkansas imder Generals Steele and Curtiss, 
being, a part of the time, in command 6f the First 
Brigade of Cavalry, and, in the advance on Vicks- 
burg, having command of the right wing of 
Genei-al Grant's cavalry. Being disabled by 
rheumatism at the end of the siege, he tendered 
his resignation, and was immediatelj- ai>pointod 
Enrolling Officer at Cairo, serving in this capac- 
ity until May, 1865, when he was mustered out. 
In 1869 he was appointed by Governor Palmer 
one of the Commissioners to locate the Southern 
Illinois Hospital for the Insane, and served a.'^ 



Secretary of the Board until the institution was 
opened at Anna, in May, 1871. In 1869 he was 
defeated as a candidate for County Judge of 
Jackson Count}", and, in 1872, for the State Sen- 
ate, b}' a small niajorit}- in a strongly Democratic 
District; in 1876 was the Republican candidate 
for Congress, in the Eighteenth District, against 
William Hartzell, but was defeated by only 
twenty votes, while carrying six out of the ten 
counties comprising the District. In the latter 
years of his life. Colonel Wiley was engaged quite 
extensively in fruit-growing at Makanda, Jack- 
son County, where he died. March 22. 1890. 

WILKIE, Fram- Bangs, journalist, was born 
in Saratoga County, N. Y., July 2, 1880; took a 
partial course at Union College, after which he 
edited papers at Schenectady, N. Y., Elgin, IU., 
and Davenport and Dubuque. Iowa; also serving, 
during a part of the Civil War, as the western 
war correspondent of "The New York Times." 
In 1863 he became an editorial writer on "The 
Chicago Times," remaining with that paper, 
with the exception of a brief interval, until 1888 
— a part of the time as its European correspond- 
ent. He was the author of a series of sketches 
over the nom de plume of "Poliuto," and of a 
volume of reminiscences under the title, 
"Thirty-five Years of Journalism," published 
sliortlj" before his death, which took place, April 
12, 1892. 

WILKIX, Jacob W., Justice of the Supreme 
Court, was born in Licking County, Ohio, June 
7, 1837; removed with his parents to Illinois, at 
12 years of age, and was educated at McKendree 
College ; served three years in the War for the 
Union; studied law with Judge Scliolfield and 
was admitted to the bar in 1866. In 1872, he was 
chosen Presidential Elector on the Republican 
ticket, and, in 1879, elected Judge of the Circuit 
Court and re-elected in 188.5 — the latter year 
being assigned to the Appellate bench for the 
Fourth District, where he remained until his 
election to the Supreme bench in 1888, being 
re-elected to the latter office in 1897. His home 
is at Danville. 

WILKIXSOX, Ira 0., laii\-yer and Judge, was 
born in Virginia in 1822, and accompanied his 
father to Jacksonville (1835). where he was edu- 
cated. During a short service as Deputy Clerk of 
Morgan County, he conceived a fondness for the 
profession of the law, and, after a coiu'se of study 
under Judge William Thomas, was admitted to 
practice in 1847. Richard Yates (afterwards Gov- 
ernor and Senator) was his first partner. In 1845 
he removed to Rock Island, and, six years later, 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



589 



was elected a Circuit Judge, being again closen 
to the same position in 1861. At the expiration 
of his second term he removed to Chicago. 
Died, at Jacksonville, August 24, 1894. 

WILKINSON, John P., early merchant, was 
born, Dec. 14, 1790, in New Kent County. Va., 
emigrated first to Kentuckj', and, in 1828, settled 
in Jacksonville, 111., where he engaged in mer- 
cantile business. Mr. Wilkinson was a liberal 
friend of Illinois College and Jacksonville Female 
Academy, of each of which he was a Trustee 
from their origin until his death, which occurred, 
during a business visit to St. Louis, in December, 
1841. 

WILL, Conrad, pioneer physician and early 
legislator, was born in Philadelpliia, June 4, 1778; 
about 1804 removed to Somerset County Pa., and, 
in 1813. to Kaskaskia, 111. He was a i^hj-sician 
by profession, but having leased the saline lands 
on the Big Muddy, in the vicinity of what after- 
wards became the town of Brownsville, he 
engaged in the manufacture of salt, removing 
thither in 181.'5, and becoming one of the founders 
of Brownsville, afterwards the first county -seat 
of Jackson County. On the organization of 
Jackson County, in 1810, he became a member of 
the first Board of County Commissioners, and, in 
1818, served as Delegate from that county in the 
Convention which framed the first State Consti- 
tution. Thereafter he served continuously as a 
member of the Legislature from 1818 to "34 — first 
as Senator in the First General Assembly, then 
as Representative in the Second, Third, Fourth 
and Fifth, and again as Senator in the Sixth, 
Seventh, Eighth and Ninth — his career being 
conspicuous for long service. He died in office, 
June 11, 1834. Dr. Will was short of stature, 
fleshy, of jovial disposition and fond of playing 
practical jokes upon his a.ssociates, but very 
popular, as shown by his successive elections to 
the Legislature. He has been called "The Father 
of Jackson County." Will County, organized by 
act of the Legislature two years after his death, 
was named in his honor. 

WILL COITXTY, a northeastern count}', era- 
bracing 8.')U sijuare miles, named in honor of Dr. 
Conrad Will, an early politician and legislator. 
Early explorations of the territory were made 
in 1829, when white settlers were few. The bluff 
west of Joliet is said to have been first occupied 
by David and Benjamin Maggard. Josepli 
Smith, the Mormon "apostle," exjjounded his 
peculiar doctrines at "the Point" in 1831. Sev- 
eral of the early settlers fieri from the country 
during (or after) a raid by the Sac Indians. 



Tliere is a legend, seemingly well supported, to 
the effect that the first lumber, sawed to build 
the first frame house in Chicago (that of P. F. W. 
Peck), was sawed at Plainfield. Will County, 
originally a part of Cook, was separately erected 
in 183G, Joliet being made the county-seat. 
Agriculture, quarrying and manufacturing are 
the chief industries. Joliet. Lockport and Wil- 
mington are the principal towns. Population 
(1880). .53.422; (1890), 62,007; (1900), 74,764. 

WILLARD, Frances Elizabeth, teacher and 
reformer, was born at Churchville, N. Y., Sept. 
28, 1839, graduated from the Northwestern 
Female College at Evanston, 111., in 18.59, and, in 
1862, accepteil tlie Professorship of Natural 
Sciences in that in.stitution. During 1866-67 she 
was the Principal of the Genessee Wesleyan 
Seminary. The next two years she devoted to 
travel and study abroad, meanwhile contribut- 
ing to various periodicals. From 1871 to 1874 she 
was Professor of ^"Esthetics in the Northwestern 
University and dean of the Woman's College. 
She was alwaj-s an enthusiastic champion of 
temperance, and, in 1874, abandoned her profes- 
sion to identify lierself with tlie Woman's Chris- 
tian Temperance Union. For five years she was 
Correspondnig Secretary of the national bod}-, 
and, from 1879, its President. While Secretary 
she organized the Home Protective Association, 
and prepared a petition to the Illinois Legislature, 
to which nearly 200,000 names were attached, 
asking for the granting to women of the right to 
vote on the license question. In 1878 she suc- 
ceeded her brother, Oliver A. Willard (who had ' 
died), as editor of "The Chicago Evening Post," 
but, a few months later, withdrew, and. in 1882, 
was elected as a member of the executive com- 
mittee of the National Prohibition party. In 
1886 she became leader of the White Cross Move- 
ment for the protection of women, and succeeded 
in securing favorable legislation, in thi^ direc- 
tion, in twelve States. In 1883 slie founded the 
World's Christian Temperance Union, and, in 
1888. was cliosen its President, as also President 
of the International Council of Women. The 
latter years of her life were spent t'liiefly abroad, 
much of the time as the guest and co-worker of 
Lady Henry Somerset, of England, during which 
she devoted much attention to investigating the 
condition of women in the Orient. Jliss Willard 
was a prolific and highly valued contributor to 
the magazines, and (besides numerous pami)hlets) 
published several volumes, including "Nineteen 
Beautiful Years" (a tribute to her sister); 
"Woman iu Temperance"; "How to Win," and 



590 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



"Woman in the Pulpit." Died, in New York, 
Feb. 18. 1898. 

WILLARD, Samuel, A.M., M.l)., LL.D., phy- 
sician and educator, was born in Lunenberg, 
Vt., Dec. 30, 1821— the lineal descendant of Maj. 
Simon Willard, one of the founders of Concord, 
Mass., and prominent in "King Philip's War," 
and of his son. Rev. Dr. Samuel Willard, of the 
Old South Church, Boston, and seventh President 
of Harvard College. The subject of this sketch 
■was taken in his infancy to Boston, and, in 1831, 
to CarroUton, 111., where his father pursued the 
avocation of a druggist. After a preparatory 
course at Shurtleff College, Upper Alton, in 1836 
he entered the freshman class in Illinois College 
at Jacksonville, but withdrew the following year, 
re-entering college in 1840 and graduating in the 
class of 1843, as a classmate of Dr. Newton Bate- 
man, afterwards State Superintendent of Public 
Instruction and President of Knox College, and 
Rev. Thomas K. Beecher, now of Elmira, N. Y. 
The next year he spent as Tutor in Illinois Col- 
lege, when he began the study of medicine at 
Quincy, graduating from the Medical Department 
of Illinois College in 1848. During a part of the 
latter year he edited a Free-Soil campaign paper 
("The Tribune") at Quincy, and, later, "The 
Western Temperance Magazine" at the same 
place. In 1849 lie began the practice of his pro- 
fession at St. Louis, but the next year removed 
to CoUinsville, 111., remaining until 1857, when he 
took charge of the Department of Languages in 
the newly organized State Normal University at 
Normal. The second year of the Civil War (1862) 
he enlisted as a private in the Ninety-seventh 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, but was soon after 
commissioned as Surgeon with tlie rank of Major, 
participating in the campaigns in Tennessee and 
in the first attack upon Vicksburg. Being dis- 
abled by an attack of i)aralysis, in February, 1863, 
he was compelled to resign, when he had suffici- 
ently recovered accepting a position in the office 
of Provost Marshal General Oakes, at Spring- 
field, where he remained until the close of the 
war. He then became Grand Secretary of tlie 
Independent Order of Odd-Fellows for the State 
of Illinois — a position which he had held from 
1856 to 1862 —remaining under his second appoint- 
ment from 1865 to "69. The next year he served 
as Superintendent of Schools at Springfield, 
meanwhile assisting in founding the Springfield 
public library, and serving as its first librarian. 
In 1870 he accepted the professorship of History 
in the West Side High School of Chicago, 
which, with the exception of two years (1884-86), 



he continued to occupy for more than twenty- 
five years, retiring in 1898. In the meantime, 
Dr. Willard has been a laborious literary worker, 
having been, for a considerable period, editor, or 
assistant-editor, of "The Illinois Teacher," a con- 
tributor to "The Century Magazine" and "The 
Dial" of Chicago, besides having published a 
"Digest of the Laws of Odd Fellowship" in six- 
teen volumes, begun while he was Grand Secre- 
tary of the Order in 1864. and continued in 1873 
and "82; a "Sj'nopsis of Historj- and Historical 
Chart." covering the period from B. C. 800 
to A. D. 1876 — of which he has had a second 
edition in course of preparation. Of late years 
he has been engaged upon a "Historical Diction- 
ary of Names and Places," which will include 
some 12,000 topics, and which promises to be the 
most important work of his life. Previous to the 
war he was an avowed Abolitionist and operator 
on the "Underground Railroad," who made no 
concealment of his opinions, and, on one or two 
occasions, was called to answer for them in 
prosecutions under the "Fugitive Slave Act." 
(See " Undei-grotnid Railroad.") His friend 
and classmate, the late Dr. Bateman, says of 
him: "Dr. Willard is a sound thinker; a clear 
and forcible writer; of broad and accurate 
scholarship; conscientious, genial and kindly, 
and a most estimable gentleman." 

WILLIAMS, Archibald, lawyer and JHrist, 
was born in Montgomery Countj', Ky., Jiuie 10, 
1801 ; with moderate advantages but natural 
fondness for study, he chose the profession of 
law, and was admitted to the bar in Tennessee 
in 1828, coming to Quincy, 111., the following 
year. He was elected to the General Assembly 
three times — serving in the Senate in 1832-36, and 
in the House, 1836-40 ; was United States District 
Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, by 
appointment of President Taylor, 1849-53; was 
twice the candidate of his party (the Whig) for 
United States Senator, and ajipointed by Presi- 
dent Lincoln, in 1861, United States District 
Judge for the State of Kansas. His abilities and 
liigh character were widely recognized. Died, 
in Quincy, Sept. 21, 1863— His son, John H., an 
attorney at Quincy, served as Judge of the Cir- 
cuit Court 1879-85.— Another son. Abraham Lin- 
coln, was twice elected Attorney-General of 
Kansas. 

WILLIAMS, Erastus Smith, lawyer and ju- 
rist, was born at Salem, N. Y., May 22, 1821. In 
1843 he removed to Chicago, where, after reading 
law, he was admitted to the bar in 1844. In 1854 
lie was appointed Master in Chancery, which 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



591 



oflSce he filled until 1863, when he was elected a 
Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County. 
After re-election in 1870 he became Chief Justice, 
and, at the same time, heard most of the cases on 
the equity side of the court. In 1879 he was a 
candidate for re-election as a Republican, but 
was defeated with the party ticket. After his 
retirement from the bench he resumed private 
practice. Died, Feb. 24, 1884. 

WILLIAMS, James R., Congressman, was 
born in White County. 111., Dec. 27, 1850, at the 
age of 25 graduated from the Indiana State Uni- 
versity-, at Bloomington, and, in 1876, from the 
Union College of Law, Chicago, since then being 
an active and successful practitioner at Carmi. 
In 1880 he was appointed Master in Chancery and 
seiTed two years. From 1882 to 1886 he was 
County Judge. In 1893 he was a nominee on 
the Democratic ticket for Presidential Elector. 
He was elected to represent the Nineteenth Illi- 
nois District in the Fifty-first Congress at a 
special election held to fill the vacancy occasioned 
by the death of R. W. Townshend, was re-elected 
in 1890 and 1892, but defeated by Orlando Burrell 
(Republican) for re-election in the newly organ- 
ized Twentieth District in 1894. In 1898 he was 
again a candidate and elected to the Fifty sixth 
Congress. 

WILLIAMS, John, pioneer merchant, was 
born in Bath County, Ky., Sept. 11, 1808; be- 
tween 14 and 16 years of age was clerk in a store 
in his native State; then, joining his parents, 
who had settled on a tract of land in a part of 
Sangamon (now Menard) County, III., he found 
employment as clerk in the store of Major Elijali 
lies, at Springfield, whom he succeeded in busi- 
ness at tlie age of 22, continuing it without inter- 
ruption until 1880. In 1856 Mr. Williams was 
the Republican candidate for Congress in the 
Springfield District, and, in 1861, was appointed 
Commissary General for tlie State, rendering 
valuable service in furnishing supplies for State 
troops, in camps of instruction and while proceed- 
ing to the field, in the first years of the war ; was 
also chief officer of the Illinois Sanitary Commis- 
sion for two years, and, as one of the intimate 
personal friends of Mr. Lincoln, was chosen to 
accompany the remains of the martj-red President, 
from Washington to Sjiringfield, for burial. 
Liberal, enterprising and public-spirited, his name 
■was associated with nearly every public enter- 
prise of importance in Springfield during his 
business career — being one of the founders, and, 
for eleven years President, of the First National 
Bank; a chief promoter in the construction of 



what is now the Springfield Division of the Illi- 
nois Central Railroa<l, and the Springfield and 
Peoria line; a Director of the Springfield Iron 
Company ; one of the Commissioners who con- 
structed the Springfield' water-works, and an 
oflScer of the Lincoln Monument Association, 
from 1865 to his death. May 29, 1890. 

WILLIAMS, Xornian, lawyer, was born at 
Woodstock, Vt., Feb. 1, 1833, being related, on 
both the paternal and maternal sides, to some of 
the most prominent families of New England. 
He fitted for college at Union Academj-. Meriden, 
and graduated from the University of Vermont 
in the class of 1855. After taking a course in 
the Albany Law School and with a law firm in 
his native town, he was admitted to practice in 
both New York and Vermont, removed to Chi- 
cago in 1858, and, in 1860, became a member of 
the firm of King, Kales & Williams, still later 
forming a partnership witli Gen. John L. Thomp- 
son, which ended with the death of the latter in 
1888. In a professional capacity he assisted in 
the organization of the Pullman Palace Car Com- 
pany, and was a member of its Board of Directors; 
also assisted in organizing the Western Electric 
Company, and was prominently identified with 
the Chicago Telephone Company and the Western 
Union Telegraph Company. In 1881 he served as 
the United States Commissioner to the Electrical 
Exposition at Paris. In conjunction with his 
brother (Edward H. Williams) he assisted in 
founding the public library at Woodstock, Vt., 
which, in honor of his father, received the name 
of "The Norman Williams Public Library." 
With Col. Huntington W. Jackson and J. Mc- 
Gregor Adams, Mr. Williams was named, in the 
will of the late John Crerar, as an executor of the 
Crerar estate and one of the Trustees of the 
Crerar Public Library, and became its first Presi- 
dent ; was also a Director of the Chicago Pub- 
lic Library, and trustee of a number of large 
estates. Mr. Williams was a son-in-law of the 
late Judge John D. Caton, and his oldest daughter 
became the wife of Major-General Wesley Mer- 
ritt, a few months before his death, which oc- 
curred at Hampton Beach, N. H., June 19, 1899 
— his remains being interred in his native town 
of Woodstock, Vt. 

WILLIAMS, Robert Kbcnezer, lawyer, born 
Dec. 3, 1825, at Clarksville, Pa., his grandfathers 
on both sides being soldiers of the Revolutionary 
War. In 1830 his parents removed to Washing- 
ton in the same State, where in boyhood he 
worked as a mechanic in his father's shop, 
attending a common school in the winter until 



592 



niSTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



he reached the age of 17 years, when he entered 
Washington College, remaining for more than a 
year. He then began teaching, and, in 184.5 
went to Kentucky, where he pursued the business 
of a teacher for four years. Then he entered 
Bethany College in West Virginia, at the same 
time prosecuting his law studies, but left at the 
close of his junior year, when, having been 
licensed to practice, he removed to Clinton, 
Texas. Here he accepted, from a retired lawyer, 
the loan of a law library, which he afterwards 
purchased ; served for two years as State's Attor- 
ney, and, in 1856, came to Bloomington, 111., 
where he spent the remainder of his life in the 
practice of his profession. Much of his time was 
devoted to practice as a railroad attorney, espe- 
cially in connection with the Chicago & Alton and 
the Illinois Central Railroads, in which he 
acquired prominence and wealth. He was a life- 
long Democrat and, in 1808, was the unsuccessful 
candidate of his party for Attorney-General of 
the State. The last three years of his life he liad 
been in bad health, dying at Bloomington, Feb. 
1.5, 1899. 

WILLIAMS, Samuel, Bank President, was born 
in Adams County, Ohio, July 11, 1820; came to 
Winnebago County, 111., in 1835, and, in 1842, 
removed to Iroquois County, where he held vari- 
ous local offices, including that of County Judge, 
to which he was elected in 1861. During his 
later j-ears he had been President of the Watseka 
Citizens' Bank. Died, June 16, 1896. 

WILLIAMSON, Rollin Samuel, legislator and 
jurist, was born at Cornwall, Vt., May 23, 1839. 
At the age of 14 he went to Boston, where he 
began life as a telegraph messenger boy. In 
two years he had become a skillful operator, and, 
as such, was employed in various offices in New 
England and New York. In 1857 he came to 
Chicago seeking employment and, through the 
fortunate correction of an error on the part of 
the receiver of a message, secured the position of 
operator and station agent at Palatine, Cook 
County. Here he read law during his leisure 
time without a preceptor, and, in 1870, was 
admitted to the bar. The same year he was 
elected to the lower House of the General 
Assembly and, in 1872, to the Senate. In 1880 he 
was elected to the bench of the Superior Court of 
Cook Coimty, and, in 1887, was chosen a Judge 
of the Cook County Circuit Court. Died, Au- 
gust 10, 1889. 

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, in the soutliern part 
of the State, originally set off from Franklin and 
organized in 1839. The county is well watered. 



the principal streams being the Big Muddy and 
the South Fork of the Saline. The surface is 
undulating and the soil fertile. The region was 
originally well covered with forests. All the 
cereals fas well as potatoes) are cultivated, and 
rich meadows encourage stock-raising. Coal and 
sandstone underlie the entire county. Area, 440 
square miles; population (1880), 19,324: (1890) 
22.226; (1900), 27,796. 

WILLIAMSVILLE, village of Sangamon Coun- 
ty, on Cliicago it Alton Railroad, 12 miles north 
of Springfield : has a bank, elevator, 3 churches, 
a newspaper and coal-mines. Pop. (1900), 573. 

WILLIS, Jonathan Clay, soldier and former 
Railroad and Warehouse Commissioner, was born 
in Sumner County, Tenn. , June 27, 1826 ; brought 
to Gallatin County, 111., in 1834, and settled at 
Golconda in 1843; was elected Sheriff of Pope 
County in 1856, removed to Metropolis in 1859, 
and engaged in the wharf-boat and commission 
business. He entered the service as Quarter- 
master of the Forty-eighth Illinois Volunteers in 
1861, but was compelled to resign on account of 
injuries, in 1863; was elected Representative i" 
the Twenty-sixth General Assembl}' (1868), 
appointed Collector of Internal Revenue in 1869, 
and Railway and Warehouse Commissioner in 
1892, as the successor of John R. Tanner, serving 
until 1893. 

WILMETTE, a village in Cook County, 14 miles 
north of Chicago, on the Chicago & Northwestern 
Railroad, a handsome suburb of Chicago on the 
shore of Lake Michigan; principal streets paved 
and shaded with fine forest trees; lias public 
librarv and good schools. Pop. (1900), 2.300. 

WILMINGTON, a city of Will County, on the 
Kankakee River and the Chicago & Alton Rail- 
road, 53 miles from Chicago and 15 south-south- 
west of Joliet; has considerable manufactures, 
two National banks, a graded school, churches 
and one newspaper. Wilmington is the location 
of tlie Illinois Soldiers' Widows' Home. Popu- 
lation (1890), 1,576; (1900), 1,420. 

WILSON, Charles Lush, journalist, was born 
in Fairfield County, Conn., Oct. 10, 1818, edu- 
cated in the common schools and at an academy 
in his native State, and, in 1835, removed to Chi- 
cago, entering the employment of his older 
brothers, who were connected with the construc- 
tion of the Illinois & Michigan Canal at Joliet. 
His brother, Richard L. , having assumed charge 
of "The Chicago Daily Journal" (the successor 
of "The Chicago American"), in;i844, Charles L. 
took a position in the office, ultimately securing 
a partnership, which continued until the death 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



593 



of liis brother in 185G, when he succeeded to the 
ownei-ship of the paper. Mr. Wilson was an 
ardent friend and .supporter of Abraham Lincoln 
for the United States Senate in 1858, but, in 1860, 
favored the nomination of Jlr. Seward for the 
Presidency, thougli earnestly supjiorting Mr. Lin- 
coln after his nomination. In 1801 he was 
appointed Secretary of the American Legation at 
London, serving with the late 51inister Charles 
Francis Adams, until 1864, when lie resigned and 
resumed his connection with "The Journal." In 
187.5 his health began to fail, and three years 
later, having gone to San Antonio, Te.x., in the 
hope of receiving benefit from a change of cli- 
mate, he died in that city, March 9, 1878. — 
Richard Lush (Wilson), an older brother of the 
preceding, the first editor and publisher of "The 
Chicago Evening Journal," the oldest paper of 
consecutive publication in Chicago, was a native 
of New York. Coming to Chicago with his 
brother John L., in 1834, they soon after estab- 
lished themselves in business on the Illinois & 
Michigan Canal, then in course of construction. 
In 1844 he took charge of "The Chicago Daily 
Journal" for a publishing committee which had 
purchased the material of "Tlie Chicago Ameri- 
can," but soon after became principal proprietor. 
In April, 1847, while firing a salute in honor of 
the victory of Buena Vista, he lost an arm and 
was otherwise injured by the explosion of the can- 
non. Early in 1849, he was appointed, bj- Presi- 
dent Taylor, Postmaster of the city of Chicago, 
but, having failed of confirmation, was compelled 
to retire in favor of a successor appointed by 
Millard Fillmore, eleven months later. Mr. 
Wilson published a little volume in 1842 entitled 
"A Trip to Santa Fe," and, a few years later, 
a story of travel under the title, "Short Ravel- 
lings from a Long Yarn." Died, December, 18.")6. 
— John Lush (Wilson), another brother, also a 
native of New York, came to Illinois in 1834, was 
afterwards associated with his brothers in busi- 
ness, being for a time business manager of "Tlie 
Chicago Journal;" also served one term as Sher- 
iff of Cook County. Died, in Chicago, April 13, 
1888. 

AVILSOX, Isaac Orant, jurist, vras born at 
Middlebury, N. Y., April 26, 1817, graduated 
from Brown University in 1838, and the same 
year came to Chicago, whither his father's 
familj- had preceded him in 183.5. After reading 
law for two years, lie entered the senior class at 
Cambridge (Mass.) Law School, graduating in 
1841. In August of that year he opened an 
office at Elgin, and, for ten years "rode the cir- 



cuit." In 1851 he was elected to the bench of 
the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit to fill a vacancy, 
and re-elected for a full term in 1855. and again 
in> '01. In November of the latter year he was 
commissioned the first Colonel of the Fifty- 
second Illinois Volunteer Infantrj', but resigned, 
a few weeks later, and resumed his place ujjon 
the bench. From 1867 to 1879 he devoted him- 
self to private practice, which was largely in 
the Federal Courts. In 1879 he resumed his seat 
upon the bench (this time for the Twelfth Cir- 
cuit), and was at once designated as one of the 
Judges of the Appellate Court at Chicago, of 
whicli tribunal he became Chief Justice in 1881. 
In 1885 he was re-elected Circuit Judge, but died, 
about the close of his term, at Geneva, June 8, 
1891. 

WILSON, James (Jrant, soldier and author, 
was born at Edinburgh, Scotland, April 28, 1832, 
and, when only a year old, was brought bj' his 
father, William Wilson, to America. The family 
settled at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where James 
Grant was educated at College Hill and under 
private teachers. After finishing his studies he 
became his father's partner in business, but. in 
1855, went abroad, and, shortly after his return, 
removed to Chicago, where he founded the first 
literary paper established in the Northwest. At 
the outbreak of the Civil War, he disjwsed of his 
journal to enlist in the Fifteenth Illinois Cavah-y, 
of which he was commissioned Major and after- 
wanls promoted to the colonelcy. In August, 
1803, while at New Orleans, by advice of General 
Grant, he accepted a commission as Colonel of 
the Fourth Regiment United States Colored 
Cavalr}-, and was assigned, as Aid-de-camp, to 
the staff of the Commander of the Department of 
the Gulf, filling this post until April, 1865. 
When General Banks was relieved. Colonel Wil- 
son was brevetted Brigadier-General and placed 
in command at Port Hudson, resigning in July, 
1865, since which time liis home has been in New 
York. He is best known as an author, having 
published numerous addresses, and being a fre- 
(juent contributor to American and European 
magazines. Among larger works wliicli he has 
written or edited are "Biographical Sketches of 
Illinois Officers"; "Love in Letters"; "Life of 
General U. S. Grant"; "Life and Letters of 
Fitz Greene Halleck"; "Poets and Poetry of 
Scotland"; "Bryant and His Friends", and 
"Appleton's Cj'clopedia of American Biograpln*. " 

WILSON, James Harrison, soldier and mili- 
tary engineer, was born near Shawneetown, 111., 
Sept. 2, 1837. His grandfather, Alexander Wil- 



594 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



son. was one of the pioneers of Illinois, and 
his fatlier (Harrison Wilson) was an ensign dur- 
ing the War of 1812 and a Captain in the Black 
Hawk War. His brother (Bluford Wilson) 
served as Assistant Adjutant-General of Volun- 
teers during tlie Civil War, and as Solicitor of the 
United States Treasiiry during the "whisky ring" 
prosecutions. James H. was educated in the 
common schools, at McKendree College, and 
the United States Military Academy at West 
Point, graduating from the latter in 1860, and 
being assigned to the Topographical Engineer 
Corps. In September, 1861, he was promoted to 
a First Lieutenancy, then served as Chief Topo- 
graphical Engineer of the Port Royal expedition 
until March, 1863; was afterwards attached to 
the Department of the South, being present at 
the bombardment of Fort Pulaski ; was Aid-de- 
camp to McClellan, and participated in the bat- 
tles of South Mountain and Antietam ; was made 
Lieutenant-Colonel of Volunteers in November, 
1862 ; was Chief Topographical Engineer and 
Inspector-General of the Army of the Tennessee 
until October, 1863, being actively engaged in 
the operations around Vicksburg; was made 
Captain of Engineers in May, 1863, and Brigadier- 
General of Volunteers, Oct. 31, following. He 
also conducted operations preliminary to the 
battle of Chattanooga and Missionary Ridge, and 
for the relief of Kno.xville. Later, he was placed 
in command of the Third Division of the cavalry 
corps of the Army of the Potomac, serving from 
May to August, 1864. under General Sheridan. 
Subsequently he was transferred to the Depart- 
ment of the Mississippi, where he so distinguished 
himself that, on April 20, 1865, he was made 
Major-General of Volunteers. In twenty-eight 
days he captured five fortified cities, twenty- 
three stands of colors, 288 guns and 6,820 prison- 
ers — among the latter being Jefferson Davis. He 
was mustered out of the volunteer service in 
January, 1866, and, on July 28, following, was 
commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel of the Thirty- 
fifth United States Infantry, being also brevetted 
Major-General in the regular army. On Dec. 31, 
1870, he returned to civil life, and was afterwards 
largely engaged in railroad and engineering oper- 
ations, especially in West Virginia. Promptly 
after the declaration of war with Spain (1898) 
General Wilson was appointed, by the President, 
Major-General of Volunteers, serving until its 
close. He is the author of "China: Travels and 
Investigations in the Middle Kingdom" ; "Life of 
Andrew J. Alexander"; and the "Life of Gen. 
U. S. Grant," in conjunction with Charles A. 



Dana. His home, in recent years, has been in 
New York. 

WILSON, Jolin M., lawyer and jurist, was 
born in New Hampshire in 1802, graduated at 
Bowdoin College in 1824 — the classmate of Frank- 
lin Pierce and Nathaniel Hawthorne ; studied law 
in New Hampshire and came to Illinois in 1835, 
locating at Joliet; removed to Chicago in 1841, 
where he was the partner of Norman B. Judd, 
serving, at different periods, as attorney of the 
Chicago & Rock Island, the Lake Shore & Michi- 
gan Southern and the Chicago & Northwestern 
Railways; was Judge of the Court of Common 
Pleas of Cook County, 18.J3-59, when he became 
Presiding Judge of the Superior Court of Chicago, 
serving until 1868. Died, Dec. 7, 1883. 

WILSON, John P., lawyer, was born in White- 
side County, 111., July 3, 1844; educated in the 
common schools and at Knox College, Galesburg, 
graduating from the latter in 186.J; two years 
later was admitted to the bar in Chicago, and 
speedily attained prominence in his jjrofession. 
During the World's Fair period he was retained 
as counsel by the Committee on Grounds and 
Buildings, and was prominently connected, as 
counsel for the city, with the Lake Front litiga- 
tion. 

WILSON, Robert L., early legislator, was born 
in Washington County, Pa., Sept. 11, 1805, taken 
to Zanesville, Ohio, in 1810, graduated at Frank- 
lin College in 1831, studied law and, in 1833, 
removed to Athens (now in Menard County), 111. ; 
was elected Representative in 1836, and was one 
of the members from Sangamon County, known 
as the "Long Nine,"' who assisted in securing the 
removal of the State Capital to Springfield. Mr. 
Wilson removed to Sterling, Whiteside County, 
in 1840, was elected five times Circuit Clerk and 
served eight years as Probate Judge. Immedi- 
ately after the fall of Fort Sumter, he enlisted as 
private in a battalion in Washington City under 
command of Cassius JI. Clay, for guard duty 
until the arrival of the Seventh New York Regi- 
ment. He subsequently assisted in raising 
troops in Illinois, was appointed Paymaster by 
Lincoln, serving at Washington, St. Louis, and, 
after the fall of Vicksburg, at Springfield — being 
mu.stered out in November, 1865. Died, in White- 
side County, 1880. 

WILSON, Robert S., lawyer and jurist, was 
born at Montrose, Susquehanna Comity, Pa., Nov. 
6, 1812; learned the printer's art, then stmlied 
law and was admitted to the bar in Allegheny 
County, about 1833; in 1836 removed to Ann 
Arbor, Mich., where he served as Probate Judge 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



593 



anJ State Senator; in 1850 came to Chicago, was 
elected Judge of the Recorder's Court in 1853, 
and re-elected in 1858, serving ten years, and 
proving "a terror to evil-doers." Died, at Law- 
rence. Mich., Dec. 23, 1883. 

WILSON, William, early jurist, was born in 
Loudoim County, Va. , April 27, 1791; .studied law 
with Hon. John Cook, a distinguished lawj-er, 
and minister to France in tlie early part of the 
century; in 1817 removed to Kentucky, soon after 
came to Illinois, two years later locating in White 
County, near Carmi, which continued to be his 
home during the remainder of his life. In 1819 
he was appointed Associate Justice of the 
Supreme Court as successor to William P. 
Foster, who is described by Governor Ford as 
"a great rascal and no lawj-er," and who held 
office only about nine months. Judge Wilson 
was re-elected to the Supreme bench, as Chief- 
Justice, in 1825, being then only a little over 30 
years old, and held office until the reorganization 
of the Supreme Coui-t under the Constitution of 
1848 — a period of over twenty-nine years, and, 
with the exception of Judge Browne'.s, the long- 
est term of service in the history of the court. 
He died at his home in White County, April 29, 
1857. A Whig in early life, he allied himself 
with the Democratic party on the dissolution of 
the former. Hon. James C. Conkling, of Spring- 
field, says of him, "as a writer, his style was clear 
and distinct; as a lawyer, his judgment was 
sound and discriminating." 

WINCHESTER, a city and county-seat of Scott 
County, founded in 1839, situated on Big Sandy 
Creek and on the line of the Chicago. Burlington 
& Quincy Railroad, 29 miles south of Beardstown 
and 84 miles north by west of St. Louis. While 
the surrounding region is agricultural and largely 
devoted to wheat growing, there is some coal 
mining. Winchester is an important shipping- 
point, having three grain elevators', two flouring 
mills, and a coal mine employing fifty miners. 
There are four Protestant and one Catholic 
church, a court house, a high school, a graded 
school building, two banks and two weekly news- 
papers. Population (1880). 1,626; (1890), 1,542; 
(1900). 1.711. 

WINDSOR, a city of Shelby County at the cross- 
ing of. the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. 
Louis and the Wabash Railways, 11 miles north- 
e:ist of Shelbyville. Population (1880), 708; 
ri890). 8S8; (1900), 866. 

WINES, Frederick Howard, clergyman and 
sociologist, was born in Philadelphia. Pa.. April 
9, 1838, graduated at Washington (Pa. ) College 



in 1857, and, after serving as tutor there for a 
short time, entered Princeton Theological Semi- 
nary, but was compelled temporarily to discon- 
tinue his studies on account of a weakness of 
the eyes. The Presbytery of St. Louis licensed 
him to preach in 1860, and, in 1862, he was com- 
missioned Hospital Chaplain in the Union army. 
During 1862-64 he was stationed at Springfield, 
Mo., participating in the battle of Springfield on 
Jan. 8, 1863, and being personally mentioned for 
bravery on the field in the official report. Re- 
entering the seminary at Princeton in 1864, he 
graduated in 1865, and at once accepted a call to 
the pulpit of the First Presbyterian Church of 
Springfield, 111., which he filled for four j'ears. 
In 1869 he was appointed Secretary of the newly 
created Board of Commissioners of Public Chari- 
ties of Illinois, in which capacity he continued 
until 1893, when he resigned. For the next four 
years he was chiefly engaged in literary work, in 
lecturing before universities on topics connected 
with social science, in aiding in the organization 
of charitable work, and in the conduct of a 
thorough investigation into the relations between 
liquor legislation and crime. At an early period 
he took a prominent part in organizing the 
various Boards of Public Charities of the United 
States into an organization known as the National 
Conference of Charities and Corrections, and, at 
the Louisville meeting (1883), was elected its 
President. At the International Penitentiai-y 
Congress at Stockholm (1878) lie was the official 
delegate from Illinois. On his return, as a result 
of his observations while abroad, he submitted 
to the Legislature a rejwrt strongly advocating 
the construction of the Kankakee Hospital for 
the Insane, then about to be built, upon the 
"detached ward" or "village" plan, a departure 
from then existing methods, which marks an era 
in the treatment of insane in the United States. 
Mr. Wines conducted the investigation into the 
condition and number of the defective, depend- 
ent and delinquent cla.sses throughout the coun- 
try, his report constituting a separate volume 
under the "Tenth Census," and rendered a simi- 
lar service in connection with the eleventh 
census (1890). In 1887 he was elected Seiu-etary 
of the National Prison As.sociation, succeeding to 
the post formerly held by his father, Enoch Cobb 
Wines, D.D., LL.D. After the inauguration of 
Governor Tanner in 1897, he resumed his former 
position of Secretary of the Board of Public 
Charities, remaining until 1899, when he again 
tendered his resignation, having received the 
appointment to the position of Assistant Director 



59G 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



of the Twelfth Census, which he now holds. He 
is the author of '"Crime and Reformation"' (1895) ; 
of a voluminous series of reports ; also of numer- 
our. pamphlets and brochures, among which may 
be mentioned "Tlie County Jail System; An 
Argument for its Abolition" (1878) ; "The Kanka- 
kee Hospital" (1882); "Provision for the Insane 
in the United States"' (188.5); "Conditional 
Liberation, or the Paroling of Prisoners"' (1886), 
and "American Prisons in the Tenth Census" 
(1888). 

WINES, Walter B., lawyer (brother of Freder- 
ick H. Wines), was born in Boston, Mass., Oct. 
10, 1848, received his primary education at Willis- 
ton Academy, East HaniDton, Mass., after which 
he entered Middlebury College, Vt., taking a 
classical course and graduating there. He after- 
wards became a student in the law department 
of Columbia College, N. Y. , graduating in 18T1, 
being admitted to the bar the same year and 
commencing practice in New York City. In 1879 
he came to Springfielil, 111., and was, for a time, 
identified with the bar of that city. Later, he 
removed to Chicago, where he has been engaged 
in literary and journalistic work. 

WINNEBAGO COUNTY, situated in the 
"northern tier," bordering on the Wisconsin 
State line ; was organized, under an act passed in 
1836, from La Salle and Jo Daviess Counties, and 
has an area of 552 square miles. The county is 
drained by the Rock and Pecatonica Rivers. 
The surface is rolling prairie and the soil fertile. 
The geology is simple, the quaternary deposits 
being underlaid bj' the Galena blue and buff 
limestone, adapted for building purposes. All 
the cereals are raised in abundance, the chief 
product being corn. The Winnebago Indians 
(who gave name to the county) formerly lived 
on the west side of the Rock River, and the Potta- 
watomies on the east, but both tribes removed 
westward in 1835. (As to manufacturing inter- 
ests, see Rockford.) Population (1880), 30,505; 
(1890), 39,938; (1900), 47,845 

WINNEBAGO WAR. The name given to an 
Indian disturbance which had its origin in 1827, 
during the adinini.sti'ation of Gov. Ninian 
Edwards. The Indians had been quiet since the 
conclusion of the War of 1812, but a few isolated 
outrages were sufficient to start terrified "run- 
ners" in all directions. In the northern portion 
of the State, from Galena to Chicago (then Fort 
Dearborn) the alarm was intense. The meagre 
militia force of the State was summoned and 
volunteers were called for. Meanwhile, 600 
United States Regular Infantry, under command 



of Gen. Henry Atkinson, put in an appearance. 
Besides the infantry, Atkinson had at his disposal 
some 130 mounted sharpshooters. The origin of 
the disturbance was as follows: The Winne- 
bagoes attacked a band of Chippewa-s, who were 
(by treaty) under Government potection, several 
of the latter being killed. For participation in 
this offense, four Winnebago Indians were sum- 
marily apprehended, sui-rendered to the Chippe- 
was and shot. Meanwhile, some dispute had 
arisen as to the title of the lands, claimed by the 
Wiunebagoes in the vicinity of Galena, which 
had been occupied bj- white miners. Repeated 
acts of hostility and of reprisal, along the Upper 
Mississippi, intensified mutual distrust. A gather- 
ing of the Indians around two keel-boats, laden 
with supplies for Fort Suelling, which had 
anchored near Prairie du Chien and opposite a 
Winnebago camp, was regarded by the whites as 
a hostile act. Liquor was freely distributed, and 
there is historical evidence that a half-dozen 
drunken squaws were carried off and shamefully 
maltreated. Several hundred warriors assembled 
to avenge the deception which had been practiced 
upon them. They laid in ambush for the boats 
on their return trip. The first passed too rapidly 
to be successfulh' assailed, but the second 
grounded and was savagely, j^et unsuccessfully, 
attacked. The presence of General Atkinson's 
forces prevented an actual outbreak, and, on his 
demand, the great Winnebago Chief. Red Bird, 
with six other leading men of the tribe, sur- 
rendered themselves as hostages to save their 
nation from extermination. A majority of these 
were, after trial, aci|uitted. Red Bird, however, 
unable to endure confinement, literally pined to 
death in pri.son, dying on Feb. 16, 1828. He is 
described as having been a savage of superior 
intelligence and noble character. A treaty of 
peace was concluded with the Wiunebagoes in a 
council held at Prairie du Chien, a few months 
later, but the affair seems to have produced as 
much alarm among the Indians as it did among 
the whites. (For Winnebago Ivdians see yingea^S.) 

WINNETKA, a village of Cook County, on the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railway, KiVi.- miles 
north of Chicago. It stands eighty feet above 
the level of Lake Michigan, has good schools 
(being the seat of the Winnetka Institute), sev- 
eral churches, and is a popular residence town. 
Population (1880), 584; (1890), 1,079; (1900), 1,833. 

WINSTON, Frederick Hauipton, lawyer, was 
born in Liberty Comity. Ga., Nov. 20, 1S30. was 
brought to AVoodford County. Ky., in l.'^35, left 
an orphan at 12, and attended the common 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



507 



scliools until 18, when, returning to Georgia, he 
engaged in cotton manufacture. He finally 
began the study of law with United States Sena- 
tor W. C. Dawson, and graduated from Harvard 
Law School in 1852 ; spent some time in the office 
of W. M. Evarts in X^w York, was admitted to 
the bar and came to Chicago in 1853, where he 
formed a partnership with Norman B. Judd, 
afterwards being associated with Judge Henry 
W. Blodgett; served as general solicitor of the 
Lake Shore and Michigan Southern, the Chicago, 
Rock Island & Pacific and the Pittsburgh, Fort 
Wayne & Chicago Railwa3's — remaining with the 
latter twenty years. In 1885 he was appointed, 
by President Cleveland, Minister to Persia, but 
resigned the following year, and traveled exten- 
sively in Russia, Scandinavia and other foreign 
countries. Mr. Winston was a delegate to the 
Democratic National Conventions of 1868, '76 and 
"84; first President of the Stock Yards at Jersey 
City, for twelve years President of the Lincoln 
Park Commission, and a Director of the Lincoln 
National Bank. 

WISCOXSIX CENTRAL LINES. The W iscon- 
sin Central Company was organized, June 17, 
1887, and subsequently acquired the Minnesota, 
St. Croix & Wisconsin, the Wisconsin & Minne- 
sota, the Chippewa Falls & Western, the St. 
Paul & St. Croix Falls, the Wisconsin Central, the 
Penokee, and the Packwaukee & Montebello Rail- 
roads, and assumed the leases of the Milwaukee 
& Lake Winnebago and the Wisconsin & Minne- 
sota Roads. On July 1, 1888, the company began 
to operate the entire Wisconsin Central system, 
witli the exception of the Wisconsin Central 
Railroad and the leased Milwaukee & Lake Win- 
nebago, which remained in charge of the Wis- 
consin Central Railroad mortgage trustees until 
Nov. 1, 1889, when these, too, passed under the 
control of the Wisconsin Central Company. The 
Wisconsin Central Railroad Company is a re- 
organization (Oct. 1, 1879) of a company formed 
Jan. 1, 1871. Tlie Wisconsin Central and the 
Wisconsin Central Railroad Companies, though 
differing in name, are a financial unit; the 
former liolding most of the first mortgage bonds 
of the latter, and substantially all its notes, stocks 
and income bonds, but, for legal reasons (such as 
the protection of land titles), it is necessary that 
separate corporations be maintained. On April 
1, 1890, the Wisconsin Central Company executed 
a lease to the Northern Pacific Railroad, l)ut this 
was set aside by the courts, on Sejit. 27, 189;i, for 
nonpayment of rent, and was finally canceled. 
On the same day receivers were appointed to 



insure the protection of all interests. The total 
mileage is 415. -16 miles, of which the Company 
owns 258.90— only .10 of a mile in Illinois. A 
line, 58.10 miles in length, with 8.44 miles of 
side-track (total, 6G..54 miles), lying wholly within 
the .State of Illinois, is operated by the Chicago & 
Wisconsin and furnishes the allied line an en- 
trance into Chicago. 

WITHROW, Thomas P., lawyer, was born in 
Virginia in March, 1833, removed with his parents 
to Ohio in cliildhood, attended tlie Western 
Reserve College, and, after the death of his 
father, taught school and worked as a printer, 
later, editing a paper at Mount Vernon. In 1855 
he removed to Janesville, Wis. , where he again 
engaged in journalistic work, studied law, was 
admitted to the bar in Iowa in 1857, settled at 
Des Moines and served as private secretary of 
Governors Lowe and Kirkwood. In 1860 he 
became Supreme Court Reponter; served as 
Cliairman of the Republican State Central Com- 
mittee in 1863 and, in 1866, became associated 
witli the Rock Island Railroad in the capacity of 
local attorney, was made chief law officer of the 
Company in 1873, and removed to Chicago, and, 
in 1890, was promoted to the position of General 
Counsel. Died, in Chicago, Feb. 3, 1893. 

WOLCOTT, (Dr.) Alexander, early Indian 
Agent, was born at East Windsor, Conn., Feb. 
14, 1790; graduated from Y'ale College in 1809, 
and, after a coiu-se in medicine, was commis- 
sioned, in 1812, Surgeon's Mate in the United 
States Army. In 1820 he was appointed Indian 
Agent at Fort Dearborn (now Cliicago), as suc- 
cessor to Charles Jouett— the first Agent— wlio 
had been appointed a United States Judge in 
Arkansas. The same year he accompanied Gen- 
eral Lewis Cass and Henry Schoolcraft on their 
tour among the Indians of the Northwest: was 
married in 1823 to Ellen Marion Kinzie, a 
daughter of Col. John Kinzie, the first perma- 
nent settler of Chicago ; in 1825 was appointed a 
Justice of the Peace for Peoria County, which 
then included Cook County; was a Judge of 
Election in 1830, and one of the purchasers of a 
block of ground in the heart of the present city 
of Chicago, at the first sale of lots, held Sept. 27, 
1830, but died before tlie close of the year. Dr. 
Wolcott appears to have been a higli-minded and 
honorable man, as well as far in advance of the 
mass of ])ioneers in jioint of education and intel- 
ligence. 

WOMAN'S MEDICAL COLLE«E OF CHI- 
CA(iO. (See Northwestern University Woman's 
Medical School.) 



508 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



WOMAN SUFFRAGE. (See Suffrage.) 

WOOD, Benson, lawyer ami Congressman, was 
born in Susquehanna County, Pa., in 1839; re- 
ceived a common school and academic education; 
at the age of 20 came to Illinois, and, for two 
years, taught scliool in Lee County. He then 
enlisted as a soldier In an Illinois regiment, 
attaining the rank of Captain of Infantry ; after 
the war, graduated from the Law Department of 
the old Chicago University, and lias since been 
engaged in the practice of his profession. He 
was elected a member of the Twenty -eighth Gen- 
eral Assembly (1872) and was a delegate to the 
Republican National Conventions of 1876 and 
1888 ; also served as Mayor of the city of Effing- 
ham, where he now resides. In 1894 he was 
elected to the Fifty-fourth Congress by the 
Republicans of the Nineteenth District, which has 
uniformly returned a Democrat, and, in office, 
proved himself a most industrious and efficient 
member. Mr. Wood was defeated as a candidate 
for re-election in 1896. 

WOOD, John, pioneer, Lieutenant-Governor 
and (iovernor, was born at Moravia, N. Y., Dec. 
20, 1798 — his father being a Revolutionary soldier 
who had served as Surgeon and Captain in the 
army. At the age of 21 years young Wood re- 
moved to Illinois, settling in what is now Adams 
County, and building the first log-cabin on the site 
of the present city of Quiney. He was a member 
of the upper house of the Seventeenth and Eight- 
eenth General Assemblies, and was elected Lieu- 
tenant-Governor in 18.J9 on the same ticket with 
Governor Bissell, and served out the unexpired 
term of the latter, who died in office. (See Bis- 
sell, William H.) He was succeeded by Richard 
Yates in 1861. In February of that year he was 
appointed one of the five Commissioners from 
Illinois to the "Peace Conference" at Wash- 
ington, to consider methods for averting 
civil war. The following ilay he was appointed 
Quartermaster-General for the State by Governor 
Yates, and assisted most efficiently in fitting out 
the troops for the field. In June, 1864, he was 
commissioned Colonel of the One Hundred and 
Thirty-seventh Illinois Volunteers (100-daj's' men) 
and mustered out of service the following Sep- 
tember, Died, at Quiney, June 11, 1880. He 
was liberal, patriotic and public-spirited. His 
fellow-citizens of Quiney erected a monument to 
his memor)-, whicli was appropriately dedicated, 
July 4, ls.s:!. 

WOODFORD COUNTY, situated a little north 
of the center of tlie State, bounded on the west 
by the Illinois River; organized in 1841; area, 



.540 square miles. The surface is generally level, 
except along the Illinois River, the soil fertile 
and well watereil. The county lies in the north- 
ern section of the great coal field of the State. 
Eureka is the county seat. Other thriving cities 
and towns are Metamora, Minonk, El Paso and 
Roanoke. Corn, oats, wheat, potatoes and barley 
are the principal crops. The chief mechanical 
industries are flour manufacture, carriage and 
wagon-making, and saddlery and harness work. 
Population (1890), 21,429; (1900), 21,822. 

WOODHULL, a village of Henry County, on 
Keitbsburg branch Chicago, Burlington & Quiney 
Railroad, 15 miles west of Galva; has a bank, 
electric lights, waterworks, brick and tile woiks, 
six churches and weekly paper. Pop. (1900), 774. 

WOODMAN, Charles W., lawyer and Congress- 
man, was born in Aalborg, Denmark. March 11, 
1844; received his early education in the schools 
of his native country, but took to the sea in I860, 
following the life of a sailor until 186.S, when, 
coming to Philadelpliia, he enlLsted in the Gulf 
Squadron of the United States. .After the war, 
he came to Chicago, and, after reading law for 
some time in the office of James L. High, gradu- 
ated from the Law Department of the Chicago 
University in 1871. Some years later he was 
appointed Prosecuting Attorney for some of the 
lower courts, and. in 1881, was nominated by the 
Judges of Cook County as one of the Justices of 
the Peace for the city of Chicago. In 1894 he 
became the Republican candidate for Congress 
from the Fourth District and was elected, but 
failed to .secure a renomination in 1896. Died, in 
Elgin A.sylum for the Insane, March 18, 1898. 

WOODS, Robert Mann, was born at Greenville, 
Pa., April 17, 1840; came with his parents to Illi- 
nois in 1842, the family settling at Barry, Pike 
County, but subse(iuently residing at Pittsfield, 
Canton and Galesliurg. He was educated at 
Knox College in the latter place, which was his 
home from 1849 to '.")8; later, taught school in 
low.a and Missouri until 1861. when he went to 
Springfield and began the study of law with 
Milton Hay and Shelby M. Cullom. His law 
studies having been interrupted by the Civil 
War, after spending some time in the mustering 
and disbursing office, he was promoted by Gov- 
ernor Yates to a place in the executive office, 
from which he went to the field as Adjutant of 
the Sixty-fourth Illinois Infantry, known as the 
"Yates Sharji-Shooters."' After participating, 
with the Army of the Tennessee, in the Atlanta 
campaign, lie took part in the "March to the 
Sea," and the campaign in the Carolinas, includ- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



699 



ing the siege of Savaiiuah and the forcing of the 
Salkahatchie. where he distinguislied himself, as 
also in the taking of Columbia, Fayetteville, 
Cheraw, Raleigh and Bentouville. At the latter 
place he had a hor.se shot under him and won the 
brevet rank of Major for gallantry in the field, 
having previously been commissioned Captain of 
Company A of his regiment. He also served on 
the staffs of Gens. Giles A. Smith, Benjamin F. 
Potts, and William W. Belknap, and was the last 
mustering officer in General Sherman's army. 
In 1867 Major Woods removed to Chicago, where 
he was in business for a number of years, serving 
as chief clerk of Custom House construction 
from 1873 to 1877, In 1879 he purchased "The 
Daily Republican" at Joliet, which he conducted 
successfully for fifteen years. While connected 
with "The Republican," lie served as Secretary of 
the Illinois Republican Press Association and in 
various other positions. 

Major Woods was one of the founders of the 
Grand Army of the Republic, whose birth-place 
was in Illinois. (See Grand Army of the Repub- 
lic; also Steplienson, Dr. B. F.) When Dr. 
Stephenson (who had been Surgeon of the Four- 
teenth Illinois Infantry), conceived the idea of 
founding such an order, he called to his assist- 
ance Major Woods, who was then engaged in 
writing the histories of Illinois regiments for the 
Adjutant-General's Report. The Major wrote 
the Constitution and By-laws of the Order, the 
charter blanks for all the reports, etc. The first 
official order bears his name as the first Adjutant- 
General of the Order, as follows: 

Headquarters Department of Illinois 
Grand Army of the Repi'blic. 

Spkinhfield. III., April 1, 186G. 
General Orders ' 

No. 1. \ The following named olRcers are hereby 

appointed and assigned to duty at these headquarters. They 
will be obeyed and respected accordingly; 

Colonel Jules C. Webber. A.D.C. and Chief of StafT. 

Colonel John M. Snyder, Quartermaster-General. 

Major Robert M. Woods. Adjutant-General. 

Captain John A. Lightfoot, Assistant Adjutant-General. 

Captain John S. Phelps, Ald-de-Camp. 

By order of B. F. Stepheusou, Department Commander. 

Robert M. Woods, 

AUjutant-Oeueral. 

Major Woods afterwards organized the various 
Departments in the West, and it has been con- 
ceded that he furnished the money necessary to 
carry on the work during the first six months of 
the existence of the Order. He has never 
accepted a nomination or run for any political 
office, l)ut is now engaged in financial bu.siness in 
Joliet and Chicago, with his residence in the 
.former place. 



WOODSON, David Meade, lawyer and jurist, 
was born in Jessamine County, Ky., May 18, 
180G; was educated in private schools and at 
Tran.sylvauia University, and read law with his 
father. He served it term in the Kentucky Legis- 
lature in 1832, and, in 1834, removed to Illinois, 
settling at CarroUton, Greene County. In 1839 
he was elected State's Attorney and, in 1840, a 
member of the lower house of the Legislature, 
being elected a second time in .1868. In 1843 he 
was the Whig candidate for Congress in the 
Fifth District, but was defeated by Stephen A. 
Douglas. He was a member of the Constitutional 
Conventions of 1847 and 1809-70. In 1848 he was 
elected a Judge of the First Judicial Circuit, 
remaining in office until 1867. Died, in 1877. 

WOODSTOCK, the county-seat of McHenry 
County, situated on the Cliicago & Northwestern 
Railway, about 51 miles northwest of Chicago 
and 33 miles east of Rockford. It contains a 
court house, eight churches, four banks, three 
newspaper offices, foundry and machine shops, 
planing mills, canning works, pickle, cheese and 
butter factories. The Oliver Typewriter Factory 
is located here; the town is also the seat of the 
Todd Seminary for boys. Population (1890). 
1,683; (1900), 3,.503. 

WORCESTER, Linus E., State Senator, was 
born in Windsor, Vt., Dec. 5, 1811, was educated 
in the common schools of his native State and at 
Chester Academy, came to Illinois in 1836, and, 
after teaching three years, entered a dry-goods 
store at Whitehall as clerk, later becoming a 
partner. He was also engaged in various other 
branches of business at diff'erent times, including 
the ilrug, hardware, grocery, agricultural imi)le- 
ment and lumber business. In 1843 he was 
appointed Postmaster at Whitehall, serving 
twelve years ; was a member of the Constitutional 
Convention of 1847, served as County Judge for 
six years from 1853, and as Trustee of the Insti- 
tution for the Deaf and Dumb, at Jacksonville, 
from 1859, by successive reappointments, for 
twelve years. In 1856 he was elected, as a Demo- 
c^rat, to the State Senate, to succeed John 51. 
Palmer, re-signed ; was re-elected in 1860, and, at 
the session of 1865, was one of the five Demo- 
cratic members of that bodj' who voted for the 
ratification of the Emancipation Amendment of 
the National Constitution, He was elected 
County Judge a second time, in 1863, and re- 
elected in 1867, served as delegate to the Demo- 
cratic National Convention of 1876, and, for more 
than thirty years, was one of the Directors of the 
Jacksonville branch of the Chicago & Alton 



600 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Railroad, serving from the organization of the 
corporation until his death, which occurred Oct. 
19, lb91. 

WORDEX, a village of Madison County, on the 
Wabash and the Jacksonville, Louisville & St. 
Louis Railways, .32 miles nortlieast of St. Louis. 
Population (1S90|, .522; (lyOO), .^44 

WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. An 
exhibition of the scientific, liberal and mechan- 
ical arts of all nations, held at Chicago, between 
May 1 and Oct. 31, 1893. The project had its 
inception in November, 1885, in a resolution 
adopted by the directorate of the Chicago Inter- 
State Exposition Company. On July 6, 1888, the 
first well defined action was taken, the Iroquois 
Club, of Chicago, inviting the co-operation of six 
other leading clubs of that city in '"securing the 
location of an international celebration at Chi- 
cago of the 400th anniversary of the discovery of 
America by Columbus." In July, 1889, a decisive 
step was taken in the appointment by Mayor 
Cregier, under resolution of the City Council, of 
a committee of 100 (afterwards increased to 2.56) 
citizens, who were charged with the duty of 
promoting the selection of Chicago as the site for 
the Exposition. New York, Washington and St. 
Louis were competing points, but the choice of 
Congress fell upon Chicago, and the act establish- 
ing the World's Fair at that city was signed by 
President Harrison on April 25, 1890. Under the 
requirements of the law, the President appointed 
eight Commissioners-at-large, with two Commis- 
sioners and two alternates from each State and 
Territory and the District of Columbia. Col. 
George R. Davis, of Chicago, was elected Direc- 
tor-General by the body thus constituted. Ex- 
Senator Thomas M. Palmer, of Michigan, was 
chosen President of tlie Commission and John T. 
Dickinson, of Texas, Secretarj'. This Commis- 
sion delegated much of its power to a Board of 
Reference and Control, who were in.structed to 
act with a similar number appointed by the 
World's Columbian Exposition. The latter 
organization was an incorporation, with a direc- 
torate of forty-five members, elected annually by 
the stockholders. Lyman J. Gage, of Cliicago. 
was the first President of the corporation, and 
was succeeded by W. T. Baker and Harlow N. 
Higinbotham. 

In addition to these bodies, certain powers were 
vested in a Board of Lady Managers, composed 
of two members, with alternates, from each 
State and Territory, besides nine from the city 
of Chicago. Mrs. Potter Palmer was chosen 
President of the latter. This Board was particu- 



larly charged with supervision of women's par- 
ticipation in the Exposition, and of the exhibits 
of women's work. 

The supreme executive power was vested in 
the Joint Board of Control. The site selected 
was Jackson Park, in the South Division of Chi- 
cago, with a strip connecting Jackson and 
Washington Parks, known as tlje "Midway 
Plaisance, " which was surrendered to "conces- 
sionaires'' who purchased the privilege of giving 
exhibitions, or conducting restaurants or selling- 
booths thereon. The total area of the site was 
683 acres, and that of the buildings — not reckon- 
ing those erected by States other than Illinois, 
and by foreign governments — was about 200 
acres. When to this is added the acreage of the 
foreign and State buildings, the total space 
under roof approximated 250 acres. These fig- 
ures do not include the buildings erected by 
private exhibitors, caterers and venders, which 
would add a small percentage to the grand total. 
Forty-seven foreign Governments made appropri- 
ations for the erection of their own buildings and 
otiier expenses connected with official represen- 
tation, and there were exhibitors from eighty-six 
nations. The United States Government erected 
its own building, and appropriated $500,000 to 
defray the expenses of a national exhibit, besides 
§2.500,000 toward the general cost of the Exposi- 
tion. The appropriations bj- foreign Governments 
aggregated about §6,500.000, and those by the 
States and Territories, §6,120,000— that of Illinois 
being §800,000. The entire outlay of the World's 
Columbian Exposition Company, up to March 31, 
18iJ4, including the cost of preliminary organiza- 
tion, construction, operating and post-Exposition 
expenses, was §27,151,800. This is, of course, 
exclusive of foreign and State expenditures, 
which would swell the aggregate cost to nearly 
§45,000,000. Citizens of Chicago subscribed 
§5,608,206 toward the capital stock of the Exposi- 
tion Company, and the municipality, §5,000.000, 
which was raised by the sale of bonds. (See 
Tliirtysixfh Getieral Assembly.) 

The site, while admirably adapted to the pur- 
pose, was, when chosen, a marshy flat, crossed 
by low sand ridges, iiiK)n which stood occasional 
clumps of stunted scrub oaks. Before the gates 
of the great fair wei-e opened to the public, the 
entire area had been transformed into a dream of 
beauty. Marshes had been drained, filled in and 
sodded ; driveways and broad walks constructed ; 
artificial ponds and lagoons dug and embanked, 
and all the highest skill of the landscape garden- 
er's art hid been called into play to produce 



MAP OP 

THE GROUNDS OF THE 

3 pOJ^UM^IAJST EX^OpjION 

AT 

Jackson Park 

showing the General Arrangemeat 

of 

Buildings and Grounds 

1S93. 




■LIUL^UU^UiUiLIUUyiLili 

n#Ft?^^ -^^ r;r,.?^---"H^:a..J^;r#l ig,ini 

. E ntrance ^ C ,,.,.l:»-./t^=^Ml»\YAV== == ===='Pl. -A ISA>"(;E===='^"-'''=' ■==^'"'=== =^/a/f^^^^ ll ^ 

I I Bazaar of iCZ 1 LMoorish- ; TurkTsiTI r^tcH '. ; R.R.Statlon ^/.' j/i*''^ T' ^ d 

- J Nalions N| i r- JP'"". ■ Village | I«ettu>..ht , r-J //' I'l/ f 17^1 SSr? 

i J' Til n 111 i?j ?r s J I $/'// I s M 



7n^^T^^^^^^^™|r~i; 




HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



GOl 



varied and striking effects. But the task had 
been a Herculean one. There were seventeen 
principal (or, as they may be called, depart- 
mental) buildings, all of beautiful and ornate 
design, and all of vast size. They were known 
as the Jlanufacturers' and Liberal Arts, the 
Machinery, Electrical, Transportation, Woman's, 
Horticultural, Mines and Mining. Anthropolog- 
ical, Administration, Art Galleries, Agricultural. 
Art Institute, Fisheries, Live Stock, Dairy and 
Forestry buildings, and the JIusic Hall and Ca- 
sino. Several of these had large annexes. The 
Manufacturers" Building was the largest. It was 
rectangular (1687x787 feet), having a ground 
area of 31 acres and a floor and gallery area of 
44 acres. Its central chamber was 1280x380 
feet, with a nave 107 feet wide, both hall and 
nave being surrounded bj- a gallery 50 feet wide. 
It was four times as large as the Roman Coliseum 
and three times as large as St. Petei's at Rome; 
17,000,000 feet of lumber, 13,000,000 pounds of 
steel, and 2,000,000 pounds of iron had been used 
in its con.struction, involving a cost of §1,800,000. 

It was originall}- intended to open the Exposi- 
tion, formal!}-, on Oct. 21, 1892, the quadri-centen- 
nial of Columbus' discovery of land on the 
We.stern Hemisphere, but the magnitude of the 
undertaking rendered this impracticable. Con- 
sequentlj-, while dedicatory ceremonies were held 
on that da}-, preceded by a monster procession and 
followed by elaborate pyrotechnic displays at 
night. May 1, 1893, was fixed as the opening day 
^the machinery and fountains lieing put in oper- 
ation, at the touch of an electric button by Presi- 
dent Cleveland, at the close of a short address. 
The total number of admissions from that date 
to Oct. 31, was 27, .530,400 — the largest for any 
single day being on Oct. 9 (Chicago Day) amount- 
ing to 701.944. The total receipts from all sources 
(including National and State appropriations, 
subscriptions, etc.), amounted to §28,151, 1()8.75, 
of which 810,620,330.76 was from the sale of tick 
ets, and §3,699,581.43 from concessions. The 
aggregate attendance fell short of that at the 
Paris Exposition of 1889 by about 500,000, while 
the receipts from the sale of tickets and con- 
cessions exceeded the latter by nearly .'55,800,000. 
Subscribers to the Exposition stock received a 
return of ten per cent on the same. 

The Illinois building was the first of the State 
buildings to be completed. It was also the 
largest and most costly, but was severely criti- 
cised from an architectural standpoint. The 
exhibits showed tlie internal resources of the 
State, as well as the development of its govern- 



mental system, and its progress in civilization 
from the daj's of the first pioneers. The entire 
Illinois exhibit in the State building was imder 
charge of the State Board of Agriculture, who 
devoted one-tenth of the appropriation, and a like 
proportion of floor space, to the exhibition of the 
work of Illinois women as scientists, authors, 
artists, decorators, etc. Among sjjecial features 
of the Illinois exlubit were: State trophies and 
relics, kept in a fire-proof memorial hall; tlie dis- 
play of grains and minerals, and an immense 
topographical map (prepared at a cost of §15.000), 
drafted on a scale of two miles to the inch, show- 
ing the character and resources of the State, and 
correcting many serious cartographical errors 
previously undiscovered. 

WORTHEN, Amos Henry, scientist and State 
Geologist, was born at Bradford, Vt., Oct. 31, 
1813, emigrated to Kentucky in 1834, and, in 1836, 
removed to Illinois, locating at Warsaw. Teach- 
ing, surveying and mercantile business were his 
pursuits until 1843, when he returned to the 
East, spending two years in Boston, but return- 
ing to Warsaw in 1844. His natural predilections 
were toward the natural sciences, and, after 
coming west, he devoted mast of his leisure time 
to the collection and study of specimens of 
mineralogy, geology and conchology. On tlie 
organization of the geological survey of Illinois 
in 1851, he was appointed assistant to Dr. J. G. 
Norwood, then State Geologist, and, in 1858, suc- 
ceeded to the office, having meanwhile spent 
three years as Assistant Geologist in the first Iowa 
survey. As State Geologist he puldished seven 
volumes of reports, and was engaged upon the 
eighth when overtaken by death, May 6, 1888. 
These reports, wliich are as comprehensive as 
they are voluminous, have been reviewed and 
warmly commended by the leading scientific 
periodicals of this coimtry and Eui-ope. In 1877 
field work was discontinued, and the State His- 
torical Library and Natural History Museum were 
established. Professor Worthen being placed in 
charge as curator. He was the author of various 
valuable scientific papers and member of numer- 
ous scientific societies in this country and in 
Europe. 

W0RTHI>(;T0\, Nicholas Ellsworth, ex-Con- 
gressman, was born in Brooke County, W. Va., 
March 30, 1836, and completed his education at 
Allegheny College, Pa., studied Law at Jlorgan- 
town, Va., and was ailniitted to the bar in 1800. 
He is a resident of Peoria, and, by profession, a 
lawyer; was Countj' Superintendent of Schools 
of Peoria County from 1868 to 1872, and a mem- 



603 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ber of the State Board of Education from 1S69 to 
1872. In 1882 he was elected to Congress, as a 
Democrat, from the Tenth Congressional District, 
and re-elected in 1884. In 1886 he was again a 
candidate, but was defeated by his Kejjublican 
opponent, Philii^ Sidney Post. He was elected 
Circuit Judge of the Tenth Judicial District in 
1891, and re-elected in 1897. In 1894 he .served 
upon a commission appointed by President Cleve- 
land, to investigate the labor strikes of that year 
at Chicago. 

WRIfctHT, John Stephen, manufacturer, was 
born at Sheffield, Mass., July 16, 1815; came to 
Chicago in 1832, with his father, who opened a 
store in that city ; in 1837, at his own expense, 
built the first school building in Chicago; in 1840 
established "The Prairie Farmer," which he con- 
ducted for many years in the interest of popular 
education and progressive agriculture. In 1852 
he engaged in the manufacture of Atkins' self- 
raking reaper and mower, was one of the pro- 
moters of the Galena & Chicago Union and the 
Illinois Central Railways, and wrote a volume 
entitled, "Chicago: Past, Present and Future," 
published in 1870. Died, in Chicago. Sept. 26, 1874. 

WULFF, Henry, ex-State Treasurer, was born 
in Meldorf, Germany, August 24, 1854; came to 
Chicago in 1863, and began his political career as 
a Trustee of the town of Jefferson. In 1866 he 
was elected County Clerk of Cook County, and 
re-elected in 1890; in 1894 became the Republican 
nominee for State Treasurer, receiving, at the 
November election of that year, the unprece- 
dented plurality of 133,427 votes over his Demo- 
cratic opponent. 

WYANET, a town of Bureau Count}', at the 
intersection of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
and the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railways, 
7 miles southwest of Princeton. Population 
(1890), 670; (1900), 902. 

WYLIE, (Rev.) Samuel, domestic missionary, 
born in Ireland and came to America in boyhood ; 
was educated at the University of Pennsylvania 
and the Theological Seminary of the Reformed 
Presbyterian Church, and ordained in 1818. 
Soon after this he came west as a ilomestie mis- 
sionary and, in 1820, became pastor of a church 
at Si)arta, 111., where he remained until his death, 
March 20, 1873, after a pastorate of 52 years. 
During his pastorate the church sent out a dozen 
colonies to form new church organizations else- 
where. He is described as able, eloquent and 
scholarly. 

WYMAN, (Col.) John B., soldier, was born in 
Massachusetts, July 12, 1817, and educated in the 



schools of that State mitil 14 years of age, when 
he became a clerk in a clothing store in his native 
town of Shrewsbury, later being associated with 
mercantile establishments in Cincinnati, and 
again in his native State. From 1846 to 1850 he 
was employed successively as a clerk in the car 
and machine shops at Springfield, Mass., then as 
Superintendentof Construction, and. later, as con- 
ductor on the New York & New Ha\-en Railroad, 
finall}', in 1850, becoming Superintendent of Ihe 
Connecticut River Railroad. In 1852 he entered 
the service of the Illinois Central Railroad Com- 
pany, assisting in the survey and construction of 
the line under Col. R. B. Mason, the Chief Engi- 
neer, and finally becoming Assistant Superin- 
tendent of the Northern Division. He was one 
of the original proprietors of the town of Amboy, 
in Lee County, and its first ilayor, also serving 
a second term. Having a fondness for military 
affairs, he was usually connected with some mili- 
tary organization — while in Cincinnati being 
attached to a companj-, of which Prof. O. M. 
Mitchell, the celebrated astronomer (afterwards 
Major-General Mitchell), was Captain. After 
coming to Illinois he became Captain of the Chi- 
cago Light Guards. Having lef*^ the employ of 
the Railroad in 1858, he was in private business 
at Amboy at the beginning of the Civil War in 
1801. As Assistant- Adjutant General, by appoint- 
ment of Governor Yates, he rendered valuable 
service in the early weeks of the \va,T in securing 
arms from Jefferson Barracks and in the organi- 
zation of the three-months' regiments. Then, 
having organized the Thirteenth Illinois Volun- 
teer Infantry — the first organized in the State 
for the three years' service — he was commis- 
sioned its Colonel, and, in July following, entered 
upon the dutj- of guarding the railroad lines in 
Southwest Missouri and Arkansas. The follow- 
ing year his regiment was attached to General 
Sherman's command in the first campaign 
against Vicksburg. On the second day of the 
Battle of Chickasaw Bayou, he fell mortally 
wounded, dying on the field, Dec. 28, 1862. Colo- 
nel Wyman was one of the most accomplisl-.ed 
and promising of the volunteer soldiers sent to 
the field from Illinois, of whom so many were 
former employes of the Illinois Central R<iil- 
road. 

"WYOMING, a town of Stark County, 31 miles 
north-northwest from Peoria, at the junction of 
the Peoria branch Rock Island & Pacific and the 
Rushville branch of the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy Railway ; has two high schools, churches, 
two banks, flour mills, water-works, machine 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



C03 



shop, and two weekly newspapers. Coal is mined 
here. Pop. (1890), 1,116; (1900), 1,277. 

XE>'I.\, a village of Claj' County, on the Balti- 
more & Ohio Southwestern Railroad, 87 miles 
east of St. Louis. Population (lllOll), 800. 

Y.VTES CITY, a village of Knox County, at the 
junction of tlie Peoria Division of the Chicago, 
Burlington it Quincy Railroad, with the Rushville 
branch, 23 miles .southeast of Galesburg. The 
to.wn has banks, a coal mine, telephone exchange, 
school, churches and a newspai)er. Pop. (1890), 
687; (1900). fi.m 

YATES, Henry, pioneer, was born in Caroline 
County, Va.. Oct. 29. 1780 — being a grand-nephew 
of Chief Justice John Marshall ; removed to Fa- 
yette County. Ky.. where he located and laid out 
the town of Warsaw, which afterwards became 
the county-seat of Gallatin County. In 1831 he 
removed to Sangamon County, 111. , and, in 1832, 
settled at the site of the present town of Berlin, 
which he laid out the following year, also laying 
out the town of New Berlin, a few years later, on 
the line of the Wabash Railway. He was father 
of Gov. Richard Yates. Died, Sept. 13, 186.5. — 
Henry (Yates), Jr. , son of the preceding, was born 
at Berlin. 111., March 7, 183.5 ; engaged in merchan- 
dising at New Berlin; in 1862, raised a company 
of volunteers for the One Hundred and Sixth 
Regiment Illinois Infantry, was appointed Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel and brevetted Colonel and Briga- 
dier-General. He was accidentally, shot in 1863, 
and suffered sun-stroke at Little Rock, from 
which he never full}- recovered. Died, August 
3, 1871. 

Y'ATES, Richard, former Governor and United 
States Senator, was born at Warsaw, Ky., Jan. 
18, 1815, of English descent. In 1831 he accom- 
panied his father to Illinois, the family settling 
first at Sjiringfield and later at Berlin, Sangamon 
County. He soon after entered Illinois College, 
from which he graduated in 1835, and oubse- 
quently read law with Col. John J. Hardin, at 
.Jack.sonville, which thereafter became his home. 
In 1842 he was elected Representative in the Gen- 
eral Assembly from Slorgan County, and was 
re-elected in 18-14, and again in 1848. In 1850 he 
was a candidate for Congress from the Seventh 
District and elected over Maj. Thomas L. Harris, 
the previous incumbent, being the only Whig 
Representative in the Thirty-second Congress 
from Illinois. Two years later he was re-elected 
over John Calhoun, but was defeated, in 18.54, 
by his old opponent, Harris. He was one of the 



most vigorous opponents of the Kansas- Nebraska 
Bill in the Thirtj'-third Congress, and an early 
participant in the movement for the organization 
of the Republican party to resist the further 
extension of .slavery, being a prominent sjieaker. 
on tlie .same platform with Lincoln, before the 
first Republican State Convention held at Bloom- 
ington, in May, 1856, and serving as one of the 
Vice-Presidents of that body. In I860 he was 
elected to the executive chair on the ticket 
headed by Abraham Lincoln for the Presidency, 
and, by his energetic sujjport of the National 
administration in its measures for the .suppression 
of the Rebellion, won the sobriquet of "the Illi- 
nois War-Governor." In 1865 he was elected 
United States Senator, serving until 1871. He 
died suddenly, at .St. Louis. Nov. 27, 1873, while 
returning from Arkansas, whither he had gone, 
as a United States Commissioner, by appointment 
of President Grant, to in.S])ect a l.and-subsidy 
railroad. He was a man of rare ability, earnest- 
ness of purpose and extraordinary personal mag- 
netism, as well as of a lofty order of patriotisnr. 
His faults were those of a nature generous, 
impulsive and warm-hearted. 

YORKVILLE, the county-seat of Kendall 
County, on Fo.x River and Streator Division of 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 12 miles 
southwest of Aurora; on interurban electric line; 
has watei -jjower, electric lights, a bank, churches 
and weekly newspaper. Pop. (1890) 375; (1900). 413. 

YOUXG, Brig'liaiii, Mormon leader, was born 
at Whittingham, Vt., June 1, 1801, joined the 
Mormons in 1831 and, the next j'ear, became a.sso- 
ciated with Joseph Smith, at Kirtland, Ohio, and, 
in 1835, an "apostle." He accompanied a con- 
siderable body of that sect to Independence, Mo., 
but was driven out with them in 1837, settling 
for a short time at Quincy, 111., but later remov- 
ing to Nauvoo, of which he was one of the foun- 
ders. On the assassination of Smith, in 1844, he 
became the successor of the latter, as head of the 
Mormon Church, and, the following j'ear, headed 
the exodus from Illinois, wliicli finally resulted in 
the Mormon settlement in L'tah. His sulisequent 
career there, where he was appointed Governor 
by President Fillmore, and, for a time, sviccess- 
fully defied national authority, is a matter of 
national rather than State history. He remained 
at the head of the Mormon Church until his 
deatli at Salt Lake City, Augu.st 29, 1877. 

YOUNCii, Richard Montgomery, United States 
Senator, was born in Kentucky in 1796, .studied 
law and removed to Jonesboro, 111., where he was 
admitted to tlie bar in 1817: served in the Second 



C04 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



General Assembly (1830-33) as Representative 
from Union County; was a Circuit Judge, 1835-37; 
Presidential Elector in 1838; Circuit Judge again, 
1839-37; elected United States Senator in 1837 as 
successor to W. L. D. Exving, serving until 1843, 
when he was commissioned Justice of the Su- 
preme Court, but resigned in 1847 to become 
Commissioner of the General Land Office at 
Washington. During the session of 1850-51, he 
served as Clerk of the National House of Rejore- 
sentatives. Died, in an insane asylum, in Wash- 
ington, in 1853. 

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION, 
first permanently organized at Chicago, in 1858, 
although desultory movements of a kindred char- 
acter had previously been started at Peoria, 
Quincy, Chicago and Springfield, some as early 
as 1854. From 1858 to 1873, various associations 
were formed at different points tliroughout the 
State, which were entirely independent of each 
other. The first effort looking to union and 
mutual aid, was made in 1873, when Robert 
Weidensall, on behalf of the International Com- 
mittee, called a convention, to meet at Blooming- 
ton, November 6-9. State conventions have been 
held annually since 1872. In that of 1875, steps 
were taken looking to the ajipointment of a 
State Secretary, and, in 1876, Charles M. Morton 
assumed the office. Much evangelistic work was 
done, and new associations formed, tlie total 
number reported at the Champaign Convention, 
in 1877, being sixty -two. After one year's work 
Mr. Morton resigned the secretaryship, the office 
remaining vacant for three years. The question 
of the appointment of a successor was discussed 
at tlie Decatur Convention in 1879, and, in April, 
1880, I. B. Brown was made State Secretary, and 
has occupied the position to the present time 
(1899). At the date of his appointment the 
official figures showed si.xteen associations in_ Illi- 
nois, with a total membership of 3,443. and prop- 
erty valued at §136,500, including building funds, 
tlie associations at Chicago and Aurora owning 
buildings. Thirteen officers were employed, 
none of them being in Chicago. Since 1880 the 
work has steadily grown, so that five Assistant 
State Secretaries are now employed. In 1886, a 
plan for arranging tlie State work under depart- 
mental administration was devised, but not put 
in operation until 1.H90. The present six depart- 
ments of supervision are: General Supervision, 
in charge of the State Secretary and his A.ssist- 
ants; railroad and city work; counties and 
towns; work among students; corresponding 
membership department, and office work. Tlie 



two last named are under one executive head, 
but each of the others in charge of an Assistant 
Secretary, who is resijonsible for its development 
The entire work is under the supervision of a 
State Executive Committee of twenty-seven 
members, one-third of whom are elected annually. 
Willis H. Herrick of Chicago has been its chaii'- 
man for several j'ears. This body is appointed 
by a State convention composed of delegates 
from the local Associations. Of these there were, 
in October, 1898, 116, with a membership of 
15,888. The value of the propertj' owned was 
§3,500,000. Twenty-two occupy their own build- 
ings, of which five are for railroail men and one 
for students. Weekly gatherings for young men 
numbered 248, and there are now representatives 
or correspondents in 665 communities where no 
organization has been effected. Scientific phys- 
ical culture is made a feature by 40 associations, 
and educational work has been largely developed. 
The enrollment in evening classes, during 1898-99, 
was 978. The building of the Cliicago branch 
(erected in 1893) is the finest of its class in the 
world. Recently a successful association has 
been formed among coal miners, and another 
among tlie first grade boys of the Illinois State 
Reformatory, while an extensive work has been 
conducted at the camps of the Illinois National 
Guard. 

ZANE, Charles S., law)'er and jurist, was born 
in Cumberland County, N. J., March 3, 1831, of 
Englisli and New England stock. At the age of 
19 he emigrated to Sangamon County, 111., for a 
time working on a farm and at brick-making. 
From 1853 to '55 he attended MoKendree College, 
but did not graduate, and, on leaving college, 
engaged in teaching, at the same time reading 
law. In 1857 he was admitted to the bar and 
commenced practice at Springfield. The follow- 
ing year lie was elected City Attorney. He had 
for partners, at different times, William H. 
Herndon (once a partner of Abraham Lincoln) 
and Senator Shelby M. Cullom. In 1873 he was 
elected a Judge of the Circuit Court for the Fifth 
Judicial Circuit, and was re-elected in 1879. In 
1883 President Arthur appointed him Chief Jus- 
tice of Utah, where lie lias since resided, though 
superseded by the appointment of a successor by 
President Cleveland. At the first State elec- 
tion in Utah, held in November, 1895, he was 
chosen one of the Judges of the Supreme Court 
of the new Commonwealth, but was defeated 
for re-election, by his Democratic opponent, in 
1898. 



SUPPLEMENT. 



The following matter, received too late for insertion in the hody of this work, is added In the form of a supplement. 



COGHLAX, (Capt.) Joseph Bnlloek, naval 
officei", was born in Kentucky, and, at tlie age of 
15 years, came to Illinois, living on a farm for a 
time near Carlyle, in Clinton County. In 18(50 he 
was appointed by his uncle, Hon. Philip B. 
Fouke — then a Representative in Congress from 
the Belleville District — to the Naval Academy at 
Annapolis, graduating in 1803, and being pro- 
moted through the successive grades of Ensign, 
Master, Lieutenant, Lieutenant-Commander, and 
Commander, and serving upon various vessels 
until Nov. 18, 1893, when he was commissioned 
Captain and, in 1897, assigned to the command 
of the battleship Raleigh, on the Asiatic Station. 
He was thus connected with Admiral Dewey's 
squadron at the beginning of the Spanish-Ameri- 
can War, and took a conspicuous and brilliant part 
in the affair in Manila Baj' , on May 1, 1898, which 
resulted in the destruction of the Spanish fleet. 
Captain Coghlan's connection with subsequent 
events in the Philip]jines was in the highest 
degree creditable to himself and the country. 
His vessel (the Raleigh) was the first of Admiral 
Dewey's squadron to return home, coming by 
waj' of the Suez Canal, in the summer of 1899, he 
and liis crew receiving an immense ovation on 
their arrival in New York harbor. 

CRA>'E, (Rev.) Jamea Lyons, clergyman, 
army chaplain, was born at Mt. Eaton, Wayne 
County, Oliio, August 30, 1823, united with the 
Methodist Episcopal Church at Cincinnati in 
1841, and, coming to Edgar County, Illinois, in 
1843, attended a seminary at Paris some three 
years. He joined the Illinois Conference in 1846, 
and was assigned to the Danville circuit, after- 
wards presiding over cliarges at Grandview, Hills- 
boro, Alton, Jacksonville, and Springfield — at the 
last two points being .stationed two or more 
times, besides .serving as Presiding Elder of the 
Paris, Danville, and Springfield Districts. The 
importance of the stations which lie filled during 
his itinerant career served as evidence of liis 
recognized ability and popularity as a preachei'. 



In July, 1861, he was appointed Chaplain of the 
Twenty-first Regiment Illinois Volunteers, at 
that time commanded by Ulysses S. Grant as 
Colonel, and, although he remained with the 
regiment only a few months, the friendship then 
established between him and the future com- 
mander of the armies of the Union lasted through 
their lives. This was shown by his appointment 
by President Grant, in 1869, to the position of 
Postmaster of the city of Springfield, whicli came 
to him as a personal compliment, being re- 
appointed four years afterwards and continuing 
in office eight years. After retiring from tho 
Springfield postotfice, he occupied charges at 
Island Grove and Shelby ville, his death occurring 
at the latter place, July 39, 1879, as the result of 
an attack of paralysis some two weeks previous. 
Mr. Crane was married in 1847 to Miss Elizabeth 
Mayo, daughter of Col. J. Mayo — a prominent 
citizen of Edgar County, at an early day — his 
wife surviving him some twenty years. Rev. 
Charles A. Crane and Rev. Frank Crane, pastors 
of prominent Methodist churches in Boston and 
Chicago, are sons of the subject of this sketch. 

DAWES, Charles Gates, Comptroller of the 
Treasury, was born at Marietta, Ohio, August 37, 
186.5; graduated from Marietta College in 1884, 
and from the Cincinnati Law School in 1886; 
worked at civil engineering during his vacations, 
finally becoming Chief Engineer of the Toledo & 
Ohio Railroad. Between 1887 and 1894 he waa 
engaged in the practice of law at Lincoln, Neb., 
but afterwards became interested in the gas busi- 
ness in various cities, including Evanston, 111., 
which became his home. In 1896 he took a lead- 
ing part in securing instructions by the Republi- 
can State Convention at Springfield in favor of 
the nomination of Mr. McKiuley for the Pre.si- 
dency, and during the succeeding campaign 
served as a member of the National Republican 
Committee for the State of Illinois. Soon after 
the accession of President McKinley, he was 
appointed Comptroller of the Treasury, a position 



605 



606 



HISTORICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



which he now holds. Jlr. Dawes is the son of 
R. B. Dawes, a former Congressman from Ohio, 
and the great-grandson of Manasseh Cutler, who 
was an influential factor in the early history of 
the Northwest Territory, and lias been credited 
with exerting a strong influence in shaping and 
securing the adoption of the Ordinance of 1787. 

DISTIN, (Col.) William L., former Depart- 
ment Commander of Grand Army of the Repub- 
lic for the State of Illinois, was born at 
Cincinnati, Ohio, Feb. 9, 1848, his father being of 
English descent, while his maternal grandfather 
was a Colonel of the Polish Lancers in the army 
of the first Napoleon, who, after the exile of his 
leader, came to America, settling in Indiana. 
The father of the subject of this sketch settled at 
Keokuk, Iowa, where the son grew to manhood 
and in February, 1863, enlisted as a private in the 
Seventeenth Iowa Infantry, having been twice 
rejected previously on account of physical ail- 
ment. Soon after enlistment he was detailed for 
provost-marshal duty, but later took part with 
his regiment in the campaign in Alabama. He 
served for a time in the Fifteenth Armj' Corps, 
under Gen. John A. Logan, was subsequently 
detailed for duty on the Staff of General Raum, 
and participated in the battles of Resaoa and 
Tilton, Ga. Having been captured in the latter, 
he was imprisoned successively at Jacksonville 
(Ga.), Montgomery, Savannah, and finally at 
Andersonville. From the latter he succeeded in 
effecting his escape, but was recaptured and 
returned to that famous prison-pen. Having 
escaped a secoml time b)' assuming the name of 
a dead man and briliing the guard, he was again 
captured and imprisoned at various points hi Jlis- 
sissippi until exchanged about the time of the 
assassination of President Lincoln. He was then 
so weakened by his long confinement and scanty 
fare that he had to be carried on board the 
steamer on a stretcher. At tliis time he narrowly 
escaped being on board the steamer Sultana, 
wliioh was blown up below Cairo, with 3,100 
soldiers on boaril, a large jjroportion of whom lost 
their lives. After being mustered out at Daven- 
port, Iowa, June 28, ISO."), he was employed for a 
time on the Des Moines Valley Railroad, and as a 
messenger and route agent of the United States 
Express Company. In 1872 he established him- 
self in business in Quincy, 111., in which he 
proved very successful. Here he became prom- 
inent in local Granil Army circles, and, in 1800, 
was xinanimously elected Commander of the 
Department of Illinois. Previous to this he had 
been an officer of the Illinois National Guard, and 



served as Aid-de-Camp, with the rank of 
Colonel, on the staff of Governors Hamilton, 
Oglesby and Fifer. In 1897 Colonel Distin was 
appointed by President McKinley Surveyor-Gen- 
eral for the Territory of Alaska, a position which 
(1899) he still holds. 

DUMMEK, Henry E., lawyer, was born at 
Hallowell. Maine, April 9, 1808, was educated in 
Bowdoin College, graduating there in the class of 
1827, after which he took a course in law at Cam- 
bridge Law School, and was soon after admitted 
to the bar. Then, having spent some two years 
in his native State, in 1832 he removed to Illinois, 
settling first in Springfield, where he remained six 
years, being for a part of the time a partner of 
John T. Stuart, who afterwards became the first 
partner in law of Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Dum- 
mer had a brother, Richard William Dummer, 
who had preceded him to Illinois, living for a 
time in Jacksonville. In 1838 he removed to 
Beardstown, Cass County, which continued to be 
his home for more than a quarter of a century. 
During his residence there he served as Alder- 
man, City Attorney and Judge of Probate for 
Cass County ; also represented Cass Count}' in tlie 
Constitutional Convention of 1847, and, in 18(10, 
was elected State Senator in the Twenty-second 
General Assembly, serving four years. Mr. 
Dummer was an earnest Republican, and served 
that party as a delegate for the State-at-large to 
the Convention of 1864, at Baltimore, which 
nominated Abraham Lincoln for the Presidenc)- a 
second time. In 1864 he removed to Jackson- 
ville, and for the next year was the law partner 
of David A. Smith, until the death of the latter 
in 1865. In the summer of 1878 Mr. Dummer 
went to Mackinac, Mich., in search of health, but 
died there August 12 of that year. 

ECKELS, James H., ex-Comptroller of the 
Currency, was born of Scotch-Irish parentage at 
Princeton, 111., Nov. 22, 18.')8, was educated in 
the common schools and tlie high school of his 
native town, graduated from the Law School at 
Albany, N. Y., in 1881, and the following year 
began practice at Ottawa, 111. Here lie con- 
tinued in active practice until 1893. when he was 
appointed by President Cleveland Comptroller of 
the Currency, serving until May 1, 1898, when he 
resigned to accept the presidency of the Com- 
mercial National Bank of Chicago. Mr. Eckels 
manifested such distinguished ability in the dis- 
charge of his duties as Comptroller that he 
received the notable compliment of being 
retained in office by a Republican administration 
more than a year after the retirement of Presi- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



607 



dent Cleveland, while his selection for a place at 
the head of one of the leading banking institu- 
tions of Cliicagowas a no less marked recognition 
of his abilities as a financier. He was a Delegate 
from the Eleventh District to the National 
Democratic Convention at Chicago in 1892, and 
repiesented the same district in the Gold Demo- 
cratic Convention at Indianapolis in 1806, and 
assisted in framing the platform there adopted — 
which indicated his views on tlie financial (lues- 
tions involved in the campaign of that year. 

FIELD, Daniel, early merchant, was born in 
Jefferson County, Kentuckj', Nov. 30, 1790, and 
settled at Golconda, 111., in 1818, dying there in 
1853. He was a man of great enterprise, engaged 
in merchandising, and became a large laud- 
holder, farmer and stock-grower, and an extensive 
shipper of stock and produce to lower Mississippi 
markets. He married Elizabeth Dailey of 
Charleston, Ind., and raised a large family, of 
children, one of whom, Philip D., became Sheriff> 
while another, John, was County Judge of Pope 
County. His daughter, Maria, married Gen. 
Green B. Raum, who became prominent as a 
soldier during the Civil War and, later, as a mem- 
ber of Congress and Commissioner of Internal 
Revenue and Pension Commissioner in Wash- 
ington. 

FIELD, Green B., member of a pioneer family, 
was born within the present limits of the State of 
Indiana in 1787, served as a Lieutenant in the 
War of 1812, was married in Bourbon County, 
Kentucky, to Miss JIary E. Cogswell, the 
daughter of Dr. Josepli Cogswell, a soldier of the 
Revolutionary War, and, in 1817, removed to 
Pope County, Illinois, where he laid off the town 
of Golconda, which became the county-seat. He 
served as a Representative from Pope County in 
the First General Assembly (1818-20), and was 
the fatlier of Juliet C. Field, who became the 
wife of John Raum; of Edna Field, the wife of 
Dr. Tarlton Dunn, and of Green B. Field, who 
was a Lieutenant in Third Regiment Illinois 
Volunteers during the Mexican War. Mr. Field 
was the grandfather of Gen. Green B. Raum, 
mentioned in the preceding paragraph. He died 
of yellow fever in Louisiana in 1823. 

GALE, Stephen Francis, first Chicago book- 
seller and a railway promoter, was born at 
E.xeter, N. H.. March 8, 1812; at 15 years of age 
became clerk in a leading book-store in Boston; 
came to Chicago in Ih:!,"), and soon afterwards 
opened the first book and stationery establish- 
ment in tliat city, whicli. in after years, gained 
an extensive trade. In 1842 the firm of S. F. 



Gale & Co. was organized, but Mr. Gale, having 
become head of the Chicago Fire Department, 
retired from business in 1845 As early as 1846 
he was associated with W m. B. Ogden and John 
B. Turner in the steps tlien being taken to revive 
tlie Galena & Chicago Union Riiilroad (now a 
part of the Chicago & Northwestern), and, in 
conjunction witli these gentlemen, became 
responsible for the means to purchase the charter 
and assets of the road from the Eastern bond- 
holders. Later, he engaged in the construction 
of the branch road from Turner Junction to 
Aurora, became President of the line and ex- 
tended it to Mendota to connect with the Illinois 
Central at that Point. These roads afterwards 
became a part of tlie Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy line. A number of years ago Mr. Gale 
returned to his old home in New Hampshire, 
where he has since resided. 

HAY, John, early settler, came to the region of 
Kaskaskia between 1790 and 1800, and became a 
prominent citizen of St. Clair County. He was 
selected as a member of the First Legislative 
Council of Indiana Territory' for St. Clair County 
in 1803. In 1809 he was appointed Clerk of the 
Common Pleas Court of St. Clair County, and 
was continued in office after the organization of 
the State Government, serving until his death at 
Belleville in 1845. 

HAYS, John, pioneer settler of Northwest Ter- 
ritory, was a native of New York, who came to 
Cahokia, in the "Illinois Country," in 1793, and 
lived there the remainder of his life. His early 
life had been spent in the fur-trade about Macki- 
nac, in the Lake of the Woods region and about 
tlie sources of the Mississippi. During the War 
of 1812 he was able to fm-nish Governor Edwards 
valuable information in reference to the Indians 
in the Northwest. He filled the office of Post- 
master at Cahokia for a number of years, and was 
Sheriff of St. Clair County from 1798 to 1818. 

MOULTON, (Col.) George M., soldier and 
building contractor, was born at Readsburg, Vt., 
March 15, 1»~>\. came early in life to Chicago, and 
was educated in the scliools of that city. By pro- 
fession he is a contractor and builder, the linn of 
which he is a member having been connected 
with tlie construction of a number of large build- 
ings, including some extensive grain elevators. 
Colonel Moulton became a member of tlie Second 
Regiment Illinois National Guard in June. 1884, 
being elected to tlie office of Major, which he 
retained until January, 1893. when lie was 
apiioiiited Inspector of Ride Practice on the staff 
of General Wheeler. A year later he was com 



GOrt 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



iiiissioiioJ Colouel of tlio regiment, a position 
wliioli lie occupied at tlie time of the call by the 
Presiilcnt for troops to serve in the Spunisli- 
Americau War in April, 1898. He promptly 
iinswered the call, an<l was sworn into the United 
States service at the head of his regiment early 
in May. The regiment was almost immediately 
ordered to Jacksonville, Fla., remaining there 
and at Savannah, Ga., until early in December, 
when it was transferred to Havana, Cuba. Here 
he was soon after appointed Chief of Police for 
the city of Havana, remaining in ollice until the 
middle of January, 18!)!), when ho returned to his 
regiment, tlien stationed at Camp Columbia, near 
the city of Havana. In the latter jiart of Mari'h 
he returned with liis regiment to Augusta, (ia.. 
where it was mustered out, April 20, 18!)!), one 
year from the date of its arrival at Springlield. 
After leaving the service Colonel Moulton 
resumed his business as a contractor. 

SHKRMAN, Lawrence Y., legislator and 
Spealier of the Forty-lirst (ieneral ^Vssembly, was 
born ii\ Miami County, Chio, Nov. C, 18.")8; at J! 
j'ears of ago came to Illinois, his ])arents settling 
at Industry, JIcDonough County. When he hail 
reached the age of 10 years he went to Jasper 
County, where he grew to manhood, recei\eil his 
education iu the common schools and in the law 



department of McKendree College, graduating 
from the latter, and, in 1881, locate<l at Macomb, 
McDonough County. Hero ho began his career 
by driving a team upon the street in order to 
accunuilato means enabling him to devote his 
entire attention to his chosen profession of law. 
He .soon took an a<'tive interest in politics, was 
elected County Judge in 1880, and, at the expira- 
tion of his term, formed a partnership with 
George D. Tunniclilfe and D. G. Tunnicliffe, 
ex-Justice of the Supreme Court. In 18!)4 ho was 
a candidate for the Republican nomination for 
Representative in the General A.s.seinbly, but 
withilnnv to ])revent a split in the part}'; was 
nominated and elected in 18!)(J. and re-elected in 
18!)8. and, at the succeeding session of the 
Forty-lirst tJeneral Assembly, was nominated 
by the Republican caucus and elected Speaker, 
as he was again of the Forty -second in 1!)01. 

VINYARl), IMiilip, early legislator, was born 
in Pennsylvania in 1800, came to Illinois at an 
early day, and settled in Pope County, which he 
ri'))re.sented in the lower branch of the Thirteenth 
and Fourteenth General Assemblies. He married 
Miss Matilila McCoy, the daughter of a prominent 
Illinois pioneer, and served as Sherilf of Pope 
Cinmty for a number of years. Died, at Gol- 
oouda, iu 1803, 



SUPPLEMENT NO. II. 



BL.VCK HAWK WAB, THF. The episode 
known in history under the name of "The Black 
Hawk War," was the most formidable conflict 
between the whites and Indians, as well as the 
most far reaching in its results, that ever oc- 
curred upon the soil of Illinois. It takes its 
name from the Indian Chief, of the Sac tribe. 
Black Hawk (Indian name, Makatai Meshekia- 
kiak, meaning "Black Sparrow Ilawk"!, who 
was the leader of the hostile Indian band and a 
principal factor in the struggle. Black Hawk 
had been an ally of the British during the War 
of 18rJ 15, served with Tecumseh when the lat- 
ter fell at the battle of the Thames in 181;!, and, 
after the war, continued to maintain friendly re- 
lations with his 'British father." The outbreak 



in Illinois had its origin in the constrviction 
put upon the treaty negotiated by Gen. William 
Henry Harrison with the Sac and Fo.\ Indians 
on behalf of the United States Government, Xo- 
vember 3, 1804, under which the Indians trans- 
ferred to the Government nearly 15,000,000 acres 
of laud comprising the region lying between the 
Wisconsin River on the north. Fox River of Illi- 
nois on the east and southeast, and the Mississippi 
on the west, for which the (Jovernment agreed to 
pay to the confederated tribes less than §3,500 in 
goods and the insignificant sum of $1,000 per an- 
num in perpetuity. While the validity of the 
treaty was denied on the jiart of the Indians on the 
ground that it had originally been entered into by 
their chiefs under duress, while held as prisoners 



HISTORICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLLNOIS. 



609 



under a charge of murder at Jefferson Barracks, 
during which Uiey liad Ix^eii kei)t ina stateof con- 
stant intoxication, it had liccn ropeatedlj- reaf- 
firmed hy i>arts or all of the tribe, especially in 
181">. in 1810, in ISiiand in 182:!, and tinally recog- 
nized by Black Hawk hini.self in iHIil. The part of 
the treaty of 180-1 which was the immediate cause 
of the disagreement was that which stipulated 
that, so long as the lands ceded under it remained 
the property of the United States (that is, should 
not be transferred to private owners), ' 'the Indians 
belonging to the said tril)es shall enjoy the priv- 
ilege of living or hunting upon them." Al- 
though these lands liad not been put upon the 
market, or even surveyed, as "scjuatters"' multi- 
plied in this region little respect was paid to the 
treaty rights of the Indians, particularly with 
reference to those localities where, by reason of 
fertility of the soil or some other natural advan- 
tage, the Indians had established something like 
permanent homes and introduced a sort of crude 
cultivation. This was especially the case with 
reference to the Sac; village of " Saukenuk"' on 
the north bank of Rock River near its mouth, 
where the Indians, when not absent on the cha.se, 
had lived for over a century, had cultivated 
fields of corn and vegetables and had buried their 
dead. In the early part of the last century, it is 
estimated that some five hundred families had 
been accustomed to congregate here, making it 
the largest Indian village in the West. As early 
as 1H2S the encroachments of squatters on the 
rights claimed by the Indians under the treaty 
of 1804 began ; their fields were taken possession 
of by the intruders, thoir lodges burned and their 
women and children whipped and driven away 
during the absence of the men on their annual 
hunts. The dangers resulting from these con- 
flicts led Governor Edwards, as early as 1828, to 
demand of the General Government the expul- 
sion of the Indians from Illinois, which resulted 
in an order from President Jackson in 1829 for 
their removal west of the Mississipjii. On appli- 
cation of Col. George Davenport, a trader of 
much influence with the Indians, the time w^as 
extended to April 1, 18U0. During the preceding 
year Colonel Davenport and the firm of Davenport 
and Farnham bought from the United States Gov- 
ernment most of the lands on Rock River occupied 
by Black Hawk's band, with the intention, as has 
been claimed, of permitting the Indians to remain. 
This was not .so understood by Black Hawk, who 
was greatly incensed, although Davenport offered 
to take other lands from the Government in ex- 
change or cancel the sale — an arrangement to 



which President Jackson would not consent. On 
their return in tin; spring of 1830, the Indians 
found whites in possession of their village. Pre- 
vented from cultivating their fields, and their 
animal hunt proving unsuccessful, the following 
winter proved for them one of great hardship. 
Black Hawk, having made a visit to his " British 
father" (the British Agent) at Maiden, Canada, 
claimed to have received words of sympathy and 
encouragement, which induced him to determine 
to regain possession of their fields. In this he 
was encouraged by Neapope, his second in com- 
mand, and by assurance of sufiport from White 
Cloud, a half Sac and half Winnebago — known 
also as "The Prophet " — whose village ( Prophet s 
Town) was some forty miles from the mouth 
of Rock River, and through whom Black Hawk 
claimed to have leceived promisesof aid in guns, 
ammunition and provisions from the British. 
The reappearance of Black Hawk's band in the 
vicinity of his old haunts, in the spring of 1831, 
produced a wild panic among the frontier settlers. 
Messages were hurried to Governor Reynolds, 
who had succeeded Governor Edwards in De- 
cember previous, appealing for protection against 
the savages. The Governor issued a call for 700 
volunteers " to remove the band of Sac Indians " 
at Rock Island beyond the Mississippi. Al- 
though Gen. E. P. Gaines of the regular artny, 
commanding the military di.strict, thought the 
regulars surticiciitly strong to cope with the situa- 
tion, the Governor's proclamation was responded 
to by more than twice the number called for. 
The volunteers assembled early in June, 1831, at 
Beardstown, the place of rendezvous named in 
the call, and having been organized into two regi- 
ments under command of Col. James D. Henrj and 
Col. Daniel Lieb, with a spy battalion under Gen. 
Joseph Duncan, marched across the country and, 
after effecting a junction with General Gaines' 
regulars, appeared before Black Hawk's village on 
the '2")th of June. In the meantime General 
Gaines, having learned that the Pottawatomies, 
Winnehagos and Kickapoos had promi.sed to join 
the Sacs in their uprising, asked the assistance of 
the battalion of motmted men previously offered 
by Governor Reynolds. The combined armies 
amounted to 2, .500 men, while the fighting force 
of the Indians was 300. Finding himself over- 
whelmingly outnumbered. Black Hawk withdrew 
midercoverof night to the west side of the Missis- 
sippi After burning the village, General (Jaines 
notified Black Hawk of his intention to pursue 
and attack his band, which had the effect to 
bring the fugitive chief to the General's head- 



GIO 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



quarters, where, on June 30. a new treaty was 
entered into by which he bound himself and his 
people to remain west of the Mississippi unless 
permitted to return by the United «tates. This 
ended the campaign, and the volunteers returned 
to their homes, although the affair had produced 
an intense excitement along the whole frontier, 
and involved a heavy expense. 

The next winter was spent by Black Hawk and 
his band on the site of old Fort Madison, in the 
present State of Iowa. Dissatisfied and humil- 
iated by his repulse of the previous year, in disre- 
gard of his pledge to General Gaines, on April 6, 
1832, at the head of 500 warriors and their fam- 
ilies, he again crossed the Mississippi at Yel- 
low Banks about the site of the present citj- of 
Oquawka, fifty miles below Rock Island, with the 
intention, as claimed, if not permitted to stoji at 
his old village, to proceed to the Prophet's Town 
and raise a crop with the Winnel)agoes. Here he 
was met by The Prophet with renewed assurances 
of aid from the Winnebagoes, which was still 
further strengthened by promises from the Brit- 
ish Agent received through a visit bj' Neapope to 
Maiden the previous autumn. An incident of this 
invasion was the effective warning given to the 
white settlers by Shabona. a friendly Ottawa 
chief, which probably had the effect to prevent 
a widespread massacre. Besides the towns of 
Galena and Chicago, the settlements in Illinois 
north of Fort Clark (Peoria) were limited to some 
thirty families on Bureau Creek with a few 
cabins at Hennepin, Peru, LaSalle, Ottawa, In- 
dian Creek, Dixon, Kellogg's Grove, Apple Creek, 
and a few other points. Gen. Henry Atkinson, 
commanding the regulars at Fort Armstrong 
(Rock Island), having learned of the arrival of 
Black Hawk a week after he crossed the Missis- 
sippi, at once took steps to notifj- Governor Rey- 
nolds of the situation with a requisition for an 
adequate force of militia to cooperate with the 
regulars. Under date of April IG. 1832. the Gov- 
ernor issued his call for "a strong detachment of 
militia." to meet by April 22, Beardstown again 
being named as a place of rendezvous. The call 
resulted in the assembling of a force which was 
organized into four regiments under command of 
Cols. John DeWitt. Jacob Fry. John Thomas and 
Samuel M. Thompson, together with a spy oat- 
talion under Maj James D. Henry, an odd bat- 
talion under M;ij. Thomas James and a foot 
battalion under Maj. Thomas Long. To these were 
subsequently added two independent battalions 
of mounted men. under command of Majors 
Isaiah Stillmau ami David Bailey, which were 



finally consolidated as the Fifth Regiment undei 
command of Col. James Johnson. Tlie organiza- 
tion of the first four regiments at Beardstown 
was completed by April 27, and the force under 
command of Brigadier-General Whiteside (but 
accompanied by Governor Reynolds, who was 
allowed pay as Major General by the General 
Government) began its march to Fort Armstrong, 
arriving there May 7 and being mustered into the 
United States service. Among others accompany- 
ing the expedition who were then, or afterwards 
became, noted citizens of the State, were Vital 
Jarrot, Adjutant-General: Cyrus Edwards, Ord- 
nance Officer; Murray McConnel. Staff Officer, 
and Abraham Lincoln, Captain of a company of 
volunteers from Sangamon County in the Fourth 
Regiment. Col. Zachary Taylor, then commander 
of a regiment of regulars, arrived at Fort Arm- 
strong about the same time with reinforcements 
from Fort Leavenworth and Fort Crawford. The 
total force of militia amounted to 1,935 men, and 
of regulars about 1,000. An interesting storj- is 
told conce_rning a speech delivered to the volun- 
teers by Colonel Taylor about this time. After 
reminding them of their dutj' to obey an order 
promptl}', the future hero of the Mexican War 
added: "The safety of all depends upon the obe- 
dience and courage of all. You are citizen sol- 
diers; some of you may fill high offices, or even be 
Presidents some day — but not if j-ou refuse to do 
your duty. Forward, march!" A curious com- 
mentary upon this speech is furnished in the fact 
that, while Taylor himself afterwards became 
President, at least one of his hearers — a volunteer 
who probably then had no aspiration to that dis- 
tinction (Abraham Lincoln)— reached the same 
position during the most dramatic period in the 
nation's history. 

Two days after the arrival at Fort Armstrong, 
the advance up Rock River began, the main force 
of the volunteers proceeding by land under Gen- 
eral Whiteside, while General Atkinson, with 
400 regular and 300 volunteer foot soldiers, pro- 
ceeded by boat, carrj'ing with him the artillery, 
provisions and bulk of the baggage. Whiteside, 
advancing by the east bank of the river, was the 
first to arrive at the Prophet's Town, which, 
finding deserted, he pushed on to Dixon's Ferry 
(now Dixon), where he arrived May 12. Here he 
found the independent battalions of Stillman and 
Bailey with ammunition and supplies of which 
Whiteside stood in need. The mounted battalions 
under command of Major Stillman, having been 
sent forward by Whiteside as a scouting party, 
left Dixon on the 13th and, on the afternoon of 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



611 



the next day, went into camp in a strong position 
near the mouth of Sycamore Creek. As soon dis- 
covered, Black Hawk was in camp at tlie same 
time, as lie afterwards claimed, with about forty 
of his braves, on Sycamore Creek, three miles 
distant, while the greater part of his band were en- 
camped with the more war-like faction of the Pot- 
tawatomies some seven miles farther north on the 
Kishwaukee River. As claimed b.v Black Hawk 
in his autobiography, having been disappointed in 
his expectation of forming an alliance with the 
Winnebagoes and the Potta\\atomies, he had at 
this juncture determined to return to the west 
side of the Mississippi. Hearing of tlie arrival of 
Stillnian's command in the vicinity, and taking 
it for granted that this was the whole of Atkin- 
son's command, he sent out three of his young 
men with a wliite flag, to arrange a parley and 
convey to Atkinson his offer to meet the latter in 
council. These were captured by some of Still- 
man's band regardless of their flag of truce, while 
a party of five other braves who followed to ob- 
serve the treatment received by the flagbearers, 
were attacked and two of their number killed, the 
the other three escaping to their camp. Black 
Hawk learning the fate of his truce party was 
aroused to the fiercest indignation. Tearing the 
flag to pieces with which he had intended to go 
into council with the whites, and appealing to his 
followers to avenge the murder of their comrades, 
he prepared for the attack. The rangers num- 
bered 275 men, while Black Hawk's band has been 
estimated at less tlian forty. As the rangers 
cauglit sight of the Indians, they rushed forward 
in pell-mell fashion. Retiring behind a fringe 
of bushes, the Indians awaited the attack. As 
the rangers approached, Black Hawk and his 
party rose up with a war whoop, at the same time 
opening fire on their assailants. The further 
hist rj' of the affair was as much of a disgrace to 
Stillman's command as had been their desecra- 
tion of the flag of truce. Thrown into panic liy 
their reception by Black Hawk's little band, the 
rangers turned and, without firing a shot, began 
the retreat, dashing througli their own camp and 
abandoningeverytliing. which fell into the hands 
of tlie Indians. An attempt was made by one or 
two officers and a few of their men to check the 
retreat, but without success, the bulk of tlie fu- 
gitives continuing their mad rush for .safety 
tlirough the night until they reached Dixon, 
twenty-five miles distant, while many never 
stopped until they reached their homes, forty 
or fifty miles distant. The casualties to tlie 
lingers amounted to eleven killed and two 



wounded, while the Indian loss consisted of two 
spies and one of the flag-bearers, treacherously 
killed near Stillman's camp. This ill-starred af- 
fair, which has pa.s.sed into history as "Stillman's 
defeat," produced a general panic along the fron- 
tier by inducing an exaggerated estimate of the 
strength of the Indian force, while it led Black 
Hawk to form a poor opinion of the courage of 
the white troops at the same time that it led to 
an exalted estimate of the prowess of his own 
little band — thus becoming an important factor 
in prolonging the war and in the bloody massacres 
which followed. Whiteside, with his force of 
1,400 men, a<lvanced to the scene of the defeat 
the next day and buried the dead, while on the 
19th, Atkinson, with his force of regulars, pro- 
ceeded up Rock River, leaving the remnant of 
Stillman's force to guard the wounded and sup- 
plies at Dixon. No sooner had he left than the 
demoralized fugitives of a few days before de- 
serted their post for their homes, compelling At- 
kinson to return for the protection of his base of 
supplies, while Whiteside was ordered to follow 
the trail of Black Hawk who had started up the 
Kishwaukee for the swamjis about L.ake Kosh- 
konong. nearly west of Milwaukee within the 
present State of Wisconsin. 

At this point the really active stage of the 
campaign began. Black Hawk, leaving the 
women and children of his band in the fastnesses 
of the swamps, divided his followers into two 
bands, retaining about 200 under his own com- 
mand, while the notorious half-breed, MikeGirty, 
ledabandofone hundred renegadePottawatomies. 
Returning to the vicinity of Rock Island, he 
gathered some recruits from the Pottawatomies 
and Winnebagoes, and the work of rapine and 
massacre among the frontier settlers began. One 
of the most notable of these was the Indian 
Creek Massacre in LaSalle County, about twelve 
miles north of Ottawa, on May 21, when sixteen 
persons were killed at the Home of William 
Davis, and two young girls — Sylvia and Rachel 
Hall, aged, respective!)-, IT and hi years — were 
carried away captives. The girls were sulise- 
quently released, having been ransomed for $2,000 
in horses and trinkets through a Winnel)ago 
Chief and surrendered to sub-agent Henry 
Gratiot. Great as was the emergency at this 
juncture, the volunteers began to manifest evi- 
dence of dissatisfaction and, claiming th.at they 
had .serveil out their term of enlistment, refused 
to follow the Indians into the swamps of Wis 
consin. As the result of a council of war, the 
volunteers were ordered to Ottawa, where they 



012 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



were mustered out on May 28, hy Lieut. Robt. 
Anderson, afterwards General Anderson of Fort 
Sumter fame. Meanwlnle Governor Reynolds had 
issued his call (with that of 1831 the third.) for 
2,000 men to serve during the war. Gen. 
Winfield Scott was also ordered from the East 
with 1,000 regulars although, owing to cholera 
breaking out among the troops, they did not 
arrive in time to take part in the campaign. The 
rank and file of volunteers responding under the 
new call was 3,148, with recruits and regulars 
then in Illinois making an army of 4,000. Pend- 
ing the arrival of tlie troops under the new call, 
and to meet an immediate emergeTu-y, 300 men 
were enlisted from the disljanded rangers for a 
period of twenty daj-s, and organized into a 
regiment under command of Col. Jacob Fry, 
with James D. Henry as Lieutenant Colonel and 
John Thomas as Major. Among those who en- 
listed as privates in this regiment were Brig.- 
Gen. Whiteside and Capt. Abraham Lincoln. A 
regiment of five companies, numbering lOo men, 
from Putnam County uniler command of Col. 
John Strawn, and another of eight companies 
from Vermilion County vmder Col Isaac R. 
Moore, were organized and assigned to guard 
duty for a period of twenty days. 

The new volunteers were rendezvoused at Fort 
Wilbourn, nearly opposite Peru, June 15, and 
organized into tliree brigades, each consi-sting of 
three regiments and a spy battalion. The First 
Brigade (915 stron,g) was placed under command 
of Brig-Gen. Alexander Posey, the Second 
under Gen. Milton K. Alexander, and the third 
under Gen. James D. Henry. Others who served 
as officers in some of these several organizations, 
and afterwards became prominent in State his- 
tory, were Lieut. -Col. Gurdon S. Hubbard of the 
Vermilion County regiment; John A. McClern- 
and, on the .staff of General Posey; Maj. John 
Dement; then State Treasurer ; StinsonH. Ander- 
son, afterwards Lieutenant-Governor; Lieut. - 
Gov. Zadoc Casey; Maj., William McHenry; 
Sidney Breese (afterwards Judge of the State 
Supreme Court and United States Senator); \V. 
L. D. Ewing (as Major of a spy battalion, after- 
wards United States Senator and State Auditor) ; 
Alexander W. Jenkins (afterwards Lieutenant- 
Governor) ; James W. Semple (afterwards United 
States Senator) ; and William Weatherford (after- 
wards a Colonel in the Mexican War), and many 
more. Of the Illinois troops, Po.sey"s brigade 
was assigned to the duty of dispersing the Indians 
between Galena an<l Rock River, Alexander's sent 
to intercept Black Hawk up the Rock River, 



while Henry's remained with Gen. Atkinson at 
Dixon. During the next two weeks engage- 
ments of a more or less serious cliaracter were 
had on the Pecatonica on the southern border of 
tlie present State of Wisconsin; at Apple River 
Fort fourteen miles east of (ialena, which was 
successfully defended against a force under Black 
Hawk himself, and at Kellogg's Grove the next 
day (June 25), when the same band ambushed 
Maj. Dement 's spy battalion, and came near in- 
flicting a defeat, which was prevented by 
Dement's coolness and the tinielj- arrival of re- 
inforcements. In the latter engagement the 
whites lost five killed besides 47 horses which had 
been tethered outside their lines, the loss of the 
Indians being sixteen killed. Skirmishes also 
occurred with varying results, at Pluiu River 
Fort, Burr Oak Grove. Sinsiniwa and Blue 
Mounds — the last two within the present State of 
Wisconsin. 

Believing the bulk of the Indians to be camped 
in tlie vicinity of Lake Koshkonong, General 
Atkinson left Dixon June 27 with a combined 
force of regulars and volunteers numbering 2,600 
men — the volunteers being under the command 
of General Henry. They readied the outlet of the 
Lake July 2. but found no Indians, being joined 
two days later by General Alexander's brigade, and 
on the 6th by Gen. Posey's. From here the com- 
mands of Generals Henry and Alexander were 
sent for .supplies to Fort Winnebago, at tlie Port- 
age of tlie Wisconsin; Colonel Ewing, with the 
Secoml Regiment of Posey's brigade descending 
Rock River to Dixon, Posey with the remainder, 
going to Fort Hamilton for the protection of 
settlers in the lead-mining region, while Atkin- 
son, advancing with the regulars up Lake Koshko- 
nong, began the erection of temporary fortifica- 
tions on Bark River near the site of the present 
village of Fort Atkinson. At Fort Winnebago 
Alexander and Henrj- obtained evidence of the 
actual location of Black Hawk's camp through 
Pierre Poipiette, a half-breed scout and trader 
in the employ of the American Fur Company, 
whom they employed with a number of Winne- 
bagos to act as guides. From tliis point Alex- 
ander's command returned to General Atkinson's 
headquarters, carrying with them twelve day's 
jirovisions for the main army, while General 
Henry 'si 600 strong), with Major Dodge's battalion 
Tuimbering 150. with an ecjual (juaiitity of supplies 
for themselves, started under the guidance of 
Poquette and his Winnebago aids to find Black 
Hawk's camp. Arriving on the 18th at the 
Winnebago tillage on Rock River where Black 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



G13 



Hawk and liis haml liad been located, their camp 
was found deserted, the Winnebagos insisting 
that thej' Iiad gone to Cranberry (now Horicon) 
Lake, a Iialf-day's niarcli iip the river. Messen- 
gers were immediately dispatched to Atkinson's 
lieadquarters, tliirty-five miles distant, to ap- 
prise him of this fact. When they had proceeded 
about Iialf the distance, they struck a broad, 
fresh trail, wliicli proved to be that of Black 
Hawk's band headed we.stward toward tlie Mis- 
sissippi. The guide having de.serted them in 
order to warn his tribesmen that further dis- 
sembling to deceive the whites as to 
the wheieabouts of the Sacs was use- 
less, the messengers were compelled to follow 
liim to General Henry's camp. The discovery pro- 
duced the wildest enthusiasm among the volun- 
teers, and from tliis time-events followed in rapid 
succession. Leaving as far as possible all incum- 
brances behind, tlie pursuit of tlie fu juives was 
begun without delay, the troops wading tlirough 
swamps sometimes in water to their armpits. 
Soon evidence of the character of the flight the 
Indians were making, in the shape of exhausted 
horses, blankets, and camp equipage cast aside 
along the trail, liegan to appear, and straggling 
bands of Winnebagos, who had now begun to 
desert Black Hawk, gave information that the 
Indians were only a few miles in advance. On 
the evening of the 20th of July Henry's forces 
encamped at "The Four Lakes," the present 
site of the cit J' of Madison, Wis., Black Hawk's 
force l}'ing in ambush the ,same night .seven or 
eight miles distant. During the next afternoon 
the rear-guard of the Indians under Neapope was 
overtaken and skirmishing continued until the 
bluffs of the Wisconsin were readied. Black 
Hawk's avowed object was to protect the passage 
of the main body of his people across the stream. 
The loss of the Indians in these skirniislies has 
been estimated at 40 to G8, wliile Black Hawk 
claimed that it was only six killed, the loss of 
the whites being one killed and eight wounded. 
During tlie night Black Hawk succeeded in 
placing a considerable number of the women and 
children and old men on a raft and in canoes 
obtained from the Winnebagos, and sent them 
down tiie river, believing that, as non-combat- 
ants, they would be permitted by the regulars 
to pass Fort Crawford, at the mouth of the Wis- 
consin, undisturbed. In tliis he was mistaken. 
A force sent from the fort under Colonel Ritner to 
intercept tliem, fired mercilessly upon the help- 
less fugitives, killing fifteen of tlieir number, 
while about fifty were drowned and thirty-two 



women and children made prisoners. The re- 
mainder, escaping into the woods, with few ex- 
ceptions died from starvation and exposure, or 
were massacred by their enemies, the Menomi- 
nees, acting under white officers. During the 
night after the battle of Wisconsin Heights, a 
loud, shrill voice of some one speaking in an un- 
known tongue was lieard in the direction where 
Black Hawk's band was supposed to be. This 
cau.sed .something of a panic in Henry's camp, as 
it was supposed to come from some one giving 
orders for un attack. It was afterwards learned 
that the speaker was Neapope spealdng in the 
Winnebago language in the hope that he might 
be heard b}' Poquette and the Winnebago guides. 
He was describing the helpless condition of his 
people, claiming that the war had been forced 
upon them, that their women and children were 
starving, and that, if permitted peacefully to re- 
cross tlie Mississippi, they would give no further 
trouble. Unfortunately Poquette and the other 
guides had left for Fort Winnebago, so that no 
one was there to translate Neapope's appeal and 
it failed of its object. 

General Henry 's force having discovered that the 
Indians had escaped — Black Hawk heading with 
the bulk of his warriors towards the Mississippi — 
•spent the next and day night on the field, but on 
the followingday (July 23) started to meet General 
Atkinson, who had, in the meantime, been noti- 
fied of the pursuit. The head of their columns 
met at Blue Mounds, the same evening, a com- 
plete junction between the regulars and the 
volunteers being effected at Helena, a de.serted 
village on the Wisconsin. Here by using the 
logs of the deserted cabins for rafts, the army 
cros.sed the river on the 2Tth and the 2Hth and the 
pursuit of black Hawk's fugitive band was re- 
newed. Evidence of their famishing condition 
was found in the trees stripped of bark for food^ 
the carcasses of dead ponies, with here and there 
the dead body of an Indian. 

On August 1, Black Hawk's dejileted and famish- 
ing band reached the Mississippi two miles below 
the mouth of the Bad Ax, an insignificant 
stream, and immediately began trying to cross 
the river ; but having onlj' two or three canoes, 
the work was slow. About the middle of the 
afternoon the steam transport, "Warrior," ap- 
peared on the scene, having on board a score of 
regulars and volunteers, returning from a visit 
to the village of the Siou.x Chief, Wabasha, to 
notify liini that his oUl enemies, the Sjics, were 
headed in that direction. Black Hawk raised the 
white fiag in token of surrender^ but the officer 



614 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



in command claiming that he feared treachery or 
an ambusli, demanded that Black Ilawk should 
come on board. Tliis he was unable to do, as he 
had no canoe. After waiting a few minutes a 
murderous fire of canister and musketry was 
opened from tlie steamer on the few Indians on 
shore, who made such feeble resistance as they 
were able. The result was the killing of one 
white man and twentj-three Indians. After this 
exploit the "Warrior" proceeded to Prairie du 
Chien. twelve or fifteen miles distant, for fuel. 
During the night a few more of the Indians 
crossed the river, but Black Hawk, seeing the 
hopelessness of further resistance, accompanied 
by the Prophet, and taking with him a party of 
ten warriors and tliirty-five .squaws and children, 
fled in the direction of "the dells" of the Wis- 
consin. On the murningof the 2d General Atkinson 
arrived witliin four or five miles of the Sac 
position. Disposing his forces with the regulars 
and Colonel Dodge's rangersin the center, the brig- 
ades of Posey and Alexander on the riglit and 
Henry's on the left, he began the pursuit, but 
was drawn by the Indian decoyr. up the river 
from the place where the main body of the 
Indians were trying to cross the stream. This 
had the effect of leaving General Henry in the rear 
practically without orders, but it became the 
means of making his command the prime factors 
in the climax which followed. Some of the spies 
attached to Henrj-'s command having accidental- 
ly discovered tlie trail of the main body of the fu- 
gitives, he began the pursuit without waiting for 
orders and soon found himself engaged with some 
300 savages, a force nearly equal to his own. It 
was here that the only thing like a regular battle 
occurred. The savages fought with the fury of 
despair, while Henry's force was no doubt nerved 
to greater deeds of courage by the insult which 
they conceived had been put upon them by Gen- 
eral Atkinson. Atkinson, hearing the battle in 
progress and discovering that he was being led 
off on a false scent, soon joined Henry's force 
with his main army, and the steamer " Warrior," 
arriving from Prairie <lu Chien. opened a fire of 
canister upon the pent-up Indians. The l)attle 
soon degenerated into a massacre. In the course 
of the three hours through wliicji it lasted, itises- 
timated that 150 Indians were killed by fire from 
the troops, an etiual number of both sexes and 
all ages drowned while attempting to cross tlie 
river or by being driven into it. while about .W 
(chiefly women an<l children) were made prison- 
ers The loss of the whites was 20 killed and 13 
wounded. When the "battle" was nearing its 



close it is said that Black Hawk, having repented 
the abandonment of his people, retmned within 
sight of the battle-ground, but seeing the slaugh- 
ter in progress which he was powerless to avert, he 
turned and, with a howl of rage and horror, fled 
into the forest. About 300 Indians (mostly non- 
combatants) succeeded in crossing the river in a 
condition of exhaustion from hunger and fatigue, 
but these were set upon by the Sioux xmder Chief 
Wabasha, through the suggestion and agency of 
General Atkinson, and nearly one-half their num- 
ber exterminated. Of the remainder many died 
from wounds and exhaustion, while still others 
perished while attempting to reach Keokuk's band 
who had refused to join in Black Hawk's desper- 
ate venture. Of one thousand who crossed to the 
east side of the river with Black Hawk in April, 
it is estimated that not more than 150 survived 
the tragic events of the next four months. 

General Scott, having arrived at Prairie du Chien 
early in August, assumed command and, on 
August 15, mustered out the volunteers at Dixon, 
111. After witnessing the bloody climax at the 
Bad Axe of his ill-starred invasion, Black Hawk 
fled to the dells of the Wisconsin, where he and 
the Prophet surrendered themselves to the Win. 
nebagos, by whom they were delivered to the 
Indian Agent at Prairie du Chien. Having been 
taken to Fort Armstrong on September 21, he 
there signed a treaty of peace. Later he was 
taken to Jefferson Barracks (near St. Louis) in 
the custod}- of Jefferson Davis, then a Lieutenant 
in the regular army, where he was held a captive 
during the following winter. The connection of 
Davis with the Black Hawk War, mentioned by 
many historians, seems to have been confined to 
this act. In April, 1833, with the Prophet and 
Neapope, he was taken to Washington and then 
to Fortress Monroe, where tliey were detained as 
prisoners of war until June 4, when they were 
released. Black Hawk, after being taken to many 
principal cities in order to impress him with the 
strength of the American nation, was brought to 
Fort Armstrong, and there committed to the 
guardianship of his rival, Keokuk, but survived 
this humiliation only a few years, dj'ing on a 
small reservation set apart for him in Davis 
County. Iowa. October 3, 1838. 

Such is the story of the Black Hawk War, the 
most notable struggle with the aborigines in Illi- 
nois history. At its beginning both the State 
and national authorities were grossly misled by 
an exaggerated estimate of the strength of Black 
Hawk's force as to numbers and his plans for 
recovering the site of his old village, while 



HISTOliK'zVL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



G15 



Black Hawk had conceived a low estimate of the 
nuinbei's and courage of liis white enemies, es- 
pecially after the Stillman defeat. The cost of 
the war to the State and nation in money has been 
estimated at Si.OOO.OOO, and in sacrifice of life 
on both sides at not less than 1.'.3<I0. The loss of 
life by the troops in irregular skirmishes, and in 
massacres of settlers by the Indians, aggregated 
about 250, while an equal number of regulars 
perished from a visitation of cholera at the 
various stations within tiie district affected by 
the war, especially at Detroit, Chicago, Fort 
Armstrong and Galena. Yet it is the judgment 
of later historians that nearly all this sacrifice of 
life and treasure might have been avoided, but 
for a series of blunders due to the blind or un- 
scrupulous policy of officials or interloping squat- 
ters upon lands which the Indians had occupied 
under the treaty of 1804. A conspicious blunder — 
to call it by no harsher name — was 
the violation by Stillman's command of the 
rules of civilized warfare in the attack made 
upon Black Hawk"s me.ssengers, sent under 
flag of truce to request a conference to settle 
terms under which he might return to the west 
side of the Mississippi — an act which resulted in 
a humiliating and disgraceful defeat for its 
authors and proved the first step in actual war. 
Another misfortune was the failure to understand 
Neapope's appeal for peace and permission for his 
people to pass beyond the Mississippi the night 
after the battle of Wisconsin Heights; and the 
third and most inexcu.sable blunder of all, was 
the refusal of the officer in command of the 
" Warrior " to respect Black Hawk's flag of truce 
and request for a conference just before the 
bloody massacre which has gone into history 
under the name of the '' battle of the Bad Axe." 
Either of these events, properly availed of, would 
have prevented much of the butchery of tliat 
bloody episode which has left a stain upon the 
page of hi.story, although this statement implies 
no disposition to detract from the patriotism ami 
courage of .some of the leading actors upon whom 
the responsibility was placed of protecting the 
frontier settler from outrage and massacre. One 
of the features of the war was the bitter jealousy 
engendered by the unwise policy pursued by 
General Atkinson towards some of the volun- 
teers — especially the treatment of General James 
D. Henry, who, although snbjecteil to repeated 
sliglits and insults, is regarded by Governor Ford 
and others as the real hero of the war. Too 
brave a soldier to shirk any responsibility and 
too modest to exploit his own deeds, he felt 



deeply the studied purpose of his superior to 
ignore him in the conduct of the campaign — a 
purpose which, as in the affair at the Bad Axe, 
was defeated by accident or by General Henry's 
soldierly sagacity and attention to duty, although 
he gave out to the public no utterance of com- 
plaint. Broken in health by the hardships and 
exposures of the campaign, he went South soon 
after the war and died of consumption, unknown 
and almost alone, in the city of New Orleans, less 
two years later. 

Aside from contemporaneous newspaper ac- 
counts, monographs, and manuscripts on file 
In public liliraries relating to this epoch in State 
history, the most comprehensive records of the 
Black Hawk War are to be found in the " Life of 
Black Hawk, " dictated by himself (1834) ; Wake- 
field's "History of the War between the United 
States and the Sac and Fox Nations" (1834); 
Drake's" Life of Black Hawk" (1854); Ford's 
"History of Illinois" (1854); Reynolds' " Pio- 
neer History of Illinois; and "My Own Times"; 
Davidson & Stuve's and Moses' Histories of Illi- 
nois ; Blanchard's " The Northwest and Chicago" ; 
Armstrong's "The Sauks and the Black Hawk 
War," and Reuben G. Thwaites "Story of the 
Black Hawk War" (1892.) 

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, a village in the southern 
part of Cook County, twenty-eight miles south of 
the central part of Chicago, on tlie Chicago & 
Eastern Illinois, the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern and 
the Michigan Central Raihoads; is located in an 
agricultural region, but has some manufactures 
as well as good schools — also has one newspaper. 
Population (1900), 5,100. 

GRANITE, a city of Madison County, located 
five miles north of St. Louis on the lines of the 
Burlington; the Chicago & Alton; Cleveland, 
Cincin^uiti, Chicago & St. Louis; Chicago, Peoria 
& St. Louis (Illinois), and the Wabash Railways. 
It is adjacent to the Merchants' Terminal Bridge 
across the Mississippi and has considerable manu- 
facturing and grain-storage business; has two 
new.spapers. Population (1900), 3,122. 

HAI5LEM, a village of Proviso Town.ship, Cook 
County, and suburb of Chicago, on the line gf the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, nine miles 
west of the terminal station at Chicago. Harlem 
originally embraced the village of Oak Park, now 
a part of the city of Chicago, but, in 1884, was set 
off and incorporated as a village. Considerable 
manufacturing is done here. Population (1900), 
4,085. 

HARVEY, a city of Cook County, and an im- 
portant manufacturing suburb of tlie city of Chi- 



616 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



cago, tliree miles soutlivvest of the southern city 
limits. It is on the line of the Illinois Central 
and the Chicago & Graml Trunk Railways, and 
has extensive manufactures of harvesting, street 
and steam railway niaohinerj', gasoline stoves, 
enameled ware, etc. ; also has one newspaper and 
ample .school facilities. Population (1900), 5,30.5. 

IOWA CENTRAL RAILWAY, a railway line 
having its principal termini at Peoria, 111., and 
Manly Junction, nine miles north of Mason City, 
Iowa, with several lateral branches making con- 
nections with Centerville, Newton, State Center, 
Story City, Algona and Northwood in the latter 
State. The total length of line owned, leased 
and operated by the Company, officiallj* reported 
in 1899, was .508.98 miles, of which 89.76 miles- 
including 3.5 miles trackage facilities on the 
Peoria & Pekin Union between Iowa Junction 
and Peoria — were in Illinois. The Illinois divi- 
sion extends from Keithsburg — where it enters 
the State at the crossing of the Mississippi — to 
Peoria.— (History.) The Iowa Central Railway 
Company was originallj' chartered as the Central 
Railroad Company of Iowa and the road com- 
pleted in October, 1871. In 1873 it passed into 
the hands of a receiver and, on June 4, 1879, was 
reorganized under the name of the Central Iowa 
Railway Company. In May, 1883, this company 
purchased the Peoria & Farniington Railroad, 
which was incorporated into the main line, but 
defaulted and passed into the hands of a receiver 
December 1, 1880; the line was sold under fore- 
closure in 1887 and 1888, to the Iowa Central 
Railway Company, which had effected a new 
organization on the basis of 811,000,000 common 
stock, $6,000,000 preferred stock and $1,379,625 
temporary debt certificates convertible into pre- 
ferred stock, and §7,500,000 first mortgage bonds. 
The transaction was completed, the receiver dis- 
charged and the road turned over to the new 
company. May 15, 1889.— (Finan'ci.\l). The total 
capitalization of the road in 1899 was §21,337,558, 
of which $14,159,180 was in stock, .$6,6.50,095 in 
bonds and .$.528,283 in other forms of indebtedness. 
The total earnings and income of the line in Illi- 
nois for the same year were $532,568, and the ex- 
penditures $.566,333. 

SPARTA, a city of Randolph County, situated 
on the Centralia & Chester and the Mobile & 
Ohio Railroads, twenty miles northwest of Ches- 
ter and fifty miles southeast of St. Louis. It has 



a number of manufacturing establishments, in- 
cluding plow factories, a woolen mill, a cannery 
and creameries; also has natural gas. The first 
settler was James McClurken, from South Caro- 
lina, who settled here in 1818. He was joined by 
James Armour a few years later, who bought 
land of McClurken, and together they laid out 
a village, which first received the name of Co- 
lumbus. About the same time Robert G. Shan- 
non, who had been conducting a mercantile busi- 
ness in the vicinity, located in the town and 
became the first Postmaster. In 1839 the name 
of the town was changed to Sparta. Mr. McClur- 
ken, its earliest settler, appears to have been a 
man of considerable enterprise, as he is credited 
with having built the first cotton gin in this vi- • 
einity, besides still later, erecting saw and flour 
mills and a woolen mill. Sparta was incorporated 
as a village in 1837 and in 1859 as a city. A col- 
ony of members of the Reformed Presbyterian 
Church (Covenanters or "Seceders") established 
at Eden, a beautiful site about a mile from 
Sparta, about 1822, cut an important figure in 
the history of the latter place, as it became the 
means of attracting here an industrious and 
thriving population. At a later period it became 
one of the most important stations of the "Under- 
ground Railroad" (so called) in Illinois (which 
see). The population of Sparta (1890) was 1,979; 
(1900), 2,041. 

TOLUCA, a city of Marshall County situated 
on tlie line of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe 
Railroad, 18 miles southwest of Streator. It is in 
the center of a rich agricultural district; has the 
usual church and educational facilities of cities 
of its rank, and two newspapers. Population 
(1900), 3,629. 

WEST HAMMOND, a village situated in the 
northeast corner of Thornton Townsliip, Cook 
County, adjacent to Hammond, Ind.. from which 
it is separated by the Indiana State line. It is on 
the Michigan Central Railroad, one mile south of 
the Chicago City limits, and has convenient ac- 
cess to several other lines, including the Chicago 
& Erie; New York. Chicago & St. Louis, and 
Western Indiana Railroads. Like its Indiana 
neighbor, it is a manufacturing center of much 
imi>ortance, was incorporated as a village in 
1892, and has grown rapidly within the last few 
years, liaving a i)opulation, according to the cen- 
sus of 1900, of 2,935. 



LEE COUNTY 



TmaeNomTH 




Tp. 10 MOATH 
D E. K A L B COUNTY 



TW. 3» Monrtt. 



1 




LEE COUNTY COURT HOUSE, DIXON, 1900-19U1. 




THE O. R. DODGE LIHRARV BUILDING, DIXON'. 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY 



BY 



^^yrr^c:^-«»-^ 



CHAPTER L 



GENERAL HISTORY. 



INTRODUCTION TREATY OF PRAIRIE DU CHIEN 

CESSION OF INDIAN LANDS COUNTY AND 

TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION EARLY ROADS AND 

BRIDGES COURTS AND COURT HOUSES — COUN- 
TY-SEAT CONTESTS CIRCUIT JUDGES MEMBERS 

OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY COUNTY OFFICERS LEE 

COUNTY IN CIVIL WAR — STEAM AND ELECTRIC 

RAILROADS — DRAINAGE SYSTEMS TORNADO 

EARLY MARKETS — SCHOOLS STATE ROADS. 

FOREWORD.— In keeping with the general 
aim and purpose of the foregoing "Historical 
Encyclopedia of Illinois," the matter embraced 
in the following pages, constituting a part 
of the Special Lee County Edition, does 
not profess to be a narrative history, 
but rather a bringing-together in as con- 
cise form as practicable, of matters of 
historic interest without elaboration or em- 
bellishment. Much labor has been be- 
stowed on verification of statements, names 
and dates. To this end old settlers and official 
records have been consulted as far as possible, 
and the manuscript of most of the towns has 
been submitted to persons well posted in the 
early history of the particular locality. In the 
619 — I 



case of the towns of Reynolds, Viola, East 
Grove, South Dixon, May and Marion, the in- 
formation has been obtained largely from his- 
tories heretofore published; but in the case of 
the remaining sixteen towns, facts have been 
procured from , various other sources as well, 
with a constant eye to accuracy of statement 
and avoidance of mistakes. By the exercise of 
such precautions, many misstatements found 
in other publications have been omitted and 
considerable new matter ■ incorporated. While 
errors are well nigh unavoidable in a work of 
this character, where so many names and dates 
are involved and where the sources of infor- 
mation are necessarily more or less . fallible, 
it is hoped that we have succeeded in reducing 
such shortcomings to the minimum. 

The reader is to understand that, when pres- 
ent conditions are mentioned or the present 
tense used, September 1, 1903, is the date re- 
ferred to, unless otherwise indicated. 



All the northern part of Illinois was ceded 
to the United States by the United Nations of 
Chippewa. Ottawa and Pottawatomie Indians, 
by treaty made at Prairie du Chien, July 28, 
1829. The language of the cession is: "All 
lands comprehended within the following lim- 
its, to-wit: Beginning at the Winnebago Vil- 
lage on Rock River forty miles from the mouth, 
and running thence down the Rock River to a 
line which runs due west from the most south- 
ern bend of Lake Michigan to the Mississippi 
River, and with that line to the Mississippi op- 



620 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



posite to Rock Island; thence up that river to 
the United States reservation at the Mouth of 
Ouisconsin (Wisconsin); thence with the south 
and east lines of said reservation to the Ouis- 
consin River; thence southerly passing the 
heads of the" small streams emptying into the 
Mississippi to the Rock River aforesaid at the 
Winnebago Village, the place of beginning. 
And also one other tract of land described as 
follows, to-wit: Beginning on the west shore 
of Lake Michigan at the northeast corner of 
the field of Antoine Ouilmette, who lives near 
Gross Point, about twelve miles north of Chi- 
cago, thence running due west to the Rock 
River aforesaid; thence down the said river to 
where a line drawn due west from the most 
southern bend of Lake Michigan crosses said 
river; thence east along said line to the Fox 
River of the Illinois; thence along the north- 
western boundary line of the cession of 1816 
to Lake Michigan; thence northwardly along 
the western shore of said lake to place of be- 
ginning." 

Certain reservations were made, and among 
them this: "To Madeline, a Pottawatomie 
woman, wife of Joseph Ogee, one Section west 
o.f and adjoining the tract herein granted to 
Pierre Leclaire at the PawPaw Grove." Two 
sections were also reserved for Shab-eh-nay at 
his village near PawPaw Grove. 

In consideration of this extensive grant the 
United States agreed to pay said Nations, at 
Chicago, $16,000 in specie, annually forever, and 
to cause to be delivered to them the next Octo- 
ber $12,000 worth of goods as a present, and also 
to deliver fifty barrels of salt annually to them 
at Chicago, "and to make permanent for the use 
of the said Indians the blacksmith's establish- 
ment at Chicago." 

This instrument is signed by the Government 
Commissioners and by thirty-five chiefs and 
warriors; and among the witnesses are Zach- 
ary Taylor, subsequently President of the 
United States. 

County and Township Organization. — In 
December, 1836, the original county of Ogle 
was formed, embracing the present county of 
Lee, Ogle having theretofore belonged to Jo 
Daviess County. At a closely contested election 
less than 200 votes were polled In the county, 
a residence of six months being at that time 
sufficient. 

February 27, 1839, an act passed the General 
Assembly creating the County of Lee. Com- 



missioners from neighboring parts of the State 
formally located the county-seat where the 
Court House now stands. May 31, 1839. 

From the organization of the county until the 
adoption of the township organization system 
in 1850, all the county and township business 
was transacted by three County Commissioners, 
under the style of the Commissioners' Court. 
(See County OflBcers.) For convenience of vot- 
ing, the county was divided into election pre- 
cincts by the Commissioners who appointed the 
judges of election. They appointed an assessor 
and collector for the whole county. 

The County Commissioners held their first 
session September 13, 1839. At a meeting four 
days later, their only business, besides allow- 
ing bills, was to grant a license to Howe & 
Sons "to exhibit a circus." Thus early was the 
matter of amusements looked after by the 
governing body. March 4, 1840, they divided 
the county into sixteen road districts, and ap- 
pointed a supervisor for each. On the 30th of 
same month they established the following 
election precincts: Gap Grove, Dixon, Frank- 
lin, Malugin, Inlet and Winnebago. 

July 19, 1850, Joseph Crawford, Harvey Mor- 
gan and Lorenzo D. Wasson, commissioners ap- 
pointed by the County Court, reported that, in 
pursuance of act of the Legislature of Febru- 
ary 12, 1849, relating to township organization, 
they had divided the county into townships 
as follows: PawPaw, Towns 37, 38 and 39 
North, Range 2 E. of Third Principal Merid- 
ian; Brooklyn, Towns 37, 38 and 39 N., R. 1 E.; 
Hanno, T. 19 N., R. 11 E. Fourth P. M.; Lee 
Center, T. 20 N., R. 11 E.; Bradford, T. 21 N., 
R. 11 E. and south half of T. 22 N., R. 11 E.; 
Hamilton, Towns 19 N., Ranges 8, 9 and 10 E. 
and T. 20 N, R. 8 E. and south half of T. 20 N., 
R. 9 E.; Amboy, T. 20 N., R. 10 E. and north 
half of T. 20 N., R 9 E.; Fremont, T. 21 N., R. 
10 E. and south part of T. 22 N., R. 10 E. in Lee 
County; Dixon, T. 21 N., R. 9 E. and that part 
of T. 22 N., R. 9 E. in Lee County, and that 
part of T. 21 N., R. 8 E. lying south of river; 
Palmyra, that part of T. 22 N., R. 8 E. in Lee 
County and that part of T. 21 N., R. 8 E., lying 
north of river. 

It is a little singular that, on the 14th day of 
May. 1850, before the above report was made, 
the Board of Supervisors met in Its first ses- 
sion: Present, Daniel Baird, David Searles, 
C. R. Dewey, Charles Starks, Henry A. Coe and 
G. R. Linn. Linn was chairman. What towns 



I 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



621 



were thus represented, or by what authority 
they convened, does not appear. At this meet- 
ing "the town formerly called Fremont" was 
changed to China, and "the town formerly called 
PawPaw" was changed to Wyoming. 

In 1850 the assessed value of real estate in 
the county was $215,360 and of personal prop- 
erty $168,341. The average monthly wages to 
farm hands was $12; the average pay to day 
laborers was 63 cents per day, with board, and 
75 cents per day without board; carpenters, 
$1.50 per day; female domestics, $1.25 per week; 
board for laborers, $1.50 per week. 

In 1850 an academy was in operation at Lee 
Center with two teachers and 40 pupils, and 
there were 46 teachers and 1,518 pupils in the 
public schools. In this year the capital invested 
in the manufacture of harvesters, plows, lime, 
lumber, flour and other products was $24,300, 
and the output was valued at $5,000 per annum. 

The population of the entire county in 1840 
was 2,035. In 1845 it had increased to 3,282; in 
1850, to 5,289; in 1870, to 27,138; in 1880, to 
30,186; in 1890 it dropped to 26,187; in 1900 
it rose to 29,894. 

It may be worth while to observe that the 
total amount of taxes to be collected by town- 
ships in the County, in 1852, was as follows: 
Amboy, $740.35; Harmon, $702.14; Bradford, 
$223.66; Wyoming, $805.62; Hamilton, $448.88; 
Palmyra, $1,135.53; Brooklyn, $368.42; Lee Cen- 
ter, $463.55; Dixon, $8,738.65. 

To F. R. Butcher, who located in Dixon in 
1838 and two years later at Rocky Ford, and 
who became prominently identified with Am- 
boy, belongs the honor of having given the 
county its name. This seems to be conceded; 
no one questions his right. It is supposed to 
have been named for Richard Henry Lee, the 
"Light Horse Harry" of Revolutionary fame. 

The Kellogg Trail from Peoria to Galena, 
which was the first defined line of travel be- 
tween the two points, was run by O. W. Kellogg, 
who settled at Buffalo Grove (now Polo), and 
was a brother-in-law to John Dixon, in 1827. 
Mrs. E. B. Baker, still living in Dixon, was his 
daughter. This trail is frequently referred to 
in the histories of the northern part of the 
State, particularly in connection with the Black 
Hawk war. It entered the territory of Lee 
County after passing "Dad Joe's Grove," and 
crossed Green River on the west line of north- 
west quarter of Section 35, in the Town of 
Marion, early owned by David Welty and now 



the property of his son Charles. Here was 
constructed the only bridge m those days over 
the river. The trail was the stage route from 
Peoria to Galena. A turnpike was built about a 
mile long which could be traveled only on pay- 
ing toll. (See Marion.) At the north end of 
the pike, Mr. Welty built a large log house, 
forty-two feet long, which for years served as a 
tavern for the wayfarers. It was also a stage 
station and appears on early maps of the county 
as Scottville. 

Levels taken at the time of the original sur- 
vey of the Illinois Central Railroad, indicate 
that Sublette is 178 feet higher than Amboy, 
while Eldena is 60 feet higher, and Dixon 54 
feet lower than that city. 

The first telephone line to enter the county 
was that of the Central Union Telephone Com- 
pany, which was granted a franchise by the 
City of Dixon, July 6, 1881. 

The Lee County Telephone Company was in- 
corporated April 16, 1897, with J. H. Thomp- 
son. I. B. Countryman, C. F. Emerson and W. 
C. Dysart as its first Board of Directors. Its 
present officers are L, D. Pitcher, President and 
General Manager; Louis A. Pitcher, Superinten- 
dent and Secretary; J. C. Ayres, Treasurer. 

A bridge was built across Rock River at 
Grand Detour and completed for travel, in the 
spring or early fall of 1902, at the joint ex- 
pense of Lee and Ogle counties. Special or- 
ders were drawn on the Treasurer of Lee 
County for $28,870.46, to meet its portion of 
the cost. 

While on the subject of bridges, it is inter- 
esting to observe that, in 1S43, the Legislature 
passed an act for the incorporation of a com- 
pany to build a bridge across the river at 
Grand Detour to be known as the Rock River 
Bridge Company. Solon Cumins, George Gush- 
ing and Solomon C. Cotton were authorized to 
open subscription of stock. Again, in 1855, an- 
other company was organized by the Legisla- 
ture, under the name of the Grand Detour 
Bridge Company; Leonard Andrews (Andrus), 
J. W. D. Gushing and Solon Cumins were the 
commissioners to receive subscriptions of stock. 
It does not appear that anything practical was 
accomplished under either act. 

Courts and Court Houses. — In September, 
1837. the first Court in Ogle County was held at 
Dixon, what is now Lee County being then in- 
cluded in Ogle. Judge Dan Stone, of Galena, 
presided, and appointed Thomas Ford, after- 



622 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



wards Governor of the State. Prosecuting At- 
torney. Later Ford became Judge of the same 
court. The session was held in a building for- 
merly used as a blacksmith shop, which had 
been rendered reasonably suitable by laying 
floor, plastering and other repairs. 

In 1840 the first Court House was built in 
Court House Square, at a cost of $7,000, which 
was paid by donations. Father Dixon gave the 
block or "square," and it is commonly under- 
stood that he also gave eighty acres of land. 
He conveyed the block to the county by deed, 
dated March 7, 1840, and recorded in the Re- 
corder's Office, in Book "A" of Deeds, p. 10. The 
first jail was built the same year and was lo- 
cated on the southeast corner of Second Street 
and Ottawa Avenue, where the residence of Mr. 
W. J. McAlpine now stands, No. 204 Ottawa 
Avenue. 

The Court House was a square two-story 
brick building, and in the fall of 1867 its length 
southward was nearly doubled, and a porch with 
imposing columns added to the front at a cost 
of $7,000. In 1871 a fire-proof one-story brick 
addition was built as a vault and paid tor by 
the town of Dixon, with the aid of small ap- 
propriations from the towns of Nelson and Pal- 
myra, on the east side, costing |3,000. Prior to 
this, and prqbably about 1860, a one-story brick 
office-building was built in the northwest cor- 
ner of the block. On the completion of the 
vault, this was torn down and the records ta- 
ken to the Court House. 

The first term of the Circuit Court of the 
new County of Lee was held on the third Mon- 
day of April, 1840, Judge Dan Stone presiding; 
Aaron Waklee, Sheriff; Shelton L. Hall, Circuit 
Attorney; George W. Chase, Clerk. (See Law 
Records A. p. 1.) 

In 1872 the county jail and Sheriff's resi- 
dence, now in use, was built at a cost of about 
$25,000. 

The present fine Court House is an orna- 
ment to the city, which is so fortunate as to 
possess it, and a credit to the county which 
was so progressive as to erect it. The Board 
of Supervisors to whom the honor must be 
accorded was composed of E. W. Smith, Chair- 
man; W. W. Gilmore, Hugh McGuirk, M. A. 
Crawford, Thomas M. Philips, M. A. Girton 
and Geo. W. Smith; Jas. Kirby, A. J. Tompkins, 
J. M. Trostle, Wm. S. Frost, E. C. Parsons. N. 
A. Cortright, Wm. Anderson, John W. Wads- 
worth, John M. Gardner, Hugh Fitzpatrick, 



Henry Shippert, W. W. Hardin, M. Sullivan, 
Geo. J. Barth, E. C. Lamb, F. L. Childs and F. 
E. Rogers — the first seven constituting the 
Building Committee with Supervisor Smith as 
chairman, he being also chairman of the Board. 
R. S. Farrand, then County Judge, and other 
county officers rendered valuable service by 
their cooperation. W. J. McAlpine was the 
contractor and Charles E. Bush the architect. 
The actual cost of the improvement, as shown 
by the records, is itemized thus: Building 
alone, $103,394.94; wooden furniture, $8,818.70; 
metal furnishings, $4,816; street wall, cement 
walks, grading, etc.. $7,174.14— Total, $124,- 
203.78. To meet the cost $90,000 of county bonds 
were issued, falling due in installments of $1,- 
000 each in annual payments, commencing in 
1905. The balance was raised by direct tax. 

The old Court House was vacated in March, 
1900. The September term of the Circuit Court 
of 1901 was held in the new building and the 
county officers were on duty in their new quar- 
ters. In the interim, while the building was be- 
ing constructed, the Schuler building. 401-403 
First Street, housed the various offices and 
served as a Court House. 

At the convening of the September term sim- 
ple appropriate exercises were had in observ- 
ance of the occasion. Judges Crabtree. Shaw 
and Baume, the three Judges of the Circuit, 
were on the bench. Judge Crabtree presiding. 
The new court room was crowded with specta- 
tors. Suitable remarks were made by members 
of the bar and others, to which the Judges in 
turn responded. 

The new building covers the ground occupied 
by the old. The cornerstone was laid by the 
Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. M. of Illinois, July 
17, 1900, and the event was otherwise honored 
by a fitting program, Judge Kohlsaat, of the 
United States District Court at Chicago, deliv- 
ering the address. 

County-seat Contests. — At the September 
term, 1896, a petition was filed with the County 
Clerk, praying that an election be ordered by 
the County Court to be held November 10th, on 
the question of removal of the County-seat from 
Dixon to Amboy. The election was ordered 
and the total number of votes cast on the sub- 
ject were 6,725, of which 4,115 were against re- 
moval. The fight was vigorous on both sides. 
Among the inducements offered by the Amboy 
party was the adoption of a resolution by the 
City Council to appropriate $I5,(I00 for the pur- 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



623 



chase of a Court-house site, and a subscription 
list filed in the County Cleric's office, payable 
to the Board of Supervisors, for $50,000 for the 
erection of county buildings in Amboy. 

The location of the county-seat had been a 
bone of contention from an early date, and only 
by the election above referred to was it finally 
settled. That was the only time when it was 
submitted to vote of the people; but a fight 
which may be called stalwart, if not bitter, was 
waged by Amboy in 1860, and another less de- 
termined, eight or nine years later. In those 
years it was only by special act of the Legisla- 
ture that the county-seat could be moved, and 
hence the wars were waged in the halls of leg- 
islation at Springfield. In 1860 Lee and White- 
side Counties were in one Legislative District, 
and the Amboy party, by combining with White- 
side, secured an enormous advantage in the elec- 
tion of Dr. George Ryan, of Paw Paw (after- 
wards of Amboy). as Representative in the Leg- 
islature, and Dr. R. F. Adams of Lee Center as 
Senator. The Dixon party set up Judge Heaton 
against Adams, but the latter was elected. 
Ryan and Adams, together with their home sup- 
porters, made themselves busy by the means 
prevalent in legislative bodies, in obtaining 
pledges and clinching them. Indeed, everything 
was culminating to their entire satisfaction 
and every sign was auspicious, when a force 
undreamed of appeared on the scene. It was 
the venerable, much beloved Father Dixon. His 
mildness of manner, his flowing white locks 
and winning face, accomplished their undoing 
as nothing else could have done. He met each 
member, many of whom already knew him per- 
sonally or by reputation; was invited to sit by 
the Speaker during the deliberations of the 
body; was the guest of honor at banquets, and 
was the social lion of the hour. Members who 
had promised to vote for the removal bill began 
to weaken as the time for action approached, 
saying they had not the heart to take the coun- 
ty-seat away from the town the genial old man 
had founded and which bore his honored name; 
and with this leaven working against it, to- 
gether with the shrewdness of James L. Camp, 
B. F. Shaw, J. C. Ayres and others, the bill was 
defeated. The attentions paid Father Dixon, 
however, had prostrated him. The change from 
his simple habits of life were too severe for his 
system. A special car on the Illinois Central 
\\as provided, and the old gentleman was car- 
ried to it on a stretcher and hurried home. 



Thus ended Amboy's first attempt to remove the 
coveted seat of government from Dixon. 

The next campaign was in 1869 or 1870 when 
Alonzo Kinyon of Amboy was In the Lower 
House of the Legislature. This belated effort, 
however, lacked the confidence and co-opera- 
tion of the active men of Amboy which charac- 
terized the former, and easily succumbed to the 
organized opposition of the Dixon contingent. 

Judges of Circuit Court. — For Circuit Court 
purposes Lee County has formed a part of dif- 
ferent circuits, as follows: Sixth Circuit from 
1840 to 1849; Twenty-second, from 1857; Third, 
from 1873; Thirteenth, from 1877, and from 
1S97 the Fifteenth, to which it still belongs. 

The Judges of the Circuit Court from the bar 
of Lee County have been as follows: J. V. Eus- 
tace, commissioned March 16, 1857, Twenty-sec- 
ond Circuit; W. W. Heaton. July 1, 1861, and 
June 7, 1867, Twenty-second Circuit; W. W. 
Heaton, June 16, 1873, Third Circuit, died De- 
cember 26, 1877, and was succeeded by J. V. 
Eustace, who was commissioned to Fifteenth 
Circuit, June 16, 1879, and June 16, 1885. He 
died December 13, 1887, and was succeeded by 
J. H. Cartwright, of Ogle County. J. D. Crab- 
tree was commissioned to same circuit June 
9, 18SS, to succeed Judge Bailey, of Stephenson 
County, deceased. He was again commissioned 
June 16, 1891, and June 8, 1897; died May 22, 

1902, and was succeeded by R. S. Farrand, who 
was commissioned August 1, 1902, and June 18, 

1903, being the present incumbent. All were 
elected, no vacancies having been filled by ap- 
pointment. 

Members of the Legislature. — State Sena- 
tors—Silas Noble, 1846-48; Richard F. Ad- 
ams, 1858-62; Jas. K. Edsall, 1870-72; Henry 
D. Dement, 1876-80; John D. Crabtree, 1886 
to May 29, 1888, when he resigned; Chas. H. 
Hughes, 1902, present incumbent. Represent- 
atives — Jos. Crawford, 1848-54; John V. Eustace. 
1856-58; George Ryan, 1860-62 and 1866-68; De- 
mas Harris, 1862-64; Obed W. Bryant, 1864-66; 
Alonzo Kinyon, 1868-70; Norman H. Ryan, 1870- 
72; Henry D. Dement, 1872-76; Abijah Powers, 
1876-78; Bernard H. 'Irusdell, 1876-80; Alex. P. 
Dysart, 1878-82; Solomon H. Bethea, 1882-84; 
John B. Felker, 1882-84; Chas. H. Ingalls, 1884- 
S6; Benj. H. Bradshaw, 1886-90; Sherwood 
Dixon, 1888-92; Luther W. Mitchell, 1890-92; 
Washington I. Guflfin, 1892-1900; Chas. H. 
Hughes, 1900-02. 



624 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



County Commissioners — At the first election 
in 1839 the full Board of three Commissioners 
was chosen. After this the term of one expired 
and his successor was elected each year. C. F. 
Ingalls, Nathan Whitney and J. P. Dixon con- 
stituted the first Beard, and their successors 
were as follows: A. E. Haskell, 1840; Joseph 
Crawford. 1841; 0. F. Ayres. 1842; J. C. Mor- 
gan, 1843; D. Baird, 1844; D. H. Birdsell, 1845; 
James Goble, 1846, to fill vacancy caused by 
Baird's resignation; Warren Badger, 1847; Ste- 
phen Fuller, 1848; John Gilmore, 1848, to fill 
vacancy to 1850, when township organization 
went into effect. 

County Judges — Harvey Morgan from 1839 to 
1843; Otis A. Eddy to 1847; Lorenzo Wood from 
November, 1849, to December 27, 1853; David 
Welty. from December. 1853, to December, 1861; 
William W. DeWolf, December, 1861, to No- 
\ ember 6. 1869; John D. Crabtree, November 
6, 1869, to December 1, 1877; James B. Char- 
ters, December 1, 1877, to December 1, 1882; 
Richard S. Farrand, December 1, 1882. to Au- 
gust 9. 1902; Robert H. Scott, by appointment. 
August 9, 1902, elected November 4, 1902, pres- 
ent incumbent. 

County Clerks- — Isaac S. Boardman, from 1839 
to June 7. 1843; Jas. P. Dixon, June to Septem- 
ber, 1843; Charles T. Chase. September, 1843, 
to 1849: J. B. Gregory. November 28, 1849, to 
November, 1853; Thomas W. Eustace. Decem- 
ber, 1853, to December 4. 1861; James A. Haw- 
ley, December 4. 1861, to December 1, 1882; 
Charles H. Gardner, to December, 1886; James 
H. Thompson, December, 1886, to November 24, 
1902; William C. Thompson, November 24, 1902, 
present incumbent. 

Clerks of Circuit Court — Geo. W. Chase, 
April, 1840, to 1841; C. T. Chase. 1841-51; N. F. 
Porter. 1851; Isaac S. Boardman. 1851-57; G. 
E. Haskell, 1857-59; Isaac S. Boardman in 1859; 
B. F. Shaw, 1859-68; J. N. Hyde. 1868-76; Rem- 
ington Warriner, 1876 to December 1, 1882; Ira 
W. Lewis, December 1, 1882, to December 7, 
]896; Arvene S. Hyde, December 7, 1896, to 
January 1, 1898; Ira W. Lewis, by appoint- 
ment, January 1, 1898, to December, 1898, 
elected November. 1898, to fill unexpired term 
of Arvene S. Hyde to December, 1900; Ira W. 
Lewis. December. 1900. present incumbent. 

Recorders — Michael Fellows, 1839-44; Edwin 
W. Kine, 1844-50, since which time the Clerk of 
the Circuit Court has served as ex-oflicio Re- 
corder. 



County Treasurers — John Morse, 1840-43; Na- 
than Morehouse. 1843-46; S. Parker, in 1846; 
W. W. Bethea, to 1850; Elias B. Stiles, 1850-57; 
Thomas B. Little, 1857-59; Elias B. Stiles, 1859- 
63; Joseph T. Little, 1863-71; Josiah Little, 
1871-75; Frederick A. Truman, 1875-79; Josiah 
Little, 1879-86; Chas. H. Hughes. 1886-90; Mich- 
ael M. Maloney, 1890-94; Chas. F. Welty, 1894- 
98; John M. Sterling, 1S98-1902; Walter B. 
Merriman, November. 1902. present incumbent. 

Sheriffs— A. Waklee, 1839-40; Aaron L. Por- 
ter, 1840-42; James Campbell, 1842-48; James 
Goble, 1848-51; Aaron L. Porter, 1851-53; Ozias 
Wheeler, in 1853; William Butler, to 1856; Ozi- 
as Wheeler, 1856-58; Lester Harding, 1858-60; 
Aaron L. Porter, 1860-62; Charles F. Lynn, 
1862-64; Rensselaer P. Treadwell. 1864-66; Tru- 
man L. Pratt, 1866-68; George M. Berkley, 1868- 
76; J. N. Hills, 1876-80; Walter Little, 1880-82; 
Isaac Edwards, 1882-86; William H. Woodyatt, 
1886-90; Geo. F. Stainbrook, 1890-94; Joseph 
L. Gray, 1894-98; Michael J. McGowan, 1898- 
1902: Chas. H. Wohnke. Nov. 24, 1902, present 
incumbent. 

Superitendent of Schools (First known as 
School Commissioner) — ^E. R. Mason, to 1840; 
Joseph T. Little. 1840-43; Daniel B. McKinney, 
1843-46; Lorenzo Wood. 1846-50; John V. Eus- 
tace, 1850-53; John Stevens, 1853-55; S. Wright, 
1855-57; James A. Hawley, 1857-59; John Hon- 
roe, 1859-61; W. H. Gardner. 1861-63; B. F. 
Atherton, 1863-65; James H. Preston, 1865-73; 
Daniel Carey, 1873-76; James H. Preston, 1876, 
to December, 1880; Samuel J. Howe. 1880 to 
November 2, 1886; P. M. James, 1886-90; Jay 
C. Edwards. 1890-94; J. F. Edwards, 1894 to No- 
vember 4, 1902, elected for third term Novem- 
ber, 1902, present incumbent. 

Surveyors — Joseph Crawford. 1839-44: S. H. 
Whitmore, 1844-46; S. Parker in 1846; C. Camp, 
1846-49; Joseph Crawford. 1849-55; A. W. Tink- 
ham, 1855-57; Milton Santee. 1857-61; K. P. 
Booth, 1861-63; W. B. Andrus, 1863-65; C. R. 
Hall, 1865-67; Wm. McMahan. 1867 to November 
7. 1882; Henry E. Wylie, 1882-88; L. B. Neigh- 
bor, 1888-92; Chas. C. Jacobs, 1892-96; Wm. B. 
McMahan. 1896-1900: L. B. Neighbor. Novem- 
ber, 1900, present incumbent. 

Cormiers — Samuel Johnson, 1839-41; John 
Lord. 1841-48; Sol. Parker. 1848-50; Jas. Goble, 
1850-54; D. B. McKinney. 1854-56; H. O. Kel- 
sey, 1856-64; Jos. Hatch, Jr.. 1864-66; H. Barrel], 
1866-70; A. E. Wilcox, 1870-80; J. C. Church, 
1880 to November, 1888; Wm. B. Andrus, 1888 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



625 



to December, 1899; Chas. T. Smith, 1899 to No- 
vember 6, 1900, at which date he was elected 
for third term. 

State's Attorney— W'm. E. Ives, 1872-76; A. C. 
Bardwell, 1876-80; Chas. B. Morrison, Decem- 
ber 1, 1880, to December 7, 1896; Edward H. 
Brewster, 1896-1900; Chas. H. Wooster, Decem- 
ber, 1900, present incumbent. 

County Assessor, Overseer of Poor aiid Col- 
lector — Under the first organization, the Coun- 
ty Commissioners cliose these officers. March 
7, 1840, John Morse was appointed first Asses- 
sor, April 16th of the same year, Joseph Saw- 
yer was appointed first Overseer of the Poor 
and David Tripp first Collector. 

LEE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR. 

A good sized volume would be required to 
fairly set forth the part which the people of 
Lee County took in that memorable struggle. 
The limitations of space therefore preclude the 
effort, but a few interesting facts will be set 
down. 

The quotas assigned to the State by the Fed- 
eral Government under the several calls were: 
Call of 1861, 47,785; call of July, 1862, 26,148; 
call of August, 1862, 26,148 for nine months, be- 
ing equivalent to 6,537 for three years; draft 
call of 1863, 36,700; of October 17, 1863, 27,930; 
February 1, 1864. 46.309; March 4, 1864, 18,- 
564; July 18, 1864, 52,057; December 19, 1864, 
32,887. The total quotas of Lee County were 
2,454, and the enlistments credited to the coun- 
ty were eight short of this number. 

To meet this constant drain, the county and 
and the towns of Dixon, Palmyra, Lee Center 
and Willow Creek, offered bounties as induce- 
ment to enlistments. The records in the Coun- 
ty Clerk's office are very meager on the subject, 
but the reports of the Adjutant-General of the 
State show that the county paid $405,214.75 in 
bounties, and to soldiers' families $15,405.75, 
besides $218,707.55 paid as interest on county 
warrants or bonds — making a total of $639,- 
388.05. This was more than was expended for 
this purpose by any other county in the State, 
Cook and Bureau alone excepted. 

It is commonly supposed that no draft was 
made to fill any of the quotas assigned to Lee 
County, but the writer is obliged to dispel this 
illusion. As clerk to John V. Eustace, Provost 
Marshal, he took part in a draft which was 
publicly made in the court room at the Court 
House in Dixon. How many were drafted or 
on what quota, he does not recall. The num- 



ber was small, and it may be that subsequent 
enlistments avoided the necessity of its being 
reported to the Adjutant-General's office. 

At a special session of the Board of Super- 
visors held May 14, 1861, a resolution was 
passed appropriating $6,000 to "equip' the vol- 
unteers of Lee County, and John G. Fleck, Josi- 
ah M. Davis and Louis M. Blaisdell were ap- 
pointed commissioners to expend the same. 
The resolution refers to the "Ten Regiment" 
bill, then recently passed by the Legislature, and 
recites that "two companies are from this coun- 
ty," and that no provision had been made for 
their equipment. The resolution authorized 
scrip to be issued in denominations of $1, $2, 
$3 and $5, payable February 15, 1862. No other 
business was transacted at this session. At the 
September meeting, 1861, a tax of 25 cents on 
the $100 was voted to pay this scrip. 

The Thirteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry 
was recruited under the Ten Regiment bill, 
above alluded to. It was mustered into the 
United States service, May 24, 1861, by Capt. 
John Pope of the regular army, at Camp De- 
ment, Dixon, with John B. Wyman, of Amboy, 
Colonel; B. F. Parks, of Aurora, Lieutenant- 
Colonel, and A. B. Gorgas, of Dixon, Major. 
Sunday, June 16, 1861, the regiment took train 
for Caseyville near St. Louis, under Officers 
John B. Wyman, Colonel, Benj. F. Parks, Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel, and Fred'k W. Partridge, Ma- 
jor. We quote from the Adjutant-General's 
report: "The Thirteenth was the first regi- 
ment organized from the then Second Congres- 
sional District, and was composed of as good 
citizens as Northern Illinois contained, many 
that enlisted as privates rising to field offices 
in later regiments. Its Colonel, John B. Wy- 
man, organized and commanded the Chicago 
Light Guards, the first crack corps the Garden 
City ever had, and he soon brought the Thir- 
teenth to a degree of proficiency in drill and 
soldierly deportment that was never excelled 
by any regiment with which it was afterwards 
associated." 

September 2, 1861, the Thirty-fourth Illinois 
Infantry left for the South, with E. N. Kirk as 
Colonel, Amos Bosworth, Lieutenant-Colonel, 
and Chas. N. Levanway, Major. The companies 
were raised by the surrounding counties and 
first went into camp at Camp Butler, Spring- 
field, where regimental organization was ef- 
fected September 7, 1861. About 530— nearly all 
the survivors — were mustered as a veteran or- 



626 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



ganization while still at the front, and on Janu- 
ary 8, 1864, started home on veteran furlough, 
rendezvoused at Dixon and started back for the 
field February 28. 

January 14, 1862, an artillery company was 
organized in Dixon with John T. Cheney as Cap- 
tain. Though commonly known as Cheney's 
Battery, it was in fact Battery "F" of First 
Illinois Artillery. In February, 1865, the com- 
pany organization was discontinued and, on 
March Tth, it was consolidated with other bat- 
teries in the Regiment. 

September 2, 1862, the Seventy-fifth Illinois 
Volunteers, which had been quartered in West 
Dixon camp, was mustered into service with 
Dr. George Ryan as Colonel, John E. Bennett, 
Lieutenant-Colonel, and Wm. M. Kilgour, 
Major. It was composed almost entirely of men 
from Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties. It re- 
mained at Camp Dement until September 27, 
when it went to the front, crossing the Ohio 
on the evening of the 30th and, on the 8th of 
October, was engaged in the battle of Perry- 
ville, where its loss was severe. 

RAILROADS.— The survey of the Illinois 
Central Railroad through Lee County was com- 
pleted in 1851, and construction was commenced 
the following year. January 13, 1855, regular 
trains began running, though the bridge at 
Dixon was not then completed. Passengers 
were transferred by boat until February 8, when 
the first train crossed the bridge. The section 
through the county was formally opened for 
traffic February 1. 

February 12, 1855, trains commenced running 
to Chicago on the "Galena & Chicago Union 
Air Line." It was also called the Dixon Air- 
Line, and is now the Chicago & Northwestern. 
The Chicago & Rock River Railroad was char- 
tered by the Legislature of 1868-9. Every town 
through which it passed, except two, took stock 
in the railroad and issued bonds in payment. 
Amboy Town, by a vote of 517 for to 92 against, 
issued $100,000 of bonds which, after long and 
fruitless litigation, were refunded for another 
issue, $65,500 of which are still to become due. 
Wyoming bonded itself for $50,000 for the same 
purpose. After stubborn litigation the town 
found further resistance futile and, in settle- 
ment, issued $102,380 in bonds, all of which 
have been paid. Other towns had similar ex- 
perience; the town of Harmon alone escaping 
by means of an injunction restraining the issue 
of the bonds which the people had voted. Lee 



Center and Marion were the only towns on the 
line that did not vote to issue bonds for stock. 
In every case the stock thus purchased was 
sold by the towns at a discount. The road was 
completed in the summer of 1872. Later it be- 
came a part of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
System. 

In 1870-71 the Chicago & Iowa Railway was 
constructed through Rochelle. Ogle County, on 
to Aurora, passing through the body of Alto 
Township, and a corner of Willow Creek. This, 
too, was soon absorbed by the Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Quincy System. 

In 1902 the Peoria & Northwestern Railway 
was built, connecting with the Chicago & North- 
western at Nelson and extending to Peoria, 
passing through Nelson Township and the 
northwest portion of Harmon. 

The Rochelle & Southern Railway Company 
is, at this writing, engaged in constructing 
a railroad from a point on the Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Quincy, near Steward, to McNab in 
Putnam County, extending southerly through 
the eastern portion of this county. 

Vigorous movements are now on foot to con- 
nect the towns and cities of this part of the 
Sta.te by electric roads. To this end com- 
panies have been incorporated as follows: 

The "Illinois and Rock River Railway Com- 
pany," incorporated May 31, 1900, to construot 
a railroad from Rockford to Rock Palls, via 
intermediate cities, to Wisconsin line, to Wau- 
kegan, to Cairo, to Galena, and to Chicago — 
capital stock, $1,000,000; duration fifty years; 
first Board of Directors, Glen E. Plumb, River 
Forest. 111.; Thomas C. MacMillan. Chicago; 
Allen F. Millikan, River Forest; Ephraim Ban- 
ning and Thomas A. Banning, Chicago. 

The "Northern Illinois Electric Railway Com- 
pany," incorporated June 24, 1901, to consruct 
a road from Steward to Dixon, via Lee Center 
and Amboy; capital. $700,000; duration fifty 
years; office at Steward. 111.; first Directors — E. 
L. Titus. I. R. Titus, S. D. Frost. Sherman L. 
Shaw. J. M. Durin, F. N. Vaughan and G. H. T. 
Shaw. 

The "Sterling, Dixon and Eastern Electric 
Railway Company," incorporated August 18, 
1902, with capital stock of $300,000. to construct 
"the railroad" from Sterling and Rook Falls 
to Dixon; principal b\isiness office to be at 
Sterling; term of corporation, fifty years; in- 
corporators — Henry C. Higgins, Neenah, Wis.; 
J. F. Springfield, Rochester, N. H.; Ward S. 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



627 



Arnold, Chicago: Harry E. O'Neill. Omaha, 
Neb.; F. E. Andrews, Sterling, 111.; Charles 
H. Hughes, Dixon, 111. 

The "Dixon, Rock Palls and Southwestern 
Electric Railway Company" was incoporated 
March 21, 1903, with a capital stock of $50,- 
000; duration fifty years; purpose, to con- 
struct "said railroad" from Dixon to Rock 
Island, via Rock Falls. Directors — 0. E. Max- 
son, A. S. Goodell, A. J. McNeil, R. L. Leitch 
and H. L. Sheldon, all of Rock Falls, TU.; office 
at Rock Falls. • 

The pioneer, however, in this line, was the 
"Rock River Electric Railroad Company," in- 
corporated February 7, 1894, to construct a rail- 
road from Rockford to Dixon; capital $.500,000; 
duration fifty years; first Directors — Jas. S. 
Ticknon, George E. King, Harry B. Andrews, 
Jason C. Ayres and Fred G. Jones. Consider- 
able was done by this Company in procuring 
right of way and other preliminaries, but hard 
times following 183?, finally defeated the en- 
terprise. 

The "Illinois and Rock River Company" se- 
cured franchises in Rockford. Dixon, and in- 
termediate points, but after doing a trifling 
amount of work in the way of grading and set- 
ting poles, permitted these to expire by limita- 
tion. The franchises have, however, been re- 
cently extended for another year. 

The "Sterling, Dixon & Eastern" ha<? laid its 
tracks in Sterling, where its steam-power plant 
is located, and is now doing the same in Dixon. 
Gangs are at work between the two cities, and 
the prospects are that, in a few months, these 
places will be connected by electric rail line. 

SWAMP LAND DRAINAGE.— Inlet Swamp 
comprises. Including the tracts it directly af- 
fects, about 30,000 r.cres of land distributed 
among the towns of Alto, Willow Creek, 
Reynolds, Viola, Bradford and Lee Center. In- 
let Drainage District was formed as early as 
the 70s, having the drainage of the swamp in 
view, but without practical results. August 5, 
1887, The "Inlet Swamp Drainage District" 
was formally organized by proceedings in 
the County Court under the drainage law. 
Preliminary to the organization, the court 
appointed E. C. Parsons, Wesley Steward and 
John Nellis to lay out the proposed 
ditches and report plans and probable cost. 
After reducing the system to less than half 
what they recommended, organization was ef- 
fected. It may be said that, by subsequent ac- 
tion, the system they advocated has been prac- 



tically adopted. To meet the cost of the ditches, 
and such expenses as pertain thereto, six assess- 
ments have been made on the lands of the dis- 
trict, aggregatings $165,800. The last work on 
the ditches was finished in 1901. The result 
has surpassed the hopes of the most sanguine. 
Lands, practically valueless before, are now 
among the choicest in the county, for which 
credit is due to the Court (Hon. R. S. Farrand), 
the Commissioners, as well as the more pro- 
gressive land owners. On the organization of 
the district, the court appointed William S. 
Frost, of Bradford, Henry B. Cobb, of Viola, and 
Wesley Steward of Alto, Commissioners. The 
board continued unchanged until September, 
1899, when Xavier Gehant was appointed by 
the court in Mr. Steward's place. Owing to 
resignation of Mr. Frost, there are now but two 
Commissioners serving: A. J. McGinnis and 
Wm. Fell. The ditches were laid out by Engi- 
neer Rutledge, of Rockford. G. H. T. Shaw, 
C. E., of Dixon, succeeded him and has had 
charge of the greater part of the excavation 
work. The four main ditches have a total 
length of thirty-two miles, into which empty 
over seven and one-half miles of smaller ditches 
or laterals. 

Brush Grove Drainage District, embracing 
about 10,000 acres, was organized by the Coun- 
ty Court, August 7, 1893, to drain a tract lying 
in the town of Alto, and projecting over Into 
Ogle County in the vicinity of Rochelle. In 
fact, a small section of the city is within the 
district. The first Commissioners were Albert 
Horton, Wesley Steward and Wallace Brown. 
The first assessment was made for $30,000, in 
October, 1893; the second, for $12,000 , in May. 
1895, and a third, for $6,000, has been levied 
and only awaits the confirmation of the Court. 
The present Commissioners are Albert Horton. 
Wesley Steward and Fred W. Craft. 

Districts have also been formed to drain land 
in the southwest part of the county, but they 
have been organized before Justices of the 
Peace and their records are not accessible to 
the writer. The most active, and probably the 
most efficient of these, is "Union Drainage Dis- 
trict No. 1," in the town of Hamilton, Lee Coun- 
ty, and Hahneman. Whiteside County, of which 
C. B. Keigwin, Jas. Foley and John W. Cashion 
are now, and for four or five years past, have 
been, the Commissioners. The other districts 
are Harmon No. 1 and Harmon No. 2. 

Tornado. — On Sunday. June 3, 1860, a fright- 
ful tornado swept through the central portion 



628 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



of Lee County, strewing death and destruction 
in its path. It originated in Iowa, crossing the 
Mississippi River near Comanche and Albany, 
almost wiping out the former village. It con- 
tinued eastward through Whiteside County, and 
on through the central portions of the towns of 
Harmon, Amboy, Lee Center, Bradford and Wil- 
low Creek in this county. A number of per- 
sons were killed and many buildings demol- 
ished in these towns. A special meeting of the 
Board of Supervisors was held on the 13th of 
June, to consider the question of extending aid 
to the sufferers from the tornado, but the Board 
decided that it had not the power to afford the 
relief. 

Early Markets. Prices. Etc. — In the first 
years, Chicago was the only market where the 
farmer could dispose of his product for cash. 
Hither, before the advent of the railroad, the 
cattle had to be driven and the grain hauled. 
One settler at Four Mile Grove, near PawPaw, 
says: "We hauled corn eighty miles to mar- 
ket in early days, and then sold it for 14 cents 
a bushel ; while, for oats, we received 10 cents 
and for wheat 40 cents a bushel. We could not 
pay any hotel bills out of that money. Provis- 
ions for man and team were carried from home 
and poor shelter gratefully accepted." An- 
other says: "One year I raised 500 bushels of 
wheat, doing all the work — except exchanging 
labor for a reaper — with the help of my wife. 
She had been tenderly reared in a Massachu- 
setts home, but went into the field and bound 
the grain. When the crop was sold, we had 
left, clear of expenses, only ten dollars to pay 
for our toil." A resident of Palmyra writes, 
but of what year is not clear: "Corn remained 
unsalable. Through August and September 
there would be a long string of teams going 
into Chicago with wheat through clouds of 
blinding, choking dust. The wheat generally 
sold at 50 and 60 cents. On these long drives, 
requiring a week or ten days to accomplish, 
the load was seldom more than twenty-five 
bushels. With the wheat was taken food for 
man and beast, a scythe to cut grass by the 
way and axe and auger for repair work." 

Schools. — From Superintendent Edwards' re- 
port for the year. July. 1902, to July, 190S, the 
following items are gleaned: Number of school 
districts in the county. 162: males in the coun- 
ty under 21, 5.745: females, 5.824: pupils en- 
rolled, 6.349: teachers in service — males, 53: fe- 
males, 188; average monthly wages paid teach- 
ers — males, $58.96: females, $37.52. Total 



amount earned by male teachers, $21,584.04; 
females, $58,478. Total expended for all school 
purposes, $124,728.12. High schools — Ashton, 
with six teachers; Franklin Grove, with five; 
Amboy, with eleven; North Dixon, with twelve; 
PawPaw, with six; Dixon (South of River), 
twenty-three. School libraries in county, 123, 
with an average of 76 volumes in each. 

The Lee County Old Settlers' Association 
held its first meeting at Amboy, August 30, 
1873, since which date meetings and picnics 
ha\% been held annually at different places in 
the county, Amboy seeming to be the favorite. 

State Roads. — The early sessions of the Leg- 
islature were largely concerned with the estab- 
lishing of public or State roads. By act, ap- 
proved March 2, 1839, Commissiocers were ap- 
pointed to view, mark, locate and establish a 
State road from Fox River in Kane County 
westward, by a road running from Aurora in 
said county, to Dixon's Ferry in Ogle County. 
March 3, 1843, an act was approved appointing 
commissioners "to lay out. mark and locate 
a State road from Chicago, in Cook County, via 
St. Charles, Sycamore, Coltonville and Brow- 
die's Grove to Dixon on the nearest and best 
ground." Others were, in like manner, pro- 
vided for by special act of the General Assem- 
bly, and are all properly called "State roads." 



CHAPTER n. 



THE BLACK HAWK WAR. 



TRE.\TY OF 1804 BI,.\CK H.WVK AND HI.S BRTTI.SH 

B.\XD LAXDS ABOUT :>rOfTH OF KOCK RI\ER DE- 
CLARED OPEN TO SETTLEMENT INDIAN DISSAT- 
ISFACTION — EETfRN OF BLACK HAWK AND HIS 

FOLLOWERS GOV. REYNOLDS' PROCLAMATION 

ARRIVAL OF TROOPS AT DIXON'S FERRY STILL- 
MAN RUN DISASTER — PROMINENT ILLINOISANS 

IN SERVICE — B.\TTLE OF KELLOGO'S GROVE 

OVERWHELMING DEFEAT OF THE INDIANS AT BAD 
ANE. WIS. 

In the year 1804 a treaty was entered into 
at St. Louis between the united tribes of the 
Sac and Fox Indians, on the one part, and 
ihe United States, on the other, whereby, for a 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



629 



consideration, the tribes ceded to the latter a 
large tract of country embracing the Rock 
River valley and the Village of the Sacs at its 
mouth. The Indians reserved the right to live 
and hunt on the ceded lands until the Govern- 
ment should part with its title. These Indians 
or their ancestors originally had their homes 
in the neighborhood of Montreal; and although 
they had been driven from Canada, many of 
them were still loyal to the British and sided 
with them in the effort which our Government 
was putting forth to compel the English to 
surrender and vacate certain western forts in 
accordance with the treaty of Paris of Septem- 
ber 3, 1783. Black Hawk served in the English 
army in the war of 1S12. Moreover, the Sacs 
were loth to abandon their village at the mouth 
of Rock River; and Black Hawk, though only 
a brave — not a chief — became the leader of the 
disaffected element of that tribe Icnown as the 
"British Band," which, by opposition to re- 
moval from the ceded lands, brought on the 
Black Hawk War. By another treaty at St. 
Louis, May 13. 1816. the Sacs of Rock River re- 
established and confirmed the treaty of 1804. 
But still the British Band was restive, and 
depredations on the white settlements contin- 
ued as before the treaty. Other treaties fol- 
lowed: one in 1822. with the Sacs and Foxes; 
one in 1824 between the Sacs and Foxes; and 
cne in 1825, in which all the former treaties 
were recognized. Still the Indians continued 
to harass the white settlers in ways known only 
to savagery. 

In 1828 the President proclaimed certain 
lands open for settlement and sale. This in- 
cluded Black Hawk's village at the mouth of 
Rock River. The chiefs and most of the Indi- 
ans of the two tribes promptly vacated the 
lands according to treaty, but Black Hawk re- 
fused, claiming that when he signed the treaty 
of 1816 he had been deceived and never knew 
that his village had been included in its terms. 
Then commenced a course of marauding and 
intimidation against the new settlers. Re- 
peated appeals were made to the Governor of 
the State and, through him. to the United 
States military t authorities. Volunteers and 
detachments of the regular army finally 
marched on the village. The Indians escaped, 
but their homes were burned. Then came the 
treaty of June 30, 1831, in which it Is recited 
that "the said British Band of Sac Indians 
have, in violation of the several treaties en- 



tered into between the United States and the 
Sac and Fox nations in the years 1S04. 1816 
and 1S25, continued to remain upon and to 
cultivate the lands on Rock River ceded to the 
United States by said treaties, after said lands 
had been sold by the United States to individ- 
ual citizens of Illinois and other States." The 
band then agrees, by this treaty, to move to 
their lands west of the Mississippi and never 
return. 

Black Hawk and his followers complied with 
this requirement in apparent good faith, but 
on the 6th day of April, 1832, defiantly re- 
crossed to the east bank of the Mississippi near 
the mouth of the lower Iowa, with about 2,000 
men, women and children, including about 500 
warriors under arms, and thence set out on 
his march up Rock River. On the 16th of April 
Governor Reynolds issued a proclamation, the 
opening sentences of which were calculated to 
startle the country: "Fellow Citizens; Your 
country requires your services. The Indians 
have assumed a hostile attitude and have in- 
vaded the State in violation of the treaty of 
last summer. The British Band of Sac and 
other hostile Indians, headed by Black Hawk, 
are in possession of Rock River country to the 
great terror of the frontier inhabitants. I con- 
sider the settlers on the frontier in imminent 
danger." As in all other emergencies in our 
history, men all over the State responded with 
alacrity. 

It is beyond our present purpose to give a 
detailed or extended account of this war as it 
progressed. We must be content with such 
incidents as are directly connected with the 
locality whose history we are endeavoring to 
sketch. 

Father Dixon was early advised of the ap- 
proach of Black Hawk and his followers. He 
was assured by a leading Winnebago Chief, 
Pachinka. that the Winnebagoes held posses- 
sion of the lands through which Black Hawk 
would have to pass, and that they would not 
dare to injure the white friends of his nation, 
among whom Father Dixon was numbered. 
Thus it came about that Father Dixon remained 
at his home when the army of savages passed 
in May. and camped a few hundred yards above 
the ferry, at a spring which was submerged 
by the building of the dam. He estimated the 
force at 600 exclusive of women and children. 

On the 12th of May, 1832, Governor Reynolds 
was at Dixon's Ferry with about 1,800 mounted 



630 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



riflemen under command of General White- 
side, awaiting the arrival of General Atkin- 
son's forces of the regular army, coming up 
the river with army stores and provisions. 
Immediately after the arrival of the forces. 
General Whiteside sent a party of four men, 
with a guide and interpreter under command 
of Captain John Dement of Dixon (then State 
Treasurer), to Shabbona's Grove, to warn the 
friendly Pottawatomie chief, Shabbona. who 
lived there on a small reservation with his 
family and a few followers, not to allow Black 
Hawk to locate on their lands. Losing their 
way the second day out, they came across four 
Sac Indians, from whom they learned that 
Black Hawk was encamped on a stream only 
a few miles distant, that his people were in 
starving condition and were going over to Mud 
Creek to hunt. 

Just before Captain Dement and his party 
returned Major Stillman was permitted, con- 
trary to the advice of Father Dixon, to advance 
up the river and spy out the hostile camp. 
The locality where they found the foe — or more 
correctly where the foe found them — has been 
immortalized by what there happened. The 
cowardice and unsoldierly bearing of the 
troops at approach of the redskins stamped 
the site with the name "Stillman's Run." It 
is said that many of the soldiers ceased not 
their running until they reached Dixon's Perry, 
twenty-flve miles distant, or some other place 
of refuge. 

Immediately on receipt of the news of the 
rout. 1,600 volunteers moved out on forced 
march, leaving 200 to guard the Ferry. On 
reaching the field they discovered that the 
main body of the enemy had decamped north- 
ward, while small bands had scattered among 
the settlements to pillage, burn and murder. 
The loss to Stillman's force was found to be 
eleven killed. Being out of provisions, the pur- 
suing party was obliged to return to Dixon's 
Ferry to await the arrival of the boats. 

By order dated May 22, 1832, General Atkin- 
son made Dixon's Ferry his headquarters and 
base of operations. At the same time a fort 
was ordered erected on the north side of the 
river. It was called Fort Dixon. It consisted 
of two "block." or log, houses within an inclos- 
ure consisting of a breastwork of earth and 
sod, four and a half feet high and aliutting on 
the river bank near the west line of what is 
now North Galena Avenue. The northeasterly 



of these houses was at least four times as large 
as the other, and was provided with loopholes. 
The smaller one was probably a powder maga- 
zine. The buildings stood many years after 
the war, and persons now living were familiar 
with them. As nearly as can be ascertained, 
the larger building stood near the line between 
Lots 3 and 10, Block 54. 

Great dissatisfaction developed in the volun- 
teer portion of the army among those who 
were impatient to get back to their neglected 
fields and other industries. They had been 
sent on an expedition which brought them to 
the mouth of Fox River, where they were mus- 
tered out May 27, whither General Atkinson 
repaired on the 29th. A new levy of 2.000 men 
had already been ordered, and he urged that 
1,000 of the discharged volunteers re-enlist for 
twenty-day temporary service. Five companies 
promptly responded, including that of Captain 
lies, in which Abraham Lincoln (formerly 
captain) became a private. Men who were sub- 
sequently conspicuous in the affairs of the State 
were among them: Joseph Gillespie, Pierre 
Menard, James Semple. John T. Stuart. John 
Dement, John J. Hardin. It must be remem- 
bered that the real war was still to come. 

Captain lies, and another company were or- 
dered to Galena by way of Dixon's Ferry, where 
Col. Zachary Taj'lor had remained with a few 
regulars to guard the supplies. lies, in his 
book, "Early Life and Times." says that when 
he reached the Ferry, he camped at a spring a 
half mile above, and then sought Colonel Tay- 
lor on the north side of the river and found 
him "in a little fort built of prairie sod." He 
further says, regarding the march. "John 
Dixon, who kept a house of entertainment here 
and had sent his family to Galena for safety, 
joined us and hauled out wallets of corn and 
grub, which was a great help." The company 
returning reached Fort Wilbourn. between Peru 
and LaSalle. June 16. and was there mustered 
out by Lieutenant Robt. Anderson, of Fort 
Sumter fame, who had mustered it into service 
twenty days before. 

Lincoln enlisted a third time and again came 
to Dixon's Ferry, this time as private in Cap- 
tain Early's company, which formed a part of 
the new levy. The headquarters or place of 
rendezvous of this new army was at the "Rap- 
ids of the Illinois." where General Atkinson 
caused Maj. John Dement's battalion to be de- 
tached to scour the country, and join Colonel 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



631 



Taylor at Dixon, to whom Lieut. Jeffprson 
Davis was acting as aid. It is said of Dement's 
battalion, that it embraced men who had held 
nearly every office in the State from Governor 
down — Dement himself being, at this time. 
Treasurer of the State. 

From Dixon the battalion moved on to Kel- 
logg's Grove, where a desperate battle was 
fought with a band of mounted Indians, 
stripped to the skin and in their war paint 
under command of Black Hawk in person. 
The brunt of the Sght fell on the command- 
ing officer and a few as plucky as himself. In 
the annals of Indian warfare, few engagements 
of small numbers will be found more desper- 
ate and bloody. Without going into details it 
must be said that no praise can exceed the 
meed to which Major Dement is entitled for 
bravery on that occasion. Black Hawk speaks 
of him in his autobiography thus: "The young 
chief deserves great praise for his courage and 
bravery, but fortunately for us his army was 
not all composed of such brave men." 

The Quartermaster w'as ably assisted by John 
Dixon, who accompanied the army to the end 
of the campaign. John K. Robinson says, in 
this connection: "During the Black Hawk 
War, Father Dixon had the contract for sup- 
plying the army with beef up to the final bat- 
tle of the Bad Axe River," and hence, face- 
tiously gave himself the title of Major of the 
Steer Battalion. It is understood that the 
troops, both regular and volunteer, w-ere all 
mounted. 

The war closed with the defeat of the Indi- 
ans at the battle of Bad Axe, Wis., and the 
surrender of Black Hawk, August 2, 1832. The 
treaty of peace was signed at Rock Island on 
the 21st of September following. The troops, 
then remaining in the service, were mustered 
out at Dixon's Ferry. The pack horses used 
in the war were gathered and corraled here, 
preparatory to being driven further south for 
sale in more densely settled portions of the 
State. 

That portion of the army which marched to 
Dixon's Ferry from the southeast to take part 
in the war, crossed Bureau Creek one- 
half mile southwest of the point where the Illi- 
nois Central Railroad now crosses it, near the 
east line of the county, and marched thence to 
the point where the residence of Mr. William R. 
Long now stands near the north line of Sec- 
tion 13 in the Town of May, and from there 



to Rocky Ford, where they crossed Green 
River. Mr. M. Perkins, now of Perkins' Grove, 
near the south line of the county, in LaSalle 
County, came in 1834 when the evidences of 
the line of march were plain to be seen. 

In the course of the war troops of the regu- 
lar army were brought to the ff.^d from St. 
Louis under General Atkinson, from Fortress 
Monroe under General Scott, and from Detroit 
under General Brady, as well as those at 
Prairie du Chien, Wis., under Lieut-Col. Tay- 
lor, and those at Portage, Wis., under Lieut- 
Col. Culter. To these were added the volunteer 
militia of the State. 

Lincoln became well acquainted with Col. 
Dement in these war days, and though belong- 
ing to opposing political parties, each enter- 
tained the highest regard for the other, and 
their friendship was not allowed to wane In 
after years. After Lincoln had been elected 
President Mr. Dement called on him at Spring- 
field, and Lincoln, grasping his extended hand 
in both his, greeted him as "Jack," and ex- 
pressed his delight at meeting him. 



CHAPTER ITT. 



ALTO TOWNSHIP. 



FIRST WHITE .SETTLERS — ALTO SET OFF FROM Wll.- 
I.OW rpEEK TOWN.SITIP — FIRST TOWN OFFICERS 
— SIBSCRIPTION TO RAILROAD CHIRCII HIS- 
TORY — THE VILLAGE OF STEWARD GRAIN ELE- 
VATORS AND NATION.\L HANK. 

On the northeast quarter of Section 21 grows 
"Plum Thicket," the only natural grove in the 
town. The propensity, universally followed by 
the pioneers, to gather in or around the tim- 
ber, prevailed in this instance, for the first set- 
tlers located at this grove. Here John Grimes, 
in 1847. built the first house, allhoufrh he ar- 
rived in 1843. About two years later came 
Rev. J. Wood, of the Baptist faith, who re- 
mained two or three years and removed to 
Earlville, LaSalle County. Then followed 
Jedediah Loveridge in 1853, who. after some 
twenty years, emigrated to Nebraska. After 



632 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



these came James Holcomb and his father's 
family, and Hubljel Williams, Mason Herrick, 
the Mills family, James Tyler, C. R. Hall, the 
Kirbys, McDonnels, Stewards, Carpenters and 
others. 

Alto was set off from Willow Creek by reso- 
lution of the Board of Supervisors, at its Febru- 
ary meeting in 1860. At the first election in 
the town 47 votes were polled, resulting in the 
election of the following officers: Supervisor, 
C. R. Hall; Town Clerk and Assessor, James 
Tyler; Collector, Josiah Carpenter; Justices of 
the Peace, Daniel Carey and H. C. Holcomb; 
Constables, Josiah Carpenter and John Dor- 
son. 

The town voted to take $32,000 of the stock 
of the Chicago & Iowa Railroad when that 
road was about to be built through the town- 
ship, and to issue bonds in payment therefor. 
This was in the early part of the winter of 1869, 
Grading was commenced early the next summer 
on this part of the road, and it was completed 
into Rochelle on the night of December 31, at 
10:25 o'clock. A compromise was finally ef- 
fected by which the town. Instead of investing 
$32,000 in stock, donated the company $2.5,000 
in bonds. 

The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church 
organized, June 25, 1870, and built a church 
building three miles east of Steward, at a cost 
of about $2,300. 

Stewm-fl. — The town of Steward was platted, 
November 22, 1872. by Mr. Wesley Steward, 
■who owned the land and founded the town. It 
was incorporated as a village, April 13, 1903, 
by proceedings in the County Court. 

The first dwelling to be erected in the vil- 
lage was built by Patrick Casey on Lot 6, Block 
1, and the first store was built by Henry A. 
Robinson on Lot 3 of same block. The first 
school house was built in 1882 at a cost of 
about $3,000, and was destroyed by fire Febru- 
ary 8, 1903. A new building was erected on 
the same site at a cost of $7,000 ready for 
opening of the fall term of the school the same 
year. 

The first elevator in the place was put up by 
Wesley Steward, who after two year<i took in 
G. F. Henning as partner, and the business, in- 
cluding dealing in lumber, coal, etc., was car- 
ried on by them, under the firm name of Stew- 
ard & Co,, for twenty-five years, the firm of 
Titus Brothers, the present owners, succeed- 
ing them. Another elevator was erected In 



1880 and is now owned by Titus Bros. It is 
asserted that about one million bushels of 
grain are shipped from this point yearly, and 
that it ranks as the greatest grain-shipping sta- 
tion in Northern Illinois. 

The First National Bank of Steward fur- 
nishes the banking facilities of the community. 
It was organized January 6, 1903, with a capi- 
tal of $25,000, Its directors are: E. L. Titus, 
J. M. Durin, A. B. Titus, R. W. Hough, W. P. 
Graham, George E. Stocking, Wesley Steward, 
G. W. Durin and I. R. Titus. The officers are: 
E. L. Titus, President; J. M. Durin, 'Vice-Presi- 
dent; I. R. Titus, Cashier. Its deposits, at close 
of business August 28, 1903, were $51,742.44. 

Steward is a very prosperous village and is 
looked upon as one of the best of the smaller 
towns in the county. According to the census 
returns the township had a population of 923 
in 1890, and 924 In 1900. The census of the 
village does not appear separately from that of 
the township. 



CHAPTER IV. 



AMBOY TOWNSHIP AND CITY. 



KARLY SETTLERS — VILLAGES OF BINGHAMTON AND 

ROCKY FORD PALESTINE GROVE SETTLEMENT 

AMBOY CITY AN OUTGROWTH OF THE ILLINOIS 

CENTRAL RAILROAD EARLY BUSINESS HOUSES 

DISASTROUS FIRES — SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES 

NEWSPAPERS LOCAL B.^NKS GEN. JOHN B. 

WYMAN AJIBOY's FIRST MAYOR LINCOLN AND 

GRANT EARLY VISITORS — LIST OF CITY OFFI- 
CIALS. 

A Frenchman by the name of Filamalee is 
believed to have been the first white settler in 
Palestine Grove, within the present limits of 
Amboy Township. His shanty is said to have 
been located about a mile below Rocky Ford. 
He was a roving character and soon disap- 
peared. 

The first permanent settler was John Dexter, 
who emigrated from Canada in the spring of 
1835 and staked out a claim on the northwest 
quarter of Section 14, north of Palestine Grove. 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



633 



His nearest neighbors were at Inlet Grove. In 
1836 James Doan and wife settled at Palestine 
Grove. 

The district known as Palestine Grove was 
not confined to the timber, but extended to the 
site of the city of Amboy, and also eastward 
about two miles beyond the Lee Center town 
line. 

In 1837 Dexter's brother-in-law, Andrew Bain- 
ter, located in the neighborhood. In October 
of the same year. Asa B. Searles arrived from 
New York, whence he had driven with a horse- 
team. He came by way of Peoria where Benja- 
min Wasson joined him. Mr. Searles staked 
off a claim in the south half of Section 14. 
on which he later laid out the Village of Bing- 
hamton. He was the first Postmaster in the 
settlement. Warren Badger succeeded him. 
His commission was dated May 28, 1840. and 
made him Postmaster at Winooski, the name 
by which Palestine Grove office was then desig- 
nated. Nathan Meeks, who acquired a reputa- 
tion of the banditti order, was living about 
four miles south and west of Rocky Ford the 
same year. His "Corn 'Cracker," situated on 
Green River, is claimed to have been the first 
mill for grinding grain in Lee County. 

When Mr. Searles arrived he found a saw- 
mill in operation at Rocky Ford, owned by 
Timothy Perkins and Horace Bowen. After 
passing through several hands, in 1848 it be- 
came the property of F. R. Dutcher. A log 
dam created the mill pond, and the mill was 
run by a "flutter-wheel." 

The year 1838 seems to have been a notable 
one for the arrival of settlers; for in this year, 
James Blair and three sons, William, Win- 
throp and Edwin, arrived, and John S. Sawyer 
and four sons erected a cabin south of the 
ground now occupied by the Illinois Central 
shops. In 1841 Sawyer sold a part of his claim 
to Joseph Farrell and the remainder to Joseph 
Appleton. Alexander James likewise became a 
resident that year, and a year later sold his 
claim to Chester S. Badger, who, after working 
as millwright, in the year 1837 returned to his 
New York home in the fall. In 1838 Mr. Bad- 
ger and his son Simon became permanent set- 
tlers. In 1839 Warren, another son, arrived 
bringing the mother and her two daughters, 
Sarah and Roena. In the autumn Warren went 
back to New York and remained until 1842, 
when he again came west and resided in Amboy 
Township until his death in 1861. In 1840 
Chester Badger, a younger son, drove through 



trom New York with a two-horse team. He still 
lesides in Amboy anil is the only surviving 
member of the family. 

The Badger's located their homestead about 
a mile and a half east of Amboy. Henry Bad- 
ger came in 1849 and lived in Binghamton up 
to the dale of his death, a few years ago. The 
father. Chester S., brought hardwood lumber 
from Franklin Grove and built the first frame 
house in the settlement. John C. Church. Wil- 
liam, Church, Curtis Bridgman and two sons, 
and Wni. Hunt arrived in the summer and fall 
of 1838. Also came this same year, Martin 
Wright, Frederick Baldwin, Harvey Axtell, 
Ransom Barnes and Frederick Bainter. About 
this time Curtis Bridgman located about 
two miles southeast of the present site of Am- 
boy. James Daley was an arrival of 1842, as 
was also William Rolf. John H. Gardner came 
in 1844. In this same year J. Henry Adams, 
then a child of eleven years, reached the neigh- 
borhood with his father. Orris, and mother. 
Cyrus Davis came in 1839. Space will not per- 
mit us to name the settlers of subsequent 
years. 

Binghamton promised to be the town of the 
section. It was laid out in 1848 by Asa B. 
Searles. It had a store and a hotel. Robert 
G. Ingersoll, who lived to impress the country 
with his oratory and agnosticism, then about 
fifteen, was a boy of all work about the inn for 
a year or so. In 1844 the first flouring mill 
in the county was built, and in 1858 passed 
into the hands of Chester and Henry Badger. 
Chester Badger made thirteen trips to Chicago, 
some of which were with ox team, hauling 
grain, going and bringing timber back for this 
mill. It was burned in 1872, and immediately 
rebuilt, but was finally destroyed by lightning 
in 1881. The place also had two plow factories 
at one time and a saw-mill, blacksmith shop, 
shoe-shop, wagon-shop and carding machine. 
A dozen or more of the residences still remain 
in a good state of preservation. The removal 
of the Badger dam was necessary to give suffi- 
cient outlet to the ditches of Inlet Swamp 
Drainage District. Proper proceedings to this 
end resulted in its entire removal in the 
summer of 1900. 

Rocky Ford (also known as Shelburn) was 
likewise a place of activity in the early days. 
The Indian trail from Council Bluffs to Chica- 
go crossed Green River or Inlet Creek, at this 
point. It had a saw-mill, a distillery and two 
stores. In 1856 the Shelburn Manufacturing 



634 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



Company erected an extensive distillery and 
flouring mills combined, at a cost of $(!5,000. 
In 1859 the property was wrecked by an ex- 
plosion, and ten years later, fire finished the 
work. This was practically the last of Shel- 
burn. 

A plat of "Palestine" was made May 10, 1854, 
and serves to mark the probable center of the 
Palestine Grove settlement. The plat was lo- 
cated about a quarter of a mile northwest of 
Rocky Ford, and consisted of three blocks of 
ground, two of which were on the Dixon and 
Peoria road. It was laid out for Rhoda E. 
Hook who, it is to be presumed, owned the 
ground. It was here on one of the Palestine 
lots that those of the Mormon faith laid the 
corner-stone of a temple which never rose 
higher than this foundation stone. 
CITY OF AMBOY. 

Amboy is an offspring of the Illinois Cen- 
tral Railroad. The town was laid out in 1854. 
The first residences were those of L. W. Bor- 
den, E. S. Reynolds and Dr. David Bainter, 
erected that year. In 1855 the extensive shops 
of the company were built. By the spring of 
1856 the population was estimated at 1,000. 
R. D. Peironett was the first merchant to start 
business in the town, and Samuel Goldman the 
second. Next came Josiah Little in 1854, his 
line consisting of drugs, hardware and grocer- 
ies. In the same year Wilcox & Wooster built 
a store, the lumber for which, as well as that 
for Little's store, was hauled from Mendota, 
and the stone from Lee Center. In 1855 the 
business of the place greatly increased. The 
first bank was started that year by G. H. Am- 
brose and Francis Little. The "Lee County 
Times," the first newspaper to be published in 
the town, was started the same year. This 
paper under date July 31, 1856, speaks of the 
place thus; "We have now between 2,000 and 
3,000 inhabitants, two churches and another 
in process of construction, about thirty stores 
and groceries, a steam planing mill and sash 
factory, three hotels, two livery stables and, in 
fact, establishments of almost every variety." 

The town became incorporated as a village 
under the general law in 1854-5. A. E. Wilcox 
was President of first Board of Trustees. It 
was incorporated as a city by act of the Legis- 
lature, March 2, 1857. John B. Wyman was 
its first Mayor. It was incorporated under the 
general law, May 8, 1888. 

The shops of the Illinois Central Railroad, 
above referred to, frequently employed 400 men. 



In 1885 reduction of the force was commenced, 
so that in 1894 there were about 200 at work. 
In that year the machinery was removed, prin- 
cipally to Freeport and Clinton, and the ex- 
tensive buildings were vacated. One Is now 
occupied by the bridge-building works of C. 
C. Jacobs, and the others are rapidly going to 
decay. 

The loss of these shops was a severe blow 
to Amboy, from which, however, she has slowly 
recovered until she has at last reached a stage 
of prosperity probably equaling, if not sur- 
passing, that of the factory days, when the 
shops dominated the town. She has water 
works, electric lights, long stretches of cement 
walks and shows evidence of general thrift 
and steady growth. Her water supply is drawn 
from a well 2,000 feet deep. 

Fires. — Amboy has been visited by several 
disastrous fires. The first occurred December 
10, 1863, from which there was a total loss 
of $35,000, with insurance amounting to $14.- 
000. The next occurred in the same locality 
November 10, 1864, and destroyed five business 
houses; loss $45,000,' with $38,000 insurance. 
Another fire did its destructive work, March 
10, 1865, sweeping away seven business build- 
ings. Again, August 24, 1867, sixteen buildings 
were licked up by the flames — the estimated 
loss being $7,500, with insurance for about one- 
half that amount. April 2, 1868, four business 
places were burned down. But by far the most 
calamitous flre was that of August 25, 1871. 
Twelve buildings were consumed, causing 
a loss of $175,000, on which there was an in- 
surance of $103,000. The most deplorable feat- 
ure of this holocaust was the burning to death 
of John Shannon, who was confined in the cala- 
boose for the unlawful selling of mortgaged 
property. Besides these were numerous fires 
not general in their effect. 

School Houses. — The first school building in 
Amboy was the two-story brick now in use, 
erected in 1857. Next, in 1864 came the one- 
story frame-building in Gilson's Addition. Fol- 
lowing this, the old Methodist church was 
purchased and, in 1868, the two-story brick on 
the west side was added to the number. About 
1896 a modern building was erected for the use 
of three departments, at a cost, all complete 
and ready for school, of a trifle less than $15,- 
000. 

Churches. — Father Gorbus, a Methodist min- 
ister, was the flrst to hold service in the section 
covered by Amboy Township. Father Hetcher, 






HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



635 



a German Baptist, was probably the next. It 
is supposed that Rev. Curtis Lathrop was the 
third, and Father 'WTiite the fourth — both 
Methodists. In 1843, the "Congregational 
Church of Palestine Grove" was formed at the 
home of Amos Crombie. the first of that de- 
nomination in the county. The first pastor 
was John Morrel. who was followed by the fa- 
ther of the great agnostic. Robert G, Ingersoll. 
Following him came Joseph Gardner and Mr. 
Pierson. About 1S49 the place of worship was 
moved to Lee Center, and the society name 
changed accordingly. From this the present 
.\mboy church of that denomination has de- 
scended. In 1S40 a Methodist class was organ- 
ized in the vicinity of Binghamton where, in 
1850. a house of worship was erected. When 
Amboy came into being the building was aban- 
doned for the one early erected there. 

One branch of the Mormon church secured a 
considerable foothold In the neighborhood of 
Rocky Ford, near which they were instrumental 
in having the town of Palestine laid out. At 
one time there were sixty members. The 
founder, Joseph Smith, visited friends at Pales- 
tine Grove, where he was arrested in 1S43 on 
requisition of the Governor of the State, issued 
at the instance of the Governor of Missouri. In 
1860 the annual conference of the branch re- 
ferrec" to convened in Amboy. 

A meeting for the organization of the Bap- 
tist church of Amboy was held March 24. 1855. 
resulting in the founding of the First Baptist 
church of Amboy. Messrs. Hill and Bryant 
were deacons arid W. E. Ives clerk. Rev. P. 
Taylor was the first pastor, and services were 
held in a siriall church building, on Main 
Street west of the railroad tracks, which cost 
about $500. During Mr. Taylor's pastorate 
the present church building was erected at a 
cost of 14.500. The first public meeting held 
in the new church was addressed by Owen 
Lovejoy of Princeton, 111., and J. V. Eustace 
of Dixon. Both were strong anti-slavery 
champions. At the end of the second year, Mr. 
Taylor resigned and was succeeded by T. H. 
Ball. The church was dedicated September 
l.S, 1857, the sermon being preached by Rev. 
Silas Tucker, of Galesburg. Reverend Ball was 
succeeded in September. 1858, by J. C. Miller, 
who resigned to accept the Chaplaincy of the 
Thirteenth Illinois Regiment. Company •'C" 
of which was composed of Amboy citizens, to 
each of whom a new testament was presented 
6.35—2 



on their departure. This building had the 
only large audience room in the place, and 
was consequently the gathering place for war 
meetings which were incident to the period. 
Following Mr. Miller came W. R. Webb in May, 
1861. During his pastorate the General Asso- 
ciation of the State met here. Mr. Webb served 
as pastor four years and was followed in June, 
1865. by Rev. J. H. Hazen. during whose term 
the parsonage was built and the church build- 
ing put In thorough repair. Following Mr, 
Hazen was Rev. James Buchanan, who, acting 
as pastor, was in reality a supply. About 1870, 
Rev. M. T. Lamb came to the pastorate. Au- 
gust 27, 1871, the records were destroyed by 
fire. New records were opened March 26th 
following. September 8, 1872, George Wes- 
selius became pastor and resigned the last Sab- 
bath in March, 1874. On the first Sabbath of 
the succeeding November, W. D. Clark was 
called. Succeeding Mr. Clark came N. A. Reed, 
who resigned June 8, 1881, to be succeeded by 
B. H. Humphrey on the 16th of the next Octo- 
ber. He remained until September 25. 1882. 
Then came Mr. Fuller, who served temporarily 
for about a year. D. W. C. Hervey came to the 
pastorate in November, 1884, and was followed 
in February, 1887, by W. L. Jones, who re- 
signed February 1, 1889. J. T. Mason followed 
the next April. His labors continued to the 
time of his death in 1896. T. B. Collins, the 
next pastor, served for two years, and was suc- 
ceeded by E. W. Anable, who has now been 
serving the church for five years. 

The second church to be built was by the 
Methodists in 1857. It was afterwards con- 
verted into a school house as already men- 
tioned. A Rev. Mr. Thayer was the first pas- 
tor. The present church of this society was 
dedicated April 1. 1866. 

The earliest religious society in the place 
came into being June 27, 1854, ante-dating the 
sale of town lots. It named itself "Church of 
Jesus Christ." 

A Congregational Church was established 
June 17, 1856. Its first regular pastor was 
David Wert, and its first house of worship was 
dedicated April 1. 1858. The present edifice 
was dedicated June 10, 1866. 

The Episcopal Church was established in 
spring of 1859 by organization of St. Thomas 
parish. Mr. Brodnax was the first rector. A 
suitable church was built but the date of its 
erection is not at hand. 



636 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



The first Evangelical Lutheran Church in 
Amboy was formed by Rev. William Angelber- 
ger. of Franklin Grove, January 30, 1S70, who 
acted as first pastor. Rev. Anthest was the 
second. Following him in succession came: 
W. Framm, G. Hagemann, H. Schmidt, H. bin- 
der. S. E. Hoffmeister, F. W. Kampmeier, S. 
Pritschel, M. Ren and L. Lentz. Rev. H. F. 
Schmidt, of Dixon, the present pastor, has been 
in charge since Nov. 20, 1897. In May, 1876, 
it was changed to German Evangelical, a differ- 
ent denomination. William Framm was the 
first pastor. They purchased the old Congre- 
gational church in 1870. 

In 1854 the Catholics of Amboy began holding 
service at the residence of Michael Egan. Fa- 
ther Anthony was the first to celebrate mass. 
The first building for the use of the society 
was erected in 1857, but before completion it 
was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt and com- 
pleted in the spring of 1859. The society 
owns a priest's residence on the same lot. 

Under the management of Father Gallagher, 
the present incumlient, a commodious one- 
story brick building was erected in 1900 for the 
purpose of a hall to accommodate large gath- 
erings. 

The Free Methodists' Society was organized 
about 1864. Rev. Miller was the first regular 
preacher. The society was eventually merged 
into and replaced by the United Brethren. 
John Dobson and J. W. Lewis were the first 
pastors. In 1871 a meeting house was built. 

The Advent Christian Church was organized 
at Binghamton in 1859, and later worshipped 
at Amboy. The society never built a meeting 
place. 

Netvspapers. — In February, 1855, the "Lee 
County Times" was launched with Augustus 
N. Dickens, brother of the noted author, 
Charles Dickens, as editor. It was fathered 
by the Amboy Printing Association, of which 
W. E. Ives, Alonzo Kinyon. Henry E. Badger, 
A. E. Wilcox and others were stockholders. By 
August 1st of that year it passed into the 
hands of H. B. Judkins, and Dickens ceased to 
be connected with the paper. When the paper 
passed out of the control of Mr. Judkins does 
not appear, but on February 6, 1856, H. C. Pratt 
was editor and proprietor. April 3, 1856, the 
name was changed to "The Amboy Times," with 
Cottrell & Pratt proprietors and H. G. Pratt 
editor. January 14, 1858, the name was 
changed to "Amboy Weekly Times" with Cott- 



rell, Pratt & Miller owners — the first two be- 
ing the editors. H. G. Pratt, Joseph Lewis and 
James F. Somes — by the firm name of Horace 
G. Pratt & Company — became owners November 
18, 1858. April 19, 1860, it was changed to 
"Amboy Times." Pratt, Shaw & Company pro- 
prietors, the firm being composed of H. G. 
Pratt, B. F. Shaw, of Dixon, and John Lewis. 
Beginning in May, 1801. a daily edition was is- 
sued, called the "Amboy Morning Daily Times," 
but sun'ived only a few months. Mr. Pratt sold 
his interest to W. H. Gardner, July 31, 1862, 
and the new firm name was Gardner, Shaw & 
Company. Sometime between July, 1862, and 
March, 1863, the files for w-hich period are in- 
complete, the firm of Pratt. Shaw & Company 
again appears, John Lewis being the "Co." Be- 
tw^een June 30 and September 22, 1864, when 
the files are again incomplete, Lewis returned. 
August 10, 1865, A. J. Goff and B. F. Shaw 
assumed the proprietorship and, on the 17th of 
the following March, the name was changed to 
"Lee County Journal." Mr. Shaw had been 
elected Clerk of the Circuit Court in November, 
1864. February 16. 1867, Burrington & Shaw 
became the publishers. December 12lh of that 
year the paper was discontinued for "lack of 
support," but this difficulty seems to have been 
promptly removed, for the issue was resumed 
with the lapse of only two numbers. Mr. Shaw 
became sole proprietor January 16. 1868, and, 
on January 6, 1870, sold out to Stimpson & 
Corbus. March 24, of the same year, Stimpson 
stepped out, leaving Dr. J. R. Corbus sole pro- 
prietor. He sold out to Captain William Par- 
ker September 22, 1870, who, on the 20th of the 
next month, changed the name to "The Amboy 
Journal," by which the paper is still known. 
Capt. Parker sold to W. H. Haskell, September 
7, 1872. who, in turn, sold to E. W. Faxon & 
Company, October 15, 1879. William J. Keho, 
manager of the office for twenty years and still 
at the same post, having an interest. October 
2, 1881, Dr. Clark E. Loomis purchased it and 
remained sole proprietor and editor until Jan- 
uary 1, 1889, when it passed into the hands of 
George A. Lyman, the present proprietor. 

The" Amboy News" was first issued by W'. M. 
Geddes, proprietor, at PawPaw. May 6, 1878, 
with Henry Adams local editor. With the is- 
sue of July 1, 1882, the proprietorship changed 
to the News Publishing Company, with Capt. 
William Parker as editor in chief and Henry 
Adams as local editor. From that date the 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



637 



paper has continued to be printed and pub- 
lished at Amboy. W. M. Geddes became pro- 
prietor and editor June 30, 1S83. Henry Adams 
still continuing as local. July 12, 18S4, J. H. 
Adams and J. H. Preston became owners under 
the firm name of Adams & Preston. October 
18, 1884, J. H. Preston became sole owner. Mr. 
Preston having died from accidental injuries, 
his widow assumed the publication of the pa- 
per, February 19, 1897, with Chas. H. Eby, as 
editor and manager. March 3, 1899, Mr. Eby 
became editor and proprietor with C. F. Pres- 
ton as assistant editor. January 5, 1900, E. E. 
Chase acquired an interest and the paper ap- 
peared under the firm name of Eby & Chase. 
It passed into the hands of Mr. Chase August 
3, 1900, and in December 14 following Henry 
P. Gehant appeared as owner and editor. With 
the next issue Riley J. Whitney became man- 
ager. A. E. Dafoe succeeded to the ownership 
August 5, 1902. with B. L. Vaughan assistant 
editor, Riley J. Whitney continuing as manager 
until September 5, 1902, when R. G. Sherwood 
became editor and manager and was followed 
by E. 0. Trickey November 28, 1902. G. L. 
Carpenter, the present editor and proprietor, 
purchased the paper and took charge July 3, 
1903. The News issued a daily edition April 
3, 1899, which was discontinued with number 
22 of the same month. 

Grand Army of the Republic. — The date of 
the organization of the first Post (No. 65) of 
the Grand Army of the Republic and particu- 
lars regarding it, are not accessible, as the 
records are supposed to have been lost or de- 
stroyed. Amboy Post, No. 572. was mustered 
in May 10, 1886, with twenty-four members. 
The first ofl[icers were: George Ryan, P. C; 
C. E. Loomis. S. V.; W. H. Hyde. J. V.; A. P. 
Wenrick, Q. M.; George E. Young. O. D.; O. W. 
Grant, Surg.; C. W. Fr€«man, O. G.; C. D. 
Knowles, Adjt.; A. Ousey, S. Maj.; Fred Kreahl, 
Q. M. S. The present officers are: George 
Blocker, Com.; C. D. Knowles. S. V. C; B. F. 
Berkley, J. V. C; M. T. Spencer, Adjt. 

Banks. — In 1868 Josiah Little established a 
private bank which continued until November 
1, 1899, when it was organized as a National 
Bank, with $50,000 capital and $10,000 surplus, 
with Josiah Little as President; Lemuel 
Bourne, Vite-President; Fred N. Vaughan. 
Cashier, and H. H. Badger, Assistant Cashier. 
Mr. Vaughan has been connected with the bank 



continuously since 1864. The largest deposits 
were last year, when the sum reached $640,- 
OUO. Normally they run from $500,000 to $600,- 
000. Loans and discounts have averaged from 
$350,000 to $450,000. The bank occupies its own 
building with fixtures, and recently its safety 
devices have been greatly improved by the in- 
troduction of a system of electrical protection, 
and an additional vault lined with steel and 
made fireproof. In this respect it has no su- 
perior. Safety deposit boxes are being in- 
stalled. 

The "Amboy Bank" was organized in 1899, 
with Henry Kline as President and Cashier, 
and J. C. Preston as Assistant Cashier. It is a 
private institution with $100,000 personal re- 
sponsibility. The deposits of January 1, 1903, 
were $100,000, and loans and discounts $150,- 
000. Mr. Kline has been a resident of Amboy 
for the past forty-five years. 

Bonded Indebtedness. — In the summer of 
1872 the Chicago & Rock River Railroad was 
built through Amboy Township. To secure 
the construction of this road the town, by vote 
of 517 for the proposition to 92 against it, is- 
sued $100,000 of bonds. A bitter contest was 
waged in the courts against the payment of 
these bonds, resulting in judgments in the 
United States Courts against the town. These 
judgments were in part compromised by two 
issues of refunding bonds, some at the rate of 
40 cents on the dollar, and some at 50 cents. 
Seven or eight years were consumed in these 
transactions and, when there seemed to be no 
further chance of compromise, 6 per cent, 
bonds were issued to the amount of $130,000 to 
meet the balance of the unsettled judgments. 
On July 1, 1899, this last issue had been re- 
duced by payments to $93,500. Pour per cent, 
bonds were issued to take up this outstanding 
balance. On this last issue $65,500 is still 
outstanding, the balance having been paid. 
The total amounts of judgments and costs, ex- 
clusive of interest for which the town thus be- 
came indebted, aggregated about $275,000. 
All the suits commenced by different bondhold- 
ers were in the United States Courts and the 
litigation reached the Supreme Court of the 
United States. In all these contests the town 
was defeated. 

Miscellaneous. — The Illinois Central brought 
to Amboy John B. Wyman as its Superinten- 
dent, of whom the town came to be proud as a 



638 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



General in the War of the Rebellion, where he 
laid down his life. He was the city's first 
Mayor. 

August 5, 1856, a Fremont Club was organ- 
ized in Amboy with John B. Wyman as Presi- 
dent, Henry Badger as Secretary and W. E. 
Ives Corresponding Secretary. This recalls 
the visits of some of the men who afterwards 
became great. In the days of the Illinois Cen- 
tral building Geo. B. McClellan. in war times 
Commander of the Army of the Potomac, was 
the Civil Engineer of the road with headquar- 
ters at Amboy. And he who became Lieutenant 
General of all the armies and one of the great- 
est, if not the greatest, of commanders of mod- 
ern times. Grant, was frequently in town buy- 
ing hides for his Galena tanner)'. Abraham 
Lincoln, whose name and fame pales all oth- 
ers of his time, spoke to the people there in his 
campaign against Douglas in 1858, from the 
window-balcony of the office of W. E. Ives, who 
vouches for the veracity of these statements as 
to both of these great men. 

September 11. 185tj. Owen Lovejoy, who had 
attended an abolition meeting ten years before 
at the log school house west of Lee Center vil- 
lage, spoke at the corner of Main Street and 
Adams Avenue, and in October following, ad- 
dressed the first meeting in the Incompleted 
Baptist chtirch, as already mentioned. 

Amboy once possessed a court, the like of 
which was nowhere else to be- found in the 
county. Alonzo Kinyon, one of the ambitious 
men of the period, was a member of the Legis- 
lature in 1869, and procured the passage of 
an act, approved, March 11th of that year, es- 
tablishing "The Court of Common Pleas of the 
City of Amboy." It was an effort to duplicate 
the Circuit Court. The Judge and clerk were 
to be elected and receive the same salaries as 
the Judge and Clerk of the Circuit Court. The 
City Marshal was given the powers of a sher- 
iff, and the court was empowered to appoint a. 
Master in Chancery. The act, as approved, 
gave the court chancery jurisdiction, but an- 
other act was approved the same day taking 
away this power. Mr. Kinyon's plan was car- 
ried into effect by his own election as Judge, 
and the tribunal became known as "Kinyon's 
Court." It accomplished the purpose of its 
creation until the Constitution of 1870 went 
into effect and wiped it out. The records of 
the court were all destroyed in the fire of 
1871. 



In the fall of 1846 Rev. John Cross, of "Tem- 
perance Hill." now in China Township, called 
a meeting at a log school house about one mile 
west of Lee Center village, to form an abolition 
society. Owen Lovejoy. the great anti-slavery 
orator and leader, addressed the meeting, and 
in the course of his speech said he had sworn 
over the dead body of his brother eternal ha- 
tred of slavery. At the dose of the meeting a 
"Free-Soil Club" was organized. Among those 
who became members were Martin Wright, 
Lewis Clapp, Sylvester Frisbee, Ransom 
Barnes, Joseph Farwell, Benoni Harmon. Dan- 
iel Frost, Ira Brewer. Moses Crombie and John 
Cross. Lovejoy addressed another meeting 
there that fall. In this same log school house, 
which Ira Brewer helped to build, Robert G. 
Ingersoll. the great agnostic of later years, at- 
tended school, his father being minister of the 
Congregational church in that section. 

The Wasson school-house, which stood west 
of the road at the center of Section 14 in Am- 
boy. was built about 1846, and was the first 
frame school building in the town. For many 
years it was the meeting center and rallying 
point of that section for miles around. 

When the division of the county into towns 
under the township organization law was about 
to take place, it is said on good authority that 
a meeting was held at the Wasson school house 
to choose a name for the town. The choice 
was "Bath," but Lorenzo Wasson. who went 
to Dixon to meet the County Commissioners, 
took the responsibility of changing the name 
to "Amboy." 

In the winter of 1854-5 the postofflces at 
Binghamton and Shelburn were discontinued, 
and one office was established at Amboy. with 
Orange D. Reed as Postmaster. 

The Mayors of the city have been: J. B. 
Wyman, 1857; John R. Stevens, 1858; Jos. 
Rosebrugh, 1859; J. B. Wyman, 1860; W. E. 
Ives. 1861; C. M. Butler, 1864-5; C. D. Vaughan, 
1866-7; Michael Egan, 1869-70; Isaac Edwards, 
1871-3; Robt. Richards. 1874; Isaac Edwards, 
1875-7; J. B. Felker, 1878 to March, 1883; Geo. 
Ryan. March, 1883, to March. 1884; J. B. 
Graves. March, 1884, to March, 1885; C. H. 
Wooster, two years, ending March, 1887; Mich- 
ael Egan, March, 1887. to March, 1888; Geo. 
Ryan, March, 1888. to March, 1893;- C. A. Wil- 
cox. March, 1893, to March. 1895; E. E. Chase, 
March. 1895, to March. 1899; J. P. Johnson. 
March, 1899, present incumbent. 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



639 



The Clerks have been: D. T. Wood, 1857; 
W. B. Andrus, 1858-9; R. H. Mellen, 1860-1; W. 
C. Sears, 1862-3; H. G. Pratt. 1864; N. H. Ryan. 
1865-7; Lee Cronkrite, 1869; Everett E. Chase, 
1870 to 1883; A. E. Merwine, 1883-4; Geo. E. 
Young, 1884-6; R. C. Bear, 1886-7; H. J. Mas- 
terman, 1887-9; M. J. Monahan, 1889-94; S. E. 
Applet on. 1894-5; H. Swisher, 1895-1901; F. A. 
Flath, April, 1901, present incumbent. 

The population of the city of Amboy, ac- 
cording to the census of 1900, was 1,826. Its 
population in 1890 was 2.257. The population 
of the city and township in 1900 was 2,726, 
while in 1890 it was 3,139. 



CH.\PTER \'. 



ASHTON TOWNSHIP. 



ORdANIZATION OF THE TOWNSHIP— TOWN ORIGIN- 
ALLY NAMED OOLE — FIRST SETTLERS — EARLY 

CHURCHES DESTRUCTIVE FIRES BUSINESS 

HOUSES AND BANKING INSTITUTIONS — BUILD- 
ING STONE SCHOOLS AND VILLAGE IMI"HO\E- 

MENTS. 

What is now the Township of Ashton was set 
off from the town of Bradford, by resolution of 
Board of Supervisors, at its February meeting 
in 1861. to be known as the town of Ogle. The 
first settlers in the neighborhood were C. 
Royce, J. Clark and I. Rosecrans, in 1835. In 
1838 Andrew Drummond and John Weather- 
ington, with their families, settled on the west 
side of Lafayette Grove. Erastus Anderson 
was the first settler within the boundaries of 
the township. His year was 1848. In a few 
weeks his brother Timothy joined him, and in 
December, his father. At that time there were 
only four houses within view, some of which 
are said to have been twenty miles distant. 
In 1849 a man by the name of Hubbard settled 
in the west part of the township. In 1852 Dan- 
iel Suter located near the present site of the 
German Baptist Church and Henry Sanders 
farther to the we.st. These comprise about all 
the settlers of what is now Ashton Township, 
up to the time the railroad was built in 1854. 



The railroad company named the station 
"Ogle," which in time was dropped for the 
present name. The site of the village is 
claimed to be the highest point of ground be- 
tween Chicago and the Mississippi River. It 
was platted as the "Town of Ogle," May 9, 
1855, by Joseph Crawford, County Surveyor, 
for D. B. Stiles and Thomas D. Robertson. The 
first house was built in what was to be the 
village in 1854 by James L. Bates, and he kept 
the first store. The first warehouse was put up 
in the latter part of 1854. The next year S. M. 
Kifnes started the first blacksmith shop. 

The first meeting house put up in Ashton 
was the Methodist Episcopal, in 1863. It was 
considered a temporary structure. The next 
year the Free Methodists erected a building, 
which is claimed to be the first one built by 
that denomination in the State. Indeed, the 
birthplace of the sect or society is said to have 
been just over the Ogle County line, where J. 
G. Terrol started it in 1860. The third church 
to be built was the Catholic, in 1866. The Ger- 
man Baptists erected their house the same year 
about a quarter of a mile south of the village. 
Next was the Christian church built in 1868. 
The Presbyterian church was erected in 1877. 
The denominations now maintaining service 
in the village, with present pastors, are the 
Methodist Episcopal, J. E. Honeywell pastor; 
Free Methodist (name of pastor not ascer- 
tained); Evangelical, C. Marth pastor; United 
Evangelical, W. Schuster pastor; Lutheran, H. 
Stauffenberg pastor; Presbyterian. W. J. Mani- 
fold pastor; Catholic. Thomas Finn pastor. 

Fire has dealt cruelly with Ashton. In 1863 
a grain elevator was burned, with etimated loss 
of $2,000. Flour mills were burned the same 
year; loss $60,000. In 1871 railroad property, 
consisting of the depot, two tanks and the coal- 
house containing 1,200 tons of coal, besides a 
lumber yard and four dwelling houses, were 
consumed; estimated loss. $75,000. In 1874 a 
hay-press and elevator were burned; loss $30.- 
000. In the summer of 1889 Are consumed 
twenty-eight business houses in three hours. 
The village was still without any protection 
against fire, but the Dixon and Rochelle Fire 
Companies were on the ground in time to check 
the prograss of the destroyer. The estimated 
loss from the last fire was $65,000, with an in- 
siirance of $11,000. Within twenty-four hours 
Mills & Petrie, bankers of the place, com- 
menced preparations to erect new brick build- 



640 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



ings, not only for themselves but to supply 
store-rooms for those who were not in position 
to build. In the summer of 1891, fire again 
did its work, consuming nearly all the frame 
business buildings spared by the fire of 1889. 
The estimated loss was $20,000 without insur- 
ance. The village now has a fire company of 
seventy-six members, equipped with fine hand 
engine, hose and cart, hook and ladder truck 
and two tank wagons. 

The village possesses fifty-seven business 
places and offices; has four doctors, five black- 
smith shops and two meat markets. Pour 
grain elevators handle the grain of the sec- 
tion with a capacity of 45,000 to 60,000 bush- 
els. Three are owned and operated by A. L. 
Clark & Son and one by Zeller & Hutchinson. 
The latter also conduct extensive sheep-feed- 
ing sheds and yards, where as many as 15,000 
head have been fed, at one time, in prepara- 
tion for the Chicago market. 

But probably the most important institution 
of all, in a business sense, is the Ashton Bank, 
because it is largely the mainstay of the busi- 
ness interests. S. F. Mills and N. A. Petrie. 
under the name of Mills & Petrie. commenced 
banking in Ashton in September, 1869, and 
sold out January 1, 1903. to the Ashton Bank, 
which was incorporated about that time under 
the State Banking Law, with $25,000 capital 
and $5,000 surplus, and organized with N. A. 
Petrie as President; Geo. H. Mix, Cashier; and 
M. D. Hathaway, Vice-President. Deposits are 
about $140,000. During the long experience of 
Mills & Petrie, covering a number of financial 
panics, their business stood on a conservative 
basis, commanding the confidence of the com- 
munity, and every check rightly drawn on them 
was promptly honored. The banking facilities 
have been added to by the establishment, early 
In 1902, of the People's Bank of Ashton, a pri- 
■vate institution, with Booth & Lyons as propri- 
etors. 

Ashton village is underlaid with a superior 
quality of building stone, which has been on 
the market, in a small way, for a number of 
years. It admits of high polish and stands the 
action of acids better than most Illinois stone. 
Experts give it the credit also of resisting a 
higher pressure than any other building stone 
in the State, with but one exception. 

The village has a large two-story public 
school building built of this stone. The school 
is graded and employs six teachers. 



The cemetery is controlled by the "Ashton 
Cemetery Association." which was incorporated 
August 14, 1902. 

The village put in a gas plant in the sum- 
mer of 1903, which supplies satisfactorj' gas 
for street lighting and other purposes. 

The population of the township, including 
the village, was 1,031 in 1890, and 1,125 in 
1900; that of the village alone, in 1890. being 
G80 and, in 1900, 756. The village was first in- 
corporated March 5, 1867, and again under the 
general law, July 23, 1872. 



CHAPTER VL 



BRADFORD TOWNSHIP. 



OROANIZATION AND NAMING OF THE TOWNSHIP 

FIKST TOWN OFFICERS EARLY LAND-OWNERS 

AND FIRST SETTLERS — EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN 
CHURCH — FARMERS' Ml'TUAL FIRE INSURANCE 
COMPANY. 

The present town of Ashton originally be- 
longed to Bradford, and was set off as Ogle 
by resolution of the Board of Supervisors in 
February. 1861. Bradford acquired its name 
from the circumstance that many of the or- 
ganizers were from Bradford County, Penn. 

The first town meeting was held at the house 
of Ralph B. Evitts, when the following officers 
were elected: Charles Starks, Supervisor; Ira 
Brewer, Town Clerk; E. W. Starks, Assessor; 
Samuel S. Starks, Collector: Ralph B. Evitts, 
Overseer of the Poor; Sherman Shaw, Stephen 
Clink and George Yale, Highway Commission- 
ers; Samuel S. Starks and Daniel Barber. Con- 
stables; Elisha Pratt and l^Fayette Yale, Jus- 
tices of the Peace. Town meetings were held 
at private houses until 1856, when a meeting 
was held at the school house at Ogle Station 
(now Ashton.) 

Many of the early land owners of the town 
first settled at Lee Center and, as their lands 
became subdued and they grew able to build, 
moved onto them. The first to erect homes 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



641 



within the bounds of the township were Sher- 
man Shaw and Mr. Whitemore, the house of 
the latter having Ijeen built prior to 1839. 
Shaw's was built in 1840 on the northeast cor- 
ner of Section 31. Owen Hillison soon followed 
in the erection of a home, having prior to this 
lived in a sod-house, and having made his way 
on foot from New York to Chicago and thence 
to Bradford. In 1S3S Charles Starks located 
at Inlet, and the next year filed a claim on the 
east half of the northwest quarter and west 
half of the northeast quarter of Section 32, 
and built and moved onto it in 1842. About 
this time the Whipples located their claim a 
little north of this. In 1842 N. C. Yale moved 
onto Section 1. Prior to this Jesse Woodruff 
settled on Section 32 and R. B. Evitts on Sec- 
tion 29. About this time Stephen Clink built a 
stone dwelling on Section 33. In 1842 Elias 
Hulbert moved onto the south halt of the south- 
east quarter of Section 19, and in 1845 John Hot- 
zel, a bachelor, lived in a sod shanty on the east 
half of [he southwest quarter of Section 31. He 
is said to have been the first German settler in 
the township. Mr. Bender came in 1845. Ira 
Brewer reached Lee Center in June. 1843, and 
the same year bought of O. W. Wright a claim 
to the west half of the northwest quarter of Sec- 
tion 32 for $40 in trade, and of a Mr. Sturdevant 
a claim to the east half of the northeast quarter 
of Section 31, with a ten-acre timber lot added, 
for $100. In 1849 he built a dwelling on the 
latter tract. In 1845 E. W. Poroeroy joined 
the settlement and soon became the owner of 
the west half of the northwest quarter of sec- 
tion 31. He and J. H. Gardner are credited 
with bringing the first reaper into the commun- 
ity. 

In 1859 an Evangelical Church was built on 
Section 17 at a cost of $1,300. In 1874 an addi- 
tion was made and a steeple erected, at a fur- 
ther cost of $2,700. The society was first or- 
ganized at the house of John Hotzel. 

Egbert Shaw is said to have been the first 
white child born within the township. 

The Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Com- 
pany, of Bradford, is one of the important in- 
stitutions of the county. It was incorporated 
by special act of the Legislature, March 30. 
1869, Ira Brewer, R. B. Evittf^, Thomas S. Hul- 
bert, Charles D. Hart, Valentine Hicks. C. P. 
Starks and George Hulbert being the incorpo- 
rators. Ira Brewer was the first President and 



continued to hold the office for twenty-five 
years until advancing age forced him to retire. 
Thomas Hulbert was the first Secretary, serv- 
ing one year. C. D. Hart followed for a like 
term. Samuel Dysart, the present Secretary, 
has served continuously since 1871. The pres- 
ent officers are: B. F. Lane, President; Sam- 
uel Dysart, Secretary; H. W. Hillison, Treas- 
urer; Christian Gross, William V. Jones. Geo. 
Shafer and Wm. S. Frost, Board of Managers. 
It has paid over $(30,000 in losses. The aver- 
age annual outlay for salaries, clerk hire and 
all other expenses, has been less than $400. 
The Company has 750 members holding 860 
policies, representing a total insurance of $1,- 
586.155.54. The amount insured is increasing 
at the rate of about $50,000 yearly. 

The population of Bradford, as shown by the 
Government census, was 720 in 1890 and 677 
in 1900. 



CHAPTER VH. 



BROOKLYN TOWNSHIP. 



riONEER SETTLEU15 — FIRST MARRIAGE COMPTOX A 

I"R0GRE.SSI\ E \ILL,VGE — W.\TER WORKS AND ELEC- 
TRIC LIGHT PLANT — WEST BROOKLYN VILLAGE 

BUSINESS HOITSES, CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS. 

The earliest settler in Brooklyn Township 
was Zachariah Melugin, who came in the spring 
of 1834 and located on the northwest quarter 
of Section 4, in the grove which has since borne 
his name. The Chicago road ran along bis 
south line, and here he soon built a tavern. 
A. V. Christiance and wife were the second to 
arrive at the grove, and located at the south 
side on the only thoroughfare, the Chicago 
road. This was in 1835. His log house also 
became an inn. Here a son, Cornelius, was 
born that year, being the first white child born 
in the township. In July, 1835, John Gilmore 
settled on the nortnwest quarter of Section 2. 
His son, W. W. Gilmore, was the second while. 



642 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



child to be born in tlie township, his birth be- 
ing only six weeks later than that of Cornelius 
Christiance. W. W. Gilmore became Super- 
visor of the town, and was one of the building 
committee of the board which had charge of 
the erection of the present Court House. Wil- 
liam Guthrie located near by. In 1838 Oliver 
P. Johnson and wife came. When the Black 
Hawk War broke out, Mr. Melugin was living 
in the vicinity of Springfield in this Slate. 
He enlisted at Rock Island. After the close 
of the war he went back to his home. In the 
fall of 1833 he returned to Dixon's Ferry, 
where he was persuaded by Father Dixon and 
others to establish a stage station at the grove 
on the mail route between Chicago and Galena 
via Dixon's Ferry, on which stages commenced 
running January 1, 1834. Being unmarried, 
his sister Mary joined him the next spring and 
made a home for him until the following Octo- 
ber, when he was married to Mary Ross. Dur- 
ing this summer his sister was the only white 
woman at the grove. She visited Mrs. Dixon, 
at Di.xon's Ferry, that summer, and there met 
John K. Robinson, who was the first school 
teacher in Mr. Dixon's family and who became 
her husband. The wedding occurred at the 
grove September 10, 1835, and was the first 
to be celebrated in that locality. Mr. Robin- 
son built his log house about half a mile from 
Mr. Melugin's. 

Two buildings contend for the distinction 
of being the first school house in the township. 
At a very early date a log school house stood 
within the grounds now occupied as a ceme- 
tery at the "Berg," and was also used for 
church purposes until 1859, when the first 
meeting house was erected. There was like- 
wise a building known as the "Red School 
House," standing at an early date on the north- 
east quarter of Section 4. near its southwest 
corner. Which one of these was the earlier 
we have been unable to determine, but it is 
probable that one of them dates back as early 
as 1837. Prior to the coming of the school 
house, Zachariah Melugin, the pioneer, con- 
ducted in his own log cabin the first school in 
the township. 

The first church to be organized was the 
Methodist, in 1837, at the dwelling of Mr. 
Melugin. The first pastor was Rev. Stephen 
R. Beggs. The first Sunday School was started 
by Rev. Haney of the Methodist Church, in 
1847 or '48. A. 'V. Christiance was the first 



postmaster and Charles Morgan & Son were 
the first merchants in the place. 

Conipton. — Compton Village was platted in 
1873 on land of Joel Compton, from whom it 
received its name, the survey having been 
completed May 8. The building of the railroad, 
now the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, that 
year, gave birth to the town. Located about 
three miles from the hamlet of Melugin Grove, 
most of the few buildings in the "Berg," as 
the latter was called, were early moved over 
to the railroad, as well to escape the inevitable 
decline of the older settlement as to participate 
in the prospective advantages of the new. The 
Methodist church, built in 1860, was one of the 
structures that migrated, and two hotel build- 
ings, which took the names of the Compton 
and Young's Hotel, were also in the procession. 

Compton was a corn field when platted, and 
the first house was a store built by Joel Comp- 
ton in the corn stubble. It faced the railroad 
and was completed in the spring of 1873. The 
next house to go up was a small meat market, 
built by M. M. Avery that same spring, and 
the third was Mr. Avery's residence. The place 
has a grain elevator, which is owned and oper- 
ated by Warner & GufBn. Its banking demands 
are provided for by the Farmer's & Trader's 
Bank, of which Charles Bradshaw is Presi- 
dent, L. Carnahan, Vice-President, H. L. Ford- 
ham, Cashier, and A. B. Fordham, Assistant 
Cashier. The capital stock is $25,000 and de- 
posits about $40,000. It has recently become 
a National Bank, and is about to occupy a fine 
new bank building. The village has two 
churches — the Methodist and United Brethren. 
It is equipped with an efficient system of water- 
works, for private use as well as fire protec- 
tion. Its streets are lighted by electricity, as 
are also many of its stores and homes. It has 
a graded school embracing three grades. Comp- 
ton was incorporated as a village December 6, 
1875. 

West Brooklyn. — This village was laid out 
the same year Compton was. on land belonging 
to 0. P. Johnson, D. L. Harris and R. N. Wood. 
The past few years has not witnessed a rapid 
growth of the place. With a population now 
claimed to be 425, it does a business in excess 
of what would be expected from a town of its 
size. It has two grain elevators, one operated 
by Charles F. Guffin and the other by the Atlas 
Grain Company of Chicago. The latter eleva- 
tor, with its contents of about 15.000 bushels 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



643 



of grain, was destroyed by fire February 19, 
1903, and it was at once rebuilt. The village 
has a prosperous private bank, which was 
opened by the present proprietor and manager, 
Henry F. Gehant, June 1, 1897. Its present 
capital is $10,000, with a surplus of $5,000 and 
deposits ranging from $50,000 to $75,000. It 
not only serves the community in a banking 
cacpacity, but meets the demand in matter 
of insurance, conveyancing and other conven- 
iences, such as usually attach to an institution 
of its kind in a small town. The village is for- 
tunate in being so provided. 

Without referring to other lines of busi- 
ness the bank and elevators are pointed to as 
an index of the business transactions and im- 
portance of the place. 

Brick and tile of a superior quality have 
been manufactured here, for about six years, 
by J. M. Beale & Co., the demand largely ex- 
ceeding the output. 

The school house was erected in 1874 at a 
cost of $1,200. 

The first church to be erected in the place 
was the Methodist, about twenty-four years 
ago. 

The membership of the Catholic Church, in 
and around West Brooklyn, is both large and 
wealthy, as is evidenced by the fact that, in 
1902, they erected here a splendid church edi- 
fice at a cost, including decorations and fur- 
nishings, of $18,000. It is 48x98 feet and built 
of brick, with a spire 125 feet high. In the last 
five years at least $25,000 have been paid out 
by this society on church, parsonage and 
grounds, all of which has been accomplished 
under the pastorate of the priest in charge. 
Rev. A. H. Leising. 

The church was dedicated September 5, 
1902, with imposing ceremonies. Archbishop 
Muldoon, of this diocese, officiating. Excursion 
trains brought participants from neighboring 
towns, and. although the day was rainy, it is 
estimated that 5,000 people were brought to the 
place in honor of the occasion. 

The village was incorporated under the gen- 
eral law, by order of the County Court, Sep- 
tember 24, 1894. 

According to census returns the township 
had a population, including Compton and West 
Brooklyn, of 1.154 in 1890, and 1.347 in 1900. 
Compton had a population, in 1890, of 234 and, 
in 1900, of 42S. West Brooklyn does not appear 
in the census table of 1890, but is credited with 
a population of 279 in 1900. 



CH.\PTER \"Iir. 



CHINA TOWNSHIP. 



ORUANIZEU A.S FREMO.NT TOWN.SIIIP — FIRST TOWN 
OFFICERS AND FIR.ST .SETTLERS — .SOME NOTABLE 

CHARACTERS — FHA.NKLIN r;ROVE CHIRCIIES, 

SCHOOLS, FACTORIES, BANKS A.M) NEWSPAPERS. 

When township organization was adopted in 
1850, this town was named "Fremont." Later 
the present name was substituted at the solici- 
tation of Russell Linn, an e^rly settler whose 
native town in Maine was of that name. The 
following were the first officers of the town of 
Fremont: George R. Linn, Supervisor; Josiah 
Wheat, Clerk; Christian Lahman, Assessor; 
Moses Curtis, Collector; Jesse Hale, W. C. Rob- 
inson, Nathan Whitney, Highway Commission- 
ers; Robert B. Sproul, Justice of the Peace; 
Moses S. Curtis and W. C. Robinson, Consta- 
bles. The highest number of votes cast for 
any one office at this election was 46. 

According to the most reliable information. 
Cummings Noe built the first cabin in China 
Township, in 1835 or '36. It stood about eighty 
rods north of the W. H. Hansen place. James 
Holly and his father-in-law. Charles Harrison, 
built in 1836. The "Minor House" was one of 
the early buildings. It formed the western 
part of the old "Bishop Hughes Hotel." Nathan 
Whitney came in 1335, as did Cyrus Chamber- 
lain and Lockwood Miner the same year. The 
latter's father, Cyrus R. arrived in 1836. Mr. 
Whitney seems to have returned to his New 
York home, and to have made trips back to 
Lee County in 1836 and 1837, his family arriv- 
ing February 8, 1838. In 1850 >he introduced 
one of the first, if not the first, threshing ma- 
chines in the country. He built, probably in 
1838, the house which afterwards became the 
"vinegar house" at the nursery. In 1838 Amos 
Hussey arrived with his family and located on 
the south side of the grove. 

In 1845 Christian Lahman and family and 
his father-in-law, Mr. Emmett, from Pennsyl- 
vania, were added to the meager settlement. 
Edward Morgan and family came in 1836. His 
son, John Wesley, was born the next year, and 
his is believed to have been the first birth in 



644 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



the grove. Edward Morgan built a double log 
cabin north of the timber. Jeremiah Whipple 
and family located near the "cave" which 
bears his name, in 1837. Hugh Moore and his 
brother Rufus landed in 1836, and their brother 
James the year before. They settled near 
Grand Detour. Silas Tolman and family 
reached Inlet in 1837 and joined the Franklin 
Grove colony early the next spring. Henry 
and Harrison Hansen, with Philip Stahl, came 
in 1838. The father, Charles Hansen, Sr., fol- 
lowed in 1840, leaving his son Charles at their 
Maine home to bring the mother and younger 
children later. The family in charge of the 
young son Charles, reached Franklin in De- 
cember, 1840. 

As early as 1840 Whipple's mill, on Franklin 
Creek near "Whipple's Cave," was sawing logs 
cut from the near-by woods, into lumber for 
building purposes. 

E. C. Thomas and family arrived in 1839 
and Nathaniel Yale and family came still ear- 
lier, in 183fi. D. M. Bradstreet came in 1844. 
James Dysart arrived in 1846 and. by 1849, had 
secured land enough to provide each of his 
several children with a half-section. 

The northeast portion of the northwest quar- 
ter of Section 34 was known as Temperance 
Hill. Here, on the tract now owned by W. P. 
Wolcott, lived John Cross, a Presbyterian min- 
ister, who gave the "hill" the name "Theoka," 
but this early gave way to the more suggestive 
one connected with sobriety. Cross was an 
anti-slavery tighter and a recognized and self- 
confessed conductor on the Underground Rail- 
road. Indeed, he once boasted to Chester Bad- 
ger that, in one load, he had sent twelve slaves 
on their way towards freedom. His home was 
one of the stations on the underground road. 
In 1848 Mr. Cross moved to Wheaton and be- 
came Principal of Wheaton College. Next east 
of Cross, Sylvester Frisbee settled, and still 
east of him, Mr. Hannum and family were liv- 
ing in a sod house as early as 1842, when Mar- 
tin Eastwood and wife came Into the neigh- 
borhood. Eastwood made a business of break- 
ing prairie, and built a small house which 
could be hauled from place to place wherever 
his work happened to be. Nathaniel Lewis and 
family took up their abode here in 1843. Fris- 
bee and all the settlers in the vicinity were 
zealous temperance people, and this fact is sup- 
posed to have suggested the name for the local- 
ity now marked by a row of hardy venerable 



pines. The school house hard by perpetuates 
the name. 

In 1871 the west half of the town of China 
was set off to form the town of Nachusa. 

In the year when short-hom cattle (Dur- 
ham) were considered the best breed. China 
was made prominent by its successful breeders. 
As early as 1854-5 Christian I^hman intro- 
duced high grade short-horns, and in 1867 Sam- 
uel Dysart and Henry Hansen went a step fur- 
ther with thorough-breds from Central Illinois. 
Mr. Dysart exhibited his stock at many fairs, 
at none of which he suffered defeat. He was 
awarded thirty-five first premiums and eighteen 
second premiums. Twice he was victorious in 
Iowa State Fairs. In 1870 he introduced the 
first pure-bred Berkshire swine. 

For a considerable time the Whitney nur- 
sery was one of the leading tree distributors 
in this part of the State. It was established 
by Nathan Wliitney in 1843, and was for many 
years continued by his son, A. R. Whitney, un- 
der whose management it became a large and 
prosperous institution. Mr. Whitney's failing 
health necessitated its abandonment some 
years ago. To those who are disposed to ques- 
tion the fitness of our soil and climate for fruit- 
growing, the fact may be recalled that, in 1871, 
W. H. Hansen sent from this town to the Iowa 
State Fair ninety-seven varieties of apples and 
fifteen varieties of pears. 

Franklin Grove. — This name is said to have 
been given to the grove after the youngest son 
of Father Dixon. 

In 1853 Christian Lahman, who owned the 
tract south of the railroad, platted about ten 
acres, now constituting the extreme south-west 
portion of the village, and christened it "Chap- 
lin." What are now Main and Hughes Streets 
were its only thoroughfares, and the lots were 
numbered from 1 to 35. The plat was recorded 
in the Recorder's Office April 23. 1855. In 1851 
George W. Pense started a blacksmith shop. 
In 1852 Charles Bill put up the first shoe shop. 
Charles Ambrose opened the first store in the 
fall of 1851 or spring of 1852. In 1854 H. I. 
Lincoln came with a stock of goods from Ken- 
dall County and continued in trade until a few 
years ago. 

The first postoffice was opened about 1848, 
with Abram Brown as postmaster and A. R. 
Whitney mail carrier. Dr. Clark was the sec- 
ond postmaster and. during his term, the name 
of the office was changed to Chaplin. In May, 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



645 



1854, Dr. George W. Hewitt located here, and 
in 1855 John C. Black came. 

The town, as it at present exists exclusive of 
additions, was platted by Adrastus W. Tolman, 
Christian Lahman, T. D. Robertson and John 
Dement in 1853. In 1854 the railroad was com- 
pleted and the regular train made its first trip 
December 3d of that year. A. B. Fitch was the 
first station agent of the road. The station be- 
ing located in the new part of the town, drew 
business in that direction and changed the 
trade center. W. Leake started the first 
harness shop. The first elevator was built in 
1854 by one Williams. S. J. Smith & Co. and 
L. M. Blaisdell opened lumber yards and Rufus 
Covin started a furniture store. Conrad 
Durkes, hailing from Oregon. Ogle County, was 
first to open a dry-goods store in the new sec- 
tion of the town. Mix & Losey followed soon 
after in the same line. In 1855 Jonas Clisbee 
built the hotel building north of the track, and 
Josiah Hughes put up the two-story stone hotel 
in the old town, which was still known as 
Chaplin. 

Village incorporation was effected in 1857. 
Josiah Hughes. Jonas Clisbee, L. M. Blaisdell, 
S. J. Smith and A. W. Tolman were the first 
Trustees, Blaisdell being President and Smith 
Clerk. The village was again incorporated 
under special charter in 1865, the first officers 
under this organization being C. Durkes, Presi- 
dent; Josiah Hughes, J. J. Lichty, Joseph Wil- 
liams. Jonas Clisbee, George W. Brayton and 
Geo. H. Taylor, Councilmen, Under the gen- 
eral law it was once more incorporated in 1872. 

Churches. — The first class of the Methodist 
Church was formed by Rev. Jas. McKean, a 
missionary, probably before 1840. Cyrus Minor 
was leader. The first Methodist church build- 
ing was erected in 1863 during the pastorate 
of C. W. Wright. Prior to this the services 
had been held at the homes of the members and 
in school houses. Ministers having other 
charges officiated for a number of years. In 
1853 and 1854 R. R. Bibbins, of Light House 
Point, preached every fourth Sabbath evening, 
and in the fall of the latter year, Henry Martin 
reorganized the class with James Welsh as 
leader. In the fall of 1855 M. Decker, of Lee 
Center, supplied the pulpit. Following him 
came A. D. Field, H. Richardson and Penfield. 
In 1860 W. T. Harlow, principal of the Semi- 
nary at Mt. Morris, drove twenty miles to fill 
appointments here. Other pastors have been: 



C. Webster, L. M. Anderson, H. T. Giles, John 
Williamson. A. P. Hatch, S. T. Snow, Jas. 
Bush, A. J. Scott, J. Wardle, J. C. Cooper, A. H. 
Schoonmaker, Revs. Stire, Stuff, Satterfield, 
Bassett, Harris, O'Neal, Slaughter and Honey- 
well, the present incumbent. In 1902 this so- 
ciety tore down the old church and built a new 
one on the same spot, at a cost of $8,100. It 
was dedicated October 6. 1902. 

January 1, 1861, Franklin Grove Presbyter- 
ian Church was organized. The first Board 
of Trustees consisted of G. W. Brayton, G. W. 
Hewitt, G. W. Pitcher, G. H. Brewer and Jere- 
miah Ketchum. W. W. Harsha, the pastor at 
Dixon, also acted as first pastor of this soci- 
ety. W. L. Lyons was the second pastor. Fol- 
lowing him have been: W. Hare, A. F. Morri- 
son, Spencer Baker, S. N. Vail, W. C. Cort, 
F. C. Cochrane, H. S. Jordon (May, 1881, to De- 
cember, 1882); A. L. Sarchet (March, 1883, to 
March, 1884); William E. Holyoke (Aprif, 

1884, to April, 1885); W. H. McKee (April, 

1885, to April. 1886); C. W. Anthony (Decem- 
ber. 1886, to December, 1897); R. F. Cressy 
(May, 1898, to .lune. 1901); W. J. Manifold, 
the present pastor, from September, 1902. In 
1865 this society built a church conjointly with 
the German Lutherans, which was used in 
common by the two denominations. In the fall 
of 1887 the Presbyterians built their present 
church, the lot and building costing $4,000 and 
the furnishings $995. 

The German Lutheran Church was organized 
by Rev. William Uhl. of Dixon, but at what 
date we are unable to state. George Engel, 
George Fishback, George Kreitzer and John 
Genk were the first board of Trustee. A church 
was built but in what year we have not ascer- 
tained. The pastors have been: William Angel- 
bergpr. Charles Young, C. A. Renter, H. Stauf- 
fenberg. Rev. Stolle. The writer has been un- 
able to learn the names of any other, or to fix 
the date when these served. 

The German Baptist Brethren Church, famil- 
iarly known as "Brethren" or "Dunkards," are 
very strong, both financially and numerically, 
in this section. The first families of the faith 
to settle here were the I.,ahnia.ns and Emmerts, 
who came in 1843. The following year came 
the Riddlesbargers. Father Emraert was the 
first preacher. Christian Lahman was also a 
minister of the church. Their first house -of 
worship was a small grout house on the Dixon 
road in the present town of Nachusa. It has 



646 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



been remodeled and enlarged. The society's 
cemetery is in the same inclosure. They also 
built a meeting house in Ashton and. in 1879, 
erected their Central Church building a little 
northwest of Franklin Grove. This denomina- 
tion has no officiating pastors, but the office de- 
volves on bishops and elders. 

A Society of the Universalist Church flour- 
ished in Franklin Grove at an early day. and 
built a church here in 1856. The Hausens, 
John Fish. Jonas Clisbee. John C. Black and 
Isaac Twombly were early members. T. J. 
Bartholomew was the first preacher, J. 0. Bar- 
rett, C. F. Dodge. Chase and Cook were pas- 
toi-s. 

Schools. — The first and only school house 
in Franklin Grove was built in part in 1856. 
In 1867 it was enlarged and. in 1894, a new 
brick building costing $9,000 took its place. 
The first principal was T. W. Scott assisted 
by his wife. The school was soon graded .into 
four departments — one primary, two intermedi- 
ate and one high school. Five teachers are 
now eniployed. 

In the early years school was kept during 
alternate weeks at Morgan's double log cabin 
and at Whipple's Cave. 

About the year 1840 Lorenzo Whiting taught 
a school near "Tolman's Timber," a short dis- 
tance from the present site of Franklin Grove. 
Miss Sarah Edmonds, who married James Net- 
tleton, was also one of the early teachers, her 
service being in a school house east of the 
Amos Hussey homestead. Harry Godger is 
named among the very early instructors. 

Cemetery. — In September, 1863, the FranlUin 
Grove Cemetery Association was formed with 
Isaac Twombly as President, Conrad Durkes, 
Secretary, Joseph Williams, Geo. H. Taylor and 
AV. S. Thompson, trustees, its purpose being to 
take care of and improve the then existing 
cemetery. This has been admirably done. 
There is no record in the County Recorder's 
office showing the incorporation of the associa- 
tion. The burial of Mrs. Holly, in 1S39, is said 
to have been the first in these grounds. 

Factories. — The Cheese Factory Association 
of Franklin Grove was organized in February. 
1881, with A. H. Schoonmaker as President; 
N. Hansen, Vice-President, H. A. Black. Secre- 
tary and Treasurer, and A. R. Whitney. C. L. 
Anthony and Chas. Wertman, Directors. 

The Wind Grist-Mill was built in 1874 near 
the southeast limits of the village, by J. L. 



Strock. J. C. J. D. and D. F. Lahman. at a 
cost of $13,261. The wheel was 80 feet in diam- 
eter and. at its top, was 105 feet above ground. 
The enterprise did not prove to be profitable. 
The property changed hands several times, and 
was finally converted by J. L. Strock into a tile- 
factory, which was successfully conducted for 
a number of years until his death in 1888, and 
afterwards by F. D. and C. W. Lahman and F. 
A. Dow, A succession of dry seasons reduced 
the demand for tile and. in 1900, the machinery 
was exchanged for western land and the build- 
ings sold. 

In 1875 the copartnership known as J. D. 
Lahman & Company was organized for the 
manufacture of the Great Western Seeder, with 
J. D. and J. C. Lahman and J. L. Strock part- 
ners. A year or two later J. C. Lahman retired 
from the firm and D. F. Lahman became a mem- 
ber. J. L. Strock was the business manager. In 
1889 J. D. Lahman bought D. F. Lahman's in- 
terest. To simplify natural complications that 
arise on the death of a copartner in conduct- 
ing an industrj' of this Icind, J. D. Lahman 
bought the J. L. Strock estate's interest in the 
factory and unsold goods, and closed the busi- 
ness in the two years following. H. N. Brat- 
ton & Company manufactured and sold a few 
machines for several years succeeding. The 
business grew from a small beginning to a brisk 
little enterprise, as many as 2.400 seeders be- 
ing manufactured in a single season. 

Camp Meetinci. — On July 12. 1881. the Dixon 
District Camp-Meeting Asociation was organ- 
ized with the following officers: Rev. Luke 
Hitchcock. President: Isaac Rive. Vice-Presi- 
dent; Rev. I. E. Springer, Secretary: Rev. A. 
H. Schoonmaker. Treasurer. Executive Com- 
mittee — Revs. Schoonmaker. F. P. Cleveland. 
R. M. Smith. G. W. Carr, F. G. Petrie and 
Messrs. R. B. Sproul and James Brown. Ten 
acres of ground in the timber just outside of 
the village was bought and suitably fitted up 
for camp-meeting purposes. The first meeting 
opened August 31, 1881, and successful ses- 
sions have been held yearly since then. It 
soon became recognized as one of the estab- 
lished institutions of the county. 

Banks. — For a number of years Conrad 
Durkes furnished banking facilities for the 
community as an adjunct to his mercantile 
business. At different times other merchants — 
Henry A. Black. P. C. Rooney and possibly oth- 
ers — did the same. Having retired from trade 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



647 



Mr. Durkes, in 1889, organized tlie "I'''ranklin 
Grove Bank" under the State law with a capital 
of 125,000, and with J. D. Lahman, President; 
C. Durkes, Vice-President; W. C. Durkes, Cash- 
ier. The organization stands the same to-day 
except that, on the deatli of C. Durlves, his son 
Warren C. succeeded him as Vice-President and 
another son. Stelzer A., was made Cashier. The 
deposits the first year averaged about $20.i)0n. 
They now average about $150,000 yearly. 

Newspapers. — The only newspaper now pub- 
lished in the village is the "Franklin Re- 
porter," which was started by John Blocker 
August 14, 1869. Dr. D. H. Spickler succeeded 
him in the proprietorship, September 7, 1871. 
May 8. 1875, T. W. Scott became its owner and 
John Blocker acquired an interest with him Sep- 
tember 4, 1875. They sold out to D. B. Senger, 
August 5, 1876. October 16, 1886, E. E. Man- 
ning became publisher. June, 1889. T. W. Scott 
again became proprietor. W. T. Tuttle followed 
him March 13, 1S91. and September 1, 1894, G. 
W. Gaver, the present proprietor, took the helm. 

Other papers have appeared from time to 
time, but soon went out. The "Franklin 
Grove Gazette," printed at Dixon, the "Enter- 
prize" and "Electric Light" were of this class. 

The population of China Township, includ- 
ing Franklin Grove, according to census, was 
1,361 in 1S90, and 1,315 in 1900. The popula- 
tion of Franklin Grove was 736 in 1890, and 
681 in 1900. 



CHAPTER IX. 



DIXON TOWNSHIP AND CITY. 



THE OCEE FERRY ESTABLISHED ARRIVAL OF ,70HN 

DIXON AND FAMILY OTHER EARLY SETTLERS — 

GOVERNMENT LAND OFFICE AT DIXON THE 

TOWN INCORPORATED IMPORTANT EVENTS IN 

LOCAL HISTORY — VISITATION OF CHOLERA 
SCOtTRGE — DISASTROUS FIRE13 ^ — SKETCH OF 
"father" JOHN DIXON — DISTINGUISHED VISIT- 
ORS LINCOLN AND .lEFF DAVIS — CIIURCII HIS- 
TORY. 

In 1828 a Canadian half-breed, named Jo- 
seph Ogee, built a log cabin and established a 
ferry across Rock River at the present site of 
Dixon. John Dixon had, at this time, a con- 



tract for carrying the mail between Galena and 
Peoria, and induced Ogee to establish the ferry 
here on the mail route between the two points. 
There Is authority for the statement that li- 
cense was granted Ogee by Jo Daviess County 
— which then embraced Lee County — to keep 
this ferry, while there is credible authority 
stating that the ferry was unlicensed. 

The banks of the river then sloped gently to 
the water's edge, instead of being abrupt as at 
present. This, it is said, was at that time the 
only crossing below Rockford, and the few 
settlers in that vicinity had to come to Ogee's 
or Dixon's Ferry for their mail. 

In 1829 a postoffice was established at the 
ferry, and a man by the name of Gay appointed 
postmaster. 

April 11. 1830, John Dixon, with his wife 
and family of five children, came to Dixon, 
bought Ogee's claim and ran the ferry, and in 
1834 the name of the postoffice was changed 
from Ogee's Ferry to Dixon's Ferry. 

Between the years 1832 and 1836 a plat of 
a town called Burlington was laid out on a part 
of the land now included in Adelheid Park. In 
the latter year, it had three log houses. Some 
years ago John K. Robinson wrote that, in 
1834, "a Mr. Kirkpatrick attempted to start a 
town one and a quarter miles below Dixon, on 
the place now known as Dr. Everett's farm." 
and tried to establish a ferry, but both town 
and ferry failed. Some time prior to 1840. the 
"Town of Oporto" was platted. Its location is 
not definitely ascertained; but from allusions 
to it found in early conveyances, it was prob- 
ably a small piece of ground on the north 
side of the river, included in the triangular 
piece between Everett and Fellows Streets in 
Parson's Addition. Recently the plat of 
Oporto was discovered among ancient papers 
in the Recorder's Office at Galena, but was so 
poorly prepared that it gave no assurance of the 
exact ground it was designed to fit. 

It must be remembered that, prior to 1840, 
all plats, including the original plat of the town 
of Dixon, were recorded at Galena, then, as 
i!ow, the county-seat of Jo Daviess County. The 
first plat of the Town of Dixon to be recorded 
in the Recorder's Office of Lee County, is found 
in Book "A" of Deeds, page 62. It was made 
by Joseph Crawford, October 28, 1840, for John 
Dixon, Smith Gilbraith, William Wilkinson, 
and Bowman and Lane, On the margin of this 
plat is a note reading: "Numbers of lots in 



648 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



led ink, are the same as those upon the orig- 
inal plat recorded in Jo Daviess County." The 
"red figures" indicate that boundaries of the 
two plats were alike. 

North Dixon was platted as "Town of North 
Dixon," April 22, 1842, by Joseph Crawford, for 
and under the direction of John Dixon. 

For his first dwelling. Father Dixon occupied 
a log cabin partly built by Ogee and extended 
by himself, standing at the northwest corner 
of what is now First and Peoria Streets. It 
was ninety feet long. The site is appropri- 
ately marked by a bronze tablet, placed in the 
wall of the building standing on this corner 
by the Dixon Chapter of the Daughters of the 
American Revolution. The original dwelling 
was torn down in 1845. 

In the spring of 1836, the first store was 
started by Chapman & Hamilton in an addition 
to Father Dixon's log house. Prior to this, 
however, in 1833-4, a man by the name of Mar- 
tin kept a small stock in the block-house form.- 
ing a part of the fort on north side of the river. 
Father Dixon also carried on quite a busi- 
ness, largely with the Indians, in the princi- 
pal comjmodities in use in frontier life. In 
1837 a dry-goods store was opened by S. M. Bow- 
man & Co. on the corner of River and Galena 
Streets. 

Joseph Crawford came to Dixon in the spring 
of 1835 and located on a farm in the "bend" 
near Grand Detour. 

Dr. Oliver Everett reached Dixon September 
3, 1836, which then consisted of four log 
houses, a frame house, a blacksmith shop and 
two or three houses in course of erection. 

At the Presidential election in 1836, polls 
were opened in Dixon for Rock River precinct 
of Jo Daviess County, Ogle County not yet 
having been set off. 

In the fall of 1840 the Government Land 
Ofiice was moved here from Galena. John 
Dement was made Receiver and Major Hack- 
elton Register. D. G. Garnsey became Receiver 
soon after, and John Hogan Register. 

In 1841 a small stone two-story building was 
erected on the northwest corner of Ottawa and 
Second Streets, and for four years was occupied 
as the Government Land Office, The ofiice was 
then moved to a grout two-story building stand- 
ing at No. 115, Hennepin Avenue. It was taken 
down about two years ago to give place to the 
brick building now occupying the ground. 
The Land Ofiice remained in that building as 
long as it was continued in Dixon. 



In the winter of 1839-40, J. T. Little and S. 
G. D. Howard opened a dry-goods store on the 
corner of River and Hennepin Streets. 

In June, 1841, William Cullen Bryant, the 
poet, visited Dixon and, on his return to his 
brother's home at Princeton, 111., wrote of the 
place, in part, as follows: "Five years ago, 
two cabins only stood on the solitary shore, 
and now it is a considerable village with many 
neat dwellings, a commodious Court House, 
several places of worship for the good people, 
and a Jail for the rogues, built with a triple 
wall of massive logs, but I was glad to see that 
it had no inmates." 

In 1841 the now quite dilapidated old frame 
building on River Street, used as a livery sta- 
ble (No. 114-116), was built by J. T. Little and 
occupied by Little & Brooks as a dry-goods 
store for a number of years, and afterwards 
by Webb, Rogers & Woodruff. It was In this 
store that P. M, Alexander took employment 
when he first came to the town, and where he 
continued to clerk until he embarked in busi- 
ness for himself, 

March 20, 1843, an election was held on the 
question of village incorporation. Forty-four 
votes were cast, all in the affirmative. 

A business roll-call of the town of Dixon, in 
the summer of 1845, would have shown: 6 
lawyers, 3 physicians, 5 dry-goods and 3 gro- 
cery stores, 4 blacksmith and 3 wagon-shops, 
3 tailors, 2 shoe-makers, 1 painter, 2 cabinet- 
makers, 2 harness shops, 1 bakery, 2 hotels. 

In the first issue of the "Dixon Telegraph 
and Lee County Herald," May 1, 1851, the dam 
is referred to, and it is said that "a saw-mill is 
already in operation on the north bank, and a 
large flouring-mill is about to be erected on the 
other. A rope ferry is the means of crossing 
the river, which is in operation night and day. 
The stages meet here from almost every direc- 
tion." A time table of the "Chicago & Galena 
Railroad," published in the same issue, closes 
with, "stages will connect at Aurora and St. 
Charles, for Dixon, Albany and Rock Island," 

As early as 1845 Dixon boEisted of a "Young 
Men's Lyceum," 

July 29, 1851, a brass band of eleven mem- 
bers was organized, H. T. Noble, H. P. Wickes, 
B. F. Shaw, Andrew J. Brubaker, Henry Brook- 
ner, O. F. Herrick. T. H. Eustace and A. B. 
Judd being members. 

At the Presidential election November 2, 
1852, 327 votes were cast in the precinct, of 
which Pierce received 185 and Scott 138. 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



649 



December 18, 1852, the first flour mill on the 
water power was completed. It was built by 
Brooks & Daley at a cost of $15,000. 

March 7, 1853, Dixon was incorporated as a 
town (not city). The first Trustees were John 
Dixon, A. L. Porter, P. M. Alexander, Lorenzo 
Wood and L. Wynkoop. 

April 16, 1853, the local paper notes that, 
after the murder of the Mormon high priest, 
Joseph Smith, his brother William, with a 
small band of followers, took up their resi- 
dence about twelve miles south of town, where 
they have kept up their organization and meet- 
ings, and that, at the April term of the Cir- 
cuit Court of that year, William's suit against 
his wife for divorce came on and the jury 
found in favor of the wife. May 4. 1854, he 
was in jail for "jumping bail." The "resi- 
dence" referred to was Palestine Grove, wherp 
Mormonism gained quite a foothold. (See Am- 
boy.) 

May 21, 1853. "The Telegraph" records the 
advent of a milk wagon and dray. 

The pioneer "strike" of the community oc- 
curred in March. 1854. during the construction 
of the Illinois Central Railroad through the 
town. The hands employed on the work struck 
for $1.25 a day. Frequent rows and knock- 
downs were the accompaniments. 

In 1846 the first brick building in the town 
was erected. It is still standing as Nos. 109 
and 111 First Street. The west half was erected 
by James and Horace Benjamin, and the east 
half by A. T. Murphy. 

In 1854 one of the buildings which formed 
the nucleus of the present Grand Detour Plow 
Works, was erected by John Dement for manu- 
facturing purposes. In this same year Ex- 
change Block (Nos. 102 and 104 Galena Ave- 
nue) was erected by Stiles, Eustace & Webb, 
and Nos. 84 and 86 Galena Avenue, were built 
by P. M. Alexander and J. B. Brooks. 

One hundred and thirty buildings were 
erected in 1855. among which were the brick 
building, corner of First and Hennepin (No. 124 
First Street), erected by Davis Bros.; "Union 
Block" (Nos. 105-107 First Street), erected by 
Nash & Noble. This was originally four stories 
high, but in April, 1862, the fourth story being 
considered unsafe, was removed. The three- 
story brick building on the north side of First 
Street (No. 115) was erected in the fall of 1856. 

In the fall of 1858 C. Godfrey & Sons, who 
then owned the Brooks & Dailey mill on the 
water-power, completed the "Farmers' Mill," 



located on present site of electric power-house, 
lots 2 and 3, Mill Block. 

The year 1854 was a very eventful one in 
the annals of Dixon, not only in matters of 
growth and development, but on account of the 
cholera scourge which afflicted it. There had 
been a few deaths from the disease prior to 
July 21, including those of Mrs. Alanson Smith 
and a few railroad hands; but on the 21st it 
became epidemic, breaking out in full force 
on Saturday the 22d. During that night many 
of the inhabitants fled into the country. The 
next day, Sunday, fourteen victims lay dead in 
the town. The total number of deaths from 
July 20th to August 7th by cholera was 34. 
Doctors Everett and Abbott, who were in at- 
tendance, give the following as the death roll: 
Mrs. Patrick Duffee and child. Michael Harris, 
Mrs. Jacob Craver, Wm. Lahee, Daniel Brook- 
ner and wife and Daniel Brookner. Jr.. John 
Finley, Joseph Cleaver (Postmaster) and cous- 
in of same name, John Keenan, Mrs. Cooley, 
Marsh, Mrs. Owen's child, John Connels, John 
Barnes, Elijah Dixon, Wm. Patrick, Benj. Vann. 
Mrs. Scheer, Cyrus Kimball and wife, Israel 
Evans. Mrs. Catherine Dailey, Mr. Peck, Ed- 
ward Hamlin. Roderick McKenzie and wife, 
Mrs. Huff, Mr. Jones, Mr. C. Johnson, Owen 
Gallinger and E. Boswick. 

October 12, 1854, Mr. Ferris Finch was occu- 
pied in the painting of the fine portrait of 
Father Dixon, which for many years hung in 
the Court House, and is now in the Public Li- 
brary. 

At an auction sale of town lots, made March 
15, 1856, by Brooks, Eddy and Wood, the aver- 
age price obtained was $52 a front foot for 
business property. A corner lot on First and 
Galena Streets (not stated which corner) 
brought $72 a foot. Property bought in 1848 
for $225 sold for $3,000. 

At the first election under the city charter 
298 votes were cast against licensing the sale 
of liquor, and 170 votes in favor. 

June 6, 1855. the Maine Prohibitory Liquor 
Law was submitted to popular vote and received 
318 votes for to 38 against. 

February 20, 1856, the "Nameless Minstrels" 
gave a concert, "the proceeds to go towards 
purchasing a fire engine for the corporate town 
of Dixon." The names of J. C. Ayres and H. T. 
Noble appear among the "talent." 

In 1856 the excitement over the Kansas-Ne- 
braska issue ran high and $1,000 was raised 



650 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



to aid bona fide emigrants to Kansas to assist 
in making it free territory. 

July 14, 1858, the Lee County Agricultural 
Society was organized and held Its first fair 
on fair-grounds near the cemetery, in October of 
that year. A similar society had been organ- 
ized February 6, 1854. 

July 30, 1858, the steamer "Rocliford" ar- 
rived on its first trip up the Rock River. 

December 4, 1858, the proposed city charter 
was submitted to vote of the citizens and by 
them indorsed. It was passed by the General 
Assembly and approved February 19, 1859. Two 
previous efforts to incorporate had been de- 
feated at the polls. 

August 10, 1859, the North Dixon depot of 
the Illinois Central Railroad was opened, with 
George L. Herrick as agent. 

April 5, 1860, the "Dixon Improvement Asso- 
ciation" was formed for the purpose of im- 
proving and beautifying the city by planting 
trees, etc. 

In the fall of 1862 the Illinois Central Rail- 
road replaced its- wooden bridge with an iron 
one, on the same piers. 

The "Quaker City" building (No. 209 First 
Street) was erected by Isaac Jones in the sum- 
mer of 1862. 

June 22, 1863, a "Society of Vigilance" was 
organized for the purpose of detecting and 
bringing thieves to justice, and reclaiming 
stolen property. 

June 24, 1870, the Dixon Hose Company, No. 
1, was organized with about thirty members — 
H. S. Dey, Foreman — and a week later, the 
Monitor Hook & Ladder Company was organ- 
ized with W. N. Johnson as foreman. 

June 2, 1870, the Dixon Park Association was 
formed, and held its first fair that summer on 
its grounds west of the city, now included in 
Maple Park. ' 

January 12, 1871, the City Hall building, 
(frame) at the corner of Second and Henne- 
pin Streets, was completed for use of the fire 
department. 

November 30, 1876, the Opera House, erected 
by H. J. Stevens, F. A. Truman, J. D. Crabtree 
and W. D. Stevens, was opened. 

December 4, 1879, trains commenced run- 
ning on switch track connecting depots with 
water power. This track was paid for by citi- 
zens of Dixon with funds raised by subscrip- 
tion. 



In 1892 a new frame passenger depot was 
built by the Illinois Central Railroad Company, 
about two blocks south of the old one. The 
latter, a small brick building, was the first to 
be occupied by the company and was permitted 
to hold its ground until the summer of 1903, 
when it was demolished. 

Old Settlers. — It is well nigh impossible to 
give anything like a complete list of the early 
settlers of Dixon and immediate vicinity, but 
the following is offered as a partial roll of ar- 
rivals prior to 1850: John Dixon, 1830; Joseph 
Crawford, 1835; Dr. J. B. Nash, 1838; J. H. 
Moore, 1847; J. V. Eustace, 1843; Isaac S. 
Boardman, 1837; Oliver Everett, 1836; Joseph 
T. Little (who died this summer), 1839; Sally 
Herrick, who recently died at an advanced 
age, sister of Dr. Nash, 1S40; Mrs. N. G. H. 
Morrill, who also died recently, 1838; John 
Richards and daughter Sarah, September 1, 
1836; John L. Lord, 1838; Noah Beede and son, 
A. A. Beede, 1836; A. T. Murphy. 1840; Reuben 
Eastwood and son Sumner D., 1837; John De- 
ment, 1840; W. W. Heaton, about 1840; Alexan- 
ander Charters and son James, 1838; John 
Clute, 1840; Philip M. Alexander, 1838; Hiram 
Hetler and parents, 1837; David H. Law and 
parents, 1839; Daniel McKinney and parents, 
1846; Andrew J. Brubaker, 1848; John H. Page, 
1834; Joseph B. Brooks, prior to May 15, 1844. 
Mrs. E. B. Baker (Ann Elizabeth Kellogg) 
passed through here in 1828 with her father's 
family; they settled at Buffalo's Grove (Polo) 
and she became a permanent settler of Dixon 
in 1846; Stephen Fuller arrived in 1836; Joseph 
Brierton and son Sylvester, 1838. (Wm. S., the 
son of Joseph, was born the next year.) Of 
these all but the following have passed to the 
"great beyond:" Mr. Moore, Miss Sarah Rich- 
ards, Mrs. Murphy, S. D. Eastwood, Mr. Clute, 
Hiram Hetler, Dr. D. H. Law, Mr. Brubaker, 
Mrs. Baker, Mr. Fuller, Sylvester and W. S. 
Brierton. 

Fires. — In 1846 the first recorded fire visited 
the town, consuming the Phoenix Hotel, Stiles 
& Eddy's Store (Bowman's old stand), corner 
of Galena and River Streets. 

October 14, 1859. a disastrous fire occurred 
extending on both sides of First Street from 
Hennepin west. Seventeen buildings were de- 
stroyed. The estimiated loss was over $50,000; 
insurance, |10,200. 

January 29, 1860, John Dement's machine 
shop, opposite the Mills on Water Street, was 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



651 



burned out. ruining the machinery — loss |2.t,- 
000; no insurance. 

March 7, ISiJl. three buildingj on or near the 
northwest corner of First and Galena Streets 
were destroyed by fire. 

March 3, 1871, three buildings in center of 
the block on north side of First Street, be- 
tween Hennepin and Peoria, were destroyed by 
fire— loss $4,000. 

November 30, 1871, St. James Hotel U'ormerly 
Shabbona House) was burned to the ground. 

March 12, 1873, the Western Knitting Mills 
were entirely destroyed by fire^loss |20,000. 
The Flax Factory adjoining wa3 duniageii to 
the extent of $5,000. 

December 7, 1875, a fire broke out in the 
upper story of Becker & Underwood's Flouring 
Mill, resulting in a loss of $13,000, The main 
building of the Dixon Power & Lighting Com- 
pany now occupies the ground. 

April 8, 1880, the most disastrous fire that 
ever visited Dixon broke out at one o'clock in 
the morning, at the water-power. In an hour 
all the buildings on the north side of the race, 
were consumed. They consisted of the double 
stone building — one-half of which was owned 
by Caleb Clapp and the other half by John 
Dement — Thompson's Flouring Mill and that 
of Becker & Underwood. The only pumps af- 
fording fire protection were on the race in 
front of these mills, and they were soon dis- 
abled. The Amboy Fire Company, with its 
engine, was sent for and its timely arrival and 
efficient work saved the buildings on the oipo- 
site side of the street. When the flames reached 
the Becker & Underwood Mill there was a ter- 
rific explosion, cause, it was supposed, by the 
combustion of flour dust. Men were in the 
building at the time striving to check the fire, 
two of whom, Ezra Becker and William Schum, 
were killed, while ten others were wounded 
more or less seriously. The total loss was 
$190,000; insurance, $66,900. 

The interior of the Catholic Church was en- 
tirely destroyed by fire May 7, 1887. 

On the morning of June 3, 1903, all of the 
Opera House above the first floor within walls, 
was destroyed by fire; insurance paid, $12,000. 

Biographical Sketch of Father Dixon. — John 
Dixon was born in the Village of Rye, West- 
chester County, N. Y., October 9. 1784. On 
reaching his majority he moved to New York 
City where, for fifteen years, he was the pro- 
Col-:! 



prietor of a clothing store and merchant tail- 
oring establishment. He was actively inter- 
ested in the temperance cause and religious 
matters, and became one of the directors of the 
"Young Men's Bible Society of the City of New 
York," organized February 11, 1809. It was 
the first Bible Society established in the United 
States, and developed into the American Bible 
Society of the present day. When Fulton took 
his first steamboat on its trial trip up the Hud- 
son, Mr. Dixon was a passenger and insisted on 
paying fare against the inventor's protest. He 
thus came by the distinction, not only of riding 
on the first steamboat, but of paying the first 
fare for such a ride. 

Being threatened with pulmonary disease, 
he left New York in 1820 for the West with his 
wife and children, the means of transportation 
being a covered wagon drawn by a single team. 
On reaching Pittsburg a flatboat was purchased 
on which they embarked with their team and 
belongings, and floated down the Ohio to Shaw- 
neetown, 111., where they disembarked and pro- 
ceeded with their wagon across the trackless 
prairies to the locality where Springfield now 
stands. On Fancy Creek, nine miles from the 
site of the future capital, he located after over 
seventy days' journey. Early the next year 
Sangamon County was organized. At the first 
session of Court in the new county, John Dixon 
was foreman of the grand jury. In 1825 he 
was appointed Clerk of the Circuit Court and 
Recorder of Deeds for Peoria County, necessi- 
tating his removal to Peoria, then also known 
as Fort Clark. Northern Illinois was not then 
divided into counties and, within the territory 
attached to Peoria County were the voting pre- 
cincts of Galena and Chicago. This whole 
.egion, which now embraces thirty counties, 
then had but 1,236 inhabitants. 

While Mr. Dixon was thus engaged at Peoria, 
the Government established a mail route from 
that point to Galena, crossing Rock River at 
the present site of Dixon, mail to be carried 
once in two weeks on horseback. Mr. Dixon 
secured the contract. In order to effect safe 
passage of the mails over the river, he induced 
a French and Indian half-breed by the name 
of Ogee to establish a ferry, which was later 
purchased by Mr. Dixon, who with his family 
moved to this point April 11, 1830, and the 
crossing was thereafter known as "Dixon's 
Ferry." Whether this is the same "Joseph 



"'0^ 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



Ogee" referred to in the treaty of Prairie du 
Cliien. heretofore quoted, nowhere appears, but 
It is highly probable. 

The Winnebago Indians were occupants of 
a large part of the country, and Mr. Dixon 
soon established business relations with them 
and secured their entire confidence which, on 
the return of the Sacs and Foxes in 1832, proved 
to be of great value to himself and family, and 
he reciprocated with services equally valuable 
to them. His unflinching integrity and strict 
temperance habits served often to protect his 
dusky friends from the exactions of unscrupu- 
lous traders. Owanico, or "Jahro," chief of the 
Winnebagoes. became an active disciple of tem- 
perance. Even at that early day, Mr. Dixon's 
hair was so white that he was known among 
the Indians as "Na-chu-sa" (the white-haired.) 

In 1838 Mr. Dixon was appointed by the Gov- 
ernor of the State one of the Commissioners 
to carry on the system of internal improve- 
ment then inaugurated, and later was elected 
to the position by the Legislature. Although 
the movement was ill-conceived and resulted 
in ridiculous failure, no fault was ever at- 
tached to the Commissioners. 

The acquaintance which Abraham Lincoln 
made with Father Dixon, during the Black 
Hawk War. was never forgotten by Mr. Lin- 
coln; and when the great man had been elected 
President, and before his departure from 
Springfield to assume the office. Father Dixon 
called on him. Mr. Lincoln eagerly recalled 
the early friendship and volunteered a promise, 
unsolicited on Mr. Dixon's part, that he would 
see that his old friend was made Postmaster 
of the city he had founded; but when the time 
for the change came, another secured the post. 
By some political trick the commission had 
been obtained without Mr. Lincoln's knowledge. 
On being apprised of it, the President was in- 
dignant and mortified, "for," he said, "he had 
promised it to Mr. Dixon." This incident is 
vouched for by unquestionable authority. 

In 1840 Mr. Dixon visited Washington, his 
mission being to procure the removal of the 
Government Land Office from Galena to Dixon. 
It is needless to say that he succeeded. He 
enlisted the interest of General Scott, who had 
made his acquaintance while serving in the 
Black Hawk War, and thus reached President 
Van Buren, who promptly caused the desired 
order to be made. 



Mrs. Dixon was a woman of superior attain- 
ments, who exerted an active moral and relig- 
ious influence in the community, and was a 
worthy companion for so exemplarj- a man. 

Mr. Dixon died at his home in North Dixon, 
July 6th, 1876, universally respected and be- 
loved, having nearly attained his ninety-second 
year. His wife and ten children had all de- 
parted before him. but grandchildren and other 
family connections were about him and ten- 
derly ministered to him to the last. Though 
he had once owned the tract on which the city 
which bears his name now stands, and had 
been afforded many opportunities to accumu- 
late a fortune, he died a poor man. The preva- 
lent craze for speculation seems to have passed 
him by. He was modest, gentle and retiring by 
nature, a great reader and a man of large in- 
telligence. Current events and the affairs of 
the nation and the world at large were of ab- 
sorbing interest to him up to a short time be- 
fore he was taken. His generosity and public 
spirit are well indicated by the fact that, in 
platting the town of North Dixon, he dedicated 
Oak Park to public use, and in laying out the 
town of Dixon south of the river, he gave Mar- 
ket Square to the public, and donated to the 
county the Public Square on which the Court 
House now stands. It is generally understood 
that he also donated 80 acres of land adjacent 
to Dixon to aid in the erection of the first 
Court House. 

His funeral was the occasion of a demonstra- 
tion seldom accorded a modest, private citizen 
having no official claims to distinction. It oc- 
curred on Sunday following his death. From 
all the surrounding towns came delegations 
and societies to pay their last respects to his 
memory. Business houses and public buildings 
were draped in mourning. The body lay in 
state at the Court House under guard of Sir 
Knights Templar, and for hours the people 
streamed by to take a last look at the venerable 
founder of the town. At a meeting of citizens, 
held the Friday evening before his burial, a 
touching memorial was adopted, in which the 
rare tribute was pronounced that he was a man 
of great strength of mind, force of character 
and determination of purpose; yet he had lived 
and died without an enemy. Forgetful of him- 
self, he lived for others a pure and unselfish 
life. He was that "noblest work of God" — "an 
honest man." No life admits of a higher en- 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



653 



comium, nor can any lity boast of a name 
which should carry with it, into all the arter- 
ies of municipal life, more of manly virtue and 
civic righteousness than the one which this 
noble pioneer gave to the town he founded, and 
on whose infant life he impressed the seal of 
his fine personality. A monument to his mem- 
ory was erected and dedicated in 1892, in Oak- 
wood Cemetery, by popular subscription, at a 
cost of $1,000. 

(For further notice of Father Dixon see 
"Black Haick Wo?-.") 

Distinguished Visitors. — Dixonites, like all 
the rest of creation, recall with satisfaction 
the distinguished personages who have tarried 
within their borders. Abraham Lincoln, the 
Immortal, heads their list. He was first here 
as a Captain of Militia during the Black Hawk 
War, and again as private on a second and 
third enlistment. Lieut. Jefterson Davis, of the 
legular army, who became President of the 
Southern Confedercy, and Lieut. Robt. Ander- 
son, also of the regular army, who in April, 
1861, defended Fort Sumter against the Con- 
federacy's rebellious assault, were also here at 
the same time: That Davis was here has been 
questioned, but . no longer admits of doubt. 
Lieut. Col. Zachary Taylor, afterwards Presi- 
dent of the United States, and Gen. Winfield 
Scott were also of the number. It has often 
been asserted, and generally believed, that Lin- 
coln was first mustered into the service of the 
Government at Dixon's Ferry, and that, as a 
part of the procedure. Lieut. Davis adminis- 
tered the oath of allegiance to him. Father 
Dixon and Col. John Dement so understood it, 
and it is said upon creditable authority that 
Mr. Lincoln so stated. But it may not be true. 
Mr. Frank E. Stevens, who, by the way, was 
Dixon born and bred, in his recently issued 
exhaustive work on the Black Hawk War, re- 
produces a letter from Maj. Buckmaster. under 
whom Captain Lincoln's company was serving, 
dated May 9, 1832, at mouth of Rock River, in 
which he writes that they were mustered into 
the service of the United States the day before 
by Gen. Atkinson; and the author submits this 
as conclusive proof of the fallacy of what has 
been so long and fondly entertained as true. 

Certain it is, that this letter casts another 
shadow over the subject. If Mr. Lincoln was 
sworn into the service at Dixon, it is of course 
possible that Lieut. Davis was the mustering 
officer, but rather more probable that Lieuten- 



ant Anderson performed that function. We 
have said in our notice of the Black Hawk War 
that Lincoln entered the service three times 
before the war terminated. He was discharged 
from the first company at the mouth of Fox 
River, and there re-enlisted for twenty days as 
a private in Capt. lies' Company. Lieut. Ander- 
sion being the officer who then mustered the 
company in. At the expiration of the twenty 
days, these men returned and were mustered 
out at Fort Wilbourn, located between LaSalle 
and Peru. On the following day Lincoln was 
mustered in as a private in Capt. Early's Com- 
.pany, this being his third enlistment. June 
21st the company reached Dixon's Ferry, and 
thence moved north to Whitewater River, where 
it was mustered out July 10, 1832, the men re- 
turning homeward by way of Dixon's Ferry. 

It follows, therefore, that there was only one 
opportunity for Mr. Lincoln to have been mus- 
tered in at Dixon, and that was when his com- 
mand reached here on its march from the 
mouth of Rock River, where Major Buckmaster 
writes the troops were sworn into the service. 
But it must be looked upon as little less than 
marvelous, that Father Dixon and John De- 
ment, both of whom were active participants 
in the war and were brought in constant con- 
tact with both Lieut. Anderson and Lieut. 
Davis, and became well acquainted with Mr. 
Lincoln, should be mistaken; and it is still 
more remarkable that Mr. Lincoln himself 
should state that he was sworn in here, if. in 
fact, it occurred at the mouth of the river, as 
deduced from the letter from Maj. Buckmaster. 
It is possible, of course, that, for some reason, 
Lincoln may not have been with his company 
at the time of the muster referred to by the 
Major. 

There is no question but what Lincoln was at 
Dixon on other occasions. He had become well 
acquainted with Joseph Crawford, who had 
ferved with him in tne TjCgislature, and who, 
being a brother Whig, was a great admirer of 
Mr. Lincoln. Lincoln is remembered to have 
visited Dixon at one time, when he sought out 
Mr. Craw.ford. if indeed he was not actually 
entertained at the Crawford home. He also 
knew Judge J. V. Eustace, whose acquaintance 
he had formed at Springfield, and on one of his 
visits here called on the Judge. One occasion 
was when he spoke in Court House square, 
September 8, 1856, in the Presidential cam- 
paign of that year. The probable spot where 



654 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



he addressed the people has been recently 
marked by a large boulder, placed there by the 
Dixon Post G. A, R., bearing an inscription 
commemorative of the event. A number of citi- 
zens still living were present. A communica- 
tion from one of the audience whose identity 
is not revealed, is referred to in "Scribner's 
Magazine" for April, 1878. p. 884, in which the 
writer says: "Lincoln spoke in the grove in 
the Court House square, Dixon, 111. I think 
you (Noah Brooks, to whom the letter was ad- 
dressed) and I sat together and made a little 
fun of his excessively homely appearance. He 
was dressed in an awkwardly fitting linen suit, . 
evidently bought ready made at a country 
store, and intended for a man at least five 
inches less in stature than he was, the vest 
and trousers not meeting b.v at least an inch 
and a half, and the last named garment being 
short at the feet. Lincoln made, on that occas- 
ion, his second speech on a Republican or Free- 
Soil platform. No other speech I have ever 
heard made such a lasting impression on my 
mind." 

In Herndon's "Life of Lincom." it is stated 
on authority of Mr. Horace White, then corre- 
spondent of the Chicago Tribune, who later be- 
came its editor, that Mr. N. B. Judd and Dr. C. 
H. Ray, then editor of the Tribune, met Mr. Lin- 
coln at Dixon in conference the day before his 
memorable debate with Douglas at Freeport. 
It is known by those intimately associated with 
Mr. Lincoln at this time, that in the debate he 
contemplated putting to Douglas the following 
question: "Can the people of a United States 
territory, in any lawful way, against the wish 
of any citizen of the United States, exclude 
slavery from its limits prior to the formation 
of a State constitution?" The politicians close 
to Mr. Lincoln feared the consequences which 
would follow, and endeavored to persuade Mr. 
Lincoln to desist. Mr. White writes that this 
was the purpose of the conference at Dixon. 

We are able to state, on authority of Mr. B. 
F. Shaw of Dixon, who was then conducting a 
Republican paper (The Telegraph) here and 
was deeply interested in c\irrent events, as well 
as a great admirer of Mr. Lincoln and a stanch 
champion of the cause he advocated, that this 
reported interview never, in fact, took place. 
One thing is practically certain; that it such a 
gathering occurred, he would have known of 
it. On the contrary, he was at the Illinois 
Central depot when the large excursion train, 



with Mr. Lincoln aboard, passed through Dixon 
on its way to Freeport on the day of the great 
debate, and on a regular train, a few hours 
later, he himself reached Freeport in time to 
hear the discussion. It might be added that he 
found on the train Owen Lovejoy, with whom 
he was acquainted, who was likewise on his 
way to Freeport. Mr. Lovejoy was very much 
disturbed over certain references which Mr. 
Douglas had made to him in his speech at Ot- 
tawa; and, after the debate was over, Mr. Shaw 
was a prime mover in bringing Mr. Lovejoy be- 
fore the assembled crowd where, standing on a 
dry goods box in front of the Brewster House, 
he delivered one of the most eloquent, as well 
as fiery, philippics ever heard. In this con- 
nection the writer may say that, in conversa- 
tion he heard Gen. S. D. Atkins, of Freeport, re- 
late that he was present in Lincoln's room in 
the Brewster House on that eventful day, when 
several intimate friends of Mr. Lincoln were 
laboring with him to withhold the question 
above quoted, which he still expected to pro- 
pound to Mr. Douglas; that Mr. Lincoln patient- 
ly listened to all that was said, and after re- 
flecting some time without speaking, announced 
his determination to stand by the question, 
saying that while it might defeat him as a Sen- 
ator, it would prevent Douglas from ever be- 
coming President. The question was put and 
the predicted result followed. 

Albert Sidney Johnson and Joseph E. John- 
son, both of whom became leading Generals 
on the Confederate tide in the War of the Re- 
bellion, Col. Nathan Boone, a son of Daniel 
Boone, John Reynolds. Governor of the State, 
and Gen. E. D. Baker, one of the brilliant ora- 
tors of the then future, who was killed early 
in the war of the Rebellion at Ball's Bluff — 
these, with many other notables, made the ac- 
quaintance of Father Dixon at Dixon's Ferry. 
Father Dixon's account book of those days 
shows a loan to Gen. Scott of $6.50, for which 
Scott gave his note. 

In 1843 Margaret Fuller, a talented writer 
and one of the literary circle of Boston 
and Concord, which included Emerson. Chan- 
ning, Alcott, Hawthorne and others who be- 
came eminent, passed through Lee County in 
what was doubtless an emigrant wagon or 
"prairie schooner," en route from Chicago to 
Oregon, Ogle County. In her book, "At Home 
and Abroad," she speaks of a night spent in 
a tavern at Paw Paw. The ladies of the party 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



655 



slept in the bar-room, from which its drinl<ins 
visitors had been ejected at a late hour, the 
supper table serving as Miss Fuller's couch 
and the doors, of course, remaining imlocUed. 
They crossed Rock River at Dixon's Ferry and 
spent three days at Hazelwood, "place chosen." 
she writes, "by an Irish gentleman ('Gov.' 
Charters), whose absenteeship seems to be of 
the wisest kind." "If you descended a ravine at 
the side to the water's edge, you found there a 
long walk on the narrow shore, with a wall 
above of the richest hanging wood, in which 
they said the deer lay hid." Reference is made 
to the commodious dwelling and the log cabin, 
the latter being at this writing still standing 
on the spot. Dwelling on the beauty of the 
surroundings, she adds: "It seems not neces- 
sary to have any better heaven, or fuller ex- 
pression of love and freedom, than in the mood 
of Nature here." On parting she left a poem 
entitled, "The Western Eden," which would be 
quoted here but for lack of space. 

In the days when the lecture platform at- 
tracted the ablest and most talented men of the 
country to appear before the people, several 
whose names deserve to be mentioned addressed 
Dixon audiences. Among these were Horace 
Greeley, who was here twice: T. Starr King, 
who later moved to California, and was one of 
the great forces in that State for patriotism in 
the days of the Civil War. Here also lectured 
Ralph Waldo Emerson, Oliver Wendell Holmes, 
Bayard Taylor, Henry Ward Beecher, Joshua 
R. Giddings, Horace Mann, John G. Saxe and 
others of less note. 

That most charming poet, William CuUen 
Br.vant, who wrote so sweetly of nature, visited 
Dixon, as indicated by letter already quoted, 
and was the guest of his brother-in-law. Dr. 
Oliver Everett, when this entire country was a 
vast field of virgin prairie, covered with wild 
flowers, and its lakes and river frequented by 
birds of gorgeous plumage unharassed by the 
sportsman's gun. It was on that visit that 
Mr. Bryant was inspired to pen that most beau- 
tiful of his poems, "To a Waterfowl, " in which 
this verse appears: 

"There is a power whose care 

Teaches the way along that pathless coast — 
The desert and illimitable air — 

Lone wandering, but not lost." 

Churches. — The first sermon preached in 



Dixon was in the fall of 1834 by a Methodist 
missionary named Segg. His field of labor ex- 
tended from Apple River, in Jo Daviess County, 
to Prophetstown, in Whiteside County, and he 
made the circuit once in four weeks. 

In 1837 a Methodist class was formed with 
S. M. Bowman, E. A. Bowman, Maria McClure,. 
John Richards, Ann Richards, Caleb Tallmage 
and Amanda Tallmage as members, and in 
1839 T. D. Boardman. Mr. and Mrs. Perry. Mr. 
and Mrs. O. F. Ayres were added. Preaching 
services were held at intervals of six weeks 
over Bowman's store. The circuit preachers 
conducting services were Robert Dunlap, Bar- 
ton Cartwright, Isaac Pool, Riley Hill, Luke 
Hitchcock, Richard Blanchard, Philo Judson 
and W. H. Cooley. W. Wilcox was appointed 
to Dixon in 1843; David Brooks in July, 1S44; 
S. P. Keyes, August, 1845: Milton Hawey and 
R. W. H. Brent, August, 1846; R. P. Lawton, 
1847; William Palmer, 1848; Thomas North, 
1850; James Baume (father of Judge Baume 
of our Circuit Court), September, 1852; J. W. 
Agard, 1854: Wilbur McKaig. September, 1855; 
N. P. Heath, 1857; L. A. Sanford, August, 1858; 
S. G. Lathrop, 1S59; 0. B. Thayer, September, 
1862; W. H. Smith, March, 1864; G. L. Stuff, 
1864; T. C. Clendenning, 1865; George E. Stro- 
bridge, 1867; J. H. Brown, 1869; John William- 
son, 1871; Isaac Linebarger, 1874; G. R. Van 
Horn, 1876; A. W. Patton, 1879-80; F. P. Cleve- 
land, 1880-81; O. F. Mattison, 1881-84; M. E. 
Cady. 1884-87; F. H. Sheets, 1887-88; C. A. 
Bunker. 1889-90; 3. Earngey, 1890-93; 0. H. 
Cessna. 1893-98; J. D. Leek, 1898-1900; William 
Phillips. 1900-02; William Craven, 1902, present 
incumbent. (Beginning with 1864. the term of 
service of each circuit rider began uniformly 
in October, immediately after the adjournment 
of the Annual Conference. ) 

In the summer of 1843 the first Methodist 
church building was completed. It was a brick 
structure and is still standing in good state 
of preservation, at No. 117 Second Street, oppo- 
site the Court House. It was dedicated that 
summer by Presiding Elder John T. Mitchell. 
The board of trustees consisted of J. P. Dixon, 
E. Edson. O. F. Ayres, L. G. Wynkoop, Thomas 
McCabe, Joseph Brierton and S. M. Bowman. 
A Union Sunday School was organized which, 
on July 15th of that year, had eight teachers, 
sixty scholars and a library of ninety volumes. 
0. F. Ayres was Superintendent; T. D. Board- 
man, Secretary; J. W. Clute, Librarian. 



656 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



In 1854 a Methodist church was built where 
the present one stands, corner of Second Street 
and Peoria Avenue. March 1, 1855, it was dedi- 
cated by Rev. Wm. McKaig. The cost of the 
building, including furnishings, etc., was about 
$15,000. August 31. 1876, it was rededicated 
after extensive repairs had been made. This 
building was torn down to make room for the 
present structure, which was completed in De- 
cember, 1892, at a cost of $30,000. The next 
year a parsonage was built adjacent to the 
church, at a cost of $3,500. 

May 28, 1838, the "First Regular Baptist 
Church of Dixon and Buffalo Grove" was or- 
ganized at Buffalo Grove (now Polo.) Elder 
Thomas Powell, a missionary, was Moderator 
of the meeting. The original members were: 
Houland Bicknell. Rebecca Dixon. Elizabeth 
Bellows, Jerusha Hammond, Sarah Kellogg. 
Martha Parks and Ann Clarley. At the end of 
four years there were seventy-two names on 
the membership roll. 

January 13. 1841. the present corporate or- 
ganization of the Baptist Church was effected 
under the name of the "First Baptist Church of 
Dixon." April 16, 1S42, the congregation was 
divided into two churches, Buffalo Grove and 
Dixon. The former has since become extinct. 
Pastors since the organization have been: 
B. B. Carpenter. June, 1840, to October, 1844; 
Burton Carpenter. December. 1844, to March, 
1845. William Gates filled the pulpit occas- 
ionally, and William Walker about four months 
between March. 1844. and April. 1847. when E. 
T. Manning became pastor for one year. S. S. 
Martin was pastor for one year In 1849. G. W. 
Benton supplied the pulpit for about six 
months between Martin's pastorate and Au- 
gust, 1851, when John E. Ball became pastor 
and remained about four years. Anson Tucker 
served eleven months from May. 1855, W. R. 
Webb came in June, 1856. and continued over 
four years. William G. Pratt served one year 
beginning in March, 1861. W. S. Goodno came 
in September, 1862, serving two years. J, H, 
Pratt became pastor in October, 1864, and con- 
tinued nine years, D, F, Carnahan followed in 
August, 1874, and O, P. Bestor in August, 1877, 
who remained until October. 1882: Rev. W. H. 
Parker from January. 1883. to September, 1886: 
John F. Howard. October 10. 1886, to Septem- 
ber 1, 1890; William D. Fuller, March 4, 1891, 
to May 24, 1892; Hector C. Leland, from Sep- 



tember, 1892. to February 1, 1899; Wm. C. 
Spencer, the present Incumbent, came March, 
1899. 

May 5. 1849, the Baptist congregation dedi- 
cated their first house of worship. Rev. Jacob 
Knapp preaching the sermon. It was a brick 
building, situated on the west side of Ottawa 
Street at corner of the alley next north of First 
Street. It was abandoned as a church when 
the present edifice was completed, but was used 
in connection with a lumber yard until spring 
of 1899, when it was torn down. 

October 1. 1869, the corner-stone of the pres- 
ent Baptist church was laid with appropriate 
ceremonies, and the building was dedicated in 
August, 1872, Rev. Mr, Ravlin delivering the 
morning sermon and Rev, J. A. Smith the even- 
ing sermon. June 23, 1878. the fortieth anni- 
versary exercises of the Dixon Baptist Church 
were held in its house of worship. 

A correspondent, writing from Dixon to a 
Rockford paper in summer of 1845, says the 
place then had "four congregations: Metho- 
dist, Baptist. Episcopal and Congregational, 
and one church structure — that of the Metho- 
dist." 

"The First Evangelical Lutheran Congrega- 
tion of Lee County" was organized August 20, 
1848, In the bam of J. N. Burket, east of Dixon, 
by Rev. Jacob Burket. The name was changed 
November 12. 1853. to "St. Paul's Evangelical 
Lutheran Church." The pastors have been: 
Jacob H. Burket. who continued in charge un- 
til August. 1850; Ephraim Miller. May. 1851, to 
April, 1852; Charles Young. May. 1852, to Au- 
gust. 1853; William Uhl, September. 1853, to 
1855; D, Harbaugh, July, 1855, to July, 1856; 
William Uhl, September. 1856, to July, 1858; 
J. L, Guard. July. 1858, to 1861; J. R. Reiser, 
September, 1861. to October, 1864; A. A. Trim- 
per. spring of 1865 to 1870; N, W, Lilly, Octo- 
ber, 1870, to 1874; S, S, Waltz, September. 1874, 
to April, 1879; L. L, Lipe, October, 1879, to 
1885; J, M, Ruthrauff. 1885, to 1895; T, F. 
Dornblazer. fall of 1895. present incumbent. In 
December. 1856, the German portion of the con- 
gregation withdrew and organized a separate 
congregation, but were united again under 
the pastorate of Rev. Trimper. 

A Lutheran church was in process of erection 
in September. 1854, and was dedicated Septem- 
ber 30, 1855. It was a brick building with 
basement and spire, located on or near No. 309 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



657 



Crawford Avenue. It was demolished in 1879 
to make room for residences. In 1868 tlie pres- 
ent Lutheran church was built at a cost of $14.- 
6G4.S1. and was dedicated February 14. 1869. 
Extensive additions were made and the whole 
interior remodeled and equipped with an organ 
in the summer of 1898, at a cost, including or- 
gan, of about $7,000. A semi-centennial and 
rededication of the improved church was cele- 
brated December 16-19. 1898. 

The Evangelical Lutheran Emanuel Church 
was organized March 23. 1891. b.v Rev. H. Stauf- 
enberg. The church building was erected the 
same year and in 1899 the parsonage was built, 
the cost of the entire property being $5,000. 
The pastors have been H. Staufenberg, who 
served until October 14, 1894, L. Lentz from 
1894 to 1897. H. F. Schmidt, the present pas- 
tor, took charge November, 20, 1897. 

The local paper of June 22, 1851. has this 
item: "Some Presbyterians, wishing to have 
worship in accordance with their own views 
and customs," have preaching in the district 
school house. January 29, 1853, the Presbyter- 
ian Church was organized and held public serv- 
ice in the stone school house. The original 
members were: George Sharer, Nancy Sharer, 
James Means. Isabella Mean?, John Beatty, 
Nancy Beatty, Mary Richardson. Robert Mc- 
Bride, Mrs. Jane Smith and Mrs. Jane Little. 
W. W. Harsha served as first pastor, being suc- 
ceeded in December, 1862, by E. C. Sickels, who 
continued in the pastorate until July 7. 1895, 
when failing health necessitated his resigna- 
tion. He was fo'lowed by A. R. Bickenback 
from September 16. 1895, to September 30. 1899. 
January 1, 1900, S. S. Cryor, the present in- 
cumbent, took charge. 

February IT, 1856, the first Presbyterian 
church building was dedicated. It was a grout 
structure, 28 by 42 feet, standing on a portion 
of the present site, now partly occupied by a 
chapel addition. The main part of the present 
church, which cost about $16,000. was dedi- 
cated in October, 1800. In 1898 the chapel ad- 
dition was built at a cost of about $3,000- and. 
in 1902, the main church was redecorated, re- 
seated and refurnished throughout, and the 
first pipe-organ installed. The total outlay ( in- 
cluding organ, $3,000) was between $5,000 and 
$6,000. 

In 1S54 the Catholic Church was organized 
under the labors of Father Mark Anthony, with 



about twenty-five members. They worshipped 
in the Court House until the completion of a 
frame church building the same year, on the 
west side of Highland Avenue near the south- 
west corner of that street and Fifth Street. 

The pastors in charge since Father Anthony 
have been, in the order named: Father James 
Fitzgerald, succeeded by T. Kennedy in 1856; 
M. Ford, 1859; James Power. 1862; H. Koehne, 
1863; Louis Lightner, July. 1S63; M. McDer- 
mott, J. P. Hodnett, Gray, Tracy, and the pres- 
ent incumbent. Father Michael Foley, who took 
charge in June, 1892. 

June 23, 1873. the corner-stone of the present 
Catholic church was laid, Rt. Rev. Bishop 
Foley of Chicago officiating, and it was dedi- 
cated by him the second day of the following 
November. The foundation was laid during 
the pastorate of Father Lightner, and the edi- 
fice completed during the pastorate of Father 
McDermott at a cost of $30,000. The 
entire inside of the building, including 
organ, crucifix and altar vases, were con- 
sumed by fire Saturday, May 7, 1887. Fa- 
ther Tracy held services the following Sunday 
in the front yard of the parsonage. A contract 
was immediately let to Contractor W. J. McAl- 
pine to rebuild the edifice for $12,000. The in- 
surance was $7,000. 

In the summer of 1838 an Episcopal Church 
was organized under labors of Rev. James De- 
puy, but on his moving away active work was 
suspended and all records up to 185.=^ were lost. 
The first record, "after suspension of active la- 
bors," proceeds: March 19, 1855, a meeting of 
the vestry of St. Luke's Episcopal Church was 
held at office of Robertson. Eastman & Co., Rev. 
Bentley presiding. Addison Rice. S. C. Eells 
and Geo. C. Chapman were elected members of 
vestry to fill vacancies caused by removals. 
Soon thereafter services were regularly held 
in Exchange Hall until 1856, when a frame 
church was built on the lot immediately north 
of the present one. First services were held 
in this building September 28, 1856. When the 
present edifice was erected, the first church 
was converted into a dwelling and still stands 
on its original ground. Mr. Bentley was the 
first rector after this reorganization. Follow- 
ing him were: C. J. Todd, August, 1856; J. G. 
Downing, May. 1857; John Wilkison, August, 
1858, to August, 1859; A. J. Warner took 
charge January, 1861, and was succeeded by 



658 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



G. C. Street, in April. 1862, and James W. Coe 
in May. 1863. who continued in charge until 
July, 1865: H. H. De Garmo was rector from 
March to September, 1866; D. W. Dresser, No- 
vember. 1866. to November, 1867; H. W. Wil- 
lams, March 1868, to June, 1871; M. Byllesby. 
November, 1871, to April, 1873; Samuel Edson, 
May, 1873, to October, 1875; Joseph Cross, De- 
cember. 1875, to October. 1876; W. H. Jones. 
November, 1876, until his death. April 26, 1878; 
W. W. Steel, September.. 1878. to November 15. 
1880; John Wilkison, as minister in charge 
May, 1881, to June, 1885, when he became rec- 
tor, remaining until November 26, 1887; Louis 
A. Arthur, January 7, 1889, to February 12, 
1889; Henry C. Granger. November, 1889, as 
lay-reader until January, 1890, when he be- 
came deacon in charge. On being ordained 
priest, he became rector, June 24. 1890, and 
continued until October 5. 1896; John C. Sage. 
October 16, 1896, to December 31, 1901; John 
Mark Ericsson, January 1, 1902, present incum- 
bent. 

September 7. 1871, the corner-stone of the 
present ?tone edifice was laid. Rev. John Wil- 
kison officiating. It was opened for services 
September 15. 1872. In 1900 a fine rectory was 
built next east of the church (between it and 
the public library), at a cost of $4,200. 

July 7, 1870, the Universalist Church was 
established. Services were first conducted in 
Union Hall. From there the society moved to 
Tillson's Hall, where services were continued 
until the church at the corner of Second 
Street and Hennepin Avenue was dedicated. 
August 10, 1873. H. V. Chase was the first 
pastor, continuing until December, 1876, when 
he was succeeded by B. F. Rogers who served 
one year. About the beginning of 1877 Mr. 
Chase was recalled and remained three years. 
Then the pulpit remained vacant for several 
years with only an occasional service. Mr. 
Skilling conducted services one year and a Mr. 
Yates did the same about two years. Joseph 
F. Newton, now in charge, was regularly called 
and has entered on his third year. 

September 29. 1854, a Congregational Church 
was organized in Exchange Hall where, and in 
the Court House, meetings were held until 
October, 1856, when the society moved to the 
brick church on Second Street built by the 
Methodists (No. 117). Rev. lUesly started it. 
and after two or three years was compelled to 



abandon it. moving to Roscoe, Ogle County, 
where soon after a brick dwelling in which 
the family lived was so undermined by a flood, 
that it was precipitated into the river, and his 
wife and seven or eight children were drowned, 
he alone escaping. 

The West Side Congregational Church was 
organized, August 19, 1901. A church build- 
ing was erected which, with lot and furnish- 
ings, cost about $4,400. J. G. Brooks was the 
first pastor, beginning his pastorate Septem- 
ber 15, 1901. The society then consisted of 
sixty-two members drawn from nine different 
denominations. At the end of the first year 
the membership was exactly doubled, and the 
society was out of debt. They next purchased 
a parsonage near by, which is also paid for. 

July 25, 1855, the erection of a Unitarian 
Church was commenced in North Dixon. It 
was located on the north side of Boyd Street 
between Galena and Hennepin, and was dedi- 
cated April 9, 1856. Rev. Kelsey was the first 
and, as far as can be learned, the only pastor. 
It was torn down some time after 1863. 

Grace United Evangelical Church is located 
at the northwest corner of East Fellows and 
Ottawa Streets, North Dixon. The society had 
its inception in a Sabbath School, which 
started with twenty-two members June 12, 
1892, under the leadership of Mrs. I. Divan. 
The church was organized September 14, 1892, 
with thirteen charter members, by Rev. I. Di- 
van. A lot on which to build was bought in 
1892 and. in 1893, the building was erected. 
The present membership of the church is ninety. 
The pastors have been I. Divan, June, 1892. to 
April, 1897; J. H. Keagle, April, 1897, to April, 
1898; J. G. Finkbeiner, April, 1898, to March, 
1902; E. O. Rife, April, 1902, present incum- 
bent. 

Initial services which resulted in the found- 
ing of the Christian Church in Dixon, were 
commenced Sunday, September 1. 1895, in a 
tent at the southeast corner of First Street and 
Madison Avenue, under the leadership of Rev. 
T. A-. Boyer, of Eureka, 111. The tent was occu- 
pied aeven weeks, when the services were 
moved to G. G. Roshrook Hall, on Peoria Ave- 
nue. The original membership, which was 
small when the meetings began, was thus in- 
creased to 187. A committee from the congre- 
gation was selected by the District Board to 
act as an executive board until the society 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



659 



could be organized. C. E. Evans, of Walnut, 
111., was called November 1. 1895, services being 
conducted in Union Hall. The church was 
fully organized February 2, 1896. Mr. Evans 
closed his pastorate in January, 1897, and was 
succeeded the following May by S, H. Zendt, 
of Eureka, 111., who continued until October 
1, 1899. In the spring of 1896 a lot near the 
northeast corner of First Street and Madison 
Avenue had been purchased for $1,.'550 and, in 
the summer of 1S97. the society erected its pres- 
ent building on this lot at a cost of about $3,- 
500. It was dedicated June 29, 1897. J. H. Har- 
din, then President of Eureka College, deliver- 
ing the sermon. It was under Mr. Zendt's 
labors not only that the building was secured, 
but that a mortgage on it was paid -off and com- 
mitted to the flames on the first Sunday of 
June, 1897. The next regular pastor was Finis 
Idleman, the present incumbent, who has served 
since June 1, 1900. 

Young Men's Christian Association. — This in- 
stitution is one of the leading influences in the 
community for good. It was organized in 
Dixon, June 24, 1889, with twenty-eight mem- 
bers. During the last four years the member- 
ship has fluctuated between 285 and 400, the 
present membership being 317. The advan- 
tages include a gymnasium, baths, games, gos- 
pel meetings and bible classes, library of 140 
volumes and a free reading room with forty- 
five periodicals, including daily and religious 
papers. Baths have been availed of at an aver- 
age rate of about 425 per month. Thus a whole- 
some resort is provided for young men with a 
nominal membership fee of $5.00 a year. The 
first Board of Trustees consisted of Albert John- 
son, Ira W. Lewis, N. F. Swartout, F. E. Wright, 
A. P. Armington, E. L. Kling, John T. Laing, 
E. E. Wingert and E. B. Raymond. The pres- 
ent officers and Board of Directors are: Ira 
W. Lewis, President; H. V. Baldwin, Vice- 
President: Jno. T. Laing, Secretary; W. B. 
Johnson, Treasurer; C. C. Kost, O. E. Clymer, 

E. B. Raymond, H. W. Morris, L. W. Dach- 
steiner, M. L. Christian, W. B. McMahon and 
R. M. Ayres. Mr. Lewis has been President 
from the first. The General Secretaries have 
been: Phil. Bevis. H. L. Sawyer, L. L. Ev- 
erly from about July 1, 1897, to December, 
1899, since which time the present Secretary, 

F. M. Smith, has filled the post. 



CHAPTER X. 



DIXON TOWNSHIP AND CITY. 
(Continued.) 



MANUFACTl'KIXd K.NTKHI'Ul.SES XK\V.SI'.VPERS — 

SCHOOLS. SKMINAHIES AND BU.SINESS COI.T.ECES 

ROCK RI\ER WATER TOWER DAILS AND 

BRIDGES HOTELS— I;aNKING INSTITUTIOX.S — 

DIXOX IX THE CIVIL AND .SPANISH-AMERICAN 
W.VR.S — PATRIOTIC AXD BENEVOLE.XT OROANIZA- 
TIONS — I'lBLIC LIBRARY — LOAN AND BUILDING 

ASSOCIATION CITY LKillTIXO AND WATER 

WOBK.S (JROWTII AXD rol'lLATION. 

In July, 1855, J. W. Hollenbeck and J. H. 
Cropsey completed a sash, door and blind fac- 
tory on Third Street at No. 320. It was a 
stone building 32 by 64 feet, four stories high, 
with engine house 25 by 32 feet. It was torn 
down in 1893 to make room for residences. 
July, 1857, Mr. Daily bought the property to 
convert it into a flour mill, afterwards oper- 
ated by Cheney & Co. 

At a very early day a saw-mill stood on or 
near Lot 1 in Block 7 of the original plat, at 
the foot of Peoria Avenue. It is said to have 
been erected by Judge Wilkinson, but who this 
Judge Wilkinson was is not stated. The mill 
was operated for a short time by Huff & Thomp- 
son, and was afterwards used for a distillery 
and vinegar factory. There are three lots lying 
between the west side of Peoria Avenue and 
Huff's Reserve, and it may be from Huff's con- 
nection with the reserve that the building was 
located on this piece of ground instead of the 
lot mentioned. 

In the spring of 1857 a joint stock company 
was formed with a capital of $2,000 for ths 
erection of a starch factory. The building was 
erected of stone on the bank of the river in 
West Dixon, but never finished. 

April 4, 1857, the Plow Works and Machine 
Shop of Dement & Co. was employing seventy- 
five hands and turning out thirty plows a day. 
The shops were included in the projected 
"Union Eagle Iron Works," the corner stone 
of which was laid July 27, 1857, with ceremon- 



66o 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



ies. They were afterwards utilized as the nu- 
cleus of the group of buildings now constitut- 
ing the Grand Detour Plow Works. During 
this same year of 1857, the Plow Works were 
moved from these buildings to the water-power 
at the corner of Ottawa and River Streets. 

The breadth of Col. Dement's powers is indi- 
cated by the fact, well authenticated, that after 
long experiments he succeeded in welding a 
plate of malleable iron on the back of the steel 
mould-board of a plow, thus protecting the 
hardened steel against cracking or breaking. It 
is confidently asserted that he was the first to 
accomplish this feat. The device is now in, 
universal use and has proven of inestimable 
value, and, if patented, would have been the 
source of large income to the inventor. 

In the summer of 1858, W. C. Van Osdel 
erected a^ three-story frame sash and blind fac- 
tory in the west end of Dement Town. In 1862 
it was converted into a sorghum mill and is 
now a residence. 

In August. 1859, Cheney & Co. vacated their 
steam flouring mill on Third Street (No, 320) 
and started a mill in building at water power 
built by Godfrey & Sons, and known as "Farm- 
er's Mills." February 29, 1860, Charles Godfrey 
& Son succeeded Cheney & Co. as proprietors. 

August 9. 1866, the Bucklin File Manufactur- 
ing Company was incorporated with a capita! 
of $100,000 and erected a two-story factory 
building of stone at the water-power, 40 by 140 
feet, but the business failed in less than a 
year. December 2, 1868, the "Western Knit- 
ting Factory" was established in the same 
building by Mcllroy & Crane. It was located 
at the southeast corner of Ottawa and 
First Streets. A few months later it passed 
into the hands of W. H. Godfrey and Jas. B. 
Charters. The building and contents were de- 
stroyed by fire, March 12. 1873, entailing a loss 
of $20,000. 

In the summer of 1866 John Dement erected 
the stone flax-factory building at the water- 
power, 45 by 64 feet, and in the following Feb- 
ruary the manufacture of flax-bagging or cotton- 
baling was commenced by Jerome & Downing. 
About 1870 the b\iilding was extended to its 
present depth of 140 feet. (It is now occupied 
by the Reynolds Wire Company.) 

In the spring of 1867 the wagon and car- 
riage factory of Cheney & Mason was started in 
stone building then standing at what is now 
320 Third Street, and in August of the same 



year. Severance & Cheney commenced the man- 
ufacture of platform scales. In 1869 the latter 
business was in the hands of John T. Cheney 
and John P. Hutchinson, and the scale became 
known as the "Victor." The factory was finally 
moved to Moline, 111. 

The Grand Detour Plow Works were estab- 
lished at Grand Detour, Ogle County, by 
John Deere and Major L. Andrus, in 1837. 
At the start two men sufficed for the iron-work 
and two for the wood-work. In about two 
years a horse power was brought into requisi- 
tion. The product was peddled about the coun- 
try in wagons. In 1848, Mr. Deere went to 
Moline and built up a very large plow-manu- 
facturing business which is still in operation. 
Sometime after the withdrawal of Mr. Deere, 
Col. Amos Bosworth became associated with 
Mr. Andrus. He died at his home in Grand De- 
tour in March, 1862, from typhoid fever con- 
tracted in the army. The shops were destroyed 
by fire in 1857, but immediately rebuilt, Theron 
Cumins became a partner in the concern in 
August, 1863, the style of the firm becoming 
Andrus & Cumins, so continuing until Mr. An- 
drus' death in February, 1867. The business 
was then carried on by Mr. Cumins alone until 
June, 1869, when Col. H. T. Noble was admit- 
ted as partner, and the firm name became T. 
Cumins & Co. It was in this year that the 
works were moved to Dixon and located on their 
present site. In June, 1879, Mr. 0. B. Dodge 
became connected with the firm, the style being 
changed to Cumins, Noble & Dodge. In June, 
1879, the business was incorporated under its 
present name, the "Grand Detour Plow Com- 
pany," with a capital of $120,000, which has 
since been increased to $500,000. Theron Cum- 
ins. Henry T. Noble, Orris B. Dodge and Charles 
H. Noble being the incorporators and officers. 
Col. Noble died, April 15, 1891. and Mr. Cumins 
August 3, 1898. The present officers are 0. B. 
Dodge, President; Charles H. Noble, Vice Presi- 
dent; L. D. Dement, Secretary; Amos Bosworth, 
Assistant Secretary, and F. O. Coleman, Treas- 
urer. 

On July 1, 18S9. the factory of the Anglo- 
Swiss Condensed Milk Company received its 
first milk from the farmers. It was erected 
and equipped at a stated cost of $500,000. Since 
then additions and improvements have been 
made, which are said to have increased the 
investment to $750,000. The largest quantity 
of milk received in one day has been 150,000 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



66i 



pounds, while the average daily receipts have 
exceeded 100.000 pounds. It Is estimated that 
about 10,000 cows are milked daily within a 
radius of ten to sixteen miles of Dixon, to 
yield this product, and that an average for the 
year of about $40,000 is paid to the farmers 
monthly for milk. This milk is condensed and 
placed on the market in cans and large pack- 
ages. In addition to this, an entire floor of one 
of the large buildings is occupied in the manu- 
facture of caramel candy, the average daily out- 
put of which Is from seven to eight thousand 
pounds. Persons who have occasion to use the 
products of this concern will find comfort In 
the assurance that superlative cleanliness ev- 
erywhere prevails, and every precaution is ex- 
ercised to safeguard the health of the con- 
sumer. The city and community cannot too 
highly honor the memory of Mr. George H. 
Page (a Palmyra hoy) who, as founder of this 
splendid enterprise, and by a public spirit 
which death cut short of its final aim, made 
them his lasting debtor. 

July 1. 1902. the Borden Condensed Milk Com- 
pany succeeded the Anglo-Swiss and, after a 
year's experience, has become thoroughly in- 
trenched in the respect and confidence of pat- 
rons and people. 

C. M. Henderson & Co. located a shoe fac- 
tory in Dixon in 1887, the citizens having do- 
nated about $27,000 to the concern as an induce- 
ment for its coming. Two or three years later 
a second purse of $6,000 was raised towards a 
second factory building near the first, but $3,- 
000 of this was afterward turned into the hos- 
pital fund by Mr. Watson. (See Hospital.) 
Three factories were here brought together from 
Allegheny City, Penn.. Fond du Lac. Wis., and 
Jefferson City. Mo., where the work had been 
done by State's prison labor. August 30, 1901, 
the "WatsoD-Plummer Shoe Company" wa*; in- 
corporated with Frederick A. Watson, Joseph P. 
Plummer and Prank N. Stackpole as the first 
Directors; capital stock, $,^0,000; duration, 
ninety-nine years. This company purchased 
the two Henderson factories, and also the Fargo 
factory, elsewhere referred to. and is now oper- 
ating them. Mr. Watson, who was Dixon born, 
and occupied a very responsible position with 
C. M. Henderson & Co.. and possessed the com- 
pany's entire confidence, was the moving spirit 
enabling Dixon to secure these extensive in- 
dustries, and it is gratifying that he should in 
due time be found standing at their head. 



On the 25th day of August, 1891, the Citizens' 
Association of Dixon entered into a contract 
with C. H. Fargo & Co., of Chicago, which will 
be found recorded in the Recorder's office of the 
County, in Book "E" of Miscellaneous Records, 
p. 597, whereby the Association agreed to donate 
to Fargo & Co. a factory site and $27,500 in 
money, as an inducement to locate their shoe 
factory in Dixon. The agreement was carried 
out by both parties, resulting in the erection 
of the factory on the river bank in the east 
part of the city. As a means of raising the 
required sum, the Association bought land and 
laid out the Fargo and the River View Ad- 
ditions to the city and sold the lots. The 
company failed in 1896, and the property re- 
mained idle for a time, but having finally passed 
into the hands of Mr. F. A. Watson, of the C. 
M. Henderson Company, is now one of the fac- 
tories which is conducted by the Watson-Plum- 
mer Company. 

The Reynolds Wire Company was organized 
October 12. 1894, with a capital of $80,000. It 
is engaged in the manufacture of wire cloth and 
novelties into which wire cloth enters. The 
present officers are: Horace G. Reynolds, Pres- 
ident; S. S. Dodge, Vice President; Walter B. 
Merriman, Secretary and Treasurer. It oper- 
ates over 100 looms and does an extensive busi- 
ness. 

In September, 1892, A. C. Bardwell platted the 
West End Addition to the City of Dixon, with a 
view of making it a manufacturing district. 
Lots were sold under contract to secure the 
location of factories. The hard times of 1893, 
coming on at a critical juncture, greatly em- 
barrassed the enterprise, and the hopes of the 
projector and patrons were but faintly real- 
ized. A large factory was put up on the Addi- 
tion immediately west of Lincoln Avenue, for 
the Canton Steam Pump Company. This com- 
pany reorganized and was incorporated as the 
Miller Steam Pump Company, and had the 
factory in motion in December, 1892. The 
Miller Company failed in the summer of 1893. 
and early in the spring of 1894. the Brosius 
Sewing Machine & Motor Company canio into 
possession, but in August made an assignment, 
the property passing into the hands of the 
Spring Motor Company. In November, 1895, 
the Nash Manufacturing Company became the 
owner. April 1, 1896, the Terre Haute Manu- 
facturing Company acquired the machinery and 
soon moved it away. All these companies, fol- 



662 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



lowing the Miller Company, were engaged in the 
manufacture of a spring motor sewing-machine. 
The factory remained unoccupied until the 
Grand Detour Wagon Company became owner. 

The Grand Detour Wagon Company was in- 
corporated December 24, 1900, with $60,000 cap- 
ital. Its first directors were C. H. Baldwin, J. C. 
Frey, O. B. Dodge, C. H. Noble and L. D. De- 
ment. In January, 1900, it acquired title to 
the sewing-machine factory just mentioned, and 
is now using the property in the manufacture 
of wagons. 

As a part of the West End undertaking, a 
three-story brick building was erected near the 
railroad on an elevation some distance east of 
Lincoln Avenue. The construction of a building 
designed for a knitting factory was commenced 
in January, 1893, but it was never occupied for 
that purpose. In the spring of 1894 Alanson H. 
Reed and John W. Reed, under the firm name 
of A. Reed & Sons, occupied this building under 
a contract of purchase for use in the manufac- 
ture of pianos. They failed in the winter of 
1S9S-9. since which time the building has been 
unused. 

The Dixon Cereal Company was incorporated 
in 1900 with capital of $10,000. John Forrest 
is its President and Hugh McCartney Secretary 
and Treasurer. Their business is milling and 
buying and selling grain at the stone elevator 
near the Illinois Central Railroad depot. 

Xe^rspapers. — The first paper printed in Lee 
County appeared under date of May 1. 1851. 
named "Dixon Telegraph and Lee County Her- 
ald," Charles R. Fisk publisher. October 5 of 
the same year it passed into the hands of J. F. 
Hooper and M. P. Bull. January 21, 1852, John 
V. Eustace became editor and B. F. Shaw man- 
ager. April 30, 1854. Eustace retired and Mr. 
Shaw became sole proprietor. 

June 27. 1855, the "Daily Whisper," to be 
issued "semi-occasionally," made its first ap- 
pearance. 

October 26, 1854, the "Transcript," a Demo- 
cratic paper, made its appearance. Charles 
Allen, its editor, was succeeded by Prof. Eber- 
hart. May 2. 1855. who yielded the place to 
A. C. Appier, August Sth following. January 
5, 1856, it passed into the hands of John Stev- 
ens and J. L. Johnson as proprietors, and Janu- 
ary 15, 1857, became the "Dixon Weekly Re- 
ptiblican," with S. W. Beckwith and E. H. Leg- 
gitt editors. July 9, 1857. the "Telegraph" and 
"Republican" combined under the editorship of 



B. F. Shaw and S. W. Beckwith. March 3, 1859, 
B. F. Shaw retired and I. S. Boardman became 
editor and proprietor December 22d J. R. Bond 
became associated with Mr. Boardman, but soon 
sold his interest to his partner. The name of 
the paper was reduced to "The Telegraph," 
February 7, 1867. Mr. Boardman retired, April 
22, 1869, being succeeded by his sons, John D. 
and William H. 

February 14, 1868. the "Dixon Weekly Her- 
ald" started with A. C. Bardwell as editor and 
proprietor. December 2, 1869, the "Telegraph" 
and the "Herald" were united under the editor- 
ship of A. C. Bardwell. and the business man- 
agement of William H. Boardman, the name of 
the new paper being the "Telegraph and Her- 
ald." In January, 1870, B. F. Shaw became 
associate editor, and on January 1. 1871, Mr. 
Lardwell retired, leaving Mr. Shaw sole edi- 
tor. Soon the "Herald" part of the name was 
dropped, and the paper became "The Dixon 
Telegraph." On the last Friday of November, 
1883, the "Evening Telegraph" came out, the 
first daily paper to be published in Dixon. The 
weekly issue was continued as before until 
November 21, 1899, it was supplanted by the 
semi-weekly issue. Both daily and semi-weekly 
still continue their regular issues. July 2, 1891, 
B. F. Shaw and his son. Eustace E., incorpor- 
ated the B. F. Shaw Printing Company, to carry 
on the publication. B. F. Shaw & Son appeared 
as editors and Eustace E. Shaw as managing 
editor and publisher. 

July 24, 1858, the "Dixon Weekly Monitor" 
was started by Chas. Meigs, Jr., but soon failed, 
when E. B. Stiles. L. W. Atherton and J. V. 
Eustace bought the office and launched the 
"Dixon Advertiser" November 24. 1858, of 
which W. H. Staunton took charge August 10, 
1859. November 24 of the same year I, S. 
Boardman bought the paper and it apparently 
became merged in the "Republican and Tele- 
graph." 

July 9. 1868, the "Lee County Democrat" ar- 
rived with E. Giles as proprietor and S. C. 
Postlewait as editor. November 16, 1871, W. M. 
Kennedy became proprietor and Eugene Pinck- 
ney editor, and on Manh 6, 1872. the name was 
changed to the "Dixon Sun." December 9. 
1874, W. M. Kennedy appears as editor and 
proprietor. March 29, 1890, Mr. Kennedy hav- 
ing died, his widow, Mrs. Inez A. Kennedy, took 
charge as proprietor and financial manager. 
March 23, 1892, E. Everett Harrington appears 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



663 



as editor. Mrs. Kennedy still being proprietor 
and manager. Tlie daily edition of the "Dixon 
Sun" started December 23, 1893, with Mrs. Ken- 
nedy as proprietor and manager. January 4, 
1894, Frank J. Devlin became editor. January 
30. 1894, the paper passed into the hands of J. 
T. Day, with Devlin still as editor. Octobsr 1.^. 
1894, Mr. Devlin ceased to be editor and Day 
was thenceforth both editor and proprietor. 
November 14, 1895, T. W. and E. C. Fuller, the 
present proprietors, succeeded Mr. Day. 

January 26, 1871, the "Rock River Farmer," 
a monthly, appeared with W. M. Kennedy as 
editor and proprietor. The last number found 
in the files of the paper is the i-sue of Decem- 
ber, 1878. 

The first number of the "Di.xon Kvening Star" 
was issued March 28, 1891, by Charles H. Keeler 
and Gurdon E. Bishop, under the firm name of 
the Star Printing Company, Mr. Keeler being 
the editor and business manager and Mr. Bishop 
general superintendent, thus consolidating the 
job office run by each. The business office was 
located temporarily over the store at No. 112. 
First Street, while the publication office was 
in basement of the north building of the North- 
ern Illinois Normal School. About the first of 
May of that year, both departments were 
brought together at 103 Galena Avenue. In De- 
cember, 1891, Mr. Keeler purchased Mr. Bish- 
op's interest. In the spring of 1893. he sold a 
half interest to G. A. Fairfield, of Elkader, 
Iowa. January 1. 1894, he sold the remaining 
half to Mr. A. H. Swart. Fairfield & Swart 
conducted the daily a few weelis as an evening 
paper, when they converted it into a morning 
paper, styling it the "Morning Star." A short 
experience proved unprofitable and Mr. Swart, 
having purchased Mr. Fairfield's interest, sus- 
pended the daily and started a weekly named 
the "Dixon Star." He carried it on as a weekly 
until March, 1897, when he again entered the 
daily field, taking in two of his employes as 
partners. Bishop and C. H. Downs. About the 
first of July of the same year, the daily was sus- 
pended for lack of support,. and the issue of the 
weekly was resumed. Shortly afterwards 
(he plant was sold to Mr. Wilson, who 
conducted it for three months and then let it 
fall back into Mr. Swarfs hands. In the fol- 
lowing February (1898) it was purchased by 
the present proprietor, Mr, DeWitt C. Owen, who 
took possession March 1st. For eight months 



the weekly was continued, when it was changed 
to a tri-weekly and has been conducted on that 
plan up to the present lime. 

Schools. — North Dixon lies in Town 22, and 
the line dividing that town from Town 21, in 
which nearly all of the original Town of Dixon 
is found, throws all of .Mill Block, nearly all 
of Block 1, more than half of Block 2 and a 
small portion of Block 3 into the former town. 
This line divides the city of Dixon for public 
school purposes, the portion in Town 22 being 
under a system independent of that in Town 21. 
Undoubtedly the efficiency of the public schools 
of the city would be greatly promoted, and the 
burden of taxes diminished, if the two town- 
ships could be brought under one management. 
Several efforts have been made to this end, but 
thus far without success. 

John K. Robinson was a teacher in Father 
Dixon's family in the winter of 1833-4. Follow- 
ing him. Father Dixon employed a Miss Butler 
of Bureau County. The children of O. W.- Kel- 
logg, of Buffalo Grove (now Polo), including 
Mrs. E. B. Baker, still living in our midst, were 
members of this school. It was the custom for 
a few years for Mr. Kellogg to employ a teacher 
one winter when Father Dixon would send his 
children to Buffalo Grove, and for Mr. Dixon 
to employ a teacher the next winter, when Mr. 
Kellogg would reciprocate by sending his chil- 
dren to Dixon's Ferry. When it is remembered 
that the two points were about twelve miles 
apart, the value which these pioneers placed on 
education for their children may be appreci- 
ated. 

In the summer of 1837 the first school house, 
a one-.story frame building 20 by 30 feet, was 
built on or near Lot 1. Block G9, near the ceme- 
tery, and in 1839 was moved to the north end 
of Lot 5, Block 17, east side of Ottawa Avenue. 
For several years it served as school house, 
court house, town hall, meeting house, etc. It 
was built by subscription. 

In 1838 the first school was opened in the new 
building under charge of H. Bicknell. being 
supported by individual tuition fees. The fol- 
lowing were his successors: Mr. Bowen, part 
of 1S40; W. W. Heaton. winter of 1841-2; Miss 
Ophelia Loveland (afterwards Mrs. J. B. 
Brooks), summer of 1843, The district then in- 
cluded botK sides of the river as far up as 
"Fuller's Cave," and yet the school numbered 
only about 25 pupils. Lorenzo Wood taught 



664 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



during the winter of 1843-4; Mr. Cross and 
James Lumm between lS4fi and 1848, and J. 
D. McKay in 1848. 

In the summer of 1847 a stone school house 
was in process of constrilction on Hennepin 
Avenue, and a school probably opened in it that 
winter. James Lumm was the first teacher and 
Henry T. Noble one of the later ones. It is 
still standing at No. 212 Hennepin Avenue, but 
is disguised by a frame second story and by an 
outer garment of clapboards. It is a dwelling 
immediately in rear of Nachusa House. Doubt- 
less it succeeded the school house built in 1837. 

In 1840 Dixon's one school had 30 pupils. In 
the summer of 1845 a correspondent writing 
from Dixon, says it had "a select school and one 
district school, with an attendance of 75 pupils 
in the two and 149 children under twenty years 
of age in the school district." 

December 7, 1854, the first school house was 
built in North Dixon and stood on the present 
site of 417 North Crawford Avenue. It had 
seats for 130 scholars. 

January 30, 1855, a meting was held at Ex- 
change hall to consider a plan proposed by 
Rock River Presbytery through their agents. 
Revs. Harsha and Mason, to locate a Presbyter- 
ian college in Dixon. This school was opened, 
May 17 of the same year, in the basement of the 
Lutheran church, as "Dixon Collegiate Insti- 
tute" under care of Rev. Mr, Harsha. Early 
teachers beside himself were his wife. E. C. 
Smith and wife and Miss Jennie L. Backus. 
July 4 following, the corner-stone of the Insti- 
tute was laid in presence of a large concourse 
of people, Benjamin F, Taylor, the poet, of Chi- 
cago, delivering the oration. The building was 
a large brick structure located in a commanding 
position on what is now Bluff Park. The school 
had an endowment of $25,000, $12,000 being 
contributed by the citizens of Dixon, in ground-, 
equipment, etc. It was incorporated in 1857 
by special act of the Legislature. It was insti- 
tuted and continued under the care of Presby- 
tery until 1858, when the property passed into 
other hands and, for a number of years, was 
the home of different private schools. The 
building was demolished in 1889 to give place 
to residences. 

November 5, 1855, a school was opened in the 
Union School House on Peoria Avenue. The 
building was a two-story brick 33 by 45 feet, 
costing $6,000. It stood on the lot where J. C. 
Ayres residence now stands, at No. 419 Peoria 



Avenue. It was torn down in 1874. The old 
wooden desks were here first discarded and pat- 
ent furniture introduced. 

July 15, 1857, a female seminary under charge 
of the Episcopal Church was started by Rev. 
J. W. Downing, in a dwelling house near the 
Illinois Central Railroad depot, 

August 27, 1857, Prof. A. M. Gow took charge 
of the Collegiate Institute as Principal. April 
IS, 1861, the Institute building was purchased 
by Rev. O. AV. Cooley, of Wisconsin, for a fe- 
male seminary. 

In August, 1858, a high school department 
of the public schools was established in the 
old Methodist church on Second Street (No. 
117), with A. H. Fitch as Principal. In 1859 
A. M. Gow was employed as Superintendent of 
Schools and James Gow as Principal of the 
High School. The school then had five depart- 
ments and an enrollment of about 400 pupils. 
They continued in charge until 1862, when E, C, 
Smith was made Superintendent of Schools and 
Principal of the High School. 

September 3, 1863, "Dixon Seminary" was 
opened in the Collegiate Institute building by 
S, G. Lathrop and M. M. Took. 

In 1866 the brick ward school house in De- 
ment Town was built. It has since been en- 
larged. 

September 1. 1868, Knepper & Wells took 
charge of the Dixon Seminary, and were suc- 
ceeded September 22, 1872. by Prof. Lummis. 

Prof. S. W. Moses and E. A. Gurney started a 
Conservatory of Music in the Institute build- 
ing January 20, 1874, and November 1, 1875. 
the "Rock River University" was opened in the 
same building, with 0. G. May as President 
and M. M. Took, Regent. October 4, 1877, Dan- 
iel M. Graham was made President and on De- 
cember 2, 1878, A. M. Hausen took charge. Sep- 
tember 3, 1879, the university opened under 
new management with J. R. Hinckley as Presi- 
dent. 

In the fall and winter of 1808-9, the large 
brick public school building in North Dixon, 
now in use, was erected at a cost of $20,000. 
Dedicatory exercises were held January 15, 
1869. During the following summer the "red 
brick" High School building, crowning the hill 
on the south side, now occupied for "grammar 
grades," was built at a cost of $30,000. The 
opening exercises occurred September 25th of 
that year. About ten years ago a brick primary 
school building was placed in the school yard 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



665 



in North Dixon, at a cost of |4,00n. Having 
become unsafe it was torn down in 1S89, and a 
high school building was erected on the spot 
and completed in 1900 at a cost of $15,500. 

The "White Brick" school house, on the 
southeast corner of B:ock 55, (south side), was 
completed in January. 1887. at a cost of about 
$5,500. It was enlarged and greatly improved, 
at a cost of $17,000, in the winter of 1892-3. 

In 1902 the North Dixon schools entered on 
the experiment of a kindergarten as one of the 
departments of the public schools, and the south 
side schools introduced manual training. Dur- 
ing this year the first school house to be erected 
in West Dixon was completed at a cost of $7.- 
000. It is situated on the Block fronting Third 
Street, and was named the "Truman School," 
after Mr. F. A. Truman, deceased, who was 
President of the Board of Education for many 
years and Mayor of the city. 

In 1881 the Northern Illinois Normal School 
and Dixon Business College was opened in the 
old Institute, or Seminary Building, pending 
the construction of buildings in the west part of 
city, which were completed and occupied the 
next year. Prof. J. B. Dille was Principal. As 
an inducement to secure the location of this 
school, citizens of Dixon and vicinity subscribed 
for scholarships in the institution to the extent 
of about $20,000. The school now occupies a 
large brick building, and on either side is a dor- 
mitory similarly constructed. The grounds em- 
brace four city blocks in the west part of the 
city. The two southernmost of these buildings 
were completed in 1882, and the school became 
permanently located in them. In 1888 the 
northern dormitory was built. The school Is 
now operating under charter of July 15, 1902, 
with J. B. Dille. J. C. Flint and J. W. Watts as 
directors. 

Steinman College was established in the fall 
of 1S82 by Mr. Chas. A. Steinman, its present 
President and business manager. The build- 
ings are located on the bank of the river adjoin- 
ing Assembly Park, on the up river side, and 
consist of a large three-story brick school 
building, standing immediately on the high 
bank of the stream surrounded by native trees, 
and a dormitory near by. The campus embraces 
many acres and the surroundings are quiet and 
in every respect attractive. The main building 
was erected in 1895 and the dormitoy in 1902. 

St. Mary's Parochial School was founded in 
1897. The residence property belonging to the 



estate of George L. Sihuler. Nos. 710-716 Peoria 
Avenue, was purchased and a plot 300 feet on 
Peoria Avenue by 200 feet deep, reserved for 
school purposes. The dwelling was overhauled 
and admirably arranged to meet the needs of 
the school. It started with an attendance of 
over 250 pupils, which has increased some- 
what. The course includes primary and gram- 
mar grades preparing pupils for the high school. 
Seven teachers are employed, including a music 
teacher, all of whom are Sisters of the Domin- 
ican Order, whose home, as well as the home of 
the Order, is at Sinsinawa Mound, Wis. 

Dams and Bridges. — In the summer of 1845 
measures were being taken for the incorpora- 
tion of the Rock River Dam and Bridge Com- 
pany, to erect a toll-bridge and "a good and 
sufficient dam across Rock River." The bridge 
was built at the foot of Ottawa Street in the 
fall and winter of 1846-7. March 20, 1847. the 
freshet took out the north half of the bridge, 
and during the summer it was rebuilt two feet 
higher at a cost of $2,000. It was a toll-bridge 
at first, but became a free bridge June 13, 1855. 
In the spring of 1849, the south half was swept 
away by the ice and was not restored until 
the summer of 1851, when it was rebuilt four 
feet higher than the north half, the ferry be- 
ing the means of crossing in the Interim. In 
1850 the dam was built. Father Dixon appar- 
ently continued, in some degree, the ferry busi- 
ness as late as December 31. 1851. on which 
date he sold to the Rock River Dam and Bridge 
Company all his "right, title and interest in 
the ferry, as now established at Dixon, together 
with ferry landing, ferry-boat, privileges," etc. 

The estimate placed on Rock River in those 
days is reflected in the act of the Legislature, 
approved March 1, 1845, incorporating the Rock 
River Dam and Bridge Company at Dixon, 
wherein it is provided that, in erecting the pro- 
posed dam, said company "shall construct and 
maintain a lock in said dam for the passage 
of steamboats, rafts and water-crafts of such 
dimensions as were adopted by the State in 
the contemplated improvement of the naviga- 
tion of Rock River, and shall construct a draw 
in said bridge immediately over said lock." 

February 14. 1857, a free bridge had just 
been completed below the railroad bridge, when 
the ice wrecked it so badly as to render it use- 
less. On the 24th of the same month the ice 
carried away the bridge at foot of Ottawa 
Street. 



666 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



May 23, 1857, Jas. A. Watson commenced the 
erection of a tootbiidge at the foot of Galena 
Avenue. Sufficient money was raised, a few 
days later, to •convert it into a double-track 
bridge. 

December 10, 1857, the new bridge in West 
Dixon was completed. February 20, 1859, the 
dam was carried out by the ice and high water, 
sweeping four bents of the Galena Street 
Bridge. The West Dixon bridge was left as the 
only means of crossing the river except by 
boat. 

April 23, 1S59, "two factories and Brookner's 
saw mill," standing at north end of the dam 
were being undermined by high water, and in 
danger of tumbling into the river and floating 
against the toll-bridge just finished and demol- 
ishing it. The factories were moved and the 
saw mill burned to save the bridge. Mr. John 
W. King, now living in Dixon, touched the 
match to the mill by consent of the owner, Mr. 
Brookner. From him we learn that the north 
bank of the river.at the dam abutment, is from 
100 to 150 feet farther north than it was then; 
that the river is thus that much wider at this 
point than it was then. 

August 20 of this year the erection of an- 
other free-bridge, at the foot of Galena Street, 
was commenced to cost $12,000, Z. H. Luckey 
being the contractor. The opening of this 
bridge for travel, January 1, 1861, was cele- 
brated by a procession with blare of band and 
booming of cannon. In the spring of 18C3 the 
dam was again repaired by J. H. Cropsey. at a 
cost of $10,000. 

May 20, 1866, a drove of nearly a hundred 
head of cattle broke through a span of the 
bridge near the center and were precipitated 
into the river. 

December 2, 1867. work was commenced by 
James A. Watson in rebuilding the wagon- 
bridge, which was swept away before com- 
pleted. City bonds to the amount of $8,000 
were issued on account of this bridge. 

March 7, 1868, the "free bridge" was taken 
out by the ice, cooperating with a very high 
freshet. One of the piers of the railroad bridge 
was battered down by the ice and two spans 
fell into the river. About 120 feet of the south 
end of the dam was also washed out. A tem- 
porary wagon bridge was erected within a few 
weeks. 

January 21, 1869, the first iron bridge was 
dedicated. It was known as the Trusdell 



pattern, and cost, with the present stone piers 
and abutments, $75,000. For most, if not all, of 
its life it was a toll-bridge. Although it had 
five spans, each 132 feet in length, it was a 
continuous truss, each span being dependent 
on the others. The opening was celebrated by 
a procession, headed by the venerable founder 
of the town in a carriage, followed by a brass 
band, the City Council and citizens. On Sun- 
day, the 4th day of May, 1873. (a beautiful day), 
baptismal services were being held below the 
bridge at its north end, at the hour when resi- 
dents of the north side were returning from 
church. A crowd had already gathered on the 
down-river side of the northernmost span, 
and many of those on their way from 
church stopped to witness the ceremony 
when, without warning, the span was precipi- 
tated into the deep water beneath. The fal\ 
was not directly downward but somewhat side- 
wise, in a manner indicating that the accident 
was caused by the crowd being massed on one 
side. This was the sorest affliction Dixon has 
ever been subjected to. Thirty-seven persons 
were drowned or killed by portions of the iron 
work falling upon them or by being held un- 
der the water, while forty-seven were seriously, 
and five mortally, injured. Of this number all 
but seven were women or girls. Some were 
thrown against the abutment with such force 
as to inflict fatal injuries; others were held 
under the water by their clothing being caught 
in the framework, while still others were 
bruised and rendered helpless by the blows of 
the falling iron. The collapse of this span 
caused all the others to give way with varying 
effect. The one next to the south bank fell into 
the water while others, though broken, hung 
suspended above the stream. The mortality list 
from this terrible catastrophe was as follows: 
Misses Clara and Rosa Stackpole, Kate Sterling, 
Melissa Willhelm. Maggie O'Brien. Nettie Hill, 
Ida Vann, Ida Drew, Agnes Nixon. Bessie 
Reyne, Irene Baker, Emily Deming, Lizzie 
Mackay; Mesdames Doctor Hoffman, J. W. Lat- 
ta. Col. H. T. Noble, Benj. Gillman, Carpenter 
(mother of J. W. Carpenter), William Took, 
Jas. Goble. Ellas Hope. E. Wallace. E. Peters- 
berger and little daughter, Thomas Wade, 
Henry Sillman, William Merriman, C. W. Rent- 
er; .Messrs. George W. Kent, Frank Hamilton, 
Edward Doyle, Thomas Haley. Robert Dyke, Jay 
R. Mason, and two children of Mrs. Hen- 
drix. Five died from injuries received, towit: 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



667 



Mesdames P. M. Alexander. William Vann. 
Charles March and \V. Wilcox and Mr. Seth 
Whitemore. All were residents of Dixon and 
vicinity. 

Up to this time, ten bridges in all had 
spanned the river, including the Trusdell 
bridge. 

November IS, 1873, the Howe Truss wooden 
bridge was completed at a cost of $18,000. In 
time the timber became unsafe in spite of re- 
pairs and, in 1885, its place was taken by the 
iron bridge now in use, which cost $35,000. 

The interests represented by the dam, race 
and water-power have never been incorporated, 
but have continued up to the present to be 
owned in severalty as appurtenant to the abut- 
ting land. Efforts were made to consolidate 
the different properties into the owenrship of 
an incorporated company, but the ideas of the 
various owners and the valuations they placed 
upon their holdings precluded this. In 1880, 
however, an agreement was entered into by all 
of the interested parties except Mr. W. H. God- 
frey, recognizing the several holdings exclus- 
ive of his. and furnishing a basis of assess- 
ment for maintenance and repair, and prescrib- 
ing procedure for collecting the same. The 
instrument is dated May 19, 1880, and is re- 
corded in the Recorder's Office in Book "C," of 
Miscellaneous Records, p. 283. It seems to 
have served its purpose satisfactorily up to the 
present time. 

Hotels. — In the winter of 1836-7 Peter McKin- 
ney and H. Thompson started the "Western 
Hotel," the building still being in existence as 
Nos, 112, 114 and 116 Hennepin Avenue. Fa- 
ther Dixon's log house had been converted into 
a tavern, and was kept by the same parties. 
In 1837 a third hotel was started known as 
"Rock River House." and afterwards as "Phe- 
nix Hotel." It was located about fifty feet 
west of the corner of Galena and Water Streets 
and was conducted by Crowell & Wilson, and 
later by George Holly and Isaac Robinson. It 
was destroyed by fire In 1846. 

The foundation of the Nachusa House was 
laid in 1838 by a company from Buffalo, N. Y., 
further progress being stopped by the strin- 
gency of the money market. Nothing further 
was done until March 19, 1853, when a com- 
pany was formed with a capital of $10,000 to 
complete the building, and, on the 10th of the 
following December, it was opened for busi- 
ness. November 23, 1854, one of the papers 
667—4 



says: "Mr. E. B. Stiles intends building a 
long addition, 80 by 32 and four stories high, 
to the Nachusa house. 

The Washington House, corner of Ottawa 
Avenue and First Street, was completed Octo- 
ber 1, 1854. 

About 1840 the Dixon House was built by 
Henry McKinney on First Street, and in Au- 
gust, 1855, was moved to the present site of 
the Countryman Block (111-113 Galena Ave- 
nue), where it was remodeled and enlarged. 
It was demolished in 1889 to make room for the 
latter block. 

June 14, 1856, Cropsey, Dement & Noble com- 
menced the erection of the Shabbona House, 
about a block north of the Chicago & North- 
western Depot. It was an imposing brick 
structure, located immediately south of No. 723 
Depot Avenue, It was opened October 1, 1857, 
by Mr. Benjamin from Vermont, under the 
name of "Dement House." In the summer of 
1868 it was leased by Crockett & Dake. 

April 19, 1860, Cheney & Company opened 
the Waverly House at the Northwestern Depot. 

December 2, 1868, the Shabbona House was 
opened by H. E. Gedney, as the "St. James Ho- 
tel," and on November 30, 1871, it was destroyed 
by fire — loss, $22,500. 

Banks. — The firm of S. Noble & Co., consist- 
ing of Silas Noble, Henry T. Noble and Jerome 
W. Hollenbeck, was early conducting a real- 
estate agency, which, about 1854, developed into 
a banking business carried on in the identical 
room which is now 108 First Street. In 1855 
the firm joined J. B. Nash in building Union 
Block, now 105-107 First Street. The first floor 
of 107 was splendidly finished and well equip- 
ped as a banking office, and as soon as com- 
pleted, the firm moved into its new quarters. 
They failed in the panic of 1857. 

E. B. Stiles was in the banking business 
here as early as 1854, and in 1854-5 built the 
bank building where the City National Bank 
is now located. He failed in 1864 or 1865. 

In 1853 Robertson, Eastman & Co., of Rock- 
ford, established a bank at what is now 202 
First Street. Here, in 1854, Samuel C. Eells 
found employment as clerk. In the spring of 
1855 the firm became Robertson, Eells & Co. 
In 1859 it was changed to Eells & Coleman. 
On January 21, 1865, the Lee County National 
Bank was organized as its successor, with a 
capital of $100,000, and with Joseph Crawford 
as President; Joseph Utley, Vice President; S. 



668 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



C. Eells, Cashier; John Coleman, Assistant 
Cashier. On expiration of its charter the Lee 
County National was succeeded by the City 
National Bank, which was organized in 1885 
with the same capital, and with Joseph Craw- 
ford as President and S. C. Eells as Cashier. 
The present officers are Samuel C. Eells, Presi- 
dent; Leonard Andrus, Vice President; Warren 
C. Durkes, Cashier; Charles E. Chandler, Assis- 
tant Cashier. It is worthy of note that, tor al- 
most fifty years, Mr. Eells has thus been identi- 
fied with the banking interests of Dixon, and 
that now, at the advanced age of eighty-one, 
he is still actively engaged at the head of the 
institution which he practically founded. His 
conservative methods, together with the confi- 
dence inspired, tided him over every financial 
crisis and enabled him eventually to own, as 
he does now, the banking houses of both of 
his early competitors. 

September 15, 1871, the Dixon National Bank 
was organized with $100,000 capital, and with 
H. B. Jenks, President; John Dement, Vice 
President; H. S. Lucas, Cashier. The present 
officers are Jason C. Ayres, President; S. S. 
Dodge, Vice President; C. H. Hu.ghes, Cqshier, 
and A. P. Armington, Assistant Casliier. 

The Union State Bank was incorporated un- 
der the State law, January 8, 1902, with I. B. 
Countryman, President; C. J. Rosbroolv, Vice 
President; R. M. Moore, Cashier — ^capital, $50.- 
GOO. It has the only savings deposit depart- 
ment in the city, and makes a specialty of this 
class of accounts. Its business, at this writing, 
indicates that by September 1, 1903, the num- 
ber of savings depositors will reach 900, with 
deposits to their credit of $120,000, exclusive 
of commercial deposits. 

Dixon in the War of the RebeUion. — It is 
worth remarking that the war spirit began to 
take form as early as March 14, 1S57, when a 
young men's military company was organized 
with Capt. J. B. Wyman. of Amboy, as drill- 
master, H. T. Noble Captain, B. F. Shaw First 
Lieutenant, L. G. Mooney Second Lieutenant, 
and Ellis Williams Third Lieutenant. 

The first company to volunteer for the war 
organized April 22, 1S61. by electing A. B. 
Gorgas, Captain; Henry T. Noble. First Lieu- 
tenant: Henry D. Dement. Second Lieutenant; 
Benj. Gilman, First Sergeant; O. M. Pugh, 
Second Sergeant. The company became Com- 
pany "A," Thirteenth Illinois Volunteer In- 
fantry. The promotion of Capt. Gorgas to the 



office of Major of the regiment resulted in 
Henry T. Noble becoming Captain; Henry D. 
Dement First Lieutenant, Benj. Gilman Second 
ond Lieutenant; George L. Aiken, First Ser- 
geant, and A. J. Pinkham. Second Sergeant. 
April 25th the company was presented with a 
silk flag by the ladies of Dixon, Miss Mary Wil- 
liams (later Mrs. H. D. Dement) making the 
presentation address, and on June 1st the ladies 
presented the company with uniforms made by 
their own hands. 

Two other companies, the "Dixon Cadets" and 
"Dixon Blues," were organized within a few 
days, but were not needed, as the regiments 
under the first call of the President for troops 
were already full. 

October 1, 1861. a recruiting camp was es- 
tablished on the bank of the river in West 
Dixon. 

December 5, 1861, "Dement Phalanx" went 
into winter-quarters, in a vacant stone building, 
cow part of Grand Detour Plow Works, referred 
to as Dement Barracks. It was organized as 
"Co. H," Forty-sixth Illinois, John Stevens Cap- 
tain, and left for Springfield, February 2, 1862, 
to join the regiment. 

June 20. 1861, the "Volunteer Aid Associa- 
tion" secured subscriptions to the amount of 
$2,625 for the benefit of the families of absent 
volunteers, and, in 1864, the young men in the 
public schools formed a "Patriotic Club," for 
the purpose of assisting soldiers' widows and 
families by chopping firewood, doing chores 
and the like. 

March 28, 1862, the ladies of Dixon formed a 
Soldiers' Aid Society. 

June 10, 1862, another company was organ- 
ized with Jas. W. Reardon as Captain. Its 
principal service was the guarding of rebel 
prisoners confined in Camp Douglas, Chicago. 
It was enlisted for three months and became 
Co. H. Sixty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. 

May 21, 1863. John V. Eustace was appointed 
Provost Marshal for this Congressional Dis- 
trict, with office in Dixon. 

November 26, 1863. the Board of Supervisors 
offered a bounty of $100 to every accepted vol- 
unteer from the county. 

January 21. 1864. the Thirty-fourth Regi- 
ment, which went cut 1.000 strong, returned 
on thirty days' furlough oniy 340 strong. They 
were given a public reception. 

June 16, 1864, the One Hundred Fortieth Illi- 
nois Volunteer Infantry, which had been in 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



669 



camp at Dement Barracks about six weeks, de- 
parted for Springfield, where it was mustered 
into the service, with Lorenzo H. \\Tiitney, 
Colonel; Michael \V. Smith. Lieutenant 
Colonel; and William O. Evans, Major. 

June 21. 1S64, Company A of the Thirteenth 
Regiment returned. A concourse of people met 
them at the depot and escorted them to the 
Court House, where a sumptuous dinner 
awaited them. ( See "Lee County in War of Re- 
bellion.") 

Dixon in Spanish-American War. — A com- 
pany of 100 men left Dixon for the camp of 
lendezvoiis at Springfield, at three o'clock on 
the morning of April 27, 1S98. About half the 
number were members of Company G, of tha 
Sixth Regiment State Militia. They were un- 
der command of Capt. Philip McGrath, of Woo- 
sung, and Maj. W. C. Baldwin, of Dixon. Mar- 
tial spirit ran high up to the hour of their de- 
parture. A farewell demonstration was held 
in front of the Nachusa House, at which Mayor 
Truman presided and stirring addresses were 
made. A Sterling company joined the Dixon 
company here en route to the State Capital, and 
the night was taken up with attentions to the 
soldier boys. After partaking of a supper 
served at the Armory by the Woman's Relief 
Corps, about midnight they were escorted to 
the Illinois Central Railroad depot by the Grand 
Army Post and civic societies, and sent on 
their way midst the huzzas of the crowd and 
strains of martial music. 

September 21, 1898, the company returned, 
after having served in Cuba and Porto Rico. 
It was a bright day, and it seemed as if the 
whole town was out to greet them on their 
march to the armory on Second Street, where 
a royal dinner, furnished by the citizens and 
served by Mr. Young. of the Nachusa House, 
awaited them. In the evening a band concert 
in Court House Park and a reception and dance 
tendered the soldiers in Rosbrook's Hall, testi- 
fied to the joy of the community at their re- 
turn. The ofl^cers on return were, Philip Mc- 
Grath, Captain; C. E. Frisby, First Lieuten- 
ant; H. B. Trowbridge, Second Lieutenant; S. 
Frisby, M. J. Doctor, H. T. Roherbeck, C. H. 
Nye and Sam. Gushing. Sergeants. Corporals, 
other subordinate officers and privates num- 
bered 72, Maj. Baldwin contracted a disease 
from which he died in hospital before reach- 
ing home. He was buried at Oakwood Ceme- 
tery, a few weeks later, with honors becoming 
his rank and service. 



(Jrand Army of the Republic. — Dixon Post, 
No. 299, Department of Illinois, was organized 
June 29, 1883. in the court room of the Court 
House, with Charles W. Dey as Commander; 
Dwight Heaton. S. V. C. ; David Erisman, J. 
V. C; A. F. Robinson, Chap.; D. H. Law, Surg.; 
G. G. Messer, Q. M.; H. W. Eaton, Adjt.; Wm. 
Coffey, 0. D.; Louis Allemand, O. G.; H. S. 
Palmer, S. M.; John Merriman, Q. M. S. The 
post has prospered and now has a ihembership 
of 123 in good standing. The present officers 
are: M. M. Avery, Com.; H. C. Cook. S. V.; 

White. J. v.; S. W. Youngman. Q. M.; 

William Post, Chap.; Alex. Depuy. Surg.; C. W. 
Dey. Adjt.; L. W. Mitchell, Q. M. S.; Calvin 
Frisbee, S. M.; S. F. Thomas, 0. D.; Wm. A. 
Vann, 0. G.; L. W. Mitchell, C. H. Noble and 
S. S Dodge, Trustees. 

Women's Relief Corps. — Dixon W. R. C. 
No. 218, auxiliary to G. A. R., was organized, 
iJecember 12, 1892, with one hundred members, 
ivhich has increased to 223. ranking first in 
the State in charter membership, and second 
in present membership. Its first officers were 
Dorothy N. Law, President; Grace Johnson, S. 
v.; Hattie Dodge, J. V.; Mary A. Noble, Sec; 
Catharine J. Thompson, Treas,; Evelyn Street, 
Chap.; Rachel M. H. Dey, Conductor; Rachel 
Guthrie, Asst. Cond.; Ella Parkhurst. Guard; 
Sarah A. Brubaker, Assistant Guard. The 
present officers are: Clara Goodrich, President; 
Nellie Eastman, S. V.; Carrie Meyers, J. V.; 
Harriet Smith, Sec; Nettie Dixon, Treas.; 
Nancy Prescott, Chap.; Katherine Greig, Cond.; 
Nellie Johnson. Asst. Cond.; Lydia Cummings. 
G'.iard; EUa Bresie, Asst. Guard; Lucy Ros- 
brook, Ella Drew. Fannie Toot. Anna Gray, 
Color-Bearers; Eda Honey. Instructor; Hattie 
Reed. Musician. The Corps has done a splen- 
did work in caring for afflicted soldiers and 
those dependent upon them. It has been a 
model of harmonious cooperation and efficient 
work. 

Hospital. — Dixon has a hospital of which it 
is justly proud. It was built in 1896 at a cost, 
including furnishings, of about $12,000. and was 
opened for patients January 1, 1S97. This 
beneficent enterprise was; made possible through 
the initiatory benevolence of one of Dixon's 
citizens, Mr. Solomon H. Bethea. The beauti- 
ful, and in every way suitable, site on which the 
building stands, was purchased by him at a 
cost of $3, .500 and donated to the city for this 
purpose. To avail of this gift the hospital was 
established by ordinance of the City Council, 



670 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



passed November 1, 1895, "for use and benefit 
of the inhabitants of said city, with a Board of 
Directors of nine women, to be chosen from the 
citizens at large by the Mayor, with approval of 
the Council," and by resolution of the Board it 
was very appropriately named the "Katherinb 
Shaw Bethea Memorial Hospital." November 
1. ISyti. Mary A. Noble. Sarah J. Brubakei, Lou- 
ise B. Cumins. Lizzie J. Shaw. Susan A. Smith, 
Delia L. Watson, Nellie McMartin, Kittie Fin- 
ley and Annie Geisenheimer were chosen as 
the first Board of Directors, which was organ- 
ized by the election of Mary A. Noble, Presi- 
dent; Lizzie J. Shaw, Vice President; Kittie 
Finley, Secretary, and Nellie McMartin, Treas- 
urer. 

Mr. Bethea conveyed the grounds to the "Dix- 
on Public Hospital" by deed, dated May 26, 
1896, and recorded in the Recorder's office, in 
Book 71 of Deeds, p. 138, in memory 0/ his wife, 
Katherine Shaw Bethea. The conditions of the 
grant, as set forth in the deed, are very ex- 
plicit and in reality form the operative frame- 
work of the institution. 

The building w^as erected by contributions 
from various sources. Citizens of Dixon had 
raised a purse to secure the removal to Dixon 
from Jefferson City, Mo., of the third of the 
shoe factories of C. M. Henderson & Co. Mr. 
F. A. Watson, manager of these factories, pro- 
cured the consent of the contributors that three 
thousand dollars of this purse might be turned 
over to the hospital fund, instead of being used 
for the benefit of his company, as intended. 
The city appropriated ?1,000 to the building. 
The remainder of the cost was raised by indi- 
vidual contributions and entertainments. We 
would be glad to insert the names of all the 
givers with amounts, did space permit, but can 
only make room for subscriptions of $100 and 
over: Theron Cumins, for sun room (since con- 
verted into wards), $700; C. M. Henderson & 
Co., $500; Grand Detour Plow Company, $500; 
Geo. H. Squires, $200; J. C. Ayres, $200; Mrs. 
Jos. Crawford. $200; Mrs. H. T. Noble, $200; 
Loveland & Stitely, $150; C. F. Emerson Lum- 
ber Co.. $100; L B. Countryman, $100; J. W. 
Crawford. $100; J. D. Crabtree, $100; C. H. 
Hughes. $100; C. H. Fargo & Co., $100. The 
total raised up to December 31, 1896, was 
$7,831.68. 

Not less to be appreciated was the assistance 
afforded by individuals and societies, in the 
way of furnishing patients' rooms and equip- 
ping the institution for its humane work. Mrs. 



F. A. Watson furnished one room; Mrs. John 
Heilly another; the ladies of Palmyra, one; 
and the Lutheran, Methodist, Catholic and 
Episcopal churches each did the same, while 
Miss Lizzie J. Shaw furnished the reception 
room. The room outfits consisted of suitable 
furniture, bedding, linen and other necessa- 
lies and conveniences. In each instance, gen- 
erosity and good taste regulated the supply. It 
was estimated that the cost did not average 
less than $200 per room; and, with only one or 
two exceptions, the donors have kept up the 
equipments of their respective rooms. The 
contributions of Mrs. Crawford and Mrs. Noble 
were applied to the equipment of the operating 
and etherizing room, with all modern acces- 
sories. 

The hospital is supported by reasonable 
charges where patients are able to pay, and by 
a yearly appropriation from the City Council ; 
and for a number of years the Board of Super- 
visors, recognizing the benefits to the county 
as a whole from a humanitarian, as well as a 
business standpoint, have annually voted $500 
to its support. Mr. Theron Cumins, by his will, 
bequeathed $5,000 as a permanent fund for its 
benefit, the interest alone being available. In 
addition to these sources of revenue, charitable 
contributions in the shape of money or supplies 
are received and highly appreciated. By the 
terms of the deed referred to. provision is made 
for the safeguarding of gifts or bequests which 
may be made to the institution for any special 
purpose, thus assuring those who are philan- 
thropically disposed that the terms of their 
benefactions will be faithfully observed. 

The present Board of Trustees consists of 
Mrs. Susan S. Smith, President; Mrs. Louise 
Cumins, Vice President; Miss Anna L. Geisen- 
heimer. Secretary; Miss Nellie McMartin, 
Treasurer; Miss Lizzie J. Shaw, Mrs. Delia L. 
Watson, Mrs. Carrie Todd, Mrs. Jennie McAl- 
pine and Miss Kittie Finley. 

Library.— Dixon is not only proud of its Pub- 
lic Library and Hospital, but of the public 
spirit and generosity that prompted them. The 
O. B. Dodge Library, a gift by deed to the city 
tiom the citizen for whom it is named, is not 
only architecturally beautiful without and with- 
in, but possesses all modern conveniences suited 
to a library of its size, and is admirably adapt- 
ed to the purpose to which it is devoted. Con- 
struction was commenced in 1900 and the build- 
ing opened and dedicated to public use, by ap- 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



671 



propriate exercises, February 16, 1901. The 
building and grounds cost $22,000. 

In admirable keeping with the spirit of this 
noble gift, came a library endowment of $15,- 
000 from the estate of another citizen, Theron 
Cumins, deceased, which was placed in the 
hands of the Trustees at the dedication, and the 
income from which is to be used for the pur- 
chase of books. In addition to this income, the 
city makes an annual appropriation towards 
the support of the library. Mr. Dodge's gift 
carries with it the condition that the city shall 
maintain the library and keep it open every 
week day. The present Library Board are: 
O. B. Dodge, E. C. Parsons, J. C. Ayres, B. F. 
Shaw, Geo. H. Squires, B. E. Wingert, C. E. 
Groves, H. W. Baldwin and J. B. Dille, O. B. 
Dodge being President; E. C. Parsons, Secre- 
tary, and J. C. Ayres, Treasurer. 

Earlier efforts towards a public library must 
not be overlooked. As early as 1872 the Dixon 
Hose Company got together a library of 500 
volumes, mostly donated, Alexander Charters 
alone giving 150 and the Women's Christian 
Temperance Union 300. Started originally 
solely for the benetit of the members of the 
company, it became a public library in 1873, 
where persons paying an annual fee of one 
dollar became entitled to its privileges. Under 
this policy the volumes increased to 2,000 in 
1884. 

In 1895 the City Council passed an ordinance 
establishing a public library under the State 
law, which was opened January 1, 1896. On 
the 1st of the following June the Hose Company 
library was merged in this public library. Up 
to the date of the change the Hose Company 
had raised $1,500 by means of memberships, 
entertainments and fairs. The popularity of 
the Company's undertaking will be appreciated, 
when it is recalled that $875 was once cleared 
in a single night's entertainment. All honor 
to the Hose Company for its splendid work. 
The volumes it accumulated are now in the 
O. B. Dodge Library. 

The first Library Board appointed by the City 
Council at the organization of the Public Li- 
brary consisted of 0. B. Dodge, J. C. Ayres, 
J. B. Charters, B. F. Shaw, G. H. Squires, J. E. 
Dille, William Jenkins. J. C. Joselyn and E. E. 
Wingert. 

Rock River Assembly. — This, one of the most 
highly prized institutions of which Dixon may 
rightfully boast, is controlled by the Lutherans. 
Its inception sprang from a movement at a 



meeting of the Synod of that denomination, 
held at Lena, 111., September 27 to October 2, 
1887, to inaugurate a summer Sunday School 
Institute. Rev. J. M. Ruthrauff, then pastor of 
the church at Dixon (recently deceased), sug- 
gested that it be made a reunion occasion for 
members and friends of the church and Sunday 
school, and that an attractive grove, by some 
body of water, be selected as the meeting place 
where rest and recreation might combine with 
church work. The outcome was a meeting be- 
ginning on the night of July 17, 1888, and clos- 
ing on the 18th at Hazelwood, three miles up 
the river from Dixon. The vacated residence 
01 the once owner, Alexander Charters, and the 
log cabin, which was his first dwelling, and 
seven tents accommodated the campers. Rev. 
J. W. Ruthrauff was elected President and Rev. 
W. H. Hartman Secretary. The total expense 
of the session was about $50. About two hun- 
dred were present from abroad. The next year 
a ten days' session was held at the same place 
and, by a small admission fee for persons and 
conveyances, $700 was realized, which exceeded 
expenses by ten dollars. The present name 
was given to the enterprise, and a committee 
appointed to secure a permanent location, as 
the Charters estate had parted with Hazelwood. 
The committee consisted of Revs. J. M. Ruth- 
rauff, W. H. Hartman, J. J. Delo and Owen Cly- 
mer, W. T. Schell and A. A. Krape, who selected 
the present site. The ground was rented with 
an option to purchase expiring September 1, 
1890. At the August assemblage the stock of 
a company with $10,000 capital was all sub- 
scribed, and a permanent organization was ef- 
fected with J. M. Ruthrauff, W. T. Schell, Geo. 
W. Bruner, O. B. Blackman, P. Klosterman, O. 
Clymer, W. H. Hartman, H. A. Ott and A. A. 
Krape, Directors, who made Ruthrauff Presi- 
dent; Krape. Vice President; Hartman, Secre- 
tary, and Schell, Treasurer. 

Ihe grounds, consisting of about thirty-four 
acres, were purchased at $150 per acre by deed 
dated November 1, 1890. A hotel was built and 
a tabernacle 75 feet wide by 110 feet long, ready 
for the session of 1891. This was superseded 
in 1900 by a splendid auditorium costing about 
$8,000, with a seating capacity of 5,000 people. 
It is circular in form, llio feet in diameter with- 
out supporting posts anywhere to obstruct the 
view. It was projected by Mr. R. J. Bennett of 
Chicago, who contributed $1,000 towards its 
cost. Mr. Morrison H. Vail, now of Dixon, was 
the architect. 



672 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



Cemetery. — The first burial was that of a 
man by the name of Lafferty, who died in the 
fall of 1836. 

In 1882 or 1883 a considerable extension of 
the grounds was added on the south and east, 
and in the summer of the present year (1903) 
the city entered into contract carrying the 
grounds still further eastward. The cemetery 
has always been owned and controlled by the 
city. Scant attention was, however, paid to it 
until about 1890 or 1891, when, largely through 
the efforts of Aid. C. C. Godfrey in preventing 
the revenues of the cemetery from being di- 
verted to other uses, means were at hand for 
improvement. From that time the betterment 
was manifest. A few years later the city ac- 
cepted the aid and co-operation of a number of 
ladies, under the name of the Cemetery Asso- 
ciation, but for some time past their services 
seem not to have been sought. 

'1 ne Dixon Loan & Building Association was 
organized in June, 1887. Its first oflScers were 
Sherwood Dixon, President; A. C. Bardwell, 
Vice President; Jas. A. Hawley, Treasurer; W. 
v. Barge, Attorney; Lloyd R. Hawley, Secre- 
tary. Its present officers; C. H. Hughes, Pres- 
ident; M. Maloney, Vice President; A. P. Arm- 
ington. Treasurer; H. S. Dixon, Attorney; J. N. 
Sterling, Secretary. 

Its first statement, December 1, 1887, showed 
assets amounting to $3,335.05. Its last state- 
ment, June 1, 1903, gave assets. $88,478.86. The 
first statement showed loans in force, $3,200; 
the last, $81,000 in force. 

Uiie total number of loans has been 272, ag- 
gregating $304,400. The Association has fur- 
nished the funds for buiding over 200 new 
houses in Dixon, and has enabled its members 
to purchase over fifty houses already built. In 
the last sixty-five months, since the stock com- 
menced maturing, it has paid its stockholders 
$162,000 — certainly a valuable institution to the 
community. During the sixteen years of its 
existence it has had but one foreclosure. 

Mayors. — At the election, March 7, 1859, John 
Dement was elected Mayor, but tailed to quali- 
fy. Alderman Joseph Crawford served as act- 
ing Mayor until a special election, April 4th, 
when A. C. Stedman was chosen to fill the va- 
cancy. The Mayors in succession have been: 
A. C. Stedman, 1859-1860; G. L. Herrick, 1861; 
Jas. B. Charters, 1862; Oliver Everett, 1863; 
Jas. K. Edsall, 1864; Person Cheney, Jr., 1865- 
6; Andrew McPherran, 1867-8; John Dement, 
1869-72; Joseph Crawford, 1873-5; Jas. A. Haw- 



ley, 1876-7; John Dement, 1878-9; John V. 
Ihomas, 1880-4; R. S. Farrand, 1885-6; A. C. 
Warner, 1886-7; S. H. Bethea, 1888-9; H. T. 
Noble, 1890-1; Geo. Steel, 1891-2; J. F. Palmer, 
1893-4; Chas. H. Hughes, 1895-6; F. A. Truman, 
1897-9; Chas. H. Hughes, 1900-1; P. A. Truman, 
1901-02; Henry S. Dixon, 1903, present incum- 
bent. 

City Clerks and Treasurers. — A. P. Curry, 
1859; Jas. L. Camp, 1860; J. C. Ayres, 1861-84; 
Geo. Steel, 1885-7; A. C. Warner, 1888; E. W. 
Smith, 1890, present incumbent. 

Dixon is still governed under its original 
special charter and amendments thereto, the 
provisions of the general law relating to cities 
and villages never having been adopted. 

City Lifjhting. — December 22, 1874, the West- 
ern Excelsior Gas Company commenced opera- 
tion. Its franchise was, however, repealed 
May 10, 1877, and in June, 1877, one was grant- 
ed to J. D. Patton, under which Henry C. Hig- 
gins and Thomas Higgins established the 
gas plant now in operation. The com- 
pany was known as the Dixon Gas Com- 
pany, and was succeeded by the Dixon Gas 
and Electric Light Company. November 13, 
1889, the city granted a franchise to F. A. Wat- 
son, and the Dixon Light & Power Company 
was formed to operate under it. An electric 
light plant was placed in the larger shoe fac- 
tory of C. M. Henderson & Co., in West End, 
and supplied electric light, while the Gas & 
Electric Light Company limited its product to 
gas. In the winter of 1891 the two companies 
consolidated under the name of the Dixon 
Power & Lighting Company, its first officers be- 
ing: F. A. Watson, President; Geo. Steel, Vice 
President; Geo. C. Loveland. Secretary. In Au- 
gust, 1892, the company purchased the proper- 
ty at the water power, then known as the Beck- 
er & Underwood Flour Mills, and moving its 
machinery from the shoe factory, commenced 
running there April 1, 1893. In fall of 1898 
the company commenced the erection of an ad- 
dition on the adjoining lot, formerly known as 
the "Farmers' " or "Thompson's" Mill, and on 
April 1, 1899, the machinery there installed was 
set in motion. This company now supplies 
electric light and gas to the city and its in- 
habitants. Its officers are: F. A. Watson, Pres- 
ident; H. E. Paine, Vice President; I. B. Coun- 
tryman, Secretary; F. E. Stiteley, Treasurer; 
E. P. Maxwell, superintendent. 

The city has recently granted a franchise to 
the Sterling, Dixon & Eastern Railway Com- 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



673 



pany. to use the streets in supplying gas ami 
electric light in competition with the former 
company. The gas plant is now being erected 
and pipes laid. The franchise has passed into 
the hands of the Lee County Lighting Com- 
pany, a corporation with $100,000 capital. The 
first Board of Directors consists of Henry C. 
Higgins, John Van Dyke, Jr., Scrynton Stock- 
dale, John L Biggs and Charles H. Hughes. 

Water Works. — During the winter of 1871-2 
water mains were laid, from a rotary pump 
which had been installed at the water power, 
extending to the corner of Galena and First 
Streets, at a cost of $600. 

July 18, 1883, the city granted a franchise to 
Alex. H. McNeal. S. S. Murphy was his agent 
and the real projector of the enterprise. The 
Dixon Water Works Company was incorporated 
May 10, 1884, with a capital of $75,000, to take 
over the McNeal franchise. The capital was re- 
duced to $60,000, June 28, 1890. The duration 
of the franchise was thirty years. The com- 
pany is now operating under this franchise. 
The works were in operation in 1884. Bonds 
were issued to the extent of the capital, and 
the mortgage securing them was ultimately 
foreclosed in the United States Court. Chicago, 
ana sale made to the bondholders; but before 
the deed was issued, A. K. Trusdell, J. D. Crab- 
tree, J. A. Hawley and S. S. Murphy purchased 
the works. The first officers under the new 
management were: J. D. Crabtree, President; 
J. A. Hawley, Secretary and Treasurer; Jno. 
Wasley, superintendent. This was continued 
until after Mr. Hawley's death, when, on May 
9, 1899, his son, Geo. Hawley, succeeded his 
father as director and a. K. Trusdell was 
made President and J. D. Crabtree, Secretary 
and Treasurer. After Judge Crabtree's death, 
his son, John B., succeeded him as Director and 
also as Secretary and Treasurer; and the or- 
ganization so stands at this date. 

The water is obtained from three flowing 
artesian wells, which draw their supply from 
water-bearing rock (St. Peter's sandstone). In 
the winter of 1890-91 two wells were put down, 
one to a depth of 1600 feet, the other to a 
depth of 1650 feet. In 1894 another was sunk to 
a depth of 1700 feet. By these wells an ample 
supply of superior water for all purposes is 
assured. As originally constructed the water 
was pumped directly from the river. The 
main carrying the water across the river rests 
on the bed of the stream a short distance below 
the Galena Street bridge. 



The water is distributed to consumers 
through about fifteen miles of mains, on which 
are 165 hydrants for fire protection. The con- 
sumers number about one hundred. The actual 
average pumpage in twenty-iour hours is about 
2,500.000 gallons. The natural flow from the 
wells into the reservoir at the works is 600 to 
700 gallons per minute. The capacity of the 
reservoir is a half million gallons, and of the 
standpipe near the cemetery, 270,000 gallons. 
Analysis of the water shows: The total solids 
in a gallon, 17.5875 grains, distributed in grains 
and fractions of a grain, thus: Silica, .6424; 
oxide of aluminum and iron, .2219; carbonate 
of lime, 7.8006; carbonate of magnesia, 7.5154; 
chloride of sodium, 1.3472. 

The Citizens' Association of Dixon was incor- 
porated April 18, 1887, with Jason C. Ayres, 
C. F. Emerson, E. \V. Smith, Joseph F. Palmer, 
S. S. Dodge, Chas. H. Noble and Geo. D. Laing, 
as directors for first year. Purpose: "To pro- 
mote the interest of the City of Dixon and de- 
velop its natural resources." The present or- 
ganization is J. C. Ayres, President; C. H. No- 
ble, Vice President; E. C. Smith, Secretary; 
A, C. Warner, Corresponding Secretary; I. B. 
Countryman, Treasurer; R. S. Farrand, O. B. 
Dodge, M. Maloney, W. B. Page, E. C. Parsons. 
The association is governed by by-laws, and had 
an original membership of 88. It was through 
this association that the Fargo Shoe P'actory 
was secured, and other good work for the city 
has been done. 

Growth. — The growth of Dixon in recent 
years may be judged of to some extent by its 
Postofflce receipts. In 1899 they were $19,- 
710.38; 1900, $21,236.87; 1901, $22,706.47. In 
1902 they fell off somewhat, owing to reduc- 
tion in classification of matter other than vol- 
ume of business. The receipts that year were 
$21,600.35. 

The following statement of improvements for 
the five years named, was compiled by insur- 
ance agencies and published in city papers: 
Business improvements of all kinds, except 
"roads, sidewalks and sewers," 1897, $48,410; 
1898, $97,657; 1899, $84,125; 1900, $195,000; 
1901, $61,000. Number of new dwellings and 
cost of same: 85 in 1897, costing $111,325; 90 
in 1898. $135,575; 111 in 1899, $147,675; 76 in 
1900, $109,650; 77 in 1901, $154,500. No state- 
ment was made for 1902, but building that year 
was less than in previous years. 

Population. — In 1837 there were 13 families 
residing at or near the ferry. In 1S39 the 



674 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



number had increased to 40 families. By 1850 
the township numbered 1,073. November 7, 
1855, it reached 3.054. In 1860 it was 
3,408, In 1870 the number was 4,687; 1880, 
4,241. (WTiether the figures tor 1855, 1860 and 
1870 are limited to the village or embrace the 
entire township, we have no means of ascer- 
taining.) The population of the township, in- 
cluding the city, as shown by the census, was 
5,804 in 1890, and 9,128 in 1900. The population 
of the city, by wards, the latter year, was: 
First Ward, 2,027; Second Ward, 1,522; Third 
Ward, 2,643; Fourth Ward, 1,725. The school 
census of June, 1903, showed persons under 21 — 
south side, 2,321, north side, 843. 

Postmasters, in order of service; Gay, John 
Dixon, from Sept, 29, 1830, to summer of 1837; 
D, B. McKenney, Smith Gilbraith, Abram 
Brown, David H. Birdsall, A. T. Murphy, Joseph 
Cleaver, E. B. Baker, J. L. Camp. Mary A. Camp, 
Jas. B. Charters, Michael Maloney, Benj, F. 
Shaw, present incumbent. 



CHAPTER XL 



EAST GROVE TOWNSHIP. 



a claim of one John Kasbier. At the time of 
the land sale at Dixon, in 1844. S. P. Mcintosh 
purchased the east half of Section 36, but did 
not move onto it until 1856. John Downey, 
A. A. Spooner, John Flynn, M. Coleman, A. 
Barlow, D. Sullivan, Henry Hubbell and Sam- 
uel Tubbs were also early settlers. 

In 1842 John W. Harrison, a Deputy Sheriff 
from Toronto. Canada, while on a visit in this 
region, was murdered by James S. Bell, near 
the north-west corner of Section 35. Bell was 
linally tried in Whiteside County, on change 
of venue, and sent to the penitentiary. 

On the northeast corner of the southwest 
quarter of Section 10 stands a church, known as 
the "Union Church," which was built a num- 
ber of years ago by contributions of citizens 
without regard to denominational distinction. 

The old State road from Peoria to Dixon 
and Galena passed through the centers 
of Section 10 and 13 and jogged east on or near 
the Marion town line, for a distance of about 20 
rods west of the east line of Section 34, and 
thence passed directly north until it crosses 
Inlet Creek, or Green River. This road was 
turnpiked under authority from the Legisla- 
ture. (See "Marion Township.") 

The population of the township in 1890 was 
659; in 1900 it was 653, as appears by Govern- 
ment census. 



EAST GROVE .SET OFF FROM H.\MILT0N TOWXSniP — 
THE FIRST SETTLER — LATER ARRIVALS — AN 
EARLY MIRDER — THE "VXION CHURCH" — PE- 
ORIA. niXOX AXD OAI.EXA STATE ROAD. 



CH.APTER Xn. 



HAMILTON TOWNSHIP. 



At the November session, 1864. of the Board 
of Supervisors, East Grove was set apart from 
Hamilton Township. In 1837 Charles Falvey 
occupied a claim on the north half of Section 
34 in the grove, from which the town took its 
name. On the north his nearest neighbor was 
a Mr. Robinson, six miles distant. In 1849 
Fenwick Anderson settled on the south half 
of Section 34. having purchased the claim of 
Robert Tate. The house, which was built of 
logs, was for a number of years a stopping 
place for the sta.ce on the line from Peoria to 
Dixon and Galena. In 1852 Mr. Anderson burnt 
a kiln of 200,000 brick in the south part of the 
grove, which proved to be of excellent quality 
and with which he built his residence. Thomas 
Shehan moved onto Section 5 in 1849, buying 



ORICIXAL IIIMEXSIOXS OF THE TOWXSHIP FIRST 

SIPEKMSORS AND EARLY SETTLERS — PASTOR 
N. G. COLLINS — EARLY SCHOOL.S AND CHI'RCHES. 

This town originally included what are now 
the towns of Harmon, East Grove, May and the 
south half of Marion. By the organization of 
these towns, Hamilton has been shaved down 
until it is now limited to a government town- 
ship. William B. Stuart was the first Super- 
visor of the original town. After serving two 
years he was succeeded by R. B. Viele. who con- 
tinued in office three years, when Mr. Stuart 
was again elected for two years. 

What is further said here will relate to the 
township as at present formed. The first 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



6/5 



dwelling house in the township was of logs 
and built by Charles and Rocs Freeman, on 
the south half of Section 32, and was occupied 
by the former, but as their sojourn was of a 
temporary character, Jacob Pope, who came in 
1854 and located on the south half of the south- 
east quarter of Section 26. is considered the 
first permanent settler. Dolph Freeman, a 
brother of Roos and Charles, built a small one- 
story house several years later on the southeast 
corner of Section 31, and he and his mother 
lived there two or three years, when, in the 
spring of 1865, the school directors bought the 
house for $163 and moved it to the southeast 
corner of Section 34, where it was fitted up for 
a school-house. The first teacher who taught 
in it was Electa J. Minnerley, who afterwards 
was a candidate before the Republican County 
Convention for Superintendent of Schools. In 
the spring of 1871 the house was moved to the 
present site near the northwest corner of the 
northwest quarter of Section 35. In the sum- 
mer of 1872 a new house was built. A. T. Keig- 
win bought the old house and it again started 
on its last journey to the old homestead, where 
it now is. 

A. T. Keigwin built on the northwest quarter 
of Section 27 in the spring of 1858, and a Mr. 
Carpenter built on the northeast quarter of 
Section 26 in the spring of 1859. Mr. Carpenter 
farmed that season and moved to La Moille in 
the winter or fall, and from there went to Men- 
dota, where he embarked in the manufacture of 
organs under the firm name of Tewksbury & 
Carpenter, having been engaged in the same 
business in Vermont, nis old home. Anson 
Stone and his sons, R. P. and S. O., bought out 
Mr. Carpenter and occupied the place in 1860. 

Morris Logue occupied the north half of the 
northeast quarter of Section 27, built a shanty 
and broke liis land during the same year, and 
the next season brought his family. David and 
John Knight arrived the same year, purchased 
Section 35 and erected a house on his land the 
following year. In 1857 David Griggs located 
on the southeast quarter of Section 34. a house 
having been erected for him during the previ- 
ous year. J. F. McMurray also came the same 
year and settled on the southeast quarter of 
Section 33. J. Shields bought and occupied the 
north half of the northeast quarter of Section 
24 and most of the southeast quarter of Section 
13 in 1858. William Skully settled on the east 
halt of the northwest quarter of Section 24 in 
that year. Michael Dunn came a year later 



and located on the southeast quarter and south 
half of the northwest quarter of Section 24. 
Bennett Havens, who served as Super- 
visor several year?, pp.rchased the south 
half of the northeast quarter of Section 36, 
and was one of the early comers. L. B. Moore, 
on the southwest quarter and west half of the 
northwest q\iarter of Section 24, and Michael 
Fleniming, on the south half of the southwest 
quarter of the same section, were early settlers. 
J. L. Reed located on the west half of the south- 
east quarter of Section 23 in 1862. 

It will be noted that all of these settlements 
were south of the swamp. That portion lying 
north of the swamp remained unsettled for 
many years, and served as a range for cattle. 
A. T. Anderson, of Polo, owned a large farm 
on the north part of Section 7. Perhaps the 
first to break any of the prairie on this side 
for cultivation was William Rink, on Section 
5. John D. Shaffer built his cabin on Section 
8. and herded cattle for several years. James 
Durr was on the northwest quarter of the 
northwest quarter of Section 19 in 1862. 

Rev. N. G. Collins was a considerable factor 
in the early history of the town. A man of 
great energy, he was ambitious to own and 
farm large tracts of land. He became Chaplain 
of the Fifty-seventh Illinois Infantry in the 
War of the Rebellion. Though not a success as 
a farmer, his ambition was in part realized, 
for at the close of the war he had saved of his 
holdings Sections 8, 28, 29, 30 and the west half 
of 31. At the marriage of his daughter, his 
wedding gift was a deed to Section 8. Mr. Col- 
lins was pastor of a Baptist church at LaMoille 
for a number of years. 

The first school in the town was taught in the 
residence of David Griggs. Mrs. Cornelia Ma- 
ona, daughter of A. T. Keigwin. was the 
teacher. This was in 1861 or 1862. Miss Lizzie 
Larkins succeeded her the following summer. 
and later, Miss Lavina Swisher presided. Mr. 
McMurray moved into Bureau County and the 
house he left was made into a school house 
and Mrs. Maona taught there. All this was 
before school districts were organized. The 
teachers were paid by private subscription. In 
the fall of 1863 or '64 school district No. 1 was 
organized. The new school house was erected 
on the west side of the west half of the north- 
west quarter of Section 35 in 1874. District 
No. 2 was organized about the same time as 
District No. 1. The first school was opened in 
a portion of Thaddeus May's dwelling on Sec- 



676 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



tion 26 by Miss Lydia Havens. The first school 
house in this district weis built in 1S64 or '65. at 
the southeast corner of Section 25. It was 
moved afterwards to the southwest corner of 
the same Section. 

The first preaching the settlers had was in a 
little school house known as the Dodge school- 
house, on the prairie over the line in Bureau 
County. The abundance of game encouraged 
the gunning propensity on the Sabbath in the 
early days; and to reform this habit. David 
Griggs, William Griggs. Solomon Welsh, J. F. 
McMurray, Johnson Griggs and J. H. Knight 
contributed to pay for preaching and employed 
their neighbor. Rev. Ford, who lived at the 
east end of Red Oak Grove, paying him fifty 
cents for each Sunday. A Baptist church was 
early organized at Walnut in Bureau County, 
Atnos T. Keigwin and wife, Ezekiel Sayers and 
wife. S. H. Sayers and Lydia Stone, of Hamil- 
ton, being among the organizers. For a number 
of years meetings were held in the township at 
the residences of the members. When the vil- 
lage of Walnut sprang into existence, the serv- 
ices were confined to that place where, in 1871, 
a fine church building was erected. 

The population of the township in 1S90 was 
329, and in 1900, 49S, as shown by the Govern- 
ment census. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



HARMON TOWNSHIP. 



0RG.A.XIZ.4T1OX OF THE TOWNSHIP SOME EARLY 

SETTLERS — FIRST ELECTION \^^LD GAME — HAR- 
MON VILLAGE LAID OCT GRAIN ELEVATORS, 

CHURCHES AND BCSINESS HOUSES. 

The Township of Harmon was set off from 
Marion by resolution of the Board of Super- 
visors, at its March meeting, 1S67. The peti- 
tion asked to have the town named Dayton, but 
the Board took the responsibility of substi- 
tuting the present name. The writer has been 
informed by one who ought to know, that this 
name was given the township in honor of Har- 
mon Wasson, the son of Benjamin Wasson of 
Amboy Township. 

In 1853 John D. Rosbrook, with three sons, 
settled at the lake, a clear body of water cov- 
ering nearly forty acres on the northwest quar- 
in the village was built by J. M. Ja- 



ter of Section 25. There was no other dwelling 
nearer than eight miles. The following spring 
the two remaining sons came. In 1854 Mrs. 
Robert Tuttle, a widowed sister of Mitchell 
Rosbrook. with her family of five children, set- 
tled in the township. During the same year 
came Thomas Sutton and settled with his large 
family one mile south of the lake. This fam- 
ily eventually, including nineteen children, be- 
came conspicuous in that part of the countr)% 
not only for their number but for their rugged 
and boisterous methods. In 1S54 Mitchell Ros- 
brook. with his wife and five children, joined the 
settlement. To him is credited the founding 
of the first Sunday-school in Harmon, it being 
very successfully conducted in John D. Ros- 
brook's granary. 

The first two elections in the township were 
held at the house of Mitchell Rosbrook. James 
McManus was elected Supervisor; Rosbrook, 
Town Clerk: and George Stillings, Constable. 
In the winter of 1856-7, Austin Balch came with 
his wife and two children. About this time the 
Brills reached the settlement, and also Patrick 
Grogan. The j'ears 1856 and '57 witnessed large 
accessions. Joseph Julien, a brother of Anton 
and John; E. A. Balch, C. H. Seifken, Israel 
Perkins, James Porter, George Stillings and 
Charles Craby were among the early settlers. 
In 1855 Lewis Hullinger settled on the south- 
west quarter of Section 7. 

In Harmon in pioneer days wild game 
abounded. We have it on good authority that 
one hunter brought down one hundred geese in 
a single day, and that another shot sixty-six 
mallard ducks at one discharge, a drove of 
thirteen deer were chased by men on horse- 
back past the Rosbrook place, and five were 
killed after pursuit of several miles. These 
statements seem a little incredible now, but are 
well authenticated. One of the early settlers 
ventures to say that it was not an uncommon 
sight to see a thousand acres covered with sand- 
hill cranes — a bird which has now almost dis- 
appeared. 

In 1856 a drove of 5.1100 Te.xas steers were 
driven through Harmon on their way to Chi- 
cago. The summer had been consumed on the 
drive. In 1857, 2,000 very large, fat hogs were 
also driven through the town, but beaded west- 
ward. 

Village of Harmon. — The village of Harmon 
was platted, March 15. 1872. for Joel H. Wicker, 
Charles G. Wicker, Jonas S. Meekling 
and Alonzo Kinyon. The first elevator 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



677 



ques & Bro., and is now operated by the Neola 
Elevator Company. The second elevator was 
built by O. E. Mclntyre and is now operated 
by the Atlas Elevator Company. The third 
was built, and is now operated by Frank Het- 
tinger. 

The Wesleyan Methodist Church was organ- 
ized, September 20. 1862, Rev. J. Pinkney 
being the first pastor. The Methodist Episco- 
pal Church was organized in 1871, Rev. Rive 
being the first pastor. The Catholic church 
was built about 1874, and has been recently 
remodeled and repaired. It had no resident 
priest until it was made an independent par- 
ish about four years ago, under the pastorate 
of Father McGrath. Father Ryan was his suc- 
cessor and is now in charge. Prior to the estab- 
lishment of the village the Wesleyan Methodists 
had a church building which is now used for 
a town hall. In 1882 the Methodist Episcopal 
Society erected their present church. 

Sam Boyer, now of Dixon, started the first 
store in the new town, and Hempstead & Van 
Alstine the second general store. The first 
school-house to be built after the village was 
platted was located where the present one 
stands. This was followed by a larger frame 
building, which was consumed by fire in the 
early part of the winter of 1899. In its place 
was erected, in the summer of 1900, the present 
brick structure, which does credit to the com- 
munity. 

The population of the entire township was 
840 in 1890, and 936 in 1900, as shown by the 
Government census. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



LEE CENTER TOWNSHIP. 



FlIiST WHITE SETTLER OTHER EARLY ARRIVALS — 

CHURCH AND SCHOOL HISTORY — LEE CENTER 
ACADE.MY AND VILLAGE. 

Adolphus Bliss and wife were the first set- 
tlers within the territory later known as Lee 
Center, having located there in May, 1834. Mrs. 
Bliss was the first white woman to reside in 



the township, and the second in the county. 
It was a year before she had a neighbor nearer 
than Dixon. Mr. Bliss entered a claim on west 
half of southwest quarter of Section 4, and 
the north half of the northeast quarter of Sec- 
tion 9. The first to follow him was Corydon R. 
Dewey, who came in the following spring and 
entered a claim on the east half of the north- 
west quarter of Section 9, and later, but during 
the year, Cyrenus and Cyreno Sawyer joined 
them, and together took up a claim on the 
northeast quarter of Section 1. In the spring 
of 1836, Lewis Clapp settled on the northwest 
quarter of Section 8. In this year Charles F. 
Ingalls and his brother, George A., entered 
their claims in the southern part of Lee 
Center Township, on which a Pottawatomie In- 
dian village then stood. 

In 1837 Mr. David Tripp and family, with 
his brother-in-law Orange Webster, settled at 
Inlet. Mr. Birdsell was an arrival of the 
following year. During that year Dr. R. F. 
Adams arrived and was the first physician in 
the neighborhood. Roswell Streator filed a 
claim in 1833, on the land on which Lee Cen- 
ter is situated, and the following year built 
a log house in the edge of Inlet Grove, which 
was near his claim. He gave a portion of the 
land towards the erection and maintenance of 
an academy, which will be hereafter referred to. 
C^eorge E. Haskell early settled at the Grove. 
Two of the Ingalls brothers, Henry and Addi- 
son, first settled on the Illinois River near 
where Chandlerville now stands, and Abraham 
Lincoln surveyed the farm for one of them. 
Mr. Ralph Ford was also one of the early ar- 
rivals. 

In the spring of 1836 the first sermon in the 
neighborhood was preached by Peter Cartwright 
in Mr. Dewey's house. In that year the first 
Methodist class was organized, with John Fos- 
dick as leader. Mr. David Tripp was a Bap- 
tist, and services were now and then held in 
his house until he built a new barn, which 
was dedicated with protracted meeting. A Bap- 
tist society was organized with Mr. Webster 
as deacon and Mr. Tripp as clerk. Here meet- 
ings were held regularly until a school-house 
was built near the Dewey Mill. In 1835 Rev. 
Luke Hitchcock and Oscar F. Ayres came, and 
the former preached the first funeral sermon 
in the town. It was over the body of a young 
"circuit rider" by the name of Smith, who died 
at Tripp's homestead. 



678 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



The first school-house was built in the edge 
of the timber on the Bliss land. George E. 
Haskell was teacher. It was a typical log 
structure. Moses Crombie settled in the village 
of Lee Center in 1840. Prior to the erection of 
this school house. Mrs. Crombie conducted a 
neighborhood school in her own house. 

The first building occupied as a store stood 
on the ground where David Tripp's grout house 
stood. It was sold to George E. Haskell, who 
moved it nearer to Inlet Creek, where it stood 
a lew years, when it was moved to the town of 
Lee Center and was occupied for some years 
by Joseph Cary. 

The pioneer teacher was Ann Chamberlain, 
who in the summer occupied a room in Adol- 
phus Bliss's house for her school. In the 
log school-house already referred to, Otis Timo- 
thy taught, and later settled at Franklin Grove 
where he died. His teaching was for three 
months in the winter of 1837-8. He had twenty 
to twenty-five pupils under his charge, and was 
paid at the rate of $15 per month. A log tav- 
ern kept by Benjamin Whittaker stooit where 
Mr. Cephas Clapp lived in recent years. This 
was as early as 1839. The first wedding in the 
town was that of Albert Static and Elmira Car- 
penter, in 1836. Daniel M. Dewey, Justice of the 
Peace, performing the ceremony. Mr. James 
Brewer reached Inlet in 1843, having ridden on 
horseback from Montgomery, Ala., and later 
became principal of the academy. 

There were other schools than those already 
mentioned. Mrs. Sallie P. Starks taught a 
class of five boys and five girls, ranging from 
one year old to near twenty-one; her teaching 
was for 12 hours a day all the year round. 

Lee Center Academy. — The main part of the 
Academy building was constructed of brick and 
built in 1847. at a cost of ?2.ori0. Mr. Moses 
Crombie was the contractor, and the school 
opened the same year and soon advanced to a 
leading rank among the educational institu- 
tions in that section. A certificate is found 
recorded in the Recorder's Office of the county, 
stating that Lewis Clapp, Luke Hitchcock, N. P. 
Swartwout, Martin Wright, Daniel Frost, Moses 
Crombie and R. F. Adams were elected Trustees 
of the Academy, March 3, 1847. The first Prin- 
cipal was Hiram McChesney. a graduate of 
Rensselaer Institute, of Troy, N. Y. He served 
one year, when he was succeeded by H. E. Len- 
ard, of Naperville. After two years Rev. James 
Brewer, a graduate of Jamestown College, 



Mass., took charge remaining one year. After 
him came Simeon Wright, during whose three 
years of service the Academy reached a degree 
of prosperity never exceeded either before or 
after. The average attendance of the school 
in this year was 1.50 pupils. Prof. Nash came 
after Mr. Wright and remained until 1859, in 
which year he died. By this time other schools 
of importance had sprung up at Paw Paw, 
Dixon, Amboy and elsewhere, and the Academy, 
remote from railroads, began to decline, so that, 
in the year 1859, it became a graded district 
school. In 1853 a stone addition to the school- 
house was erected to acommodate the increasing 
needs of the institution. 

In these days Lee Center was indeed a flour- 
ishing village, with an academy as its center 
of interest and activity. Lyceums, lectures and 
traveling entertainments were frequent in the 
chapel. 

A Congregational Church was organized in 
1843, at the home of Amos Crombie, near Bing- 
hamton in Amboy Township, with eleven mem- 
bers. The first pastor was Rev. Joseph Gard- 
ner. It was called the Congregational Church 
of Palestine Grove. Worship was conducted 
until 1849 in the Wasson school house, in Am- 
boy Township, after which it was changed to 
Lee Center, when a building was erected in 
1S5G at a cost of $1,500. In another account of 
this society (see Amboy) John Worrell is men- 
tioned as first pastor and Joseph Gardner as 
third. We are unable to determine which 
statement is correct. 

A Methodist Church was organized in 1837, 
at the residence of Corydon R. Dewey, at Inlet 
Grove. Their first church building was erected 
in 1842, in which services were held until 1858, 
v.hen a larger and more commodious one was 
btiilt. For many years Luke Hitchcock was 
pastor. Philo Judson, afterwards an eminent 
foreign missionary, preached here, and "Father 
Penfield" often filled the pulpit. The building 
was badly racked by the tornado of June 3, 
1860, and was finally demolished by a storm 
on October 30, 1SS2. Its place was supplied 
by a fine new structure erected in 18S3-4. 

It appears by a certificate, recorded in the 
Recorder's Office, that I. G. Dimick, C. R. Dewey. 
Daniel Frost. D. H. Birdsall and G. R. Lynn 
were elected Trustees of the "Methodist Epis- 
copal Church at Inlet," December 12, 1840. On 
June 4, 1848. Daniel Frost. Solomon Matteson, 
A. W. Crombie, C. S. Frost, M. S. Curtis and 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



679 



Hezekiah McCune, were elected trustees of the 
"Methodist Episcopal Church of Lee Center." 
In 1S49, trustees of a parsonage were elected, 
but we have been unable to learn when the 
building was constructed. 

An Episcopal Church was organized in 1855, 
and a building erected in 1S57, costing $2,500. 
The windows of the cnurch were presented 
to the congregation by Bishop Whitehouse. The 
title was vested in the Bishop by instrument 
dated May 4. 1857. Dr. Charles Gardner and 
Garrett M. La Forge were the principal sup- 
porters, and after they left the town the serv- 
ices here declined until the building was aban- 
doned and sold for other uses a very few years 
ago. 

The country was greatly disturbed in the 
period from 1843 to 1850, by a succession of 
crimes indicating a thorough organization 
among the lawless class. The principals in th^ 
nefarious business are known in the annals of 
this and adjoining counties as the "Banditti of 
the Prairies." The vicinity of Inlet furnished 
one of their bases of operation. Counterfeiting, 
robbery and murder were included among their 
offenses. Two leading citizens of Inlet Grove — 
one of them a magistrate — were implicated in 
a robbery, and sent to the penitentiary where 
both died. Other citizens were found to be 
involved in like transactions. One turned 
state's evidence, which resulted in more arrests 
and the recovery of considerable stolen prop- 
erty. As a means of better contending with 
the law-breaking element, an "Association for 
Furthering the cause of Justice" was formed. 
The preamble of the constitution recited that, 
"appearances have plainly shown that Inlet 
Grove has been a resting place and depot for 
the numerous rogues that infest the country." 
A vigilance committee was appointed to hunt 
out and run down the rascals, by which effective 
work was done for the protection of the people 
and punishment of criminals. 

The lands on which the pioneers settled were 
not open to purchase until 1844, when the first 
land sale occurred at Dixon. Hence the early 
settlers were known as "squatters," having no 
assurance that the lands they occupied would 
ever become their own. To protect themselves 
against the cupidity of interlopers who might 
seek to enter the lands of the first comers se- 
cretly, and also as a means of adjusting any 
differences which might arise between them 
touching their respective claims, the set- 
tlers of this neighborhood formed a 



"Squatters' Association," with a formal 
constitution containing rigia provisions for 
the mutual protection of its members. 
Similar movements were resorted to in 
other sections, and became known as "Grove 
Associations." The constitution of the one in 
the vicinity of Amboy was preserved by Ira 
Brewer, and bore date, "Inlet, Ogle County, Illi- 
nois, July 10th, 1837," and was subscribed by 
sixty-six members. The field of the association 
extended from Inlet half way to Knox, Dixon, 
Malugin, Palestine and Franklin Grove. George 
E. Haskell was the first president and Martin 
Wright the first clerk. The scheme called for 
a bond to be signed by each member, obligating 
him to convey to the adjoining claimant any 
land occupied by the latter which might, inad- 
vertently or otherwise, be purchased by the 
former. Difficulties were apt to arise owing 
to the fact that tne Government survey had 
not then been made. In a committee report of 
choice diction and marked seriousness, having 
much of the tone of a plea addressed to the 
membership, it is said: "The claims of all 
have been respected and a ju=t regard had to 
the growth and prosperity of the neighborhood, 
in the accommodations afforded to all that 
wished to unite themselves to this community 
in nearness of settlement. But a change in our 
circumstances is about to take place. The 
rightful owner of the soil upon which we are 
located is to call up.in us for his dues, and that 
too at a period not far distant. Some, and it 
is hoped all the members of this association, 
will be able to answer the call and obtain a title 
to the land which they now claim. In paying 
for land, whether at general land sales or under 
the preemption law, the individual so paying 
receives his title to the same, which no right 
of the claimant can ever reach." 

The situation was manifestly one of grave 
peril to these frontiersmen who were in danger 
of losing the property — the home — which they 
had braved so much and forsaken so much to 
secure. As a rule, however, the community, 
by the intimidating force of a law of its own 
making, was able to protect the bona-fide settler 
against the barbarous greed of the "claim 
jumper." The early settlers brought with them 
much of the spirit of colonial days, and vigor- 
ously used all that was needed to meet the 
emergency. 

Shaw Station was platted as "Shaw" on land 
of Sherman Shaw October 24, 1878. The place 
has an elevator operated by Chas. Guffin. a Con- 



68o 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



gregational church, which was built five or 
six years ago, and a public school. 

The population of the township in 1890 was 
789, while in 1900 it was 876. 



CHAPTER XV. 



MARION TOWNSHIP. 



OnnANIZATION OF THE TOWNSHIP AND FIRST OFFI- 
CERS — FIRST PER.MANENT SETTLERS SOME LA- 
TER ARRIVALS TOWN OF WALTON PLATTED. 

At the September session, 1854. of the 
Board of Supervisors, the north half of Town 
20, Range 9. which had belonged to Amboy 
Township, the south half of Town 20, Range 9, 
and all of Town 20, Range S, which had be- 
longed to Hamilton Town-hip. were set off as a 
town called Marion, to take effect from the first 
Tuesday in April, 1855. At the March meeting, 
1867, the town of Harmon was created, leaving 
Marion a simple Government township, as it 
now exists. The first Supervisor of the new 
town was Alford Wolcot; Assessor. Sherman W. 
Caldwell; Justices of the Peace, Ahram Morri- 
son and A. S. Phillip: Tov/n Clerk. Simon Dyk- 
man; Collector. David Morrison. 

The first permanent settler in the town was 
David Welty. who came, as did many others, 
In pursuit of health. Starting from Buffalo, 
N. Y., in 1838, on a thorough-bred mare pre- 
sented to him by a friend, he made the entire 
distance to Dixon's Perry on horseback. His 
wife and son, John M.. with Mr. and Mrs. 
Scott, her father and mother, reached Chicago 
by way of the lakes, and thence by stage to 
Dixon the next year. In 1840 he preempted 
land on Sections 34 and 35, Town 20, Range 
9. Mr. Welty soon built a double log-house on 
the stage road leading from Peoria to Dixon. 
The lumber for the doors, window sash, floors, 
shingles, etc., was hauled from Chicago by 
team. He was considered wealthy, as riches 
were rated at that early date, while both he 
and his wife were educated and refined people 



who had been reared under the advantageous 
conditions afforded by the city of Buffalo, the 
home from which they emigrated. The floors 
of their log house were covered with velvet and 
Brussells carpets and costly rugs. The furni- 
ture was of mahogany and walnut, all brought 
from the East. The son. John M.. writes: "The 
contrast between the log house and its belong- 
ings was so great, as to excite the wonder and 
admiration of strangers from the East who 
chanced to alight from the stages and enter 
our pioneer home. There were, for many years, 
only three houses between Dixon and Prince- 
ton, one at Dad Jo's Grove, one on the south 
side of Palestine Grove and the other in which 
we lived." 

Near by was Green River, then known as 
Inlet Creek, which flowed through Mr. Welty's 
land, and here was,- for many years, the only 
bridge across that stream. This bridge and a 
turnpike through the swamps were constructed 
under an act of the Legislature, approved Feb- 
ruary 19. 1839. granting authority to Henry W. 
Cleaveland to "erect a toll bridge across Green 
River and a causeway a'cross the Winnebago 
Swamp, at or near the same." An act. approved 
February 3. 1843. provides for the selection of 
three inspectors to examine the work, and re- 
fers to It as located in Lee County, and requires 
their report to be filed in the office of the Clerk 
of that county. One toll gate was near the 
Welty house. The log house soon became an 
inn, where the traveling public were both fed 
and lodged. Although there was no other house 
in the settlement, it acquired the name of 
Scottville. by which it was for some time 
known. It may be that this was adopted out 
of regard for Gen. Scott, or was simply the use 
of the name of the old people, Mrs. Welty's 
father and mother. 

With Mr. Welty came A. L. Porter, who set- 
tled in Dixon and was at one time Sheriff of the 
county. Contemporaneous with the coming of 
Mr. Welty to the township, was that of W. H. 
Blair, who located on Section 24. In 1841 J. C. 
Haley located on Section 13. In 1846 R. Scott 
settled on Section 15. Creorge Keith arrived 
in 1861-62: Benjamin Brooks, long identified 
with the township, in 1856 bought the west half 
of the northwest quarter of Section 9, and soon 
became a resident. John R. Hawkins was an 
early settler, but in what year we are unable to 
ascertain. In 1856 Franklin H. Church settled 
on Section 2. 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



68 1 



May 4, 1S7S. "Walton" — or "Town of Walton" 
— was platted on land of Price Jones. Marion 
Township had a population in 1890 of 750, and 
in 1900 of 741. as shown by Government census. 



CH.\PTER XVL 



MAY TOWNSHIP. 



TOWX SET .^P.^iRT FROM H.\jriLTOX TOWNSHIP TN' 
1855 — E.\RLV SETTLERS — CATHOLIC CHURCH AM) 
ACADEMY. 

At the meeting of the Board of Supervisors. 
September, 1854, the Town of May was set 
apart from the Town of Hamilton, to which 
it had theretofore belonged. By the resolution 
the change was to take effect the first Tuesday 
in April, 1855. The name is said to have been 
selected in honor of a military officer of the 
name who fell in the battle of Palo Alto. The 
first settler in the township was Joseph Bay, 
who located on Section 13, south of Palestina 
Grove. The next was Ira Axtle, who located 
the same year on Section 6. In 1840. William 
Dolan, who becarrie prominent in the town, set- 
tled on Section 14. Martin McGowen. J. Moran 
and John Darcy also came in 1840. In 1850 
Andrew Kessler settled on Section 13. Joseph 
Hall came in 1857. In the latter year George 
Ash came and settled on Section 10. Also, 
in this year, Silas W. Avery arrived and settled 
on the northeast quarter of Section 7. while 
Hugh Fitzpatrick located on Section 19. 

The township has jilways been strong in 
the number of its citizens belonging to the 
Catholic communion. In an early day the 
"Sandy Hill" church was built on the northeast 
corner of the southwest quarter of the northeast 
quarter of Section 14. A brick building was 
erected and a cemetery started adjacent there- 
to. On the southeast corner of the southwest 
quarter of Section 17, St. Patrick's church was 
built at a later date. On the southwest corner 
of Section 25, St. Mary's church was erected 



in more recent years. At a very early date an 
academy was erected on the northwest corner 
of the southwest quarter of Section 24, where 
a school was, for many years, successfully 
conducted. This in?titution was the result of 
a bequest of Patrick Riley, who settled on Sec- 
tion 23 in 1848 and died in 1868, leaving his 
property for the establishment of a school. 
Martin McGowen and Patrick McCann were the 
trustees. The building was dedicated early in 
September, 1880, and the school soon had six 
sisters of the order of Benedictine nuns for 
teachers. It was a boarding-school for young 
ladies, but boys were received as day pupils. 
The situation, however, proved unfavorable, 
and the school was finally discontinued. 

Across the road from this academy building 
was also erected a parsonage. The "Sandy Hill" 
church has been abandoned, but the furniture 
has been moved to the academy where weekly 
services are held. Father Kilkiney has been 
priest in charge for a number of years. At St. 
Mary's church services are conducted in Ger- 
man on the fourth Sunday of every month, by 
some priest from a near by parish. 

The township had a population, in 1890. ac- 
cording to the Government census, of 703 and 
in 1900 of 654. 



CHAPTER X\ II. 



NACHUSA TOWNSHIP. 



.NACHl'SA SET OFF FHOM CHl.N'A TOWNSHIP — SOME 

ROAD AND BRIDGE HISTORY — EARLY SETTLERS 

A FAMILY QITARREL — SCHOOLS AND CIH^RCHE.S 
— NACHUSA VILLAGE. 

Nachusa was set off from the Town of China, 
by resolution of the Board of Supervisors of Lee 
County February 7, 1871, being made up of the 
west half of the latter town. Dixon Township 
remained intact as first formed until the Feb- 
ruary meeting of the Board of Supervisors in 



682 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



1872, when all lying east of the following line 
was detached and added to Nachusa: Com- 
mencing at the rivti and following the half 
section lines south to center of Section 31. 
thence east to center of Section 35, thence south 
to center of Section 2, thence west 80 rods, 
thence south to the north line of South Dixon. 
After two petitions had been rejected, a third 
was unanimously granted, without opposition, 
at the July meeting, 1877, restoring to Di.xon 
the east half of Sections 10, 15, 22, 27 and the 
northeast quarter of Section 34. The construc- 
tion of the bridge across the river at Grand 
Detour, in 1902, with its south terminus rest- 
ing in the town of Nachusa, necessitated the 
lepair of the approaching roads and rendered 
desirable the opening of a new and more direct 
highway to the bridge. Nachusa having failed 
— indeed, practically refused — to take the 
needed action, and having manifested such in- 
difference on the subject as to arouse the indig- 
nation of the people most Interested in the 
bridge, two petitions were placed before 
the Board of Supervisors, asKing that the 
territory embracing the roads calling for 
repair and the projected new road be 
added to Dixon. Both of these petitions 
were defeated, but a third petition offered 
at the September meeting, in 1903. resulted in 
detaching from Nachusa all the territory em- 
braced in Towns 21 and 22, Range 9, and adding 
it to the Town of Dixon. Thus Nachusa has 
been brought back to its original boundaries. 
(For further information as to bridge history, 
see "Lee County.") 

The proximity of Grand Detour to the north- 
ern boundary of the township drew an unusual 
number of early settlers to this locality. Among 
this class was Cyrus Chamberlain, who located 
on Section 18. Mr. HoUingshead, coming a 
little later, settled on Section 19. In 1835 Jo- 
seph Crawford arrived, and after living one 
year with Mr. HoUingshead. then settled in 
Dixon Township. Solomon Shelhamer joined 
the settlement a year or two afterwards. In 
1836 John Chamberlain bought the HoUings- 
head farm and. in this same year, a Mr. Fisk 
came from the Best with a stock of goods, with 
which he opened a store in the HoUingshead 
house. 

A number of dwellings, including Cyrus 
Chamberlain's, in time, grouped about the point 
on the southwest quarter of Section 18, Town 
22, Range 9, where a road leads off to the upper 



Grand Detour ferry, in such manner as at the 
present day to suggest a village. This settle- 
ment has been known for many years as "The 
Kingdom." Old settlers trace this name to dif- 
ferent sources, but all agree that it became 
attached to the place about 1844-6. One says 
that Sabbath-breaking, profanity, horse-racing 
and other irregularities caused the law-abiding. 
Sabbath-observing people of Grand Detour to 
as-aciate locality with the devil's affairs. 
Another (Harvey Herrick, now living in Dixon) 
relates how, when a boy of twelve or fourteen 
years of age, he and an older brother quarreled 
with the boys of the only other family then in 
the place (Chamberlain's), and how their re- 
spective fathers took sides with the sons until 
finally one of the former charged that Satan 
had reigned ever since the other family had 
come into the neighborhood; that this was taken 
up by others in jest, and was circulated until it 
became firmly fixed to the place. The ac- 
companying circumstances are told with such 
particularity that the latter seems to be the 
more probable of the two accounts. In time 
the Satanic part of the name was dropped. 

In 1844 Harvey Herrick, Sr. ( father of the 
Harvey Herriclc above mentioned) settled here, 
having brought a house from over the county 
line, which was the second, Cyrus Chamber- 
lain's being the first. 

The first school house in the township was 
built of stone by Cyrus Chamberlain on his 
land, and its use was given to the pioneers. It 
•was built on the southwest quarter of Section 
18. Town 22, Range 10, and is still standing 
on the Weatherbee farm at "the Kingdom." 
Chester Herrington was the first teacher. Prior 
to the building of the school house, school was 
taught in private houses by a man named Shel- 
don, who is supposed to have been the first 
teacher in this section. The second school 
house was also built of stone and stood on the 
south half of the southwest quarter of Section 
26. Town 22. Range 10. 

Mr. Chamberlain was the first Justice of the 
Peace in this part of the town, and was also 
County Commissioner when Ogle and Lee Coun- 
ties constituted one county. He is also credited 
with building the first saw-mill in that section. 
It was located east of the road on the southwest 
quarter of Section 18. on the north side of 
Franklin Creek, from which the power was 
obtained through a mill race which tapped the 
creek about a mile further upstream. Harvey 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



683 



Herrick, Sr.. took advantage of this power for 
blast purposes, to start a foundry here — un- 
doubtedly the first in the county — which he had 
been operating by horse power at Grand Detour. 

On the county map of 186S appears the name 
"Galena & Chicago Union Railroad" across the 
south half of Section IS and the southwest quar- 
ter of Section 17. When the road (now the 
Chicago & Northwestern) was being con- 
structed, timber was cut from these lands for 
ties and fuel. 

In 1842 a settlement was started on the 
Dixon and Franklin Grove road, where Ludlum 
Ayres. Levi Green. Thomas Hopkins. William 
Parker. William Richardson. James Goddard 
and Don Cooper took up claims and buiit their 
huts. Most of these disposed of their claims 
in a few years and moved further west. In 
1845 quite a number selected land near where 
the village of Nachusa stands. At the west 
end of the Franklin Grove timber and within 
the present town of Nachusa, Joseph Emmert 
bought a claim of Don Cooper where he erected, 
in 1845-6, a two-story dwelling and a large barn. 
In 1850 he put up quite a large flouring-mill 
on the creek at heavy expense. He was a min- 
ister of the German Baptist, or Dunkard, faith, 
and about 1850 erected the first church of that 
denomination, where the present one stands, 
on the Dixon and Franklin road, on the south- 
east quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 
5, In 1S47, A. P. Dysart purchased the claim of 
Thomas Hopkins, which included the northwest 
quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 6, 
where Col. Dysart continued to reside up to the 
date of his death, and where he erected an at- 
tractive and expensive dwelling. This building 
Mrs. Mary E. B. Shippert has recently given 
to the Northern Illinois Lutheran Synod, to be 
turned over to the proper committee or trus- 
tees of the Northern, Central and Southern Illi- 
nois Synods, the Synods of Iowa, Nebraska 
and Kansas, and the two German bodies for an 
orphanage. The property, embracing forty-six 
acres, is valued at $6,000. The gift in such 
hands will prove a great blessing to the parent- 
less through long years yet to come. 

John M. Crawford and Samuel Crawford, 
brothers, came in 1846, the first establishing 
a permanent home on the east half of the south- 
west quarter of Section 5, and the other the west 
half of Section 9. Jonathan Depuy reached the 
county in 1842. and before long settled down 
683—5 



in this township. About 1844 or '45 William 
Fiscel bought in Section 32. John P. Brubaker 
located on Sections 5 and 6, about the year 
1850, and it was in this year that Benjamin 
Kesler also settled on Section 6. In 1852 Henry 
Wingert settled on Section 4, and John W. Win- 
gert also came to the town. Joshua Wingert 
arrived in 1846. Jacob Wertman arrived still 
earlier, reaching the township in 1838. William 
Brandon reached Dixon in 1837, and in a few 
years moved to Nachusa Township, where he 
resided many years. Marshall McNeel came to 
the county with his parents in 1847, and Jacob 
Hittle reached the county as early as 1841, both 
of them spending the remainder of their days 
in this township. Chester Harrington arrived 
in 1837 and soon secured the land in Section 
13, Town 22, Range 9, on which he now re- 
sides with his son. William Garrison landed 
in the county in 1845 and eventually, some ten 
years later, settled in Nachusa. 

Prior to the building of the Dunkard church, 
above mentioned, by Joseph Emmert, and prior 
to his coming, the society was in existence 
over the river in Ogle County. Mr. Emmert 
first preached to its members there; but this 
was so inconvenient to him and the members 
in this county, that a society was formed in 
his neighborhood composed of himself and fam- 
ily, Christopher Lahman and wife, Jacob and 
Samuel Riddlesbarger and their wives, Oliver 
Edmunds and wife, Isaac Seits and wife, An- 
drew Dierdorf and wife, Benjamin Kesler and 
wife, with a few others. Adjacent to the church 
is the cemetery; in which the first burial was 
that of Debbie Beever. 

At an early date a Methodist minister by the 
name of Benjamin preached to the settlers in 
their homes; but the first church building to 
be erected in the north part of the township 
was the Mt. Union church, dedicated November 
9, 1890, for the use of the denominations desir- 
ing to hold service there. It stands on the 
northwest corner of the northeast quarter of 
Section 26. a prominent point, giving the white 
building a conspicuous place in the landscape. 
Separated from the church yard only by a 
fence is the Mooers Cemetery, which was given 
by one of the pioneers, Josiah Mooers, whose 
remains were the first to be interred within its 
precincts. It dates prior to 1860. In 1887 the 
Lutheran Church erected a neat meeting house 
in the village of Nachusa, which is now occu- 



684 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



pied by the society. In May, 1900, Trinity 
Evangelical church dedicated a new building 
erected by its members at "the Kingdom." 

Turning to the southern portions of the town- 
ship, it is found that the first settler was a Mr. 
Jones, who located on Section 20, Town 21. 
In 1839 Dr. Charles Gardner settled on the 
northwest quarter and north half of the south- 
west quarter of Section 20, where he resided 
until his death at a good old age. Most of the 
pioneers emigrated from the East by means 
of horse or ox-teams, or by way of canals and 
lakes, but Dr. Gardner entered the new country 
by an altogether different route. He reached 
New Orleans by sloop from Newport, R. I., and 
thence by steamboat up the Mississippi and 
Illinois to Peru, where wagons and teams were 
purchased with which the remainder of the 
journey was accomplished. His wife followed 
the track across the States a few months later. 
Dr. Gardner belonged to the Thomsonian school 
of medicine, and was the first physician in that 
section. He brought with him a large supply 
of seeds, cuttings, grafts and slips, with which 
to start the much desired fruit and ornamental 
tree culture. These were freely distributed 
and, besides his own planting, laid the founda- 
tion for taste and interest in trees which have 
characterized the locality. In 1873 he built a 
large hay barn, the heavy timber for which 
was cut from the grove which he himself 
had planted. This southern part of the town- 
ship had the advantage of the Chicago road, 
which was the artery of travel from Chicago 
to Dixon's Ferry, and, naturally, the first set- 
tlements were thickest along its course. About 
six months later than the coming of Mrs. Gard- 
ner, her aunt and Mrs. Hannah DeWolf arrived 
and purchased a home about a mile west on the 
northwest quarter of Section 19. Here Mrs. 
Gardner and Mrs. DeWolf started the first 
Sunday School in that vicinity, and here, in 
Mrs. DeWolf's house, the first public school in 
the township was taught. The first teacher 
was Miss Betsey DeWolf. On the northeast 
corner of Mrs. DeWolf's farm she donated a plat 
for a cemetery, which is still in use. This was 
about the year 1840, and the first person to 
be buried there was "Old Michael," a man who 
worked for her. Adjacent to this site, the first 
school house was built in 1841 or '42, when Miss 
DeWolf again taught, also a Miss Hunter. The 
house was afterwards moved to the southwest 



corner of Dr. Gardner's farm, where it was 
known for many years as "Locust Street School 
House." Later it was moved to the crossroads, 
where it took the name of "Hollister." 

In 1841 John Leake settled in the township 
at Temperance Hill, having emigrated from 
England in 1840. His wife and three sons, 
William, John C, Thomas, and a daughter, Mary 
Ann. together with Mrs. Lake's two sisters, 
Mrs. Edward Willars and Mrs. Daniel Leake 
and their husbands, all came over in a party 
in 1841. Isaac Means and William Moody ac- 
companied Mr. Leake. John Leake ( 2d ) with 
his wife and two children, Clarissa, and Will- 
iam, made the passage from England in 1843 
and settled on the highest ground at Temper- 
ance Hill, that part of the southwest quarter 
of the southwest quarter of Section 27, lying 
south of the road. The two Johns became 
distinguishable in the neighborhood by names 
coined for the purpose: John, the first-comer, 
being called "Butcher John, from his early 
occupation in the old country, and the other, 
"Miller John," or "John on the 'illtop," from the 
elevation of his land. Miller John and Daniel 
were brothers, and cousins of Butcher John. 
Alva Hale was one of the early settlers, enter- 
ing a claim on Section 33. 

Nachusa Village. — The station was called 
Taylor when the railroad was in process of con- 
struction, but when the plat was made in the 
fall of 1853 by Col. Dysart and George Bangh, 
it was given its present name — the one by 
which Father Dixon was known among the In- 
dians. The first business enterprise in the 
place was launched by its founder. Col. A. P. 
Dysart. who built a warehouse, bought grain 
and dealt in coal and lumber. In 1855 or '56 
he opened a general store in partnership with 
a Mr. Cunningham. They were succeeded in 
1860 by the firm of (John) Dysart & Riley, who 
built the present elevator. The business finally 
passed into the hands of William C. Dysart, 
and now is owned and conducted by Mr. C. B. 
Crawford. 

The first postmastei was Col. Dysart, and the 
office has always remained in the store where 
he opened it, the successive proprietors of which 
have held the commission, except during the 
first four years of President Cleveland's admin- 
istration, when C. D. Hart held the office. 

The first school house to be erected In the 
village was the one now in use. It was built 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



685 



in 1S6S and J. A. D. Barnes was the first teacher 
to hold forth in it. The first blacksmith shop 
was started in 1855 or 1856. by Mr. Farwell. 

According to the census the township had a 
population in 1890 of 913 and in 1900 of 886. 



Note — The government survey of the different towns 
in the county u-as made in the following years: Town 21 
range 9 in is.;4; Town 22 range y Town 22 range 10 in iS3<); 
Town 21 range 8 and Town 21 range 10 in 1S39-40; Town 22 
ranges. Town 22 range 11, Town ^q range 1 and Town 3S 
rangr 1 in 1S40; Town 20 range 10 and Town 37 range i in 
1842; Town 37 range 2 in 1S42-3; the remaining towns in the 
county were all surveyed in 1843. 



CHAPTER XVni. 



NELSON TOWNSHIP. 



KEL.SON TOWXSHU" SET OFF FUOJt DIXON — ITS E.^RLI- 

EST SETTLER OTHER EAIU.Y ARRIVALS — THE 

"BLUFF BOYS" ZIOX LUTHERAN CHURCH — NEL- 
SON VILLAGE PLATTED. 

At the February meeting. 1S60. of the Board 
of Supervisors that part of the Town of Dixon 
lying south of Roi k River, in Town 21, Range 
8, was set apart as the Town of Nelson. The 
earliest settler in the township was Luther 
Stone, who, with his sons, Burrell and Samuel, 
settled in 1836, on Section 29. Abner Coggswell 
settled on Section 30 In 1843. Uriah Gruver 
has been considered an old settler, but it was 
as late as 1854 when he came to Dixon, and it 
was IStio when he settled on Section 26 in Nel- 
son Township. Charles F. Hubbard settled on 
the northeast quarter of Section 11 at an early 
day, but we have been unable to ascertain the 
year. Nathan Morehouse located a short dis- 
tance north of the southeast corner of the south- 
west quarter of Section 17 in 1847. William 
Bivens bought the farm and moved onto it in 
the spring of 1849. Lewis Brauer settled some- 
where east of Bivens about the year 1849. 

It is a singular fact that this township was 
backward in attracting early settlers, being 
sparsely settled prior to 18.54. In the latter 
year Jacob and Solomon Harding, Daniel Uhl, 
John and Eli Geiger came. William Uhl settled 
on the northwest quarter of Section 23 about 
1852. Frederick Haupt and his son, Fred, and 
Gerhard H. Missman settled in the township 



in 1S55, and Eli Lloyd the next year. Arthur 
Phillips, John Mooers, Michael Trautman, Eli- 
jah Walker, Henry Heaton, Albert Hubbard and 
Conrad Hartman were among the settlers of the 
early or middle '50s. 

Mention should be made of a set of young 
fellows who were known as the "Bluff Boys," 
and who made the cabin of Charles F. Hubbard, 
on the river bluff, their headquarters. Among 
them were Alexander Charters, commonly 
known as the "Governor," Carleton Bailey, 
Capt. William Graham and Mr. Hubbard. The 
group was composed of young scions of wealthy 
lamilies in the East or across the waters, who 
had enjoyed the privileges of city schools and 
life, and had come to a new country for fun 
rather than business or the opportunities which 
pioneer life afforded. They, to a man, were 
jovial, high-spirited and not indifferent to the 
cup. "Gov." Charters became the host of Hazel- 
wood; Carleton Bailey settled in Dixon Town- 
ship in the Bend opposite Grand Detour Town- 
ship; Capt, Graham acquired land in Palmyra 
Township. All were congenial companions and 
became endeared to those about them. 

Zion Lutheran church was organized in the 
township at an early date, and services were 
held in a little school-house located on south- 
west quarter of the northwest quarter of Sec- 
lion 23, which was built about the year 1856. 
In a short time a larger school-house was 
erected on the spot, which was also used for 
church services until about the year 1880, when 
it was torn down. The present church building 
owned and occupied by the society, was built in 
1880 and stands on the southeast corner of Sec- 
tion 22. The cemetery which was started within 
the same enclosure where the small school 
house stood, has been enlarged and is controlled 
by the Pine Grove Cemetery Association, which 
was recently incorporated under the State law. 

December 22, 1862, the "Town of Nelson" 
v.as platted on land of Willard S. Pope and 
Samuel Nelson. In 1902 and 1903 the Chicago 
& North-Western Railroad Company built a 
branch, leaving its main line at Nelson, and 
nnining thence to Peoria, and here at Nelson 
they erected large coal sheds. This has given 
something of an impetus to the little village 
and it is manifesting unmistakable signs of 
growth. 

Nelson had a population in 1890 of 454 and, 
in 1900, of 586, as shown by the Government 
census. 



686 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XIX. 



PALMYRA TOWNSHIP. 



ITS EARLY SETTLERS — ARRIVAL OF THE NEW YORK 

COLONY CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS — CEMETERIES 

— PRAIRIEVILLE AND ITS SOLDIERS' MONUMENT 
PALMYRA INSURANCE COMPANY. 

For the names and time of arrival of early 
settlers in Palmyra Township, the following 
quotation is made from an article by Miss Jane 
Johnson, appearing in "Recollections of Pio- 
neers of Lee County" (p. 497): 

"The first settlement was begun in the spring 
of 1.'^^4 by old Mr. Morgan and his sons, Harvey 
and John, and Benjamin Stewart, who settled 
in the south side of the Grove, known as "the 
Gap." They were followed in the autumn by 
John H. Page and wife, and Stephen Fellows, 
with a large family. 

"The following spring (1835) the new acces- 
sions included W. W. Bethea, Absalom Fender 
■nith a large family. Capt. Oliver Hubbard, a 
numerous family of Gastons, Smith Gilbraith. 
William T. and Elkanah Bush, Daniel Beards- 
ley, old Mr. Thomas and his sons, Enoch and 
Noah; Daniel Obrist, Nathan Morehouse, Jeff 
Harris, Anson Thummel, brother of Rev. C. B. 
Thummel; James Power and sons. Thomas and 
Jeptha. From 1836 to 1S45 large additions were 
made to the infant settlement, most of the 
following being well known families: John C. 
Oliver, Noah Beede, Abijah Powers. Frederick 
and Henry Coe, Walter Rogers, Reuben East- 
wood, William Myers (afterwards known as the 
"Prophet"), Hiram Parks, W. W. Tilton, Timo- 
thy Butler, Hugh Graham. John T. Lawrence. 
John Lawrence, Abner Moon, John Lord and his 
son John L.. Jarves N, and David Holly. Wm. 
Martin and his nephews, James, Jacob and Ty- 
ler Martin: Capt. Jonas M. Johnson and his 
sons, William Y. and Morris, with their fam- 
ilies and a son-in-law; Eben H. Johnson and 
wife, Joshua Seavey and sons, Jesse and Win- 
throp; Joshua Marden and son William; Al- 
bert and John Jenness, Harvey E. Johnson, 
Charles and Dana Columbia, Levi Briggs and 
father, Thomas Monk. William and John Benja- 
min, Truxton and l..emuel Sweeney, John and 



Joseph Thompson. John Norris, William and 
Lockwood Harris, Wm. Burger, Wm. Stackpole, 
Rev. William Gates, James Gates, William 
Ayres, Thomas Ayres. L. Deyo, E. Deyo, Col. 
Leman Mason and sons Sterne, Volney and Rod- 
ney; Moses Warner and sons Henry, Moses and 
George; Major Sterling, Henry and Gustavus 
Sartorius; Nehemiah, William, Fletcher and 
Morris Hutton; Abram O'Brist, Martin Blair, 
Wesley Atkinson, Thomas and Moses Scallion, 
John Carley, Hardin, Beach, Tomlin, Martin 
Richardson. Benjamin Gates, Mathias Schick, 
Anton Harms, Charles A. Becker, Henry Miller, 
Becker Miller, Mr. Curtis, Martin and William 
Brauer, William Miller, John Morse." The 
names of David Law (father of Dr. David H.) 
and family, who came in 1839. and their rela- 
tives, the McGinnisses, who came at or about 
the same time, should be added to this list. It 
should also be noted that John Lord and family 
first settled in Dixon, near tiie point where 
Peoria Avenue crosses the Chicago & North- 
ern Railway. 

Between 1839 and 1844 the New York Colony 
(so called) settled in Palmyra. Capt. Hugh 
Graham was its acknowledged head. William 
Graham, John T. Lawrence and brother were 
tl.e first to arrive. C. F. Hubbard came later. 
The colony was made up for the most part of 
highly educated young men and women from 
New York City and across the sea. They were 
lured westward by imaginary attractions of a 
new and fertile country. It was to be their 
El Dorado, but proved quite otherwise. Their 
lack of experience in agricultural pursuits, and 
their unfitness for pioneer life, its hardships 
and problems, defeated their hopes, financially, 
but it is not too much to say that the communi- 
ty was still a distinct gainer. Their Influence 
was always exerted in the direction of tetter 
educational conditions, and they contributed in 
the press and by example to raise the In- 
telectual standards of the neighborhood. Mr. 
Lawrence, Mr. Geyot and Mr. Hubbard spent 
their lives in the locality where they first set- 
tled, and were gathered to their fathers only a 
few years ago. An article contributed by Mr. 
Lawrence to that excellent collection of essays 
on early days. "Recollections of the Pioneers of 
Lee County" (above quoted from), gives a most 
graphic account of their experiences, is rich in 
local incident and suggests the scholarly cast 
of the New York Colony. Mr. Lawrence says, 
in the paper referred to, that Palmyra was 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



687 



named by Fred Coe, from the town of that 
name in New York. 

The Indians were gathering sweetness from 
the maple trees of Sugar Grove when the white 
man came, and under the latter's care the "sap 
bush" soon became a fixed institution. 

.\t an early date a double log house stood in 
front of the spot on which now stands the John 
Lord family residence, of which Smith Gil- 
braith's family occupied one side. 

It seems that there was a postoffice at the 
Gap in the early days, E. B. Bush being the first 
Postmaster and having a deputy at Buffalo 
Grove. This same Bush ran a ferry near where 
the center line of Section 10 strikes the river. 
Joshua Morgan also served as Postmaster, The 
office was continued until the recent introduc- 
tion of postal delivery service. 

In 1840 the settlement had sixty voters. 

As early as 1843 Matthias Selricks had a 
blacksmith shop at Prairieville, and there were 
others in the town. 

O'Brist had a saw-mill on Sugar Creek where, 
after a heavy rain, a little sawing of the native 
logs could be done. There were two brothers; 
Daniel was drowned in Elkhorn Creek and 
Abram then ran the mill. Aside from the as- 
sistance of this mill, nearly all the buildings 
were made of hewed logs, shakes or split shin- 
gles for the roof, and puncheons or boards split 
from logs for the floor. 

There was a time not many years ago when 
the carriage and wagon shops of John L. Lord 
did a large business, considering their inacces- 
sibility by rail. The business was founded by 
John Lord in 1841, and twelve years later 
passed into the hands of his son John L. Comp- 
petition having eventually proven too formida- 
ble for works so situated, the business was. a 
few years ago, abandoned. The first church in 
Palmyra was at Gap Grove on the site where 
the school house now stands. Its dimensions 
were 24 by 3fi feet and it was built in 1839 
jointly by the Congregationalists and the Meth- 
odists, and was occupied on alternate Sundays 
by those two denominations. It was aban- 
doned at least forty years ago and transformed 
into a school house and used for a nunibei- of 
years, when it was moved off and sold for $20. 
and in its place the present school house was 
built. The old school house was converted into 
a barn, in which capacity it is still doing serv- 
ice for H. M. Gilbert. 

About the year 1855 the Methodists built a 
church at a point on the south side of the pub- 



lic road, near the west line of the southwest 
quarter of Section 34. Near it stood a frame 
school house, but when built or what figure it 
cut in the neighborhood we have been unable 
to find out. It is, however, at present 
used as a milk-house on Howard Martin's farm. 
Toe church was sold and torn down many years 
ago. 

On the southwest corner of the farm now 
owned by Gustav Selig (southeast quarter. 
Section 27), near the forks of the road, once 
stood a log house, which is claimed by some to 
have been the true historic school house of the 
section. At one time the number of pupils here 
taught reached fifty. 

In 1857-8 a brick church, with basement for 
school purposes, was erected at Sugar Grove. 
At an early day there was also a log school 
house near the John Lord residence on Section 
36. and, in the "Hall" at "the Gap," which was 
originally a saw-mlll built by W. W. Tilton, a 
Mr. Judd once taught an advanced school, to 
which many came from a distance on horse- 
back to enjoy its advantages. 

Old settlers are not agreed touching the first 
school teacher of the town. Mr. J. T. Law- 
rence awards the mantle to Mary Hill, who in 
time became Mrs. Michael Fellows, while Rev. 
S. N. Fellows, brother of Michael (both of 
whom were sons of Stephen Fellows), gives the 
honor to his sister Margaret. Another accords 
it to Mrs. Hubbard, afterward wife of W. W. 
Tilton. However this may be. no regular 
school was established until 1838, when a small 
frame school house was erected in the center.of 
Sugar Grove, but never finished, in which W. 
W. Bethea was master for two winters. In 
1837 there was a school house at the Gap nearly 
opposite the ground where the town hall now 
stands. In 1847. a frame school house was 
built on or near the spot where the combined 
school and church building at Sugar Grove, on 
the south line of the southeast quarter of Sec- 
tion 22, was later erected. On the former com- 
ing into use the log house on the Selig 
tract was abandoned. In 1856 the house 
of 1847 was moved off and became a 
part of the dwelling on the farm now 
owned by Fletcher Seavey, where it still may 
be found. In its stead a building, with stone 
basement and brick second story, was put up 
by the voluntary contributions of the neigh- 
borhood. The basement being desirable for 
school purposes, was, in some way, soon sold 
to the school authorities of the town. The walls 



688 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



of the second story proving too light to safely 
support the roof, they were talven out without 
disturbing the roof and replaced with a suita- 
ble frame inclosure. About the year 1880 the 
building was entirely consumed by fire. It 
was promptly rebuilt substantially as before, 
and as it is now seen, except that the first 
story is of wood instead of stone. 

Cemeteries. — In 1840 a cemetery was located 
at the Gap and the first interment was that of 
Samuel Fellows, on February 8th of that year. 
It was situated on the south side of the half-sec- 
tion line at the northwest corner of the south- 
west quarter of Section 34, and at the northeast 
corner of the southeast quarter of Section 33. A 
number of bodies were removed, but a number 
are still there, though the spot has long been 
abp»ndoned to weeds and underbrush. A con- 
siderable burial ground also existed at one time 
about the middle of the tract south of the road 
in the southwest quarter of the southeast quar- 
ter of Section 26, on what is known as the 
Beede farm. The bodies here buried were all 
removed, some finding a temporary resting 
place on the east side of the forks of the road 
on the west line of said quarter section; 
but nearly all of them reposed at last in the 
cemetery at the Grove church and school house, 
which was opened in 1855, the remains of an 
infant child of Asa Seavey being the first in- 
terred here. By the bestowal of much labor 
and taste, for which the ladies are largely to 
be credited, it is now an ideal little burial plot. 

The cemetery north of Prairieville, at the 
noiitheast corner of the southeast quarter of 
Section 31, was established by deed from Abi- 
jah Powers, dated April, 1861. Its location is 
a beautiful spot for which nature has done 
much, and while considerably less has been ex- 
pended upon it than on the other, it is still a 
respectable rival. 

trairicviUe was located and platted at the 
instance of Abijah Powers, Phillip Schock, Sam- 
uel Shaw and Winthrop Seavey, April 10, 1855. 
On its site a blacksmith shop was in full blast 
in 1843. 

l.ie village school hou?e is a two-story brick 
structure surmounted by a belfry. It was built 
at a cost of $3,000. 

In the schoolyard inclosure a soldiers' monu- 
ment, costing about $900, was erected June 3, 
18(i9, by the voluntary contributions of the 
patriotic citizens of the township. It is a nota- 
ble fact that this is the only monument, thus 



far set up anywhere in the county, to the mem- 
ory of the brave men who served their country 
in the War of the Rebellion. 

On September 3, 1902, this monument was 
moved to the cemetery one-half mile north of 
Prairieville, through the interest and agency 
of the W. C. Robinson Post, G. A. R., of Ster- 
ling. To make this practicable, the heirs of 
the late Samuel Shaw donated their beautiful 
lot in the center of the grounds where had re- 
posed, until removed to the cemetery at Dixon, 
the remains of Timothy Shaw, the son of Sam- 
uel Shaw, and brother of Miss Elizabeth J. 
Shaw. He was the first Lee County boy to en- 
list in the War of the Rebellion. The date of 
his enlistment appears by the records to have 
been April. 1861. He was at school at Jackson- 
ville at the time, and became a member of Com- 
pany B. Tenth Illinois Infantry. 

The marble shaft was rededicated in its new 
position by appropriate ceremonies, Mr. S. H. 
Bethea, an honored son of Palmyra, delivering 
the address. On this occasion the shaft bore 
the following names of the country's defenders 
credited to Palmyra: Timothy Shaw, Jerome 
D. Morgan, Benj. E. Berry, Solomon Stewart, 
Joseph Brovni, Jefferson Seavey, Michael 0'- 
Kane. Charles Becker. Henry Peek. John 
Strothman. Norman D. Smith, Morris Hutton, 
Theodore Gaston. William Hackett, Edward S. 
O'Brien, Emanuel Schick, Henry D. Wood, 
George P. Ehrman, Louis Gleichman, Deidrich 
Kruger, Albert Slater and Homer Clink. 

There is at present the school house re- 
ferred to, and a church edifice in the village of 
Prairieville (if the lew houses there now can 
be so called), in which the Congregationalists 
and Lutherans hold service. A blacksmith 
shop and small store cater to the wants of the 
neighborhood in their respective lines. 

The town hall at the Gap was built about 
the year 1880. 

To encourage enlistment in the War of the 
Rebellion. Palmyra, as a town, paid $12,470 in 
bounties. 

Palmyra Insurance Company. — One of Pal- 
myra's permanent institutions is the "Farmer's 
Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Palmyra," 
which was incorporated by special act of the 
Legislature, February 15, 1865, since which 
time it has done a large business in Lee and 
surrounding counties. When the company com- 
menced doing business in the following July, 
it had applications for over $100,000 of insur- 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY, 



689 



ance to start with. Its business has increased 
until it is now carrying rislis aggregating over 
11,500,000. It is what is called a "District 
Company," and is one of the largest of its kind 
in the State. Its operations are confined to 
Lee, Ogle, Whiteside and Carroll counties, and 
it insures all kinds of farm property, but never 
enters-clties or incorporated villages. Its first 
officers were John H. Page, President, and C. B. 
Thummel, Secretary. Its present ofiScers are 
F. M. Coe, President, and Fletcher Seavey, Sec- 
retary. 

The population of Palmyra Township was 
1,016 in 1S90, and 1,019 in 1900, as shown by 
the Government census. 



CHAPTER XX. 



REYNOLDS TOWNSHIP. 



ORIOTXAI. niMEXSI0I«S — NEVF ORGANIZATION IN 1859 

FIRST ELECTION AND BOARD OF OFFICERS — 

EARLY SETTLERS — CHURCHES. 



cated at Brush Grove, and was the first settler 
in the township. 

The society of the Methodist Episcopal ehtirch 
was organized in the fall of 1875, and soon af- 
terwards a church building was erected on the 
"Flats." The building committee consisted of 
F. F. Parmlow, C. W. Ament, C. F. Van Patten, 
John A. Edgar, Daniel C, Miller and B. F. 
Parker. 

At the southeast corner of Section 19 stands 
the Emanuel church of the Evangelical Associ- 
ation (German). It was built at a cost of 
$4,000. and was dedicated October 13. 1872. free 
from debt. In 18S1, $900 was expended in im- 
provements and repairs. The building commit- 
tee consisted of John Kersten, George Sand- 
rock, George Bolei, Martin Wagner and Ernst 
Welner. 

The population of the township, according to 
census, was 674 in 1890, and 743 in 1900. 



CHAPTER XXT. 



SOUTH DIXON TOWNSHIP. 



The Town of Brooklyn originally embraced 
all of Towns 37, 38 and 39, Range 1, Town 38, 
Range 1 (now Viola) was set off under the 
name of Stockton, bj' the Board of Supervisors 
at the February meeting, 1861. A year prior 
to this the northern township of these three 
was. in like manner, set apart by the name of 
Reynolds Township. The first election under 
the new organization was held April 5. 1859. 
at which Thomas Minier was elected Supervis- 
or and Assessor: John C. Piper, Town Clerk 
and Constable; Dudley C, Whitehead, Collector 
and Constable: Daniel Brink, Jr,, Overseer of 
the Poor: E. F. Gatten, Job Whitehead and 
David Douthett, Commissioners of Highways: 
Peter Mills and Robert M. Piel, Justices of the 
Peace. The election and town meeting was held 
in the residence of Horace Stearns, a cabin 13 
by 16 feet and six feet high, located on Section 
li.. It was later used as a pigpen and corn 
crib. 

The early settlers were Sewell Reynolds, 
Thomas Minier, Jonathan Whitehead, .John 
Herrington, Dudley C. Whitehead, Daniel 
Brink, Jr., and Charles Gooch. Reynolds lo- 



THE TOWNSHIP SET Al'ART FR()^r DIXON — FIRST 
PERMANENT SETTLER — OTHERS WHO FOLLOWED — 
FIRST SCHOOL — CHIRCHES — A I'lONEEH DERATIXa 
SOCIETY — TOWN OF EI.DENA PLATTED. 

At the February session, 1867. of the Board 
of Supervisors, the town of South Dixon was 
detached from the Town of Dixon, embracing 
all of Town 22, Range 9, except the north tier 
of sections. The town remained with these 
boundaries until the March session, 1877, when 
the territory lying north of the Chicago & 
Northwestern Railway was restored to thfe 
Town of Dixon. The earliest permanent set- 
tler in the township was Joseph Cartwright, 
who settled there in 1838 and died the follow- 
ing year. Prior to this, however, in 1836, a 
young man staked out a claim tor himself close 
to the three mile branch on the Chicago road, 
near the northeast corner of Section 15. 
Abram Brown, who settled in the town in 1849 
on that part of Section 13, where he continued 
to live until his death a few years ago, relates 
that Uncle Peter and Aunt Rhoda McKenney, 
through some misunderstanding, jumped the 



690 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



young man's claim and built a small shanty 
and set up housekeeping, by reason of which 
the "Claim Society" ousted them. The shanty 
was loaded on a wagon, much against their 
will, and moved off the premises. 

The second permanent settler was Charles 
Edson, who located here in 1839. Mr. Edson 
and his wife did much to foster everything 
that was calculated to uplift and advance the 
interests of the community. The family after- 
wards occupied the farm across the road from 
the brick school house, which circumstance and 
their relations to the school gave it the name 
of the Edson school, by which it was known for 
many years. As soon as they moved into their 
first house, Mrs. Edson gave up her largest 
room for a school, and this was the first school 
to be taught in the vicinity. The teacher was 
a Miss Robinson, later a preceptress in Mt. 
Morris Seminary, where she married Judge 
Fuller of Ogle County, and after his death be- 
came the wife of Bowman Bacon, a nephew of 
Mrs. Joseph Crawford of Dixon. In the early 
'60s the Edson family moved to California. 

The next family to locate in the town con- 
sisted of James Campbell, his wife and two 
daughters. Mr. Campbell did not live long, 
and on his death his widow married Isaac 
Boardman, of Dixon. The father of Reuben 
Trowbridge settled near Eldena very early, and 
reared a large family of boys. Hiram and He- 
man Meade joined the settlement soon after, 
and a man of a different stripe by the name of 
Hamill, who brought his wife from the poor- 
house at Buffalo, Xew York, came to the town- 
ship. His abuse of one of his children so ex- 
cited the kind N. G. H. Morrill, the County 
Poormaster, and other large-hearted people of 
Dixon, that they administered to the brute a 
thorough coat of tar and feathers In Dixon, in 
the vicinity of where the Western Hotel then 
stood. 

Other early settlers were Christian Stevens, 
Henry B. True, Caldwell Bishop, Henry Page, 
Jacob McKenney, Jacob Groh, and son E. H., 
James Rogers, Matthew McKenney, William A. 
Judd, Nathan Hill, John Fritz, St., William J. 
Fritz. William Rink, John Anderson, Barnhard 
Wissman and others. 

St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church was 
early organized and, in 1877, built a church 
edifice north of the Chicago road near the 
southeast corner of the northeast quarter of 
Section 14. Another church of the same de- 
nomination was built on the southwest corner 



of Section 20, known as Emanuel Church. In 
the village of Eldina the Methodist Episcopal 
Society built a church in 1870, which has also 
been used by other denominations. 

Further mention should be made of the Ed- 
son school house, later known as "The Brick," 
on the northwest corner of the southwest quar- 
ter of Section 13, which was built at an early 
day, and was for many years the center of intel- 
lectual activity in that section. Mr. E. B. Edson 
was the first teacher in this building. At one 
time the attendance reached 120. In the days 
when Abram Brown, Ephraim Groh and others 
were at the height of their activity, this school 
house was the scene of periodical debates, which 
attracted a large attendance, it being a com- 
mon thing for disputants from Dixon to take 
part. In 1858 the Edsonville Literary and De- 
bating Society was formed, with Mr. Brown as 
its first President, and it was under the aus- 
pices of this organization that, for many years, 
the forensic contests went on during the win- 
ter months. 

The only poor-farm in the county is situated 
on Section 26, and contains 100 acres. 

July 10, 1863, the "Town of Eldina" was 
platted on land of the Illinois Central Rail- 
road. The first store and house in the village 
was built by Reuben H. Cheney. The first 
grain-house was built by Reuben Trowbridge. 
Reuben H. Cheney and Daniel Brown. To this 
W3<5 later added an elevator. 

The population of South Dixon, according to 
the government census, was 841 in 1890, and 
h'A in 1900. 



CHAPTER XXn. 



SUBLETTE TOWNSHIP. 



rlH.ST SETTLER.S — THE ORKilXAI. N.\ME HAXXO 

.(■HANGED TO SIBLETTE KIIi.ST ELECTION AND 

TOWN OFFICERS CHURCHES AND EARLY SCHOOLS 

— HENKEL AND SUBLETTE VILLAGES — BUSINESS 

HorsES. 

Charles F. Ingals settled just over the line 
in 1,06 Center Township, in 1836. Sherman 
Hatch reached Dixon in 1837, and soon found 
his v.'f>\ to Mr. Ingals' place. During that sum- 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



691 



mer or fall he settled on the southwest part of 
Section 7. ti-.king possession of and completing 
a lot; house that had been partly built by pre- 
vious claimants who had abandoned their 
claim. He went back to Vermont that fall and 
returned the next year with his bride. Jona- 
than Peterson laid claim, in the summer of 
1837, to the northwestern part of Section 4, 
and after building a log cabin near by in Lee 
Cen'er, he, too. repaired that fall to his New 
England home for a wife, returning with her 
the next year. In the fall of 1838 Thomas and 
William Pessenden arrived with their families, 
and built a log house near the southeast cor- 
ner of the northwest quarter of Section 7, and 
moved into it in December. In the following 
year William Fessenden built on the southeast 
corner of the southwest quarter of Section 6. 
Sometime in the '30s William Knox and family 
settled on the south side of the eastern portion 
of the grove which bears their name. It was 
on the Chicago and Galesburg road, east of the 
center of the southeast quarter of Section 24. 
Sylvanus Peterson, brother of Jonathan, lo- 
cated on the southeast quarter of Section 5. 
Earlier than 1840, John Morton and R. E. Good- 
all settled on Sections 5 and 8. One of the old 
settlers, Daniel Baird, located in LaSalle 
County in the fall of 1836, and came on to 
Sublette in 1839. planting his home on the La- 
Salle and Grand Detour road, near the north- 
east corner of the south half of the northeast 
quarter of Section 17. It was in this year that 
Phineas Rust built the first frame house in the 
township, on the northeast quarter of Section 
3J. He never lived there, however, but sold his 
claim late in 1840 to Philo Stanard and Thomas 
Angler. During the year 1839 Thomas Tour- 
tillott built a frame house near the center of 
Section 31 and Obed W. Bryant settled on the 
Chicago and Galesburg road on Section 35. In 
1843, Bphraim Reniff, with his family, located 
on the south half of the northeast quarter of 
Section 33, and Hiram Anderson did likewise 
on the northeast quarter of the southeast quar- 
ter of the same section. It was over the latter 
claim that the Settlers' Claim Society applied 
a law of their own making to a claim-jumper 
by the name of Bull. A force, sixty-five in 
number, well armed, repaired to Dixon and 
captured the offender. The difficulty was so 
adjusted, however, that Anderson held the 



land, and the vigorous remedy protected the 
settlement from "jumpers" ever thereafter. 

Early in the '4i)s Stephen Richardson located 
near the southwest corner of the northeast 
quarter of Section 31. Jacob Vertrees came in 
1843 or '44, and John Skinner in 1844 or '45. 
Hezekiah and John McKune were also settlers 
in the early '40s, the former locating on the 
north half of the northeast quarter of Section 
8, and the latter on the southwest quarter of 
Section 17. In 1848 or '49 William Coleman 
settled on the northeast quarter of Section 7. 
In 1843 Alpheus Crawford bought a claim to 
the south'half of Section 13 for $75. This was 
within the Knox Grove settlement, where Levi 
Camp had settled that year and Daniel Pratt 
the year before. Prescott Bartlett claimed the 
east half of Section 27, and built a log house 
near the northwest corner of the tract in 1844. 
Silas D. Reniff also settled on the north half 
of the north half of Section 20, and John Betz 
on the southeast quarter of Section 33, near the 
southeast corner, the same year. It was in this 
year, too, that R. P. Hubbard settled east of 
the road on the northeast quarter of the north- 
west quarter of Section 17. In 1846 Bartholo- 
mew Theiss made a claim to 120 acres in Sec- 
tions 29 and 32. where his sons, John, Jacob and 
Gotfreid Theiss, subsequently lived, John W. 
Skinner located on the southwest quarter of 
Section 13 in 1846; Stephen Averill settled on 
the same section about the same time. John 
Clink located on the southwest quarter of Sec- 
tion 12 in 1847, and about 1848 William Clink 
settled on the northwest quarter of the same 
section. Jacob, Andrew and Michael I_^uer 
came in 1849 or '50. Other settlers on the 
south side of Knox Grove were Solomon Por- 
ter who bought out William Knox in the fall 
of 1845; Samuel and Nathaniel Ellsworth, who 
settled on the southwest quarter of Section 25, 
the same year, and David Maxwell, who came 
to the southwest quarter of Section 35 about 
the same time. George Hoffman settled on the 
southwest quarter of Section 33 about 1845, and 
Henry Schwab located the next year, just south 
of the center of Section 34. John Spielman 
came in 1846 and located on the eastern part of 
Section 34, in Perkins Grove neighborhood, 
and also a German family by the name of 
Smith. In 1849 or '50 Carl Buettner bought 
part of the southwest quarter of Section 35 and 



692 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



made it his home. About the same time the 
Pohls and Andrew Henl^el came to the town- 
ship, the former locating on the southwest 
quarter ot Section 36, and the latter on the 
southeast quarter of Section 26. May 22, 1846, 
Bleazer Barton, father of J. B. Barton, settled 
on the northeast quarter of the northwest quar- 
ter of Sec. 25. William A. Miller and son-in-law, 
George Gheer, settled on the northeast quarter 
of Section 35 in 1846. Miller sold out to H. N. 
Erskine, who later sold to P. H. Kapser and 
bought the east half of Section 12. William 
and Thomas Ireland and Jacob Schneck came in 
1849-50, and Jacob Wolf and father, Nicholas, 
Jacob Eich and Andrew Hatzenberger in 1850. 
In 1S4G what was known as Knox Grove set- 
tlement covered a radius of two to three miles 
around the grove, and numbered fourteen fami- 
lies. Not a house had been built on the Chi- 
cago and Galesburg road between the settle- 
ment and Paw Paw Grove, a distance of twelve 
miles.. There was no settlement to the south 
nearer than the Illinois River. To the south- 
east Troy Grove settlement, eight miles dis- 
tant, was the nearest. On the north, Inlet 
Grove was eight miles away; on the northeast, 
Melugin Grove, ten miles, and Four-mile Grove, 
eight miles distant, were the nearest settle- 
ments in those directions. 

The town was first called "Hanno" from 
"Hanau," a city on the Rhine above t'rankfort 
in Nassau, Prussia. It was so named at the 
suggestion of James Tourtillott. By act of the 
legislature, approved February IS, 1857, it was 
enacted "that the name of Hanno Township, in 
the county of Lee" be changed to "Sublette 
Township." The new name Sublette has been 
accounted for in other histories as having been 
derived from the practice of "subletting" con- 
tracts for the building of the railroad. This is 
clearly erroneous. In the first place, if that 
had been its origin, the name would have been 
spelled "Sublet" without the final "te." In the 
second place there was little, if any, subletting 
on this section of the road, and hence the word 
was not brought into prominence. But, con- 
clusively, the name on the recorded plot of the 
village is spelled "Soublette," and, in the Com- 
pany's certificate attached, the place is named 
"Town of Soublett" without the final "e." 
Moreover the name on the station house for 
years was "Soublette." There is nothing 
to indicate where the name was found, but 



clearly the history commonly given it is wide 
of the mark. 

The first town meeting was held on the sec- 
ond Tuesday of April, 1850, at which the fol- 
lowing officers were elected: Daniel Baird, 
Supervisor; Henry Porter, Clerk; Whitlock T. 
Porter, Assessor; Silas D. Reniff, Collector; 
Daniel Pratt, Overseer of the Poor; Hiram An- 
derson and W. H. Hamblin, Highway Commis- 
sioners; Daniel Avery and Thomas S. Angler, 
Constables; Alpheus Crawford and Andrew Ber- 
tholf. Justices of the Peace. The number vot- 
ing at this election is not given, but two years 
later forty-seven votes were cast. Town meet- 
ings were held at private residences as follows: 
1853. at Daniel Pratt's. Knox Grove; 1854, at 
Daniel Wilcox's; 1855, at David Maxwell's. At 
the latter meeting $1,000 was voted for the 
erection of a town house in the village of Sub- 
lette. 

In 1848 Alpheus Crawford and others killed 
a black bear north of Knox Grove, which 
weighed 400 pounds. 

The first postoffice in the township was 
opened in Daniel Baird's house, about 1840. 
The oflice was called Brookfield. The second 
postolflce was established at Knox Grove in 
1847 or '48. and named Ovid; the first postmas- 
ter was Solomon Porter. 

In 1841 O. W. Bryant burned a kiln of brick 
on the northwest corner of Section 35. As 
early as 1850 a man by the name of McBirney 
had a blacksmith shop near the southwest cor- 
ner of the town. 

The Baptist church was organized in 1843 in 
Jonathan Peterson's log house, with thirteen 
members. It was known as the First Baptist 
Church of Palestine Grove. To accommodate 
the members, meetings were held alternately 
on opposite sides of the grove at the homes of 
worshipers until the school house came, when 
that, as a rule, became the meeting place in the 
different localities. In 1854 meetings began to 
be held in Benton's Hall, about half a mile 
west of the site of the church where they now 
assemble. Here they continued until Novem- 
ber, 1858, when the building in the village, 
where the congregation now worships, and 
which liad been built at a cost of $s,000, was 
dedicated. The society also had a parsonage, 
which has been sold. 

The first organization of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church was effected at the house of Levi 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



693 



Camp, at Knox Grove, about 184G. Meetings 
were held at private residences and at Knox 
Grove school house, until the town hall was 
available at the village, when the meetings 
became localized at that place. In 1870 a 
church was built in the village and dedicated 
the next year. Services contitiued seven or 
eight years, when the society was abandoned 
and the property sold, since which time Sub- 
lette has been without a Methodist church. 

A Congregational church was established 
April 20, 1871. This, like the other societies, 
held its meetings in the Town Hall. Soon, 
however, a building was begun and when com- 
pleted Iiad cost about $5,000. 

The Society of the Evangelical Association 
of North America erected a building in 1864, 
on the northeast quarter of Section 35, north of 
the southwest corner. It Is now closed and the 
organization, once strong, is now weak. 

The organization of the Roman Catholic 
Church took place in 1848, and. in 1853, a 
church building and parsonage were erected on 
the northeast covner of Section 32. The par- 
sonage was destroyed by fire in 1869, and no 
services are now held in the church. In 1868 
a Catholic church was built in the village, 
which is now being superseded by a splendid 
edifice of pressed brick with slate roof, which 
will cost, unfurnished, not less than $30,000. 
Its extreme length is 115 feet and its extreme 
width 74 feet, and the building is surmounted 
by a spire 141 feet high. The old church in 
which services are conducted while the building 
is going on, was moved aside so that the new 
structure could rise on the site of the old one. 
Work was commenced in August, 1902, and the 
building will probably be ready for occupancy 
in the summer of 1904. Father Tasche is the 
priest in charge. 

The pioneer school was started in the west 
part of the township in a log house on Thomas 
Fessenden's farm. The next was in a slab 
building on the farm of Thomas Tourtillott. 
It was a structure used at first as a shelter for 
tue purpose of preempting land, and was after- 
wards known as the "Sheep Pen." Maria 
Coleman was the first to keep school in it. The 
next school in the neighborhood was taught in 
the winter by Joseph Carey, in Mrs. Tourtil- 
lott's house, and the next of any importance 
was taught by John Bacon, about 1850, in Mrs. 
Richardson's house. The third school in the 



township was in a log school house on Section 
5, where Mrs. Clute, sister of Jonathan Peter- 
son, taught the first summer school about the 
year 1844. The winter school kept here was 
for several years quite important, being well 
attended by an advanced class of pupils. 

The first school taught at Knox Grove was in 
a vacant log house (the first built in that neigh- 
borhood), in which William Knox had lived, 
being taught by Stephen Barton. The second 
term was kept in a "lean-to" about 12 by 16 
feet, attached to Daniel Pratt's log house. The 
Brst Sunday School was organized in these 
same narrow quarters. This was in the sum- 
mer of 1847. Later, meetings and Sunday 
school were held in Levi Camp's log house until 
the log school house was erected. 

The first school house in Knox Grove settle- 
ment was built on the county line on the north 
side of the Chicago and Galesburg road. It 
was built in 1848 of logs and accommodated 
pupils from Sublette, Brooklyn and Mendota 
townships. It also served the purposes of a 
church for a number of years. 

For a number of years the Lee County 
Guards, a distinctively Sublette organization, 
designated as Company F, Twelfth Infantry, 
Stale Militia, has reflected on the tovraship 
the credit due to superior drill, discipline and 
soldierly bearing. They were regularly mus- 
tered into the service of the State May 30. 1879, 
with 98 members, which 'increased to 103 at 
the annual inspection March 31, 1880. It was 
luen the largest infantry company in the State, 
and was frequently honored by being called to 
participate as escort on important occasions in 
different parts of the State. It owned a large 
armory in the village, and was prosperous for 
a number of years, but in time the members 
scattered, recruiting became difficult and the 
company finally disbanded. 

Henkel. — Where the Illinois Central Railroad 
crosses the south line of Section 25 is a station 
called by this name. It is a grain buying point 
where a single elevator serves the purpose of 
storing grain. 

Sublette Village. — The village was platted as 
"Soublette," or the "Town of Soublett," May 
8, 1855, on land of the Illinois Central Railroad 
Company. 

A railroad depot and warehouse were erected 
in the summer of 1854. During the following 
winter Daniel Cook built the first dwelling. 



694 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY, 



The next summer, A. L. Wilder built a small 
store in the back part of which he lived. Jesse 
Hale began a store a tew months earlier. 
George A. Richmond also put up a house and 
Mr. Swartout moved into his new house in the 
winter of 1855-6. In 1855 Frank Bartlett built 
what was afterwards the Catholic parsonage. 
Paul Lindstraum completed a tavern the next 
year. Dr. Smith moved into his residence that 
winter. "Uncle Alva" Hale, as well as the 
families of James Colvin and Robert Ash, came 
to the village in 1856 and, in that year, J. B. 
Barton opened a drug store. 

The' first elevator in the place was built by 
Fred Oberhelman in 1874. It was enlarged in 
1898 by an addition much larger than the orig- 
inal building. Its present capacity is 42.000 
bushels. The business is conducted by F. Ober- 
helman & Bro. A second elevator was built in 
1900 by J. H. Ebersole, who is now operating it. 
It has a capacity of about 20,000 bushels. 

The banking interests of the community are 
looked after by the Sublette Exchange Bank, 
with a capital of $12,500 and deposits amount- 
ing to $102,946 at a given date. The officers 
are: Geo. P. Maloch, President; John P. Ma- 
loch, Vice-President; Anton H. Lauer, Cashier. 

The village was incorporated under the gen- 
eral law December 27, 1892. According to the 
Government census, the population of the town- 
ship, including the village, was 1,000 in 1890 
and 1,004 in 1900, of which number the village 
furnshed 306 in the latter year. 



CHAPTER XXni. 



VIOLA TOWNSHIP. 



STOCICTON TOWX.SHII' ORtiAKI/.ED .\AME CHAXGICn 

TO VIOLA — FIR.ST TOWX OFI''ICEI!.S — EARLY SET- 
TLERS— SO.ME FIRST EVENTS. 

At the February meeting, 1861, of the Board 
of Supervisors, Town 38, Range 1, was formed 
into a township by the name of Stockton, hav- 
ing theretofore been a part of Brooklyn Town- 



ship. This name was selected in recognition 
of the large amount of stock then being raised 
in the town. The name was changed to Viola, 
some time during the following spring or early 
summer, because of the fact that there was al- 
ready at least one town by the name of Stock- 
ton in the State. 

The first officers of the town were chosen at 
the April town meeting, 1861. Fifty-two bal- 
lots were cast, resulting in the election of Sam- 
uel L. Butler for Supervisor; Simeon Cole, As- 
sessor; Samuel Vosburg, Town Clerk; John 
Melugin, Constable; Ford and Moses B. Van 
Campen. Highway Commissioners. The meet- 
ing and election were held at Van Campen's 
house. 

Little Melugin Grove, in the southeast part 
of the town, was the focus of early settlement. 
William Guthrie, the first settler in the town- 
ship, settled here in 1834 or 1836 and gave his 
name to the grove. It was also sometimes 
known as Lawton's Grove, from William Law- 
ton, one of the early comers. Guthrie's build- 
ings were placed at the extreme south end of 
the timber. Melugin Grove, lying southwest 
of Little Melugin, spreads itself into the two 
towns of Viola and Brooklyn. It took its name 
from Zachariah Melugin. who located in the 
grove but on the Brooklyn side of the timber, 
in 1834. Later came Evins Adrian, but prior 
to 1840. Walter Little came to the township 
about the year 1837. 

It is claimed that the first marriage in the 
township was that of Evins Adrian to Marilla 
Goodale, October, 1840; that Walter Little was 
the first adult to die in the township, and that 
the first birth was that of a child of William 
' l.awton, who died in infancy. 

The first school in the township was kept at 
the house of M. Van Campen for three terms, 
and the first school house was built at Little 
Melugin Grove. 

The town being purely agricultural without 
a village center, little is to be gleaned of his- 
torical character regarding it. Its history is to 
be traced in the development and increasing 
value of its farm lands, which is difficult of re- 
duction to details. Its land-owners have been 
large participants in the drainage of Inlet 
Swamp, elsewhere noticed, and have received 
great benefits therefrom. 

The population of the township was 598 in 
1890. and 694 in 1900, as shown by the Govern- 
ment census. 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



69: 



CHAPTER X\'I\' 



WILLOAV CREEK TOWNSHIP. 



THE FOUR GROVES — FOREIGX-nORX SETTLEHS — E.\RLY 

SCHOOLS ORIGINALLY A PART OF I'AW I'AW 

TOWNSHIP — SCHOOLS A.VU CIIIKCHES I.EE VIL- 
LAGE. 

In this town are to be found four groves, often 
referred to in early history and by early set- 
tlers as landmarks, by names which they still 
retain; Smith's Grove, Allen's Grove and Twin 
Grove, or Groves — for there are two of the lat- 
ter, as the name implies. 

The township may perhaps be distinguished 
from all others in the county by the large per- 
centage of inhabitants of either foreign birth 
or extraction, the Norwegian and German pre- 
dominating. An enumeration made in 1880 
placed the population at 1,214, of whom one- 
half were of foreign birth. Add to this the 
probable number of descendants of such par- 
ents, and the number will be greatly increased. 
We have been unable to find the census of 1890 
covering such statistics, and that of 1900 is not 
yet obtainable. 

Settlements were made almost simultaneously 
at the several groves. Peter Gonzolas, a French- 
man, put in his appearance at Allen's Grove 
in the fall of 1836; John Smith, a Scotchman, 
at Smith's Grove in 1837; and William Moore 
at the south one of the Twin Groves, in the 
latter year. 

The Gonzolas tract (the Shoudy farm of re- 
cent years) was acquired in the spring of 1878 
by Richard M. Allen, whose name was given to 
the grove, and this farm was the first in the 
township to be improved. Allen sold in 1840 to 
a man by the name of Bond, who sold to a 
Mr. Price in 1842. Mr. Smith bought a claim 
on Section 35, and there settled, and the name 
"Dry Grove," by which the timber was first 
known, soon surrendered to the name of the 
proprietor. With Mr. Smith came another 
Scotchman, John Colville, who was postmaster 
for many years at Paw Paw, dying there in 
October, 1893. Mr. Smith's log cabin, roofed 
with mowed grass, was the second to be built 



in the township. In raid-winter following its 
construction, fire caught in the inflammable 
roof, and the cabin burned to the ground. As 
soon as possible another was erected in its 
place. Soon after moving into the first cabin 
-Mr. Smith's son John died — the first white 
person in the township to be taken away. Mr. 
Smith sent to Ottawa, the nearest point, for a 
doctor, who was guided across the prairie by 
Robert, a brother of the sick boy, now residing 
in Dixon. 

Robert and David Smith, sons of the first 
settler, still survive and own parts of their 
father's original claim. 

Israel Shoudy came in 1844 and bought the 
Gonzolas or Allen tract from Price, and lived 
there until his death, which occurred in Cali- 
fornia at an advanced age only a few years 
ago. His remains were brought back and are 
buried over the line in DeKalb County. Hora- 
tio G. Howlett settled at Allen's Grove in 1839, 
having spent the two preceding years at Dixon. 
Nathaniel Allen settled in the vicinity of 
Smith's and Allen's groves, in 1845 with four 
of his five sons and daughters, his son, Chand- 
ler, coming a year later. Benjamin Nettleton 
had joined the settlement as early as this. Isaac 
Ellsworth came in the spring of 184fi and Chris- 
topher Vandeventer in 1848. The Littletons ar- 
rived at Smith's about 1845. 

The Indian Trail from Ottawa north to the 
hunting grounds in Wisconsin ran through 
Allen's Grove. 

Twin Groves were first named Moore, from 
William Moore, the earliest settler there, who 
began his improvements in 1837 at the South 
Grove. James Thompson and Levi Lathrop 
came here together about 1842. and in partner- 
ship bought Moore's claim. The first birth at 
the grove was that of Robert Blair, son of 
Robert Blair, Si-., in 1846. Cummings Noe set- 
tled here probably as early as 1846, and to- 
gether with James Thompson and James Smith, 
entered all of the South Grove. James Smith 
and Nathan Koons, Jesse Koons and A. N. Dow 
arrived in 1847. Cyrus Goff came in these early 
days and built between the two groves where 
he kept a tavern. Lewis G. and Gilbert Durin, 
brothers, joined the Twin Grove settlement in 
1849. Wesson Holton's coming was in 1853. 
The station "Scarboro" on the Rochelle South- 
ern Railway, now being built, is located on L. 
G. Durin's farm. 



696 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



The pioneer among the German settlers was 
Gotlieb Hochstrasser in 1854. A little later, 
but probably in the same year, came Joseph 
Herman. In 1856, Frank Bates, Frank Herman 
and John Herman were added, and the next year 
witnessed the arrival of Archeart Hochstrasser. 

Of the Norwegians, Ommor Hilleson was the 
forerunner of the large settlement, having, it 
is said, landed in New York in 1837 and walked 
all the way thence to Chicago. He settled in 
Bradford Township a year or two later and, af- 
ter accumulating a goodly fortune, died there. 
Though the pioneer of his nationality, the 
greater portion by far settled in Willow Creek 
Township. Lars Larsen Rissiter located there 
in- 1847. 

In this township, as elsewhere, schools were 
early looked after. The first school in the 
township was at Allen's Grove. It was started 
in 1848 in one of Israel Shoudy's log houses, 
and Martha Vandeventer, sister of Christopher 
Yandeventer, was the teacher. Preceding her. 
however, were Miss -Price, Eliza Nettleton and 
Laura Brace. In the fall of 1849 a frame school 
house was built by subscription, one-half mile 
east of the present one. Prior to the building 
of this school house, school was taught by the 
ladies mentioned in the dwellings of Dr. Bas- 
ford, Shoudy and Hewlett. The first Board of 
E.xaminers to pass on the qualifications of 
teachers for this school consisted of John 
Smith, Sr., H. G. Howlett and Colville, Smith 
examining as to Geography and Grammar, 
Howlett in Mathematics and Reading, Colville 
in Writing and Spelling. At Twin Groves the 
first school was taught in James Thompson's 
original log cabin, but in what year we are not 
informed. Later, in 1854, a school house was 
built at the Groves by subscription and was 
purchased by the school district three years 
later. It was destroyed by fire in the winter 
of 1863-4. The Ellsworth school house was 
built in the spring of 1855, and Mrs. Ellsworth 
was the first teacher. 

It will be recalled that the territory now 
embracing the town of Wyoming. Willow 
Creek and Alto, was first set off as Paw Paw 
Township, but was soon changed to Wyoming. 
In 1855 the north two-thirds was made into 
the Township of Willow Creek. The first 
town meeting in tne new township was con- 
vened at Twin Groves School House, April 3. 
1855. A. N. Dow acted as Modera.tor and G. 
Bishop as clerk. In 1861 Alto Township was 



set apart. In 1874 the town house was built 
on the southeast corner of Section 16, Willow 
Creek, at a cost of $1,100, including one acre 
of ground. At a meeting to pass on the ques- 
tion of building; the proposition was carried 
by a vote of 50 to 47. 

When the Chicago & Rock River Railroad 
Company (now the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy) was seeking township aid toward the 
construction of its line, at an election held 
October 16, 1869. Willow Creek gave one vote 
in favor to twenty-four against the proposal. 
But when the Chicago & Iowa Railroad Com- 
pany applied for a subscription of $50,000 to its 
stock, the town, at a meeting held March 26, 
1870. by a vote of seventy-five in affirmative 
and fifty-one negative, agreed to subscribe for 
tne stock on condition that the road be located 
within one mile of the center of the town. This 
condition not having been complied with, the 
town wholly escaped railroad taxation. 

The town was one of four to levy a bounty- 
tax to encourage enlistments in the War of the 
Rebellion. Dixon. Lee Center and Palmyra l)eing 
the two others. The reports of the Adjutant 
General of the State credits Willow Creek with 
$5,200 bounty paid at an expense of $232.70, 
being a total of $5,432.70. The patriotism of 
the community was further evidenced, not only 
by the volunteers it sent to the front, but by 
the fact that, although it was then a purely 
agricultural district, with no village to in- 
crease its population, a "Union League" was 
organized in the dark days of 1862 with a 
membership of seventy. 

Churches. — As early as 1844 and for eight or 
ten years thereafter, regular preaching was held 
at Allen's Grove, and about 1848 a Presbj-te- 
rian Society was formed and existed several 
years. In 1868 a church building, under con- 
trol of the Methodist denomination, was 
erected on the southwest corner of Section 16. 
at a cost of $3,500, owned jointly by the Metho- 
dist. Congregationalist and United Brethren 
denominations. It was dedicated November 
9. 1868, Rev. F. A. Hardin and A. P. Beach offi- 
ciating. The date of the organization of the 
Methodist Society is not accessible to the 
writer. The Congregational Society was 
formed in 1859. It never numbered over seven- 
teen members, the removal of whom from the 
section gradually accomplished its dissolution. 

The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran 
church was formed in the fall of 1858, by Rev. 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



697 



Didrikson. The members were then si-attered 
through several townships, but in time the 
most of them were found in Willow Creek. 
A church building was erected on a command- 
ing site I northeast corner of the west half of 
northeast quarter. Section 11), at a cost of |3,- 
500. A parsonage, with a twenty-acre tract ad- 
joining, belongs to the society. The Zion 
church of the Evangelical Association was 
formed in 1868, its membership being confined 
to Germans. The first trustees were John Yet- 
ter, William Dunkelherger and J. L. Lutz. In 
187.5 a house of warship was erected on the 
southeast corner of Section 5, at a cost of $3,- 
000, including ground. 

The German Catholics had readings of mass 
about 1863, by Father Westkam, of Mendota, 
at the house of Peter Kimbler. The following 
year a stone building was put up on the north- 
west corner of the southwest quarter of Sec- 
tion 16, at a cost of $3,000. 

In 1863 a society of Dunkards was formed 
and. in 1870. a German Lutheran Society was 
organized by Rev. William Halleberg. 

In the spring of 1878 a Catholic church was 
built in the village of Lee. at a cost of $3,200, 
John Kennedy. James Kirby and Stephen Kirby 
being the principal contributors to the under- 
taking. It was dedicated in the autumn of 
1878 by Father Verdin, of St. Ignatius College, 
Chicago. Father Edwards, of Rochelle, was 
the priest in charge when it was built. 

A Methodist church was built in the vil- 
lage in 1877, at a cost of nearly $2,000. It is 
located in the DeKalb County section of the 
village. 

It is doubtful if any other agricultural 
township in the county has as many churches 
and distinct denominations ministering to the 
religious wants of its people. 

The tornado which swept over the county 
from the west on Sunday, June 3, 1860. en- 
tered Willow Creek about nine o'clock in the 
evening, midway of the west line of Section 18. 
and left it midway of the east line of Section 
13, on the county line. Devastation was strewn 
in its path. Mrs. Abram Miller, Mr. James 
Nealis. A. N. Dow and family, consisting of 
eight persons, and Mrs. McConeky were all 
more or less seriously injured, while Mr. Mc- 
Coneky and his eldest and youngest boys were 
killed outright. All 01 the buildings in the 
path of the storm were either injured or to- 
tally demolished, and a windrow of twisted, 



splintered and uprooted trees, ten to twenty 
yards wide, was left through the southern por- 
tion of the Twin Groves. 

ViUage of Lee. — That portion of the village 
lying in Lee County was platted for Francis 
E. Hinkley and John Kennedy August 19, 1872. 

The first building to be erected was the 
small grain office and grocery of Christopher & 
Jorgens. About the same time J. Cheasbro put 
up an office for trading in grain, coal and lum- 
ber. The first store was at the corner of Main 
and B Streets, and was built by R. J. White, 
who became the first Postmaster in the new 
town. J. Johnson was the next to start a gen- 
eral store, his location being on Main Street, 
between A and B Streets. Abe! Downer's, at 
the southwest corner of Main and B streets, was 
the third general store, and included drugs. 
Ostewig & Leyder started in hardware the same 
season. The first dwelling was built by James 
Minnihan. in 1872. W. H. Emmett erected the 
second in March. 1872. The first hotel was 
built by Frank Bacon on B Street, and in 1874 
A, B. Trask built the second. The first ele- 
vator was erected by J. Cheasbro in the fall of 
1872. and that winter Christopher & Jorgens 
built one. A third elevator was erected in 1901 
and is operated by James E. Johnson. The 
other two are now owned and operated by M. 
P. Harris. The first brick structure to be put 
tip in the new town was the store of Sardis 
Vosburg. at the northwest corner of Main and 
B Streets. The first school was opened in De- 
cember. 1874, in the Dyas building, with W. H. 
Emmett as teacher. Different vacant rooms 
were occupied until the summer of 1876, when 
the first school house was put up. 

Lee has the distinction of belonging to two 
counties, the center line of B Street being the 
dividing line between Lee and DeKalb. It was 
incorporated as a village June 23, 1874. 

About three o'clock on the morning of July 
5. 1902, the place was visited by a disastrous 
fire, which licked up one entire block of build- 
ings on the west side of Main Street. Substan- 
tial brick buildings are gradually taking the 
place of the ones destroyed. 

According to the census, the population of 
the township, including the Lee County part of 
the village of Lee, was 1,034 in 1890 and 959 in 
1900. The part of the village lying in Lee 
County was 153 in 1890 and 151 In 1900. The 
total population of the village in 1890 was 264 
and in 1900, 286. 



698 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XX\'. 



WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 



ORIGINALLY PAW PAW TOWNSHIP PIONEER SET- 
TLERS — EARLY HOTELS AND POSTOFFICE L'N- 

I)ER(;ROrNl) RAILROAD RECilON INFESTED BY 

HORSETHIEVES AND COUNTERFEITERS. PAW 

PAW VILLAGE. NEWSPAPERS. CHURCHEr, 

s< IIOOLS, BANKS AND BUSINESS HOUSES. 

When Lee County was divided Into town- 
ships in 1850, Towns 37. 38 and 39, Range 2, 
were given the name of "Paw Paw" by the 
commissioners appointed to make the divi- 
sion. Their report was dated July 19, 1850. 
On the 14th of the preceding May, six repre- 
sentatives of the different localities met in Dix- 
on, as a "Board of Supervisors," convening at 
their first session, and at this meeting changed 
the name of the "town formerly called Paw 
Paw" to Wyoming. (See ante, "Lee County.") 
The authority for this action is at least open 
to question, and but for acquiescence in the 
change, Paw Paw might still be legally Wyom- 
ing. The latter name is said to have been 
adopted at the suggestion of James Goble, in 
memory of Wyoming Valley, Pa., from which 
his family and others came. 

Levi Kelsey and Joel Griggs were the first 
to locate a claim and build a house at Paw 
Paw Grove. This was in the winter of 1833-4; 
but supposing that they were on the Indian 
reservation, whose boundaries had not yet been 
defined, Mr. Griggs abandoned his claim and 
moved to Troy Grove. Tracy Reeves, writing 
trom Princeton, 111., under date of July 27, 
1881. says that he was with a party at Paw 
Paw Grove in May, 1834, and camped over night 
in Indian huts, and that "they saw no one 
there, white or Indian." 

We have the authority of Mrs. Sarah Terry, 
now of Earlville, 111., a daughter of David A. 
Town, for the following statement: "David 
A. Town and family arrived in 1834, and 
stopped at the east end of the grove, where he 
put up an unhewed log house ( on land after- 
ward owned by Pierpont Edwards), in which 
he lived until 1835, when his brother Russell 
came and occupied the cabin he moved out of. 
On moving from this cabin, David A. Town 
built a log house north of the Chicago road, 
on the southeast quarter of the southwest quar- 



ter of Section 11, on or near the spot where 
the residence of H. L. Roberts now stands. He 
soon erected a hewed log house (the first of its 
kind) close to this. The two houses were sep- 
arated by so short a space that they were occu- 
pied as one, and the hewed portion was given 
the dignity of a parlor of the pioneer home. 
In this log house was held the first wedding in 
this section. George Town, the son of David A. 
Town, being the groom, and Fidelia Sawyer, 
the daughter of George Sawyer, of Lee Center 
Township, being the bride. 

"The first store at the east end of the Grove 
was operated by one Harris, and the first store 
at the west end was built and operated by 
Wheeler Hedges, until it was purchased by 
Willard Hastings, whose property it continued 
to be until consumed by fire, this being the first 
building to burn in the settlement. It was lo- 
cated on the triangular piece of ground east of 
the town plat formed by the crossing of the 
cfiK-ago road and the railroad. George Town 
built a hewed log house where the residence 
of W. I. Guffin now stands, near the southwest 
corner of Lot 6, Block 5, Harper's Addition." 

O. P. Johnson, who settled in Brooklyn 
Township and died tnere at an advanced age, 
stated that he rived the shingles for Town's 
cabin, and, with three others, put it up in a 
day and a half in November, 1834. Edwin (or 
Edward) Town, a brother of David, settled at 
Shabbona Grove, and Hosea Town, a half- 
brother, located at Melugin's Grove about the 
same time. 

About two years later than Town came 
Benoni Harris, then a man approaching 
eighty years of age, and his equally aged wife, 
with a large family of children. Mrs. Harris 
was the first in the settlement to be taken 
away. They were accompanied by a son-in-law, 
Edward Butterfield, John Ploss, John Wilcox 
and William McDowell. In the spring of 1836 
Butterfield built a log cabin near the county 
line and close to the north line of the south- 
west quarter of Section 19. DeKalb County, on 
south side of the road now leading to Earl- 
ville. It was on the east edge of the tract 
which became South Paw Paw. He later 
moved about a mile northeast of this point, 
and in 1854 went to black Hawk, Iowa, whence 
he finally returned and is buried near his old 
home. Wilcox located on the fractional south- 
west quarter. Section. 18; Stephen Harris on 
the fractional northwest quarter of Section 19, 



I 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



699 



LeClaire reservation; Benjamin Harris on the 
northwest quarter of Section 19. and Joseph 
Harris on the northeast quarter of the same 
section — all in DeKalb County. These were 
sons of Benoni Harris. John Ploss had a claim 
which embraced the larger part of South Paw 
Paw. Here, some rods east of the county line. 
he_ built his house on the creek about the time 
Butterfield put up his cabin. 

As late as 1S40 the only tavern at the Grove 
was that afterward known as Simms" Tavern. 
It was a hewed log house, the second of its 
kind in the neighborhood. Simms' son, hav- 
ing been indicted for counterfeiting, the father 
sold out to raise money to satisfy the bail bond, 
and the criminal was permitted to escape. 
Isaac Robinson purchased the tavern of Simms 
and added a small stock of goods to his busi- 
ness. It was on an elevation on the north 
side of the road, probably on the west half of 
the northwest quarter of Section 12, but earlier 
a hewed log house on the opposite side of the 
road had been used as a tavern. In 1840 a log 
house stood on the north side of the Chicago 
road, on Section 12, nearly opposite the junc- 
tion with the present road from South Paw 
Paw. This house was occupied by Charles 
Morgan, who came with his wife and a number 
of children in 1836. Here was kept the first 
postofflce in the town, Morgan being the Post- 
master. Afterward, Hiram Wood held the of- 
fice in the house then standing next west of 
the Robinson, or Simms', Tavern. On the 
south side of the Chicago road and on the east 
half of Section 12, a small log house stood in 
1840. It was never occupied for residence pur- 
poses after that year, but was used for a time 
for a public school, the first in the township. 
It is supposed that Jacob Alcott. who had mar- 
ried a squaw, built it. A little east of this 
cabin, and on the same side of tne road, a frame 
house, believed to have been the first in the 
township, was built in the hollow by one Mus- 
selman, and hence was then, and has ever 
since been, known as the "Hollow House." It 
is still standing and is used as a barn. For a 
number of years Musselman kept a tavern 
here, and the house became noted for its dance 
hall and bar. 

On the south side of the road and about 
thirty rods east of David Town's house, stood 
a log blacksmith shop in the early '40s, where 
once Alonzo Osborne was the smith. Later, per- 
haps in 1845, a blacksmith shop stood on 



ground in the village now occupied as the store 
of R. A. Hopps, and here this same Osborne 
held forth for a time. A man by the name of 
Alger settled at Four Mile Grove in 1835 or '36. 
Alcott, above mentioned, married the Potta- 
watomie woman, Madaline, the former wife of 
Joseph Ogee, the half-breed, the one favored in 
the treaty of Prairie du Chien reserving to 
"Madaline, a Pottawatomie woman, wife of 
Joseph Ogee, one section." etc. ( See ante, "Lee 
County.") David A. Town eventually pur- 
chased the west 170 rods of this Reserve Sec- 
tion for $1,000, and William Rogers the re- 
mainder. The tract has always been desig- 
nated in conveyances and on maps as the "Ogee 
Section." In 1880 William McMahan. County 
Surveyor, surveyed and platted the section and 
recorded the plat. The section granted to 
Pierre LeClaire by the Prairie du Chien treaty, 
was surveyed and platted by Wheeler Hedges 
in 1843, which plat was recorded. The County 
Atlas of 1900 shows these sections and their 
relation to each other. 

William Rogers, son of Charles, arrived in 
1836, and was the first Postmaster. His office 
was located near Morgan's tavern, which was 
presumably the "Hollow House." Jacob D. 
Rogers landed in 1837. His claim included the 
west part of the site of Paw Paw village. He 
was a conductor, and his house was a station, 
on the "Underground Road," over which negro 
slaves were transported to freedom. His log 
house was built in 1837 on Section 10. where 
Mr. Ritchie's house stood in recent years. In 
the latter year James Goble. afterward Sheriff, 
came with Jacob D. Rogers, Rogers's wife be- 
ing Goble's sister. Goble's father, Ezekiel. and 
his brother. Timothy, came at the same time. 
William Jenkins and family were also acces- 
sions of 1837. while Henry and Medard Com- 
stock, both blacksmiths, were a year earlier. 
Reference is made in other works to a "Butter- 
field or George Town" cabin, when, in fact, But- 
terfield never built or owned a cabin in this 
part of the grove. His holdings were confined 
to the south side of the grove. 

Rev. Caleb Morris joined the settlement in 
1848 with his widowed daughter, Nancy Rob- 
inson, and children, all of whom settled south 
of the grove. About this time a man by the 
name of Dunbar became the second settler at 
Four Mile Grove. In 1840, Deacons Orlando 
Boardman and Hallock were added to the set- 
tlers on the south side of the grove, at which 



/ 



oo 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



time there were eighteen families encircling 
the grove, thirteen being within what is now 
Wyoming Township. This year, also, came 
Baily Breese and started a cooper shop and 
bought of William Rogers nearly all of the 
land on which East Paw Paw is situated. Peter 
May and family were added in 1841. He bought 
all the land now covered by Paw Paw village, 
but disappeared mysteriously, ten years later, 
without having received a deed. Elder Nor- 
man Warriner came in 1843 and Obed W. Bry- 
ant settled at Four Mile Grove in 1842. 

In the later '40s two saw-mills were in 
operation in the grove, hoth propelled by horse- 
power. One was put up by Stanley Ruggles on 
the southeast corner of the west half of the 
northwest quarter of Section 19, DeKalb 
County. The other was in Lee County on the 
road between the LeClaire and Ogee Sections. 
Without being able to make anything like 
an exact comparison, it would seem that, in 
1840, Paw Paw Grove was the focus of the 
largest settlement in the county — Dixon and, 
possibly Sugar Grove, in Palmyra, excepted. 
This is accounted for by two facts: that it was 
on the stage road from Chicago to Galena, and 
also was one of the largest, most beautiful and 
attractive pieces of timber in all the country. 
All the early settlers sought the shelter and 
other advantages of groves, and were slow to 
reach out for the now valuable prairie lands. 

John D. Rogers was not the only abolition- 
ist in the colony who, by the "Underground 
Road," dealt frequent, but ineffective, blows 
at slavery. He expressed the sentiments of 
many when he said: "Whether I am an aboli- 
tionist or not, my best mares are." 

The township and range lines were surveyed 
in 1836, but the section lines were not run 
until the winter of 1842-3. Prior to this peo- 
ple had held their lands only by right of pos- 
session, awaiting the market or pre-emption 
day. Consequently the "claim-jumper" found 
the same scope and temptation to operate here 
as elsewhere, and as in nearly every other sec- 
tion, protective societies were organized to de- 
feat his dishonest efforts. The remedy was al- 
ways adjusted to the emergency and the out- 
come was never satisfactory to the rascal. The 
law was of the home-made kind, but its princi- 
ples were founded in justice, and hence it was 
never appealed from. 

The horsethief and the counterfeiter plied 
their vocations all over the country. Condi- 



tions favored them and they prospered. Paw 
Paw and Inlet seem to have been their favorite 
rendezvous or bases of operation. Nn other 
settlements in the county are as notoriously 
identified with them as these two. As a rule, 
all newcomers were under suspicion. As a set- 
tler of 1837 put it: "Paw Paw was a strange 
place then. It seemed to me that every other 
man I met was hunting a horsethief, and you 
couldn't tell which was the thief — generally it 
was both." One horsethief buried a sack con- 
taining $900 in gold and, on being sent to 
prison, told his wife how he had marked the 
spot by a notched stake, but she was unable to 
find it. The secret having leaked out later, 
Harris Breese noticed such a stake and, to- 
gether with his neighbor. Hampton, dug for 
and recovered the treasure. The latter's share 
is said to have been to him the nest-egg of fu- 
ture wealth. 

In 1834 a thousand Indians were encamped 
for a week at the Big Spring, at the northwest 
corner of the grove. They were being moved 
from Indiana west, and the Government made 
them a payment here. The local Indians had 
already been sent to their western reservation 
the same year, but the old chief Shabbona, who 
is held in grateful memory for the protection 
he afforded the settlement in the days of the 
Black Hawk War, afterwards returned to the 
scenes of his early life and died on the Illinois 
River July 17, 1859. aged eighty-four. He was 
buried in a lot set apart to him in the cemetery 
at Morris, Grundy County, where a fitting 
monument was raised to his memory a few 
years ago. His oldest wife and several chil- 
dren rest beside him. Waubunsie, Chief of the 
tribe at Paw Paw Grove, and Shabbona were 
on the most friendly relations. The latter was, 
however, the leader and the former loyally fol- 
lowed. The Indian trail from Chicago to the 
Indian village at Rock Island ran along the 
south side of Paw Paw Grove. 

Schools.— The first school in Wyoming 
Township is supposed to have been started as 
early as 1836, in what was called "The Little 
Pole School House," which was not more than 
twelve feet square, and was erected ex- 
pressly for school purposes. The probability 
is that it was the same cabin heretofore men- 
tioned as having been built by Jacob Alcott. 
The schools were all necessarily small and 
were started and maintained entirely by indi- 
vidual contributions, the public school system 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



701 



not having then been established. Vacant 
cabins were sometimes utilized for this purpose, 
snd at other times private houses sheltered 
the school. The first frame school building in 
the township was erected about 1844 on or 
near the northeast corner of Section 24. Hero 
Charles Dickinson and Orlando Boardman 
wore the first teachers. Dickinson probably 
preceding Boardman. In two or three years 
the building was moved half a mile east, and 
now serves as a roosting place for chickens. 

Postmaiters. — Before a postoffice was 
opened at Paw Paw, the nearest one was at 
Somonauk, fifteen miles eastward. A "star 
n'ail-route" was established through Paw Paw 
in 1837, William Rogers being the first Post- 
master there. Isaac Robinson took charge of 
the office as early as 1838 or 1839. In 1841 a 
Mr. Brittain, who lived in Princeton, carried 
the mail from that place to Paw Paw by way 
of Knox Grove. Willard Hastings was the car- 
rier between Paw Paw and Ottawa. Hiram 
Wood held the office of Postmaster from 1845 
to 1849, when William H. Robinson succeeded 
him, remaining until 1853, when Wood came in 
again. He was followed in 1857 by James Si- 
mons, and he in 1861 by John Colville, who re- 
mained at the post many years. Then came 
C F. Preston, in Cleveland's first term, Ezra 
G. Cass, J. H. Braffett and Sadie Case, the 
present incumbent. 

At the first organization of the township 
in 1850, 113 votes were cast for town officers. 
David A. Town was the choice for Supervisor 
and John Colville for Clerk. 

Paw Paio Village. — Paw Paw Village was 
first incorporated as a village June 7, 1882. 
George Town's log house, already mentioned, 
was the first to be erected on the site of the 
village. Peter May's cabin stood close to the 
location, in recent years, of the Sutter house, 
west of Siglin & Potter's brick store, and his 
blacksmith shop, started in 1842, was on the 
south side of the road nearly opposite the store. 
The Hastings house, formerly on the site of the 
Roberts dwelling, was built in May, 1841, and 
was the first frame house in the village or in 
the township. About this time Hastings put 
up the first brick building in the township, 
about one-half mile south of the village, on 
Fonda's corners, and it was later clap-boarded. 
In 1844 Rodolphus Hawley built on the south 
side of the Chicago road, opposite George 
Town's, on site of the place now owned and oc- 



cupied by John R. Kdwards. The next year 
Amos Sawyer built a cabin where the Deta- 
more house now stands. In 1846 George Town 
moved out of his log cabin into the house 
known, many years afterwards, as the "Grum- 
mond" house. In those days John Colville and 
Jacob Rogers were partners in the manufac- 
ture of shingles by horse power. They also had 
such a mill over in DeKalb County. Probably 
this was the same mill moved from one local- 
ity to the other. 

This was the settlement in 1847. Not a store 
was then in the place. Enterprising peddlers 
traveled the roads and undertook to supply the 
simple wants of the people. In the latter year, 
however, settlers began coming in and the vil- 
lage entered on a career of healthy develop- 
ment which, though slow, has had no appre- 
ciable check up to the present. We should be 
glad to follow its business growth, building by 
building, but space will not permit. Plodding, 
indeed, was its headway up to 1871, when lots 
and buildings together were assessed at only 
$3,809. Allowing for the assessor's discounts, 
this will still prove to be very small. 

Village Schools. — Prior to 1880 the demands 
of the village school had led to the erection 
of a two-story frame building situated on the 
west side of North Street at the west end of 
East Avenue. In 1883 a two-story addition 
was built on the west end of this building, 
thus making four rooms in all. In December, 
1884, the building was destroyed by fire, and, 
in 1885. a two-story brick structure, with large 
hall above, was erected on the same spot. Dr. 
J. H. Braffet was one of the school directors, 
and was chiefiy instrumental in having this 
building erected. January 27, 1897, this struc- 
ture was also consumed by fire. A long con- 
test followed over the selection of a new site, 
which was finally settled in favor of the pres- 
ent location by a majority of twelve votes. In 
the summer and fall of 1897. the school house 
now in use was erected on the ground thus 
chosen, occupying a campus of four acres. The 
building, furniture and grounds are valued at 
$15,000. The building furnishes ample accom- 
modations, .and is in every respect thoroughly 
modern. The full course of study embraces 
twelve years, eight in the graded departments 
and four in the high school course. The school 
is on the accredited list of the State University, 
the Northern State Normal. Oberlin College, as 
well as others. Six teachers are employed. 



702 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



Newspapers. — The first number of the "Paw 
Paw Herald" was issued November 23, 1877. by 
R. H. Ruggles, editor and proprietor. In Janu- 
ary, 1878, E. G. Cass and J. B. Gardner became 
publishers, Ruggles still owning the plant. On 
the 22d of the next month they were succeeded 
by W. M. Geddes, who soon purchased the out- 
fit. The paper was Republican in politics, but 
ceased publication some years ago. 

The "Lee County Times," originally a Dem- 
ocratic paper, appeared March 21, 1878, with 
E. G. Cass and J. B. Gardner as proprietors. 
In August following Mr. Gardner retired. It 
became a strong Republican paper and, as such, 
is now owned and edited by O. W. Briggs. 

Churches. — The Baptist church is the pioneer 
religious organization of the township. In 
February. 1841, it was organized with Orlando 
Boardman and wife, Mrs. Hallock, wife of Is- 
rael Hallock, James Goble and wife. Rev. Bur- 
ton Carpenter, Sr., Hiram Harding and wife, 
Cyrus Whitford and wife and Mr. Sampson 
and wife as its first members. The meetings 
were held in Deacon Boardman's log cabin. 
Cyrus Whitford and wife belonged to Johnson's 
Grove, twelve miles to the northeast. Harding 
and wife and Sampson and wife came from 
Harding (now Freedom), La Salle County, 
about the same distance southeast. The others 
were all living at South Paw Paw. Israel Hal- 
lock, who is now living and is respected and 
known as Deacon Hallock, joined the society 
the next year and became its second deacon, 
Boardman being the first. Rev. Thomas Pow- 
ell preached the sermon at this first gathering. 
Assisting him were Rev. Burton Carpenter, Jr.. 
from Dixon, Rev. Hadley and Mr. Stannard of 
La Moille. Rev. Mr. Carpenter preached a few 
sermons, and was succeeded by Rev. Charles 
Harding in March, 1841, who continued as pas- 
tor until his death. February 3. 1843. Feeling 
the need of an assistant in his work Mr. Hard- 
ing sent for Elder Norman Warriner, of Indi- 
ana, who arrived just in time to help bury Mr. 
Harding. Mr. Warriner occupied the pulpit 
for twenty years until he resigned. In 1843 
the first meeting house was commenced at 
South Paw Paw and was finished iq 1846. Un- 
til then services were held in Boardman's log 
cabin, which stood on the spot where now 
stands the home of Deacon Hallock. The mem- 
bership reached its highest point in 1859, when 
it numbered 162. On Mr. Warriner's resigna- 
tion, J. D. Pullis became pastor serving from 



July of that year until December 31, 1865. Dur- 
ing his pastorate the present house of worship 
was built at South Paw Paw at a cost of about 
$3,000, and a parsonage purchased at the cost 
of $1,000. In March, 1866, G. W. Scott became 
pastor and continued until July, 27, 1867. C. 
H. Perritt served from October 12. 1867. tor a 
little over one year, and was succeeded Decem- 
ber 26, 1868, by William Sturgeon, who re- 
mained until October 26, 1872. In 1873 the 
church building was moved from South Paw 
Paw to its present location in the village, and 
a basement was constructed under it at a cost 
of a little over $2,000. The parsonage at South 
Paw Paw was disposed of and a lot purchased 
in the village, on which a parsonage was built 
in the winter of 1873-4. January 24, 1874, H. 
R. Hicks became pastor, continuing pntil Sep- 
tember, 1881. S. B. Gilbert was pastor from 
December 10, 1881, until July, 1885. September 
26th, following, H. F. Gilbert became pastor 
and served until May 21, 1887, after which the 
church was for a while without a regular pas- 
tor. R. H. Shaftoe served from June 3, 1SS8, 
to April 1, 1891. On May 10th of the latter 
year, R. S. Sargent was called and continued 
to May 10, 1896. During his term an addition 
was made to the rear of the church and other 
improvements at a cost of $1,000. A. C. Jones 
became pastor, June 14, 1896, and served until 
September 1, 1898. He was succeeded January 
1. 1899, by William A. Mathews, who continued 
until October 1, 1892. In April, 1901, the par- 
sonage on Flagg Street was sold for $800, and 
a modern residence as a parsonage was erected 
on Wheeler Street, at cost of about $2,500. No- 
vember 16, 1902, H. J. Wheeler, the present 
pastor, assumed charge. The church celebrated 
its fiftieth anniversary June IS, 1891. 

About 1870 a class of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church was formed with James Fonda, 
Jane E. Fonda, Sarah E. Swarthout, Edward 
Patrick and Harriet Patrick as members, the 
way being prepared by the preaching of Elder 
Lazenby at the school house the previous year. 
In 1875, while Rev. Pomeroy was pastor, their 
church building was erected. Paw Paw was 
made a separate charge in Rock River Con- 
ference in October, 1879. 

In 1864 the Protestant Episcopal Society, 
organized in 1857, but long in a somnolent 
state, was revived by Rev. Jacob Fowler and 
built up to a membership of thirty or forty. A 
church was built in 1866 on the northeast quar- 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



703 



ter of the northwest quarter of Section 6, at a 
cost of $2,600. The building was finally sold at 
Sheriff's sale, on a judgment for ?500 recovered 
by the minister, A. C. WaJlace, for arrears of 
salary. Being bid in by him he sold it to the 
Ifnited Brethren in 1874. 

The Presbyterian Church of Wyoming, at 
Cottage Hill, was organized under the labors 
of John Flemming as missionary pastor from 
Earlville, in 1857, with the following members: 
Barton Bisbee, Joseph Blee, William Winter, 
Sally C. Bisbee, Euphemia Blee, Mrs. William 
Winter, Mrs. William Sproul and James Sproul. 
Mr. Flemming continued to preach once in two 
weeks in the school house, but for how long 
we have been unable to ascertain. In 1858 
or '59 a building was put up at a cash outlay 
of $200. Being too small it was sold and be- 
came James Blee's granary. A new church 
30 by 60 feet was erected a little north of the 
first one at a cost of $2,200. It was remodeled 
in 1861. No pastor was settled until about 
1870, when Alexander S. Peck was installed, 
serving at Paw Paw at the same time. Rev. 
McFarland succeeded him for a year and, in 
1878, Mr. McCullock, the pastor at Paw Paw, be- 
came the supply and continued for three years. 
About 1870 the Presbyterians began holding 
meetings in the school house at the village. 
Rev. Alex. S. Peck, of Cottage Hill, preaching 
every two weeks. The society was regularly 
organized May 26. 1873. the first members be- 
ing Miss Sarah A. Wilson. Andrew J. Fuller, 
Susan C. Fuller. Jane Nettleton. Jane Bulen- 
tine. Mr. and Mrs. Simeon Cole, Henry Cole, 
Anderson G. Radley and Mrs. Jane Howell. 
Rev. Mr. Peck was the first pastor. In 1875 a 
church was built at a cost of $1,900. Mr. Peck 
remained until the close of 1876. Revs. McFar- 
land and E. N. Lord filled the pulpit until 
April, 1878, when George D. McCullock was in- 
stalled, continuing until July, 1881. "The 
Presbyterian church of Paw Paw" was formally 
incorporated May .8, 1901. On the same date 
the society voted to sell the old church, par- 
sonage and grounds, and purchase the Siglin 
property, where the new church and parsonage 
now stand, the latter having been moved to 
make a place for the church. The project was 
inaugurated with an offer from Mr. David 
Smith to give $1,000 towards the expenses on 
condition that a church building, costing not 
less than $5,000. should be erected. Robert 
Pogue, David Smith, W. S. Yingling, William 



Moffatt and T. H. Stettler were chosen building 
committee. The church was completed at a 
cost of $10,000, and the improvements on the 
parsonage, with cost of ground on which both 
buildings stand, came to $3,000. The pastors 
succeeding Rev. McCullock have been: John 
H. Carpenter, C. E. Schaible, Edgar D. Keys, 
Henry A. Furgeson, Charles H. Herald. Samuel 
Olerenshaw, W. A. Bass and Joseph W. Mann, 
the present incumbent. The first Board of 
Trustees of the church were Jacob Hender- 
shot. A, C. Radley and A. J. Fuller. 

Banks. — A bank was organized in the spring 
of 1880, under the name of the Union Bank, by 
M. M. Morse and P. C. Ransom, Mr. Ransom 
transferring his interest to Mr. Morse in 1882. 
B. J. Wheeler and Teal Swarthout succeeded 
Mr. Morse, in June, 1887. In 1901 the bank 
was reorganized under the State law, as the 
State Bank of Paw Paw, with a paid up capital 
of $25,000, B. J. Wheeler being President; Da- 
vid Smith, Vice President; Teal Swarthout, 
Cashier, and Frank Wheeler, Assistant Cash- 
ier. Its first Board of Directors consisted of 
David Smith, B. J. Wheeler, S. B. Miller, T. H. 
Stettler and Teal Swarthout. In July, 1902, the 
capital stock was increased to $40,000, and the 
Board of Directors from five to eight members, 
W. I. GuflSn, Alonzo La Porte and A. H. Rosen- 
krans being added to the former list. On No- 
vember 1. 1902, they bought out the interest 
of the First National Bank of Paw Paw. which 
had been organized June 1, 1902. and the capi- 
tal stock was increased to $50,000. At this 
time W. I. Guffin, A. H. Rosenkrans and Alon- 
zo La Porte resigned as directors, their places 
being filled by the election of William Moffatt, 
B. F. Frantz and A. C. McBride, the latter be- 
ing elected Assistant Cashier. The Bank has 
a line of deposits averaging close to $200,000. 
Loans and discounts amount to $150,000. and 
the institution is in every way doing a con- 
servative and satisfactory business. 

Water System. — Natural Oas. — The village is 
equipped with an efficient water system for fire 
protection and general use. While drilling a 
well for the water supply an obstruction was 
encountered which required the use of dyna- 
mite, the explosion of which opened tip a 
powerful stream of natural gas necessitating 
lue abandonment of the well, B. J. Wheeler 
purchased it and piped gas from it to several 
houses, but the gas soon gave out. Another 
gas supply was struck on the west half of the 



704 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



southeast quarter of Section 1, which still fur- 
nishes fuel for the houses and for the power 
used on the farm. The village standpipe, or 
water tank, stands over the first mentioned 
well. 

East Paiv Paic. — This settlement, as well as 
that of South Paw Paw, is so near the real 
Paw Paw in the grove that, to a certain ex- 
tent, the early history of one runs through ail 
of them. William Rogers' hotel was evidently 
within the bounds of what became East Paw 
Paw. Baily Breese settled in 1841, and a part 
of East Paw Paw was platted on his land. 
Jacob Wirick bought out William Rogers about 
1842 or 1843, and thus was, for a while, land- 
lord of the hotel in that part of East Paw Paw 
lying in DeKalb County. A man by the name 
of Meade landed in 1838 and located in the 
grove south of East Paw Paw. At that time 
Paw Paw grove extended into DeKalb County. 
Hiram Gates came in 1845 and bought Meade 
out. Charles Pierce also arrived in the latter 
year. The first store at "the grove" was opened 
here by one« Harris, and another was started 
a little west on the Chicago road by Charles 
Howard, In 1847, and a postoffice was opened 
in 1850 with Andrew Breese as Postmaster. 
About 1855 the Teachers' Institute and Class- 
ical Seminary was erected with funds sub- 
scribed for the purpose. The building stands 
in DeKalb County, and is now used for public- 
school purposes. Before 1848, S. B. Warren had 
a general store and Jos. Harris a grocery and 
saloon in East Paw Paw, and there was also a 
blacksmith shop in the place. 

A Union Church has been standing here since 
1868, but is no longer used for services. 

South Paiv Paw. — Most of the first settlers of 
South Paw Paw have already been mentioned, 
including John Ploss in 1835. and Deacons 
Boardman and Hallock in 1840. Eber St. John 
seems to have arrived prior to the latter date. 
Ralph Atherton arrived In 1844, as also did 
Dr. George S. Hunt, the first physician in the 
township as well as at the grove. Deacon 
Daniel Pine settled here in 1845, while Timothy 
Goble, brother of James, did the same in 1843. 
Once the place supported a graded school which 
is reputed to have done excellent work. Prior 
to 1859 a postoffice was opened here and con- 
tinued until about two years ago, and was al- 
ways called LeClaire Postoffice. Daniel Robin- 
son was the first postmaster. About 1855 the 



Union Academy was started in South Paw Paw 
and was continued for several years, with H. 
H. Hoffman as first Principal. A two-story 
building was erected by subscription — the up- 
per fioor being used for the academy and the 
lower for a district school. It now stands 
about fifty rods east of the original site, being 
used as a barn. 

ifoi?road.— September 22, 1869, the town, by 
a vote of 142 yeas to 62 nays, decided to take 
$50,000 stock in the Chicago & Rock River 
Railroad, issuing ten per cent, interest-bearing 
bonds for that purpose. The bonds were issued 
July 1, 1871. The town resisted payment by 
i.istituting suit to enjoin collection of the 
bonds, but was defeated. In 1881 new bonds 
were issued to take up the first issue, and were 
made payable in annual installments, the last 
of which fell due in 1901, the principal and in- 
terest aggregating $102,380. The stock was 
purchased at this cost to aid in the construc- 
tion of the road, which went into operation 
in 1872 and has been of inestimable value to 
the community. 

Elevator. — The only grain elevator in Paw 
Paw was erected by Capt. D. M. Roberts in 
1872. and was operated by him until it was 
sold in 1873 to J. H. Hurlbut & Company of 
Chicago, and rented to Warner & Guffin, who 
bought it the following year. The original 
building collapsed in 1880, while loaded with 
wheat, oats, corn and timothy seed. It was 
rebuilt at once on the old site and is now owned 
by the estate of A. J. Warner, and operated by 
the firm of Warner & Guffin. Mr. W. I. Guffin 
has been a member of the firm from the begin- 
ning, and is now actively engaged in the busi- 
ness. 

A prosperous tile and brick business is car- 
ried on in the village by J. M. Beal & Co. Their 
drying sheds have 15,600 feet floor space, and 
with their two kilns, give them a capacity of 
30,000 brick per day and about the same pro- 
portion of drain tile. 

The population of Paw Paw village, accord- 
ing to census of 1900, was 675. The population 
of the township and village combined, was 1,- 
455 in 1890, and 1,546 in 1900. 



The editor's work ends here. The personal 
sketches following are furnished by others. 



HISTORY OF LEE COL'XTV. 



705 



CITIZENS OF LEE COUNTY. 



The verdict of mankind lias awarded to tlie 
Muse of History the highest place among the 
classic Nine. The extent of her office, however, 
appears to be, by many minds, but imperfectly 
understood. The task of the historian is com- 
prehensive and exacting. True, History reaches 
beyond the doings of court or camp, beycnd the 
issue of battles or the effects of treaties, and 
records the trials and the triumphs, the fail- 
ures and the successes of the men who make 
history. It is but an imperfect conception of the 
philosophy of events that fails to accord to 
portraiture and biography its lightful position 
as a part — and no unimportant part — of his- 
torical narrative. Behind and beneath the 
activities of outward lite the motive pov/er 
lies out of sight, just as the furnace fires that 
work the piston and keep the ponderous screw 
revolving, are down in the darkness of the hold. 
So, the impulsive power which shapes the 
course of communities may be found in the 
molding influences which form its citizens. 

It is no mere idle curiosity that prompts 
men to wish to learn the private, as well as 
the public, lives of their fellows. Rather, it is 
true that such desire tends to prove universal 
brotherhood: and the interest in personality 
and biography is not confined to men of any 
particular caste or avocation. 

The list of those to whose lot it falls to play 
a conspicuous part in the great drama of life 
is comparatively short; yet communities are 
made up of individuals, and the aggregate of 
achievements — no less than the sum total of 
human happiness — is made up of the deeds of 
these men and women whose primary aim, 
through life, cs faithfully to preform the duty 
that comes nearest to hand. Individual influ- 
ence upon human affairs will be considered 
potent, or insignificant, according to the stand- 
point from which it is viewed. To him who, 
standing upon the sea-shore, notes the ebb and 
flow of the tides and listens to the sullen roar 
of the waves, as they break upon the beach in 
seething foam, seemingly chafing at their limit- 
ations, the ocean appears so vast as to need no 
tributaries. Yet, without the smallest rill that 
helps to swell the "Father of Waters," the 



mighty torrent of the Mississippi would be 
lessened, and the beneficent influence of the 
Gulf Stream diminished. Countless streams, 
currents and counter-currents — sometimes 
mingling, sometimes counteracting each other 
— collectively combine to give motion to the 
accumulated mass of waters. So is it — and so 
must it ever be — in the ocean of human action, 
which is formed by the blending and repulsion 
of currents of thought, of influence and of life 
yet more numerous and more tortuous than 
those which form "the foundation of the deep." 
In the foregoing pages is traced the begin- 
ning, growth, and maturity of a concrete thing 
— Lee County: But the concrete is but the ag- 
gregate result of individual labor. The acts 
and characters of men, like the several faces 
that compose a composite picture, are v.'rought 
together into a compact or heterogeneous 
whole. History is condensed biography; "bi- 
ography is history teaching by example." 

It is both interesting and instructive to rise 
above the generalization of history and trace, 
in the personality and careers of the men from 
whom it sprang, the principles and influences, 
the impulses and ambitions, the labors, strug- 
gles and triumphs that engrossed their lives. 
In the pages that follow are gathered up, 
with as much detail as the limits of the work 
allow, the personal record of many of the men 
who have made Lee County what it is. In 
each record may be traced some feature which 
influenced, or has been stamped upon, the civic 
life. 

Here are pioneers, who, "when the fullness of 
time had come," came from widely scattered 
sources, some from beyond the sea. impelled 
by diverse motives, little conscious of the im- 
port of their acts, and but dimly anticipating 
the harvest which would spring from their 
sowing. They built their little cabins, toiling 
for a present subsistence while laying the foun- 
dations of private fortunes and future advance- 
ment. 

Most havei passed away, Ijut not before they 
beheld a development of business and popula- 
tion surpassing the wildest dreams of fancy. 
A few yet remain, whose years have passed the 
allotted three score and ten, and v.ho love tn 
recount, among the cherished memories of 
their lives, their reminiscences of early days 
in Lee County. 



7o6 



HISTORY OF LEE COUXTY 



Among these early, hardy settlers, and those 
who followed them, may be found the names of 
many who imparted the first impulse to the 
county's growth and home-likeness: the many 
who. through their identification with agricul- 
tural pursuits, aided in her material progress; 
of skilled mechanics, who first laid the founda- 
tions of beautiful hemes, and productive indus- 
tries: and of the members of the learned pro- 
fessions — clergymen, physicians, educators and 
lawyers — whose influence upon tha intellectual 
life and development of a community it is im- 
possible to over-estimate. 

Municipal institutions arise: Commerce 
spreads her sails and prepares the way for the 
magic of Science that drives the locomotive en- 
gine over iron rails. Trade is organized, 
stretching its arms across the prairie to gather 
in and distribute the products of the soil. 
Church spires rise to express, in architectural 
form, the faith and aspirations of the people, 
while schools, public and private, elevate the 
standards of education and of artistic taste. 

Here are many of the men through whose 
labors, faith and thought, these magnificent re- 
sults have been achieved. To them, and to 
their co-laborers, the Lee County of today 
stands an enduring monument, attesting their 
faith, their energy, their courage and their 
self-sacrifice, 

FATHER JOHN DIXON (deceased) was 
born at Rye. Westchester County. N. Y.. Oct. 
9. 17S4, son of John and Elizabeth (Purdeyt 
Dixon, In 1S04 he established himself in the 
tailoring business in New York City, which 
he conducted until 1S20, when he came to Illi- 
nois and settled at Springfield, where he erec- 
ted the third house built in that city. At the 
expiration of four years, he removed to Peoria. 
111., where he was County Clerk. Justice of the 
Peace, etc, remaining there five years. The 
following year (1S29) he spent in Bureau 
County. III., and on April 11; 1S30. arrived at 
the ferry on Rock River, Mr, Dixon pur- 
chased the ferry, which was henceforth known 
as Dixon's Ferry, but later the word "ferry" 
was dropped and the village has since been 
called Dixon. In ISOS he married Rebecca 
Sherwood, a native of New York, and to them 
twelve children were born, four of whom grew 
to maturity. Father Dixon died July 6. 1S76: 




JOH.^ DIXON. 

his wife dying in February, 1847, He was a 
Republican in political sentiment, and in his 
younger days was a member of the Baptist 
church. Mrs. Dixon was a charter member 
of the Baptist church at Dixon, 

BENJAMIN F, SHAW, editor and proprietor 
of "The Telegraph," Dixon. 111., was bom at 
Waverly, N. Y. March 31. 1S31. of English and 
Colonial ancestry, being a descendant of Wil- 
liam Bradford who kept the log of the ship 
"Mayflower" in 1620, and became the first 
Governor of Plymouth Colcny. His grand- 
mother on the paternal side was. previous to 
her death, the last survivor of the "Wyoming 
Massacre" of 177S. her father and two uncles 
being killed during the battle which preceded 
the massacre. His mother's father. Major Zeph- 
on Flower, was a soldier of the Revolution. Mr. 
Shaw engaged in journalism in Dixon. 111., 
previous to 1S56 and. on February 22d of that 
year, as editor of the "Dixon Telegraph." took 
part in the convention of Illinois editors held 
at Decatur for the purpose of outlining a policy 
in opi>osition to the further extension of slav- 
ery, serving upon the committee which framed 
the platform. It was in accordance with reso- 
lutions adopted at this convention that the 



HISTORY OF LEE COL'XTV 



707 



first Republican State Convention was lield at 
Bloomington, 111., May 29, 1856. Mr. Shaw's 
journalistic career, extending over a period of 
over fifty years, has been almost entirely iden- 
tified with the "Dixon Telegraph," of which 




BENJAMIN F. SHAW. 

he is now the editor and proprietor, although 
he spent sometime in 1867 and 1868 as the 
Washington correspondent of a Chicago paper. 
The oflicial positions held by him include two 
terms as Clerk of the Circuit Court and Re- 
corder of Lee County, six years as Canal Com- 
missioner, and Postmaster of the city of Dixon, 
in which he is now serving his second term. 

EUSTACE E. SHAW (deceased), late associ- 
ate editor and joint proprietor of the "Dixon 
Evening Telegraph," was born at Dixon, 111,, 
March 28, 1857, the son of Mr, and Mrs. B. F. 
Shaw, and died in that city. Sept. 5, 1902. Mr. 
Shaw learned the printing trade in his father's 
office, and gave his best efforts to assisting his 
father to build up the business of the B. F. 
Shaw Printing Company,^ during the latter 
years of his life serving efficiently as associ- 
ate editor and business manager of the "Even- 
ing Telegraph." The following tribute to his 
memory was paid by thi' Rev. J. F. Newton at 



the funeral, which was largely attended by 
neighbors who deeply mourned his untimely 
death: 

"He lived with Nature — a life of simple 
sweetness. He loved his fellow man and was 
kind of heart. There are none who knew 
him but who are eager to vouchsafe these 
lovable attributes to Eustace Shaw. He was 
always in touch with the subtle, tender influ- 
ences that are akin to a manly nature; and to 
know him was to love him in turn. It might 
fittingly be re-iterated. 'If everj- one to whom 
he had done some kindly act should drop a 
flower upon his grave, he would sleep beneath 
a bower of roses.' Eustace Shaw was ener- 
getic in every-day life and the soul of honor. 
With all who knew him his word was a sacred 
pledge, and the ties that bound him to his 
friends v.-ere as inseparable as the strongest 
links of; gold. There were ncne too poor, none 
too lowiy. to receive his every-day challenge 
of good will and friendship, and v.-hen he passed 
to his reward he was simply and truly among 




EUSTACE E. SHAW. 

hosts of loving friends who had preceded him. 

"His memory cannot die with those who w-ere 

privileged to know him in his true light. 



7o8 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



There are many who have accomplished more 
in worldly affairs, but we Know that the spirit 
of Eustace Shaw rests at peace, content with 
the love he inspired in others while living 
his worldly life. The earnest prayers that 
went up from so many hearts the day of his 
death must have reached him and given him 
quiet and peace. Eustace Shaw loved the 
v.'oods and the flowers; he loved everything 
in Nature. He loved his native river; and 
his repose was assuring and keen when he 
might feast his eyes upon the gentle waters 
as they murmured by. He saw the pretty 
things in life, and more — he wanted others 
to see them and share their simple beauty 
with him. He knew no selfishness. He never 
deliberated over a sacrifice to be made for 
a friend — no, it came spontaneous; and many 
a noble tender has he made at the altar of 
friendship. He was never so quick to act as 
when the friend was in the direst distress 
— any conceivable reward unlooked for and 
an impossibility. He worshipped at the shrine 
of home, wife and children, and God has taken 
him as tenderly to his heart as he would 
take the most innocent babe; for how could 
God but love a man who was loved by all his 
fellov.' men and who despised hypocrisy, 
shunned bad habits and was honest and true 
to himself, as well the world at large? He 
passed av,'ay with a smile on his lips and a 
word of assurance to those about him: and 
this was but the crowning example of his great 
bravery and his solicitious concern for those 
whom he loved. Then the Guardian Angel 
said, 'Peace be with thy soul.' and the life 
of Eustace Shaw was ended." 

Deceased was descended from Puritan stock; 
Governor Bradford, of Massachusetts Bay, be- 
ing of the fifth (5) generation; three of his 
ancestors were in the Revolutionary War. He 
leaves a widow, Mabel (Smith) Shaw, and 
three sons. George Boules, Benj. T. and Rob- 
ert Eustace Shaw. 

.lOHN DAWSON CRABTREE (deceased), 
lawyer and late .Judge of the Circuit Court. 
Thirteenth ,Iudirial District, was born in Not- 
tingham, England, Nov. 19, 1837; came to 
America in 1848 and to Dixon, 111., in 1853; 
was educated in the district schools and in 
the public schools of Dixon. In lS(il. in re- 
sponse to the first call for troops to repress 



the rebellion, he enlisted in Company A, Thir- 
teenth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, 
and was successively advanced to the rank 
of Lieutenant and Captain, and at the date 
of his discharge, August 16, 1864, was bre- 
vetted with the rank of Major. Returning 
home after the close of the war, he resumed 
study of the law, which he had begun previous 
to his enlistment, and was admitted to the 
bar in 1866. In 1886 he was elected State 




JOHN DAWSON CRABTREE. 

Senator on the Republican ticket, but resigned 
in ISSS to accept the position of Judge of Cir- 
cuit Court to which he was elected the same 
year, was re-elected without opposition in 1891, 
and again reelected in 1897, but died May 22, 
1902, one year before the expiration of his 
term of ofBce. Judge Crabtree was a member 
of Friendship Lodge, No. 7. A. F. and .A. M., 
Dixon. 

JASON C. AYRES. President of Dixon Na- 
tional Bank, Dixon, 111., was born in St. Law- 
rence County, N. Y., August 22, 1835, son of 
Sylvanus and Anna (Bean) Ayres. He located 
in Dixon in 1855 and has since been promi- 
nently connected with its growth and devel- 
opment, as well as with real estate interests 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



709 



of his locality. He was admitted to tho bar 
in 1870. In political sentiment Mr. Ayres is 
a Republican and has served as City Cleric 
and Treasurer of Dixon for many years. On 
May 7, 1861, he married Lavina Crawford. 




JOHN C. AYRES. 

daughter of Dr. John S. and Delia A. (Preston) 
Crawford, of Williamsport, Penn. Fraternally 
he is a member of Friendship Lodge, No. 7. 
A. F. & A. M.; Nachusa Chapter, No. 56, R. 
A. M.; Dixon Council. No. 21, R. & S. M., and 
Dixon Comniandery. No. 21. K. T. 

CHARLES W. CHADWICK. retired farmer, 
Lee Center. 111., was born at Windsor, Me., 
June 18. 1822, son of Lott and Sarah (Linn) 
Chadwick. He came to Lee County with his 
father in 1838. where, for three years, he as- 
sisted the latter in his trade as mill-ri.s^ht. In 
1841 he removed South, where ho remained 
eight years, and then (in 1849) crossed the 
plains to California in search of gold. Return- 
ing from the gold fields in 1851. he located at 
Lee Center, where he engaged in the manufac- 
ture of plows: afterwards engaged in farmin.g 
at Palestine Grove: later spent several years 
in Missouri and Colorado, but since 188H has 
lived retired at Lee Center. In 1847 he mar- 



ried Nancy J. Holderby. who died two years 
later, leaving one child. Sarah J. (Mrs. Silas 
Whitney). In 1853 he married his second wife, 
Phebe Whitney, by whom there were the fol- 
lowing named children; Alice (Mrs. John 
Jacobs). Ida (Mrs. W. W. Allen, of California), 
Fred C. now residing in California, and Harry, 
who resides in Mexico. In politics Mr. Chad- 
wick is a Republican, and frjitcrnally is a 
member of the A. F. & A. M. 

SAMUEL C. EELLS, President City National 
Bank, Dixon. 111., was born at Walton. Dela- 
ware County, N. Y., March 19. 1822, son of 
Nathaniel G. and Betty (St. John) Eells, 
natives of Connecticut. He came to Dixon, III., 
in 1854, and engaged as bookkeeper with Rob- 
ertson. Eastman & Company, bankers. In the 
spring of 1855 the firm was changed to Rob- 
ertson, Eells & Company; in ISGO to Eells & 
Coleman; in 1865 to Lee County National 
Bank, and since 1SS5 has been known as the 




SAMUEL C. EELLS. 

City National Bank. Mr. Eells has been 
President of this institution since the death 
of Joseph Crawford, August 11. 1891. although 
he has been manager of the business since 
April, 1855. On October 12, 1854. he married 



7IO 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



Anna Moore, and they have three children — 
Caroline W., Anna S., and Bessie P. In politi- 
cal relations Mr. Eells is a Republican, and 
in religious faith is a member of St. Luke's 
Episcopal church in which he has served as 
vestryman since 1855. 

ABALINO C. BARDWELL, Dixon, 111., born 
Oct. 23, 1844, at Conneautville, Penn., son of 
Dr. George A. and Julia A. (Cutler) Bardwell; 
parents moved to Prophetstown, Whiteside 
County, 111., in 1853. Came to Dixon, Feb. 10, 
1864, and read law in office of George P. Good- 
win, Esq.; enlisted Feb. 10. 1865, as private; on 
oiganization of the One Hundred and Forty- 
seventh Illinois Infantry, was elected Captain 
of Company G; served as Provost-Marshal at 
Resaca, Americus and Savannah, Ga. Admitted 
to the bar Sept. 24, 1867, and commenced prac- 
tice that fall at Rochelle, 111., but owing to im- 
paired health shortly after abandoned it. In 
February. 1868, he established the "Dixon 
Weekly Herald;" on Dec. 2, 1869, the Herald 
and Telegraph were united under his editor- 
ship. January 1, 1871, he retired from the 




tice, excepting from the spring of 1892 to the 
fall of 1894. Elected State's Attorney in No- 
vember, 1876, and served one term. In January. 
1899, was appointed Master in Chancery of 
Lee County Circuit Court, which position he 
continues to hold. 

JOSEPH UTLEY (deceased), Dixon, 111., was 
born at Western, Oneida County, N. Y., July 
27, 1815, the son of Henry and Sarah (Morse) 
Utley. After completing his education in the 




ABALINO C. BARDWELL. 

paper and in August foUov.'ing resumed prac- 
tice in partnership with Hon. James K. Ed- 
sall, since which date he has continued in prac- 



JOSEPH UTLEY. 

neighborhood schools, he entered his father's 
tannery, learned the trade and succeeded to 
the business in 1838, which he followed until 
1859, when he removed to Dixon and opened 
a saddlery hardware store, continuing until 
1867, when he retired from active business. He 
was deeply interested in water transportation, 
and was a recognized authority on this sub- 
ject; was appointed Canal Commissioner of 
the State in 1869 and served eight years, most 
of the time as President of the Board. He 
was one of the prime movers in the improve- 
ment of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, and 
to his efforts is lar.gely due the Hennepin 
Canal, now being constructed, in the interest 
of which he did effective work before com- 
mercial bodies. Committees of Congress and 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



711 



state Legislatures. The whole project met 
with fierce opposition from the Sterling people, 
and it was years after his death that sentiment 
changed, a dam at that point instead of Dixon 
having been pronounced the more feasible. Mr. 
Utiey died at Dixon. 111,. March 19. 1889. 




THERON CUMINS. 

THERON CUMINS (deceased), manufac- 
turer. Grand Detour and Dixon, III., was born 
in the tov.-n of Tunbridge, Orange County. 
Vt., son of Joseph and Hannah (Con- 
verse) Cumins, who were natives of Vermont ; 
was educated in the public schools and, in 
1842, came to Grand Detour, Ogle County, 
111., where he became clerk in a general store, 
remaining there three years, when he went 
to Newark, Ohio, remaining four years. Then, 
returning to Grand Detour, he was engaged for 
two years in the mercantile business with 
his brother Solon, when going a second time 
to Ohio, he became a contractor on the Ft. 
Wayne & Pittsburg Railroad, but two years 
later (1863) again came to Grand Detour and 
there entered into partnership with Leonard 
Andrus for the manufacture of plows. Owing 
to ill-health of Mr. Andrus the management 
of the concern devolved largely upon Mr. 
Cumins, and after the death of his partner he 



conducted the business alone until 1869, when 
Col. H. T. Noble acquired an interest in the 
establishment, followed in June, 1874, by the 
admission of O. B. Dodge to the firm. In June, 
1(''T9, the business having assumed large pro- 
portions, the concern was incorporated by 
Theron Cumins. Henry T. Noble, O. B. Dodge 
and Charles H. Noble, under the name of the 
Grand Detour Plow Company. In the mean- 
time (1807) the plant was moved to Dixon, 111., 
where it new occupies five acres of ground. 
Mr. Cumins served as President of the Com- 
pany for many years, was also a director of the 
Dixon National Bank, and was an important 
factor in the development of Dixon as an in- 
dustrial center. Politically he was an earnest 
Republican. Mr. Cumins died August 2, 1898. 

RICHARD S. FARRAND, lawyer, Dixon, 111., 
was born in St. Joseph, Ind., Oct. 1, 1852; left 
home when a boy of eleven years and after- 
v/ards was dependent upon his own resources, 
earning his livelihood by his own efforts and 
improving all available opportunities to acquire 




RICHARD S. FARRAND. 

an education. In 1877 he came to Dixon, and 
soon after began the study of law with A. C. 
Bardwell, was admitted to the bar in 1879 
and in 1882 was elected County Judge of Lee 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



County, serving continuously until iyu2, when 
he was chosen Circuit Judge for the Fifteenth 
Judicial Circuit to succeed the late Judge Crab- 
tree. Judge Farrand has also served one term 
as Mayor of the city of Dixon. January 30, 
1873, he was married to Miss Catherine Jane 
Marsh, daughter of Harry and Catherine 
(Smith) Marsh. Judge Farrand is a Republi- 
can in politics and is fraternally associated 
with Brooklyn Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; Na- 
chusa Chapter, No. 56; R. A. M. Lodge. No. 
137; the A. O. U. W. and Camp No. 56. M. 
W. A. 

J. B. MERRIMAN. M. D., (deceased), a 
prominent early settler of Lee County. 111., 
was born in Hartford County, Conn., May 2, 
1814, of English extraction. Nathaniel Mer- 
riman. born in England in 1614. was the 
founder of the family in America and settled 




J. B. MERRIMAN, M. D. 

in New Haven. Conn., in 1639. Anson Merri- 
man, father of Dr. J. B. Merriman, was born 
in Hartford County, Conn., and died at the age 
of thirty-two years. J. B. Merriman was the 
second child in his father's family and ob- 
tained a good education in his youth, deciding 
at that time to become a physician. Gradu- 
ating from the medical department of Yale 



College in 1837, he began practicing in Berli- 
shire County, Mass., where he rose rapidly in 
his profession, but after ten years of steady 
service his health failed and he removed to 
Long Island, N. Y. His large and increasing 
practice at the latter place wore so rapidly on 
his physical powers that, six years later, he de- 
termined to abandon the medical profession 
and seek a new home on the western prairies 
with the hope of restoring his impaired health. 
Coming to Lee County in 1855, he located on 
a quarter section of unimproved land in South 
Dixon Township, to which he made subsequent 
additions until he owned between 700 and 800 
acres of valuable land in that locality. He 
also purchased large tracts of land in Iowa, 
which he later disposed of. The doctor first 
married in Berkshire County. Mass.. Miss 
Eliza Curtis, who bore him one child, Grace 
(Mrs. E. W. Curtis, of Chicago), who died 
March 3, 1893. His second wife was Elizabeth 
Smith, a native of Long Island, N. Y, who 
died at the age of twenty-one years, leaving 
one son, Walter B. His third marriage was 
with Angeline Judd, who died Sept. 2, 1891, 
aged seventy-four years. When Doctor Merri- 
man came to Lee County he intended to aban- 
don the medical profession, but his reputation 
as a skillful physician had preceded him, and 
thus many demands were made upon him for 
his services. In 1884 he left his home in South 
Dixon to reside with his son Walter B., whose 
home is now in the suburbs of Dixon City, 
where he died in 1898. The Dactor was a well- 
informed man, possessing excellent business 
qualifications, and made many friends during 
his long and influential career in Lee County. 
In political sentiment he was a Republican and 
served his township as a member of the Board 
of Supervisors and two terms as Justice of the 
Peace. 

WALTER B. MERRIMAN, County Treasurer 
of Lee County, Dixon, 111., was born on his 
father's farm in South Dixon Township, Lee 
County, Nov. 5. 1859. son of Dr. Joel B. and 
Elizabeth (Smith) Merriman. Dr. Joel B. 
Merriman, whose biography may be found else- 
where in this volume, came to Lee County in 
1855, where he practiced medicine and con- 
ducted a farm for many years. Walter B. 
Merriman remained on his father's farm until 
twenty-four years of age. and in the meantime 



HISTORY OF LEE COUXTV. 



713 



received his educational traininK in the district 
schools of South Dixon Township, the public 
school at Dixcn. and the Dixon College. He 
married for his first wife Mattie Lee. who died 




WALTER B. MERRIMAN. 

Feb. 27, 1893, leaving four children — Verna E.. 
Guy H., Grace E., and Walter Earl. In 1896 
he married his second wife, Ida Mackin, and 
of this union there were three sons — Glenwood 
B., George C. and Clifford F. Mr. Merriman 
retired from active farm life in 1896, but is 
still an extensive land owner, his farms ag- 
gregating 970 acres, and during his connec- 
tion with the agricultural interests of the 
county, was well known as a breeder of thor- 
oughbred Norman horses. In political views 
he is a Republican, and is serving as County 
Treasurer, havin.g been elected to that office 
in 1902. 

ELMER COTTON, farmer, Hamilliin Town- 
ship, Lee County, 111., was born in Vermilion 
County, 111.. April 13, 1862, son of Henry and 
Elizabeth G. Cotton. During the year 1881 
Mr. Cotton worked in the coal mines and then 
removed to McLean County, 111., where he con- 
ducted a rented farm for seven years, and after- 
wards purchased 240 acres upon which he lived 
until 1901. Coming to Lee County in the latter 



year, he bought his present 240-acre farm. Mr. 
Cotton was married March 4, 1886, to Mary E., 
daughter of William and Electa Wright, of Mc- 
Lean County. 111., and of this union two chil- 
dren — William H. (deceased) and Charles E. — 
have been born. In politics Mr. Cotton is a 
Republican. 

JOHN L. LORD (deceased). Palmyra. Lee 
County, III.; born in Hopkinton, N. H., June 
10, 1829, son of John and Achsah (Gary) Lord; 
in 1838 came to Lee County with his parents, 
who first settled in Dixon, but in 1841 located 
on a farm in Palmyra Township, whence John 
L. was accustomed to walk to Dixon to attend 
school: besides working on the farm learned 
the trade of blacksmith with his father, who 
had established a wagon-factory; in 1850 pur- 
chased his father's interest in the wagon-fac- 
tory, which some years before his death, he 
transferred to his son, Paul G. Mr. Lord's 
mother died about a year after the family re- 
moved to Dixon, and his father in 1873. June 




JOHN L. LORD. 

17, 1851, he was united in marriage with Mary 
L. Warner, daughter of Moses M. and Orrel 
(Smith) Warner, who came to Lee County in 
183S, and they had six children: August W. 



7'4 



HISTORY OF LEE COL■.\"J"^■ 



and Paul G. Lord, of Dixon, 111.; Dr. John P. 
Lord, of Omaha, Neb.; Mary E., Fred and 
Grace, who reside with their widowed mother 
on the farm. Mr. Lord died March 15, 1901, 
as the result of a stroke of apoplexy four days 
previous. An ardent Republican and a man of 
pronounced views and thorough conviction, he 
was of too modest and retiring a disposition to 
be a prominent factor in political affairs, but 
served his township as a member of the Board 
of Supervisors, and was active in connection 
with agricultural and horticultural institutes in 
his section of the State; was one of the found- 
ers and President of the Palmyra Mutual Fire 
Insurance Company, and for several years 
President of the Lee County Old Settlers' As- 
sociation. Mr. Lord was a member and liberal 
supporter of the Universalist church. 

HON. JAMES B. CHARTERS was born in 
Belfast, Ireland, July 11, 1831, son of Alexan- 
der Charters, who long made his residence at 
Hazlewood, Dixon. Judge Charters graduated 
from Trinity College, Dublin, in 1852. and 




sion, which he followed continuously until his 
death, Feb. 4, 1902. He was elected County 
Judge in 1877, and prior to holding this official 
position, had served as Mayor of Dixon one 
term. In 1858 he married Miss Fanny J. Chart- 
ers, daughter of Mr. Samuel M. Charters, 
who died in 18S.'5. and on July 9, 1885, he mar- 
ried Miss Blanche Soule, of Dixon, daughter of 
Cr. James Kent Soule. He was a Director of 
the Public Library from its founding, and a 
^^■lIed member of St. Luke's Episcopal church, 
in which he served as vestryman for thirty 
years. Ever identified with the best interests 
of Dixon, his many friends pay tribute to his 
qualities of mind and heart, and his gracious 
personality endeared him to all. 




JAMES B. CHARTERS. 

studied in The Inner Temple, London, England, 
and immediately thereafter came to Dixon, III., 
where, in 1856, he began practicing his profes- 



LEO.XARO AND.TUC. 

LEONARD ANDRUS, Vice President City 
National Bank, Dixon, 111., was born at Grand 
Detour, Ogle County, 111.. Nov. 10, 1853, son 
of Leonard and Sarah Ann (Bosv,'crth) Andrus. 
Leonard Andrus, Sr., located at Grand Detour 
in 1834 and gave that village its name, but 
shortly afterwards went to Michigan, return- 
ing to the former locality about May 1, 1835, 
where he made a permanent settlement. In 
1837, in company with John Deere, he made 
the first steel plow manufactured in America. 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



715 



and from this humble beginning developed an 
extensive business. He died in 1867. Leonard 
Andrus, Jr., came to Dixon in 1882 and has 
since been prominently identified with the in- 
terests of that city. On October 4, 1882, he 
married Elizabeth M. Alexander, daughter of 
Philip M. and Eliza (Howell) Alexander, and 
they have one son, Leonard A., a student of 
Harvard University. In politics Mr. Andrus 
affiliates with the Republican party. 




PHILIP M. ALEXANDER. 

PHILIP M. ALEXANDER (deceased) was 
born at Pompey Hill, N. Y., Oct. 1. 1819, the 
son of Solomon Alexander. In 1S37 he came 
to Dixon, III., and v.-as variously employed un- 
til 1854, when he and George L. Howell, estab- 
lished a hardware business on tJalena Avenue, 
which was conducted until the time of Mr. 
Alexander's death at Wauwatosa. Wis.. May 
17, 1898. July 20, 1848, he married Eliza 
Howell, daughter of Nicholas and Betsy (Wil- 
son) Howell. Mrs. Alexander died May 5, 1873. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Alexander two children were 
born: Ida Louise, born March 12, 1857, mar- 
ried June 1. 1.S82, George A. Morris, and died 
Jan. 12, 1901; Elizabeth Maude, born August 7, 
1860, and married Leonard Andrus. Oct. 4, 1882. 



Mr. Alexander was a stanch I>emocrat in po- 
litical sentiment. 

HON. JOSEPH CRAWFORD (deceased) was 
born in Columbia County, Penn., May 19, 1811; 
located in Lee County in 1835; appointed Dep- 
uty Surveyor for Northwestern Illinois in 1836; 
elected County Surveyor of Lee County in 
1840, serving eighteen years; served as a mem- 
ber of the First Board of Supervisors of Lee 
County in 1841; elected to represent Lee and 
Whiteside Counties in the State Legislature in 
1849; re-elected to the same office in 1853. He 
was one of the charter members of the Lee 
County National Bank (now the City National 
Bank of Dixon), which was organized in 1865, 
and served as its President until his death; 
elected Mayor of Dixon in 1873 and re-elected 
the two following terms. He died August 11, 
1891. 

GEORGE L. HOWELL (deceased) v/as born 
near Syracuse, N. Y.. August 2-4, 1820, son of 
Nichol and Betsy (Wilson) Howell, natives 




GEORGE L. HOWELL. 

of New York. George L. Howell came to 
Dixon. III., in 1854. and the same year formed 
a partnership with P. M. Alexander in the 



7i6 



HISTORY OF LEE COUXTY. 



hardware business, which was continued for 
nearly forty years, or until the time of his 
death, March 23, 1893. On July 17. 1845, he 
married Julia Thomas who. bore him three 
children — Clarence N. (deceased), Frank S. 
and Emma (deceased). Mrs. Howell died, and 
on Dec. 22. 18.59. Mr. Hov.-ell married his sec- 
ond wife. Emma P. Little, who was born in 
Castine. Maine, and of this union there were 
four children — Edward N., Agnes P. (Mrs. Wil- 
liam E. Appleford), Louise A. (deceased) and 
George L. Mr. Howell was a Republican in 
political views, and in religious belief a Pres- 
byterian. 

REV. EDWARD C. SICKELS. D. D.. pastor 
emeritus of the First Presliyterian church. 




EDWARD C. SICKELS. D. D. 

Dixon, 111., was born in Indianapolis, Ind.. April 
24, 1835. the son of Rev. William and Alma C. 
(Coe) Sickles, both of New York State birth 
and ancestry. Dr. Sickels received his pre- 
paratory education in his native city, graduat- 
ing from Hanover College, Ind.. and later 
(1858) in theology at Princeton, N. J., having 
spent the years 1850 and '57 studying in Ber- 
lin, Germany. While in Berlin he was soci- 
ally intimate with Timothy Dwight. former 
President of Yale College; the late Gov. Ogles- 



by, the late Neal Dow. and many other promi- 
nent Americans who visited the German capi- 
tal. The year of his graduation from Prince- 
ton, he began preaching at Kirkwood, Mo., but 
in the summer of 1862. came to Dixon, 111.. 
shortly after becoming pastor of the First 
Presbyterian church there — a position wTiich 
he continued to occupy until the spring of 1895 
when, after thirty-three years of continuous 
service, he retired with the position of pastor 
emeritus. During his pastorate at Dixon, Dr. 
Sickels served twenty-five years as Stated 
Clerk of his Presbytery and was twice chosen 
Moderator of the Synod of Illinois. He re- 
ceived the degree of D.D. from Lake Forest 
University in 1889. February 19, 1863, Dr. 
Sickels was united in marriage to Caroline 
P. Dunham, a native of Ohio but reared in St. 
Louis, Mo., the daughter of James S. and Jane 
(Cutler) Dunham, of New York. Dr. and Mrs. 
Sickels have had seven children born to them, 
viz.: Alma (deceased). Edward E.. Gracia Gay 
(wife of Alfred G. Welch). James D.. William 
C. Amy C. and Lewis N. In his retirement 
Dr. Sickels enjoys the ardent friendship of 
a large circle of former parishioners and ac- 
quaintances. 

EDWARD A. SICKELS. physician and sur- 
geon. Dixon. 111., was born at North Dixon. 111., 
Oct. 3. ISGfi. son of Rev. E. C. and Caroline P. 
(Dunham) Sickels. Rev. E. C. Sickels was 
pastor of the First Presbyterian church at Dix- 
on for thirty-five consecutive years. Edward 
A. Sickels attended the North Dixon puldic 
schools and graduated from the high school 
when seventeen years of age. He afterwards 
attended the Dixon Normal School for five 
years, graduating from the commercial and 
scientific departments, and. during his attend- 
ance, paid his own expenses by manual labor 
in the brick and tile factory at Morrison. 111., 
where, for a time, he had charge cf a large 
force of men. In 1887 he entered the railway 
mail service, running ten years, and as his 
duties would permit during the last five years 
of his service, attended the Hahnemann Medi- 
cal College, graduating with honors from that 
institution in 1897. Resigning his position in 
the mail service in the latter year, he entered 
the Hahnemann Hospital. Chicago, where he 
remained one year, and then came to Dixon, 
111., v.'here he has since practiced his profession 



HISTORY OF LEE COUXTY. 



717 



with successful results. In 1899 the Doctor 
lectured weekly on the subject of anatomy in 
the Hahnemann College, and also had charge 
of the surgical clinic in that institution. He 
is a member of the Rock River Institute of 
Homeopathy, Clinical Society of Chicago, Na- 
tional Institute of Homeopathy, is on the hos- 
pital staff at Dixon, formerly held a position 
on the surgicaal staff of the Hahnemann Hospi- 
tal, and is Examining Physician for the Bank- 
er's Life Insurance Company, Des Moines, 
Iowa. Socially he is a member of the Knights 
of Maccabees, Knights of the Globe and Royal 
Circle. September 25, 1901, the Doctor was 
married to Jeanne Wood, daughter of the Rev. 
Wood, who is now connected with the mission 
work of the Dutch-Reformed church. In re- 
ligious belief he is a Presbyterian, and in poli- 
tical views a Republican. 

HON. ABIJAH POWERS (deceased) was 
born in Greenwich, Hampshire County, Mass., 
Dec. 16, 1814, son of Joseph and Sally (Powers) 
Powers, and a grandson of Col. Thomas 
Powers. In the spring of 1838 Joseph Powers 
and his son Abijah came west, and after reach- 
ing Rock Island, proceeded by boat to Dixon 
(then Dixon's Ferry) and entered land in Sec- 
tion 31, Palmyra Township, where the former 
died April 28, 1853; his wife surviving him sev- 
eral years, and dying at the age of seventy- 
six. Abijah Powers began life in the West 
without capital, working at first by the month 
as a farm-hand. He entered land in Lee County 
in 1838, which he later purchased of the Gov- 
ernment with money saved while employed at 
farm labor. By industrious habits and careful 
management, Mr. Powers developed his land 
into a modern farm, and at the time of 
his death — July 24, 1891 — owned, in additiort 
to his home farm of 300 acres, several other 
valuable farms in Lee and Whiteside Counties. 
In September, 1839, he married Miss Amanda 
M. Sprout, born in Greenwich, Mass., daugh- 
ter of Ezra and Dency (Newland) Sprout, also 
natives of the Bay State. Six children were 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Pov/ers, viz.: Alfred A., 
who died at the age of six years: Helen, who 
became the wife of Anson Thummel of Pla- 
myra Township and died in 1889: Elvira, wife 
of Capt. Charles Eckles, a soldier in the Fed- 
eral army during the late Rebellion and now a 
prominent farmer near Marshalltown. Iowa; 



Mary, who married J. C. Nickerson. a com- 
mission merchant in Chicago; Warren F., who 
married Mary Miller and is now a prominent 
farmer in Whiteside County, 111.; Austin, who 
married Adella Tallman and now owns and 
conducts the home farm in Palmyra Township. 
Mrs. Powers resides on the old homestead with 
her son Austin. Abijah Powers was a Repub- 
lican in political views, and held a number of 
local offices including that of Township Super- 
visor in which he served five years. In 1876 




ABIJAH POWERS. 

he was elected Representative from his dis- 
trict to the Thirtieth General Assembly of Illi- 
nois. Mr. Pov.'ers was a member of the Con- 
gregational church at Prairieville, in which 
he served as deacon frr many years. 

CLYDE L. WICHER, Superintendent of the 
Lee County Almshouse, South Dixon Township, 
was born in Anamosa, Jones County, Iowa, 
Nov. 15, 1872, son of Henry and Georgiana 
(Stott) Wicher, the former a native of Cowes, 
Isle of Wight, England, and the latter, of 
Susquehanna, N. Y. Henry Wicher came west 
in 1867. and settled in Iowa. In spring of 1895, 
Clyde L. came to Dixon, and was employed in 
the mercantile establishment of I. B. Country- 



7i8 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



man until Nov. 7, 1900, when he was appointed 
Superintendent of the County Farm, and has 
since tilled that position to the satisfaction 
of all concerned. January 1. 1898. he married 




CLYDE L. WICHER. 

Jesse B. Burright, and they have one daughter. 
Enid, born Sept. 30. 1900. Mr. Wicher is a 
member of the Knights of the Globe, and 
Dixon Lodge. No. 779, B. P. O. E. In religious 
belief Mr. Wicker is an Episcopalian, while 
Mrs. Wicher is identified with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 

AUSTIN POWERS. Section .31, Palmyra 
Township, Lee County, 111., was born in the 
township where he now resides, Oct. 18, 1857, 
son of Abijah and Amanda M. (Sprout) 
Powers, being the youngest in a family of six 
children. His father and paternal grandfather 
(Jcseph Powers) settled in Palmyra Township 
in 1838. Abijah Powers was a man of practi- 
cal ideas and was elected to represent his 
township as Supervisor for five years, and in 
1876 was elected to the General Assembly of 
Illinois. He was prominent as a breeder of 
thoroughbred short-horned cattle and through 
his industrious habits accumulated a large 
estate. He died July 24. 1891. Austin Powers 
grew to maturity on his father's farm, and ob- 



tained his elementary education in the public 
schools at Prairieville, 111., later becoming a 
student in Cornell College. Mt. Vernon. Iowa. 
On January 6, 1881, he married Adella Tall- 
man, daughter of Jesse H. Tallman and wife, 
early settlers of Clinton County, Iowa. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Powers four children have been 
born, viz.: Grace (died in infancy), Leroy, Lu- 
ella, and Edna. Mr. Powers became owner of 
his father's estate at the time of the latter's 
death in 1891. This farm is kept in a high 
state of cultivation, shade and fruit trees are 
planted as occasion requires, barns and other 
buildings are arranged so as to shelter stock 
and grain to the best advantage, and the gen- 
eral appearances of his well-kept premises give 
evidence of the owner's constant and careful 
supervision. Mr, Powers has a constant and 
increasing demand for select seed-corn, as he 
makes a specialty of cultivating that cereal, 
and by scientific tests retains only the choicest 
grain for planting. In politics Mr. Powers is 




AUSTIN POWERS. 

a Republican and was Assessor of his town- 
ship two years, at the present time is Trustee 
(it the School Board, and is also crop reporter 
in Lee County for the Illinois State Board 
of Agriculture. He and his family are mem- 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY, 



•19 



bers of the Fourth Street Methodist church. 
Sterling. 111., and he is Superintendent of the 
Sunday School in the Prairieville Union 
church. 




W. I. GUFFIN. 

HON. W. I. GUFFIN. grain and coal dealer, 
Paw Paw. III., was born at Carlisle. Schoharie 
County, N. Y., Jan. 17. 1840. He came to Lee 
County in the fall of 18G8, locating at Mslugin's 
Grove, where he conducted a dairy farm unlil 
1872. Locating at Compton. 111., in the latter 
year, he engaged in the grain and stock busi- 
ness at that village until 1889, when he re- 
moved to Paw Paw, where he has since con- 
ducted his present enterprise. In 18G9 he 
married Laura W. Fisk, who died in 1870, leav- 
ing one son, Edward F. In December. 1879. 
Mr. Guffin married Mary E. Bradshav/ of Comp- 
ton, and they have two children — Homer and 
Grace. In political sentiment Mr. Guffin is a 
Republican and served eight consecutive years 
(1892-1900) in the Lower House of the Illinois 
lieneral Assembly. Fraternally he is a mem- 
ber of Corinthian Lodge. No. 205, A. F. & A. M. 

BENJAMIN F. FRANTZ. Paw Paw, 111., son 
of Joseph and Charlotte (Pike) Frantz. was 
born at "The Cove." Alleghany County. Md., 
Oct. 29, 1848. In 1859 his family removed to 



Somerset County. Penn.. and in ISGG. to Prince- 
ton, III., where Mr. Frantz was engaged with 
his brother, A. J. Frantz, in agricultural pur- 
suits for a number of years, when moving to 
Pav.' Paw in 1873, he later entered the "Teach- 
ers' Institute and Classical Seminary," where 
he finally graduated with his class-mates, 
Frank Stevens. Sadie Van Patten and Anna 
Flewellen, June 10. 18S1. During his connec- 
tion with the Seminary he taught several terms 
in district schools in De Kalb and Lee Coun- 
ties, and in the spring of 1882 was chosen 
Principal of the Paw Paw public school. On 
August 23, 1882, he was united in marriage to 
Mary J. Taylor, daughter of Thomas G. and 
Lucy (Moysey) Taylor, and with his wife con- 
tinued teaching together in the Paw Paw 
school for one year. Mr. Frantz' then engaged 
with his father in the sale of buggies, harness 
and agricultural implements, which they car- 
ried on successfully until 1890, when his father 
having retired on account of advancing years, 




BENJAMIN F. FRANTZ. 

the son assumed the entire responsibility of 
the business, conduct in.g it alone for two years. 
He then turned his attention to the real estate 
and general mercantile business, in which he 
has been engaged to the present time. In the 



720 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



spring of 1893. W. B. McMahon surveyed and 
platted for Mr. Frantz what is known as "The 
Frantz Grove Cemetery," located about a half- 
mile south of Paw Paw. and containing about 
nine acres of ground, which has been improved 
and beautified until it is now one of the most 
beautiful and attractive "cities of the dead" 
in this part of the country. The cemetery 
grounds include a handsome grove, where 
Decoration Day exercises in honor of the sol- 
diers of the Civil War are held annually. Dur- 
ing the same year (1893) Mr. McMahon also sur- 
veyed and platted fcr Mr. Frantz the "Frantz 
Addition to Paw Paw." Mr. Frantz is a mem- 
ber of the Board of Directors of the State Banlv 
of Paw Paw. holds the office of Deacon of the 
Methodist Episcopal church, and fraternally is 
a member of the Knights of the Globe and In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fellows. His family 
consists of his wife and one daughter — Eula 
Mae. 




JAMES A. WATSON. 

MAJOR JAMES A. WATSON (deceased) was 
born in 1812. and came to Dixon in 1850; con- 
tracted to build, and in 18.52 built the Illinois 
Central Railway running through Dixon: raised 
a company of volunteers in 1862 for the Sev- 
enty-fifth Illinois, and after the battle of Per- 



ryville, v.-as promoted to the rank of Major; 
served during the war, and mustered out at 
Camp Douglas in 1?65; was Superintendent of 
the Illinois & Michigan Canal, and, tor several 
years, subsequently, engaged in farming near 
Dixon, following this occupation up to the time 
of his death in 1893. He was first married in 
1840, and in 1853 married Mrs. Richard Love- 
land for his second wife. There were three 
children of the second marriage: Frederick 
A.. Sam N.. and Eleanor E., two of whom are 
living. Mr. Watson was an enthusiastic mem- 
ber of the G. A. R. He was accidentally killed 
at the Di.xon dam. May S. 1893. 

FREDERICK A. WATSON, President Wat- 
son-Plummer Shoe Company, Chicago and Dix- 
on, was born Oct. 3, 1854. From 1866 to 1868 he 
clerked in the store of W. G. Stevens & Co., 
Dixon, and from 1868 to 1S70. was train-boy on 
the C. & N. W. Ry. From 1872 to 1874 he 
clerked in a store in St. Joseph, Mich., and from 
the latter year to 1901, was salesman, stock- 
holder and manufacturing superintendent for C. 
M. Henderson & Co.. locating their factories at 
Dixon, III., in 1887. He organized the Watson- 
Plummer Shoe Company in 1901. and succeeded 
to the business of C. M. Henderson & Co.. 
in 1902. In politics he is a Republican; is 
President of the Dixon Power & Lighting Co., 
and Dixon Ice Company. 

S. F. xMILLS. retired Banker of Ashton. Lee 
County, 111., and New York State, was born in 
the town of Columbia. Herkimer County. N. Y., 
June 21, 1S31, son of Lorin A. and Eva (Petrie) 
Mills, who were parents of a family of six 
children — three sons and three daughters. S. 
F. Mills graduated from a high school in his 
native State, later took a seminary course and 
in 1857 came to Ashton, Lee County, 111., then 
a small hamlet, where he engaged in buying 
grain ■vhich he stored in a small warehouse 
capable cf holding about three car-loads. He 
was a man of genial temper, hospitable and 
won many life-long friends, no deserving per- 
son ever appealing to him for aid in vain, and 
took a foremost place in charitable wcrk and 
in public improvements in his village. In his 
successful business career he was closely iden- 
tified with his friend and partner, N. A. Petrie. 
December 22, 1879, Mr. Mills was married at 
Ashton to Miss Louise Getman, daughter of 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



721 



Daniel and Mary (Vrooman) Getman of Pa- 
lermo, Oswego County, N. Y., but formerly of 
Herkimer County. In 1890, desiring to retire 
from active business. Mr. Mills erected an up- 




S. F. MILLS. 

to-date borne at Parisb, Oswego County, N, Y.. 
and there resides nine months each year, 
spending the remaining three months with his 
friends and partner, Mr. Petrie, at Ashton, 
111. In action and appearance he would be 
taken for a man in the prime of life. He is 
a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, 
and adopts as his motto, "Good will to all, 
malice to none." Mr. Mills' father was a 
Colonel of the New York State militia and pa- 
ternally he is of Scotch extraction, and mater- 
nally of English descent. 

NATHAN A. PETRIE, Cashier of the Ashton 
Bank, Ashton, 111., was born in Oswego, N. Y., 
Nov. 14, 1S43. the seventh son of Rudolph and 
Elizabeth (Vrooman) Petrie, natives of New 
York. His early ancestors were German. The 
maternal grandfather v.'as captain of a fort in 
New York in early colonial days, and was killed 
and scalped by the Indians, as were also his 
wife and son John. N. A. Petrie was raised 
on a farm, received his ediicational training: in 
a country school, and came to Ashton in the 



winter of 1860, where he worked one year for 
his cousin, S. F. Mills, for foO.OO and board, 
and was employed a second year at a salary 
of $75.00. In the meantime he studied and read 
good books in, the evenings after a hard day's 
work, and in this manner completed his edu- 
cation. He now owns a valuable library. In 
1862 Mr. Petrie entered into partnership with 
S. F. Mills in the grain and lumber business, 
which they sold in 1865 and erected a large 
two-story frame building in Ashton, and en- 
gaged in the general mercantile business 
under the firm name of Mills & Petrie, in which 
they established an extensive trade, employing 
seven clerks. Disposing of their mercantile 
business in 1869 they established a bank at 
Ashton, which was conducted as a private in- 
stitution until Jan. 1, 1903, when it was re- 
organized into a State Bank with a capital of 
$25,000 and a surplus of $5,000, the officers be- 
ing S. F. Mills, President; M. D. Hathaway. 
Vice President; N. A. Petrie, Cashier. Mr. 
Petrie is a Republican and has represented 




NATHAN A. PETRIE. 

his town as Supervisor two terms; has been 
a Notary Public for twenty-four consecutive 
years; was school treasurer ei.^hteen years, 
and has administered in the settlement of 
about sixty estates during his business career 



722 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



in Ashton. He pays a high tribute to the 
county officers, with whom he has been closely 
associated for more than thirty years, anO is 
a man of kind and generous disposition al- 
ways thinldng more of his fellow citizens than 
of himself. On December 22. 1870, he married 
Sarah E. Howard, daughter of William and Mary 
(Hollingswcrth) Howartl, natives of I.'ncoln- 
shire, England, who came to America in 1857. 
Mrs. Petrie died Feb. 11, 1899, leaving no chil- 
dren. Mr. Petrie is a member of the Mothod- 
ist Episcopal church. The life-lcng friendship 
of Mr. Petrie and Mr. Mills has never been 
interrupted by a hasty or cress word, and in 
this respect their association has been a sec- 
ond example of Damon and Pythias. 




C. K. NORTHRUP. 

C. K. NORTHRUP, Postmaster, Ashton, 111., 
was born at Tyringham, Berushire County, 
Mass.. March 30, 1845, son of Gilbert D. and 
Eliza B. (Phillips) Northrup. Gilbert D. North- 
rup died in 1852, but his wife still survives 
at the venerable age of ninety-five years. C. 
K. Northrup obtained his education in the 
public school of his native State and came to 
Lee County in 1860. In 1862 he enlisted in 
Company G., First Wisconsin Cavalry, remain- 
ing until the close of the war. and participated 



in the battle of Caps Girardeau, Bloomfield, 
Chalks Bluff, Langee Ferry, Stone River, and 
Chickamauga. On September 19, 1863, during 
the engagement last mentioned, he received 
a sever wound in the right forearm. After 
the close of the war he entered Wheatoii Col- 
lege, Wheaton, III., remaining in thai institu- 
tion four years, and for several years after 
that was engaged in farming in Bradford Town- 
ship, but eventually disposed of his holdings 
and engaged in the mercantile business at Ash- 
ton. Mr. Northrup v.'as appointed Postmaster 
in 1897. reappointed in 1901, and is still an 
incumbent of that office. On November 25, 
1S69, he married Mary M. Wright, daughter of 
William Wright, an early settler of Lee County, 
and of this union there were two sons, one of 
whom — Gilbert W. — is living and is a student 
in the State University, Rolla, Missouri. Mr. 
Northrup is a member of the Masonic t-rder, 
M. W. A., G. A. R. and Knights of the Globe. 
He and his wife are communicants of the Pres- 
byterian church, and in politics he is a Re- 
publican. 

JOHN L. CLAPP, merchant, Compton, 111., 
was born in Brooklyn Township, Lee County, 
111., Feb. 5, 1873, son of .John F. and Sarah 
(Smith) Clapp. natives of Massachusetts and 
New York, respectively. In partnership with 
J. W. Rhodes. Mr. Clapp is engaged in the 
general merchandise business at Compton. 111. 
On October 21, 1897, he married Nellie Hold- 
ren, daughter of Benjamin F. and Zarah (Cow- 
ing) Holdren. In politics he is a Republican, 
and in fraternal affiliations a member of the 
Masonic Order, I. O. O. F. and M. W. A. Mr. 
Clapp is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, and is superintendent of the Sunday 
school. 

HON SAMUEL DYSART, ex-President State 
Board of Agriculture; born in Huntingdon 
County, Penn., Sept. 4, 1834, son of James and 
Elizabeth (Roller) Dysart, who came to Illi- 
nois in 1855, settling near Franklin Grove Lee 
County, where they both died. In 1855 Mr. Dy- 
sart settled on Section 14, China Township, 
and has resided there ever since. On February 
24, 1858, he was married to Miss Margiiret J. 
Henderson, daughter of David and Margaret 
(Conrad) Henderson, natives of Himtingdon 
County, Penn.. and of this union nine children 



« 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



723 



have been born, viz.: Harr.v W.. U. Cn-ant. Hor- 
ace H.. .Jesse R., Drucilla D. (Mrs. Ur. Banker 
of Franklin Grove). Birdie B. (Mrs. T. P.. Pet- 
erson, cf Chicago). Mary Janet, Virginia L. 
(deceased) and Lola W. (deceased). From 
1866 to 1883 Mr. Dysart was one of the lead- 
ing breeders of short-horn cattle in Illinois; 
in 1874 he was elected Vice President of the 
State Board of Agriculture for his District. 
was chosen President cf the Board serving two 
years and, during the last year of his incumb- 




ency (1888), visited Europe for the purpose 
of investigating the breeding of French draft 
horses. During 1878, by appointment of Presi- 
dent Hayes, he served as one of the Live-Stock 
commissioners to the Paris Exposition and, 
on July 1, 1891, was appointed by Gov. J. W. 
Fifer. Commissioner of the World's Columbian 
Exposition for the Seventh Congressional Dis- 
trict of Illinois. 

HENRY CASPER BROOKNER (deceased), 
born near Osnabruck, Hanover, Germany, June 
15, 1827, son of George and Marie (Engle) 
Brookner: came to America at nineteen years 



of age, arriving with four dollars in his pocket, 
and having learned the carpenter's trade with 
an uncle, by persevering industry and prudent 
management acquired a handsome competency. 
In 1847 he came to Dixon, 111., which continued 
to be his home for the remainder of his life, 
although absent much of the time for twenty 
years on official duty in connection with the 
Illinois Central Railroad. He was a trained 
musician, was a member of the first band or- 
ganized in Dixon, and sang in the choir of the 
First Methodist Episcopal church, of which 
he v.'as a member. His first home was just 
north of the Nachusa House. Mr. Brookner 
was twice married, his first wife leaving one 
daughter, Adella May, who died of cholera at 
the age of sixteen years. April 4. 1875, he 
married at Litchfield, 111.. Emily Reid Keith- 
ley, born at Greenville. Ind., the daughter ot 
Seth McCollum Keithley, who was a native of 
Elizabethtown, Ky.. bcrn Oct. 18, 1812, and 
died at Litchfield, 111.. March 18, 1887. Seth 
McCollum Keithley's father, John Keithley, 
was a native of Germany, born Jan. 1, 1788, 
died Sept. 28, 1830, and his mother, Phebe 
(McCollum) Keithley, a native of Scotland, 
bcrn in 17.?7. died April 11, 18GS: his grand- 
father, John Keithley, born Jan. 1. 1750. died 
July 28, 1835, and his grandmother, whose 
maiden name was Ballou, was a native of Hol- 
land. The last named John Keithley served in 
the commissary department of the patriot army 
during the Revolutionary War. Henry Casper 
Brookner and wife had three children: Mae 
Adella. Paul Henry and George Keithley. Mr. 
Brookner died Jan. 10. 1889. Mrs. Brookner's 
mother, nee Anna Theresa Miller, was born 
at Elizabethtown, Ky., Nov. 13, 1808, and died 
at Litchfield. 111., Nov. 22, 1869. Her parents, 
David and Elizabeth (Wise) Miller, were na- 
tives respectively, of Germany and Holland, 
and the mixture cf German and Scotch blood 
in Mrs. Brookner's veins has tended to the de- 
velopment of a woman of strong vitality and 
much mental energy. Besides other business, 
she oversees two milk farms, has been a mem- 
ber ot the Phidian Art Club for thirteen years, 
and served as delegate of this club to the Bi- 
ennial Congress of Federated Women's Clubs 
held at Los Angeles, Cal., in 1902. She is also 
a charter member cf the Woman's Relief 
Corps, is serving her second year as President 
of the Dixon Woman's Club, and is Worthy 



724 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star — an 
organization which encircles the globe. Mrs. 
Brookner holds a commission from Governer 
Yates as inspector of insane wards of Lee 




HENRY CASPER BROOKNER. 

County, and is President of the committee. 
She lives in qi;iet retirement v.-ith her children 
in the home erected by her deceased husband 
nearly fifty years ago. at 511 Peoria Avenue, 
Dixon, 111. 

WILLIAM W. BETHEA (deceased) was born 
in Marion District. S. C, May 15, 1S12. He 
removed to Lee County in 1835, locating in 
Palmyra Township. Upon the organization of 
Lee County in 18:!9, he was elected .lustice of 
the Peace and served continuously until 1877; 
elected County Treasurer in 1845 and served 
two terms. In 1833 he married Irene Fender, 
who died in 1838, and in 1850 he was united in 
marriage -vith his second wife, Mrs. Emily 
(Green) Ferguson. 

ORRIS BISSELL DODGE. President Grand 
Detour Plow Company. Dixon, 111., was born at 
Twinsburg, Ohio. Dec. 8, 1838. He obtained his 
education in the Tv.'insburg Seminary and 
Shaw Academy, the latter institution being lo- 
cated at East Cleveland. Ohio. When sixteen 



years of age, he came with his father to Cham- 
paign County, 111., and for four years assisted 
in opening up a new prairie farm; at the age 
of twenty he engaged in general merchandis- 
ing at Rantoul, 111., remaining until 1867, when 
he located in Dixon, 111., where he conducted a 
dry goods store for several years, and was 
the first merchant to establish the one price 
cash system in that city. In 1872 he purchased 
an interest in the Grand Detour Plow Works — 
established at Grand Dstour in 1837 and re- 
moved to Dixon in 1867. He held the office 
of Secretary and Treasurer of the company 
for twenty-five years, and is now serving as 
President. Mr. Dodge is a member of the 
Masonic Order in v.'hich he has been Master. 
High Priest and Commander. He is a member 
of St. Luke's Episcopal church, was for thirty- 
five years a member of the vestry and is now 
Senior Warden. He has baen President of 
the Business Men's Association, and was for 




ORRIS BISSELL DODGE. 

four years a member of the City Council. Mr. 
Dodge assisted in establishing the Dixon Pub- 
lic Library in 1895, and has been President of 
the Board of Directors since that time. In 1900 
he erected and donated to the city the library 
buildins" now in use. 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



725 



GEORGE ALEXANDER LYMAN. Postmaster, 
Amboy. Illinois; born in Winchester, N. H.. 
June 2(ith. 1838; educated in the public schools 
of his native town, and at Northfield Institute 
(now. Mood.v School), Northfield, Mass. In 1S.5G 
he removed to Bradford Township. Lee County. 
111., with his father's family, who settled on 
the farm he now owns. In 1888 he bought the 
"Amboy Journal." of which he is now editor 
and proprietor; was appointed Postmaster of 
Amboy. March 1. 1898. and is now (January). 
1904) serving his second term. He has been a 
member of the Congregational Church in Lee 
Center ar.d Amboy since ISfiO; is an influential 
Republican, serving tor many years as a mem- 




GEORGE ALEXANDER LYMAN. 

ber of the Repuljlican County Committee, and 
for four years as secretary of the Committee. 
Mr. Lyman has been actively identified, as an 
editor and otherwise, with the religious, edu- 
cational and political progress of his county, 
and this has been recognized by his election to 
membership in "The American Institute of 
Civics," organized in 1885 to "inspire and per- 
petuate the spirit of intelligence, and unselfish 
and incorruptible patriotism:" is a member of 
the Order of Runnymede by virtue of direct 
descent from Saier de Quincy. one of the 



twenty-five English Barons who compelled 
King John to sign the Magna Charta in 1215; 
is also a member of the Society of Colonial 
Wars, of the sons of the American Revolution, 
the Knights of the Globe, and of the Masonic 
Fraternity. 

The Lyman family trace their descent in an 
unbroken line from Albert the Great, first King 
of England, and through his line of ancestors 
bacl^ to Woden or Odin, King of North Europe 
in the third century, about tlie year 225 A. D. 
Richard Lyman, the first of the name in Amer- 
ica, came from England in 1G31, landed at 
Boston, became a settler of Charlestown, 
Mass., and was one of the founders of Hartford, 
Connecticut, and of the First Congregational 
church of that city, and his tombstone may still 
be seen in the churchyard there. 

Mr. Lyman was the first man in Bradford 
Township to offer his services to the Govern- 
ment at the beginning cf the Civil War in 18G1, 
but failed to be mustered in on account of 
physical defect. He continued active in the 
support of the Union cause, however; and Feb. 
13. 1865. was elected and commissioned recruit- 
ing officer for the township of Bradford, Lee 
County, and enlisted by his own personal efforts 
alone, twenty-nine recruits who went to the 
front to fill the quota of Bradford Township: 
and in recognition of his enlistment and subse- 
quest services, his name is enrolled in the ros- 
ter of enlisted men of Company D, Thirty fourth 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and he receives 
favorable mention by the historian of the regi- 
ment in the recently publislied history. 

Mr. Lyman married in 1866. Mary E. Jones. 
and they have two children: Dr. James Alex- 
ander Lyman, Professor of Chemistry in Port- 
land Academy, Portland, Oregon; and George 
Richard Lyman, Assistant Professor of Botany 
in Dartmouth College, Hanover. N. H. Both 
sons are married, and Dr. Lyman lias two 
daughters, Mary Ethel, born July, 1S99, and 
Ida Grace, born April, 1902. 

ALBION P. CHASE (deceased), physician, 
son of Mayhew and Anne (Merrill) Chase, was 
born in Livermore, Oxford County. Me., (later 
incorporated with Androscoggin County), Feb. 
18. 1817. His grandfather, Sarson Chase, with 
l)rothers, Cai)tain Thcmas Chase (who was 
with John Paul Jones in the famous naval en- 
gagement between the Bon Homme Richard 



726 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



and the Serapis), and Captain Tristram Chase 
(who was lost at sea in ISOO), shipmasters, 
came to Livermore from Tisbury, Martha's 
Vineyard, before Maine was separated from 
Massachusetts. Some sixty families came from 
Massachusetts to Livermore about that time, 
and the town had for its first settlers, faithful 
and stanch men with an honest purpose for 
every duty; men who made sacrifices for their 
children's education, and who living in peace, 
read the newspapers with interest, discussed 
questions of state and country, and were only 
intolerant of injustice, oppression, meanness 
and lying. An old resident writes: "I will 




ALBION P. CHASE, M. D. 

remember a neighborhood quarrel. I look back 
with pleasure, not unmixed with pride, upon 
their honest, useful lives, and feel thankful for 
the lessons they imparted." The first physi- 
cian was Dr. Cyrus Hamlin, grandfather of 
Vice-President Hannibal Hamlin; the first 
minister was Rev. Sulvanus Boardman, father 
of George Dana Boardman, the missionary to 
Burmah, in the mountains of Tavoy. Both of 
these men came from Tisbury. Mass. Israel 
Washburn, father cf the noted "Washburn 
Brothers" — Israel, Elihvi and Cadwallader — who 
have served their country so acceptably.was the 



first merchant. Nearly all had large families. 
The district schools, with their "spelling 
schools," their "debating clubs" and library 
(kept in the kitchen cupboard and parlor 
alcove of "the doctor"), formed the "Alma 
Mater" of many a man who has served his 
State honorably both in Maine and Washing- 
ton, the v.'inter schools sometimes numbering 
eighty pupils of all ages, and taught by young 
men who afterwards were Senators from other 
States, It was in this school that Doctor 
Cha^e prepared for the academy from which he 
went to Loudon County. Va., where he taught 
school for several years before going to Bow- 
doin College for a course of instruction in 
medicine, from which place he went to Boston, 
remaining for some time in the hospital there. 
He was a member of the Massachusetts Medi- 
cal Society, contemporary with Dr. Oliver Wen- 
dell Holmes. He practiced successfully in 
South Abington (now Whitman). Mass.. from 
1S45, coming to Amboy, 111., in 1856. He was 
long surgeon for the Illinois Central Rail- 
road; also surgeon for the United States Pens- 
ions Department. He was conscientious and 
sympathetic, with remarkably quick perception 
and correct judgment and retentive memory. 
He had a fund of pleasant anecdotes which 
were "as good as medicine," when it was the 
right time to relate them. He lived sixty-two 
years, dying May 27, 1879, sincerely mourned. 
A letter from a high oflScer of the Illionis Cen- 
tral Railroad stated that, during all the years 
of his service for their company, which com- 
menced years before his appointment as regu- 
lar surgeon, "not a single complaint of him had 
ever come to them and no operation had ever 
caused them unnecessary expense." 

Dr. Chase v.'as twice married; first to Miss 
E. R. Yale, of Stoneham, Mass.. who died in 
1>..50, leaving tv.'o children — Mrs. J. E. Fisher, of 
Houston, Texas, and Amerton Y. Chase, of Co- 
lumbus, Texas. In December, 1852, he married 
Miss D. C. Howland, of Abington, Mass. Their 
son, Henry H. Chase, M. D., is a resident of 
Rock Island, 111. A daughter, Mary N., died in . 
1868. Mrs. Chase still resides in the old home. 

ABRAHAM B. TITUS, retired farmer. Stew- 
ard. Lee County, was born in Onondaga County. 
N. Y., Nov. 8. 1828, the son of Leonard and 
Maria (Becker) Titus, who were both natives 
of Nevi' York State. The father was a black- 



HISTORY OF LEE COUXTV. 



727 



smith by trade, but late in life turne;! his at- 
tention to farming. In 18^5 the family moved 
to Gallia County. Ohio, and there Abraham B., 
who was the oldest son by his father's second 
marriage, grew up on the farm attending the 




ABRAHAM B. TITUS. 

di.strict school during the winter months. The 
father died in 1847, but the mother survived 
until 1899, dying at the age of ninety-three 
years. In February, 1S50. the suoject of this 
sketch came to Illinois, spent thiee seasons 
in farm work in Morgan County, when he re- 
moved to Richland County, and was married 
near Olney in that county, to Elizabeth J. 
Chauncey, the daughter of Isaac and Cynthia 
(Morehouse) Chauncey. Mr. Titus carried on 
farming in Richland County for ten years, 
when, in 1863, he removed to Champaign 
County, settling near Rantoul. Mr. and Mrs. 
Titus became the parents of seven children — 
five sons and two daughters — viz.: A. Leonard, 
Helen M.. Edgar L., Ira R., Charles C, Mattie 
S. and Jesse R. Mr. Titus had a farm of IfiO 
acres in Champaign County, which he sold in 
1895, and bought a farm of 320 acres in White- 
side County. He had already retired from act- 
ive farm life, and in 1902 removed to the vil- 
lage of Steward, Lee County, where he now 
resides. He is still the owner of a farm of IfiO 



acres in Whiteside County, besides holding an 
interest v.'ith his two sons, Edgar L. and Ira 
R., in 400 acres in Viola Township, Lee County. 
About 1S59 Mr. Titus spent a short time gold- 
mining with success in Colorado. He is a di- 
rector of the First National Bank of Steward, 
is a Republican in politics and has been a 
member of the Odd Felluws fraternity since 
1858. 

IRA R. TITUS, member of the firm of Titus 
Brothers, bankers and grain-dealers. Steward, 
III,, was born in Richland County, 111.. Dec. 29, 
1862, the son of Abraham B. and Elizabeth 
(Chauncey) Titus; when one year old was 
brought by his parents to Champaign County, 
111., where he grew up on a farm about ten 
miles north of Urbana. Remaining with his 
father until ti-.'enty-two years of age, in the 
meantime he received his education in the dis- 
trict schools and a business college at Cham- 
paign, then engaged in the mercantile busi- 
ness at Rantoul with his brother-in-law, F. 




IRA R. TITUS. 

H. HilchcDck. This |iarlneri-'hip lasted one 
year, when Mr. Titus' brother, F. H. Titvis. hav- 
ing purchased the Hitchcock interest, the firm 
became "Titus Brothers." A year later A. L. 
Titus was succeeded by another brother, C. C. 



728 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



Titus, the firm name remaining unchanged for 
four years, when they sold out and C. C. Titus 
engaged in farming. The subject of this sketch 
then engaged in the grain business at Dewey, 
Champaign County, in partnership with J. M. 
Coon, continuing one year, when the firm hav- 
ing sold out, he spent some time at Walnut, 
Bureau County, but without completing his ar- 
rangements to engage in the elevator business 
there as contemplated. Then, having formed a 
partnership with his brother, Edgar L. Titus, 
in November, 1894. they purchased the elevator 
and agricultural implement business of Merritt 
Meller, at Steward, Lee County, v.'hich they 
carried on under the firm name of "Titus 
Brothers," later acquiring ownership of the 
"Steward & Henning Elevator," purchased 
from the L. E. Birdsall Company, and for the 
next eighteen months carried on an extensive 
grain, coal and lumber business. In the fall 
cf 1902 they sold out the Steward & Henning 
Elevator and their lumber business, but still 
retain the ownership cf the elevator first pur- 
chased. On January 1,.1903, in connection with 
a number of the leading business men of Stew- 
ard, the Titus Brothers organized the First 
National Bank of Steward, with a capital stock 
of $25,000, of which Ira R. Titus is at present 
(1903) the Cashier, and his brother, Edgar L., 
the President — the Titus Brothers being own- 
ers of the controlling interest. May 21, 1889. 
Mr. Titus was married at Rantoul, 111., to Lulu 
Coon, and two children have been born of this 
marriage — Lyle, born in 1892. and Ray, born 
in 1899. The Titus Brothers are associated 
with G. H. T. Shaw and S. D. Frost in con- 
structing the Northern Illinois Electric Rail- 
way, extending from Dixon to Amboy by way 
of Lee Center, Steward and DeKalb, of which 
Ira R. Titus Is Secretary. Mr. Titus is a Re- 
publican in politics, a member of the Modern 
Woodmen of America, and cf the Methodist 
Episcopal church, in which he holds the posi- 
tion of treasurer and is teacher of the Young 
Men's Sunday School class. 

EDGAR L. TITUS, President First National 
Bank. Steward, Lee County, 111., was born in 
Richland County, 111., Sept. 29, 1860, the son 
of Abraham B. and Elizabeth (Chauncey) 
Titus, who were natives, respectively, of the 
States of New York and Illinois. Edgar L. 
Titus received his education in the public 



schools of Illinois, and remained on his fath- 
er's farm until he reached the age of thirty 
years, when he was employed in his brother's 
store at Rantoul, and in the grain business. In 
the spring of 1892 he came to Lee County and 
there engaged in farming for the next two 
years, but in 1894 entering into partnership 
with his brother. Ira R., under the firm name 
of "Titus Brothers," purchased an elevator, 
grain and agricultural Implement business, 
later bought another grain elevator, and car- 
ried on a very extensive business in grain, 




EDGAR L. TITUS. 

coal and lumber. The elevator last mentioned, 
with the coal and lumber business, they sold 
out in 1902, retaining the first elevator with 
the grain business attached to it. January 
1, 1903. in conjunction with several leading 
business men, they organized the First Na- 
tional Bank of Steward, with a paid-up capital 
of $25,000. in which the Titus Brothers hold 
a controlling interest and of which Edgar L. 
Titus was made President. The Titus Broth- 
ers are associated with G. H. T. Shaw and 
S. D. Frost in the construction of the North- 
ern Illinois Electric Railway, extending from 
Dixon to Amboy and through Lee Center 
to Steward and DeKalb, of which Edgar L. 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



729 



Titus was the original promoter aud is now Vice- 
President. Mr. Titus was married June 3, 1891, 
to Minnie G. Staubus. who was born in McLean 
County, 111., the daughter of Alexander P. and 
Frances (Miller) Staubus. Mrs. Titus' parents 
came to McLean County in 1SG6. but in 1873 
removed to Champaign County, where they now 
reside. Her father served as a soldier through 
the Civil War. Five children have been born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Titus, viz.: Lee Edgar. Paul 
Bardwell, Luella Audrey, Helen Neleta and Gor- 
don Alexander. Mr. Tituai is a member of the 
Methodist church, a Republican in politics and 
fraternally a member of the Modern Woodmen 
and the Mystic Workers; Mrs Titus is also 
a member of the latter order. 

WILLIAM W. SEAVEY (deceased) was born 
on his father's farm in Palmyra Township, Lee 
County. III., Oct. 18. 1840, son of Winthrop and 
Elizabeth (Curtis) Seavey, natives of New 
Hampshire who came to Lee County in 1839. 
locating in the v.-estern part of Palmyra Town- 
ship. Winthrop Seavey and his wife were 




became owner of the estate, and by judicious 
management greatly increased its area and 
value. In 1885 he erected a modern residence, 
which is surrounded with stately trees, and 
together with other well-constructed farm 
buildings, presents an attractive rural picture. 
Mr. Seavey was an extensive breeder of Short- 
horn and Aberdeen Angus cattle. On Novem- 
ber 17, 1870. he married Augusta Moses, born 
in Palmyra Township, and to thsm one child — 
Albion M. — was born. Mr. Seavey died August 
14, 1897, and his widow re3id?s with her son 
on the old homestead in Section 30, Palmyra 
Township. 




WILLIAM W. SEAVEY. 

among the pioneer settlers of Lee County, and 
founded what later became a valuable estate. 
At the time of their death William W. Seavey 



ALBION M. SEAVEY. 

ALBION M. SEAVEY was born in Ports- 
mouth, N. H., in 1871, son of William W. and 
Augusta (Moses) Seavey. He grew to matur- 
ity on his father's farm in Palmyra Township, 
Lee County, and obtained his educational 
training in the district schools and Steinman's 
Business College. Dixon. III. On April (i. 1897, 
he married Elizabeth Comerer, who was born 
in Pennsylvania, and they have two daughters 
— Lola and Bessie. Mr. Seavey's farm consists 
of 440 acres, which, with the exception of his 
home farm and fifty acres ail.ioinins, is rented 
to good tenants. 



730 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



ALBERT T. TOURTILLOTT, farmer and 
stock-raiser. Sublette Township. Lee County; 
born Sept. 27. 1S58, in the house in which he 
now lives, the son of John and Mary J. (Dexter) 
Tourtillott. and grandson of John Dexter, the 
first settler in Amboy Township; on the pater- 
nal side is descended from a member of the 
"Boston Tea Party." of Revolutionary times. 
Both branches of the family were pioneers in 
Maine. John Toi-.rtillott. the father, bcrn in the 
State of Maine. June 26. 1827. died Oct. 6, 1888; 
Mary (Dexter) Tourtillott, born at Vaughan, 
York; County, Upper Canada, Nov. 8, 1832, died 
Oct. 10. 1878. The paternal grandfather. 




ALBERT T. TOURTILLOTT. 

Thomas Tourtillott, born at Orono, Me., April 
22, 1789. came with his family to Sublette 
Township in 1S39. the journey occupying sev- 
enty days. A. T. Tcurtillot was educated in 
the common schools of his neighborhood and 
at Naperville, 111.; spent two years (1869-1871) 
with his father's family in California, and 
during his business life has been a farmer. 
September 20. 1878, he enlisted in the Illinois 
National Guard, cf which he had been a mem- 
ber ever since, having re-enlisted three times 
— 188(1. 1888 and 1895— and in which he has 
held the following offices: Corporal, Dec. 29, 



1889; Sergeant, August 1. 188.5; Elected Cap- 
tain. Feb. 23, 1889, by subsequent re-elections 
serving in this capacity until May 11, 1898, 
when he was mustered into the United States 
service at Springfield as a member of the Sixth 
Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Col. 
D. Jack Foster commanding, after which he 
saw service in Cuba and in Porto Rico, part of 
the time in the capacity of Major of his regi- 
ment, to which he was formally elected as a 
member of the I. N. G., August 5, 1899; also 
served as Captain of his company during the 
coal-miners' strike at Braidwood and the rail- 
way strike in Chicago in 1894. Major Tour- 
tillott is the owner of a farm of 185 acres, and 
also follows the business of feeding stock of 
which he has 100 head. August 25. 1881. he 
was married to Hattig Welch, daughter of 
Enoch and Eliza (Richardson) Welch. The 
father, born at Groton, Vt., July 2, 1825, and 
the mother at Dalton, N. H., Sept. 8, 1834, were 
married at LaMoille, 111., June 1856; the father 
died at Sioux City. lov.a. April 5, 1893, and the 
mother at LaMoille, June 14, 1S6G. Major 
Tourtillot and wife have had five children: 
Arthur J. and Alfred J. (twins), Mary E., Min- 
nie E. and Frank H. Major Tourtillott has 
served as School Director, eight years as Con- 
stable, and in April, 1903. was elected Supervis- 
or of his township. He and his family are 
members of the Congregational church. 

AMBROSE N. ANGIER. farmer, Sublette 
Township, Lee County, 111., was born in the 
house where he now resides. Jan. 3. 1843, son 
of Thomas and Fannie (Morse) Angler, and is. 
in all probability, the oldest person born in 
Lee County, who has always resided within 
its borders. Thomas Angier was born at Fitz- 
william, N. H., August 11, 1822, and died June 
5. 1893, while his wife was born at the same 
place. April 15. 1821. and died Dec. 28. 1900. 
They were the parents of ten children, eight of 
whom grew to maturity. Mr. Angier came to 
Lee County in 1840 and entered 100 acres of 
land. He became a prominent citizen in his 
community, and was Chairman of the Board 
of Supervisors seventeen years, and Justice of 
the Peace for many years. Ambrose N. Angier 
was married on Oct. 30, 1869, to Annie M. 
Barrett, and they are the parents of four chil- 
dren, viz.: Laura, wife cf Dr. Wallace E. Eddy 



HISTORY OF LEE COL'XTY. 



731 



of LaMoille, 111.; Martha, v.-ife of Martin Clark; 
Thomas R., v.ho married Lizzie ClarU, and 
Oliver R., who died aged fourteen years. Mrs. 
Angier's parents. Jonathan T. and Caroline E. 




AMBROSE N. ANGIER. 

(Isham) Barrett, came to Lee County in 1849. 
the former dying at Amboy in 1868, aged sixty- 
one years, and the latter in Lamoni. Iowa, in 
her seventy-eighth year. Mr. Angler owns 230 
acres of land, which includes his father's home- 
stead, and here he has passed the whole of 
his life. He and his wife are members of the 
Baptist church. 

EVERETT E. CHASE (deceased), soldier of 
the Civil War, was born in Pawtucket, R. I., 
Sept. 27, 1840; came to Amboy, 111., in 185t;. 
and at first was employed as a clerk and 
Deputy Postmaster, later becoming a iiartner 
of R. H. Mellen in the book and stationery 
business. In 18fi4 he enlisted in Company A, 
Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serving 
until November, 1865, when he was mustered 
out at New Orleans. Mr. Chase was a Repub- 
lican and held various offices, including City 
Clerk twelve years; Collector of Taxes, two 
terms; Mayor of Amboy, two years, and ,Iust- 
ice of the Peace for many years. For a num- 
ber of years he was private clerk to .lohn C. 



Jacobs (Supt. of the Illinois Central Railroad), 
a position he resigned in 1875. He was editor 
of the "Amboy News" for some time, but dis- 
posed of the business in 1900. In 1S67 Mr. 
Chase was married to Mary Jacobs, daughter 
of John C. Jacobs. She died in 1868, and on 
June 15, 1875, he was married to Grace (Cow- 
drey) Wells, widow of Capt. M. W. Wells. Mr. 
Chase died Oct. 28, 1901. 

WILLIAM MEPPEN, farmer. Nelson Town- 
ship, Lee County, was born in Hanover, Ger- 
many, August 16, 1S36. son of Peter and Mar- 
tha (Becker) Meppen; emigrated to America 
in 1S63, and coming directly to Lee County, 
III., worked for a time in Palmyra Township, 
after which he removed to Nelson Township, 
where he has since resided. Janiiarv 21, 1875, 




WILLIAM MEPPEN. 

he was married to Wilhelmina Brauer, daugh- 
ter of Louis and Louise (Toel) Brauer, who 
came from Germany to the United States in 
the early '40s. Mr. and Mrs. Meppen are the 
parents of seven children, viz.: Mabel (de- 
ceased), Martha L., Lucy H., Louis G., Wil- 
liam H., Arthur J., and Minnie Alice. Mr. 
Meppen served as Highway Commissioner of 
his township nine years. The family are mem- 
bers of the Lutheran church. 



732 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



HON. WILLIAM H. VAN EPPS (deceased) 
was born in Schenectady. N. Y.. August 12. 
1812, son of John A. and Deborah (Hausman) 
Van Epps. the former having been a soldier in 




WILLIAM H. VAN EPPS. 

the War of 1812. William H. Van Epps came 
to Illinois in 1837. locating in Fulton County, 
but later returned to New York. In 1854 he 
located in Dixon, 111., where for twenty years 
he v.-as a prominent merchant and did much in 
the upbuilding of business interests of that 
city and in the development of Lee County. Mr. 
Van Epps was first married to Charlotte R. 
Churchill, and one son — William H. — of this 
union survives. For his second wife he mar- 
ried Mary A. Peck. Mrs. Louisa P. Steel being 
the only surviving child of that union. Mr. 
Van Epps died Oct. 8, 1877. 

LEMUEL BAURNE, Vice President of the 
First National Bank of Amboy. 111., was born 
in Sandwich (now Bowen), Mass.. Jan. 21, 1830, 
and came to Lee County in 1855, where for 
eight years he served as agent for the Illinois 
Central Railway at Amboy. In 1862 he estab- 
lished a general mercantile business at Am- 
boy. which he conducted until 1902 when he 
retired. He was one of the organizers of the 



First National Bank of Amboy. and has served 
as Vice President since the date of its orga- 
nization. In 1859 he married Anna M. Smith 
and they have six children. In politics he is a 
Republican, and served as a member of the 
Beard of Review two years, and was President 
of the Board of Education for several years. 
In religious belief Mr. Baurne is an Episco- 
palian. 

HON. GEORGE STEEL (deceased), ex-Mayor 
of Dixon, 111., was born in Will County, 111.. 
May 10, 1842, the son of George and Annie 
Steen (Morrison) Steel. George Steel was a 
native of Scotland and one of the prominent 
pioneers of Chicago, where he was largely in- 
strumental in organizing the Board of Trade 
of that city, serving as its first President. 
George Steel. Jr.. was also a well-known char- 
acter in Chicago, building the first crib for 
the water-works and the second lake tunnel. 
On July 11, 1871. he married Louise P. Van 
Epps of Dixon, and to them four children v.-ere 




GEORGE STEEL. 

born, viz.: William, Louise L. (deceased). 
Georgia (wife of Theo. Fuller, editor of Dixon 
Sun), and Gladys. From 1871 Mr. Steel was 
prominently connected with the interests of 



« 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



733 



Dixon, where he served as a member of the 
City Council and School Board, and as Mayor 
during 1891-92. In political sentiment he was 
a Democrat. He died March 31, 1896. 




GEO. H. T. SHAW. 

G. H. T. SHAW, dealer in real estate and in- 
vestments, Dixon, 111., was born in Lee Center 
Township, Lee County, 111., June 14, 1869, son 
of James Monroe and Rebecca (Linn) Shaw. 
Sherman Shaw, grandfather of G. H. T., was 
born in Windsor County, Vt., and, in 1833, came 
with the early pioneers to Lee County, v.'here, 
in the same year he entered land in Bradford 
Tov.'nship, upon which he made a permanent 
settlement in 1835, and became an influential 
citizen as well as an extensive dealer in live 
stock and land. Monroe Shaw was born in 
Bradford Township, Lee County, in 184t), and 
in early manhood engaged in the mercantile 
business at Lee Center. In May, 1861, he en- 
listed in Company A, Thirteenth Illinois Vol- 
unteer Infantry, serving three and a half years. 
He died Dec. 24, 1876, his death being caused 
by drinking poisonous water dv.ring his term 
of military service. G. H. T. Shaw received 
his educational training in the public school 
at Lee Center, 111., Cornell College (Mt. Ver- 



non. Iowa), and the State University at Ann 
Arbor. Michigan, pursuing the course of civil 
engineering in each of the higher institutions. 
In 1892 he began practicing his profession for 
different railroad companies, and in 1893 as- 
sisted in the survey for a railroad in the Re- 
public of Colombia, S. A. In the fall of 1893 
he opened what v/as intended to be a perma- 
nent office in Dixon, 111., for the practice of 
his profession, but finding a few years later 
that his real estate interests demajded the 
whole of his (ime, he discontinued the former 
department oi business and has since devoted 
his attention exclusively to the latter, being 
at the present time extensively interested in 
lands and rice culture in Texas and Louisiana. 
In 1899 he married Sarah S. Clark, daughter of 
O. M. and Mary (Wright) Clark, who came to 
Lee County in the early '50s, and to them two 
children have been born — Mary Gwendolin and 
Clark Monroe. Mr. Shaw is a member of the 
Sons of Veterans, and is President of the 
Northern Illinois Electric Railway Company. 
In national politics he is a Republican. 




E. S. MURPHY. M. D. 

E. S. MURPHY, physician and surgeon, 
Dixon. 111., was born in East Grove Township, 
Lee County. 111., Jan. 25, 1871, son of John and 



734 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



Bridget A. (Fogarty) Murphy, natives respect- 
ively of Ireland and La Salle County, III. E. S. 
Murphy obtained his elementary education in 
the public schools of East Grove Tcv.nship, 
later attended the Northern Illinois Normal 
School and Business College at Dixon, and in 
1S94 entered Rush Medical College. Chicago, 
graduating from the latter institution in 1897. 
He at once began practicing his profession at 
Eldena. 111., where, in youth, he had taught 
school for two years, and in .January. 1S99. re- 
moved to Dixon where he has since conducted 
an extensive and successful practice. On June 
2. 19011, he married Katherine Lally, who, be- 
fore marriage, resided with her mother in 
Dixon. The Doctor is a member of the Knights 
of Columbus, and in religious convictions is a 
Catholic. Politically he affiliates with the 
Republican party. 

ANDREW J. NICHOLS (deceased) born in 
Niagara County, N. Y.. June 26, 1828, son of 
John and Maritta (Leach) Nichols, pioneer 
settler of Lea County, 111. Andrew J. Nichcls 




ANDREW J. NICHOLS. 

remained under the parental roof until twenty- 
eight years of age, when he established a home 
of his own in China Township, v.here he re- 
sided thirty-six years, dying there on June 21, 



1888. In February. 1852, he married Mary A. 
Miller, who died March 15, 1867, leaving the 
following children : Ida E. (Mrs. William H. 
Hausen), Frankie E. (who died aged three 
years). Flora M.. Nellie I. and Ruby A. Mr. 
Nichols later married Nancy Wilson, who died 
in China Township. Jf.ly 14. 1881. 




WILLIAM H. HAUSEN. 

WILLIAM H. HAUSEN (deceased) was 
born in Lincoln County, Me., August 25, 1816, 
son of Charles and Jane (Hilton) Hausen. Mr. 
and Mrs. Charles Hausen were also natives of 
the Pine Tree State and came to Lee County 
In. 1840. where the former died in 1859 and the 
latter in 1S7S. William H. Hausen was the 
oldest in a family of eleven children, and, ac- 
companied by his brother, Harrison Hausen. 
came west in 1838, arriving in Lee County in 
October of the same year. Here they pur- 
chased a claim of 960 acres of land, and the 
first improvements made in that section of the 
country were upon the Hausen homestead in 
Section 2, China Township. In October, 1850, 
Mr. Hausen married Mrs. Julia Felker, who 
died Feb. 2, 1895. and on March 15. 1900. he 
married his second wife. Miss Ida E. Nichols, 
daughter of Andrew J. and Mary A. (Miller) 
Nichols, and granddaughter of John Nichols, 



HISTORY OF LEE COUXTV. 



735 



who came to Lee County in 1832. Politically 
Mr. Hansen was a Democrat, and fraternally a 
member of Blue Ledge and Nathan Whitney 
Chapter No. 129. Masonic Order, at Franklin 
Grove. He was cne of the first to introduce 
short-horn cattle in his section cf the country, 
and was a leading member of horticulti;ral and 
agricultural societies cf the county. He died 
Dec. 6. 1901. 

CHARLES F. HAUSEN, farmer. China 
Township. Lee County, was born in Lee County. 
111., March 10, 1863. the son of Sylvanus and 
Sabrina J. Hausen. (See sketch of Sylvanus 
Hansen.) Charles F. began life as a farmer 
in China Township, and has had a successful 
business career, being now the owner of 210 
acres of land. April 23. 1885. he was married 
to Josephine Stevens, daughter of Parker and 
Mary (Tweed) Stevens, natives respectively 
of A''ermont and Massachusetts, who came to 




CHARLES F. HAUSEN. 

Illinois in 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Hausen have 
one daughter, Bessie. Politically, Mr. Hausen 
is a Democrat and fraternally a member of the 
Knights of the Globe. In his religious views he 
is liberal. 



DEACON ISRAEL F. HALLOCK, retired 
farmer. Paw Paw. III., was born in Orange 
County. N. Y.. ,Iune 10, 1818j the son of Joseph 
and Ester (Youns;! Hallock. and is of the 
eighth generation from Peter Hallcck, a pil- 
grim from England, who landed at Hallnck's 
Neck, Long Island, in IGIO. In December, 1840, 




ISRAFL F. HALLOCK, 

Israel F. came to Lee County. 111., settling at 
Paw Paw Grove, where he was engaged in 
farming until 1892, T,'hen he retired and moved 
to Paw Paw in 1899. On December 19, 1839, he 
married Persis P. Boardman. daughter of Dea- 
cun Orlando and Mary (Brace) Boardman. and 
of this union two children were born; Jane E. 
(Mrs. S. A. Tarr). and William H. (deceased). 
Mrs. Hallcck died May 5, 1892, aged seventy- 
three years. She is one of the thirteen who, 
in 1841, organized the Paw Paw Baptist church, 
Mr. Hallock was the second member received 
by baptism into the church, uniting with it in 
1842. He was appointed deacon in 1850, and 
has served continuously in that capacity to 
the present time. Politically he is a stanch 
Republican. 

WILLIAM C. FABER. meat dealer. Paw Paw, 
111., was born in Clarion Township. Bureau 
Coimty, 111., Feb. 21, 18G7, son of Peter and 



-36 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



Margaret (Mueller) Faber, natives of Germany, 
who came to Illinois and located at Clarion. 
Mr. Faber was engaged in farming in Clarion 
Township until 1S89, and in 1890 crossed the 




WILLIAM C. FABER. 

ocean, visiting Germany and other European 
countries, his trip being principally for pleas- 
ure and obtaining ideas of the customs of dif- 
ferent- countries in regard to business meth- 
ods and agriculture. He located at Paw Paw in 
1891, and entered the firm of Faber Brothers, 
dealers in meats, and has since been identified 
with that enterprise. In 1899 he bought land 
at Paw Paw, 111., and at Algona, lov.'a, and in 
connection with the meat business is engaged 
in farming and breeding Aberdeen-Angus cat- 
tle, and expects to devote his entire atten- 
tion to the latter industry in the future. On 
February 24, 1896, he married Eva A. Smith, 
daughter of Edmund D. and Helen (Huntley) 
Smith, of Paw Paw, and of this union there are 
four children: Helen M., Leonard M. C., Henry 
C. and Edmund E. Mr. Faber is a member of 
the Lutheran church, and politically affiliates 
with the Demccratic party. 

JAMES C. HOWLETT, farmer. Section 36, 
Willow Creek Township, Lee County, HI., was 



born in Onondaga County, N. Y., March 22, 
1837, the son of H. G. and Amanda M. (Can- 
field) Howlett, natives of New Yorlv. H. G. 
Hewlett was a farmer by occupation, an old 
line Whig in politics, and in 1837, came to 
Dixon, 111., where he secured a claim to 120 
acres of land in what is now Section 36, Willow 
Creek Township. He was a pioneer in Dixon, 
and conducted there the "Hotel Western." being 
one of the first hotel keepers in the place. The 
first Democratic County Convention was held 
in the bar-room of his hotel at Dixon, Mr. How- 
lett himself taking an active part in the pol- 
itics of his day. James C. Howlett obtained 
his education in the seminary at Lee Center, 
and at Paw Paw, 111., and afterwards taught 
school one year in Missouri and sixteen years 
in Illinois. He served three years in Company 
K, Seventy-fifth Illinois during the Civil War, 
and participated in many engagements, in- 
chuling Perryville, Nashville, and Franklin. Mr. 
Howlett was never wounded in battle, although 
in several instances his clothing was pene- 




JAMES C. HOWLETT. 

trated with bullets. Ret\irning from the war, 
he became Deputy Postmaster to his brother 
George M., at Cedar Rapids. Iowa, but later 
returned to his father's farm, and now, after 



HIS'l'Om' OF LEE COUNTY. 



737 



purchasing the interest of the other heirs, owns 
the estate consisting of 276 acres of valuable 
land. Mr. Hov.iett was married April 4, 18G7. 
to Sarah J. Fowler, and they became the par- 
ents of five children, four of whom are living. 
VIZ.: George G., a professional baseball player; 
Mary; Wilbur, who married Helen Melzer. re- 
sides on the homestead and assists his father 
in the management of the farm; Florence, wife 
of Louis Pitcher, who is largely interested in 
the telephone system of Lee County, and they 
have one daughter Eleanor Marie; Bel. who 
died aged twenty-two years. Mr. Howlett is 
a Republican in politics, and has served as 
Supervisor five years. School Director thirty 
years. Town Clerk many years. He is ai mem- 
ber of the G. A. R.. Masonic Order and Eastern 
Star. Mr. Howlett directs his attention to gen- 
eral farming and to the breeding of full-blood 
Hereford cattle. His family stands deservedly 
high in their community, and are highly es- 
teemed for their hospitality. 



Granite State. On .January 17, 1857, he mar- 
ried Harriet Frances Burnham, of Wentworth, 
Grafton County, N. H., and of this union the 
following children were born, viz.: Charles 




PERSON CHENEY. 

PERSON CHENEY, farmer. South Dixon 
Township, Lee County, III., was born at Hold- 
erness (now Ashland), Grafton County, N. H.. 
May 19, 1831, son of Person and Anna Wad- 
leigh (Morrison) Cheney, also natives of the 




MRS. PERSON CHENEY. 

Olney and Harry (twins), born March 31. 1860, 
the latter dying on the day of his birth, and the 
former Feb. 15. 1862— Samuel T., born Sept. 
14. 1867. Mrs. Cheney died Jan. 20, 1901. Mr. 
Cheney came to Dixon in October. 1858. 

HENRY B. COBB, farmer, Viola Township, 
Lee County, 111., v.'as born at Tolland, Conn., 
Nov. 27, 1834, the son of Daniel and Wealthy 
(Crandal) Cobb. In 1850 Mr. Cobb removed 
to Palmer. Mass., where he worked in a cot- 
ton factory until 1852, when he came west and 
settled at LaMoille, 111., being variously em- 
ployed during the following year. From 1853 
to 1856 he rented land, but in the latter year 
removed to IfiO acres of land in Viola Town- 
ship, which he had purchased from the United 
States Government in 1852. His estate now 
consists of y60 acres of well-improved land. 
Mr. Cobb was married on May 15, 1859, to 
Ellen C. the daughter of Adam and Ann C 
(Evans) Beemer, of Willow Cieek Township, 
Lee County, and to ihoni six children have 



738 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



been born: Minnie J., Lillie. George H.. Birdie, 
Louis (deceased), and Laura. In religious be- 
lief Mr. Cobb is a Methodist, in politics a Re- 




HENRY B. COBB. 

publican, and has served as School Treasurer 
for fifteen years and Township Supervisor nine 
years. 

GEORGE J. EARTH, Sublette. 111., was born 
in Lee County, 111., Jan. 14, iotJ4, son of Mat- 
thias and Margaret (Buck) Barth, Matthias 
Earth is a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, 
and came to Lee County in 1857, was later en- 
gaged in farming in Bureau County, 111., but 
is now retired. He was a member of the Fifty- 
second Illinois Volunteer Infantry from 1861 
to 1863, during the War cf the Rebellion. His 
wife, Margaret Buck, was a native of Wurtem- 
burg and came to America with her parents. 
When twenty-one years of age George J. Barth 
rented a farm of his father, continuing farm- 
ing business until 1891. He removed to Sub- 
lette in the latter year, where for ten years, 
he engaged in the general mercantile busi- 
ness with his brother-in-law, William Easter. 
On October 22. 1885. he married Emma Easter, 
daughter of Henry and Margaret (Schmidt) 
Easter, and of this union there are four chil- 
dren — John I.. Verna. Leona. and Leroy. Mrs. 



Earth died Feb. 9, 1895. and Mr. Barth married 
for his second wife Emma A. Oberhelman. and 
their children are Roemer. Hilda and Gilbert. 
He has served as Supervisor of Sublette Town- 
ship since 1897; was Village Trustee two years, 
and Village Treasurer four years; is President 
of the Rescue Fire Company. He and his wife 
are members of the Evangelical Lutheran 
church. Fraternally be is a member of Sublette 
'Lodge. No. 349, A. F. & A. M.. of w^hich he is 
Senior Warden, and is also a member of the A. 
O. U. W. of Sublette. 

EDWaN W. SMITH. City Clerk and Treasur- 
er, Dixon, III., was born in Twinsburg, Ohio, 
July, 1846. son of Orris B. and Anna (M.) 
Smith, who were also natives of the Buckeye 
State. Edwin W. came to Dixon in 1874. where, 
for the following thirteen years, he was en- 
gaged in the dry goods business. In 1890 he 
was elected CitV Clerk and Treasurer, and 
has since served in that capacity. In 1891 he 
was elected Supervisor, serving until 1903: 




EDWIN W. SMITH. 

was also Chairman of the Board of Supervisors 
five years, and of the building committee for the 
erection of the new court house. On February 
22, 1887, he married Emma Kelsey, born in Di:;- 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



739 



on. III., and they have two children — Edwina 
(Mrs. Charles Leake) and Ruth. In piililical 
viev.'s M. Smith is a stanch Republican, and in 
fraternal relations belongs to the Masonic Or- 
der, Friendship Lodge No. 7, A. F. & A. M., Na- 
chusa Chapter No. 56 R. A. M.. Dixon Com- 
mandery No. 21 K. T. and Dixon Lod.ge No. 
779 B. P. O. E. 

NATHAN A. CORTRIGHT, farmer, Dixon 
Township, Lee County, 111., was born in Lu- 
zerne County, Penn., Sept. 27, 1852. the sou 
of Isaac and Molly (Pollock) Cortright, nat- 
ives of Pennsylvania, who came to Lee County 
in April, 1862, and settled on the farm now 
owned by their son Nathan A. This farm was 
entered from the Government in 1840 by Elisha 
Cortright, an uncle of the subject of this art- 
icle. Isaac Cortright was a Republican, and 
served as Justice of the Peace in Pennsylvania 
for sixteen years. He died April (5. 1881. while 




NATHAN A. CORTRIGHT. 

his wife survived until Jan. 11), 1885. On the 
death of his father. Nathan A. Cortright as- 
sumed control of the farm, and now owns 145 
acres. On December 9, 1873. he married Cath- 
erine A. Burket, daughter of John K. and Molly 
(Fleck) Burket, and to them six children have 
been born, viz.: John Wilber, Charles Nathan. 



Shelby Miller, Nellie Burket, Clyde Clifford and 
Cecil Jennie. Mr. Cortright is a stalwart Re- 
publican in politics, and is now serving his 
fourth term as Supervisor of Dixon Township. 
He also served as School Director twenty-one 
years. Mr. and Mrs. Cortright attend; the 
Methodist Episcopal church at Dixon. 




MICHAEL SULLIVAN. 

MICHAEL SULLIVAN, farmer and Supervis- 
or of Reynolds Township, Lee County, III., was 
born in Flagg Township, Ogle County, 111.. Feb. 
15, 1871, son of Jeremiah and Bridget (Sulli- 
van) Sullivan, natives of Ireland, the former 
born in County Cork in 1820, and the latter in 
County Kerry in 1836. Jeremiah and Bridget 
Sullivan came to America with their respect- 
ive parents about 1849, landing in New York, 
but proceeded to Massachusetts, where the 
heads of the families found employment in 
railroad construction. The maternal grand- 
parents of Michael Sullivan died at Rochelle, 
111., but those on the paternal side died in Mas- 
sachusetts. Jeremiah Sullivan came to Ogle 
County. 111., in 1853, and found employment 
on the North-Western Railroad then in course 
of construction. In ISt;:',, ho bought 170 acres 
of land in Flagg Township, where he was en- 
gaged in farming until 1880, but in the fall of 



740 



HISTORY OF LEE COUXT\' 



the latter year purchased a half section ot land 
located in Sections 10. 9, 15. and 16, Reynolds 
Township, Lee County. A few years previous- 
ly he had married Bridget Sullivan, and they 
became the parents of twelve children; Philip. 
Cornelius (died at the ag^ of thirty-eight 
years). Mary. Daniel, Michael, John, Eugene. 
Jeremiah. Nora, Nellie and two who died in in- 
fancy. Mr. Sullivan was a practical farmer and 
improved his farm by erecting a comfortable 
house and barn, planting trees, and bringing 
the land into high state of cultivation. He 
died Sept. 9. 1899. but his v/ife still survives 
and resides at Rochelle, III. Michael Sullivan 
was raised on his father's farm and obtained 
his education in the public schools. On Nov. 
19, 1901, he married Maggie Spaulding. daugh- 
ter of Patrick and Elizabeth (Leonard) Spauld- 
ing. natives of Ireland who came to Illinois in 
1851, and located at Rochelle, where they still 
reside. When Jeremiah Sullivan died, his farm. 
consisting of 360 acres, was left to his widow, 
but it is now rented and conducted by Michael 
Sullivan and his brother Jeremiah. Michael 
Sullivan is a Democrat in politics, and was 
elected Collector of his township in 1896 and 
'97. and has served an Supervisor since 1899. 

JOHN C. McCLEARY. farmer and present 
Supervisor. Palmyra Township. Lee County. 
III., was bora in Lawrence County, Penn.. Jan. 
9. 1841, son of William and Selinda (Morehead) 
McCleary, who were the parents of eight chil- 
dren. William McCleary brought his family 
to Lee County in 1865. locating in Nelson Town- 
ship, where he died in 1879. and his wife now 
resides with their son J. C. J. C. McCleary 
obtained his education in the district schools 
of his native State, and during the late Re- 
bellion served nine months in Company I, One 
Hundred and Thirty-fourth Pennsylvania Volun- 
teer Infantry. His oldest brother. James, also 
served in the Union ranks, and was killed in 
the battle of Gettysburg. On Jan. 21. 1869. Mr. 
McCleary was married to Mary E. Gruver. 
daughter of Uriah and Katherine (Reitz) Gruv- 
er who came fiom Pennsylvania and settled, in 
Lee County in 1848. To Mr. and Mrs. McCleary 
six children have been born — Laura (Mrs. 
Merrit Scholl). Alice. Emma. Edward. Ethel and 
William Jason, bcirn March 8, 1883. and died 
Nov. 2, 1889. In 1876 Mr. McCleary purchased 



his present farm of 143 acres, upon which he 
has built a comfortable residence and spa- 
cious barns, besides planting a great many 
shade and fruit trees. He is independent in 
political views, and in 1903 was elected Super- 




JOHN C. McCLEARY. 

visor of his township, but had previously 
served six years as Highway Comissioner. be- 
ing an incumbent of the latter office at the 
time of beginning the construction of hard 
roads in Palmyra Township. Mr. and Mrs. Mc- 
Cleary are members of the Presbyterian 
church. 

J. S. BRIGGS. dealer in' drugs and groceries. 
Amboy. 111., was born in Schoharie County. 
N. Y., first removed from his native State to 
Michigan, and in 1856 came to Amboy. 111., 
where he has been continuously in business 
longer than any other man in the village. He 
married Etta L. Jones, and they have two 
children. In politics he is a Republican, and 
in religious belief a Congregationalist. 

CHARLES F, WELTY. farmer. Marion 
Township. Lee County. 111., was born in Dixon, 
111.. Nov. . 1858. the son of Judge David Welty 
(see sketch of latter) ; was educated in his 
native place and. in 1881, went to South Da- 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



741 



kota, where he remained two years, when he 
returned to Illinois and, with the exception 
of one year, has since been identifleu with Lee 
Cmmty affairs. April 14. 1S84. he married Mary 
A. McKevitt, and of this union have been born 




CHARLES F. WELTY. 

six children, viz.: George H.. Frances .1.. Anna 
D., Charles D., Helen and Adelaide. Politically 
Mr. Welty is a Republican, served five years as 
Supervisor of Marion Township, when he re- 
signed and was elected County Treasurer, serv- 
ing four years; is now Treasurer of his town- 
ship. 

REINHART ASCHENBRENNER. farmer 
and stock-feeder. Bradford Township. Lee Coun- 
ty, 111., was born Oct. 20, 1860, the son of John 
and Catherine (Reinhart) Aschenbrenner. His 
fatherl was born in Germany in 1833. and came 
to the United States when twenty years of age. 
The mother, also a native of Germany, was 
born Oct. 24. 1832. the daughter of Christian 
and Christine Reinhart, and first married 
Oman Hillison, by whom she had two children 
— Henry W.. of China Township, and Betsy .T., 
wife of Conrad Brandau, of Dysart, Iowa. She 
married Mr. Aschenbrenner in 1855. and bore 
him three children: Christian, now of Dysart. 



Iowa; Reinhart, and Andrew A. John Aschen- 
brenner, who became an Evangelical minister, 
is still living at the age of sixty-nine years, 
and has spent the later years of his life away 
from his family. Mrs. Aschenbrenner was a 
woman of more than ordinary ability, and 
brought up her family in a pains-taking man- 
ner, giving to each of her children a 160-acre 
farm, besides leaving other property at the 
time of her death, July 20, 1900. Reinhart 
Aschenbrenner was married May 26, 1892, to 
Helen Muerner. daughter of Peter and Louisa 
(Knopf) Muerner, natives of Switzerland, who 
are now living at Naperville, 111., where their 
daughter Helen was born. Mr. and Mrs. Muer- 
ner came to America when the former was 
eighteen and the latter four years of age. Mr. 
and Mrs Aschenbrenner have one child, Cath- 
erine Elizabeth. Mr. Aschenbrenner owns 
:!20 acres of land, and in partnership with his 




REINHART ASCHENBRENNER. 

brother, Andrew A., who also owns a 320-acre 
farm, is engaged in general farming and feed- 
ing cattle, the brothers turning out 200 head 
each year. In politics he is a Republican, 
and his wife is a member of the German Evan- 
gelical church. 



742 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



ANDREW ASCHENBRENNER. farmer and 
stock-feeder, Bradford Township. Lee County, 
III., was born in the township where he now 
resides, April 1, 1865. son of John and Cather- 
ine (Reinhart) Aschenbrenner. Mr. Aschenbren- 
ner owns 280 acres of land besides a half in- 
terest in 320 acres in partnership with his 




ANDREW ASCHENBRENNER. 

brother Reinhart, and devotes his attention to 
raising hogs and feeding cattle. February 22. 
1890, he married Malinda S. Frost, daughter of 
Capt. William S. and Sophia E.(Shaw) Frost, 
of Bradford Township, and of this union three 
children — Delia E.. Marion Eva and Andrew 
Reinhart — have been born. In political re- 
lations Mr. Aschenbrenner is a Republican, 
and has served as Town Clerk three years and 
School Director twelve years. Mr. and Mrs. 
Aschenbrenner attend the Congregational 
church. 

REUBEN TROWBRIDGE (deceased) was 
born in Broome County, N. Y., Oct. 4, 1823, son 
of Augustus and Lucy (Blerce) Trowbridge, 
natives of New York State, but of English 
extraction. Reuben Trowbridge was raised on 
a farm and came to; Lee County in 1842, locat- 
ing near the present site of Amboy. He was 



first employed as a farm-hand, but later rented 
a farm in partnership with his brother Sabin. 
Augustus Trowbridge came to Lee County in 
the early '40s. bringing with him a soldier's 
warrant for forty acres of land, which he enter- 
ed and deeded to his son Reuben, as remu- 
neration for supporting himself and wife as 
long as they should live. Reuben Trowbridge 
made subsequent additions to this 40-acre tract, 
and at one time owned 500 acres of excellent 
farming land, but later disposed of a part of 
his holdings, having at the time of his death 
an estate of 256 acres. On April 1, 1855. he 
married Mary A. Warner, born near Hagers- 
town, Md., daughter of David and Mary (Shaw) 
Warmer, natives of Boltimcre, Md. Mr. and 
Mrs. Trowbridge were the parents of six child- 
em viz.: Harriet Z.. wife of Frank Cart- 
wright; Reuben H.. living in Nebraska: Henry 
B. of Dixon; Mary L.. wife of C. P. Jackson, 




REUBEN TROWBRIDGE. 

a farmer of Lee County; Austin L.. residing in 
Salt Lake City. Utah; Clara M., wife of Albert 
H. Hammerstorm. of Parker, S. D. In 1850 
Mr. Trowbridge made an overland trip by ox- 
team to California, where he remained three 
years, and then returned to Illinois via the 
Isthmus of Panama and New York. In political 



HISTORY OF LEE C-OL-XTV 



743 



sentiment he was a Prohibitionist and served 
as Road Commissioner and School Trustee a 
number of years. He was a man of sterling 
character, a devout Christian and a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal church, and was 
Superintendent of the Sunday School at El- 
dena, 111., for twenty years. In 1887 Mr. Trow- 
bridge retired from active farm life and re- 
moved to Dixon, where he passed the remain- 
der of his life, dying in that city on Nov. 3. 
1901. Mrs. Trowbridge still survives and re- 
sides on Second Street, Dixon. 

HERMAN LINDEMAN (deceased) was born 
in Carroll County. Md.. Oct. 1, 1835, son of 
John B. and Elizabeth Lindeman. natives of 
Germany who came to the United States in 
the early '30s and located in Lee County in 
1844, where they both died. Herman Linde- 
man was married in 1858 to Nancy Fritz, 
daughter of John and Eva (Moneryl Fritz, 
natives of Pennsylvania, who settled in Lee 
County in 1851, where they both died. Mr 




HERMAN LINDEMAN. 

and Mrs. Lindeman were the parents of nine 
children, viz.: Clara (wife of A. J. Lyndes), 
Alice (Mrs. Edward Burket), Ida (Mrs. Luther 
Burket), Mary (Mrs. D. L. Grover), Clinton, 



Gilbert, John Mason (died Feb. 21, 1868), 
Hattie (died Feb. 24, 1869). and Jennie E. 
(died April 18, 1881). Mr. Lindeman was a 
successful manager and, at the time of his 
death, owned 280 acres of land in Lee County. 
In political views he was a Republican, and 
in religious convictions a Lutheran. During 
the latter years of his life, Mr. Lindeman 
had lived retired in Dixon. 111., where he died 
in 1901. 




HENRY J. SCOTT. 

HENRY J. SCOTT (deceased), who for many 
years was a contractor and builder, Dixon, 
111., was born in Vermont in 1820. He learned 
his trade in his native State, where he also 
obtained his education, later engaged in teach- 
ing and became Captain of the local militia 
at Linden, Vt. January 5, 1852, he married 
Annie R. Robbins. and to them two children 
were bom: Herbert and Ida (Mrs. William 
Morgan). Mr. and Mrs. Scott came to Lee 
County in 1852. Mr. Scott was a partner of 
Lyman Adams for about thirty years under the 
firm name of Scott & Adams, contractors and 
builders, and during this period built many 
fine residences and business blocks in Dixon 
and the surrounding country. In political 
views he was a stanch Republican and serv- 



744 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



ed as City Alderman. Mr. Scott was a success- 
ful business manager and owned considerable 
property in Dixon. He died April 3, 1896. Mrs, 
Scott was born in Peru, Bennington County, 
Vt., July .31, 1830, daughter of David and Eliza 
(Davis) Robins of Dublin, N. H. Mrs. Scott's 
father, David Robins, was a farmer in the 
Green Mountain State and served in the War 
of 1812, as also did her maternal grandfather 
Davis, while her paternal grandfather Robins 
was a patriot soldier of the Revolution, and 
two of her brothers served in the Unoin ranks 
during the late Rebellion. Mr. and Mrs. Scott 
gave their childern good educational advan- 
tages. Their son Herbert is a graduate of the 
Dixon high school and at present is in the 
employ of the Grand Detour Plow Company 
while their daughter is a graduate in the de- 
partment of music of Dixon College. Mrs. 
Scott still survives and occupies a pleasant resi- 
dence erected by her late husband in North 
Dixon, where she has resided for fifty-one 
years. 




JOHN DYSART. 

CAPT. JOHN DYSART (deceased) was 
born in Huntingdon County, Penn., Oct. 4, 
1834, son of Joseph and Mary A. (Davidson) 
Dysart. He received his educational training in 



the QUblic schools of his native State, and 
came to Illinois in 1857, locating near Nachusa, 
where he engaged in the grain and lumber 
business. On Aug. 25, 1861, he enlisted in 
Company D, Bowen's Cavalry Battalion of Vol- 
nnteers — later a part of the Army of the Miss- 
issippi — in which he served three years, in the 
meantime being promoted to the rank of Cap- 
tain. On March 9, 1865, he married Miss E. L. 
Crawford of Pennsylvania, and to them two 
children — Grace and Blanche — were born. In 
political sentiment the Captain was a Repub- 
lican, and fraternally belonged to the Masonic 
order, Sir Knight and G. A. R. In religious be- 
lief he was a Presbyterian. He died Dec. 30, 
1899. Mrs. Dysart and her daughters have a 
pleasant home on Depot Avenue, Dixon, 111., 
where they now reside. 




WILLIAM C. DYSART. 

WILLIAM C. DYSART (deceased), for many 
years a prominent merchant and grain and 
lumber dealer of Lee County, was born in 
Huntingdon County, Penn., July 9, 1837, son 
of Joseph and Mary A. (Davidson)' Dysart, and 
a brother of Captain John Dysart. His early 
life was spent on a farm and in the meantime 
he obtained a liberal education in the Mountain 
Seminary, Birmingham, Penn. In the spring 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



745 



of 1866 he came to Lee County, and in part- 
nership with his brother, Captain John Dysart, 
erected the first grain elevator at Nachusa, 
which they operated for one year. Returning 
to his native State in 1867, he established 
himself in the grocery business at Altoona, 
which he conducted until 1879. when he re- 
turned to Nachusa, where he became a general 
merchant and lumber dealer, and retired from 
active business in 1887. On Jan. 23, 1872, he 
married Sophia Barlow, daughter of Augustus 
Barlow, and to them two children were born 
— Anna May (Mrs. Guy Furley of Iowa) and 
Lela. Mr. Dysart was appointed Postmaster 
of Nachusa in 1869, holding office until 1887. 
when he retired and removed to Dixon. He 
died July 28, 1902, and was buried with honor 
by the Knights Templar. Mrs. Dysart sur- 
vives her husband and with her youngest 
daughter, resides on Depot Avenue, Dixon. 

HENRY E. MILLER, retired farmer. Palmyra 
Township, Lee County, was born on his father's 
farm in Palmyra Township, Dec. 22, 1844, the 
son of William and Anna (Obrist) Miller, the 
former a native of Germany and the latter of 
Switzerland. His parents came to America 
in 1833, and to Lee County, 111., in 1842, first 
bought a farm in Palmyra Township near 
Prairieville, but later one on Section 9, in the 
same township on which the subject of this 
sketch is now living. There were nine children 
of the family, of whom five are now living 
viz.: Henry E., B. F. and three maiden ladies 
— Anna, Louise and Sarah — who live together 
on the old homestead near their brother Henry 
E. The father died in May, 1871, and the 
mother in 1873. William Miller, the father, 
was a Democrat, served as School Director 
and organized the first school in his neighbor- 
hood, now district No. 5. Henry E. spent his 
youth on his father's farm, and owing to the 
absence of school facilities, at an early day. 
acquired most of his education between his 
twentieth and twenty-third year. December 23. 
1869. he married Margaret Leivan, daughter of 
Mathias and Margaret (Miller) Leivan, who 
were early settlers of Lee County. Mr. and 
Mrs. Henry E. Miller have had eight children, 
of whom five are now living, viz.: Charles M., 
who married Ellen Lawrence; Edward H.. 
married Mary Plummer; John F., married 



Bessie Plummer; Oscar L. and Froderich P. Mr. 
Miller is a member of the Lutheran church, 
politically a Republican and served many years 
as School Director of his district. He retired 
from active life as a farmer in 1902, but still 
occupies a pleasant residence on the home 




HENRY 



MILLER. 



farm, which is managed by his son. At pres- 
ent (1903) he is actively interested in the 
projected electric railroad between Dixon and 
Sterling. 

CHRISTIAN GROSS, farmer, China Town- 
ship, Lee County. 111., was born in the township 
where he resides. March 22, 1854. son of Rein- 
hart and Martha (Reinhart) Gross, natives of 
Germany, the former coming to the United 
States in 1847, and the latter in 1846. They 
are both deceased. On Sept. 22, 1875, Chris- 
tain Gross was married to Henrietta W. Hat- 
zel, daughter of Conrad and Elizabeth (Eck- 
hart) Hatzel. natives of Germany who were 
early settlers in Lee County. Conrad Hatzel 
is now deceased, but his wife still survives. 
Mr. and Mrs. Gross have three children — 
Lillie A., Reinhart C. and Frederick C. Mr. 
Gross owns an estate of 529 acres of land 
located in China and Bradford Townships, and 



746 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



is agent of the Braatord Mutual Fire Insur- 
aace Company of Lee County. 111. In political 




CHRISTIAN GROSS. 

opinions Mr.Gross is a Republican, and in re 
ligious convictions a member of the Evan- 
gelical church. 

GUSTAVE P. BRECHON, farmer, South 
Dixon Township, Lee County, was born near 
the city of Belfort, France, the son of Joseph 
and Margaret (Blanc) Brechon, who came to 
Lee County, 111., in 1S64 and settled in Bradford 
Township — the father dying there Oct. 6. 1887. 
November 21, 1893, the subject of this sketch 
was married to Mary Pattat, daughter of Peter 
and Sylva Pattat, who were also natives of 
France, and Mr. and Mrs. Brechon are the par- 
ents of five children: Rosa M., Adeline S.. 
Mary M., Adel F. and .Joseph F. Mr. Brechon 
is the owner of eighty acres of land in South 
Dixon Township. Religiously he is a Catholic 
and in politics a Democrat. 



on. He obtained his education in Canandaigua 
Academy near Rochester, N. Y.. and when a 
youth worked for a few years in his maternal 
grandfather's flouring mill. Later he moved 
to Green Lake, Wis., where on April 30, 1847. 
he was married to Sophia E. Preston, daughter 
of Charles and Susan (Burgess) Preston, na- 
tives of New York State, and they became the 
parents of six children, viz.: Harriet, Sophia, 
Abner, Augustus, Annie and Etta — all born in 
Wisconsin. In 1866 Mi. Barlow came to Dixon, 
making that city his home for sixteen years 
and then removed with his family to Minnesota, 
but in 1892 returned to Dixon, where he died 
Sept. 12, 1894. During his business career Mr. 
Barlow had accumulated considerable property, 
and owned a 160-acre farm near the city of 
Dixon, which now belongs to his son Abner. 
In later lite he did an extensive business in 
loaning money on real-estate. In political 
sentiment he was a Republican, and, while- a 




AUGUSTUS BARLOW. 



AUGUSTUS BARLOW (deceased) was born 
in Ontario County, N. Y., May 13, 1819, son of 
Abner and Harriet (Short) Barlow, also na- 
tives of the Empire State. Augustus Barlow 
was a farmer and capitalist and resided in Dix- 



resident of Minnesota, served one term in the 
State Legislature. Fraternally he was a mem- 
ber of the Masonic Order. Mrs. Barlow still 
survives and resides on Third Street. Dixon, 
111. 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



747 



JOHN YETTER, retired farmer. Steward, 
Lee County 111., born in Rheinpfalz, Germany, 




JOHN YETTER. 

Dec. 18, 1835, the son of John G. and Katrina 
(Meyer) Yetter, was educated in the German 
schools, and in 1854 came to America landing 
at New Yory City, where he found employ- 
ment for the next nine months. His parents 
having come to New York still later, in 1855 
they came to Putnam County. 111., where his 
father rented a farm near Hennepin, of which 
the subject of this sketch, being the oldest son 
of the family, soon after assumed tha manage- 
ment. In the fall of 1859 he removed to Lee 
County. November 23, 1857, he was married to 
Magdalena Schoenholz, who was a native of 
Germany, and they became the parents of 
nine children, all of whom (1904) are now 
living, viz.: John P., who is Postmaster at 
Steward; Carl T.. a farmer of Willow Creek 
Township; Lena E., wife of W. H. Clinite; 
Mary M., wife of Frank Van Patten; George 
W., a farmer of Willow Creek Township; 
Jacob J., who rents from his father the old 
homestead farm in Willow Creek Township: 
Frederick M.. who resides in Davenport Iowa; 
Franklin B.. of Davenport, Iowa; Julia May, 
wife of Robert W. Hough, who is engaged 



with Shearer Brothers, grain-dealers at Stew- 
ard, 111. Mr. Yetter, Sr., is a member of the 
Steward Methodist Episcopal church, has serv- 
ed his township eight years as Supervisor. In 
1896 he retired from active farm life, but re- 
tains 180 acres of land in Willow Creek Town- 
ship out of .'500 acres which he formerly owned. 
In his active days as a farmer he was engaged 
in the breeding of Short-horn Durham cattle. 
Mrs. John Yetter died Sept. 29, 1899. 

SIMON P. YOUNG, farmer. Nelson Town- 
ship. Lee County, born in Somerset County, 
Penn.. March 26. 1858, the son of Peter and 
Lucinda Young, natives of Pennsylvania, who 
came to Lee County, 111., in 1864. There were 
nine children of the family. Peter Young, the 
father, is now deceased; the mother makes 
her home at Rock Falls, 111. Simon P. Young 
resides on his farm of 160 acres in Nelson 
Township. January 21, 1891, he married Re- 
becca J. Rauch. daughter of Henry and Julia 




SIMON P. YOUNG. 

Rauch. both natives of Pennsylvania, and they 
have had six children viz.: Paul H., Ruth L., 
Raymond R.. Hester C, Helen J. and Irene V. 
The famiy belong to the Lutheran Church, and 
fraternally Mr. Young is a member of the 
Knights of the Globe. 



748 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



LESTER D. PITCHER, President and origi- 
nator of the Lee County Telephone System, 
and originator of the Jo Daviess County Tele- 
phone System, which has been recently incor- 




LESTER D. PITCHER. 

porated and named in honor of him, "The 
Pitcher Telephone Co.," was born in Lewis 
County. N. Y., July 28. 1839, son of Philander 
and Mary (Ager) Pitcher. He obtained his 
elementary education in the common schools, 
and when, a youth worked on a farm. In 1861 
he enlisted in Company I, Fifth New York 
Heavy Artillery, later came to Jo Daviess 
County, 111., and engaged in the mercantile 
business at a place named Pitcherville in his 
honor, afterwards appointed Postmaster dur- 
ing Lincoln's administration. He came to Lee 
County in 1871, being then patentee of the 
■ barley fork," a tool much in use for handling 
grain without binding, but later superseded 
by the self-binder. Mr. Pitcher sold this im 
plement to jobbers over a territory extend- 
ing from the New England coast to California, 
and realized a fortune from the same. Later 
he engaged in the implement and coal trade 
at Dixon, which he conducted successfully 
until 1900. In ]S9(; he inaugurated the County 
Telephone Company, a system covering Lee 



County and connecting it with other counties 
and adjoining States. This enterprise has 
proved to be a great success and is much ap- 
I'reciated by residents of the village and rural 
districts in that territory. Mr. Pitcher owns 
a large amount of stock in the Pitcher Tele- 
phone Company of Jo Daviess County, of which, 
his son Grant W. Pitcher is manager with of- 
fices at Galena. In 1860 he married Harriet 
Graves, by whom there were three children, 
viz.: R. Everett, Mayor of Alma, Neb.; Mary, 
wife of William Peters. Stockton, 111., and 
Grant W. 

Mr. Pitcher was married to his second wife 
Abbie Cramer, in 1871, and of this union there 
are two children, Bessie E and Louis A., Supt. 
and Sec'y of t he Lee County Telephone 
Company. Mr. Pitcher has served in the City 
Council several terms; was a member of the 
Board of Education fifteen years, and is a 
member of the G. A. R., and A. O. U. W. In 
political views he is a Republican. 




FRANK F. DIXON. 

FRANK F. DIXON (deceased), formerly a 
leading merchant tailor, Dixon, 111., was born 
in County Mayo, Ireland, in 1830. When a 
youth, he came with his parents to America 
and lived for many years in New York City, 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



749 



where he learned tlie tailor's trade. He came 
to Lee County in the latter 'GOs, and for sever- 
al years was employed as a cutter for the late 
Isaac Jones. He was married to Lizzie Cun- 
ningham, daughter of Nicholas and Mary 
(^^■elch) Cunningham, and to them two child- 
ren. Frank C. and Mamie were born, the for- 
mer dying in infancy, and the latter April 0. 
1903. Mr. Dixon established himself in the 
tailoring business at Dixon in 1870, and con- 
ducted a profitable business until his death. 
May 4. 1896. and accumulated considerable 
property. In political views he was a Repub- 
lican, and served as City Alderman two terms. 
In religious faith he was a member of the 
Cath :)!ic church. Mrs. Dixon still survives and 
resides at 422 E. Second Street, Dixon. 111. 

JABEZ ABELL (deceased) was born near 
Aylmore, Ontario. Canada. Jan. 18, 1807, the 
son of Daniel and Rebecca Abell. In 1847 he 
came to Illinois, locating at St. Charles. Kane 
County, where he remained one year and then 
removed to Ogle County, but shortly afterwards 
(in 1848) settled on his homestead of 106 acres 
in Lee County. In 1843 he was married to 
Susan Miller of Scotland, Ontario, Canada, and 
to this union nine children were born; Melissa 
(drowned at Inlet, in June, 1860), John M., 
Benjamin F., Melvina (deceased), Mary E.. 
Henry A., Daniel L., Annie and Josephine 
(deceased). During the Civil War Mr. Abell 
served sixteen months in the Eighty-ninth 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He died March 
16, 1866, his wife surviving until Dec. 16. 
1899. Mr. Abell was a Republican in political 
affiliations, and in religious belief a Methodist. 

JOHN M. ABELL. farmer. Viola Township, 
Lee County, III., was born at St. Charles. Kane 
County. 111.. Dec. 25. 1844. the son of Jabez and 
Susan (Miller) Abell. He was brought by his 
parents to Lee County in 1848 and remained at 
home until the outbreak of the Civil War. when, 
on Dec, 25^ 1863, he enlisted in Battery G, Sec- 
ond Illinois Light Artillery and served until 
the close of the war. Returning to Lee County, 
after having valiantly served his country on 
the battlefield, he took possession of the home- 
stead, v.'here he has since resided. On March 
12, 1869, he married Leonora Lazarus, daugh- 
ter of Silas and Mary Lazarus, and to them ten 



children have been born, all of whom are liv- 
ing, viz.: Charles J., Philip S., Harry H., Laura 
L., Cecil, Millie, Stella, R. Leslie, Ruth and 
Hope. Mr, Abell is a member of Broaklyn Lodge, 
No. 282 A. F. & A. M., Anchor Lodge No. 510, 
I. O. O. F. of Paw Paw, Knights of the Globe, 
and Eastern Star of Compton, his wife also 




JOHN M. ABELL. 

being a member of the latter organization. In 
politics he is a Republican, and has served his 
fellow-citizens one year as Supervisor, four 
years as Tax Collector, one year as Assessor, 
and eight years as Justice of the Peace. Mr. 
and Mrs. Abell are members of the United 
Brethren church. 

HENRY C. MENZ, farmer and Township 
Treasurer, Section 3, Reynolds Township, Lee 
County, 111., was born in Kur-Hessen, Germany, 
Aug. 29, 1857, son of Henry and Annie C. (Wag- 
ner) Menz. Henry Menz, Sr.,' brought his fam- 
ily to America in 1867, Coming direct to Lee 
County, he bought land in Reynolds' Township, 
where he was engaged in farming until 190(i, 
when he retired from active life and has since 
lived at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Martin 
Smith. Seven children were born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Menz. viz.: Justus (deceased): John E., 



750 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



a farmer residing in Minnesota; Henry C; 
Charles, who is engaged in farming in Lee 
County; Dora, wife of Martin Smith; Christina, 
wife of Peter J. Hahnen, foreman in the office of 




HENRY C. MENZ. 

the United States Express Company, Chicago; 
and Martin, who is engaged in farming in Lee 
County. Henry C. Menz obtained his elemen- 
tary education in the Fatherland, which was 
supplemented by a course in the English 
branches after coming to America. He grew to 
iiiaturity on his father's farm, and on Oct. 25, 
1SS4, married Miss Emma L. Wiener, daughter 
of Ernst Wiener, a retired farmer who settled 
in Lee County in 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Menz 
are the parents of the following named child- 
ren: Lily, Annie, Hilda Eliza, Olive Mattie, 
and Minnie Dora, (who died in 1896, aged seven 
years). In political views Mr. Menz is a Repub- 
lican and is now serving as Township Treas- 
urer, having filled that office for the past six 
years; has also served as Township Collector 
and School Director. Fraternally he belongs 
to the Masonic Order, Mystic Shrine, Knights 
Templar, B. P. O. E. E., M. W. A., and Dixon 
Commandery. He and his wife are members 
of the Evangelical church. Mrs. Menz has a 
well-improved farm of 320 acres. 



JOSEPH E. HENRY, retired farmer. West 
Brooklyn, 111., was born in Department of 
Murthe, Loraine, France, Jan. 19, 1851, son of 
Francis and Marguerite M. (Maire) Henry, 
natives of France, who landed at New Orleans 
in 1854 and immediately removed to Joliet, 111., 
coming to Bradford Township, Lee County, 
in the spring of 1864. Both of his parents are 
now deceased. For many years Joseph E. 
Henry was engaged in farming in Bradford 
Township, Lee County, but is now living re- 
tired in West Brooklyn. On March 29, 1875, he 
married Mary J. Gehant, daughter of Laurent 
J. and Julianne (Toillian) Gehant, natives of 
France, and of this union there are five child- 
ren viz.: Mary L., Edna F., Laura M., Laurent 
F. and Joseph E. In politics he is a Demo- 
crat and was Justice of the Peace sixteen years 
in Bradford Township, and is serving his sec- 




JOSEPH E. HENRY. 

ond term in the same capacity in West Brook- 
lyn; is also Notary Public. He and his family 
are members of the Roman Catholic Church. 

DAVID J. FISCHER, farmer. South Dixon 
Township. Lee County, 111., was born in Lee 
County Feb. 9. ISTf). the son of Edward E. and 
Frederica K. (Dittman) Fischer, the former 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



751 



born in Middle Hansen, and the latter near 
Berlin. Germany, The father came to the 
United States in 1S50 and the mother in 1854. 
David J. Fischer was married Sept. 28, 1893, to 




DAVID J. FISCHER. 

Lydia M.. daughter of Oliver and Elizabeth 
Fellows, who are now residents of Minnesota, 
and to Mr. and Mrs. Fischer have been born 
two children — Orville E. and Bessie I. Polit- 
ically Mr. Fischer is a Democrat and has serv- 
ed four years as School Director; fraternally 
he is a member of the Independent Order of 
Red Men. 

ALFRED BURNETT wa.s born in England. 
Sept. 15, 1867. At the age of sixteen years he 
came to Ontario, Canada, where he remained 
six years, removing in 1890 to Wyoming Town- 
ship, Lee County, 111., where he worked for 
a monthly salary for four years. In 1894 he 
was married in Ontario, Canada, to Miss Ida 
L. Lambkin, and of this union three children 
have been born. who. in 1903, were aged as 
follows: Wilbur, eight years; Annie, seven 
years; Mabel, five years. In 1901 Mr. Burnett 
purchased 110 acres of land at Cottage Hill. 
Wyoming Township. Lee County. Fraternally 
he is a member of the M. W. A. and I. O. O. F., 



and is a member of the Baptist church of Paw 
Paw. In political relations he is a Republi- 
can. 

FRANCIS J. TILTON, farmer. Section 33, 
Palmyra Township, Lee County, was born in 
the house in which he now resides, Aug. 15, 
1846, son of William W. and Eliza A (Martin) 
Tilton. William W. Tilton came to Lee County 
in 1836 and entered land in Palmyra Township, 
where he devoted his attention to farming. 
Francis J. Tilton obtained his education in the 
public schools of Palmyra Township and Whea- 
ton College, Wheaton 111. In 1860 he made a 
trip across the plains by wagon to Pike's Peak, 
Colo. In 1864 he enlisted in Company D, One 
Hundred and Fortieth Regiment Illinois Volun- 
teer Infantry, and in the following year re- 
enlisted in Company D, Thirty-fourth Illinois. 




FRANCIS .1. TILTON. 

After the close of the Rebellion, he was dis- 
charged at Louisville, Ky., in 1865, and return- 
ed to Lee County, where he now owns 282 acres 
of land, but of late has rented his farm, ex- 
cepting three acres near his residence. Mr. Til- 
ton was never married. In fraternal relations 
he is a member of the G. A. R. and I. O. O. F. 



752 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY 



JEREMIAH GLESSNBR, retired farmer. 
1024 Cooper Street. Dixon, III., was born in 
Somerset County. Penn.. April 11, 1S24. son of 
Jacob and Susanna (Oldfathcr) Glessner. na- 
tives of the same State. In 1864 Jeremiah 




JEREMIAH GLESSNER. 

Giessner came to Lee County. 111., settling near 
Eldena, where he now owns a 200-acre farm. 
On April 20, 1845, he married Amy A. Laub. 
and to them ten children were born, five of 
whom are now living. Mrs. Glessner died 
Feb. 25, 1868, and on Jan. 4, 1870, Mr. Gless- 
ner married his second wife, Ellen C. Elsrode, 
and of this union there were five children, 
three of whom are deceased. While a resident 
of Pennsylvania, Mr. Glessner held the office 
of Justice of the Peace for twelve years, and 
served his fellow-citizens of Lee County in a 
similar capacity for five- years. In religious 
convictions he is a Methodist and is a mem- 
ber of the church ?t Dixon. 

AID BRADSHAW. hardware and implement 
dealer. Corapton. 111., was born in Winnebago 
County, 111., Sept. 15, 1853, sen of George and 
as Deputy Sheriff of Les County for tw > 
years. Fraternally he is a member of the 
Masonic Order and Eastern Star. Mrs. Brad 



shaw is a Presbyterian in religious belief, but 
attendfs the Methodist Episcopal church at 
Compton. 

RICHARD PHILLIPS, farmer. Viola Town- 
ship. Lee County. Ill,, was born in the north- 
eastern part of Ireland. July 25. 1825. the son 
of George and Sarah (Staddart) Phillips, na- 
tives of England and Ireland, respectively, who 
came to the United States in 1849. Mr. Phil- 
lips is engaged in general farming and stock- 
raising, and O'vns 160 acres of land in Viola 
Township. May 24. 1859. he married Amelia 
Davenport, and to them four children were 
born, of whom William W. is the only one 
surviving. Mrs. Phillips died Sept. 7. 1884. and 
in 1886 Mr. Phillips married Elizabeth M. Har- 
ris for his second wife, from whom he is sep- 
arated by divorce. They were the parents of 
one child who is deceased. His third mar- 
riage was with Susan Williams, who died in 
October. 1900. and February 16. 1901, Mr. 




RICHARD PHILLIPS. 

Phillips was married to his present wife — 
Maggie Pfiefer. — daughter of John and Eliza- 
beth (Souer) Pfiefer. In politics he affiliates 
with the Republican party, and has served as 
School Director eighteen, years. He is a mem- 
ber of the Episcopal church. 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



753 



WILLIAM MOFFATT, retired farmer and 
stock-breeder. Paw Paw. 111., was burn in the 
Township of Wiiitby, County of Ontario. Can- 
ada, August 24. 1837, son of Joseph and Mary 
(Harrison) Moffatt, natives of England, who 
came to Canada in 1832. In 1861 Joseph Mof- 




WILLIA^/^ MOFFATT. 

fait started on a trip to his native country, 
and on June 4th. of that year, the steamship 
("Canadian") on which he had taken passage 
went down in the Straits of Belle Isle, and he, 
with many others, perished, in the wreck. Wil- 
liam Moffatt grew to manhood in Canada, 
where he also received his educational training; 
came to Ohio in 1870, and to Paw Paw. Ill,, in 
1873. He purchased a farm at the latter place, 
where, for more than thirty years, he devoted 
his attention to the breeding of short-horn. 
Hereford and Aberdeen-Angus cattle, Clydes- 
dale horses, Cotswold sheep and Berkshire 
swine, as senior member of the partnership 
of Moffatt & Brother, his brother Robert Mof- 
fatt being junior member. Mr, Moffatt was 
among the first to introduce the Cruickshank 
short-horn cattle into this country, and was 
one of the first breeders of Clydesdale horses 
in Illinois. During his connection with this 
industry, he was one of the best-known breed- 



ers in the United States, and his stock has won 
highest honors at many of the leading stock 
shows of the country. On October 29, 1860, he 
married Annie E. Learning, a native of York- 
shire, England. Mr. Moffatt is a member of 
Blue Lodge at Paw Paw, Mendota Chapter" and 
Conimandery. He is a devout Christian, and 
with his wife is a member of the Presbyterian 
church. 

NICHOLAS MOSSHOLDER. retired farmer. 
North Dixon, 111., was born in Somerset County, 
Penn., August 16, 1837, son of Jacob and 
Mary (Flamm) Mossholder. Jacob Mossholder 
brought his family to Lee County, in 1854, and 
in the spring of 1855 purchased a 240-acre 
farm in South Dixon Townsliip. where he 
passed the remainder of his life, dying there 
in 1876. His wife survived him ten years. 
Nicholas Mossholder grew to maturity on his 
father's farm, obtained his education in the 
public schools of his native State, and in 1859 




NICHOLAS MOSSHOLDER. 

assumed the mana,«cment of his father's farm. 
In 1862 he enlisted in Company A. Fifteenth 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until 
the close of the war. Het participated in many 
engagements, including the battle of Perryville, 



754 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



stone River, Chickaniauga, and Buzzard's 
Roost. Mr. Moosholder received a severe wound 
in the last named battle, from the effects of 
which he remained in hospital three months 
and, after a furlough of one month, joined 
Sherman's army in the Atlanta campaign. He 
was mustered out of service in Tennessee, and 
later discharged in Chicago. Returning to his 
father's homestead in Lee County after the 
close of the war, he inherited the estate at 
the time of the latter's death, and has subse- 
quently added two farms, owning at the present 
time 373 acres of well improved land. In 1897 
Mr. Mossholder built a substantial residence 
at 521 North Dement Avenue, Dixon, 111., where 
he has since lived retired. On September 27, 
1866, he married Mary Isabell Evans, and to 
them four children were born, viz.: Emma. 
Jane (deceased), William J., Mary Francis and 
Bertha J. (deceased). In October, 1877, Mr. 
Mossholder married his second wife, Miss Hat- 
tie E. Young, and of this union there were 
two children — Jemima Grace, deceased wife of 
Arthur Missiman, and Charles Henry, who is 
now conducting his father's farms in South 
Dixon and Nachusa Townships. In political 
views Mr. Mossholder is a Republican and 
was formerly School Director in his township. 
Socially he is a member of the G. A. R. On 
Jaunary 19. 1S97, Mr. Mossholder was married 
to his third wife. Miss Ada M. Young. 

HENRY BOTHE, farmer and dairyman, Na- 
chusa Township, Lee County, was born in Min- 
den, Prussia. Dec. 26, 1840, son of Frederick 
and Christina (Wiese) Bothe. Frederick Bothe 
came to America in 1847 and to Lee County in 
1848 or '49. His family came to the United 
States in 1859, and on July 8th of the same 
year, located on land in Nachusa Township. 
Mr. Bothe died in 1872, aged fifty-seven years; 
his wife surviving until 1894, dying in her 
eighty-flrst year. Henry Bothe enlisted in the 
Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry and par- 
ticipated in the battles of Donelson and Shiloh, 
but was discharged after one year's service on 
account of disability. On September 4, 1864, 
he married Catherine Hotzel, daughter of Con- 
rad and Annie E. (Eckhardt) Hotzel, and they 
are the parents of nine children, viz.: William 
F., Lizzie (Mrs. Conrad Seebach), John H., 
Kate (Mrs. John Huyett), Christian F., Minnie 



(Mrs. James B. Macklin), Elvina (Mrs. Newton 
Hemminger), Lillie (Mrs. Warren Sheppard) 
and Henry C. Mr. Bothe is a Republican in 
political relations and he and his family are 
members of the Evangelical church. His farm 
embraces 212 acres, upon which he keeps a fine 
herd of cows and conducts a first-class dairy. 

JOHN W. ANDERSON (deceased) was born 
in Chester, Penn., Feb. 17, 1823, son of Julius 
and Harriet (Davis) Anderson, also natives of 
the Keystone State. John W. Anderson came 
to Lee County in 1854, where for several years 




JOHN W. ANDERSON. 

he was engaged in farming, but was later en- 
gaged in the drug business in Dixon for a 
number of years. In 1848 he married Elizabeth 
Biddle, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth 
(Leightall) Biddle, of Blair County, Penn., and 
to them six children were born, William M. be- 
ing the only one now living. Mr. and Mrs. 
Anderson also raised an adopted daughter, Mrs. 
Edith Miller, who resides in Dixon, III. Mr. 
Anderson died Jan. 1. 1898. 

LOUIS STEPHAN (deceased) was born in 
Germany, Jan. 4. 1834, son of Martha and Lena 
Stephan, natives of the same country. Louis 
Stephan came to the United States in 1854. 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



755 



and after being engaged in various parts of 
the country, came to Di.xon, 111., in 1866. where 
for a number of years he was engaged in 
business, but during the last fifteen years of 
his life, has lived retired. He was married in 




LOUIS STEPHAN. 

Chicago in 1862 to Barbara P'aulhaber, a native 
of Germany, and of their children, Louis, Otto, 
and Anna are living. Mr. Stephan was a Re- 
publican in political views, and in religious 
belief an attendant of the Lutheran church. 
He was a member of Rucker Lodge, No, 493, I. 
O. O. F., and Forrest Home Lodge^ No. 137, A. 
O. U. W. Mr. Stephan died .July 13. 1902. 

ISAAC S. BOARDMAN; born in Tioga 
County, N. Y., Jan. 3. 1816; located in Dixon, 
in 1837. On the organization of Lee County 
he was elected County Clerk, serving in that 
capacity four years; elected Clerk of the Cir- 
cuit Court in 1850. filling that office seven 
years, and in the meantime purchased the "Re- 
publican and Telegraph" and conducted that 
paper for about ten years under the name of 
"Dixon Telegraph." Mr. Boardman was mar- 
ried in 1840 to Mary L. Dixon, daughter of 
Father John Dixon. For more than forty years 
Mr. Boardman wa.s prominently identified with 



political campaigns of his community — first in 
connection with the Whig, and later with the 
Republican party. He cast his first vote for 
General Harrison. 

MILTON A. CRAWFORD, farmer, China 
Township, Lee County, III., was born in Na- 
chusa Township, Lee County, August 8, 1852, 
son of John M. and Mary A. (Dysart) Craw- 
ford, natives respectively of Blair and Hunting- 
don Counties, Pennsylvania. John M. Crawford 
came to Lee County in 1842, later returned to 
Pennsylvania, but in 1848 made a permanent 
settlement in Nachusa Township, Lee County, 
where, for many years, he was a prominent and 
successful farmer and stock-raiser. He died 
in May, 1881. while his wife passed away in 
1883. They were the parenta of nine children, 
three of whom are now living, viz.; Milton A., 
A. W., and Mrs. Frances J. Clifton of Chicago. 
On February 10, 1876, Milton A. Crawford mar- 




MILTON A. CRAWFORD. 

ried Mary M. Emmert, daughter of Solomon 
and Mattie (Kring) Emmert, and of this union 
there are three children — Howard W.. Anna E., 
and Milton A. Mr. Crawford owns 160 acres of 
land and devotes his attention to general farm- 
ing and stockraising. He is now serving as 



756 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



Supervisor of China Township, having filled 
that official position for the past twelve years; 
was member of the Building Committee during 
the erection of the Lee County Court House. 

S. DONALD FROST, stock-dealer and real 
eseate agent, Amboy, 111.; born at Lee Center, 
Lee County. Feb. 3. 1871. son of Capt. William 
S. and Sophia E. (Shaw) Frost, natives of 
Maine and Michigan, respectively, who came 
to Lee County about 1837. Donald Frost at- 
tended public school at Bradford, later took a 
course at Dixon College, graduating in 1890. 
after which he worked on a salary for his 
father, buying live-stock, until 1896, when he 
became a partner of his father in the stock-buy- 
ing business. This partnership v/as dissolved 
in 1901, since when Mr. Frost has carried on 
the business alone; is also engaged in the coal 
and lumber trade. He owns 240 acres of land 
in Amboy Township, and is a Director and Pro- 
moter of the Northern Illinois Electric railroad. 




S. D, FROST. 

On August 22, 1900, he was married to Miss 
Blanche Smith, daughter of Anson Augustin 
and Sarvia (Collier) Smith. Mrs. Frost is a 
member of the Baptist church. Mr. Frost be- 
longs to the Masonic Fraternity, and in politics 
is a Republican. 



JAY M. SMITH, farmer, Wyoming Township, 
Lee County, 111., was born in Cleveland, Ohio, 
Feb. 18, 1859, son of Leon and Sarah (Barrett) 
Smith, natives of Ohio and Canada, respect- 
ively. In 1863 young Smith came, with his 
mother, to Oneida. 111., and after working as a 




J. M, SMITH. 

farm-hand and at railroad work, removed to 
Wyoming Township in 1880. He rented a farm 
for a few years and then purchased 120 acres 
of land, which he later sold and bought his 
present farm of 143 acres. December 25, 1883, 
he married Delia A. Griffin, daughter of Albert 
and Helen (Bolton) Griffin. Mr. Smith is a 
Republican in politics, and has served as 
School Director, Township Treasurer and Road 
Commissioner. Fraternally he is a Mason and 
a member of Blue Lodge, Paw Paw, 111. 

FRANK L. CHILDS, prominent farmer and 
Supervisor of Willow Creek Township. Lee 
County. 111., v.'as born in Bureau County, 111., 
Oct. 8, 1860, son of Charles and L.iza (Smith) 
Childs. Charles Childs was a carpenter and 
contractor and later in life became a farmer. 
He removed with his family to Willow Creek 
Township. Lee Cotmty, when Frank L. was an 
infant and settled on 160 acres of land in 
Section 12. where he enga.ged in farming and 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



757 



increased his holdings to 27u acres. The 
children born to himself and wife were: Viola 
(deceased I.Frank L., Lyman W. (a physician 
in Cleveland. Ohio) and Nellie (Mrs. William 
Wilcox). Frank L. Childs grew up on his 
father's farm, attended the village school at 
Lee and the Jennings Seminary at Aurora, 111. 
He later returned to the farm and purchased 
the old homestead (270 acres), where he has 
since been engaged in general farming and 
breeding of thoroughbred Hereford cattle. 
His father died in January, 1898, but his mother 
(1903) still survives and lives at Aurora, where 
she and her husband retired in 1888. February 
5, 1890, Mr. Childs married L. Alice Fowler, 
and they have two children. Mildred E. and 
Edmond L. Mr. Childs is a Republican in poli- 
tics, and is now serving his fourth term as 
Township Supervisor. Fraternally he is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic Order, M. W. A. and Mystic 
Shrine. His family are attendants of the Meth- 
odist church, of which Mrs. Childs is a meml)er. 
Mrs. Childs is second in order of birth in a 
family of five children of James and Mary 
(Nichols) Fowler, natives of Ireland and New 
York State respectively, who came to Lee 
county in 1885, having previously resided on 
a farm in Dekalb County, 111. She obtained 
her education in the public school at Lee. 

REV. CONRAD TASCHE, pastor of St. 
Mary's Catholic church, Sublette, 111., was born 
in Wiedersheim, Kreis Mindeu, Westphalia, 
liermany, August 12, 1872, son of Philip and 
Maria (Schaefer) Tasche. He obtained his ed- 
ucation at Paderhorn in his native country and 
at St. Francis; was ordained to priesthood at 
St. Francis in 1S95, and for six years following 
v.'as Assistant-priest at St. Theresa's and St. 
Paul's churches, Chicago. Octobei 1. 1£01, he 
came to Sublette and has since been pastor of 
the church in that city, and also has charge of 
the parochial school, which has an enrcllnient 
of about fifty pupils. Rev, Tasche preaches 
both in English and German, and also teaches 
those languages in the school under his super- 
vision. On August 5, 1902, the construction of 
a new church edifice was begun, which is now 
(1903) under roof, and when completed will 
cost $27..ioO.OO, The parish was formed in 
1868, and the first church edifice was erected 
in that city in 1868 or 1869. 



HARRY ADRIAN, farmer, Viola Township, 
Lee County, 111., was born in the township 
where he now resides, Nov. 2, 1845, the son 
of Evans and Marilla (Goodall) Adrian. In 1861 
Mr. Adrian began farming on his ownj account, 
and in 1867 moved to Taylor County, Iowa, 
where he purchased 440 acres of land, but in 
1886 returned to Lee County, 111., where he 
has since been identified with the interests of 
his community and owns 125 acres of land. 
February 21, 1868, Mr. Adrian was married to 
Emma Brady, daughter of Levi and Emily 
(Enslow) Brady, natives of Scioto County, Ohio. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Adrian six children have been 
born: Blanche (deceased). Pearl, Maud, Dove, 
Hollie and Annie. Mr. Adrian is a Republican 
in political sentiment, and has served his fel- 
low citizens as School Director sixteen years. 
He is a member of the United Brethren church. 

JOHN ADRIAN, farmer, Brooklyn Township, 
Lee County, 111., was born in Viola Township, 
Lee County, 111., Oct. 13, 1854, son of Evans 
and Marilla (Goodall) Adrian. Evans Adrian 
was born in County Antrim, Ireland, Oct. 15, 
1815, and located in Viola Township in 1837. 
On October 13, 1840, he married Mrs. Marilla 
Adrian, daughter of Deacon Goodall and wid- 
ow of the Rev. Smith Adrain, and to them 
six children were born. Mrs. Adrain died Jan. 
28, 1857, and Mr. Adrain married his second 
wife on July 22, 1857. there being four chil- 
dren of this union', two of whom are still 
living. Mr. Adrain died Oct. 10, 1891, John 
Adrain v.'as married Feb. 21, 1884, to Alberta 
M., daughter of Charles and Martha (Harris) 
Jones of Wyoming Township, Lee County, who 
were natives of Pennsylvania and New York 
respectively, and of this union three children 
—Ethel E.. Robert S. and Eda E.— have been 
born. In politics Mr. Adrain is a Republican, 
and fraternally a Mason and Odd-Fellow. He 
owns 256 acres of land in Brooklyn Township, 
and is engaged in general farming and stock- 
raising. 

JOHN ALTHAUS, farmer, Sublette Town- 
ship, Lee County, 111., was born at Simpsa- 
husen, near Marburg Kur-Hessen, Germany, 
June 23, 1851. son of Peter and Anna Kather- 
ine (Mueller) Althaus. Peter Althaus came 
to America in 1857 and earned the means 
necessary to transport his family, who came in 



758 



HISTORY OF LEE COL'XTY. 



I860. They first settled in Putnam County. 
III., then moved to McLean County, later set- 
tled in Livingston County and afterwards in 
LaSalle County of the same State. Peter 
Althaus died at Ransom, La Salle County, in 
1887, aged sixty-eight years; his wife died in 
Lee County, in 1897, in her eightieth year. 
John Althaus came to Lee County in 1895. In 
February. 1875. he married Katie Baker, who 
was born in Amden. Hanover, Germany, May 
29. 1856, daughter of Henry and Ella (Wal- 
rath) Baker, and came to America when eleven 
years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Althaus have eight 
children — Peter, Henry, Katie, Ella, George. 
John B.. Albert R., and Charles. Mr. Althaus 
is a Republican in political views and with 
his family belongs to the Evangelical Associa- 
tion. He owns two farms aggregating 48f) acres 
of land. 

SAMUEL O. ARGRAVES. retired farmer, 
Compton, 111., was born at Mendota, 111., August 
9. 1867, son of Samuel and Martha (Miller) 
Argraves, natives respectively of England and 
Canada, who came to Lee County in the early 
MOs. The father is nov/ deceased, but the 
mother still survives, and resides at Dixon, 
111. Mr. Argraves was engaged in, the mercan- 
tile business at Compton for fourteen years, 
but now owns 440 acres of land in Lee and 
Whiteside Counties and' 160 acres in Iowa. On 
October 16, 1889. he was married to Margaret 
E. Carnahan, daughter of Dr. Hiram and Sarah 
(Christiance) Carnahan, and they have one 
son, Wendel O. In political relations Mr. Ar- 
graves is a Republican, and in religious faith a 
Methodist. Fraternally he belongs to the I. 
O. O. F. 

LINN C. ARGRAVES, farmer. Viola Town- 
ship. Lee County. III., was born in Viola Town- 
ship. Jan. 28, 1875. son of Winfleld S. and Ellen 
(Mittan) Argraves. In 1895 Mr. Argraves be- 
gan farming operations for himself on rented 
land and five years later purchased his pres- 
ent farm of 130 acres. He was married Feb. 
23, 1899, to Mae McKirgan, daughter of Alex- 
ander and Elizabeth (Darah) McKirgan of La 
Salle County, 111., and they have one child. 
Vera I. Mr. and Mrs. Argraves are attendants 
on the Methodist church. In politics he is a 
Republican, and has served his fellow towns- 
men three years as Constable. Fraternallv 



Mr. Argraves is a member of Spartan Lodge 
No. 272, and I. O. O. F. of Compton, 111. 

LAWRENCE W. ARGRAVES, farmer, Viola 
Township, Lee County, 111., was born in the 
township where he now resides, Feb. 2, 1873, 
son of Winfield S. and Ellen (Mittan) Argraves. 
In 1894 he began farming operations for him- 
self on rented land, and in 1899 purchased 
forty acres, which he sold in 1900 and bought 
his present farm of 120 acres. August 20, 1893, 
he married Delia Beemer. the daughter of 
Henry and Elizabeth (Miller) Beemer of 
Brooklyn Township, and to them five children 
have been born, viz.: Erdenia D.. Elliott B., 
Hobart D.. Ellen and Scott. In political views 
Mr. Argraves is a Republican, and in religious 
belief a Presbyterian. He is a member of the 
M. W. A. 

WILBUR M, AVERY, physician, Compton. 
111., was born in the village where he now 
resides. June 9, 1876, son of Minor M. and An- 
geline (Argraves) Avery, natives respectively 
of Pennsylvania and Lee County. 111., who now 
reside at Dixon. Wilbur M. Avery received his 
medical training in the Rush Medical College, 
Chicago, graduating from that institution with 
the class of 1901, and in the same year located 
at Lee 111., where he practiced his profession 
until the spring of 1903, when he made a per- 
manent location at Compton. III. 

VINCENT C. ARNOULD farmer and stock- 
man. Section 20, Ashton Township, Lee County, 
111., was born in Les Voges, Hautsone, France, 
Oct. 14, 1860, son of Remy and Eleanor (An- 
toine) Arnould. Remy Arnould and his family 
emigrated to America in 1869. They landed 
at New York and came direct to Ashton. Lee 
County, where friends of theirs were located. 
Mr. Arnould bought a farm in Bradford Town- 
ship, where he resided twelve years and then 
bought the "Early Dawn" farm in Ashton Town- 
ship, which he sold four years later to William 
Ireland, and he and Mrs. Arnould have since 
lived retired in Ashton 111. They are the 
parents of nine children, three of whom are 
still living, viz.: Julius, a retired farmer re- 
siding in Compton, 111.; Edward, a merchant 
at Ashton, 111.; and Vincent C. Mr. and Mrs. 
Arnould are members of the Catholic church. 
Vincent C. Arnould remained under the paren- 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



759 



tal roof until twenty-three years of age, ami 
In the meantime obtained a common-school 
education. On May 1, 1883, he married Mary 
L. Kelly, daughter of Peter and Catherine 
(Griesse) Kelly, pioneer settlers of Lee 
County. To Mr. and Mrs. Vincent C. Arnould 
six children have been born, four of whom are 
flving — Vincent E., Hazel G., Garnet M. and 
Remy A. Mr, Arnould bought his present farm 
in 1895, which he has improved ini a substan- 
tial manner, erecting on it a good house, barn 
and other farm buildings. With the exception 
of three years spent on a farm in Ogle County. 
111., he has resided in Lee County continuously 
since 1869. Socially he is a member of the 
M. W. A. and Knights of the Globe. In poli- 
tics he is a Republican. 

ERASTUS ANDERSON, retired farmer. Ash- 
ton, 111., was born in Ontario, Canada, May 19, 
1824, the son of John H. and Martha (Martin) 
Anderson, natives of the same province. In 
1846' Mr. Anderson came to Illinois, arriving at 
Chicago May 27, and three days later reached 
Light House Point, Ogle County, where he re- 
mained over two years. November 13, 1848, 
he married Mary Halverd, and on March 27, 
1849, went to Lee County, 111. locating on a 
farm, on v/hich he continued to reside until 
1892, during the latter year removing to Ash- 
ton, Lee County, his present home, Mr, Ander- 
son's first wife bore him three children: Rhoda 
A. (now Mrs. W. P. Clark), John H. and Mary 
A., who are deceased. His second wife was 
Mrs. Mary J. Lundy (nee Vosburg). He and 
his wife are communicants of the Methodist 
church, and in political views Mr. Anderson is 
a Republican. 

WILLIAM BARGE, attorney-at-law, Dixon, 
111., and Nestor of the Lee County bar, was 
born in Armstrong County, Penn., Feb. 26, 
1832, son of John and Jane (Elliott) Barge, 
the former of French and the latter of Scotch 
ancestry. His paternal grandfather was a sol- 
dier in the Continental Army during the Revo- 
lutionary War, and was killed at the battle of 
Brandywine, while his father was a soldier in 
the War of 1812 and participated in the battle 
of New Orleans. His father having died, Wil- 
liam Barge, together with his mother and two 
sisters, left Ohio, to which place the family 
had removed in the early '3()s, and drove to 



Henry County, 111. Mr. Barge began life in Il- 
linois as a school teacher, and after teaching 
at several different points in the State, came 
to Dixon in 1854, where he followed that pro- 
fession for several years, and to him is due the 
honor of organizing the first graded school in 
Lee County. He was admitted to the bar in 
1860 and opened an office in Dixon, where he 
has since practiced his profession. For the 
past thirty years he has been employed as at- 
torney for the Chicago & Northwestern Rail- 
way, and has been connected with the Illinois 
Central Railroad, in a similar capacity for 
twenty-five years. In 1856, Mr. Barge married 
Elizabeth Dixon, daughter of James P. and 
granddaughter of Father John Dixon. In poli- 
tics Mr. Barge is a Democrat. 

VOLNEY BLISS (deceased! was born at 
Milan, Huron County, Ohio, in 1827, son of 
Adolphus and Hannah (Barber) Bliss. Adolph- 
us Bliss brought his family to Lee County in 
1834, locating at Inlet Grove, where the youth- 
ful Volney was reared amid the scenes of pio- 
neer life and had Indian children for his play- 
mates. For nearly fifty years Volney Bliss was 
a prominent farmer of Lee Center Township, 
and during hisi career, served as Postmaster of 
Lee Center, Justice of the Peace, and Assess- 
or. In March, 1864, he enlisted in Company 
D. Fifteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in 
which he served as First Lieutenant. On De- 
cember 24, 1853, he married Pauline Tredwell, 
daughter of Allen and Staciann (Squares) Tred- 
well, natives, respectively, of Connecticut and 
Pennsylvania, who came to Lee County in 
18511. locating at Temperance^ Hill. 

CAPTAIN PRESCOTT BARTLETT. retired 
farmer, Sublette Township, Lee County, was 
born in Franklin County, Mass., August 19, 
1821, the son of Prescott and Narcissa (Robin- 
son) Bartlett. The former, a native of the same 
county, died in 1831, at the age of forty-four 
years; the mother was born in Goshen, Mass. 
Captain Bartletfs grandfather, Amos, was a 
Major in the Revolutionary War, and his father 
raised a company for the| War of 1812 but saw 
no service. The subject of this sketch came to 
Lee County at the age of twenty-two years and 
took up a claim of 160 acres of land in Sub- 
lette Township, but in 1854 settled on his 
present farm now embracing 320 acres, on 



760 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



which he made extensive improvements, in- 
cluding the erection of a large stone house. 
August 12, 1861; he enlisted in what became 
Company C, Seventh Illinois Cavalry, in, which 
he served as Captain, being honorably dis- 
charged Oct. 15, 1864. For a time his company 
served as escort of General Grant and later, 
for over one year, as escort of Gen. John M. 
Palmer. Captain Bartlett spent his civil life 
chiefly as a farmer until fifteen years ago, 
when he retired. For a number of years he 
was engaged in the horse-trade, buying horses 
in the Southwest, and shipping them to Boston 
and other eastern points. January 4, 1849, he 
married Caroline Whitney, born Jan. 30, 1829, 
in Warren County, Ohio, daughter of Bphraim 
and Mairy (Livingston) Whitney. The former, 
born in Maine, June 18, 1801, and the latter 
in Warren County, Ohio, Dec. 26, 1803, were 
married in Warren County, Ohio. April 22, 
1824. and in 184.5, settled in Palestine Grove. 
Lee County, 111., where they became owners of 
a farm of 160 acres. Captain Bartlett and 
wife have had four children, born as follows: 
Silas Wilton, March 24, 1853; Eugene Prescott. 
March 26, 1858; Howard R., Nov. 26, 1865; and 
Cora May, March 13, 1869 — the latter nov/ the 
wife of J. C. Stough. Captain Bartlett is a 
Republican in politics, and is identified with 
the Masonic Fraternity, being formerly a mem- 
ber of Social Lodge, No. 70, A. F. & A. M., 
and later a charter member of Sublette Lodge. 

H. A. BREMMER, physician and surgeon, 
Ashton, 111., was born in Waldeck, Germany, 
in 1851, son of Henry and Caroline (Shreiber) 
Bremmer. Henry Bremmer and his family 
came to America in 1866, locating in Palmyra. 
Mo., and with the exception of Mrs. Bremmer. 
who died in February, 1900, all the members 
of his family are now living in Illinois. He 
was a wagon-maker by trade, but retired from 
active business several years ago. To himself 
and wife three children were born, viz.; John, 
Lizzie (Mrs. Henry Knipple of Missouri) and 
Dr. H. A. H. A. Bremmer obtained a good 
elementary education in the Fatherland, which 
was supplemented by a thorough course in the 
English branches while living in Missouri, and 
afterwards attended Chaddock College at 
Quincy. 111., grad\iatin,a from the medical de- 
partment of that institution in ISSfi. later tak- 
ing a post-graduate course in Philadelphia. He 



began his professional career at Merritt, 111., 
remaining there until 1899, when he removed 
to Ashton, where he has since resided and has 
established an extensive practice. On Febru- 
ary 21, 1878, he married Mary S. Berghofer, 
born in Missouri of German extraction, and 
they have one child, Katherine. The Doctor 
is a self-made man. having paid his own ex- 
penses for educational training with money 
earned by hard manual labor. He owns a large 
and well-selected library, and his residence is 
considered the most attractive one in the vil- 
lage. He is a member of the Military Tract, 
the State and the American Medical Asso- 
ciations. 

PERRY A. BURRIGHT, farmer and fruit- 
grower. Dixon. 111., was born in Ogle County, 
111., April 6, 1848, son of Ashbe! and Sally 
(Cavett) Burright, natives of Ohio, who came 
to Illinois in 1840. Ashbel Burright made an 
overland trip to California in the days of the 
gold excitement. Perry A. Burright spent 
about twenty years in the West, and then 
returning to Illinois, purchased a small farm 
adjoining the city of Dixon, where he is now 
engaged in farming and fruit-growing. On 
March 9, 1876, he married Eva L. Tilton, and 
they have four daughters: Blanche A., Nellie 
K.. Nina B. and Georgia. 

CLARK S. BROWN (deceased) was born in 
Otsego County, N. Y., June 18, 1826, son of 
Clark and Elizabeth (Davidson) Brown, na- 
tives of Rhode Island and New Y'ork respect- 
ively. Mr. Blown came to Dixon in 1856 and 
•conducted a machine shop and iron-foundrv 
in that city until 1880. v.-hen he removed to 
Sterling, 111., where he was employed for 
twenty years. Returning to Dixon in 1901, ho 
afterwards resided in that city. In November, 
1857, he married Mary J. Genung of Janesville, 
Wis., and of this union there are two children 
now living — Clarence E. of Dixon, and Char- 
lotte Louise, now Mrs. William B. Rood of 
Rogers Park, 111. In political opinions Mr. 
Brown was a Republican and served as Alder- 
man in Dixon six years, and as a member of 
the School Board eight years. Fraternally he 
was a member of the Masonic Order. Mr. 
Brown died Sept. 8, 1903. while on a visit at 
Almond, N. Y. 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



761 



ALBERT Z. BODINE. wheelwright. Lee 
Center, III., was born in Richmond County, 
Staten Island, N. Y., Feb. 8, 1830, son of Na- 
thaniel and Maria (Garretson) Bodine. both 
natives of Staten Island. .lohn Bodine, pater- 
nal grandfather, and John Garretson, maternal 
grandfather of Mr. Bodine, were both Colonels 
in the War of 1812. Nathaniel Bodine died 
young leaving a widow and four children, who 
came west in 1841 and settled eighteen miles 
north of Chicago. In 1847 Albert Z. Bodine 
came to Lee Center, where, for two years, he 
was employed as clerk in the store of L. & C. 
I. Hitchcock, and then returned to Chicago, 
where he learned the carpenter's trade. In 
1851 he returned to Lee Center, and since 1862 
has carried on wagon making. He married in 
185G. Matilda, daughter of Samuel and Lucretia 
Bixby, natives of New York, by whom he had 
two children — Rosalie (deceased), who was the 
wife of James McGee, and Annie, wife of David 
May. Mrs. Bodine died in 1862, and subse- 
quently Mr. Bodine married Catherine Colvin, 
a native of Sublette Township, and they have 
three children: Mary, wifo of Fred Starks; 
Leslie A., manager of a large saw-mill in Mis- 
sissippi; and Genevieve, wife of William S. 
Frost, of Bradford Township. Mr. Bodine is 
a Republican and held the office of Justice of 
the Peace from 1857 to 1897. and has been a 
Notary for many years. 

FRANK B. BRYANT, farmer. Wyoming 
Township, Lee County, 111., was born at Four 
Mile Grove. Lee County. 111.. Nov. 4. 1851. son 
of Hon. Obed W. and Sarah (Lindsay) Bryant, 
natives of Maine who came to Illinois in 1837, 
locating at Dover, Bureau County, where 
they resided until 1842. In the latter 
year Obed W. Bryant removed to Wyom- 
ing Township. Lee County, where he purchased 
land. On April 24, 1840, he married Lucy 
Lindsay, who died in 1843, leaving two chil- 
dren — Mary E. (Mrs. West) and Wilson C. 
On October 15, 1844, he married his second 
wife, Sarah Lindsay — a sister of his first v/ife 
— and five children were born of this union, 
viz.: William H.. Frank B.. Mrs. Emma Blee, 
Mrs. Eva Lewis and Charles S. For some 
time after the death of his first wife. Mr. Bry- 
ant was engaged in trade on fiat-boats between 
Red River and New Orleans. Later he located 
on a farm in La Salle County, 111., where he 



resided until 1854, when he disposed of his 
property in that vicinity and bought his farm 
comprising 600 acres in Wyoming Township, 
which he occupied until the time of his death, 
August 2, 1882. In political views he was a 
Republican and served one term in the Slate 
Legislature, and six years as County Supervis- 
or of Lee County. In religious belief he was 
a Baptist, and assisted in building Hillsdale 
College. Frank B. Bryant owns 146 acres of 
valuable land in Wyoming Township, and is 
engaged in general farming and stock-raising. 
December 16, 1880. he married Ada E. Jones, 
daughter of Charles and Martha (Harris) 
Jones, and of this union there are six children 
—Tessa A., Emma E., Carl B., Wilson H., Earn- 
est O., "and John D. Mr. Bryant and family 
attend the Baptist church. In politics he is a 
Republican, and in fraternal affiliations a mem- 
ber of the Masonic Order and M. W. A. 

EZRA BERRY (deceased), born in Simonton, 
Me., July 9, 1815, son of Elisha and Hannah 
(Cousins) Berry. In 1841 he settled at Mel- 
ugin's Grove, Lee County, where he purchased 
a small tract of land and built a log cabin. On 
September 9th of the same year he married 
Ellenor Melugin. daughter of Jonathan and 
Sarah (Mitchell) Melugin. natives, respective- 
ly, of Tennessee and Pennsylvania, who set- 
tled at Melugin's Grove in 1837. Zachariah Me- 
lugin. brother cf Mrs. Berry, came to Lee 
County in 1833 and located at the grove now 
bearing his name. He served during the Black 
Hawk War and died in 1842. In 1849 Mr. 
Berry went overland to California, returning 
to Lee County in 1S53 and resided on his farm 
in Brooklyn Township from that time until 
his death, June 11, 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Berry 
were the parents of eight children, four of 
whom — Wilson S., Ezra U.. Frances A. and 
Elizabeth J. — are living. In politics Mr. Berry 
v/as a Republican, and in religious associations 
belonged to the United Brethren church. Mrs. 
Berry still survives and resides on the old 
homestead where she settled in 1841. 

WILSON S. BERRY, retired farmer. Paw 
Paw, 111., was born at Melugin's Grove, Lee 
County. III., August 6. 1847, son of Ezra and 
Eleanor (Melugin) Berry. Mr. Berry began 
business life for himself as a farmer in Viola 
Township, but later purchased the 160-acre 



762 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



farm which he now owns in Wyoming Town- 
ship. In December, 1871, he married Mary 
Carnahan, daughter of Allen and Elizabeth 
(Clark) Carnahan, and of this union there are 
four children — Glenn. Claude, Irene and Ma- 
bel. In political views Mr. Berry Is a Republi- 
can, and has served his fellow-citizens as. Con- 
stable and on the school board. Fraternally 
he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of Amer- 
ica. 

CHESTER BADGER, retired farmer. Amboy, 
111., was born in Broome County, N. Y., May 
27, 1S23, son of Chester S. and Lois Badger, 
of whom the former came to Lee County in 
1838. May 19, 1840, Chester Badger came to 
Lee County, locating at Binghamton, where his 
father built the first grist mill in the county. 
In 1847 he enlisted in Company E, First Illinois 
Regiment, for services during the Mexican 
War, he was discharged at Alton in October, 
1848. On March 16, 185.3, he married Mary A 
Cushman. In political sentiment Mr. Badger 
is a Democrat and served as Supervisor of Am- 
boy Township eight years. 

WARREN H. BADGER, retired farmer, Am- 
boy, 111., was born in Corning, N. Y., in 1847, 
son of H. E. and Catherine (Clark) Badger, 
times in farming, milling, and in the mercan- 
From 1872 to 1902 he wasi engaged at different 
tile business. In 1874 he married Emeline 
Green of Jo Daviess County, 111., and to them 
three children — Henry H., Frances E. and Ar- 
thur — have been born. In political sentiment 
Mr. Badger is a Republican and in fraternal 
affiliations is a member of the Masonic Order. 

WILLIAM D. BAUM, contractor and builder, 
Dixon. 111., was born in Onondaga County, N. 
Y.. August 31, 1859, son of Jacob and Rachel 
(Ellwood) Baum. Jacob Baum was a farmer 
and, when William D. was five years of age, 
removed from New York State to DeKalb 
County. III., where he was engaged in farm- 
ing for a number of years, and afterwards re- 
Mary (Holdren) Bradshav,'. George Bradshaw 
was born in England in 1801, and came to the 
United States in the early '40s, locating at 
Rockford, 111., while his wife, Mary Holdren, 
was born in Pennsylvania. They are now de- 
ceased. On December 20. 4882, Mr. Aid Brad- 
shaw was married to Ella Pierce, daughter of 



Samuel and Sarah (Cole) Pierce, natives of 
Pennsylvania, and of this union there were 
three children: Alma L., Ada Arline, and one 
who died in infancy. Since August, 1902, Mr. 
Bradshaw has been in the hardware, imple- 
ment and vehicle business at Compton, In 
politics he is a Republican, and has served 
tired to the village of Malta, where he died. 
William D. Baum learned the carpenter's trade, 
and for nine or ten years followed that occu- 
pation in Chicago. Coming to Dixon in 1892, 
he formed a partnership with W. T. Greig, 
with whom he has since been associated in con- 
tracting and building. The firm conducts a 
profitable business, occasionally employing a 
large force of men, and many of the principal 
residences and leading business houses o£ that 
city have been erected under their supervis- 
ion. In 1884 Mr. Baum married Mary Spicker- 
man, who died at the birth of their first child, 
and in 1897 he married his second wife. Flora 
Rogers. In politics Mr. Baum is a Democrat, 
and socially belongs to the Knights of Macca- 
bees. 

LUTHER E. BURKET, farmer, Dixon Town- 
ship. Lee County, 111., was born on the farm 
where he now resides, Dec. 27. 1860, son of 
John N. and Mary (Fleck) Burket, natives of 
Pennsylvania. John N. Burket was a son of 
Peter and Barbara (Neff) Burket, also natives 
cf the Keystone State. He came to Dixon 
Township in 1854. built the brick residence 
now occupied by his son Luther E. in 1858, 
and engaged in farming until his death, Jan. 3, 

1865. His wife survived him until March 27, 

1866. Luther E. Burket obtained his educa- 
tion in the public schools of Dixon Township 
and his present farm, consisting of 200 acres, 
has always been his home. On December 10, 
1884. he married Ida L. Lindeman. daughter 
of Herman and Nancy (Fritz) Lindeman, and 
to them three children have been born — two 
who died in infancy, and Leon R., born July 4, 
1892. In political opinions Mr. Burket is a 
Republican. Mrs. Burket is a member of the 
Lutheran church. 

THOMAS W. BROWN (deceased) was born 
in Newport, R. I., August 14, 1820, son of 
Thomas W. and Rebecca (Vial) Brown, who 
were also natives, as well as lifelong residents 
of the State above mentioned. Thomas W. 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



763 



Brown came to Lee County in 1839 and en- 
tered land, which he subsequently sold and 
removed to Inlet, 111., where he engaged in 
the merchant tailoring business. In 1856 he 
removed to Franklin Grove, where he conducted 
a tailoring establishment until 1871, but from 
1875 until his death was engaged in fruit cul- 
ture. April 10, 1840. he married Ruth F. Simp- 
son, born in Newport, R. I., Feb. 12. 1819, 
daughter of Samuel' and Harriet Simpson. Mr. 
and Mrs. Brown were the parents of nine chil- 
dren, viz.: Matilda, who died at the age of 
sixteen years; Ella, who died aged six years; 
two who died in infancy; Thomas W. ; Robert 
P.; Mary E. K.; Harriet and Charlotte. Mr. 
Brown died Feb. 20, 1903: his wife dying Feb. 
3, 1893. Mrs. Brown was a member of the 
Presbyterian church, 

C. \V. BOWERS, farmer. Section 20. Ashton 
Township. Lee County. III., was born on the 
farm where he now resides. Oct. 15, 1867, son 
of Lawrence and Dianah (Vogle) Bowers, na- 
tives of Germany. C. W. Bowers attended the 
public schools atl Ashton and for a brief period 
Mt. Morris Seminary, working during the in- 
tervening summer months on his father's 
farm, where, in youth, he became qualified to 
undertake its management, consisting of 280 
acres of valuable land. February 25, 1901, he 
was married to Amelia Dreschler. a native of 
Germany. Having carefully studied Veterinary 
Surgery, and given much attention to the study 
of law. Mr. Bowers could readily qualify for 
either profession, but prefers to give his entire 
attention to farming and to the breeding and 
feeding of stock. In politics he is a Republi- 
can, fraternally a member of the Knights of 
the Globe, and in religious belief a Methodist. 
His father. Lawrence Bowers, died in July. 
1900. 

JOHN W. BANKS, manager of the Warner 
& Guffln grain elevator company, Compton, 
111., was born in Paris, Canada, Jan. 26, 1861, 
son of Joseph and Hannah (McDonald) Banks, 
natives of England and Canada respectively. 
.Tosejjh Banks settled with his family in Lee 
County in ISfiO. and for several years carried 
the United States mail between Melugin's 
Grove and Mendota, III., and was the first post- 
master in Compton. Lee County. III. He now 
resides in T.os Angeles. Cal. John W. Banks 



was married on Jan. 23, 1895. to Elizabeth 
McBride of Bloomsburg, Penn., daughter of 
Jonathan S. and Abby (Carnahan) McBride. 
and they have two sons. Stanley M.. and Joseph 
S. In politics Mr. Banks is a Republican, and 
at present is one of the village trustees, having 
served in that capacity for ten years. Socially 
he belongs to the Masonic order, 1. O. O. F.. 
M. W. A. and Eastern Star. In religious con- 
victions he is a Methodist. 

WILLIAM H. BRUCKER, farmer and stock- 
raiser, Sublette Township, Lee County, was 
born on the farm where he now resides, June 
27, 1870, son of Christian and Mary 
(Schwingle) Brucker, the former born at Mie- 
thal, Alsace, May 18, 1825. and the latter in 
Buffalo, N. Y., August 3. 1842, the daughter of 
Fred and Christine (Smith) Schwingle, who 
were natives, respectively, of Saxe-Coburg, 
Germany, and Dimeringen, Alsace. Christian 
Brucker came to Lee County, III., in 1865, and 
on March 6, 1860, married Mary Schwingle and 
settled on a tract of 260 acres of land, embrac- 
ing a part of Sections 14 and 15 in Sublette 
Township. Here they reared a family of nine 
children who grew to years of maturity, the 
father dying Nov. 5, 1901. The mother still 
lives in Sublette Township. February 6, 1894, 
William H. Brucker married Carrie Trucken- 
brod, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Faber) 
Truckenbrod, natives, respectively, of Bavaria 
and Saxe-Coburg, but now residents of Clarion 
Tov.'nship, Bureau County. 111. Mr. and Mrs. 
Brucker have three children: Hattie M.. Harvey 
F., and Gilbert. Mr. Brucker pursues the occu- 
pation of farmer and stock-raiser on the pa- 
ternal homestead of 260 acres, which he now 
ov/ns, and where he has spent the whole of 
his life, except six years he was engaged in 
farming in Mendota Township. LaSalle County. 
In politics he is independent. 

PAUL BIEBEH. farmer. Sublette Township. 
Lee County. 111., was born in the township 
where he now resides. April 2, 1864, son of 
George and Elizabeth (Burger) Bieber, natives 
of Germany, who came to Lee County in 1858, 
locating at Sublette. George Bieber located 
in Chicago in 1853, where he was employed 
for some time as a shoemaker, and. during 
his residence there, had the opportunity of 
purchasing what are now the sites of principal 



764 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



business blocks of that city at $10 each. He 
went to the Fatherland in 1859 and there mar- 
ried Elizabeth Burger, and he and his wife 
are the parents of three children — George. 
Katie (Mrs. George Leffleman) and Paul. Mr. 
Bieber died in 1S94, but his wifei still survives. 
Paul Bieber was married in 1890 to Elizabeth 
Strubel, daughter of John and Rigina (Amer- 
ine) Strubel. and they have three children — 
Clara, Claremont and George. In political 
views he is a Democrat, and in religious faith 
a Catholic. In 1892 he purchased his present 
farm consisting of 130 acres of valuable land, 
improved with substantially constructed and 
well-kept buildings. 

C. T. BEITEL farmer. Section 8. Alto Town- 
ship. Lee County. 111., was born in DeKalb 
County, 111.. March 11, 1860, son of J. T. and 
Emma L. (Troeger) Beitel, natives of Pennsyl- 
vania who came to Illinois in 1852 and settled 
in DeKalb County. Mr. ,1. T. Beitel died April 
29, 1892, his wife surviving until April 9. 1901. 
They were the parents of thirteen children, the 
subject of this sketch being seventh in their 
family. C. T. Beitel worked on his father's 
farm and gained his education in the DeKalb 
County schools. He remained at home during 
his boyhood and youth, and, on reaching man- 
hood, first operated a cheese factory for three 
years, and was afterv/ards engaged as a book- 
keeper eight years at Hinckley. DeKalb County. 
In 1891 he purchased his present farm in Lee 
County, then known as the "Mahanna farm." 
for which he paid $35 per acre, and by sub- 
sequent improvements he has greatly increased 
the value of his property, having refused offers 
of $125 per acre. On April 21. 1883, Mr. Beitel 
was married to Hattie R., daughter of L. D. 
and Clara (Sutliff) Wilcox, and they are the 
parents of three children, viz.: Grace D.. Les- 
ter D. and Perry A. In religious belief Mr. 
Beitel is a Methodist, and in political opinions 
a Prohibitionist: is serving at the present time 
as School Director. Fraternally he is a member 
of the M. W. A. 

BURNS BROTHERS, grocers. Harmon. 111., 
are the sons of Owen and Catherine (Larkin) 
Burns, both of whom were natives of County 
Louth. Ireland, and came to the United States 
in 18(il, and to Lee County, 111., in 1868. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Owen Burns thirteen children 



were born, two of whom are now deceased. 
Those living are: Margaret M., Owen E.. Mary 
A., Thomas E., Catherine E.. Elizabeth A., 
Rose. Emma, Joseph P., Julia and Florence. 

Owen E. Burns, of this family, was born at 
Ohio, Bureau County. 111.. Dec. 2. 1866. attended 
the public school and graduated at Dixon Col- 
lege in 1884. In 1897 he was married to Bridget 
Riley, daughter of Peter and Mary (Carlin) 
Riley, natives of County Cavan, Ireland. He 
is a member of the Order of Columbian 
Knights. 

Thomas E. Burns was born in Marion Town- 
ship, Lee County, 111., July 27. 1872, attended 
the public school at Harmon, and also took 
a business course at St. Viaturus College, Bour- 
bonnais. 111., leaving there in 1893. 

In 1900 Thomas and Owen Burns opened up 
a grocery store at Harmon. 111., under the 
name of Burns Brothers, which they conducted 
in partnership for over three years, when, in 
the latter part of 1903, Ov.'en retired and en- 
gaged in the laundry business in Chicago, his 
residence being at 872 West Monroe street, 
Chicago. The Burns Brothers are both mem- 
bers of the Catholic church. 

O. W. BRIGGS, editor and proprietor ol 
"Lee County Times." Paw Paw. 111., was born 
in Willow Creek Township, Lee County, 111., 
Oct. 9, 1866, son of John B. and Alfred Briggs. 
In 1883 he came to Paw Paw, where, for four 
years, he was engaged in school teaching, after- 
wards entered the newspaper field, and in 
1891 purchased the "Lee County Times." which 
he has since conducted. November 27. 1889, 
he married Jennie Pulver, daughter of James 
Pulver of Paw Paw, and they have two children 
— Harold A. and Stanley. In political views 
Mr. Briggs is a Republican, and socially belongs 
to the Masonic Order. Corinthian Lodge No. 
205, and Mendota Chapter. 

GEORGE W. I. BROWN, physician and sur- 
geon. Dixon. 111., born in Greensboro. Penn., 
Oct. 26. 1846, son of John Cox and Elizabeth 
(Hcpton) Brown, grandson of George Moss 
and Latetia (MacFarland) Brown, and great- 
grandson of Richard Brown, who was a son 
of Sir Richard Brown of England. Richard 
Brown, born in England in 1760. came to Phila- 
delphia in 1781, married Frances Moss and 
became an extensive land-owner in Greene 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



765 



County. Penn., and Monongalia Count}-. Va., 
(now West Virginia), which he entailed to 
his descendants. Latetia (MacFarland) Brown, 
daughter of John and Susanna (Cox) MacFar- 
land. natives of Wales, married George Moss 
Brown in Philadelphia, and they resided there 
all their lives. Dr. George W. I. Brown's 
mother, nee Elizabeth Hopton, was the daugh- 
ter of Jesse and Sarah (Finch) Hopton, who 
were Quakers, of English descent, and settled 
in Western Pennsylvania in 1810. When Dr. 
Brown was three years old, his father, who 
had been a glass manufacturer at Greensboro, 
removed to Monongalia County, Va., and turned 
his attention to farming, but later returned to 
Greene County, Penn., where he had come into 
possession of a part of the Brown estate. Here 
the son grew up on the farm, attending the dis- 
trict schools during the winter, took a two 
years' course in Greene Academy at Carmich- 
aels, and at eighteen years of age began the 
study of medicine with Dr. George F. Burch, of 
Greensboro, while teaching during the winter 
months; later continued his studies with Dr. 
George W. John, of Stewartstown, W, Va., and 
in 1867 entered Philadelphia University of Med- 
icine and Surgery, where he graduated in 1869. 
He then succeeded to the practice of his pre- 
ceptor. Dr. John, at Stewartstown, W. Va.: 
in 187(1 removed to Meyersdale, Penn.. where 
he remained seven years, meanwhile filling the 
position of Assistant Surgeon of the Baltimore 
& Ohio Railroad Company, Physician and Sur- 
geon of the Keystone Coal & Manufacturing 
Company, and a similar position with the Sav- 
age Fire Brick Company. Having sold his 
practice to Dr. J. Ernest Meiers, of Washing- 
ton, D. C. in 1877, he came to Illinois, entered 
Hahnemann Medical College at Chicago, and 
graduated in 1878. Then having entered into 
partnership with Dr. J. A. Hoffman, of Men- 
dota, he practiced for a time at LaMoille. but 
in the fall of the same year removed to Dixon, 
where he succeeded to the practice of Dr. 
Steele, of the firm of Steele & Blackman. the 
firm taking the name of Blackman & Brown. 
This partnership was dissolved in 1880, and 
Dr. Brown has since practiced alone. In 1900 
he took a post-graduate course at the Chica.go 
Polyclinic Institute in Surgery, Gynecology and 
Dermatology, is now a member of the staff of 
Physicians and Surgeons of the Dixon Public 
Hospital; Surgeon of the Sterling. Dixon & 



Electric Railway and of the Lee County Light- 
ing & Fuel Company. The medical organiza- 
tions with which he is affiliated include the 
Lee County Medical Society; Rock River Insti- 
tute, of which he has been President; the Illi- 
nois State Medical Society: Illinois Homeopa- 
thic Medical Association: American Institute of 
Homeopathy, and the American .Medical As- 
sociation. 

From boyhood Dr. Brown has been identified 
with the Methodist church, and for thirty- 
three years a member of the Official Board, 
being the sixth member to join the church at 
Meyersdale, Penn., in 1870, which, in six years, 
grew to a membership of 250. He has also 
been prominently identified with educational 
matters, serving for six years as member of 
the Board of Education at Meyersdale, Penn,, 
and for fifteen years at Dixon, three years of 
this time serving as President; has also served 
two years as director of the Dixon Building 
and Loan Association. Since he was twenty- 
one years of age he has been an enthusiastic 
member of the Masonic Fraternity, having 
taken all the higher degrees of the order, and 
has filled numerous official positions, includ- 
ing Commander of Dixon Commandery, No. 21, 
K. T.; member of Freeport Consistory, S. P. R. 
S. ; Grand Lodge of the State: Grand Royal 
Arch Chapter, and Grand Commandery K. T. 
of the State of Illinois. Politically he is a Re- 
publican, casting his first vote for Gen. Grant 
for President in 1868, and has often, served his 
party in State and minor conventions. In 1S72 
the Doctor was united in marriage to Magda- 
lene Miller, daughter of Josiah and Matilda 
(Beachy) Miller, of Meyersdale. Penn., and they 
have three children: Charles LeRoy, born in 
1874, now an attorney-at-law in Chicago; Edna 
Florence, born in 1877, at home; and George 
Harold, born in 1887, who is completing his 
senior year in the Dixon High School. 

REV. DANIELS. CLARK (deceased), born in 
Ellington, Conn., Jan. 21, 1822, son of David 
and Sarah (Bartlett) Clark: in early life moved 
to West Woodstock, Conn., and there learned 
the carpenter's trade; then in 1853, coming to 
Amboy, Lee County, 111., was employed for 
some years by the Illinois Central Railroad 
Company, as superintendent of many of its 
buildings. In 1859 Mr. Clark became an exhorter 
in the Second Adventist Christian church, and 



766 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



the following year was formally ordained as a 
preacher in that denomination, continuing 
this work until his death. March 20, 1900. In 
1844 Mr. Clark was married to Nancy M. Vin- 
ton, daughter of Hosea and Clementine Vinton, 
who were natives of Connecticut. Mrs. Clark, 
who still suirvives, is a member of the Advent- 
ist church at Mendota, 111. 

FERNANDO H. CHAFFEE, retired farmer, 
Paw Paw, 111., was born in Athens, Vt., Nov. 
21, 1827, son of Eber and Annie (Davis) Chaf- 
fee. In 1839 the family came to Kane County, 
111. In 1852 Mr. Chaffee went overland to 
California, and after an absence of four and 
a half years returned to Lee County, where he 
has since resided. July 15, 1858, he married 
Delia Barber, daughter of Lahira and Annis 
(Nichols) Barber, and to them the following 
named children have been born, viz.: Edmund 
W., Elmer S.. Wilbur T., Ella M.. Minnie A., 
Marcia M.. Ernest L., Carrie B.. John F. and 
C. Bernard — the last five named being de- 
ceased. To a former marriage was born Abby 
F. Tabor, who now resides at Paw Paw. 111. 
In politics Mr. Chaffee is a Democrat. 

WILBUR T. CHAFFEE, Paw Paw, 111., was 
born in Wyoming Township. Lee County. Sept. 
15, 1867, the son of Fernando H. and Delia 
(Barber) Chaffee. He attended the district 
schools until fifteen years of age, when the 
family removed to Paw Paw, 111. In 1886 he 
entered Lake Forest University, graduating 
from the classical course of that institution 
in 1893. From 1895 to 1901 he was in Califor- 
nia attending to his father's interests in that 
State, but at the present time is engaged in 
lead and zinc mining at Leadville, Colorado. 
On September 18, 1901, he married Mary R. 
McBride, daughter of John B. and Sarah (Bry- 
son) McBride, and of this union there is one 
child, Helen Margaret. In political sentiment 
Mr. Chaffee is a Democrat, and in religious 
faith a Presbyterian. He is a member of the 
I. O. O. F. 

SAMUEL CRAWFORD, retired farmer. Dix- 
on, 111., was born in Pennsylvania, May 23, 
1823. son of William and Fannie (Moore) 
Crawford, also natives of the Keystone State. 
Mr. Crawford came to Lee County in 1848. 
locating in Nachusa Township, where he de- 



voted his attention to general farming and 
stock-raising until 1883, when he removed to 
Dixon, and has since lived retired. He was 
married on Feb. 10, 1848. and of his children 
three are now living — William J.. Wilson and 
Calvin B. Mrs. Crawford died in July.lSS6. 
In political sentiment Mr. Crawford is a Repub- 
lican, and in religious belief a Presbyterian. 

CALVIN B. CRAWFORD, merchant. Na- 
chusa. 111., was born in Nachusa Township, Lee 
County, 111., April 18, 1858. son of Samuel and 
Mary A. (Burket) Crawford. Mr. Crawford 
bought an interest in his present business 
in 1885. but one year later purchased the en- 
tire stock, and has since conducted the enter- 
prise alone. Since 1898 he has been proprietor 
of a grain elevator at Nachusa, and also owns 
and manages a 200-acre farm. On February 17, 
1881, he married Anna M., daughter of Wilson 
and Frances (Wallace) Dysart. Mrs. Craw- 
ford died in December, 1887, leaving three chil- 
dren: Grace. Edgar L., and Leslie R. In May, 
1890, Mr. Crawford married his second wife, 
Ina O. Dysart, who died in September, 1890. 
She was a daughter of Philip and Ruth (Igo) 
Dysart. In politics Mr. Crawford is a Republi- 
can, and is a member of the County Central 
Committee, has been Postmaster at Nachusa 
since 1888. Fraternally he belongs to the Ma- 
sonic Order at Franklin Grove. 

WILSON CRAWFORD, farmer. Nachusa 
Township. Lee County. 111., was born in the 
township where he now resides. July IS. 1850, 
son of Samuel and Mary Ann (Burket) Craw- 
ford. Mr. Crawford began his business life in 
1872, and first conducted his father's farm for 
two years, afterwards engaged in the grain 
business at Nachusa for the same length of 
time, and then removed to Dixon, 111., where 
he was employed by the Chicago & Northwest- 
ern Railroad Company for twelve and a half 
years. In 1894 he removed to his present 200- 
acre farm, where he has since been engaged in 
general farming and stock-raising. On Novem- 
ber 8, 1887, he married Allie Rhodes, and to 
them four children were born — Arthur Leroy. 
Roscoe Wilson, Florence, and Elizabeth. In 
political views Mr. Crawford is a Republican 
and has served as School Director for nine 
years. 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY 



767 



ALBERT W. CRAWFORD, farmer, China 
Township, Lee County. III., was born at Na- 
chusa, Lee County, 111.. July 16, 1S54. son of 
John M. and Mary A. (Dysart) Crawforil. Al- 
bert W. Crawford began business life for him- 
self as a farmer in 1S77, which he continued 
until 1882, when he removed to Iowa. Return- 
ing to Lee County in 1889. he located in Frank- 
lin Grove, where he resided until 1900, and then 
removed to the A. R. Whitney farm in China 
Township. On June 24, 1S79. he married Carrie L. 
Whitney, daughter of Alexis R. and Mary J. 
(Oakley) Whitney, and of this union there are 
five children — Mary (Mrs. R, C. Gross), John R.. 
Albert W.. Jr.. Robert D., and Charles L. In 
politics Mr. Crawford affiliates with the Repub- 
lican party. Fraternally he belongs to the Ma- 
sonic order, Blue Lodge and Chapter at Frank- 
lin Grove. Dixon Commandery, and Medinah 
Temple, Chicago. 

JOSEPH D. CRAWFORD (deceased) was 
born in Nachusa Township. Lee County, 111., 
Feb. 11, 1858, son of John M. and Mary (Dy- 
sart) Crawford. During his life he was actively 
identified with the farming Interests of his 
native township. On January 4, 1882, he mar- 
ried Carrie B., daughter of Zachariah and 
Hannah (Wingert) Emmert, and to them five 
children were born — J. Blair. Blanche. Frank 
E., Lucy B. (deceased), and Lizzie M. (de- 
ceased). In political views Mr. Crawford was 
a Republican. He died April 1, 1892. 



JAMES CAHILL. farmer, Marion Township, 
Lee County, born in County Tipperary. Ireland, 
in August, 1833. son of Patrick Cahill. also a 
native of Ireland, and in June. 1853, came to the 
United States; after spending three years near 
Boston, Mass., came west to Lee County, III., 
where he became the owner of 240 acres of 
land. July 4, 1860, Mr. Cahill married Miss 
Johanna Healy. born at Ottawa. 111., March 9. 
1842, the daughter of John Healy, who emi- 
grated from Ireland to the United States in the 
early '30s. Mr. and Mrs. Cahill have had eleven 
children, of whom six are living, viz.: Wil- 
liam, Edward, Mary, Joseph, Austin and Ellen. 
Mr. Cahill is a Democrat politically and has 
served six years as Pathmaster of his town- 
ship and about the same length of time as 
School Director. He and his family are mem- 
bers of the Catholic church. 

THOMAS A. CARUTH, farmer, Wyoming 
Township, Lee County. 111., was born at Paw 
Paw. 111.. Nov. 24. 1869. the son of Alexander and 
Mary Jane (McCarrell) Caruth. He was reared 
on the farm, and now owns the old homestead, 
comprising 200 acres. On October 3. 1894. Mr. 
Caruth was married to Josie, daughter of Avery 
and Josephine (Merriman) Merriman, and of 
this union three children — Eva V., Howard A. 
and Mabel E. — have been born. In political 
opinions he is a Republican, and has served as 
School Director for twelve years. In religious 
belief he is a Presbyterian. 



WILLIAM W. CADY, retired farmer, Har- 
mon, III., was born in Rhode Island. April 21, 
1862, the son of Wesley and Elsey (Brown) 
Cady, who were also natives of the same State. 
William W. Cady came to LaSalle County, 111., 
in 1850, and in 1878 moved to Harmon Town- 
ship, where he now resides. February 20, 1848, 
he married Louisa Bennett, and to them one 
son, George, was born, who is now deceased. 
Mrs. Cady died March 9. 1903. and onj June 14, 
1903, Mr. Cady married Fanny Williams, daugh- 
ter of John H. and Adelia (Toby) Williams. 
During the Civil War Mr. Cady served one year 
in Company C, Fifty-ninth Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry. He is a Republican in political views, 
and served seven years as School Director, and 
the same length of time as Pathmaster. He is 
a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. 



ALEXANDER CARUTH (deceased) was 
born in Ireland in 1831, and came with his 
parents — Andrew and Jennie Caruth — to Amer- 
ica about 1850, and settled near Cottage Hill, 
Lee County, 111. He married Mary Jane Mc- 
Carrell, who was also a native of the Emer- 
ald Isle, and to them seven children were born, 
viz.: Jennie, Lizzie, Sadie, Hannah, Cynthia, 
Thomas and Eva (deceased). In politics he 
was a Republican, and was a member of the 
Presbyterian church. Mr. Caruth died in, 1872. 
His wife still (1903) survives, and resides at 
Paw Paw. 111. 

DR. HIRAM CARNAHAN. retired physician. 
Compton. Lee County. 111., was born in Colum- 
bia County. Penn.. June 10, 1830, son of Samuel 
and Elizabeth Carnahan, who were also natives 



768 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



of the Keystone State and settled at Malugin's 
Grove in 1848. Doctor Carnahan practiced his 
profession in this vicinity for over thirty years. 
In 1857 he married Sarah Christiance. daughter 
of Abraham and Caroline C. Christiance, na- 
tives of Nev/ York State. Doctor and Mrs. Car- 
nahan are the parents of nine children, four of 
whom are now living. The Doctor is a Repub- 
lican in politics, a Royal Arch Mason in fra- 
ternal relations, and a member of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal church. 

ANDREW J. CARNAHAN (deceased) was 
born in Columbia County, Penn., in 1816. In 
1850 he came to Lee County, 111., and purchased 
land in Brooklyn Township, where he farmed 
until 1872. Through his influence a railroad 
station was built on his land, where he after- 
wards erected a number of buildings and con- 
ducted an extensive mercantile business for 
a number of years. In 1834 he married Eliza- 
beth Holdren, and they became the parents of 
nine children. For many years Mr. Carnahan 
served as Justice of the Peace, He was a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

ALPHEUS H. CLINK, farmer and stock- 
raiser, Sublette Township, Lee County, was 
born in Bradford County. Penn., April 6, 1829. 
the son of William and Rebecca (Hulbert) 
Clink, natives, respectively, of New York and 
Pennsylvania; came to Lee Coimty, 111., in 1843, 
with his parents, who settled at Lee Center. 
The family consisted of nine children. William 
Clink, the father, born Sept. 20, 1800. died in 
June, 1856: the mother died May 28, 1886. 
Alpheus H. Clink has lived on the farm, of 
which 160 acres bought by his father when the 
family settled there in 1848, forms apart. 
March 3, 1850, he was married to Julia A. Can- 
field, who was born in Bradford County, Penn., 
Feb. 8, 1831, daughter of Andrew and Loraine 
(Gaylord) Canfield, natives of Pennslyvania. 
and one son was born of this marriage, How- 
ard M., December, 1854. December 11. 1855, 
Mr. Clink married, as his second wife, Melissa 
M. Robinson, who was born in Ohio, Aug. 9, 
1837, daughter of Alexander and Sarah (Avery) 
JRobinson, who came to Lee County in 1852. 
Five children were born of this marria.ge: 
Nina, wife of John Ellsworth; William H., who 
was drowned in British Columbia in 1891- 
Frank, a barber in Dixon, 111.; Haney, who re- 



sides on the old farm, and Sadie R., who died 
in 1896, aged twenty-six years. Mr. Clink has 
served as School Director twenty years. High- 
way Commissioner nine years, and as delegate 
to many political conventions. 

FRANK W. CASE, liveryman. Paw Paw, III., 
was born in Earlville, 111., Sept. 5, 1872, the son 
of John A. and Phoebe (Warren) Case. With 
the exception of two years spent in Iowa, Mr. 
Case was engaged in farming until the spring 
cf 1903, when he formed a partnership with S. 
E. Smith in the livery business. On February 
24. 1898, he married Lucy M. Patrick, daughter 
of William and Mary Patrick, and they have 
one son, Frederick W. In political sentiment 
Mr. Case is a Republican, and he and his wife 
are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church at Paw Paw. 

JOHN ALVIN CASE, retired farmer. Paw 
Paw, 111., was born in Wyoming County, Penn., 
Aug. 4, 1831, son of Chauncey and Mary E. 
(Roberts) Case. He came to Lee County in 
1845, and in 1851 went to California, where he 
remained fourteen years. In 1862 Mr. Case en- 
listed in Company I, Fourth California Volun- 
teer Infantry, and served until 1865. Return- 
ing td La Salle County. 111., in the latter year, 
he engaged in farming until 1901, and then 
moved to Paw Paw, where he has since lived 
retired. In 1870 he married Phoebe Warren, 
and they have three children: Julia M., Frank 
W., and Armand P. Mr. Case is Independent 
in politics. He is a member of the G. A. R. at 
Paw Paw. 

FRANCIS M. CASE, farmer, Wyoming Town- 
ship, Lee County, 111., was born in Wyoming 
County, Penn., Feb. 15, 1839, son of Chauncey 
and Mary E. (Roberts) Case, natives of Con- 
necticut and Pennsylvania, respectively. In 
1845 Frank M. was Ijrought by his parents to 
Lee County, the following year locating with 
them on the farm where he now resides. In 
early manhood he taught school for several 
terms, but for many years has been engaged 
in farming, his holdings now comprising 290 
acres. In August. 1862, he enlisted in Com- 
pany K, Seventy-fifth Illinois Volunteer In- 
fantry, but was discharged in 1863 on account 
of i)hysical disability, having been twice 
woimded in battle. On October 10, 1867, he 
married Cynthia J. Clark, daughter of John and 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



769 



Euphemia (Marshall) Clark, natives of Penn- 
sylvania, who came to Ogle County, 111., in 1S50, 
and located in Marion Township. Three chil- 
dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Case, 
viz.: Stella M., Harry L., and Charles C. In 
political views Mr. Case is a Republican, and 
in religious convictions a Methodist, being a 
member of the church at Paw Paw, 111. 

GEORGE W. CHRISTEANCE, farmer, Brook- 
lyn Township, Lee County, 111., was born in the 
township where he nov,' resides, Jan. 20, 1S41. 
son of Abram V. and Caroline C. (Borhight) 
Christeance, natives of Schenectady, N. Y., but 
originally of Holland-Dutch ancestry. Abram 
V. and Caroline C. Christeance came to Lee 
County in 1835, and were the parents of six- 
teen children, six of whom grew to maturity. 
George \V. Christeance was reared on a farm, 
and in October, ISfil, enlisted in Cheney's Bat- 
tery, Company F, First Illinois Artillery, serv- 
ing three years and four months. In ISfiS he 
re-enlisted in Hancock's Veteran Corps, serving 
one year, one month and nineteen days. For 
many years he has been engaged in farming on 
his 160-acre farm in Brooklyn Township. On 
April 5, 1871, Mr. Christeance was married to 
Eliza A., daughter of Conrad and Mahalee 
(Goff) Rutzee, natives of Germany, who settled 
in Lee County, 111., in ISfifl, and to this union 
nine children have been born, viz.: Eva. Cora, 
Nellie, ,Ioseph, Caroline, Fannie, Harry, Burton 
and Ida May. The three oldest are now 
deceased. Mr. Christeance is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church and fraternally is 
associated v.'ith the I. O. O. F. and G. A. R. 
Post. In political sentiment he is a Repub- 
lican. 

SHERWOOD DIXON (deceased), born at 
Dixon, 111.. Nov. 15. 1847, son of James P. and 
Fanny (Reed) Dixon, and grandson of Father 
Jchn Dixon: admitted to the bar in 18(58; mar- 
ried in November, 1869. Melissa G. Mead, of 
Dixon. 111.; practiced law at Dixon from 1868 
to 1874. in partnership with John V. Eustace 
and William Barge, under the firm name cf 
Eustace, Barge & Dixon; removed to Chicago 
where he resided from 1874 to 1S77 and prac- 
ticed law there in partnership with William W. 
O'Brien and William Barge, under the firm 
name of O'Brien. Barge & Dixon; returned to 
Dixon in 1S77. and entered into partnership 



with Solomon H. Bethea, remaining with him 
until 1884. when he formed a partnership with 
John D. Crabtree, which continued until 1888, 
when Mr. Crabtree was elected Circuit Judge; 
partnership with Mr. Bethea was then resumed 
and continued until the death of Mr. Dixon. He 
was for seven years a member of the (Board of 
Education, and for three years President of the 
Board; from 1880 to 1888 he was Master in 
Chancery of Lee County. In politics he was 
a Democrat and a delegate to the Democratic 
National Conventions in 1884 and 1892; was a 
member of the Thirty-sixth and Thirty-seventh 
General Assemblies of the State of Illinois, 
and drafted the Australian ballot law, which is 
now in force tl903); while in the Legislature 
he v.'as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee 
and of the Democratic steering committee; 
was Democratic candidate for Congress for this 
Congressional District in 1886, but was de- 
feated; in July, 1894, was appointed United 
States Attorney for the Northern District of 
Illinois and removed to Chicago where he died, 
Dec. 2, 1894. His children were: Henry S.. 
Louis M. and George C. — all of whom are yet 
living. 

HENRY S. DIXON was born at Dixon, III., 
Aug. 28, 1870, son of Sherwood and Melissa G. 
(Mead) Dixon, and a great-grandson of Father 
John Dixon; graduated from Dixon High 
School in 1888, and from Kent Law School, 
Chicago, 189.3 ; read law with his father. Sher- 
v.ood Dixon, at Dixon, and with William J. 
Hynes. of Chicago; private, corporal, sergeant 
and Second Lieutenant of Company G, Sixth 
Regiment Illinois National Guard, 1888-1891; 
admitted to the bar in June, 1893; Assistant 
I'nited States Attorney at Chicago, 1894-95; 
returned to Dixon in 1895, and entered into 
partnership with S. H. Bethea, continuing un- 
til 1897; since the latter date has been practic- 
ing law at Dixon alone; appointed Referee in 
Bankruptcy for the Northern District of Illi- 
nois by Judge P. S. Grosscup in 1899. and is 
yet acting as such; elected Mayor of the City 
cf Dixon in March. 1903; married July 24. 1895. 
Margaret C. Casey of Chicago, and they have 
four children: John ShPrwoo<l. Marion E., 
Jerome F., and Robert A. 

ERNEST E. DYSART, farmer. Nachusa 
Township, Lee County, 111., was born in Na- 



770 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



chusa Township, March 9, 1865, the son of Wil- 
son and Frances M. (Wallace) Dysart. He ob- 
tained his elementary education in the public 
schools, and attended Dixon College one winter. 
February, 20, 1890, he married Emma Zarger, 
daughter of Jacob and Frances (Shellar) Zar- 
ger, natives of Franklin County, Penn., who 
came to Lee County about 1876. Mr. Zarger 
died in 1892. Mr .and Mrs. Dysart have two 
children — Glen H. and Cecil Edith. In politi- 
cal sentiment he is a Republican. 

WILSON DYSART (deceased), born in 
Huntingdon County, Penn., Nov. 27, 1829, son 
of Joseph and Mary (Davison) Dysart; came 
to Lee County in 1857, and became a success- 
ful farmer and' stock-raiser. On January 18, 
1853, he married Frances M. Wallace, daughter 
of Samuel P. and Susan (Rathfon) Wallace, 
natives of Pennsylvania, and to whom twelve 
children were born, eight of whom are now liv- 
ing, viz.: Warren P.. Joseph W., Clarinda 
(widow of Jacob Zarger), Ernest S., Edith L., 
Lee M., Edward E. and Fanny E. (Mrs. John S. 
Herbst). In political sentiment Mr. Dysart 
was a Republican. He died Aug. 12. 1901. 

COL. JOHN DEMENT (deceased) was born 
at Gallatin. Tenn., April 26, 1804; removed with 
his parents to Franklin County. 111., in 1817; 
in 1826 elected Sheriff of Franklin County, 
which also included the duties of Collector and 
Treasurer of public funds; elected to the State 
Legislature in 1828: re-elected in 1830; was 
subsequently elected by the General Assembly 
as State Treasurer for three successive 
terms. In 1837 he was appointed Receiver of 
the land office at Galena, 111., which was re- 
moved to Dixon in 1840; chosen Presidential 
Elector for James K. Polk in 1844, and was a 
member of three State Constitutional Conven- 
tions (1847-8, 1862 and 1870); served as Mayor 
of Dixon four terms. In 1835 he married Maria 
Louisa Dodge, daughter of Governor Dodge, of 
Wisconsin. Colonel Dement also rendered 
efficient services during the Black Hawk War. 
He died Jan. 17, 1883. 

HON. HENRY D. DEMENT. ex-Secretary of 
State for Illinois, was born at Galena, Jo 
Daviess County, 111., in 1840, son of Col. John 
and Mar.v L. (Dodge) Dement. He enlisted as 
a private in the Thirteenth Illinois Volunteer 



Infantry when twenty years of age. and was 
successively promoted until he received the 
commission of captain. Soon after the fall of 
Vicksburg, he resigned his command and re- 
turned to Dixon, where for several years, he 
was interested in different manufacturing 
establishments. In November, 1872. he was 
elected to the lower house of the Illinois Legis- 
lature, and was re-elected in 1874. In 1876 he 
was elected to the State Senate from the coun- 
ties of Lee and Ogle, serving four years, and in 
November, 1880, was elected Secretary of 
State. 

HARRY W. DYSART. grain dealer, Franklin 
Grove, 111., was born in the village where he 
now resides, Dec. 26, 1858, son of Samuel and 
Margaret (Henderson) Dysart. Mr. Dysart 
came to Franklin Grove in 1882, and purchased 
the O. G. Smith Elevator & Grain business, 
which he has since conducted, and in 1903 
built an elevator having a capacity of 20,000 
bushels. On November, 7, 1883. he married 
Etta Girton and they became the parents of 
three children — Virginia, Myrtle, and Byron. 
Mrs. Dysart died April 7, 1891, and on June 26, 
1894, Mr. Dysart married for his second wife, 
Elizabeth Burch, and they have one son, Ray- 
mond. In political sentiment Mr. Dysart is a Re- 
publican, and fraternally is a member of the Ma- 
sonic Order, Blue Lodge, and Chapter of Frank- 
lin Grove, Commandery of Dixon, and Medinah 
Temple of Chicago. 

EDWARD E. DYSART, farmer, Nachusa 
Township, Lee County, 111., was born in 
Nachusa Township, Aug. 15, 1872, son of Wilson 
and Frances M. (Wallace) Dysart. He ob- 
tained his education in the public schools and 
attended Mount Morris Academy one year, 
where he took a course in commercial 
branches. On December 14, 1898, he married 
Ida May, daughter of John and Malinda (Groh) 
Shank, all of whom are natives of Lebanon 
County, Penn., and came to Lee County in 1S6S. 
After marriage Mr. Dysart settled on his pres- 
ent 20i)-acre farm, which was a part of his 
father's homestead. In political views he is 
a Republican, and Mrs. Dysart is a member of 
the Lutheran church. 

MRS. MARY E. DYER, farmer, Amboy Town- 
ship, Lee County, III., was born in Steuben 



HISTORY OF LEE COUXTV. 



771 



County, N. Y., Feb. S. 1837. daughter of Jesse 
and Annie (Conderman) Maydole, who came to 
Lee County in 1855. On September 17, 185fi. 
she was married to Sheffield Dyer, and to them 
three children were born, viz.: Seymour (de- 
ceased). Marion C. and Franli S. Mr. Dyer 
died April 11. 1881. Socially he was a member 
of the I. O. O. F.; in politics a Democrat, and 
served his fellow-townsmen as constable for 
fourteen years. Mrs. Dyer's farm in Amboy 
Township comprises sixty-two acres. She is a 
devout member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. 

MARTIN DETRICK. farmer. Nelson Town- 
ship, Lee County, was born in Monroe County. 
Penn., Dec, 7, 1833. son of Jacob and Margaret 
(Rowe) Detrick, both natives of Pennsylvania. 
The subject of this sketch grew to manhood 
in Wyoming County, Penn.. and in 1854, came 
to Lee County, 111., beginning life there as a 
laborer, after which he was engaged in farming 
on rented land for six years. In 1864 he pur- 
chased his first tract of land and has since 
been successfully engaged in "farming. January 
11, 18(10, he married Rachel Atkinson, who was 
born in Wyoming County, Penn., in August, 
1833, and they became the parents of four chil- 
dren: George A.. Myron H., Mary L. and 
Lydia A. (deceased). Mr. Detrick has been 
identified with the Republican party since the 
date of its organization in 1856: the family are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

WILLIAM DABHLER, farmer, Sublette 
Tov,'nship, Lee County, was born in Germany, 
eighteen miles from Frankfort-on-the-Main. 
May 20, 1843. son of Frederick and Margaret 
(Clarius) Daehler. both of whom were natives 
of the son's birth-place. William Daehler came 
to America in 1867. and settled at Portsmouth, 
O.. where he worked in the machinq shops for 
several years, in 1880 coming to Lee County. 
Ill,, where he has since been engaged in farm- 
ing, for the first eleven years as tenant on the 
Gardner farm, and for eight years on the Aus- 
tin farm of 236 acres: is the owner of 160 acres 
of land in Wilkin County, Minn. Mr. Daehler 
is a Republican in politics, and a member of 
the Evangelical Lutheran church — has served 
one year as Highway Commissioner of his 
township, and holds that office at the present 
time. October 10, 1869. he was married to 



Rosie Stoll. born in Wurtemburg. Germany, in 
1843. and at three years of age came with her 
parents to America, the family settling in Ohio. 
Mr. and Mrs, Daehler have had seven children: 
William, who married Sadie Hatner; Kate, 
married Edward ^\^lite; Charles, married Mary 
Page: Augusta, married Henry Reckinger; 
John, married Martha Cropsy; Albert, married 
lona Casch: and Edward, who is unmarried. 

HENRY J. DURR, merchant, Harmon, 111., 
was born in Montgomery Township. Whiteside 
County. Ill, Aug. 2. 1862. son of Michael and 
Bridget (Raferty) Durr. On March 21, 1861, 
his parents came from Ballaghderreen. Ireland, 
and located at Sterling. Ill,, but shortly after- 
wards engaged in farming in Whiteside County, 
111,, and on March 1, 1869, removed to Section 
3, Harmon Township, Lee County. They were 
the parents of six children, two of whom died 
in infancy, and those living are: Henry J,; 
Mrs. Sarah A. Haley, of Marion Township; 
Thomas F., who resides on the homestead; and 
Mrs. Mary A. Condon, of Dixon, 111. Michael 
Durr died, Aug. 25. 1886. and his wife April 
13. 1896. Henry J. Durr grew to manhood on 
his father's farm and followed farming until 
Jan. 1, 1897, when he purchased a half in- 
terest in the business then owned by Thomas 
P. Long, and the firm now conducts an exten- 
sive trade in lumber, coal, hardware, imple- 
ments and vehicles. In 1899 Mr. Durr built the 
first brick store in Harmon village. February 
20. 1887. he married Mary A. Long and to them 
six children have been born, two of whom are 
living, viz.: Clarence J., born June 13. 1889: 
and Mary D.j born April 23, 1891. On political 
questions Mr. Durr affiliates with the Demo- 
cratic party, and has served as Township 
Treasurer since 1898, and is also President of 
the village board of trustees. Fraternally he 
is a member of the M. W. A. and Mystic Work- 
ers of the World. He and his family are mem- 
bers of the Catholic church, 

JOHN B. DOUGLASS, station agent. Chi- 
cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, Paw Paw, 
111., was born in Niagara County, N. Y.. Aug. 22, 
1847, son of George W. and Malinda J. (Stock- 
ing) Douglass, natives of New York, who came 
to Illinois in 1853, locating at Wyanet, Bureau 
County, and engaged in farming. John B. 
Douglass first entered the railway service at 
Rock] Falls. Feb. 1, 1875. was later stationed at 



772 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



Harmon, and came to Paw Paw as agent in 
1883. October 20, 1876, he married Clara D. 
Yearnshaw, of Wyanet, and tliey have six 
children — Ralph, Fred, Ray, Edgar, Thomas 
and Ira. In political views Mr. Douglass is a 
Republican, and was a member of the school 
board. Socially he belongs to the I. O. O. F. 
and M. W. A. In religious belief he is a 
Methodist, and attends the church at Paw Pav/. 
Mrs. Douglass died, June 20. 1900. 

JAMES M. DURIN, physician and surgeon. 
Steward, 111., was born on his father's farm 
March 4, 1867, son of Gilbert E. and Catherine 
(Norris) Durin, the former born in Vermont in 
182.5. and the latter in Indiana in 1836. Gilbert 
E. Durin came to Lee County in 1850. and his 
wife. Catherine Norris, came with her adopted 
parents in 1843. After marriage they settled 
in Willow Creek Township, and became the 
parents of three children — Warren H., who re- 
sides at Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Mary, who died 
aged six years, and James M. Gilbert E. Durin 
died May 29; 1891, while his v.'ife survived him 
until Feb. 8, 1899. Mr. Durin had been a suc- 
cessful farmer, and at the time of his death 
owned 280 acres of land, but had lived retired 
since 1876. James M. Durin attended the pub- 
lic schools at Steward, graduated from the 
Rochelle (Illinois) High School in 1887. and 
afterwards attended the Hahnemann Medical 
College. Chicago, completing his course in that 
institution in 1889. Locating at Steward in 
the latter year, he has since conducted a suc- 
cessful practice in that village. On December 
6, 1896, he married Margaret Parker, daughter 
of Abbie A. Parker, and they have one child 
Gilbert E. The Doctor is a member of the 
Masonic order. Blue Lodge, Chapter at Rochelle, 
Commandery at Sycamore, M. W. A., Knights 
of the Globe, Mystic Workers, and of the State 
Homeopathic Medical Association. In political 
views he is a Republican. 

LE\VIS G. DURIN, retired farmer. Section 8, 
Willow Creek Township, Lee County. 111., was 
born in \ermont. March 8, 1820, son of Ethan 
and Mary (Gates) Durin. He was reared on 
his father's farm in the Green Mountain State, 
and attended the near-by district schools. 
After reaching manhood, he worked at farm 
labor for $10 per month, and in 1849 came to 
Rockton, 111., where he worked for a farmer 



one year, and then, in partnership with his 
brother, Gilbert, entered a half section of land 
in what is now Willow Creek Township, Lee 
County. Two years later Lewis G. purchased 
his brother's interest and has subsequently 
added to his holdings until he now owns 640 
acres adjoining the homestead and 120 acres 
in Viola Tov.'nship. Mr. Durin retired from ac- 
tive labor in 1S91, and removed to Rockford, 
111., but is now erecting a new dwelling house 
on his farm, which will be his future residence. 
February 8. 1854. he married Margaret Rees, 
and to them four children have been born, two 
of whom survive, viz.: Ida M. and George Wil- 
liam. George William has managed his fath- 
er's estate for a number of years, and occupies 
the old homestead. He married on Sept. 16, 
1892. Julia Ambler, and they have five chil- 
dren: Fred E.. Ada M., Glenn R., Vernie L. 
and Lewis W. Mr. Durin is a Republican in 
politics, and has served as Assessor, Road Com- 
missioner and School Trustee. He has been 
an extensive breeder of short-horn cattle and 
Norman and Morgan stock-horses. The 
Rochelle & Southern Raihvay. which will be 
in operation in May, 1904, crosses Mr. Durin's 
farm, and the village of Scarborough, where 
two large grain elevators have recently been 
erected, is platted on land belonging to his 
estate. 

PETER DINGES. farmer. Sublette Township, 
Lee County, III., was born in Oberhechstadt. 
Hesse-Nassau, Germany, in 1844, son of John 
and Christina (Port) Dinges. John Dinges 
was bcrn Jan. 18, 1815, and his wife Jan. 13, 
1820. They are both living (1903) and reside 
on a 244-aca'e farm owned by Mr. Dinges. Peter 
Dinges remained under the parental roof until 
twenty-seven years of age. On April 20, 1876, 
he married Christine Shaup, born in Hesse- 
Darmstadt, Germany, in 1850, daughter of Cor- 
nelius and Margarita (Michel) Shaup, who came 
to America in 1854, locating in Lee County. Mr. 
and Mrs. Dinges are the parents of eight chil- 
dren, viz.: Maggie (Mrs. Martin Theis). Jacob 
(who married Mary Reis). John (who mar- 
ried Elizabeth Reis). Ccrnelius. George. Fred. 
Katie and Elizabeth. In political views Mr. 
Dinges is a Democrat. He and his family are 
members of the Catholic church. His estate 
embraces 800 acres of valuable land. 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



773 



REV. JOHN MARK ERICSSON, rector St. 
Luke's Episcopal church, Dixon, 111., was born 
April 25. 1864. He received his early educa- 
tion in the schools of Georgetown and Ridge- 
fleld. Conn., and in 1S94 graduated from the 
collegiate department of the Northwestern 
University, Evanston. 111., and took a post- 
graduate course in the Western Theological 
Seminary. Chicago. From 1895 to 1898 he had 
charge of St.' Ann's Mission. Chicago, and from 
1898 until the spring of 1901 was assistant rec- 
tor of Grace Episcopal church. Chicago, was 
priest in charge of the same church from the 
latter date until Jan. 1. 1902, when he came to 
Dixon, 111. February 1, 1902, he married Annie 
Louise Patrick. In political sentiment he is a 
Republican, and belongs to the Phi Kappa Psi 
and the Phi Beta Kappa, Greek letter fraterni- 
ties. 



ment he is a Democrat, and socially is a mem- 
ber of the Knights of the Globe. 

HENRY EMMERT (deceased) was born in 
■Washington County, Md., Jan. 22, 1819, son of 
Rev. Joseph and Catherine (Avy) Emmert, na- 
tives respectively of Pennsylvania and Mary- 
land, who came to Lee County in 1845, locating 
in Nachusa Township. Henry Emmert was 
married March 11, 1852, to Mary Kessler, born 
in Montgomery County, Ohio, April 1, 1831, 
daughter of Benjamin and Sally (Burket) 
Kessler, and they became the parents of nine 
children, viz.: Joseph, Jennie A.. Lora, Sarah 
(Mrs. Joseph Johnson), Anna E.. George R., 
H. Hugh, F. Winfred, and Jessie T. In politi- 
cal views Mr. Emmert was a Republican, and 
in religious belief a German Baptist. He died 
Dec. 12, 1896. 



ZACHARIAH EMMERT, retired farmer, Na- 
chusa Township, Lee County, 111., was born 
in "Washington County, Md., March 22. 1833, 
son of Jacob and Mary (Newcomer) Emmert, 
natives of Maryland, who came to Lee County 
in 1844. locating in Nachusa Township in 1845. 
where the farmer died in 1888. and the latter 
in 1899. Zachariah Emmert taught school in 
Nachusa Township during the winter of 1855-6. 
and in 1857 located on his present farm of 4S0 
acres, where he has since resided. In 1857 he 
married Hannah Wingert, daughter of Henry 
and Anna (Beart.^) Wingert, natives of Penn- 
sylvania, who came to Lee County in 1852. 
Mr. and Mrs. Emmert are the parents of seven 
children, viz.: Oscar V. (deceased), Carrie B. 
(widov,' of James D. Crawford), Frank G., Lur- 
ten S.. Olive L., (Mrs. Harvey E. Spangler, of 
Nachusa Township), and Harry L. In politics 
Mr. Emmert is a Democrat, and has served as 
Township Supervisor two terms. 

LURTEN S. EMMERT. farmer, Nachusa 
Township. Lee County, 111., was born June 1, 
1866, son of Zachariah and' Hannah (Wingert) 
Emmert. He was married on Jan. 8, 1889, to 
Sarah J., daughter of Daniel and Rebecca 
(Spangler) Lady, natives of Pennsylvania, and 
of this union there are three children — Wilbur. 
Ruth, Geor.ge, and Glen B.. who died in infancy. 
Mr. Emmert located on his present farm in 
1891, and has since been engaged in general 
farming and stock-raising. In political senti- 



FRANK G. EMMERT. farmer. Nachusa 
Township, Lee County, III., was born in the 
township where he now resides, Aug. 8, 1864, 
son of Zachariah and Hannah (Wingert) Em- 
mert, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania 
respectively, Frank G. Emmert began business 
life for himself in 1889. He first conducted a 
farm in the eastern part of Nachusa Township, 
then located on the J. D. Crawford place, where 
he remained twelve years, and in 1902 pur- 
chased his present homestead containing 87 
acres. On December 27, 1889, he married 
Martha A. Hartzell, daughter of J. Z. Hartzell 
and wife, and of this union there were two 
children — Lee (deceased), and Harold. In poli- 
tics Mr. Emmert is a Democrat, and is serving 
as Township Assessor; was Director of the 
School Board for twelve years. Socially he is 
a member of the Knights of the Globe, Na- 
chusa Garrison. 

CHARLES EWALD, farmer, Reynolds Town- 
ship, Lee County, was born in Germany. Feb. 
5, 1865, son of Henry and Martha (Peck) 
Ewald. His father, Henry Ewald, born in Es- 
sen-Cassell, Germany, Aug. 5, 1837. son of Mar- 
tin and Martha Ewald. learned the stone-ma- 
son's trade and became a builder in Germany, 
where he worked as a journeyman for fifteen 
years. Having married in his native country, 
in 1873. he came to America, settling in Ogle 
County, 111., where he remained six years, 
when, in 1879. he removed to Reynolds Town- 



774 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



ship, Lee County, becoming a prosperous and 
well-to-do farmer. He had a family of seven 
children, of whom Charles was the oldest. 
The latter was educated in the pubic schools 
of Ogle County, and remaining with his father, 
assisted on the farm until twenty-six years of 
age, v,'hen he married Lizzie Wagner, daughter 
of Martin Wagner, an early settler of Lee 
County, and they have four children: Ralph 
M., Harry J., Rosie A. M., and Hilda C. In 
1S99 Mr. Ewald bought of his father 160 acres 
cf land on Section 23, Reynolds Township, 
where he now resides. He has greatly im- 
proved his farm since becoming its owner, and, 
while chiefly engaged in the cultivation of 
grain, has a small herd of cattle. In politics he 
is a Republican, and has served his township 
as Scho-Jl Trustee, Tax Collector and School 
Director. He and his family are attendants 
of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

MARTIN P. EDEN, farmer, Section 11, Wil- 
low Creek Township, Lee County, 111., was born 
on the old Eden homestead, where he now re- 
sides, Jan. 6, 1869, son of Haldor and Betsy 
(Johnson) Eden, natives of Norway, Haldor 
Eden came to America in 1856, and was at first 
employed as a farm-hand in Lee County, but 
later bought eighty acres in Section 11, Willow 
Creek Township, to which he made subsequent 
additions until, prior to his death, he owned 880 
acres in Lee County, besides a 240-acre farm 
in the State of Iowa. He married Dec. 27, 1864, 
Betsy Johnson, and their children were: Arne 
O., Martin P., Charles A., John H., Anna A. and 
Benjamin. Mr. Eden was a Republican in poli- 
tics, and served as School Director and School 
Trustee. He died Sept. 3, 1898, but his wife 
(1903) still survives, and resides with Martin P. 
and other members of her family on the old 
homestead. Martin P. Eden was raised on 
his father's farm and obtained his elementary 
education in the village school' at Lee, later at- 
tending Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, from 
which he graduated in 1892. Later taking a 
three-years course at, Luther Theological Semi- 
nary, Robinsdale, Minn., he graduated in 1895, 
and then engaged in ministerial work at Mil- 
nor, N. D., for one year. He afterwards at- 
tended the Chicago University for nearly five 
years, in the meantime taking a post-graduate 
course in Greek and Latin, and taught the lat- 
ter branch in the Manual Training Department 



of the same institution. Returning to the old 
homestead, in 1900, he has since given his at- 
tention to general farming. 

ISAAC EDWARDS (deceased) was born in 
England, July 31, 1828, son ofi Marmaduke Ed- 
wards; came to Canada in 1849, and to the 
United States in 1850; located at Amboy in 
1853, where he graded seven miles of track for 
the Illinois Central Railroad, then in course of 
construction. In 1855 he engaged in the livery 
and ice business, continuing the same until 
1881; elected Sheriff of Lee County in 1882, 
serving until 1886. Returning to Amboy he 
again engaged in the livery business, but re- 
tired Aug. 1. 1896. In 1853 he was married to 
Elizabeth Saul, born in Ireland and came to 
the United States in 1852. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Edwards eight children were born, four of 
whom are now living, viz.: William J., John 
H., I. Frank and James A. In politics he was 
a stanch Republican, and served as Township 
Collector four terms. Assessor, Supervisor 
several years. Alderman, Mayor of Amboy six 
years, and Sheriff of Lee County four years. 
Mr. Edwards was a member of the Baptist 
church. He died April 14, 1901. 

WILLIAM J. EDWARDS, liveryman, Amboy, 
111., was born in the village where he now re- 
sides, Sept. 15, 1855, son of the late Isaac Ed- 
wards. He attended the public schools at Am- 
boy, and completed his educational training at 
the Chicago University. In 1881 he purchased 
his father's livery business at Amboy. and, 
with the exception of two years, has continued 
to conduct the business to the present time. 
In 1880 he married Rose Nannery, a native of 
New York State, and they are the parents of 
tive children — Elizabeth G.. Annie, Eva, John 
J., and William. In political relations Mr. Ed- 
v,ards is a stanch Republican: has served as 
Collector ten years; Alderman of Amboy, six 
years: Assessor, six years, and is now serving 
as Deputy Sheriff of Lee County. 

DR. OLIVER EVERETT (deceased) was 
born at Worthington. Mass., Sept. 12, 1811, son 
of James and Phoebe Everett. He graduated 
in the science of medicine in his native State 
and, in 1836, removed to Dixou, III., where he 
began practicing his profession, and was the 
first physician to locate permanently in that 
city. He took a deep interest in the establish- 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



775 



ment of the Northern Hospital for the Insane at 
Elgin and was a member of the first Board of 
Trustees of that institution, serving from 1869 
to 1873. In 1838 he married Emily Everett, of 
Princeton, 111., who died a few years later, and 
in 184() he married his second wife, Bessie Law, 
who died May 4, 1881. 

HON. JOHN V. EUSTACE (deceased), born 
in Philadelphia, Penn., Sept. 9, 1821, son of 
Thomas and Fanny (Olmstead) Eustace; edu- 
cated in his native city, graduating from the 
University of Pennsylvania in 1839; admitted 
to the bar in 1841. He came to Dixon in 1843, 
where he practiced his profession until 1857, 
when he was elected to the Circuit Bench, but 
resigned before serving his full term. In 1861 
he was appointed Provost Marshal, serving un- 
til the close of the war; again elected Judge 
of the Circuit Court in 1877 to fiU the vacancy 
caused by the death of Judge W. W. Heaton, 
and in 1879 was re-elected for a full term of six 
years. Judge Eustace also served as a mem- 
ber of the State Legislature, was a Presiden- 
tial Elector in 1864, and in 1876 was candidate 
on the Democratic ticket for Attorney-General 
of Illinois. 

ISAAC EDMONDS (deceased) was born in 
the Dominion of Canada, Nov. 6, 1820, son of 
Oliver and Elizabeth Edmonds, natives of 
the same country. Mr. Edmonds came to the 
United States in 1853, locating near Meliigin's 
Grove, where he was engaged in farming for 
many years. In 1839 he married Rosanna 
Roberts, and of their twelve children four are 
now living, viz.: John, George, Melissa and 
Charlotte (Mrs. Peter Fleming). In political 
sentiment Mr. Edmonds was a Republican, and 
was a member of the Presbyterian church. He 
died in 1S!)1; his wife dying in December. 1896. 

PHILIP ERBES, farmer and feeder of pedi- 
greed stock. Sublette Township, Lee County, 
III., was born in Bureau County, 111., Oct. 5, 
1862, son of Daniel and Kuhnigunde (Knauer) 
Brbes. Daniel Erbes, a native of Hessen-Darm- 
stadt, Germany, was born in 1824, while his 
wife, Kuhnigunde Knauer, was born in Horb, 
Saxe-Coburg, Germany, March 26, 1827, and 
came to America in 1850. They were married 
in 1853. Mr. Erbes owned 320 acres of land 
in Bureau, and 80 acres in Loe County. On 



April 17, 1885, Philip Erbes married Lydia Kap- 
ser, born March 29, 1864, daughter of Philip H. 
and Katherine (Richert) Kapser, and of this 
union there are foun children — Daniel P. H., J. 
Orlando, Emma Lorena, and Clarence R. 
Philip Kapser was born in Darmstadt, Ger- 
many, Sept. 20, 1825, and at the age of eigh- 
teen years came to Bureau County, 111., where 
he owned a farm of 226 acres, but, with his 
wife, who was born in Alsace, Jan. 16, 1830, is 
now living retired at Mendota, 111. Mr. Erbes 
owns 167 acres of land on the south line of Lee 
County, known as the "Pike Creek Stock 
Farm," where he is engaged in breeding the 
well-known pedigreed Scotch and Scotch-top 
Short-horn cattle. Poland-China hogs, Oxford- 
Down Sheep and Golden Wyandotte chickens. 
In politics Mr. Erbes is a Republican. 

PETER FLEMING, retired farmer. Paw Paw, 
111., was born in Renfrewshire, Scotland, April 
21, 1822, son of Peter and Ann (Scott) Flem- 
ing, natives of Scotland. Peter Fleming came to 
Canada in 1845, and removed to DeKalb County, 
111., in 1855. In the spring of 1859 he settled 
in Willow Creek Township, Lee County, where 
he devoted his attention to general farming 
until 1892, when he removed to Paw Paw and 
has since lived retired. On December 28. 1858, 
he married Charlotte Edmonds, daughter of 
Isaac and Rosanna (Roberts) Edmonds, and of 
their children four are living, viz.: Anna (Mrs. 
Robert Taylor), George I., Lillie E. (Mrs. S. A. 
Wright) and Edmond P. In politics Mr. Flem- 
ing is a Republican, and in religious belief a 
Methodist. 

CHAMPION FULLER, farmer, Dixon Town- 
ship, Lee County, 111., was born in Luzerne 
County, Penn., Jan. 21, 1826, son of Stephen 
and Anna H. (Pratt) Fuller, natives of Penn- 
sylvania and Connecticut respectively. In 1836 
Stephen Fuller and his family started west 
from Ohio — where they had removed in 1829 — 
with three yoke of oxen and two wagons, arriv- 
ing at Dixon's Ferry, Lee County, in September 
of the same year, and passed the following 
winter in a log cabin near the "Big Elm." In 
1837 they removed to the farm now owned by 
Champion Fuller and built a log cabin on the 
site of his present residence. Here Stephen 
Fuller died in 1882; his wife dying in 1852. 
They were Baptists in religious faith. Champion 



776 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



Fuller remained on his father's farm from 1S37 
to 1864, except during 1854-5, when he resided 
in Dixon. In 1864 he removed to California, 
where he remained until 1884, when he re- 
turned to Lee County and ha.s since occupied 
the old homestead. He was married in Hum- 
boldt County. Cal., in Nov.. 1870. to Julia A. 
Reynolds, a native of Luzerne County. Penn.. 
and they have two sons — Theodore W, and 
Edward C.^ — v.'ho are now proprietors of the 
"Sun" of Dixon. In politics Mr. Fuller is a 
Democrat. 

GODFREY FUESTMAN (deceased) was born 
in Germany. Oct. 5, 1822, son of Herman and 
Catherine (Dickman) Fuestman, who were na- 
tives of the same country. Mr. Fuestman 
settled in Lee County in 1852. and frcm that 
time until his death, Aug. 13. 1882. was identi- 
fied with the farming interests of the county. 
On March 10, 1860, he married Catherine 
Scheuer, daughter of Henry and Mary (Ruehl) 
Scheuer. natives of Germany, of whom the 
latter came to La Salle County. III., in 1857. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Fuestman ten children were 
born, viz.: Emma C, Henry G.. William F., 
August H.. Albert F.. Olga A.. Frederick R., 
Catherine L., George O. and Eleanor M. The 
family are members of the Lutheran Church. 

REV. MICHAEL FOLEY, pascor St Patrick's 
Catholic church, Dixon, 111., was born in Ire- 
land, Sept. 26, 1850, and came to the United 
States in 1863, locating in Iowa. He was or- 
dained priest in Milwaukee. Wis.. June 26. 1881. 
and was assistant pastor in Chicago for ten 
years. Also served one year in Evanston and 
two years in Sycamore. 111., coming to Dixon. 
June 11, 1892. 

HENRY FISCHER (deceased! was bcrn in 
Germany, Oct. 3, 1818: came to America in 
1849, but returned to his native country, where 
he married Miss Rosalia Buchmann. Return- 
ing to the United States in 1859, he located in 
Lee County, where for many years, he was a 
successful farmer, owning at the time of his 
death (Nov. 7, 1894) 180 acres of land. Of the 
children bom to Mr. and Mrs. Fischer, six are 
now living, and two of their sens carry on the 
home farm, while Mrs. Fischer resides in 
Dixon. Mr. Fischer was a member of the 
German Lutheran Church, and his wife is also 
of the same religious faith. 



DAVID O. FAIRCHILD. farmer, Brooklyn 
Township^Lee County, 111., was born in Canada, 
Oct. 2. 1839, son of Samuel P. and Wilmot 
(Ogden) Fairchild. who came to Brooklyn 
Township in 1854. His father (Samuel P. 
Fairchild) is now deceased, but his mother is 
still living at the venerable age of ninety-seven 
years. In August, 1861, David O. Fairchild 
enlisted in Company C. Thirteenth Illinois 
Volunteer Infantry, in which he served three 
years and then re-enlisted in the Fifty-sixth 
Illinois, remaining with the latter regiment 
until the close of the war. He had three 
brothers who also fought for their country's 
honor during the rebellion. On January 26, 
1868, Mr. Fairchild was married to Ella Davis, 
and to them six children have been born, viz.: 
Daniel D., William T.. Samuel T. (deceased), 
John A.. Addie E. and David O. In politics 
he is a Republican, fraternally, a member of 
the Masonic Order, and in religious belief a 
Methodist. Mr. Fairchild devotes his attention 
to general farming on his 120-acre farm in 
Brooklyn Township. 

CAPTAIN WILLIAM S. FROST. Amboy, 111., 
was born in Windsor. Maine, Oct. 7, 1832, son 
of Daniel and Ella (Stinson) Frost, natives of 
New Hampshire and Maine respectively. The 
family came to Lee County in 1838 and settled 
in Lee Center Township, where the father 
became an extensive land-owner. During the 
winter of 1852, Captain Frost went overland 
to California, remaining there until 1858, v^hen 
he returned to Illinois. In 1859 he made a 
second trip to California, returning to Illinois 
in 1861. In the spring of 1862 he enlisted in 
Company E. Seventy-fifth Illinois Volunteer In- 
fatnry, and was commissioned Captain, serving 
until Jan. 23, 1865. Returning to Lee Center 
Township after the close of the war, he en- 
gaged in farming until 1871. when he removed 
to Bradford Township, where, until 1900, he 
was extensively engaged as a farmer, stock- 
raiser and shipper. Since the last named date, 
he has been engaged in buying and selling 
farm lands. On Nevember '.',. 1865. Captain 
Frost was married to Sophia E., daughter of 
Sherman and Melinda (DeWolf) Shaw, v.'ho 
settled in Lee County in the early '40s. and to 
this union five children have been born, viz.: 
Frank E., Melvina. S. Donald. William S.. Jr., 
and Mary A. Mrs. Frost died April 28, 1901. 



HISTORY OF LEE COUXTV 



777 



Captain Frost is a Republican in politics, and 
served as Supervisor of Lee Center and Brad- 
ford Townships for tv/enty-five years, during 
which time he was Chairman of the Board for 
ten years. For twelve years he served as Presi- 
dent of the Inlet Swamp Drainage Commission, 
which drained over 30.000 acres of swamp 
land in Lee County at an expenditurol of $170.- 
000. He is a member of Amboy Post, No. 572 
G. A. R.. and Lee Center Lodge. No. 146. A. F. 
& A. M. 

DR. JOHN B. FELKER (decease,!) was born 
at Hagerstcwn. 111., in 1839; graduated from 
Rush Medical College. Chicago, in 1859. and 
practiced his profession at Ashton, 111., until 
1861. He enlisted in the Federal army in 1862. 
but, on account of physical disability, was 
discharged without seeing active service. He 
located at Amboy in 1862, where he practiced 
medicine until his death in 1888. He repre- 
sented his District in the Lower House of the 
Illinois General Assembly one term. 

JOHN P. FASSIG. farmer. Brooklyn Town- 
ship, Lee County, 111., was born in the town- 
ship where he now resides, March 23, 1860, 
son of Philip and Charlotte (Erbis) Fassig. 
natives of Germany, who came to La Salle 
County. 111., in 1849 and located in Lee County 
in 1853. Mr. Fassig owns 240 acres of land in 
Brooklyn Township, and is engaged in general 
farming and stock-raising. In January. 1884. 
he married Sophia Florschutz, daughter of 
George and Margaretta (Zietler) Florschutz. 
natives of Germany and early settlers of Lee 
County. Mr. and Mrs. Fassig have five chil- 
dren: Charles A.. Carrie B.. George J., Tena 
L. and Ella A. In political opinions Mr. Fassig 
is a Democrat, and in religious belief a 
Lutheran. 

HARRY L. FORDHAM. banker, Comptnn. 
111., was born at Green Ridge. Penn., Jan. G. 
1869, son of Albert P. and Eliza (Lifts) Ford- 
ham, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to 
Compton, 111., in 1874, v.-here the former died 
in 1885, while the latter is still living and re- 
sides at Compton. Harry L. Fordham was mar- 
ried on March 23. 1893. to Addie B. Cole, daugh- 
ter of Joseph F. and Ellen (Carnahan) Cole, na- 
tives of New York and Pennsylvania, resppc- 
tively, and to Mr. and Mrs. Fordham two chil- 



dren have been born — an infant (deceased) 
and Frank A. In political relations Mr. Ford- 
ham is a Democrat and served six years as 
Chairman of the Democratic County Central 
Committee; was Secretary of the same three 
years; served as Tov.'nship Clerk three years. 
Assessor five years. Village Clerk thre? years, 
and for the past five years has been President 
of the Village Board. Fraternally he is a 
member of the Masonic Order — being at the 
present time Master of Brooklyn Lodge No. 
282 — and member of the Eastern Star, belongs 
to Knights of the Globe, M. W. A. and I. O. O. 
F.. having served as Noble Grand in the last- 
named organization. 

ANTON F. FREESE. farmer. Amboy Town- 
ship, Lee County, III., was born in Germany, 
April 5, 1831, and came to the United States 
in 1857, locating in Lee County, 111. Two years 
later he removed to Colorado, where, in 1861, 
he enlisted in the Second Colorado Cavalry, 
serving three years and nine months in the 
Union army. In 1865 he returnea to Lee County, 
where he has since been engaged in farming, 
and now owns 137 acres of land in Amboy 
Township. On March 15, 1866, he married 
Mrs. Amelia C, (Harms) Jaelfe. daughter of 
A. and Helen Harms, of Lee County, and they 
have four children — Helen. William M.. Anna 
and Anton. Mrs. Freese died March 29, 1902. 
Mr. Freese is a member of the G. A. R.. and 
politically a stanch Republican. He is a mem- 
ber of the German Lutheran church. 

WILLIAM E. FRANKLIN (deceased) was 
born in New York State. May 25. 1S61. He 
came to Chicago in 1881. and ten years later 
removed to Harmon Township, Lee County, 
where he engaged in farming and merchan- 
dising. On November 15, 1882, he married 
Marietta A., daughter of Henry and Angela 
(Printz) Nash, of Wisconsin, and to them seven 
children were born, viz.; Gecrge E.. Francis M., 
Henry A.. Edwin Leo. Angela M. and William 
(deceased. Mr. Franklin died Jan. 14. 1902. 
He was a member of the M. W. A., and of the 
Catholic church. Mrs. Franklin is now en- 
gaged in the mercantile business at Harmon. 

DAVID M. FAHRNEY. real-estate dealer and 
auctioneer. Dixon. 111., v.as born in Washington 
County, Md., April 4, 1850. son of David and 



778 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



Barbara (Bowser) Fahrney, natives of Mary- 
land who came to Dixon in 1857, and in the 
same year located in Ogle County. 111., where 
they both died. David M. Fahrney grew to 
maturity on the farm and has since been em- 
ployed as school teacher, real-estate dealer and 
auctioneer. On December 12. 1878, he married 
Barbara L. Bovey, daughter of Samuel and 
Barbara L. (Funk) Bovey, who located in Ogle 
County about 1850. Of this union there are 
two sons — Clinton and Elmer L. In political 
opinions Mr. Fahrney is a Republican, and is 
a member of the Christian church. 

PHILIP G. FAUBLE, farmer and stock-feeder, 
Sublette Township, Lee County, 111., was born 
in the township where he now resides, April 
19, 1851, son of John and Christine (Traut- 
wein) Fauble. John Fauble and wife were born 
in Germany, came to Lee County in 1846 and 
purchased 140 acres of land. They were the 
parents of seven children. Mr. Fauble died in 
Lee County in 1866. aged fifty-five years, while 
his wife survived until 1895, dying at the age 
of sixty-four years. Philip G. Fauble was mar- 
ried in 1877 to Barbara Pope, born in Bureau 
County, 111., April 5, 1851, daughter of Jacob 
and Kunigunde (Schmidt) 'Pope, natives of 
Germany, and to them two children — George 
and Luella — have been born. Mr. Fauble is 
a Republican in politics and has served as 
School Director two terms. School Trustee 
many years. Justice of the Peace one term, and 
Pathmaster. He and his wife are members of 
the German Evangelical church. 

JOSIAH FRY, retired farmer, Dixon. 111., was 
born in Lee County, within three and a half 
miles of Dixon, Dec. 10, 1843, son of John and 
Mary C. (Klinetop) Fry, natives of Pennsyl- 
vania. John Fry and wife came to Lee County 
in 1837, entered a homestead in what v.'as then 
Dixon Township, and here Josiah Fry, the only 
child in their family, was raised. Mr. Fry died 
Dec. 5, 1885, his wife dying in December. 1870. 
Josiah Fry obtained his education in the dis- 
trict schools of Dixon Townshp, the high school 
at Dixon, and a college at Mt. Verncn. Iowa. 
He was engaged in farming until 1872, when he 
opened an office on Depot Avenue and dealt in 
lumber and coal. Continuing in the lumber 
and coal business until 1885, he closed out his 
business and returned to the farm, where he 



remained until 1891, when he retired from 
active life and has since resided on Depot 
Avenue, Dixon, but still owns the old home- 
stead of 160 acres. September 13, 1866, Mr. 
Fry was married to Mary Catherine Stettler, 
and to them seven children were born, viz.: 
John E., Mary Elizabeth (deceased), Bert, 
Anna U., Ollie M.. Ernest O. and Elsie E. In 
political views Mr. Fry is a Republican, and 
served six years as Highway Commissioner, 
and also served as a member of the Board of 
Education. 

CHRISTIAN C. FABER, meat dealer. Paw 
Paw, 111., was born in Clarion Township, 
Bureau County, 111., Dec. 26, 1863, son of Peter 
and Margaret (Miller) Faber, natives of Ger- 
many, of whom the former came to America 
in 1851 and the latter in 1850. Christian C. 
Faber was engaged in farming until 1885, and 
coming to Paw Paw in the latter year, he 
became a member of the firm of Faber Broth- 
ers, retail dealers in fresh and cured meats. 
On November 20, 1886, he married Myrtle 
Smith, daughter of Henry and Louisa (Adams) 
Smith of Brooklyn Township. Lee County, and 
they are the parents of two children, Clifton S. 
(deceased) and Leone A. Mr. Faber is a Demo- 
crat in political convictions, and in religious 
belief a Lutheran, being a member of the 
church of that denomination at Clarion. 

GEORGE FABER. meat dealer. Paw Paw, 
111,, was born in Clarion, Bureau County. 111., 
April 20, 1S52, son' of Peter and Margaret (Mil- 
ler) Faber. He came to Paw Paw, OcJ. 1, 1882, 
and engaged in the meat-trade and has since 
been identified with the business in that vil- 
lage. On February] 8. 1883, he married Emma 
Meisenbach, daughter of Daniel and Mary 
(Roeter) Meisenbach, and to them three chil- 
dren have been born, viz.: Daniel C, Clayton 
B. and Myron W. In political sentiment Mr. 
Faber is a Democrat, and in religious belief 
a Lutheran. 

EDWARD FAGAN. farmer, Harmon Town- 
ship, Lee County, 111., was born in County 
Mayo, Ireland, and came to' Lee County. 111., 
over fifty years ago, where he has since been 
engaged in farming and now owns 160 acres of 
land in Harmon Township, In 1862 Mr. Fagan 
married Mary Shanahan, daughter of Dennis 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY 



779 



Shanahan. of Whiteside County. 111., and they 
are the parents of seven children, viz.: Jane, 
Elizabeth, William P., Julia, Edward, Anna and 
Joseph. In political opinions Mr. Fagan is a 
Democrat. 

EDWARD FITZSIMONS. farmer, Harmon 
Townshp. Lee County, 111., was born in Province 
of Ulster, County Cavan, Ireland, in 1S30, and 
came to the United States in 1852. He was 
employed in Chicago until 1859, when he re- 
moved to Lee County and now owns a fine 
farm of 240 acres in Harmon Township. In 
1857 he married Miss Alice Smith, and to them 
eight children were born, five of whom are now 
living, viz.: Peter L.. Hugh J., Edward, John 
and Anna. Politically Mr. Fitzsimons is a Re- 
publican, and has served as Highway Com- 
missioner three terms, and as Township Treas- 
urer two terms. He is a member of the Catholic 
church. 

FRANK J. GEHANT, farmer, Viola Town- 
ship. Lee County, 111., was born at Lee Center, 
Jan. 24, 1858, son of Laurent and Juliane (Toil- 
lian) Gehant. He accompanied his parents on 
their removal to Shelby County, 111., in 1858, 
and ten years later returned with them to Lee 
County. He remained at home until 1882, when 
he began farming operations for himself, hav- 
ing purchased an SO-acre tract ol^ land in Viola 
Township, to which he has made subsequent 
additions until his estate now embraces an 
area of 37U acres. On January 17, 1882, Mr. 
Gehant was married to Victoria Henry, daugh- 
ter of Alexander and Margaret (Jengunet) 
Henry, of Scioto County, Ohio, and they are 
the parents of nine children, viz.: Henry L., 
Alexander H., Anna M., Gustave, Isabella R.. 
Frank J.. William J., Walter and Mabel. In 
religious belief Mr. Gehant is a Catholic, and 
in political opinions a Democrat. 

LAURENT GEHANT. farmer. Viola Town- 
ship, Lee County, 111., was born in Shelby 
County 111., July 3, 1860. son of Laurent and 
Juliane (Toillian) Gehant. Coming to Lee 
County with his parents in 1868, he remained 
at home until 1882, when he purchased 150 
acres of land in Viola Township, to which he 
made subsequent additions until his estate is 
nov,' increased to 312 acres. January 17. 1882. 
he married Mary Henry, daughter of Gustave 



and Mary (Vernier) Henry, of Scioto County, 
Ohio, and to them eight children have been 
born, viz.: Louis L., Mary, Louise, Frances, 
George, Albert (deceased), Edna and Pauline. 
Mr. Gehant is a Democrat in politics, and in 
religious belief a Roman Catholic. 

HENRY F. GEHANT, banker, West Brooklyn, 
ill., was born in Shelby County, 111.. May 4, 
1863, son of Laurent J. and Juliane (Toillian) 
Gehant, natives of the Department of Haute 
Saone. France, who came to America in 1856, 
locating at Lee Center, Lee County, where they 
remained two years and in 1858 removed to 
Shelby County, III., but returned to Lee County 
in 1868. Both parents are now deceased. Henry 
F. Gehant opened his present banking house 
on June 1. 1897. October 17, 1887, he married 
Eliza Py. dau.ghter of Syllvan and Mary 
(Henry) Py. natives of France. Mr. and Mrs. 
Gehant have six children, viz.: Oliver L., Julian 
M., Henry W., May S., Albert and Ruth M. In 
political convictions Mr. Gehant is a Democrat 
and is serving his third term as Supervisor of 
Brooklyn Township and sixth term as Presi- 
dent of the Village Board of West Brooklyn. 

WILBER W. GILBERT, Agent New York 
Life Insurance Company. Dixon, III., was born 
on his father's farm in Palmyra Township, Lee 
County. March 31. 1864. son of Howard M. and 
Elizabeth (Williamson) Gilbert. Howard M. 
Gilbert married Elizabeth Williamson in Pitts- 
burg, Penn., and came to Dixon, 111., in the 
early '50s. He was a wagon-maker by trade 
and followed that occupation for some time at 
Gap Grove. Palmyra Township, but later pur- 
chased a farm in Palmyra Township, where he 
died in' 1868, and the year following his widow 
removed to the city of Dixon. Wilber W. Gilbert 
obtained a liberal education in the North Dix- 
on High School and Normal College at Dixon, 
and afterwards clerked in a grocery store for 
six years, and was later enga.ged for four and 
a half years in a shoe factory, where he learned 
the shoe cutter's trade. In 1892 he obtained a 
position with the New York Life Insurance 
Company, and was shortly afterwards appoint- 
ed General Agent, a position he holds at the 
present time. On May 20. 1891, he married 
Lura I. Blake, daughter of Carey A. and Susan 
I. (Conlee) Blake of Mendota. 111. 



78o 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



ADAM GRIM, physician, Franlilin Grove, Lee 
County. 111., born in Greene County, Penn.. Oct. 
23, 1850, son of Harvey and Permelia (Headley) 
Grim; in 1876 came to Douglas County. 111., 
where he engaged in teaching two years; in 
1878 entered Rush Medical College, Chicago, 
graduating in 1881. February 2:3 of the same 
year, he located in Franklin Grove, where he 
has since been engaged in practice. February 
28. 1887, he married Florence J., daughter of 
Joseph C. and Lorenda Lahman, and three chil- 
dren have been born of this union: Lorenda 
(deceased), Margery A. and Roger A. Dr. Grim 
is Surgeon for the North-Western Railroad at 
Franklin Grove. He is a Republican in politics, 
fraternally a Mason, and member of the Blue 
Lodge and Chapter, Franklin Grove; a member 
of the Lee County Medical Society, of the Rock 
River Medical Association, of the American 
Medical Association, the Chicago Medical So- 
ciety and International Association of Railway 
Surgeons. 

SAMUEL M. GANTZ, Dixon, 111., salesman 
and general agent Deere & Company Plow 
Works. Moline, 111., was born in Washington 
County. Md.. Sept 16, 1850, son of John and 
Elizabeth (Landes) Gantz. In 1856 John Gantz 
removed with his family to Ogle County 111., 
where he v.'as engaged In farming until the 
time of his death. Samuel M. Gantz obtained 
his education in the public schools and Mount 
Morris Seminary, after which he taught school 
for ten years, meanwhile owning a farm in 
Ogle County. In 1877 he engaged with Deere 
& Company in the position he now holds. On 
December 25, 1872, he married Margaret A. 
Wadsworth. daughter of Christopher and Ma- 
tilda (Feaster) Wadsworth who came to Ogle 
County in 1837. and of this union there are 
two children. Florence J. and Nellie G. (Mrs. 
Frederick J. Millar). Frederick J. Millar is 
a partner of Mr. Gantz in the Millar-Gantz Gas 
Machine, a valuable invention designed to econ- 
omize good lighting power. In political opinions 
Mr. Gantz is a Republican, and in religious 
belief a Presbyterian. 

ABRAM GILBERT (deceased) was born in 
Northamptonshirp, England. Nov. 9. 1827: came 
to Kane County. 111., in 1858, and shortly after- 
wards removed to Lee County where he passed 
the remainder of his life, dying at Franklin 



Grove, Feb. 21. 1898. In 1856 he married Lucy 
Smith, born in England, and to them twelve 
children were born, eight of whom are now 
living, viz.: Carrie E., Laura E., Junia T., Eva 
A., Joseph J., Eunice L.. Lucy M. and Rebecca J. 
Mr. Gilbert was an extensive land owner, and 
at the time of his death his holdings comprised 
600 acres. In political sentiment he was a 
Democrat, and in religious belief a Presby- 
terian. 

FERDINAND GAERTNER (deceased), born 
April 6, 1832, in Leipsic, Germany, son of Fred- 
erick and Maud Gaertner. also natives of Ger- 
many; came to the United States in 1851, lo- 
cated at Peru, 111., in 1858. and in 1863, re- 
moved to Amboy, Lee County. For seventeen 
years he was employed in the round-house of 
the Illinois Central Railroad at Ambcy, and for 
the next fifteen years was engaged in private 
business there, retiring from active life in 1895. 
January 12, 1856, he married Mary Keppler, 
who was born in Wurtemberg. Germany, 
daughter of Andrew and Christina Keppler, and 
came to America in 1851. There were three 
children born of this union: Henry (died April 
17, 1901), Lillie (died April 2, 1866), Emma, 
who is now the wife of Robert Remboth, a 
merchant of Amboy. Mr. Gaertner died July 
4, 1902. In politics he was a Democrat, and 
the family are members of the Lutheran 
church. 

JAMES GOBLE (deceased) was born in Lu- 
zerne Coimty, Penn.. July 22. 1811, and in 1837 
settled in Lee County, 111., where he was ever 
afterwards identified with its development. He 
v.'as a Democrat in politics and cast his first 
vote for Andrew Jackson in 1832. In 1846 he 
was elected County Commissioner, and County 
Sheriff in 1848: also held the office of Coroner, 
besides other offices of minor importance. 

ALEXANDER GILMORE. retired farmer, 
was born in New York City, in 1826, and was 
brought to Lee County by his parents in June, 
1835. For many years he was one of the suc- 
cessful farmers of the county, but is now re- 
tired. In 1855 he married Mary L. Frost, who 
died in 1865. and his second wife was Eliza 
Fisk. who is nov/ deceased. Mr. Gilmore is a 
member of the Methcdist Episcopal church. 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



781 



HENRY A. GRUBE, grain Healer, West 
Brooklyn, Lee Count.v, 111., was born in Brook- 
field Township, La Salle County, 111., Jan. 16, 
1874, son of Charles and Fredericka (Luerdut) 
Griibe, natives of Mecklenburg. Germany, who 
came to La Salle County, in 1854 and 1861 re- 
spectively. Mr. Grube was married April 23, 
189S, to Lovina Leach, the daughter of Temple 
Leach of Laccta, Mich., where he settled in 
1883. In 1S96 Mr. Grube located in Lee County. 
where he engaged in the farming industry, but 
on Nov. 1, 1903, removed to Tipton. Ind., and 
engaged in the cigar business. In politics he 
is a Democrat, and fraternally a Mason and a 
member of the M. W. A. He is a communi- 
cant of the Lutheran church. 

CONRAD GONNERMANN. furniture dealer 
and undertaker, Dixon, 111., was born in Hesse, 
Germany, Sept. 28, 1845, son of JchnJ and Mag- 
dalene (Doll) Gonnermann. Young Gonner- 
mann obtained his education in the schools of 
his native country, and in 1864, at the age of 
nineteen years, came to America, his point of 
destination being Franklin Grove, Lee County, 
where his brother Marcus was engaged in 
farming. Before leaving the Fatherland, Mr. 
Gonnermann had learned the cabinet maker's 
trade, and, shortly after reaching America, 
found work v/ith Christ Brockner of Dixon, 
111. Three years later he formed a partner- 
ship with a Mr. J. Fruchtenicht, afterwards 
engaged in contracting and building for two 
years, and then opened a furniture and under- 
taking establishment at Dixon. In 1873 Mr. 
Gonnermann bought his partner's interest in 
the business, and has since conducted the 
enterprise alone, having at the present time 
an expensive and well stocked establishment 
in First Street, and also owns the building in 
which his business is conducted. In 1868 he 
married Katherine Fernau, of Germany, and 
their children are: Bertha, Edward E., Lillian, 
Clara (Mrs. Louis Clark), Nettie, Harry and 
Arthur. In politics Mr. Gonnermann is a Re- 
publican, and in religious belief a Lutheran. 
Socially he is a member of the I. O. O. F., 
M. W. A., National Union and B. P. O. E. 

JOHN J, GARLAND, farmer, Harmon Town- 
ship, Lee County, 111., was born in Palmyra 
Tov.-nship, Lee County, Aug. 15, 1865, son of 
John and Agnes (Kent) Garland, natives of 



Ireland, the birthplace of the former being in 
County Louth and that of the latter in Kilken- 
ny. They came to the United States in 1849 
or '50, and located in Lee County in the early 
'50s. Both are now deceased. John J. Garland 
has devoted his life to farming, and now owns 
260 acres of land in Harmon Township. On 
December 31, 1891, he was married to Bridget 
Mclnerney, daughter of Michael and Bridget 
(Downs) Mclnerney, natives of Ireland, and to 
them seven children have been born: Frank, 
Thomas, John, Agnes, Olive, Edward and Paul. 
In political views Mr. Garland is a Democrat, 
and in religious belief a Catholic. 

MICHAEL GAFFANEY, liveryman, Dixon, 
III., was born in Oswego, N. Y., Sept. 16, 1848, 
son of Thomas and Bridget (McAlister) Gaf- 
faney, who came with their family to Dixon 
in 1854. Thomas Gaffaney was a contracting 
mason and died in 1858, leaving a widow and 
six children, Michael being second in the fami- 
ly. In his boyhood Michael Gaffaney attended 
the public schools, worked on the farm, later 
owned considerable land, and is still interested 
in farming. When a youth he learned the 
blacksmith's trade and followed that occupa- 
tion for seventeen years, but afterv/ards opened 
a livery stable on First Street, Dixon, and in 
1897 erected the large brick building on Second 
Street, where he now conducts an extensive 
and well-established business. February 29, 
1864, Mr. Gaffaney enlisted in Company D, 
Thirty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry (usu- 
ally called Ya,tes' Phalanx) and served until 
the close of hostilities. He was wounded in 
the battle of Bentonville, N. C, and among 
other engagements in which he participated 
were the first battle of Buzzard's Roost. Resaca, 
Rome, Big Shanty, Lost Mountain, Kenssaw, 
siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro, and he was with 
General Sherman's division in the memorable 
March to the Sea. Mr, Gaffaney was married 
in December, 1876, to Katherine O'Malley. 
Socially he is a member cf the G. A. R.. K, of P. 
and Code of Honor. In politics he is a Jack- 
sonian Democrat. 

MRS. ABIGAIL L. HASKELL, Lee Center, 
111., was born at Windsor. Maine, Nov. 6, 1820, 
daughter of Lott and Sarah (Linn) Chadwick. 
Lott Chadwick was born at China, Me., Sept. 
24, 1792: came to Lee County in 1838, locating 



782 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



at Inlet Grove, and his wife was bom at 
Coleraine, Mass.. Sept. 29, 1798. Mr. Chadwick 
was a millwright by trade and built several 
mills in Gardner, Me.: Grand Detour and other 
places in Ogle County 111., and at Inlet Grove. 
He also owned a farm near the latter place. 
Mr. Chadwick died in 1883. his v.'ife surviving 
until, 1886. Mrs. Haskell was her father's Dep- 
uty during his term of service as Postmaster 
at Windsor, Me. In 1830 she came with her 
parents and their family to Inlet Grove, Lee 
County, and in 1841 was married to George E. 
Haskell, who was born in Augusta, Me., May 
5, 1807. Mr. Haskell was a man of high edu- 
cational attainments, taught school in Augusta, 
Me., later became a merchant at Windsor, in 
the same State, where he also held office as 
Selectman, and came with Lett Chadwick to 
Inlet in 1838. He engaged in the mercantile 
trade at the latter place, but later removed 
his business to Lee Center, and retired in 1856. 
In political views Mr. Haskell was a Repub- 
lican; served many years as Justice of the 
Peace, and was elected County Clerk in 185G. 
but resigned the following year on account of 
ill health. Fraternally he was a member of 
the Masonic order and I. O. O. F. Mr. Haskell 
entered land in Lee County, but never engaged 
in farming. He died June 12, 1867. 

CHARLES D. HART (deceased), for many 
years a prominent farmer of Bradford Town- 
ship, Lee County, 111., was born in Shelburne, 
Mass., Jan. 12, 1831, son of Holloway L. and 
Mary (Carter) Hart. At the age of ten years 
he removed to Greenfield, Mass., later went to 
Conway, same State, where he remained one 
year, then returned to Greenfield, and in the 
spring of 1855 came to Lee County, where he 
purchased 160 acres of land from the Illinois 
Central Railroad Company on Section 20, Brad- 
ford Township, where he engaged in farming. 
Mr. Hart was married in Franklin County 
Mass., to Lucy R. Jenkins, and four children 
were born] of this union, two of whom are now 
living, viz.: Charles J. and Henry S. Mrs. Hart 
died Feb. 12. 1867, and on July 11, 1867, Mr. 
Hart was married to Miss Katherine S. Wright. 
and to them five children were born. Mr, Hart 
died April, 14, 1897. and was buried at Wood- 
side Cemetery, in Lee Center Township. In 
the fall of 1900 Mrs Hart left the farm and is 
now living at Ashton. Lee County, with her 



daughters, Mary and Lucy. Of Mr. Hart's 
children, William H., married Miss Nellie 
Smith, June 14, 1901; Frank S., married Emma 
Wagner, Nov. 12, 1901; Mabel M., died Sept. 29, 
1901; Charles J., married Annie Wicks, Dec. 
23, 1895, and Henry S., married Kate Albright, 
Feb. 17, 1891. Mr. Hart was elected to many 
positions of trust and responsibility, and in 
every office performed the duties pertaining 
thereto in a most conscientious and satisfactory 
manner. He took an active part in politics, 
and the Republican party counted him as one 
of its stanch supporters. In religious matters 
he was of liberal views. In 1868 he became 
identified with the Masonic Lodge of Franklin 
Grove, No. 268. In the death of Mr. Hart, Lee 
County lost one of her most enterprising and 
upright citizens, and his family a noble and 
conscientious husband and father. 

DR. WILLIAM HENRY, physician and drug- 
gist. Harmon, 111., was born in Franklin 
County, Penn., Sept. 15, 1839, son of Samuel 
and Sarah (Linn) Henry, natives of Pennsyl- 
vania who came to Ogle County. 111., in 1844, 
but are now deceased. Dr. Henry received 
his classical education in the Rock River Semi- 
nary. Mt. Morris, 111., and later attended a 
course of lectures and worked in the chemical 
laboratory at the State University, Ann Arbor. 
Michigan. The Doctor is also a graduate of 
Rush Medical College. Chicago, and since 1881 
has practiced his profession at Harmon. 111. 
On November 3. 1870, he married Annie S. 
Miller, daughter of Franklin and Rhoda (Strod) 
Miller, natives of Pennsylvania, and to them 
tv.'o children have been born, viz.: a daughter 
who is deceased, and William F., now a resi- 
dent of Polo, 111. Socially Dr. Henry is a mem- 
ber of the Kni.ghts of the Globe, and in political 
sentiment a Republican. 

HON. WILLIAM W. HEATON (deceased), 
born in Oneida County. N. Y.. April 15, 1814, 
son of John and Sarah (Weed) Heaton; ad- 
mitted to the bar at Terre Haute, Ind., in 1838; 
removed to Dixon in 1840, where he practiced 
law until 1861, when he was elected Judge of 
the Circuit Court, serving in that capacity until 
1877. In the latter year he was appointed oni? 
of the Justices of the Appellate Court for the 
First District of Illinois, and when court as- 
sembled in October, he was chosen Chief Just- 



HISTORY OF LEE COfXTV. 



783 



ice. Judge Heaton died very suddenly in Chi- 
cago. Dec. 26, 1877. 

DEACON ISAAC E. HUNT (deceased) was 
born in Union County. Ind.. Nov. 11, 1819. son 
of William H. and Elizabeth Hunt, natives of 
North Carolina, who came to Lee County in 
the fall of 1852 and engaged in farming. Feb- 
ruBjy 20, 1844, he married Eliza A. Patterson, 
who died March 31, 1858, leaving one son, 
James. On March 10, 1859, Deacon Hunt mar- 
ried for his second wife Ann Eliza McBride. 
who bore him two sons, Fred R. and Milton K. 
He united with the Baptist church in 1839. 
and was appointed deacon in 1859. He died 
August 28, 1900. 

CHARLES F. HUBBARD (deceased), one of 
the pioneer settlers of Lee County, was born in 
New York City in 1817, son of Ruggles and 
Catherine Hubbard; settled in Lee County in 
1837, purchasing a squatter's claim from Father 
Dixon, and here passed the remainder of his 
days. He married Helen Graham, a native of 
New York City, and to them live children were 
born. He served as Town Clerk and Supervisor 
of Nelson Township for a number of years. He 
died Feb. 11, 1881, his wife surviving him 
until March 1, 1901. 

ROBERT A. HOPPS. merchant. Paw Paw, 
111., was born in Wheeling, Cook County, 111., 
Dec. 23, 1853, son of William and Martha 
(Smith) Hopps. R. A. Hopps came to Lee 
County in 1864 and, for sixteen years, made his 
home with his uncle, David Smith; afterwards 
conducted a farm three years. He then re- 
moved to Paw Paw and established himself 
in the mercantile business, and now carries 
the largest stock of general merchandise in 
that city. In 1890 he married Mary Stauffer 
of Compton. and they have three children — 
R. Smith, Gladys and Howard. In political 
opinions Mr. Hopps is a Republican and has 
served as Constable and Collector of Willow 
Creek Township. His wife is a member of the 
Presbyterian church. 

SHERMAN J. HOLDREN. farmer, Viola 
Township, Lee County, 111., was born in Brook- 
lyn Township, Lee County, July 17, 1865, son 
of John H. and Phoebe Holdren. His father 
died Feb. 3, 1900, and his mother Dec. 6. 1899. 
Sherman J. Holdren lived with his parents un- 



til his marriage, and then settled on his present 
farm of 150 acres in Viola, Township. October 
3. 1890, he married Helen Klein, daughter of 
Peter and Rose Klein, of La Salle, 111., and to 
them four children have been born; Rose M., 
Myrtle (deceased), Eva and Albert. In relig- 
ious views Mr. Holdren is a Catholic and is a 
member of the Catholic Order of Forresters. 
In political opinions he is a Republican and 
has served as Township Clerk three years, and 
for the same length of time v/as a member of 
the Republican County Committee. 

A. E. HUTCHINSON, grain dealer, was born 
Dec. 25, 1865, near Williamsville, Sangamon 
County. III., son of C. A. and Emma (Fulker- 
son) Hutchinson, both natives of New Jersey, 
who came to Illinois with their respective par- 
ents. They settled in Sangamon County in 
1854, where the grandfather and father both 
died, the latter in 1889; his wife is still living. 
C. A. Hutchinson enlisted in the One Hun- 
dred and Fourteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, 
and served until the close of the war. A. E. 
Hutchinson was raised on his father's farm and 
attended the district school. He was married 
Feb. 15, 1888, to Esther, daughter of Joseph 
Fletcher, and to them have been born eight 
children; May and Mabel (twins), Bessie, Dor- 
othy, Bertha, Myrtle, Florence and Albert. At 
the age of eighteen, A. E. Hutchinson began 
work at farming, and in 1888 engaged in this 
occupation on his own account in Champaign 
County, continuing there until 1894. when he 
removed to Lee County. In 1895 he left his 
farm and engaged in the grain business at 
Harmon in partnership with S. T. Zeller. This 
partnership was dissolved for a time, but on 
Jan. 1, 1901, it was renewed and together they 
purchased the elevator and grain business 
from Knapp & Jennings, at Ashton, with the ex- 
tensive stock yards, where stock is fed in 
transit on the North-Western Railroad. Under 
the firm name of Zeller & Hutchinson they are 
conducting a successful business in buying 
and shipping grain. Mr. Hutchinson is a mem- 
ber of the Modern Woodmen, also a member of 
the Methodist church, and in politics a Republi- 
can. 

FRED HARCK. retired farmer, Lee Center. 
111., was born in Freienwalde. Pomerania, Prus- 
sia, Dec. 28, 1846; came to America in 1868, 



784 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



locating in Lee County, where he was employed 
nine years as a farm hand, then conducted a 
rented farm for several years, and purchased 
land in 1881. Later he retired from active life, 
owning at the time a quarter section of land, 
which is now occupied by his son. William F. 
On March 9, 1S77, he married Martha Heiben- 
thal, born in Bradford Township, Oct. 19, 185fi, 
daughter of Charles and Martha (Kreig) Heib- 
enthal, natives of Kur-Hessen, Germany. Three 
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Harck, viz.: William F., who married Mabel 
Bailey; Lilla, wife of Harvey Miller, of Dixon; 
and Ella May. Mr. Harck is a Republican, and 
he and his family are members of the Evangel- 
ical church. 

BENJAMIN F. HOLDREN, contractor and 
builder, Compton, 111., was born in Columbia 
County, Penn., Jan. 13, 1823, son of Edward 
and Abigail (Demott) Holdren, natives of New 
Jersey, who came to Chicago in 1842, removed 
from there to Rockford, 111., and came to Lee 
County in 1845. Mr. Holdren has followed his 
trade for many years. In August. 1862, he en- 
listed in Company I, Eighty-ninth Illinois Vol- 
unteer Infantry, serving two years. In July, 
1849, he married Zuriah Cowan, and they are 
the parents of nine children — Edward. Frank, 
Clarence, Jerry, Charley, Benjamin, John G. 
(deceased), Donna and Nellie. In political viev/s 
Mr. Holdren is a Republican; has served sev- 
eral years as School Director, and three terms 
as a member of the Village Board. Socially he 
is a member of the G. A. R.. and in religious 
belief is a Baptist. 

WILLIS N. HILLS, Postm: ster and druggist 
Compton, III., was born in Brooklyn Township, 
Lee County, Dec. 19, 1864, son of J. N. and 
Nancy (Merwin) Hills, natives of New York 
State, who came to Lee County in the '40s, and 
located in Brooklyn Township. They are now 
deceased. Willis N. Hills was married June 
16, 1897, to Susie Pope, daughter of George and 
Bertha (Dorst) Pope, and they have tv.'o chil- 
dren, Inez M. and Kenneth. In political con- 
victions he, is a Republican, and is now serv- 
ing his second term as village trustee; has 
served as postmaster of Compton for six years, 
and conducts the only drug store in the village. 
He is a member of the Masonic order, I. O. O. 
v., and Knights of the Globe. Mrs. Hills is 



a Methodist in religious belief and is a mem- 
ber of the church at Compton. 

EUGENE A. HENRY, farmer, Viola Town- 
ship, Lee County, 111., was born at Portsmouth, 
Ohio, Feb. 8, 1876, son of August and Mary 
(Vernier) Henry. In 1896 Mr. Henry came to 
Illinois, and for four years thereafter was em- 
ployed as a farm-hand. In 1900 he began farm- 
ing on his own account and is now conducting 
a farm with H. B. Cobb. On January 30, 1900, 
Mr. Henry was married to Pauline Holbmeier, 
daughter of William and Elizabeth (Lauer) 
Holbmeier, of West Brooklyn, 111., and they 
have one daughter, Hilda K. In political opin- 
ions he is a Democrat and in religious belief a 
Catholic. 

NATHAN HETLER (deceased), one of the 
pioneer settlers of Lee County, was born in 
Pennsylvania. He learned the carpenter's 
trade in his native State, and in 1838 started 
with team and wagon for Illinois, bringing 
v/ith him his wife and three children and a 
few household goods. He arrived at Dixon, 
111., on June 6, 1838, and had at that time 
seventy-five cents In currency. In 1842 he lo- 
cated on the farm, now owned by his son, Hi- 
ram Hetler, and there spent the remainder of 
his life, dying in 1877. He married Catherine 
Gulp, a native of Pennsylvania, who died in 
1894, leaving seven children — four boys and 
three girls — viz.: Margaret, Mary A.. Hiram, 
Jesse, Jeremiah, Amanda and John. In poli- 
tics Mr. Hetler was a Republican, and he and 
his wife were charter members of the Lutheran 
church at Dixon. 

JEREMIAH HETLE;R. farmer, Dixon Town- 
ship, Lee County, born Oct. 4, 1841, the son of 
Nathan and Catherine (Gulp) Hetler (see 
sketch); was reared and educated in Dixon 
Township, and engaged in farming for himself 
in 1867. In 1883 he purchased the farm he 
nev/ occupies, at that time consisting of 120 
acres. December 25, 1868, he was married 
to Mary E.. daughter of William and Salinda 
McCleary, and they became the parents of three 
children: Grace M., who became the wife of 
Charles Senneff, of Corvina. Cal.; Kittie, wife 
of Clyde Mellick, of Carpenteria. Cal.; Nettie 
S., who died Oct. 4, 1890; and Florence, who 
is slill at home. Mrs. Hetler died Sept. f), 1902. 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



785 



Mr. Hetler is a Republican politically, and has 
served as Highway Commissioner and School 
Director. He is a member of the Dixon Presby- 
terian church. 

HIRAM HETLER, retired farmer and soldier 
of the Civil War, Dixon, III, was born in Co- 
lumbia County, Penn., Jan. 19, 183S, son of Na- 
than and Catherine (Culp) Hetler. (See 
sketch of Nathan Hetler.) In 1859 the subject 
of this sketch went to Pike's Peak, whence 
he returned in 1860, remaining at home until 
August, 1862, when he enlisted in Company F, 
First Regiment Illinois Li.ght Artillery 
(Cheney's Battery), and was assigned to serv- 
ice in the Army of the Tennessee. During the 
next three years his company took part in 
many of the most important movements and 
engagements in the South, including the siege 
of Vicksburg, the battles of Chattanooga and 
Missionary Ridge, the Atlanta campaign and 
the battle of Nashville, being discharged July 
12, 1856. Returning to his home in Dixon 
Township, Mr. Hetler engaged in farming, and 
has since followed that occupation. Iri August, 
1862, he married Nancy Crippen, daughter of 
Seth and Elizabeth (Smith) Crippen, who were 
natives of New York, and, three children were 
born of this union, viz.: Ida and Lola (both de- 
ceased), and Minnie, still living. Mr. and 
Mrs. Hetler are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. Politically he is a Republi- 
can and has served as Supervisor of Dixon 
Township seventeen years, and School Director 
twenty -one years; is a member of Dixon Post. 
No. 299, G. A. R. 

JESSE HETLER, farmer, Section 10, Pal- 
myra Township, Lee County, 111., was born in 
Dixon Township. April 27, 1839, son of Nathan 
and Katherine (Kulp) Hetler, who were early 
settlers of Lee County and became prominently 
identified with its development. Jesse Hetler 
obtained his education in Dixon Township at 
the Bend school house, and on Sept. 17, 1863, 
married Mary E. Beal, by whom there were 
five children, viz.: John T., Imogene (Mrs. 
Ernest Feldkirchner), Alice A. (Mrs. Frank 
Montgomery), Nathan and Katherine (Mrs. 
Howard Barrhead). Mrs. Hetler died August 23, 
1880, and Mr. Hetler married tor his second 
wife Alice E. (Mellon) Atkins. Mr. Hetler is 
a member of the A. O. U. W. and M. W. A. 



In religious belief he is a Lutheran, and in po- 
litical opinions a Republican, casting his first 
vote for Abraham Lincoln. 1 In connection with 
farming Mr. Hetler conducts quite an extensive 
dairy and keeps a fine herd of cows. 

JOHN HETLER, farmer, Dixon Township, 
Lee County, was born in the township where 
he now resides, Nov. 25, 1847, son of Nathan 
and Catherine (Culp) Hetler. (See Sketch of 
former.) Mr. Hetler remained at the paternal 
home until 1SS2. when he was married to Lu- 
cetta Miller, daughter of Samuel W. Miller, of 
Franklin County, Penn., and since then has 
devoted his attention to farming and stock- 
raising on his farm of 430 acres on Section 
15, Dixon Township, Lee County. Besides this 
he is the owner of ninety acres of land in Na- 
chusa Township. To Mr. and Mrs. Hetler have 
been born four children: Delia, Harry, Nellie 
and John M. Mr. Hetler is a Republican in 
politics and for twelve years served as School 
Director of his district. Socially he is identi- 
fied with the order of Modern Woodmen of 
America, Home Guardian and Knights of the 
Globe. 

RALPH H. HENDRIX, who resides in Na- 
chusa Avenue, Dixon, 111., was born in Dixon, 
Oct. 20, 1863, son of George B. and Eliza J. 
(Andrews) Hendrix. He obtained his educa- 
tion in the public school at Dixon and learned 
the painter's trade. His father, George B. 
Hendrix, was a carpenter by trade. Mr. 
Hendrix was married in 1889 to Mary E. Fry, 
daughter of Josiah and Katherine Fry, and they 
are the parents of tv.'o children — George and 
Florence. 

JOHN S. HERBST, farmer. Nachusa Town- 
ship, Lee County. 111., was born in Adams 
County, Penn.. March 13, 1S70, son of Henry 
and Annie E. (Wible) Herbst who were also 
natives of the Keystone State, the former be- 
ing born August 9, 1827, and the latter Oct. 9, 
1830. Henry Herbst and wife came to Lee 
County in March, 1884, and now reside in Na- 
chusa Township. They were the parents of 
eight children, all of whom grew to years of 
maturity. John S. Herbst obtained his edu- 
cation in the public schools, and on Nov. 17, 
1897, married Fannie Dysart, daughter of Wil- 
son and Frances (Wallace) Dysart. Mr. Herbst 



786 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



owus 160 acres of valuable land in Nachusa 
Township, upon which he has recently erected 
an attractive dwelling house. In political re- 
lations he is a Republican. 

FRANK HOERNER, farmer, Brooklyn Town- 
ship, Lee County, 111., was born in Lee County, 
May 6, 1863, son of Godfrey and Sophia 
(Rhodes) Hoerner, natives of Germany, who 
came to Illinois in 184S. Frank Hoerner owns 
a farm of 201 acres located in Brooklyn and 
Lee Center Townships, and is engaged in gen- 
eral farming and stock-raising. In August, 1884, 
he married Emma Burkhart. daughter of Peter 
and E. (Burkhardt) Burkhart, natives of 
Germany, but now residents of Lee County. 
Mr. and Mrs. Hoerner have eight children. 
viz.: Rosa M., Louis P., Carrie S.. Minnie, 
Sadie L., Albert F., Clara and Alma. In politi- 
cal sentiment Mr. Hoerner is a Democrat and 
in religious belief a Catholic. 

JOHN HARPER, retired farmer. Paw Paw. 
111., was born at Ross Grove, DeKalb County. 
111., July 15, 1856, son of William and Sarah 
(Kirk) Harper, He was engaged in farming 
in DeKalb County, 111., until 1892, when he re- 
moved to Paw Paw, and for four years follow- 
ing, was engaged in the hardv/are and imple- 
ment business. In Paw Paw he married Mary 
C. Davis, daughter of Albert G. and Martha 
(Robinson) Davis, of DeKalb County, and they 
have one son, Bayle G. Mr. and Mrs. Harper 
are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. In political views he is a Republican. 

HENRY HOFFMAN, retired farmer, Sublette 
Township, Lee County, 111., was born in Ger- 
many, Dec. 23, 1825. son of George and Kath- 
erine (Link) Hoffman. George Hoffman came 
to America in 1845. arriving near Perkins' 
Grove, Lee County. 111., in July of the same 
year, and one month later, removed to Lee 
County, where he became the owner of 240 
acres of land. Five children were born to 
himself and wife, three sons and two daughters. 
Mr. Hoffman died July 7, 1849. his wife surviv- 
ing until Sept. 22. 1885. Henry Hoffman was 
married Dec. 19. 1S50, to Margaret Smith, who 
was born Dec. 22, 1830, daughter of John and 
Margaret (Theis) Smith, natives of Germany, 
who came to America in 1846 and located In 
Lee County. Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman are the 
parents of eight children, viz.: George E., Mar- 



garet, Henry W., Philip J., Frederick W.. Steph- 
en J., Ezra G. and Julius A. In political 
views Mr. Hoffman is a Republican; has served 
as School Director and Road Commissioner, 
and in religious faith is a member of the Evan- 
gelical church. 

HELGE A. HILLESON, farmer. Section 15, 
Willow Creek Township. Lee County, 111., was 
born on the farm v.'here he now resides, April 
13, 1849, son of Amond and Ingaborg (Maland) 
Hilleson, natives of Norway. Amond Hille- 
son came to America in 1850, where he worked 
for wages five years, and then purchased 160 
acres of land, upon which his son. Helge A. 
now resides. In 1857 he married Miss Inga- 
borg Maland. and to them two children were 
born: Helge A. and a daughter, Engeliev, who 
died at the age of three years. Amond Hille- 
son lived to be seventy-five years of age, and 
died on his farm in 1895, leaving an estate 
of 300 acres of well-improved land. He was a 
member of the Norwegian Lutheran church. 
His wife (1903) still survives, and resides 
with her son, Helge A. Helge A. Hilleson was 
raised on the farm, attended the district school, 
and after two years' attendance at the Minona 
Academy. Madison. Wis., returned home and 
conducted a part of his father's estate. He was 
married in July. 1883, to Anna Nelson, daugh- 
ter of Haldor Nelson, an early settler of Lee 
County, and to them eight children have been 
born: Amanda, Thomas, Harvey (deceased), 
Julia. Hilda, Emma, Lawrence and Anna H. 
Mr. Hilleson and family are members of the 
Norwegian Lutheran church. In politics he is 
a Republican. 

LE"WJS HENRY, farmer, Wyoming Town- 
ship, Lee County, 111., was born in Scioto 
County, Ohio, June 7, 1857, son of August and 
Mary (Vernier) Henry. Mr. Henry came to 
Lee County. 111., in 1885, and settled at Ma- 
higin's Grove, where he remained until April 
1, 1891, when he removed to his present farm 
of 166 acres. On May 29, 1886. he was married 
to Josephine Gehant. daughter of Modest and 
Olymphia Gehant. and of this union three chil- 
dren were born, viz.: Albert (deceased). Pau- 
line and Arthur. Mrs. Henry died Sept. 25, 
1899, and on Feb. 20, 1900. Mr. Henry married 
for his second wife Josephine Ryne, daughter 
of John and Mary (O'Brien) Ryne. of Amboy, 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



787 



111. Politically Mr. Henry is a Democrat, and 
in religious belief a Roman Catholic. 

LINCOLN A. HARTZELL, farmer. Nacliusa 
Township. Lee County, born in the township 
where he now resides, Sept. 16. ISfiO, the son o( 
John \V. and Catherine (Trostle) Hartzell, 
natives of Adams County, Penn., who came to 
Lee County, 111., in 1851, settling in Nachusa 
Township. The father is a farmer, now living 
in Franklin Grove, at seventy-four years of age, 
and the mother at sixty-five. They had five 
children, all of whom are now living. Lincoln 
A. Hartzell started in business lite for him- 
self in 1SS4, on the Dr. T. D. Palmer farm, 
which he rented for seventeen years, but in 
1903 bought a 200-acre farm in Nachusa Town- 
ship. March 4, 1886, he was married to Lydia 
F. Newcomer, born in Ogle County. 111., daugh- 
ter of Zachariah and Sarah (Adams) New- 
comer, natives of Adams County, Penn., who 
came to Illinois in 1846. Mr. Newcomer died 
in 1897, but Mrs. Newcomer (1903) is still 
living. Mr. and Mrs. Hartzell have had three 
children: Hale D., Hazel B. and Charles Col- 
lin. Mr. Hartzell is a Republican in politics. 

ROBERT J. HANNE, farmer. South Dixon 
Township, Lee County, 111., was born in Grundy 
County. 111.. Dec. 21. 1876, son of John and 
Elizabeth (Gantzert) Hanne, the former a na- 
tive of Switzerland and the latter of Grundy 
County, 111. January 10, 1900. Robert J. Hanne 
was married to Nettie E. Grosh. daughter of 
Ezra and Elizabeth (Hack) Grosh, of Dwight, 
111. Politically he is a stanch Republican, and 
he and his wife are members of the Evangeli- 
cal church. Mr. Hanne owns a valuable farm 
of 160 acres in South Dixon Township. 

JOHN HANNE. farmer. South Dixon Town- 
ship, Lee County, 111., was born near Berne. 
Switzerland. Feb. 16. 1848, son of John and 
Ann (Brune) Hanne natives of Switzerland, 
who came to the United States in IS.'J.'J and set- 
tled in Kendall County, 111. On March 9, 1876. 
John Hanne, Jr,, was married to Elizabeth 
Gatznert, daughter of John P. and Anne (Scheft- 
line) Gantzert, who were natives of Germany, 
and came to Illinois in 1852. Mr. and Mrs. 
Hanne have seven children, viz.: Robert J.. 
Benjamin F.. Anne J.. Matie E.. George O.. 



Cora M. and Edna N. Mr. Hanne has for a 
number of years been prominently identified 
with the farming and dairying interests of 
Lee County. He and his family are members 
of the Evangelical church, 

JACOB C. HECKMAN, farmer and dairyman, 
Nachusa Township, Lee County, 111., was born 
in Bedford County, Penn., August 10, 1849, 
son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Rollins) Heck- 
man. Joseph Heckman and wife were also 
natives of Bedford County, Penn.. and came to 
Illinois in 1863, locating in Lee County, where, 
in 1869, they bought and settled on the 120-acre 
farm now owned by Jacob C. Joseph Heckman 
died June 19, 1881, his wife dying May 23, 1879. 
Jacob C. Heckman remained on his father's 
farm until the latter's death, when he became 
owner of the homestead, where, in connection 
with general farming, he keeps a herd of thirty 
fine cows. On October 19, 1899, he married 
Cora E. McCardel, and they have one child. 
Bertha E. Mrs. Heckman was born in Indi- 
ana, but for over twenty years has been a resi- 
dent of Lee County. She is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal churcn. In politics Mr. 
Heckman is a Democrat, and socially belongs 
to the Royal Arcanum. 

DENNIS C. HARDEN, farmer. Nelson Town- 
ship, Lee County, born in Maryland. Oct. 4, 
1849, son of Jacob and Catherine (Cook) Hard- 
en, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Lee 
County in 1853, settling in Nelson Township. 
In 1873 Dennis C, purchased the farm in this 
township on which he has since resided. Decem- 
ber 25. 1875. Mr. Harden was married to Kate 
McCleary. daughter of William and Belinda 
(Moorhead) McCleary, natives of Pennsylvania 
and pioneer settlers in Lee County. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Harden four children were born: 
Eva J.. Olive R. (deceased), William J. and 
Lawrence D. Mrs. Harden died Dec. 3. 1889, 
and on Dec. 15, 1892, Mr. Harden married El- 
vena Bollnian, daughter of Henry and Christina 
(Grobe) Bollman, natives of Germany and early 
settlers in Lee County. Of this second union 
three children have been born: Earl E., Her- 
bert H. and Vernon L. The family are attend- 
ants of the Evangelical Lutheran church, and 
Mr. Harden is a member of the Knights of the 
Globe and Moilorn Wotxlmen cf America. 



788 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



LEVI E. HART, farmer, Nachusa Township, 
Lee County, 111., was born in Venango County, 
Penn., Aug. 30, 1846, son of Erastus and Ruth 
(Wilcox) Hart, natives of New York. Mr. and 
Mrs. Erastus Hart came to Lee County in June, 
1865, and after living in Dixon for several years, 
removed to the farm now owned by Levi E. 
Hart, where they both died. On August 30, 
1864, Levi E. Hart enlisted in Company I, 
Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, serving until 
June 10, 1865. He came to Lee County in 1865 
and has since been identified with the agri- 
cultural interests of that section of country. 
In December, 1868, he married Emeline B., 
daughter of A. and Jane (Fowler) Himes, early 
settlers of Lee County, and of this union there 
are two children: Sybil (Mrs. A. A. Dinwiddle 
of Jacksonville III.) and Leon. In political 
opinions Mr. Hart is a Republican, and has 
served as School Director for twenty-five years. 
Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic 
Order, Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery 
at Dixon, 111. 

JOHN R. HECKMAN, farmer, Nachusa 
Township, Lee County, 111., was born in Bed- 
ford County, Penn., Oct. 17, 1851, son of Joseph 
and Elizabeth (Rollins) Heckman, who settled 
in Nachusa Township Dec. 12, 1863. They were 
the parents of the following named children: 
James M., Mary Ellen. Josiah, Jacob C, John 
R. and Addison L. John R. Heckman remain- 
ed on his father's farm until 1892, when he 
purchased the farm where he now resides, 
locating there in 1894. In 1892 he married 
Emma Lowery, who was born in China Town- 
ship, Lee County, daughter of George and Cath- 
erine (Miller) Lov.'ery, natives of either Somer- 
set or Bradford County, Penn., who settled in 
Lee County about 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Heck- 
man have two children, Edith May and John 
L. In political views Mr. Heckman is Inde- 
pendent. 

JACOB H. HUYETT. farmer, Nachusa Town- 
ship, Lee County, 111., was born in Berks Coim- 
ty. Penn., Dec. 1, 1850. son of John H. and 
Eliza (Hain) Huyett, who were also natives 
of the Keystone State. Jacob H. Huyett lo- 
cated in Nachusa Township, in October 1876, 
and has since devoted his time to general farm- 
ing and stock-raising. On September 1, 1871, 
he married Emma C. Hain. born in Pennsvl- 



vania, and to them eight children have been 
born with dates of birth as follows; John F., 
May 7, 1873; Sarah E., Sept. 21, 1875: Charles 
F., Feb. 14, 1878; James R., June 11, 1880: 
Harry B., May 26, 1883; Edna C, Oct. 22, 1885; 
Polly B., Aug. 4, 1887; and George J., March 
7, 1892. In political viev/s Mr. Huyett is a 
Republican and has served as School Director 
for more than twenty years; was Supervisor 
of Nachusa Township in 1901-2. He and his 
wife are members of the Lutheran church at 
Nachusa. 

SYLVANUS C. HAUSEN, farmer. China 
Township. Lee County. 111., was born in Lincoln 
County, Maine, Oct. 15, 1825, son of Charles 
and Mary J. (Hilton) Hausen. In 1840 he 
accompanied his parents to Lee County and 
grew to manhood under the parental root in 
China Township. He chose farming as his life 
occupation and has been uniformly successful 
in that industry, and is now one of the leading 
farmers and stock-raisers of China Tov.'nship. 
December 20, 1859, he married Sabina J., daugh- 
ter of David and Harriet (Lobdell) Fellows, of 
Boone County, 111., and to them five children 
have been born: Ida C, Charles F., Lillian A., 
Grace E. and May E. In political convictions 
Mr. Hausen is a Democrat. 

COLUMBUS D. HUSSEY, lumber and coal 
dealer, Franklin Grove, Lee County, 111., born 
in Franklin Grove, Sept. 4, 1852, son of Amos 
and Jane (Fredonia) Hussey, natives, respec- 
tively, of Pennsylvania and New York State. 
Fredonia, N. Y., was named after the family 
of the mother, the latter being the first white 
child born there. The father came to Franklin 
Grove in 1838, became a farmer and was iden- 
tified with the early development of that 
section. He died in 1895, and his wife May 
1, 1876. Columbus D. Hussey established him- 
self in his present business in 187G, and, ex- 
cept a few years spent in farming, has pursued 
it ever since. In December, 1883, he married 
Maud H. Secrist, who was born in Pennsyl- 
vania and came v.'ith her parents to Lee Coun- 
ty, 111., in 1866. Of this union seven children 
have been born: Blaine, Margaret, Amos. Don- 
ald, Mary. Medrick and Jennie. Mr. Hussey 
is a Republican, served as Supervisor of his 
township three terms, and has been a member 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



789 



of the Republican County Central Committee 
for many years. 

MARCUS O. HARTZELL, farmer and dairy- 
man, Nachusa Township. Lee County, 111., was 
born in Adams County. Penn.. Nov. 13, 18G2, 
son of John Z. and Lizzie (Hamilton) Hartzell. 
Marcus O. Hartzell came to Lee County in 
February, 1881, where in 1888 he engaged in 
farming operations for himself, and for the 
past seven years has been one of the leading 
dairy farmers of that vicinity, managing at 
the present time 166 acres of land and owning 
a herd of forty cows. On March 27, 1889, he 
married Hattie E. Madden, born in Fort Wayne, 
Ind., daughter of Benjamin and Permelia 
(Gardner) Madden. Socially Mr. Hartzell is 
a member of the M. W. A., Knights of the 
Globe and Sons of Veterans. 

.JOHN Z. HARTZELL, farmer, Nachusa 
Township. Lee County, 111., was born in Carroll 
County, Md., Aug. 21, 1838, son of John and 
Susan (Hiner) Hartzell, natives of Pennsyl- 
vania and Maryland, respectively. John Hart- 
zell died when John Z. was ten years of age, 
and the care of the farm eventually devolved 
upon the latter. In 1863 John Z. Hartzell 
enlisted in Company K. One Hundred and 
Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, 
and served in the Army of the Potomac. Among 
the important engagements in which he par- 
ticipated were the battles of Hatcher's Run, 
Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Richmond and Ap- 
pomattox. He was mustered out of the service 
on June 7, 1865, and then returned to Mary- 
land, where he engaged in farming until 1882, 
when he removed to Nachusa Township. Lee 
County. In 1861 he married Lizzie Hamilton, 
a native of Pennsylvania, and of this union 
there are nine children, viz.: Marcus O., Laura 
E., Martha A. (Mrs. Frank Emmert), Robert 
H.. Gertie E.. Fannie O., Mary E.. John M. and 
Charles H. Mr. Hartzell is a Republican in 
politics and has served as School Director five 
years. Socially he is a member of Dixon Post 
299 G. A. R. 

GEORGE W. HOWELL, Sr., contractor and 
builder, Dixon III., was born in New York City, 
Aug. 27, 1835, son of Josiah and Phoebe (Post) 
Howell. He obtained his education in the 
public schools of New York, where he also 
learned the carpenter's trade. On January 1, 



1860, he married Josephine Rapelyea, and they 
became parents of five children, four of whom 
survive, viz.: Josephine (a trained nurse), 
George W., Eugene and John Wesley. The 
parents of Mrs. Howell were John Liqueer 
and Margaret (DeGroat) Rapelyea, and her 
earliest ancestors, of whom she has any know- 
ledge, were Huguenots who, at the close of the 
sixteenth century, escaped from France to 
Holland and sailed to America on the "May- 
flower. " Their desendants became scattered 
over the New England States and the State of 
New York Mr. Howell came to Lee County 
in 1879, where he carried on a farm for seven 
years, but for the past twenty years has been 
engaged in constructing and building, and during 
that time has erected a great many fine resi- 
dences in the city of Dixon and the surround- 
ing country. In 1898 his two sons, George W. 
and John W., became his partners in this 
business. In political views Mr. Howell is a 
Republican, and in religious belief a Methodist. 
Mr. Howell's father, Josiah Howell, was a 
minute man in the War of 1812, while his 
grandfather was one of three brothers who 
were living on Long Island at the time the 
Revolutionary War broke out, and he served 
seven years as a patriot soldier during the 
struggle for liberty. His mother, Phoebe 
(Post) Howell, was a Quakeress. 

JOHN N. HUTCHINSON, farmer, Viola 
Township, Lee County, 111., was born in the 
township where he now resides, July 11, 1869, 
son of James S. and Anna (Harper) Hutchin- 
son, of whom the latter died May 14, 1881. John 
N. Hutchinson was reared to a life on the farm, 
and in 1885 began farming operations for him- 
self on rented land, which he continued until 
1891. when he bought 160 acres, and now owns 
a 120-acre farm. November 14, 1894, he was 
married to Pearl Adrian, daughter of Harry 
and Emma (Braidy) Adrian, of Viola Township, 
and they have one son. John N. Prior to her 
marriage. Mrs. Hutchinson taught school in 
Viola Township. Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson 
are communicants of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. In political opinions he is a Repub- 
lican. 

EDWARD L. JOHNSON, retired farmer, 
74S Forrest Avenue, Dixon ,111., was born at 
Stockbridge. Mass., Feb. 17. 1836. son of Jona- 



790 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



than and Eunice (Bradford) Johnson, natives 
of Rhode Island and Connecticut, respectively. 
Edward L. Johnson came to Lee County in 
1860, remaining until 1867, when he returned 
to his native State, where he remained until 
1889. In the latter year he returned to Dixon, 
and has since made his home in that city. 
February 17, 1862, he married J. Louisa Nettle- 
ton, and to them four children have been born, 
three of whom are deceased. The only son, 
Charles A., resides in Benton Harbor, Mich. 

RALPH E. JOHNSON, dairy-farmer and 
stock-raiser. Section 22. Palmyra Township, 
Lee County, 111., was born on the farm where 
he new resides. Jan. 22, 1842, son of Eber H. 
and Sarah (Johnson) Johnson, who came from 
New York State to Lee County in 1838. Eber 
H. and Sarah Johnson were married in New 
York, Aug. 13, 1838, just previous to coming 
west, and came with horses and wagon to Lee 
County, the journey occupying five weeks. Mr. 
Johnson bought a squatter's claim of 160 acres, 
and shortly afterwards added another quarter 
section to his holdings. To himself and wife 
seven children were born, Ralph E. being 
fourth. Mr. Johnson was an active, upright 
man. a stanch Republican and served his 
township as Supervisor for several terms be- 
sides holding other offices. He died August 
29, 1887, his wife dying May 15 of the same 
year. They were both members of the Union 
church. Ralph E. Johnson attended the district 
school in boyhood and worked on his father's 
farm, where he has continued to reside to the 
present time. He assumed management of his 
father's farm several years previous to the 
latter's death, and afterwards bought the es- 
tate consisting of 417 acres of land upon which 
he keeps from 150 to 175 head of cattle and 
about twenty-five horses. The present at- 
tractive residence was built by Mr. Ralph E. 
Johnson in 1876. On March 10. 1875. Mr. 
Johnson married Abigail M., daughter of 
George and Jerusha (Knox) Knox, all of whom 
were natives of Broome County. N. Y. Mr. 
and Mrs. Johnson have three children: Anna 
G. (Mrs. W. L. Prescott, of Nebraska), Rena E. 
(Mrs. Howard S. Gigons. of Madison, Wis.), 
and Myra L., who is attending school. 

CONSTANT A. JEANBLANC. farmer, Brook- 
lyn Township, Lee County, 111., was born in 



France, July 17, 1857, son of Charles F. and 
Justine F. (Laforge) Jeanblanc, natives of the 
same country who came to Lee County, 111., 
in 1866. Constant A. Jeanblanc was raised on 
a farm and now owns his homestead of 244 
acres in Brooklyn Township. On May 14. 1885, 
he married Sarah O., daughter of Laurent and 
Julienne (Tuillion) Gehant, of Lee County, and 
to them ten children have been born, viz.: 
Albert L., Alexander C, Theresa S., Leo. F. 
(deceased), Veronica A.. Benedict C, Laurent 
H., Julienne F. (deceased), Wilbur M. and 
Marie C. Mr. Jeanblanc is a Democrat in 
politics, and is now (190:3) serving his third 
term as School Director. In religious belief 
he is a Catholic. 

PRYCE JONES (deceased) was born in 
Wales, and came to the United States in 1854. 
settling in Connecticut, where on Feb. 3. 18G3, 
he was married to Miss Mary D. Cutler, of 
South Coventry, Conn. He and his wife came 
to Lee County in 1868, and from that time 
until his death, Jan. 23, 1899, he was identified 
with the agricultural interests of the county. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Jones seven children were 
born, four of whom are living, viz.: Joseph A., 
Addle L., Edward H. and Emily M. Mrs. Jones 
now resides in the village of Walton. The 
family are attendants of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church. 

BENJAMIN F. JOHNSON, farmer. Viola 
Township. Lee County, 111., was born in Kane 
County, 111.. March 4. 1846, son of Smith H. and 
Ziba K. (Thompson) Johnson. Benjamin F. 
Johnson remained at home until 1863, when he 
enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Fifty- 
sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry and served 
until the close of the war. He then returned 
to Lee County and bought 160 acres of land, 
but in 1869 went to Helena, Mont., where he 
en.gaged in placer-raining until 1876. Return- 
ing to Lee County in the latter year, he there 
resumed farming operations until 1887. when 
he took charge of a creamery at Ccmpton. 111., 
and conducted the enterprise for six years. In 
1893 he again returned to the farm, locating 
on his present homestead of 260 acres in Viola 
Township. On February 24. 1877. Mr. Johnson 
was married to Arvilla, daughter of Joel and 
Nancy (Compton) Conipton, of Oimpton, 111. 
To them eight children have been born, viz.: 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



791 



Lewis E.. Andrew F., Levi, Linn, Joel L.. Pearl 
v.. Luella, M., and Charlotte I. Fraternally Mr. 
Johnson is a Mason, in politics a Republican, 
and has served as Commissioner of Highways 
twelve years, and Township Trustee ten years. 

OLIVER P. JOHNSTON (deceased) was born 
in Erie County, N. Y., in 1S12. In 1838 he came 
to Lee County. 111., and settled in Brooklyn 
Township. For twenty years he kept a hotel 
to Melugin's Grove, where, in early days, he 
had many iinpleasent experiences in connec- 
tion with the business, but later engaged in 
farming with successful results, and became 
the owner of a large tract of land. In 1834 he 
married Elizabeth Ross, a native of Virginia, 
and they were the parents of six children. 

WALLACE A. JUDD, retired farmer, Dixon, 
III., was born in Berkshire County, Mass.. Sept. 
30, 1821, son of Arden and Sarah (Hubbard) 
Judd, who were also natives of the Bay State. 
Mr. Judd came to lUincis in the spring of 1852, 
locating in Dixon, and he has the distinction 
of bringing the first car load of coal to that 
city. On October 11, 1847. he married Jerusha 
Merriman, born in Connecticut, and to this 
union six children were born, three of whom — 
Ellen L.. Asa G. and Homer A. — are now living. 
Mr. Judd's farm adjcining the city of Dixon 
comprises 350 acres. 

ROYAL JONES, embalmer and undertaker, 
Dixon, 111., was born in Meiggs County, Ohio, 
Dec. 30, 1869, son of Edward and Emily (Wood- 
ard) Jones. Royal Jones was raised on his 
father's farm in Ohio, attended the public 
schools and, prior to coming to Dixon, held an 
official position in the Hospital for the Insane 
at Elgin, 111. Coming to Dixon in 1894, he en- 
gaged in the grocery business for two years, 
and then took a thorough course of training 
in the Chicago School of Embalming. Return- 
ing to Dixon, he opened his present extensive 
establishment, which is the only one in the 
city devoted exclusively to that particular line 
of business. On June 27, 189.5. he married 
Celia A. O'Malley. daughter of Mr. and Mrs. 
Austin O'Malley, early settlers of Lea County. 
Of this marriage five children have been born: 
Lucille. Edward. Gerald, Willard and Herbert. 
Fraternally Mr. Jones is a member of the 



Modern Woodmen of America and Knights of 
Columbus. Politically he is a Republican. 

MRS. HARRIET E. KNIGHT, Dixon, 111., 
was born in Bloomingdale, Du Page County, 
111., daughter of Royal D. and Lydia E. (Ben- 
nett) Meacham, natives of New York State who 
became early settlers of Illinois. June 4. 1885, 
she was married to Charles Hale Knight, son 
of Capt. Hale and Fanny (Carpenter) Knight, 
natives of Vermont. Capt. Hale Knight was 
for many years, the commander and part 
owner of the "New World," a large vessel 
employed in carrying mail and passengers be- 
tween New York and Liverpool and other 
European ports. To Mr. and Mrs. Charles 
Hale Knight were born four sons: Hale. Robert. 
Royal and William. In early life Mr. Knight 
was engaged in merchandizing in the city of 
Chicago. Mrs Knight is a member and Treas- 
urer of the Dixon's Women's Club. 

CHARLES C. KOST, physician and surgeon, 
Dixon 111., was born in Astoria, 111., Jan. 3. 
1867, son of George W. and Susan Lemon 
(Nelson) Kost, natives of Ohio. He received 
his early educational training in the public 
schools, and graduated from the Astoria High 
School in 1885. He then entered the Missouri 
Medical College. St. Louis, Mo., graduating in 
1888, and began practicing his profession at 
Literberry, 111., where he remained three years. 
Coming to Dixon in 1891, he has since con- 
ducted a successful practice in that city, and 
has also taken a post-graduate course in Chi- 
cago and New York City. He is a member of 
the American Medical Society, the Illinois Med- 
ical Society and the Lee County Medical So- 
ciety. In November, 1890, he married Ollie 
Dinwiddle, daughter of Samuel and Ellen 
(Crum) Winwiddie, and they have one son — 
Byron D. The Doctor and his wife are mem- 
bers of the Christian Church. He is also a 
member of the K. T. and K. of P. In politics he» 
is a Republican. 

JOHN M. KILLMER. farmer. Bradford 
Township. Lee County, III., was. burn at Bing- 
hamton, Lee County, 111., Oct. 28, 1857, son of 
Nicholas and Mary (Halpmeyer) Killmer. The 
father was born in 1830 in Reichensachsen, 
Kreis Eschweg, Kur-Hessen. Germany, and 
died Feb. 28, 1893, The mother was born in 



792 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



1831, in Baden, and died Jan. 31, 1892. Nicho- 
las Killmer came to America when about 
twenty-one, and after coming to Lee County, 
worlved in a plow factory at Binghamton. Later 
he bought land and at the time of his death 
owned 360 acres. He and his wife were mar- 
ried in Binghamton about 1S55, and were the 
parents of eight children, two of whom are now 
living, — John M. and William. The former 
worked for his fatheil until Feb. 18, 1883, when 
he married Martha Katherine Kersten, born 
June 8, 1858, daughter of John and Christine 
Kersten, who now reside at Ashton, 111. John 
M. Killmer and wife have two children living: 
Frank J., born April 21, 1886, and Emma C, 
born Feb. 26, 1894. Their son, WiUie N., born 
July 13, 1884, died when ten years of age. Mr. 
Killmer has 405 acres of land, besides four lots 
in the village of Ashton. and for many years 
has been Road Overseer and School Trustee. 
He is a Republican and a member of the United 
Evangelical church. 

WILLIAM KILLMER, farmer, Bradford 
Township, Lee County, 111., was born Jan. 31, 
1859, son of Nicholas and Mary (Halpmeyer) 
Killmer, natives of Kur-Hessen and Baden, Ger- 
many. The father's first land purchase was 
one of the '80s now occupied as a homestead 
by his son William, who married on Jan. 10, 
1884, Mary E., daughter of William and Kather- 
ine Lizzie (Aschenbrenner) Ross. William 
Ross was born in Malckelsdorf, Hessen-Nas- 
sau. Germany. May 28. 1836. and died in Brad- 
ford Township. April 4. 1902. He came to Lee 
County at the age of eighteen, was one of the 
first members and. during his life, manager of 
the Bradford Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance 
Company, and member of the Evangelical 
church. Those of his children now living are: 
W. F., Charles W., George J., Mary, (wife of 
William Killmer), and Annie (wife of Frank 
Mynard). Mr. and Mrs. William Killmer have 
.four children: George M., Alfred W., Lizzie M.. 
and Anna M. Mr. Killmer has 200 acres of 
land in his home farm, and a house and lot 
in Ashton. Mrs Killmer also owns a quarter 
section of land near Hallock, Iowa. William 
Killmer raises registered Galloway cattle and 
also feeds for the market. He is a Republican 
and has for years held the office of Pathmaster 
and School Trustee. He is also trustee of the 
Evangelical church, of which he and his family 



are members; is at present (1904) conducting 
a fiirst-class livery and feed stable at Ashton, 
and owns the lot on which his building is 
located. 

ELIJAH L. KING, retired farmer. Lee Cen- 
ter, III, was born in West Hampton. Hamp- 
shire County, Mass., March 9, 1S52. son of 
George N. and Arlina (Kingsley) King, natives 
ot Hampsnire County, Mass., who came to 
Lee County, 111., in 1855 and located on a 110- 
acre farm in China Township in 1859. George 
N. King died in October. 1890. in his eighty- 
first year, his wife dying May 16, 1887. aged 
fifty-nine years. Three of their children grew 
to maturity. Elijah L. King was married in 
1873 to Sarah J., daughter of Austin B. and 
Ann (Lewis) Trowbridge, and they have one 
son, Frank N.. who is a farmer in Amboy Town- 
ship. Elijah L. King began business life for 
himself at the age of twenty-one years. He 
first rented a farm for three years, and then 
he and Mrs. King bought eighty acres of land 
in China Township. He afterwards spent five 
years in the livery business in Omaha. Neb . 
and twO' years conducting a farm in Mercer 
County, 111., but later returned to Lee County, 
where he and his family now own 426 acres 
of land. In 1892 Mr. and Mrs. King removed 
to Lee Center, where they built an attractive 
residence and have since lived retired. Mr. 
King is a Republican in political views, and 
socially belongs to the M. W. A. He is a mem- 
ber of the Congregational Church. Mrs. King's 
father and mother were natives, respectively, 
of New York and Pennsylvania, coming tc/ Lee 
County in the early '40s, and were the parents 
of three sons and two daughters. 

PETER KELLEY. farmer, Bradford Town- 
ship. Lee County. 111., was born in County 
Roscommon, Ireland, son of Peter and Mar- 
garet (Kelley) Kelley. When eight years of 
age. Peter Kelley, accompanied by a brother 
who was two years his senior, came to America 
and lived for several years with an older 
sister in Rhode Island. In 1858 he came to 
Lee County, and five years later made his 
first purchase of land, owning at the present 
time (1903) a 160acre farm in Bradford Town- 
ship, besides 320 acres in Dakota. In 1863 he 
married Katherine Griese, born in Heinebach. 
Germany, in 1841, daughter of Justus and Anna 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



793 



E. (Hunner) Griese, who came to Lee County 
in 18(;4. To Mr. and Mrs. Kelley the following 
named children have been horn: Mary (Mrs. 
Vincent Arnold), Ann (Mrs. George Russell), 
John P., Maggie (Mrs. George Ludsy). Peter 
A., Katie (Mrs. Daniel Utz). Charles A. and 
Louise J. Mr. Kelley is a Democrat in political 
relations and a Catholic in religicus faith, 
while his wife is a member of the Lutheran 
church. 

EDWARD B. KNIGHT, farmer. South Dixon 
Township, Lee County, 111., was born in Wor- 
cester, Mass., Dec. 21, 1850. son of E. B. and 
Mary A. (Stone) Knight, natives respectively 
of Massachusetts and Connecticut, who oame 
to Amboy, Lee County, in 1854. finally removing 
to Dixon, where they died. They were both 
prominent members of the Presbyerian church. 
Edward B. Knight purchased his present farm 
in 1884. On October 16, 1873, he married 
Emma B. Woodruff, daughter of E. J. and Ada- 
line (Doty) Woodruff, residents of Dixon who 
came to Lee County in 1865, and with the ex- 
ception of a few years spent in South Dakota, 
have since made their home In Lee County. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Knight six children have been 
born, four of whom — Lucy E., Laura E., Olive 
A. and Ruth M. — are living, and two — Frank 
L. and George L. — are deceased. In political 
opinions Mr. Knight is a Republican, and so- 
cially he belongs to the M. W. a. 

EDWARD H. KREITER. farmer, Amboy 
Township. Lee CJounty, 111., was born in Blocm- 
ington. 111.. Feb. 18. 1868. son of Peter L. and 
Augusta (Wentzel) Kreiter, natives of Germany 
v.'ho came to America in 1848 and settled in 
Lee County in 1877, where they were engaged 
in farming until 1898, but have since lived 
retired. Edward H. Kreiter grew to maturity 
on his father's farm, and with his two brothers, 
Theodore and William, operated the Bing- 
hamton mill for twelve years. From 1888 to 
1900 he rented his father's farm, purchasing the 
same in the latter year, and now owns a 
valuable estate of 132 acres in Amboy Town- 
ship, upon which he devotes his attention to 
general farming and stock- raising. In political 
views he is a Republican, and in religious be- 
lief a Methodist, being a mombor of the church 
of that creed at Amboy. He was marriea 
to Miss Bertha Herzfeldt, daughter of Albert 



and Minnie (Teich) Herzfeldt. of Amboy. Lee 
County, Aug. 17, 190.3. 

MICHAEL KEARNS, retired farmer, Dixon, 
III., was born in County Sligo, Ireland, in IS.^S, 
and came to the United States in June, 1856. 
In 1861 he enlisted in Company F, First Illinois 
Artillery, and served four years and two months, 
being discharged at Louisville, Ky. Mr. Kearns 
came to Lee County. 111., in 1866, and in 
August. 1867, was married to Mary McGowan, 
and to them six children have been born, viz.: 
Mary, Frank, Catherine, Joseph, Sadie and 
John. Mr. Kearns now lives retired on a 
5-acre tract of land belonging to his wife in 
North Dixon. 

WILLIAM H. KUGLER, merchant and Post- 
master, Harmon, 111., was born in Oswego. 
111., August 18, 1857, the son of Christian and 
Eva (Hage) Kugler, natives of Wurtemburg, 
Germany, v/ho came to Aurora. 111., about 1848. 
Both are now deceased. Mr. Kugler was mar- 
ried Sept. 12, 1886, to Mary E., the daughter 
of James and Eliza (De Pew) Richardson, 
of Montmorency, 111. Mrs. Kugler died May 3, 
1896. and on Jan. 18, 1899, Mr. Kugler married 
Mrs. May (Delanuny) Moses, of Manson, Iowa, 
daughter of L. E, Delanuny, and to them two 
children — William L. and Ralph — were born. 
By her former marriage Mrs. Kugler had one 
daughter, who has been adopted by Mr. Kugler, 
and now bears the name of Ina Mae Kugler. 
Mr. Kugler has been in business in Lee County 
since 1889. He is a prominent Mason, being a 
Knight Templar; is also a member of the M. 
W. A.. Mystic Workers and Knights of Pythias. 
In religious belief he is a Methodist. 

FRED KNETSCH, farmer, Wyoming Town- 
ship, Lee County, 111., was born at Troy Grove, 
La Salle County. III., Feb. 11, 1869, the son 
of Henry and Phillipine (Harmon) Knetch; 
the former died Oct. 21, 1896, and the latter 
May 15, 1871. Fred Knetsch was engaged in 
farming in LaSalle County until 1896. when 
he came to Wyomin.g Township and jnirchased 
the Edwards farm of 184 acres. February 20, 
1883, he married Mary Kleinschmit, of Free- 
dom, La Salle County, 111., daughter of Martin 
and Mary (Stockman) Kleinschmit. and to them 
six children have been born: Henry A.. Gladys 
P., Laura B., Freddie (deceased), Ethel A., 
and James D. Mr. Knetsch is a Republican 



794 



HISTORY OF LEE COUXTY. 



and a member of the M. W. A. He and his 
wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. 

ALEXANDER J. KIRKE, optician, Dixon, 111., 
was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Jan. 27, 1855, 
son of John and Agnes (Sanderson) Kirlie. 
A. J. Kirke obtained his education in the public 
schools, graduating from the high school at 
Pleasant Hill. Mo. He learned the jeweler's 
trade at the latter place, and afterwards spent 
the years 1875-6 at Phillips Exeter Academy, 
New Hampshire. In 1891 he moved to Chicago 
and entered a course of study in the Chicago 
Ophthalmic College, graduating from that insti- 
tution in 1893. The Doctor traveled in the 
interest of the optical business for seven years, 
lived at Carthage. Mo., tor fourteen years (1877- 
1891), and in Chicago five years, working and 
studying along the lines of his business and 
profession. He came to Dixon in 1900 and 
has since successfully practiced his profession 
in that city. In February. 1879, he married in 
Carthage, Mo., Luella Haughawout. and they 
have two children, Pauline and Irene. The 
Doctor is a member of the American Associ 
ation of Opticians, B. P. O. E., K. of P. and Dix- 
on Club. In politics he is a Democrat. 

HARTMAN M. KERSTEN. farmer and 
stock-raiser, Bradford Township, Lee County, 
111., was born Jan. 13, 18G0, son of John and 
Christine (Hildebrandt) Kersten, natives of 
Germany. Hartman M. Kersten was married 
on Jan. 15, 1SS5, to Mary Gross, daughter of 
Reinhart and Martha (Reinhart) Gross, natives 
of Kur-Hessen, Germany, and of this union 
there are three children — Arthur R., Rosie C. 
and Alice E. Mr. and Mrs. Kersten own 379 
acres of land four miles south of Ashton, 111., 
and are proprietors of the Ashton, 111., herd of 
Galloway pedigreed cattle. Mr. Kersten and 
his family are members of the United Evan- 
gelical church, in which he is Superintendent 
of the Sunday School. In politics he is a Re- 
publican and has been School Director for 
eleven years; has also been Road Commis- 
sioner and a delegate to the Republican Coun- 
ty Convention. Mrs. Kersten's father. Rein- 
hart Gross, was born Sept. 26, 1829. came to 
Lee County in 1847. and died Oct. 7. 1902. 
while her mother was born in 1835. came to 
Lee County in 1848 or '49. and died in Jan- 



uary, 1882. On January 2. 1904, Hartman M. 
Kersten ,and family moved to Ashton, 111. 
where he owns a fine residence. 

CONRAD KOPP, farmer, Sublette Township. 
Lee County, 111., was born in Binsachse, Ger- 
many. Sept. 2, 1836, son of Adam Kopp anl 
wife. The mother died when Conrad Kopp was 
three months old, and the father with his 
three children came to America in 1848. ar- 
riving in Lee County on July 4th of the same 
year. Adam Kopp died three years later leaving 
eighty acres of land, which is now owned by 
his son, Conrad. For seven years after his 
father's death Conrad Kopp worked among 
farmers. On June 22, 1863, he married Mar- 
garetha Durr, and to them ten children have 
been born; Philip, John. Henry, Conrad, Carrie, 
Katie, Mary, Louise, George and Fred. Mrs. 
Kopp was born Oct. 19, 1844, daughter of 
Martin and Sabina (Krantz) Durr, and came to 
La Salle County. 111., when ten years of age, 
and tc< Le^ County four years later. Mr. Kopp 
owns 421 acres of land. In politics he is a 
Democrat and has served as School Director 
fifteen years and Pathmaster ten years. He 
and his wife are members of the Lutheran 
church. 

NATHAN KOONS. retired farmer. Compton, 
111., was born in Schuylkill. Chester Ccunty, 
Penn., son of Christian and Christina Koons. 
Nathan Koons came to Lee Couuty in 1846 and 
took up government land, and still owns 88 
acres in Willow Creek Township. In 1849 he 
married Charlotte South, daughter of George 
Scuth, of New Jersey, and of this union there 
was one child. Elizabeth. Mrs. Koons died in 
1850. and in 1854 Mr. Koons married his second 
wife, Amanda Smith, who died in 1894. Of 
his second marriage there were tv.'o children, 
Harry, who is now deceased, and Rhoda. Mr. 
Koons is a Democrat in political views, and in 
religious belief a Lutheran. 

JOHN KERSTEN, retired farmer, A.shton, 
111., was born in Germany. Feb. 15, 1831," son 
of Hardman Kersten. Hardman Kersten was 
born Sept. ;50. 1801. and his wife in 1802. On 
June 18. 1856. John Kersten married Christine 
Hildebrandt.' a native of Gelfershausen. Kreis 
Rothenburg. Kur-Hessen. Germany, daughter 
of John and Elizabeth (Speck) Hildebrandt, the 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



795 



former born in 17S7 and the latter in 1799. Mr. 
Kersten came to America in 1857, locating in 
Bradford Township, Lee County. At the time 
of his settlement in Bradford Township, he 
had but $1..5<). but before leaving the farm, 
owned 640 acres of land, a |iart of which he 
has since divided among his children, of whom 
there are ten living. 

JAMES W. LARABEii, Sr.. retired farmer, 
Paw Paw. 111., was born in Tov.-n of Grafton, 
Rensselaer County, N. Y., Dec. 5, 1838, son 
of Willet and Mary (Wool) Larabee, natives of 
Vermont and New York respectively. James 
W. Larabee came to LaSalle County, 111., in 
1855. where he was engaged in farming until 
Apiil. IStJl, when he enliste.l in Company H, 
Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serving 
three months with this regiment, and then re- 
enlisted in Company I, Fifty-fifth Illinois, his 
entire service being under the command of 
General Sherman. He participated in thirty- 
seven battles and was twice wounded. He was 
discharged in August. 1865, and then returned 
to LaSalle County, where, in the follo^.'ing No- 
vember, he married Mary E. Haight, daughter 
of Samuel and Lura (Miller) Haight, and 
they have six children, viz.: Samuel H.. James 
W.. Jr., Willet R., Louie B., Mary E. and 
Charles D. Mr. Larabee was engaged in farm- 
ing in LaSalle County until 1900, when he re- 
tired and moved to Paw Paw. He is independ- 
ent on political issues, and is a member of the 
G. A. R. at Paw Paw, and of the I. 0.| O. F. 

JAMES W. LARABEE, Jr., farmer, Wyoming 
Township, Lee Coimty, 111., was born in La- 
Salle County, 111., April 23, l£fi9, son of James 
W. and Mary E. (Haight) Larabee. James W. 
Larabee was engaged in farming in LaSalle 
County until 1892 when he moved ta Hamilton 
Coimty, Iowa, v.-here he conducted a farm for 
three years and then returned to LaSalle County 
In 1899 he purchased his present farm of 240 
acres in Wyoming Township. March 1, 1892, 
he married Myra F., daughter of Daniel A. 
and Emeline (Haight) Howard, and they are 
the parents of seven children: Goldie M., 
Emeline E., James W., Samuel H., Irving H., 
John H. and Birdie A. In politics Mr. Lara- 
bee is a Republican. 

JOHN C. LEAKE, farmer. Nachusa Town- 
ship, Lee County, 111., was born near Leicester, 



Leicestershire, England, Dec. 7, 1836, son of 
John and Mary Ann (Jarvis) Leake, who were 
also natives of the last named place. John 
Leake was bcrn in 1806 and died in 1869. while 
his wife. Mary Ann Jarvis. was born in 1807, 
and died Jan. 19, 1878. They were the parents 
of si.\ children, four of whom grew to matur- 
ity. Mr. Leake came to America and settled in 
Lee County in the fall of 1840, his wife and 
children remaining in the mother country until 
1841. His estate, at the time of his death, 
embraced 670 acres. On September 21. 1863, 
John C. Leake married Mariette Hale, daugh- 
ter of Leonard W. and Sarah Ann (Crawford) 
Hale, natives of New York and Pennsylvania 
respectively, v.'ho came to Illinois in 1847, lo- 
cating in Lee County in 1850. Mr. and Mrs. 
Leake are the parents of four children, viz.: 
Charles W. (died aged thirteen years). T. Wil- 
bur, Jennie F. (died when six years of agej, 
and Grace May (died at the age of three years). 
The son, T. Wilbur, married Cora Cusey, a 
daughter of Abel and Sarah (Whittaker) Ousey, 
and lives on the old homestead. John C. 
Leake is a Republican in politics, and has been 
School Director for twenty-six years. Town- 
ship Supervisor two years, and has been a dele- 
gate to many conventions. He and his wife 
are members of the First Congregational 
Church at Lee Center. Mr. Leake's farm em- 
braces 380 acres in Nachusa Township. 

DANIEL C. LEAKE, farmer, Nachusa Town- 
ship, Lee County, 111., was born in the town- 
ship where he now resides. Jan. 8, 1847. son 
of Daniel and Amelia (Jarvis) Leake, natives of 
Lancashire, England, who came to America 
in 1,S41, and in August of the same year, lo- 
cated on the farm in Lee County, where their 
son, Jarvis Leake, now resides. Daniel Leake, 
Sr.. and his v.^fe were the parents of four sons 
— all of whom grew to maturity — Daniel C. 
being the oldest. Mr. Leake died in 1857. aged 
fifty-seven years, his wife surviving until 
1883, and dying in her sixty-ninth year. Dan- 
iel C. Leake began his business' career in 1870. 
and for the first year operated a mill at Rocky 
Ford, Lee County; afterwards conducted a 
rented farm for four years, but since 1875 has 
cultivated his present 320-acre farm in Na- 
cht:sa Township. In 1869 he married Justina 
I. Moseley. daughter of William J. and Jane 
(Dunlap) Moseley. Mrs. Leake died in 1879, 



796 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



and on Dec. 13, 1881, Mr. Leake was married 
to Maggie May Moseley, a sister of his de- 
ceased wife. There are no children by either 
marriage. Mr. Leake has traveled quite ex- 
tensively through the Southern and Western 
States. In politics he is a Republican. 

FRED W. LEAKE, merchant, Amboy. Lee 
County, 111., born in China Township, Lee 
County, June 5, 1855, son of Daniel and Emily 
(Jarvis) Leake, natives of Leicestershire, Eng- 
land, who came to America, landing in New 
York in August, 1841, and came v.'est, locat- 
ing on a tract of land at Dixon's Ferry — then a 
part of China Township. Daniel and Emily 
(Jarvis) Leake were the parents of five chil- 
dren: Chapman D.. Russell, Jarvis, Fred W. 
and Amelia (who died when nine years of age). 
Daniel Leake died in 1857, his wife surviving 
until 1SS7. Fred W. Leake obtained his elemen- 
tary education in the public schools at Dixon, 
afterwards attended Jennings Seminary (Dixon), 
one year. Northwestern College (Naperville), 
and graduated from the Northern Indiana Nor- 
mal School, Valparaiso, Ind. He clerked in 
a store at the latter place for tv/o years, and 
in 1885 came to Amboy. where he opened his 
present establishment — dry goods and ready- 
made clothing — which he has since conducted. 
On February 24. 1885. he was married in Chi- 
cago to Miss Ella S. Dean, daughter of Ransom 
and Almira (Sharp) Dean, natives respectively 
of New York and Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Leake 
have six children, viz.: Mabel E., Fred W.. Jr., 
Grace M., Raymond D., Harold C. and Gertrude 
L. In political views Mr. Leake is a Republi- 
can, and in religious belief a Congregational- 
ist. 

WILLIAM LEFVAN, farmer. Section 27, Pal- 
myra Township, Lee County, 111., was born in 
South Dixon Township, Lee County, Dec. 12. 
1856. son of Mathias and Magdaline (Miller) 
Leivan. natives of Somerset County. Penn.. 
who came to Lee County in 1856, locating near 
the city of Dixon. Mathias Leivan was twice 
married, there being tv/o children by his first 
wife, and twelve by his second wife. Magdaline 
Miller. The paternal grandfather of the sub- 
ject of this sketch came from Germany to Amer- 
ica, in 1845. William Leivan remained en his 
father's farm until twenty-two years of age. 
On December 14. 1882, he married Mary E. 



Fritz, daughter of Hiram and Elizabeth (Miller) 
Fritz, natives of Pennsylvania, and to them 
two children — Elmer W. and Ralph V. — have 
been born. In 1884 Mr. Leivan bought a farm 
in Harmon Township. Lee County, which he 
managed successfully until 1900. when he pur- 
chased his present homestead, consisting of 108 
acres of valuable land, located in Sections 27, 
28, and 34. Palmyra Township. His farm is 
improved with v.-ell-constructed buildings, and 
his house is surrounded with stately trees. 
While dairying is the leading feature connected 
with Mr. Leivan's business, he also raises a 
great many horses, sheep, and hogs. His son 
Elmer assists in the management of this farm. 
Mr. Leivan and his family attend the Union 
church at Prairieville. 

JAMES H. LINCOLN, Postmaster, Franklin 
Grove. Lee County, was born in the house in 
which he now lives. Dec. 12, 1862, son of Henry 
I. and Helen M. (Nay) Lincoln. Henry Lincoln 
came to Illinois in 1847. and until 1852 was en- 
gaged in farming in Kendall County. 111. On 
May 1, 1853, he opened a general store at 
Franklin Grove, which he conducted until 1897, 
when he sold out and retired from business. 
James H. Lincoln was married Nov. 12, 1890, 
to Martha J. Bill. He is a Republican in poli- 
tics, has served as Tax Collector in his town- 
ship, and in 1898 v.'as appointed Postmaster at 
Franklin Grove, and has served to the satisfac- 
tion of its patrons to the present time. 

ANDREW J. LAUER, merchant. Sublette. 111., 
was born in Sublette Township, Les County, 
111.. Oct. 30. 1856. son of Andrew and Katherine 
(Strubel) Lauer. He obtained a common-school 
education, and at an early age engaged as 
clerk in a dry goods store belonging to George 
Pulling at Sublette, where he remained four 
years. He afterwards managed his father's 
farm eight years and then cultivated land of 
his own for one year. Disposing of his agricul- 
tural interests, he became a partner of his 
brother George, the firm being known as Lauer 
Brothers, dealers in dry goods and groceries. 
He remained with the latter enterprise eleven 
years, when, in partnership with his brother, 
Anton H., he purchased the hardware and im- 
plement business of I. M. Crav.-ford, which he 
has recently sold, and will shortly establish 
himself in the business of plumbing and steam- 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



797 



fitting. In 1885 he manieil Catherine Hildman, 
daughter of Conrad and Anna M. (Neis) Hild- 
man, and to them one child — Aniora — has been 
born. In politics Mr. Lauer is an Independent 
Democrat; has served as Township Assessor, 
and was President of the first Village Board 
of Sublette, serving three terms in each official 
capacity. In religious faith he is a Catholic, 
and is also a member of the Catholic Knights. 

GEORGE LAUER, merchant, Sublette, 111., 
was born in Sublette Township, Lee County. 
III., Nov. 19, 1852, son of Andrew and Cather- 
ine (Strubel) Lauer. His father was a native 
of Wurzburg, Bavaria, and his mother of Bin- 
gen, in Hesse-Darmstadt. The former came to 
America with his mother, Regina Lauer, in 
1848, while the mother came with her parents 
- — Karl and Katherine Strubel — in 1850, both 
families settling in Lee County, and here An- 
drew Lauer and Catherine Strubel (the daugh- 
ter) v/ere married in 1851, and had a family 
of eight children. Andrew Lauer was a farmer, 
and owned a farm of 320 acres. George Lauer, 
the son, remained with his parents until he 
was twenty-six years old, when he began farm- 
ing on eighty acres of land, given him by his 
father. In 1880 he entered into partnership 
with Joseph Bettendorf in general merchan- 
dising, but a year later, in conjunction with his 
brother, A. J. Lauer, bought the interest of 
Mr. Bettendorf. The partnership with his 
brother continued five years, when George 
Lauer became sole proprietor, and has since 
conducted the business alone. Mr. Lauer was 
married June 7, 1881, to Mary T. Malach, 
born in Lee County, July 31, 18fi0. daughter of 
George and Katherine (Krepz) Malach, who 
were natives of Hesse-Dramstadt, Germany. 
Mrs. Lauer's maternal grandparents, John and 
Theresa Krepz, came with her parents to 
America in 1851, and the grandmother is still 
living, at the age of eighty-six years. Mr. and 
Mrs. Lauer have seven children: George A., 
Erma M., Leo L., John, Alphonse, Romana 
and Otto. Mr, Lauer has served as school trus- 
tee of Sublette Village. Politically he is a 
Democrat, and in religious belief a Catholic. 

ANTON H. LAUER, banker and merchant. 
Sublette. 111.; bom in Sublette Township, Lee 
County, July 9, 1867, son of Andrew and Kath- 
erine (Strr.bi'l) Lauer. He nljlaincil a c-onuiuin- 



school education, and for eight years was em- 
ployed as a clerk in a general store belonging 
to his brother George. In 1892, in partnership 
with his brother Andrew J., he engaged in the 
hardware and agricultural implement business, 
and in 1900 became Cashier of the Sublette 
Exchange Bank, established in 1900. of which 
George F. Malach is President and John P. 
Malach, Vice President. September 9, 1896, 
he married Lesetta Malach, daughter of George 
J, and Catherine (Kreps) Malach, and to them 
three children have been bom — Wilfred G., Cy- 
ril and Catherine. In political opinions Mr. 
Lauer is a Democrat and has served as Town- 
ship Treasurer, and was a member cf the Vil- 
lage Board for four years. He and his wife 
are members of the Catholic church, and fra- 
ternally he belongs to the Catholic Knights 
of Illinois and Knights of Columbus. 

HUGH LARKIN, Sr., farmer, Wyoming 
Township, Lee County, 111., was born in County 
Galway, Ireland, in August, 1830, son of 
Thomas and Catherine (Henshen) Larkin, who 
came to Eastern Canada in 1835, where the 
father (Thomas Larkin) died in 1837. In 1840 
Hugh Larkin accompanied his mother to Cat- 
taraugus County, N. Y., but two years later 
returned to Canada, where he remained until 
1850, when he located in Buffalo, N, Y. In 
1855 he located in Chicago and in 1861 came to 
Wyoming Township, Leie County, and pur- 
chased his present farm, consisting of 142 
acres. Mr. Larkin was married Oct. 31, 1854, 
to Marianna Riley, and to them thirteen chil- 
dren have been born, viz.: Elizabeth (deceas- 
ed), Thomas (deceased), Katherine, Hugh, 
John, Ida, William. George, Charles, Hattie, 
James, Frank (deceased), and Ma.v. In politi- 
cal o])inions Mr. Larkin is a Democrat, and in 
religious belief a Catholic. 

HUGH LARKIN, Jr., farmer, Wyoming Town- 
ship, Lee County, III., was born in Chicago, 
Oct. 20, 1860, son of Hugh and Mary A, (Riley) 
Larkin. In 1861 the family came to Lee County 
and settled on a farm near Compton. At the 
age of twenty-one years, Hugh Larkin, Jr.. be- 
gan farming operations for himself, and, in 
1894, purchased his present farm of eighty 
acres in Wyoming Township. June 4, 18S5. he 
married Jennie J., daughter of Constant and 
Joseph iiie Henry, of Comjitdn. and Ihoy have 



798 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



had three children, viz.: Nellie M. (deceased), 
Edyth J. and Charles H. (deceased). Mr. 
Larkin is a Republican in political sentiment, 
and in religious belief a Catholic. He is a 
member of the M. W. A. at Paw Paw, 111. 

JOSEPH T. LITTLE (deceased), pioneer 
manufacturer and merchant, Dixon, Lee County, 
111., was born at Castine, Me., in 1817, the son 
of Otis and Dorothy (Perkins) Little, who were 
natives of England. He obtained his elemen- 
tary education in the public schools of his 
native State, and later graduated from a col- 
lege near Castine, Me.; removed to Columbus. 
Ohio, in 1839, remained there one year, and 
then came to Dixon. 111., where he passed the 
remainder of his life, dying there Nov. 16, 1902. 
For several years Mr. Little was quite exten- 
sively engaged in the manufacture of wind-mills, 
and. during the early years of his residence in 
Dixon, established there the first general store 
In that section of the State. In religious be- 
lief he was a Baptist, and was one of the found- 
ers cf the church of that denomination at 
Dixon, in which he served as Deacon and 
Clerk during his residence in that city. In 
political sentiment he was a Republican, and 
served his fellow-citizens as County Treasurer 
eight years, and several years as Deputy Treas- 
urer. He was also a leading member of the 
Agricultural and Horticultural Societies of Lee 
County, and served as Clerk of the State Fair 
the year it was held in Dixon. Mr. Little was 
also a clerk in the Treasury Department in 
Washington, D. C, for eight years. On Sep- 
tember 30. 1840, he was married to Miss 
Eleanor Wilde Cobb, of Castine, Maine, and to 
them the following named children were born: 
Thomas C. George Otis. Charles Henry. Wil- 
liam .\very, Mary F. (now Mrs. J. R. Carpen- 
ter). Joseph T.. Jr.. and FranK W. 

IRA W. LEWIS, Circuit Clerk of Lee County, 
Dixon, 111., was born in Broome County, N. Y., 
April 3, 1842, son of Hiel and Eveline D. 
(Stone) Lewis. Hiel Lewis brought,' his family 
to Lee County in September, 1842, locating on 
a farm in Amboy Township, where he spent 
the remainder of his days, dying there in 1880. 
Ira W. Lewis remained on his father's farm 
until he reached his majority, afterwards served 
as Deputy Sheriff from 1864 to 1867, and. 
in 1868. was appointed Deputy Circuit Clerk. 



filling the latter position with the exception 
of one and a half years, until 1S82, when he 
was appointed Circuit Clerk, to fill the vacancy 
caused by the death of Remington Warriner. 
In 1883 Mr. Lev.'is was elected to the oflice 
above mentioned, and, for more than twenty 
years, has filled that important public position, 
much to the satisfaction of his fellow-citi- 
zens, whom he has represented as a public 
officer for the last thirty-five years. On 
March 21, 1867, he married Marcella Williams, 
daughter of Cyrus and Lydia (Dodge)WilUams, 
early settlers of Lee County. Mr. Lewis is a 
prominent member of the Methodist church, 
with which he has been closely identified for 
more than forty years, and ofiicially so since 
1871, and has been President of the Board of 
Trustees for the past eleven years. Socially, 
he is a member of the M. W. A., and in politi- 
cal sentiment a Republican. 

JOHN D. LAHMAN, President Franklin Grove 
Bank, Franklin Grove, Lee County, 111.; born in 
Washington County, Md., June 22, 1834, son of 
Christian and Elizabeth (Emmert) Lahman, 
who came to Nachusa Township. Lee County, 
in 1845, where the father died in 1865 and the 
mother in 1872. Mr. Lahman has devoted his 
time to farming, milling, and other enterprises; 
was one of the organizers of the Village Bank 
at Franklin Grove, and has served as its Pres- 
ident since the time of its organization. In 
politics he is a Prohibitionist, and in religious 
faith a member of the German Baptist Breth- 
ren. 

MIKE J. LAUER. farmer. Viola Township, 
Lee County. 111., was born in Retzstadt, Bavaria, 
Germany, Feb. 16, 1879, son of Charles and 
Catherine Lauer, who came from the Father- 
land in 1881, and settled near Sublette. Lee 
County. 111. In 1897 Mike J. Lauer rented land 
near Paw Paw, 111., and is now engaged in 
farming in Viola Township. In political views 
he is a Democrat, and is now serving his fel- 
low-citizens as Township Collector. Mr. Lauer 
is a member of the Catholic church. 

LEANDER L. LeFEVER. farmer and stock- 
man. Palmyra Township. Lee County, 111., was 
born in Lancaster County, Penn., May 2, 1868, 
son of George and Susannah (Weaver) Le- 
Fever. v.ho were also natives of the Keystone 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



799 



State. George LeFever was a sokiier in the 
Civil War, enlisting in Company G. One Hun- 
dred and Twenty-second Regiment, Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteer Infantry, and served three 
years, entering the service as a private, but 
■was later promoted to the rank of Sergeant. 
He died Jan. 9, 1904, but his wife still survives. 
and lives on the old farm in Pennsylvania. 
Leaader L. LeFever remained on his father's 
farm until eighteen years of age, and in the 
meantime attended the public schools at Quar- 
ryville. Penn. He came to Lee County in 1880. 
where he was first engaged as a farm hand 
at Prairieville, Palmyra Township, but after- 
wards rented a farm for five years, and still 
later purchased a farm and village property 
at Prairieville, which he disposed of in the 
spring of 1903, and bought the McGaffey farm, 
consisting of 200 acres, where he now resides. 
On December 7, 1892, he married Fannie Eb- 
ersole, daughter of Christian and Susanna 
(Rutt) Ebersole, and to them seven children 
have been born, viz.: Minnie S., George E., 
Mary E., LeRoy D., Jennie W., Frank McKin- 
ley, and Fannie L. Socially, Mr. LeFever is a 
member of the Mystic Circle. In political views 
he is a Republican. 

ANDREW LITTLE, farmer, Viola Township, 
Lee County,! 111., was bom in Lee County, Nov. 
13, 1850, son of Andrew and Charity (Ross) 
Little, natives of Scotland and Ross Grove, 
111., respectively. His parents werel married in 
Illinois and were among the very earliest set- 
tlers of Lee County, where they owned 340 
acres of land. Mr. Little owns a 150-acre 
farm, and devotes his attention to general 
farming. On December 6, 1871, he married 
Caroline) C, daughter of Abraham V. and Caro- 
line (Barhydt) Christiance. and they have one 
daughter. Edyth I. Mr. Little is a Republican 
in politics, in religious belief a Methodist, and 
fraternally a member of the Masonic Order. 

JOHN THARP LAWRENCE (deceased), 
pioneer citizen of Palmyra Township, Lee 
County, was born in the Island of Jamaica, 
West Indies, 1819, son of John T. and Julia 
(Ricketts) Lawrence, both of whom were of 
English descent, the maternal grandfather 
(Ricketts) being an officer of the British Army. 
When .John T. was eight years of age. his par- 



ents came to America, first settling in New 
Jersey, where he attended good schools in 
that section and at West Point, N. Y., but did 
not graduate. In 1839 they came to Lee 
County, 111., and began farming in Palmyra 
Township, and there John Lawrence was mar- 
ried to Elizabeth Graham, daughter of Capt. 
Hugh Graham, who came to Palmyra Township 
in 1838, and built the first frame house in that 
section of the county. Six children — one son 
and five daughters — were born of this mar- 
riage, viz.: Julia, John Tharp, Jr., Elizabeth, 
Lilias, Mary and Frances. Mr. Lawrence and 
his father planted fruit and shade trees on 
their farm, erected comfortable and useful 
farm buildings, and were classed among the 
intelligent and progressive pioneers of Lee 
County. The elder Mr. Lawrence died in 1848, 
and his wife in 185G. John Tharp Lawrence 
served as School Trustee of his township a 
number of years, was Manager of the Palmyra 
Fire Company, and a member of the Episcopal 
church; in politics he was a Democrat. His 
death occurred in 1898, and that of Mrs. Law- 
rence in 1895. The Lawrence farm is now 
managed by three of the daughters of John T. 
Lawrence — maiden ladies, who acquired a 
good education under home training and cul- 
ture, and who conduct a dairy-farm, sending 
milk to the factory. 

IRA M. LEHMAN, farmer and stock-raiser, 
Nachusa Township, Lee County, 111., was born 
in the township where he now resides. May 
11, 1868, son of Samuel and Margaret (Barck- 
doU) Lehman, natives of Adams County. Penn., 
who came to Lee County in 1853. Samuel 
Lehman was twice married, his first wife, who 
died Oct. 21, 1870, bore him five children, of 
whom Ira M. was the fourth. Mr. Lehman 
died in 1899, aged sixty-eight years, and at the 
time of his death owned 400 acres of land in 
Lee County. On January 28, 1892, Ira M. Leh- 
man was married to Mary Throstle, born in 
Ogle County, 111., Dec. 7, 1867, daughter of 
Levi and Isabel (Spangler) Throstle, and of 
this union there are three children— Bertha 
Belle, Leroy S. and Galen Throstle. Mr. Leh- 
man owns a 200-acre farm in Nachusa Town- 
ship, which he purchased in 1900. and makes 
a specialty of raising thoroughbred Hereford 
cattle. In political opinions he is a Republi- 
can; has served two years as School Director. 



8oo 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



and three years as Pathmaster. He and his 
family are members of the Brethren church. 

MRS. IDA C. MOULTON, Franklin Grove, 
Lee County, 111.; born Sept. 1, 1S61. eldest 
daughter of Sylvanus C. and Sabine J. (Fel- 
lows) Hansen, natives, respectively, of Maine 
and New York State, the former locating in 
Lee County, 111., in 1840, and the latter in 
1859. Mrs. Moulton (nee Miss Ida C. Fellows), 
obtained her elementary education in the coun- 
try district schools and the public schools at 
Franklin Grove, afterwards attending Cornell 
College (Mt. Vernon, Iowa), two terms. On 
March 30, 1891. she was married to George 
Franklin Moulton, born at LeRoy, Bremer 
County, Iowa, July 29, 1864, son of Benjamin 
Waite and Electa Louise (Hall) Moulton. nat- 
ives of Michigan and Illinois, respectively. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Moulton five children were born, 
viz.: Guy E.. Ruth H., Violet F., Inez L., an;! 
an int'nnt, unnamed — the last two are deceased. 

GEORGE E. MOREY, merchant and Post- 
master, Lee Center, 111., was born at Clima.x 
Kalamazoo County, Mich., June 4, 1855, son of 
Edwin and Harriet (Mayo) Morey. Edwin 
Morey was born near Elniira. N. Y.. and came 
to Lee County in 184(5. while his wife is a 
native of Pennsylvania, and came to Lee 
County in 1847. They were married in 1848. 
Mr. Morey introduced the second grain sepa- 
rator into Lee County, and operated a thresh- 
ing machine in that section of country for 
many years in addition to conducting his 240- 
acre farm. To. Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Morey 
nine children v.'ere born, eight of whom grew 
to maturity, viz.: Mason L., Mary S., Albert 
H., George E., Lettle E., Edwin, Sarah I. and 
Charles M. Mr. Morey died June 30, 1888, aged 
sixty-eight, but his wife still survives, at the 
age of seventy-three years. George E. Morey be- 
gan business life for himself at the age of 
twenty-five, first conducting a rented farm for 
seven years, and afterwards purchased 151 
acres of land, which he sol dfive years later. 
In 1892 he opened a meat market at Lee Cen- 
ter, which he conducted four years, and has 
since been engaged in the general mei-chandise 
business. He has been Postmaster cf Lee; Cen- 
ter for the past five years; is serving his sec- 
ond term as Clerk of Lee Township, and, while 
residing on the farm. s?rved as Road Commis- 



sioner and School Director for several years. 
Fraternally he is a member of Lodge No. 146, 
A. F. &.A. M., and of 1036 Camp, M. W. A., hav- 
ing served as clerk of the latter order for seven 
years Mr. Morey was married on Sept. 9. 1880, 
to Ella R. Derr, daughter of John' and Rebecca 
(Geisinger) Derr, and they are the parents 
of three children — Ernest L., Edwin R. and 
Hazel M. Mr. and Mrs. John Derr were na- 
tives of Pennsylvania, and came to Lee County 
in 1864, where the former died in 1902, aged 
eighty-three, and the latter in 1901. in her 
seventy-third year. 

WILLIAM G. McGINNIS. farmer. Palmyra 
Township, Lee County, 111., was born in Nev/ 
York City, in 1830, son of Stewart and Mary 
(Law) McGinnis. Stewart McGinnis was born 
in the North of Ireland, Feb. 22, 1802. The 
father dying when Stewart was an infant, he 
was shortly afterwards brought by his mother 
to America, and they resided in New York 
City, where he later learned the trade of an 
architect, and erected one of the first saw 
and planing mills in New York State. He later 
built sugar mills in the Southern States, and 
lost his life in a fire in 1838. He married in 
New York City, Mary Law, a native of County 
Antrim. Ireland, born Feb. 24, 1813, who came 
with her parents to America in 1818. Mrs. 
McGinnis still survives, at the venerable age 
of ninety years, and lives with her son, Wil- 
liam G. Her mother, Keziah Law, lived to be 
103 years of age. In 1861, William G. McGin- 
nis enlisted in Company A, Thirteenth Illinois 
Volunteer Infantry, his regiment forming a 
part of the Western army. He participated in 
the battles of White River, Vicksburg, Chicka- 
saw Bayou, Siege of Vicksburg, Lookout Moun- 
tain, Mission Ridge, Ringgold Gap, besides 
other minor engagements. He lost one of his 
fingers in the Siege of Vicksburg. Mr. McGin- 
nis has spent most of his life in Lee County 
and has been a sacrificing son in behalf of his 
aged mother, whom he watches with filial care, 
and, perhaps for this reason, he never married. 
In politics Mr. McGinnis is a Republican, and 
has served as Township Collector and Path- 
master. He is a member of the G. A. R. at 
Dixon. 

ABRAM MYERS (deceased) was born in 
Maryland, in October, 1815, son of Harry and 
Malinda (Traver) Myers. His parents came to 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



80 1 



Illinois in the '-lOs, and settled in Ogle County. 
In 1862, Abram Myers enlisted in Conii)any A 
Seventy-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and 
served his country valiantly until the end of 
hostilities. Returning to Ogle County after 
the close of the war, he was married, on Oct 
9, 1S37. to Ella Mack, daughter of William and 
Sarah (Strait) Mack, and of this union there 
were seven children, viz.: William. Daniel, Ma- 
tilda, Frank, Leah, (Mrs. Arthur Overholser), 
and Mary — all of whom are living except Dan- 
iel W., who was a member of Company G, 
Eleventh United States Infantry, and died Feb. 
1, 1903, while in service in the Phi'lippine 
Islands, on the Island of Luzon. Their son, 
Frank L., is in the United States Army, being 
nov.' stationed in Idaho. Mr. Myers died Jan. 
30, 1888. 

ZACHARIAH W. MOSS, D. D. S., Dixon, 111., 
was born in Claiborne Coimty, Tenn., Oct. 
13, 1874, son of J. K. and OUie (Treece) Moss. 
He received hi.s preparatory education in the 
Fazewell High School and later attended the 
University of Tennessee, graduating from the 
department of Dental Surgery in 1896. He then 
practiced his profession one year at Hillsboro, 
111., and afterwards enlisted in Company E, 
Fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, for service in 
the late Spanish-American War, and after 
serving seven months with his company in 
Cuba, he was transferred to the medical depart- 
ment of the hospital in Port Rico. After the 
close of the war he came via Nev,' York to Dix- 
on, 111., where he opened an office and has since 
conducted a successful and increasing practice, 
and is considered thoroughly up-to-date in all 
details connected with dental surgery. On 
October 16, 1902, he married Mary O., daughter 
of O. J. Downing, a soldier of the Civil War 
and an early settler of Lee County. The Doctor 
is a member of the Illinois State Dental So- 
ciety, and is also a member of the B. P. O. E. 
and K. of P. 

M. C. MUNN, M. D.. physician and surgeon. 
Lee, Lee County, 111., was born in Fulton Coun- 
ty, Ohio, June 17, 1859, son of A. C. and Sarah 
M. (Herrick) Munn. M. C. Munn was reared on 
his father's farm, attended the district school 
and later the Northwestern Normal at Wau 
seon. Ohio. After completing his preparatory 
education, he conducted a cheosp factory for 



nine years, and then completed a three-year 
course at the Physio-Medical College, Chicago, 
graduating in 1893. In the latter year he began 
practicing his profession at Lee, and later took 
a course and graduated in 1895 from the Hos- 
pital College of Medicine, Louisville. Ky., re- 
suming his practice at Lee immediately after- 
wards. Dr. Munn was married August 14, 1883, 
to Norah B., daughter of John and Mary C. 
(Clevinger) Roberts, who were of Welch and 
English decent respectively. The Doctor is 
a member of the American P. M. Society of 
Physicians, Ths_£_M^ Society of DeKalb Coun- 
ty Medical 'aBociety, and enjoys an extensive 
practice in iWie-Srid DeKalb Counties. In polit- 
ical opinions he is a Democrat and served as 
Village Trustee of Lee for two years, and was 
elected President of the village in 1903. 

EDWARD MORRISSEY, farmer. Marion 
Township, Lee County, was born in County 
Carlow, Ireland, March 17, 1830, the son of 
Patrick and Johanna (Daley) Morrissey; came 
to the United States in 1852, and on June 25 
of the same year, v/as married to Mary Doyle, 
daughter of Peter Doyle, and they have had 
nine children: Patrick H., Ellen A.. Thomas F., 
William C, Bridget M., James E., John J. and 
two who are now deceased, viz,: Johanna, who 
became the wife of Patrick O'Hare, and 
Michael, who died in his infancy. On coming 
to America, Mr. Morrissey first lived three 
years at Petersburg, Rensselaer County, N. Y.; 
afterwards resided three years in Boone Coun- 
ty, 111., and seven years in La Salle County, 
same State, locating in Lee County in 1865, 
where he has since been engaged in farming. 
Mr. Morrissey is a Democrat and, at the present 
time (1903), is serving his second term as 
Road Commissioner; has also served as School 
Director; was Treasurer of the Catholic church 
at Walton, and is now Treasurer of the Walton 
Horse Comiiany. His family are communicants 
of the Catholic cliurch. 

GEORGE MILLS, retired farmer, Alto Town- 
ship, Lee County, was born in New York Slate, 
in 1833, son of Julius and Margaret (Smith) 
Mills; was educated in his native State and 
coming to Illinois located at Peru, where he 
remained for one year, then spent two years 
at Mendota, La Salle County, after which he 
removed to Bureau County, and in 1854, settled 



8o2 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



on land which he had selected on first coming 
to the State with his parents and brothers, 
and which constitutes his present homestead. 
In 1863 Mr. Mills married Louise T. Williams, 
who bore him one daughter, Georgia, now the 
wife of Elmer Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Smith 
have three children — Gladys, Mills and lone — 
and Mr. Smith manages the estate for his 
father-in-law. Mr. Mills had a successful ca- 
reer as a farmer, at present feeds about 200 
head of cattle and was at one time extensively 
engaged in sheep-raising. In early manhood 
he followed the vocation of a teacher In Bureau, 
Ogle and Lee Counties for some time. His 
residence is pleasantly situated in a fine grove, 
and is equipped with every modern improve- 
ment, making It one of the most convenient 
and delightful homes in this section of the 
State. Mr. Mills is a genial gentleman of the 
old school, and his accomplished daughter, 
Mrs. Smith, dispenses the hospitality of their 
home with graceful dignity. Mr. Mills is a 
Republican in politics, but a non-believer in 
the doctrines taught by theologians of the 
present day. 

LLEWELLYN W. MILLER, principal of the 
Second Ward school, Dixon, 111., was born in 
Willow Creek Township, Lee County, 111., Feb. 
3, 1870. son of Samuel B. and Sarah (Miller) 
Miller, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and 
came to Illinois in the early '40s. Their family 
consisted of nine children, of whom six are now 
living, viz.: Joseph A., Llewellyn, Nettie, Clem- 
ent B., Delia and Mary. December 31. 1896, 
L. W. Miller was married to Diona C. Russell, 
daughter of Ira O. and Eliza J. (Russell) Rus- 
sell, natives respectfully of New Hampshire 
and Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller two chil- 
dren have been born. Stanley Russell and Her- 
man Olcott. Mr. Miller has been a teacher and 
an instructor for the last fourteen years, 
twelve years of his professional life having 
been spent in the Lee County schools. 

MICHAEL J. McGOWAN. Deputy Sheriff 
and ex-Sheriff of Lee County, Dixon, 111., was 
born in May Township, Lee County. 111., Aug. 
20, 1862, son of Martin and Annie (McGinnis) 
McGowan. Martin McGowan was a native of 
Ireland and emigrated to the Unitel States in 
1834. landing the same year in New Orleans. 
He came to Lee County in 1835. locating on 



a' farm in May Township, upon which he built 
a log house, made several improvements, and 
added to his holdings until his estate, at the 
time of his death (1897) embraced 240 acres. 
Mr. and Mrs. Martin McGowan were married 
in Ottawa 111., and became the parents of 
eleven children, seven boys and four girls, 
Michael J. being the youngest son. Mrs. Mc- 
Gowan survived her husband but a few years, 
dying in 1900. Michael J. McGowan was raised 
on his father's farm, attended the district 
school and Dixon College, and for two years 
was a student in the Normal School at Dixon. 
He afterwards taught in the public schools of 
Lee County for three years, and in 1884 was 
appointed Deputy Sheriff under Isaac Edwards, 
serving two years. In 1886 he was appointed 
Railway Mail Clerk, a position he held until 
1893, when he became Deputy Sheriff under 
J. L. Gray, and was elected as Mr. Gray's 
successor in 1898, his term of office expiring in 
I902; was also Chairman of the Lee County 
Republican Central Committee, and President 
of the Sheriff's Association of Illinois. He is 
now serving as Deputy Sheriff under Mr. 
Wohnke. On October 16, 1890. he married 
Mary McGovern, daughter of Bernard and Ann 
(Blake) McGovern, and of this union there are 
two children, Raymond and Almeda. Socially 
he is a member of the Knights of the Globe, 
M. W. A., A. O. U. W.. and A. F. & A. M. In 
politics he is a stanch Republican 

JOHN E. MOYER. dealer in coal and wood. 
Dixon. 111., was born in Dixon, July 12, 1862. 
son of William H. and Mary C. (Beal) Moyer, 
natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland respec- 
tively. William H. Moyer and his father. John 
Moyer, came to Lee County in 1S3S. while 
Mary C. Beal came with her father, Charles 
Beal, in 1852. Both families settled in Dixon 
Township. John E. Moyer attended the Dixon 
public schools, and later engaged in the grocery 
business, but has been conducting his present 
business since 1895, in which he has establish- 
ed an extensive trade in coal and wood. On 
November 20, 1883, he married Anna B. Board- 
man, daughter of Isaac S. and Anna C. Board- 
man. Mr Moyer is the present Assessor, having 
filled that office for eight years; was a member 
of the Board of Education six years; and was 
President of the Retail Merchants' Association 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



803 



in 1901 and 1902. Socially he is a member of 
the I. O. O. F. Dixon Lodge No. 39. Minnie 
Bell Rebecca Lodge No. 423, Nachusa Encamp- 
ment and Knights of the Globe. Mr. Moyer's 
parents both survive and arc living in Dixon, 
where they enjoy the respect of the community, 

WILLARD HOWARD MARTIN, dairy farm- 
er, Palmyra Township, Lee County, was born 
in the house in which he is now living on his 
father's farm. Aug. 29, 1854, son of Jacob and 
Margaret (Curtis) Martin — the former a native 
of New Hampshire and the latter of New York 
State. Jacob Martin came with his family to 
Lee County in the fall of 1836 and entered 
Government land on Section 33, Palmyra Town- 
ship, which he improved carrying on farming 
successfully until his death, which occurred 
Aug. 29, 1881. Jacob Martin served as Post- 
master of Gap Grove, by appointment of 
President Buchanan, and was School Director 
for his district. Mrs, Margaret (Curtis) Martin, 
mother of Willard H., died when the latter was 
six months old. There were two other children 
of this family — Helen R. and Josephine, the 
latter being the wife of Alphonso Morgan, now 
a resident of the State of Louisiana. Willard 
H. grew up on his father's farm, attended 
school near his home, and, with the exception 
of three years, when he v.'as engaged in the 
livery business at Mendota, 111., has spent his 
life on the farm which he now owns consisting 
of 185 acres, including his father's home- 
stead of 105 acres, to which he has subsequent- 
ly added eighty acres. Willard H. Martin was 
married Jan. 17, 1884. to Ida A. Cowen, daugh- 
ter of David and Margaret Cowen, who came 
to Lee County from Canada in 1868, and he 
and his wife have had eight children: Oliver 
C. Josephine A., Jacob J., Lawrence T., Mar- 
garet R., Clarence, Avis and Hugh. Frater- 
nally Mr. Martin is a member of the Modern 
Woodmen of America and the Code of Honor, 
and in politics is a Republican. 

G. WILLIAM MESSER, farmer, Bradford 
Township, Lee County, was born at Gelffers- 
hausen, Kreis Rothensburg, Kur Hessen, Ger- 
many, Dec, 12, 1840. son of Karl and Martha 
(Henert) Messer. The father died in 1855 and 
the mother in 1863 aged fifty-three and seventy- 
three years, respectively. In 1864 the son came 



to America arriving in Lee County, 111., in July 
of that year, after which, for the next three 
years, he worked at blacksmithing, when he 
bought a half acre of ground but, in 1867, began 
farming on a 40-arce farm. He now owns 260 
acres of land in Lee County, besides a half- 
section in South Dakota. August 24, 1866, Mr. 
Messer married Anna Katherine Griese, born 
in Heineboch, Kreis Melzun, Kur Hessen, Ger- 
many, the daughter of Justus and Anna E. 
(Hunner) Griese, who came to Lee County 
in 1864. The mother died in 1885, aged seventy- 
eight, and the father In 1894, aged eighty-five. 
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Messer are: 
Adam E.; Katie, wife of Jacob Bolie; Minnie, 
wife of William Geyer; Martha, wife of Charles 
Albrecht; Mollie, wife of Fred Harck; Henry; 
Anna; William J.; Emma; Augusta and 
Amanda. Mr. and Mrs. Messer are members 
of the United Evangelical church. In politics 
he is a Republican and has served as Road 
Commissioner three years. Road Overseer 
one year. School Director three years and 
School Trustee twelve years. 

JACOB MILLER, farmer, Amboy Township, 
Lee County, 111., was born in Upper Canada, 
June 4, 1839, son of Jacob and Esther (Van 
Sickel) Miller, natives of Canada, who came to 
Lee County in 1853, and located west of Paw 
Paw. His parents are now deceased. On June 
21, 1862, Jacob Miller was married to Maria 
Taylor, daughter of James and Martha (Ar- 
graves) Taylor, and to them eight children 
have been born, seven of whom are living, viz.: 
Rosetta E., Delia E., Mary A., Earnest J., For- 
rest J., Nina E. and Merritt K. Mr. Miller owns 
370 acres of land in Amboy Township. In po- 
litical convictions he is a stanch Republican, 
and has served as School Director ten years. 
He and his family are members of the Method- 
ist Episcopal church. 

HUGH McGUIRK, merchant and Postmaster. 
Walton, 111., was born in North Dixon, 111., Oct. 
24, 1858, son of William and Bridget (Brogan) 
McGuirk, natives of County Tyrone, Ireland, 
who came to the United States in 1845, and to 
Dixon in 1865 — both being now deceased. May 
27, 1895, Mr. McGuirk married Margaret Mc- 
Caffrey, daughter of Patrick and Ann (Cassidy) 
McCaffrey, of Lee County, and to them three 



804 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



children have been bom, viz.: Lloyd, Raymond 
and Joseph E. For four years Mr. McGuirk 
was in the United States postal service as 
railway mail clerk. He is a Democrat in pol- 
itics, and held the office of Town Clerk from 
1883 to 1887; School Director six years; Super- 
visor of Marion Township ten years, and since 
1890 has been postmaster of Walton where 
he conducts a general store. He is a member 
of the Catholic church. 

THOMAS McCUNE, farmer, Marion Town- 
ship, Lee County, 111., was born in Peoria Coun- 
ty, 111., June 22, 1866, son of John and Mary 
(Lawless) McCune, the former a native of 
Scotland and the latter of Ireland. John Mc- 
Cune came to Illinois in the early '40s. and 
located at Peoria when there was but one log 
house on the present site of that city. Thomas 
McCune came to Lee County in 1894, where 
he now owns 160 acres of land in Marion Town- 
ship. In September, 1890, he was married to 
Mary Duffy, daughter of James and Johannah 
(Sughrue) Duffy of Peoria County, and to 
them six children have been born, three of 
whom — Johanna, Mary and James Morris — now 
survive. Socially Mr. McCune belongs to the 
M. W. A. and Royal Neighbors. He is a Demo- 
crat in politics, and a member of the Catholic 
church. 

WILLIAM Mccarty (deceased) was born 
in New York City, April 25, 1838. and came to 
Illinois in 1857, and after residing three years 
in Knox County, removed to Lee County, v/here 
he spent the remainder of his life following the 
occupation of a farmer. October 14, 1861, he 
was united in marriage with Ruth Ann. the 
daughter of Jacob J. and Lydia A. Cond^rman, 
natives of New York, who located in Marion 
Township, Lee County, in 1850. Mr. Conderman 
was a prominent Mason and one of the sterling 
pioneers of the county. He died April 10, 1899. 
To Mr. and Mrs. McCarty three children v/ere 
born: George M., Frances and William J., the 
first two named being now deceased. Mr. 
McCarty was a leading Mason and a stanch 
Republican. He died Dec. 28, 1896. With his 
family he belonged to the Congregational 
church. 

JAMES H. MORRIS, retired farmer, Dixon, 
111., was born at Morrisville, Madison County, 



N. Y., March 8, 1829, son of Harvey and Lavina 
(Gurley) Morris, also natives of the Empire 
State. Mr. Morris located in Chicago in 1851, 
where he was extensively engaged in the lum- 
ber business for many years. Failing health in- 
duced him to remove to Dixon m 1872, where, 
for several years, he was engaged in the whole- 
sale grocery business with his son George A. 
under the firm name of J. H. Morris & Son. In 
186:3 he married Lucia Savage, a native of 
New York but reared and educated in Wor- 
cester, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Morris have two 
sons — George A., of Chicago, and William 
Savage, a farmer, in Dixon Township. In po- 
litical views Mr. Morris is a Republican. 

CALVIN MEESE. farmer and stock-raiser, 
South Dixon Township, Lee County, was born 
in Somerest County Penn.. son of Alexander 
and Elizabeth (Miller) Meese, both natives of 
Pennsylvania. The father died in the Union 
army in 1863, but the mother still survives, 
making her home with her son Calvin A. The 
latter moved first from Pennsylvania to Ohio, 
then to Bureau County, 111., in 1873. and in 1880 
settled in South Dixon Township, Lee County, 
where he now resides and is owner of a val- 
uable farm of 240 acres on Sections 33 and 34. 
December 4, 1879, Mr. Meese was married to 
Buena Forsythe, whose father was a native of 
Ohio, but her mother came from England. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Meese six children have been 
born, of whom two died in infancy, and the 
four still surviving are Edward F., James A., 
Benton and Cora E. Politically Mr. Meese is 
a Republican and fraternally a member of the 
Modern Woodmen of America. The family are 
members of the Lutheran church. 

GEORGE P. McWETHY, farmer and dairy- 
man. Section 1, Palmyra Township, Lee County, 
111., son of John Henry and Hattie E. (Sheldonl 
McWethy. John H. McWethy resides on Sec- 
tion 39, Palmyra Township, and since 1902 has 
lived retired. He was born in Wyoming 
County. N. Y.. in March, 1836, son of Henry 
and Olive (Hale) McWethy. natives of Scot- 
lijnd and England respectively, who were the 
parents of ten children. John H. obtained his 
education in the public schools of his native 
country and came to Lee County in the spring 
of 1861, purchasing land in Palmyra Township 
in 1864. To himself and wife three children 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



805 



were born — Charles E., George P. and W. C. 
In politics he is a Republican and has served 
as Trusteo on the School Board. George P. Mc- 
Wethy received his educational training in 
the district schools of Palmyra Township and 
the Normal School at Dixon. He remained 
on his father's farm during youth, and in 1888 
married Mary A. Ayres. who has borne him 
four children — Thomas H., Marcia A., Fred O. 
and Glenn P. Mr. McWethy conducted a farm 
for five years in Hardin County, Iowa, and in 
1902 purchased his father's homestead consist- 
ing of 98 acres, upon which he keeps a herd of 
forty cows, and supplies much, of the milk for 
the city trade at Dixon. Mr. and Mrs McWethy 
are Baptists in religious belief and services 
of that denomination are held at their house 
every Sunday. In political views Mr. Mc- 
Wethy is a Republican. Mrs. McWethy's 
father, Thomas Ayres. is a native of Pennsyl- 
vania and has passed most of his life on his 
farm in Palmyra Township, while her mother. 
Rebecca D, (Parks) Ayres, was the second 
white child born in Dixon. Four children were 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Ayres — Rodney M., 
Smith M., Martha (Mrs. D. M. Rossiter) and 
Mary A. (Mrs. George P. McWethy). 

^\^LLIAM H. MADDEN, farmer. Palmyra 
Township, Lee County, 111., was born in Fort 
Wayne, Ind., Oct. 22, 1847, son of Benjamin 
and Phoebe (Gardener) Madden, both of whom 
were born in Troy N. Y. William Madden's 
parents died v,'hen he was an infant, and he 
was raised by his maternal grandfather, Ben- 
jamin Gardener, who was a farmer and dairy- 
man, remaining in his home until Dec. 22, 1863, 
when he joined Company E. Twelfth Indiana 
Cavalry, serving two years as chief musician 
of his regiment. He participated in the siege 
of Atlanta under Gen. Kilpatrick, Nashville 
and Franklin (in December, 1864), under Gen- 
eral Pap Thomas, and siege of Mobile under 
General Canby. He was with Gen. Grierson in 
Alabama. Georgia and Mississippi, and during 
inig his service had three horses shot under 
him, one at Atlanta, one at Brownsboro and one 
at Mobile. Mr. Madden was mustered out of the 
service at Vicksburg. and discharged at Indian- 
apolis, Dec. 20. 1865. and then went to Miami 
County. Ohio, where he was engaged in farm- 
ing near Daytiin from 1866 to 1869. Coming to 



Lee County in the latter year, he lias since 
been engaged in farming in Palmyra Town- 
ship, where he cultivates 315 acres of land and 
keeps from forty to fifty head of cattle and 
from fifty to a himdred hogs. August 10, 1879, 
he married Ardella Unangst, daughter of 
George and Mary J. (Ritenberg) Unangst, who 
caiine from Pennsylvania and settled in Lee 
County in 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Madden have 
three children, Eurith Edna, Georgia Marie and 
Lloyd H., all of whom reside at home. Mr. 
Madden is a member of the G. A. R.. I. O. 
O. F.. Knights of the Globe. Supreme Court 
of Honor and Royal Circle. Mrs. Madden is 
a member of the Woman's Relief Corps. In 
political sentiment Mr. Madden is a Repub- 
lican, casting his first vote for General Grant, 
and acted as Assistant Marshal of Dixon in 
1891. During his life he has traveled exten- 
sively through the United States. 

RILEY A. MEAD, farmer and prominent 
stock-raiser. Paw Paw, Lee County, 111., was 
born in Tioga County, N. Y.. July 19, 1839, son 
of Joshua and Abigail (Lewis) Mead, natives 
of the Empire State. Mr. Mead first came to 
Lee County in 1857, but two years later return- 
ed to his native State. Returning to Lee Coun- 
ty, 111., in 1861. he settled in Wyoming Town- 
ship, where he has since been engaged in gen- 
eral farming and breeding of fine stock. On 
September 4, 1859, he was married to Rachel 
Vose, a native of New York State, and to them 
seven children have been born, viz.: Cora, 
wife of Thomas Harper; Fred R., who lives at 
Paw Paw 111.; Belle, wife of Robert Fluellen; 
Arthur, who is engaged in farming in Iowa; 
Ella, widow of Edward Thomas; Bert, a resi- 
dent of Thornton. Iowa, and Lena, wife of 
Charles W. McMillan. In political opinions 
Mr. Mead is a Democrat. 

GEORGE MULLINS. farmer. Section 12. Wil- 
low Creek Township, Lee County, 111., was 
born in Sheffield. England, May 3, 1842, son 
of Robert and Sarah (Yulett) MuUins. Robert 
Mullins was a cutler in Sheflield, England, 
until 1845, when he removed to Yorkshire and 
engaged in farming. In 1852 the entire family 
emigrated to America. Landing at New York, 
they came direct to Shabbona, DeKall) County. 
III., wlior.' the father continued farming the 



8o6 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



remainder of his life. Mr. and Mrs. Robert 
Mullins were the parents of eight children, the 
subject of this article being third in order of 
birth. Robert Mullins died in 18S7. his wife 
dying in 1886. George Mullins remained on 
the parental homestead until tv/enty- one years 
of age, and in the meantime attended the dis- 
trict schools. December 14, 1886, he married 
Mary Ann Bostock, and they became the par- 
ents of eight children, viz.: Sarah Minnie (Mrs. 
James Henderson), Emma Louisa (Mrs. Edwin 
Hartman), William Robert, Robert A., Maud 
Mary and George F. (twins), Mary Ann, Esther 
Ann, and one child who died in infancy. Be- 
sides his home farm of 240 acres in Willow 
Creek Township, Mr. Mullins owns 315 acres 
in DeKalb County 111. In political opinions 
he is a Republican, and has served as School 
Director and Pathmaster; in religious belief 
he is a Methodist. 

BERNARD McCAFFREY, farmer, Marion 
Township, Lee County, was born in Lee County, 
111., Nov. 3, 1861, son of Patrick and Ann 
(Cassidy) McCaffrey — the former a native of 
County Monagban, Ireland, who in 1856, came 
to Dixon, 111., where he married and reared a 
family of five children. June 6, 1887, the sub- 
ject of this sketch was married to Catherine 
McQuirk, and they have had a family of ten 
children — all daughters — viz.: Catherine E., 
Anna B., Rose M., Gertrude, Mary F., Helen, 
Ruth, Florence L., Alice J. and Margaret — the 
latter deceased. Politically Mr. McCaffrey is a 
liberal ; served fourteen years continuously as 
Assessor of his township, and two years as 
Collector. He is a member of the Catholic 
church and of the Modern Woodmen of 
America. He owns a farm of IfiO acres in 
Marion Township. 

RINEAR MILLER, farmer, Viola Township, 
Lee County, 111., was born in Brantford, Canada, 
July 15, 1835, son of Jacob and Esther (Van- 
Sickle) Miller, who came to Paw Paw Grove, 
111., May 11, 1845, and purchased 100 acres of 
land. Rinear Miller remained with his parents 
until twenty-two years of age, and then con- 
ducted a rented farm for three years, after 
which he purchased eighty acres in Viola Town- 
ship. He was married July 28, 1857, to Anna 
Scott, daughter of George and Rebecca Scott 
of Sterling. 111. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller eleven 



children were born, viz.: LaFayette, Canvar, 
Lincoln, Francis T., Granville, Harrison. Nel- 
son, Andrew, Pomeroy, Emerson and one who 
died in infancy. Mrs. Miller died May 10, 1890. 
Mr. Miller is a Republican in political views; 
has served as School Trustee fifteen years, 
and Road Commissioner fourteen years. He 
is a memeber of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. 

CHARLES W. McMILLEN, agricultural 
implement dealer, Paw Pav/, 111., was born in 
Fulton County, Ind., Oct. 9, 1869, son of Henry 
and Mariah (Finnemore) McMillen. He came 
to Paw Paw in October. 1893, where for two 
years he was employed in livery business, and 
on March 1, 1896, — in company with S. C. Agler 
— he engaged in the agricultural implement 
business. In 1899 he purchased Mr. Agler's in- 
terest and has since conducted the business 
alone. March 22, 1899, he married Lena M. 
Mead, daughter of R. A. and Rachel (Vost) 
Mead, of Paw Paw, 111. He is a Republican in 
politics, and in 1902 was appointed Town Clerk, 
being elected to the same position in 1903. 
Fraternally he is a member of the I. O. O. F. 
and M. W. A. 

AVERY MERRIMAN, farmer, Wyoming 
Township. Lee County, III., was born in Geauga 
County, Ohio, Feb. 2, 1846, son of Peter and 
Mary Merriman, who came to Illinois in 1846, 
and settled in Shabbona Grove. DeKalb 
County. Mr. Merriman first purchased eighty 
acres of land, but now owns 400 acres in 
Wyoming Township. H© was married on De- 
cember 23, 1878, to Josephine, daughter of Les- 
ter and Miranda Potter, and to them five chil- 
dren were born, viz.: Albert, Lovancha (de- 
ceased), Josephine, Alice and Charles. In po- 
litical opinions he is a Republican, and has 
served his fellow-citizens as School Director 
for fourteen years. He and his family are 
attendants of the Baptist church, of which 
Mr. Merriman is a member. 

ANDREW MAY (deceased) was born in 
Sussex County, N. Y.. May 28, 1834, son of 
Peter and Catherine May, who came to Paw 
Paw, 111,, in 1841. In March, 1857, Mr. May 
began business life for himself, and succeeded 
in accumulating a competency. 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



807 



WILLIAM McMAHAN (deceased) was born 
in Montour County, Penn., Jan. 17, 1S29, son 
of Benjamin and Esther J. (Brearley) McMa- 
han. He obtained his education in the schools 
of his native county and afterwards learned 
sureveying. In 1S54 he came to Lee County 
and taught school one winter at Franklin 
Grove. In the spring of 1855 he went to Min- 
nesota, where, for five years, he was/ employed 
as surveyor by the United States Government. 
Returning to Lee County in 1860, he located 
on a farm in Wyoming Township, and in No- 
vember, 1864, was appointed County Surveyor, 
serving until Oct. 1, 1882, resigning on account 
of ill health. He also served as Township 
Supervisor five terms, Assessor seven terms. 
and in addition to the village of Paw Paw, 
surveyed the plat for Compton, Carnahan, 
Brooklyn, Shaw and Walton. In October, 1859, 
he married Sarah A. Clark, of Trumbull 
County. Ohio, and three of their children — 
Hattie E.. John C. and William B — survive. 
In fraternal relations Mr. McMahan was a 
member of Corinthian Lodge, No. 210, A. F. 
& A. M.; Mendota Chapter, R. A. M.; and 
Mendota Commandery, K. T. 

DAVID MINOR (deceased) was born in 
Madison County, N. Y., April 1, 1827, son of 
Cyrus R. and Louise (Norton) Minor, natives of 
Massachusetts, who came to Lee County in 
183G, locating at Franklin Grove, on' the site of 
the old stone hotel, where they died. David 
Minor was married in 1856 to Cina Whitmore, a 
native of Ohio, and to them six children, were 
bcrn, four of whom are now living, viz.: Daniel, 
Iva, Rose and Hewitt, In political opinions 
he was a Republican, and in religious belief 
an Evangelical Lutheran. He died in February, 
1889, his wife surviving until April. 1899. 

FRANK MAU, Supervisor of Hamilton Town- 
ship, Lee County. 111., was born in Province 
Brandenburg, Germany, Jan. 14, 1854, son of 
Frederick and Dora (Wolfe) Mau. Mr. Mau 
came with his father to America in 1868. his 
mother having died in 1864. They settled near 
Washburn, Woodford County, 111., remaining 
there until 1899, when Frank Mau located in 
Hamilton Tov/nship, Lee County, where he 
now owns .■?20 acres of land, and devotes his 
attention to general farming. On February 2, 
1882 he married Carrie Frede, daughter of 



August and Christine (Bundel) Frede, and to 
them three children — Dora E., Harry E. and 
J. Edwin — have been born. Mr. Mau is a com- 
municant of the Evangelical Lutheran church, 
while Mrs. Mau is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. Mr. Mau is a member of 
the M. W. A. and I. O. O. F.; in politics is a 
Republican, and has served as Township 
Supervisor six years. 

RUDOLPH W. MENK, hardware dealer. 
Paw Paw, 111., was born at Hinckley, 111., Sept. 
12, 1875, son of William H. and Johanna 
(Lehring) Menk. He was employed in his 
father's hardware establishment at Hinckley, 
111., until October, 1896, and v.-as afterwards 
engaged in a similar capacity at Downer's 
Grove until January, 1897, at Aurora until July, 
1898 and Yorkville until 1899. On August 1st of 
the latter year, he purchased the hardware 
business of S. C. Mitchell, and has since con- 
ducted the enterprise under the firm name of 
W. H. Menk & Son. On September 6, 1899, he 
married Mary Reimersneider, of Hinckley, and 
and they have one daughter. Marguerite R. In 
political convictions he is a Republican, and 
fraternally belongs to the Masonic Order and 
M. W. A. He and his wife are members of 
the German Evangelical church. 

FRANK McBRlDE. farmer, Wyoming Town- 
ship, Lee County, 111., was born in Lee County, 
Nov. 6, 1862, son of George and Elizabeth 
(Baker) McBride, natives of Pennsylvania and 
Illinois, respectively. George McBride came 
to Lee County in 1856, locating on a farm in 
Wyoming Town.ship. where he spent the rest 
of his life, dying April 2B, 1885. On March 1 
1888, Frank McBride married Hattie E. Mc 
Mahon, daughter of William and Sarah A 
(Clark) McMahon, and they have one son, 
George W. Upon starting out in business life, 
Mr. McBride first rented land, but later pur 
chased his present farm of 200 acres. In po- 
litical affiliation he is a Republican, and so- 
cially belongs to the M. W. A. 

JOHN B. McBRIDE, retired farmer, Paw 
Paw, Lee County, 111., was born in County An- 
trim, Ireland, Jan. 27. 1835, the son of Robert 
and Ruth (Kirker) McBride. also natives of 
the Emerald Isle, who came to the United 
States in 1844, and settled in Ohio, where they 



8o8 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



both died. John B. McBride came to Lee 
County, 111., in 1864, locating in Brooklyn 
Township, where^ he was engaged in farming 
until 1875, and then moved into Wyoming 
Township, but since 1892 has lived retired at 
Paw Paw. In April, 1861. he was married to 
Sarah Bryson. a native of Ct*.nty Antrim, 
Ireland, who came to the United States in 
1848, and of this union two children — N. A. C. 
and Mary R. (Mrs. Wilbur Chaffee) — were 
born. Mrs. McBride died July 6, 1903. In poli- 
tics Mr. McBride affiliates with the Democratic 
party, and served as Assessor of Brooklyn 
Township in 1873. He is a member of the 
I. O. O. F. 

FRANK J. MONTARIN, farmer. Viola Town- 
ship, Lee County, 111., was born in Scioto 
County. Ohio. Jan. 28. 1857. son of Joseph and 
Margaret Montarin, who settled near Assump- 
tion, III. in 1865, and removed to Lee County 
in 1866. Frank J. Montarin purchased his 
present 80-acre farm in 1880, and located on 
it in 1881. November 30. 1880. he was married 
to Lydia Henry, daughter of Ltopcld and Del- 
phine Henry, and they have seven children — 
five sons and two daughters — viz.: Edward J., 
Mary. Lillie, John, Louis, Henry and Wilbur. 
Mr. Montarin is a Republican in political 
views, and in religious belief a Catholic. In 
fraternal affiliation he is a member of the 
Masonic Order. 

MICHAEL McGINNIS, retired farmer, Dixon. 
111., was born in Austinbrook. Canada. Jan. 2. 
1827, son of Michael and Bridget McGinnis, 
natives of the North of Ireland, v.-ho came to 
Canada in 1817 or 1818. Michael McGinnis 
came to Illinois in 1852, locating at Dixon in 
1895. On 1853 he was engaged as a contractor 
on the Chicago. Burlington & Quincy Railroad. 
On January 15, 1856, he married Miss Emily 
Douglas, of New York, and to them eight chil- 
dren were born, viz.: John C. Thomas A.. 
Jennie M. and Jessie S. (twins), Susie B., 
William R.. Nan D. and George H. 

WILLIAM NICHOLSON, liveryman. Amboy, 
Lee County, 111.; born at Inlet, Lee County, 111., 
June 9, 1864, son of Thomas and Anna (Bur- 
rows) Nicholson; educated in the public 
schools of his native village; remained on the 
parental homestead until he reached his ma- 
jority, and was afterwards engaged as a farm- 



hand until 1891. In the latter year he rented 
a farm, and in addition to conducting the 
same, dealt quite extensively in stock, having 
brought about eight or ten car-loads of horses 
from the West and disposed of them in Lee 
County. In 1891 he was married to Miss Gene- 
vieve Strickland, daughter of Seneca and Mai- 
Vina (Bainter) Strickland, natives of Pennsyl- 
vania and Illinois, respectively. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Nicholson one daughter has been born. 
Malvina Annie, Jan. 14, 1894. In politics Mr. 
Nicholson is a Republican. In 1903 he estab- 
lished a livery, feed and sale stable near the 
Illinois Central Railroad Depot, where he 
conducts a flrst-class business. 

BARTON B. NEER. farmer. Section 3, Alto 
Township. Lee County. III., was born in Ken- 
dall County. 111., March 31, 1848, son of Wil- 
liam and Dorcas (Colbert) Neer, natives of 
West Virginia; and Maryland, respectively, who 
were married in the East and cama to Kendall 
County in 1847. Their children were: James, 
Catherine, John, George, Mary and Barton B. 
William Neer came to Lee County in 1863, lo- 
cating on a rented farm one mile north of 
Steward, but later purchased the homestead 
(160 acres), where Barton B. now resides. Mr. 
Neer was a stanch Republican in politics, and 
was School Director of his township. He died 
Oct. 1, 1883, while his wife survived until 1S95. 
On the death of their parents, the farm, by 
will, became the property of Barton B. and 
George Neer. who have since conducted it in 
partnership. Mr. Neer had three sons in the 
Civil War — Barton B.. John and James. Bar- 
ton B. enlisted in 186:3, in Company H. Forty- 
sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served 
until the close of the war, afterwards return- 
ing to the home farm, where he has since re- 
sided. During his service, he was wounded 
by a spent ball at Jackson, Miss. December 
13. 1878, Mr. Neer married Jane Cook, daugh- 
ter of Morris and Elizabeth (Cooper) Cook, 
natives of New Jersey. They have no children, 
but adopted a daughter, Gertrude Kenney. Mr. 
Neer is a member of the G. A. R.. and Edward 
Bridge Post No. 124; in politics he is a Repub- 
lican. He and his wife are communicants of 
the Methodist Episcopal church. 

COL. HENRY T. NOBLE (deceased), born in 
Berkshire County. Mass.. May 3. 1830; came 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY 



809 



west and located at Dixon, wlu^re he taught 
school the following two years: was engaged 
in the real estate and banking business with 
his uncle, Silas Noble, until 1S57. On April 
20, 1861, he was chosen First Lieutenant of 
Company A, Thirteenth Regiment Illinois Vol- 
unteer Infantry, and was mustered into ser- 
vice as Captain of his Company on May 24, of 
the same year. He was promoted to the staff 
of the Quartermaster's Department on July S. 
1863, and in November following, was raised 
to Major, and thirty days later commissioned 
Lieutenant-Colonel. About March 1, 1864. he 
was promoted by the Secretary of War to Colo- 
nel on the staff of Major-General J. J. Rey- 
nolds, and was appointed Chief Quartermaster. 
Department of Kansas, filling the latter posi- 
tion until Oct. 15, 1866, when! he was mustered 
out of the service at his own request. Return- 
ing to Dixon in the latter year, he purchased 
an interest in the Grand Detour Plow Works, 
with which he was connected until his death. 

G. LAFAYETTE NELLES, farmer. Viola 
Township, Lee County, 111., was born in the 
township where he now resides, Oct. 22, 1875, 
son of John and Caroline Nelles, natives of 
Canada. Mr. Nelles remained at home and 
worked with his father on the farm, and now 
owns 120 acres of land in Viola Township. 
August 10, 1898, he married Susie Dodson, 
daughter of Santford and Hattie Dodson, of 
Oregon, and they have two children, named 
John S. and Santford. In political opinions Mr. 
Nelles is a Democrat, and he and his wife are 
communicants of the United Brethren church 
of Compton. 

MICHAEL O'MALLEY. farmer. Marion 
Township, Lee County. III., was born in County 
Mayo, Ireland, Sept. 8, 1827, son ot; Austin and 
Bridget O'Malley. Michael O'Malley came to 
the United States in 1849, landing at Portland, 
Maine, later going to Boston, and then to 
Worcester, Mass.. where he was employed for 
four or five years. In 1854 he came to Dixon, 
and now owns a 2n0-acre farm in Marion 
Township. On March 31, 1869, he married 
Mary Mayock, daughter of John Mayock, of 
Lee County, and to them seven children have 
been bom, viz.; Austin J., Catherine A., Pat- 
rick E. (deceased), Joseph M., William H., 
Thomas E. and Peter F. Mr. O'Malley is a 



Democrat in politics, and has served two terms 
as Supervisor, Assessor and Highway Commis- 
sioner, and eight years as School Treasurer. 
He is a member of the Catholic church. 

E. B. OWENS, physician and surgeon, Dixon, 
111., was born in LaSalle County, 111.. May 3, 
1867, son of Daniel W. and Mary (Silverthorn) 
Owens, natives of Pennsylvania. E. B. Owens 
spent his boyhood on his father's farm, in the 
meanwhile attended the district schools, and 
later took a teacher's course at the Normal 
School in Bureau County, 111. Taking up the 
study of medicine, he entered the medical 
school of the Northwestern University, gradu- 
ating from that institution in 1890, and then 
served one year as resident physician and sur- 
geon in St. Luke's Hospital. In the spring of 
1891 he came to Dixon. 111., where he has since 
practiced his profession, and aside from the 
liberal patronage he receives from the general 
public, is the attending physician at the city 
hospital. In 1894 he married Eleanor Isett, 
who was born in Pennsylvania, and they have 
two children, Elizabeth and Katherine. The 
Doctor is a member of the State Medical So- 
ciety, Lee County Medical Association, North 
Central Illinois Association, and is Secretary of 
the Rock River Valley Association. In relig- 
ious belief he is a Baptist, and in political sen- 
timent a Republican. 

FRED OBERHELMAN, dealer in grain, lum- 
ber and coal, firm of Fred Oberhelman & Co., 
Sublette, 111., v/as born in Warren County, 
Mo., Nov. 29, 1844, son of Frederick A. and 
Anna Christine (Knoepker) Oberhelman, na- 
tives of Westphalia, Germany. Frederick A. 
Oberhelman was born near Lengerich, and 
came to America in 1833, locating in Warren 
County, Mo., where he engaged in farming, and 
owned 311 acres of land. His wife came to St. 
Charles County, Mo., in 1836. They were mar- 
ried in 1843 and became the parents of eleven 
children, eight of whom grew to maturity. In 
1889 Mr. Oberhelman and his family removed 
to LaFayette, Mo,, where he owned a 160-acre 
farm. He died in 1900, aged eighty-two years; 
his wife survived until June 15, 1903, dying in 
her seventy-sixth year. Fred Oberhelman 
came to Sublette Township in 1866, where he 
engaged in farming until 1871, when he re- 
moved to Sublette village and established his 



8io 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



present business. In 1882 his brother, John 
W., became a partner in the enterprise, and the 
sales of the firm average about ?200.000 annu- 
ally. On March 22, 1866, Mr. Oberhelman was 
married to Mary E. Betz, born in Hesse Darm- 
stadt, Germany, May 25, 1843, daughter of John 
and Elizabeth (Blass) Betz, who came to Lee 
County in 1844. John Betz was a farmer by 
occupation, and died in 1898, aged about eighty- 
two years, while his wife died in 1876 in her 
fifty-sixth year. Mr. and Mrs. Oberhelman 
raised an adopted daughter, Emma A. (now 
Mrs. George Barth). In politics Mr. Oberhel- 
man is a Democrat, and was Supervisor of 
Sublette Township two years. Town Clerk two 
years, Trustee of the Village Board nine years; 
is now serving his third term as Justice of 
the Peace, and has, for many years, been a 
Notary Public. He and his wife are members 
of the Evangelical Lutheran church. During 
the late Rebellion, Mr. Oberhelman was a 
member of the Missiouri State Militia. 

JOHN WILLIAM OBERHELMAN, dealer in 
lumber, grain and coal, Sublette, 111., was born 
in Warren County, Mo., Oct. 30, 1853, son of 
Frederick A. and Anna Christine (Knoepker) 
Oberhelman, natives of Westphalia, Germany. 
After reaching his majority he clerked in his 
uncle's store at Hopewell, Mo., for two years, 
then came to Sublette, where he was employed 
for the same length of time in a grain and 
feed store belonging to his brother, Fred; after- 
wards became a partner in the store of Ober- 
helman & Bittendorf, but two years later en- 
gaged to work for his brother Fred, being thus 
employed until 1882, when he entered into a 
partnership with him, and has since been iden- 
tified with the business. On June 14. 1883. 
he married Augusta D. Bansan, born in Sub- 
lette, daughter of Henry and Louise (Miller) 
Bansan, the former a native of Schleswig Hol- 
stein, and the latter of Hanover, Germany. 
Mr. Bansan is still living, but his wife died in 
1883. Mr. and Mrs. Oberhelman have five chil- 
dren: William F.. Paulina C. Fred A.. Arthur 
and Lenora. Mr. Oberhelman and his family 
are members of the Evangelical Lutheran 
church. In political views he is a Democrat, 
and has been Town Clerk since 1887; was 
Township Collector four years. School Director 
fifteen years. Village Treasurer several terms, 
and was the first Village Clerk of Sublette. 



and recorded the ordinances when the village 
was organized, in February, 1893. 

JOSEPH PEMBERTON PLUMMER, shoe 
manufacturer, Dixon, 111., was born at Rich- 
mond, Ind., Feb. 3, 1859. His ancestors were 
Quakers for many generations. In 1875 Mr. 
Plummer entered the commercial world as 
office boy for C. M. Henderson & Co., Chicago, 
manufacturers of boots and shoes, and was 
advanced by stages until he became factory 
superintendent. In 1883 he was married to 
Sarah A. Lightcap, of Allegheny, Penn., and 
of this union two daughters have been born — 
Florence, in 1884, and Rachel, in 1889. Mr. 
Plummer entered the wholesale drug house 
of Morrisson, Plummer & Co., Chicago, in 1891, 
retired from the company in 1901 to enter 
the Watson-Plummer Shoe Company, as Sec- 
retary and Treasurer, the latter company being 
successors to his first employers, C. M. Hen- 
derson & Co. He is also Secretary and Treas- 
urer of the Dixon Ice Company. 

HON. CHARLES F. PRESTON, Attorney 
and Mayor of Paw Paw, 111., was born in 
Marion Township, Lee County, III., Jan. 20, 
1860, the son of James H. and Nancy A. (May- 
dole) Preston, natives of New York, who came 
to Lee County. 111., in 1854, and settled at 
Amboy. Charles F. Preston obtained his pre- 
paratory education in the Lee County public 
schools ' and at Normal, 111., and afterwards 
read law with Charles H. Wooster, of Amboy, 
being admitted to the bar in May, 1882. In 
1883 he located at Paw Paw. where he has 
since been actively engaged in practicing his 
profession. Politically he is a Democrat, and 
was elected Mayer of Paw Paw in 1891. having 
served continuously since that date. On Oc- 
tober 6, 1886, Mr. Preston was married to Ida 
A., the daughter of Jacob and Jane (Carey) 
Hendershot. the former a merchant at Paw 
Paw for many years. To this union three 
children — Frances H.. Hazel J. and RoUand 
C. — have been born. Fraternally Mr. Preston 
is a Mason, and belongs to Blue Lodge at 
Paw Paw. and the Chapter at Mendota. Mrs 
Preston died at Paw Paw. III.. Jan. 2, 1904. 

WILBUR A. PRATT, druggist. Paw Paw, 
111., was born at Deep River, Conn.. Oct. 5, 
1852, son of Henry H. and Mary Jane (Corn- 
stock) Pratt. In the spring of 1857 he came. 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



8ii 



with his parents, to Sandwich, 111., where he 
remained until March 19, 1873, when he re 
moved to Paw Paw, and engaged in the drug 
business. On January 10, 1878, he married 
Mamie E. Berry, of Paw Paw. and they are the 
parents of five children — ^Merritt B., Winnie 
H. (deceased). Dale B. (deceased), Helen and 
Rogers W. In political sentiment Mr. Pratt is 
a Republican, and served as Village Treasurer 
(Paw Paw) four years. Socially he is a mem- 
ber of the I. O. O. F.. and M. W. A. He and 
his wife are members of the Baptist church. 

WILLIAM W. PHILLIPS, farmer. Compton, 
111., was born in Viola Township, Lee County, 
111., Nov 14, 1862, son cf Richard and Amelia 
(Davenport) Phillips. Richard Phillips is a 
native of Ireland, and came to Lee County in 
1851, locating in Viola Township. He is still 
living on the old homestead. William W. Phil- 
lips owns a 200-acre farm in Viola Township, 
but resides in Compton. In October, 1887, he 
married Jane Stainbrook, daughter of Isaiah 
and Isabel le (Davidson) Stainbrook, and to 
them two children have been born, Jeaitette 
A. and George (deceased). In political vieA^ 
Mr. Phillips is a Republican, and has served 
as Township Treasurer for thirteen years, and 
is a member of the Compton School Board. In 
fraternal relations he is a member of the Ma- 
sonic Order, Eastern Star and I. O. O. F. Mr. 
and Mrs. Phillips are members of the Method- 
ist Episcopal church. 

LORENZO T. PRESTON was born in La- 
peer, Cortland County, N. Y., Dec. 24, 1841, 
son of Charles and Susan (Burgess) Preston, 
natives of Massachusetts and Maine, respect- 
ively. L. T. Preston was educated in the pub- 
lic schools of Manchester, Wis., where his 
parents had moved in 1846. He later paid his 
way, three years, in Lawrence University, Ap- 
pleton. Wis., and on May 13, 1864, enlisted in 
Company E, Fortieth Regiment. Wisconsin 
Volunteer Infantry, and at the expiration of his 
term of service, was discharged Sept. 13, 1864. 
After the war he settled in Dixon, 111., and 
worked at the carpenter's trade, and taught 
school in Lee County until 1870, when he went 
to Ottertail County, Minn., and took up a home- 
stead of 160 acres, where he combined farming 
with his trade and profession, and held various 
political oflices in the co\inty. August 30, 1871, 



he married Rosella A. Wallace, who was born 
in Vermont, Dec. 12, 1854, and to them five 
children have been born, viz.: Harry, born at 
Otter, Minn., June 21, 1872, and resides in 
Portland, Oregon; Ernest C, born at Otter, 
June 1, 1874, and resides at Sterling, 111.; 
Walter L., born at Otter, Jan. 10, 1877, and 
resides at Dixon, 111.; Maude R., born in Lee 
County, May 23, 1880; and Kate S.. born Nov. 
24, 1888. In 1877 Mr. Preston emigrated with 
his family to Illinois, and in Lee County he 
again took up the trade and profession he had 
previously followed for years, and in which 
he has since been actively engaged. A Repub- 
lican in politics, he has never sought office. 
He is a Master Mason, and is an active mem- 
ber of the G. A. R., M. W. A., and R. N. A.; 
has been a resident of Dixon since 1877, and 
taken an interest in all public alfalrs. 

PHILIP S. PIERCE, farmer, Wyoming Town- 
ship, Lee County, III., was born in Paw Paw 
Township, De Kalb County, 111., Oct. 8, 1847, 
son of Charles and Catherine (Sine) Pierce 
natives of Pennsylvania, who drove from the 
Keystone State to DeKalb County in 1844, and 
located in Lee County in 1855. Philip S. Pierce 
located on his present IGO-acre farm in 1902. 
On Feb. 20, 1S69, he married Ada E. Barringer. 
daughter of John and Delia (Barringer) Bar- 
ringer, and they have seven children, viz.: 
Everett, Mate, Philip, Harry Blanche, Mabel 
and Wayne. In politics Mr. Pierce is a Repub- 
lican, and has served as Township Collector 
two years. Deputy Sheriff four years, and as 
Constable twelve years. He is a prominent 
Mason, being a Knight Templar of that order. 

WILLIAM PANKHURST (deceased) was 
born in Westfleld, England, Dec. 8, 1837, son cf 
John and Mary (Welfare) Pankhurst. Mr. 
Pankhurst came to the United States in the 
spring of 1850, locating at Grand de Tour in 
1851, and Dixon in 1861. On September 20, 
1862, he enlisted in Company A, Seventy-fifth 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serving in the 
Union ranks until his discharge in May, 1865. 
Returning to Dixon after the close of the war 
he was employed in the postcfffice for many 
years, and was afterwards occupied as a flor- 
ist for twenty-one years. On Septtniiber 8, 
1862, he married Ella V., daughter of Orville 
and Klizab:. tb .\. (Lyons) Hamilton, natives of 



8l2 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



Connecticut and New York, respectively. Mr. 
Hamilton enlisted in Company A, Thirteenth 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served during 
the Civil War. To Mr. and Mrs. Pankhurst two 
children were born — Mary E. and Willis (de- 
ceased). Mr. Pankhurst died may 30. 1897. 
his wife dying March 27. 1899. Miss Mary E. 
Pankhurst is an active member of the Daugh- 
ters of the American Revolution. 

WILLIAM T. PRESTON, retired farmer and 
merchant. Steward, 111., was born at Newark, 
Kendall County, 111., Dec. 6. 1839, son of Luman 
and Lucinda (Bishop) Preston, who were na- 
tives of Vermont, and, after marriage there, 
came to Morgan County. 111., by team in 1834. 
Luman Preston followed the occupation of a 
farmer, and he and his wife reared a family 
of eight children, of whom the subject of this 
sketch was sixth. William T. remained with 
his parents until twenty-one years of age. in 
the meantime attending the district school, 
and in 1861, enlisted in the Twentieth Regi- 
ment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, being mus- 
tered in at Joliet, June 13, 1861, and among 
other numerous engagements, taking part in 
the battle of Shiloh, the Vicksburg campaign, 
and the march with Sherman to the sea, and 
later in the grand review at Washington, being 
finally mustered out at Louisville, Ky.. and 
discharged at Chicago, July 24, 1865. Mr. Pres- 
ton rose from the ranks to the office of Ser- 
geant, and for two years of his term of enlist- 
ment was on detached service. After the close 
of the war he returned to Kendall County, 111., 
and there engaged in farming until 1869. when 
he removed to Lee County and bought a farm 
on Section 36, in Reynold's Township, where 
he carried on farming seven years. In 1876 
he removed to Steward, his present residence, 
and there engaged in the grocery and clothing 
business, but selling out Dec. 1, 1888, has since 
been practically retired except one and a half 
years (1896-981 spent at Hammond. La. In 
1878 he was appointed Postmaster of Heaton 
(the original name of Steward), Lee County, 
serving until 1884. October 3, 1866, he was 
married to Mrs. Corilla A. Coleman (nee Rich- 
ards), who had three children by her former 
marriage. Mr. Preston is a Republican in poli- 
tics, a member of Rochelle Post, No. 546, G. 
A. R.. and, at the present time, is serving as 
Pathmaster of his township. 



HORACE PRESTON (deceased) was born at 
New Ipswich, N. H., May 12, 1819, son of Jere- 
miah and Anna (Proctor) Preston, natives of 
the same State. Horace Preston came to Dix- 
on in May, 1838, and opened the first black- 
smith shop in the city, continuing in the busi- 
ness for many years, also building the first 
brick house in Dixon. Later he engaged in 
farming in South Dixon, Lee Center Township, 
but finally retired to Dixon, where he died 
August 7, 1888. He was married Oct. 27, 1847, 
to Lucy Jane Wood, daughter of Martin and 
Lucy Wood, who came from Middlebury, Vt. 
to Dixon in 1849, and to them were born six 
children: Lucy J. (deceased), Mary E., (Mrs. 
M. E. Grosse), Jennie (Mrs. W. Packard), 
Horace Jr. (deceased), Clara A. (Mrs. Marcus 
Rowe, of Clinton, Iowa), and Grace E. (de- 
ceased). Mrs. Preston was one of the pioneer 
school teachers of Lee County, receiving $2.00 
per week salary for her services there. She 
died April 25, 1888. In political sentiment Mr. 
Preston was a Democrat. He was a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal church: fraternally 
a Mason, being one of the charter members 
of the Dixon Lodge. 

NICHOLAS PLEIN, proprietor of the Sev- 
enth Street Brewery, Dixon, 111., was born in 
Trier, Germany, Nov. 18, 1848, son of JCFhn and 
Margaret (Plein) Plein. He obtained his edu- 
cation in the Fatherland, and in 1865 came di- 
rect from his German home to Dixon. 111., 
where he was employed in various capacities 
for eight years. His parents came to America 
a few years later than he, and settled in Lee 
County, where they died. In 1837 Mr. Nicholas 
Plein was married to Christina Sold, a widow. 
and at that time, owner of the brewery. Mr. 
Plein's brewery has a capacity of 3,000 barrels 
annually, and his beer is manufactured from 
pure malt, hops and East India rice. He em- 
ploys five men in his establishment, and sup- 
plies much of the local trade. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Plein five children have been born — Kate, 
Louis. Harry, Maud and George — all of whom 
have had advantages of obtainin.g a good edu- 
cation. Mr. Plein is a member of the Catholic 
church; socially is an Odd Fellow, and in poli- 
tics a Republican. 

BENJAMIN ROBERTS, farmer. Paw Paw, 
111., was born at Yorkville, Kendall County. 111., 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



813 



Oct. 8. 1S60, the son of Hendrick H. and Eliza- 
beth (Scott) Roberts, natives of New Jersey, 
who came to Illinois in 1855. In 1892 Mr. Rob- 
erts began farming operations for himself, and 
nov/ owns 137% acres of land east of Paw 
Paw. June 16, 1891, he married Martha P. 
Carnahan of Paw Paw, 111., and they have two 
children, Lciiis and Benjamin E. In political 
opinions Mr. Roberts is a Republican, and in 
religious views a Baptist. In April, 1903, he 
was elected member of the Board of Aldermen 
of Paw Paw, and in the same year chosen 
School Director. He is a member of the I. O. 
O. F. and M. W. A. 

HENRY L. ROBERTS, farmer. Paw Paw, 111., 
was born at Red Bank, N. J.. Nov. 28, 1847. and 
came west with his parents in 1855. the family 
settling at Yorkville, Kendall County, 111. Mr. 
Roberts conducted a farm in partnership with 
his father for ten years, and then purchased 
130 acres of land east of Paw Paw, 111. His 
estate now consists of 1()7 acres. He married, 
on Jan. 1. 1871. Eva Cornell, and they are the 
parents of five children: Crawford, LeRoy, Etta 
May, Lura, Henry V. (deceased) and Blanche. 
Mr. Roberts is a Republican in politics, and in 
religious belief a Baptist. 

JACOB W. RHOADS. merchant, Compton. 
111., was born in Seneca County. Ohio. Jan. 25. 
1857, son of John and Sarah (Williams) 
Rhoads, natives, respectively, of Pennsylvania 
and Ohio, who came to Lee County in 1856. 
Jacob W. Rhoads is a partner of John L. Clapp 
in the mercantile business at Compton. On 
December 2, 1875, he married Rhoda Koons, 
daughter of Nathan and Charlotte (South) 
Koons, and of this union there are seven chil- 
dren: Harvey L., Joseph W., Emma M., Ethel 
D., Minnie, Glenn and Nathan. In political 
opinions he is a Republican, and has been a 
member of the Village Board seventeen year."; 
and for the last two years has been clerk of 
the same. Fraternally he is a member of the 
M. W. A. Mr. and Mrs. Rhoads are members 
of the United Brethren church at Compton. 



ing to Lee County in 1853, began to work at 
his trade, carpentering, following this occupa- 
tion until 1859, when he made an overland 
trip to California, where he remained about 
one and a half years. Returning to Illinois in 
1860, he bought a small tract of land in Willow 
Creek Township, to which he made subsequent 
additions until he owned over 600 acres, and 
devoted his attention to general farming until 
1900, when he removed to Paw Paw, and has 
since lived retired. October 15, 1863, he mar- 
ried Lydia A. Mittan, daughter of Jeptha P. 
and Jane (Beemer) Mittan. who settled in Wil- 
low Creek Township in 1850. Mr. and Mrs. 
Rosenkrans have two sons — Anson P. and 
Byron M. — who are farmers in Wyoming Town- 
ship, Lee County. Fraternally Mr. Rosenkrans 
is a member of the Anchor Lodge, No. 510, I. 
O. O. F. 

FRANCIS E. ROGERS, farmer, Wyoming 
Township, Lee County, 111., was bom in Luzerne 
County. Penn.. August 2, 1840. son of Elihu and 
Beersheba (Stiles) Rogers, natives of Pennsyl- 
vania, v.'ho located on the farm now occupied 
by their son — F. E. Rogers — in 184S, where 
the former died in 1873, while the latter passed 
away in 1853. F. E. Rogers remained under 
the parental roof until March 4, 1865, when he 
enlisted in Company G, Fifteenth Illinois Vol- 
unteer Infantry, and. with his regiment, was 
first stationed in North Carolina, but later 
went to Washington, where he took part in the 
grand review and was discharged at Leaven- 
worth, Kansas, Sept. 16, 1865. Returning to 
the farm after the close of hostilities, he pur- 
chaFed his father's homestead at the time of 
the latter's death. On April 25, 1866, he mar- 
ried Nancy P. Barratt, and to them three chil- 
dren were born, viz.: Belle C, wife of Joseph 
A. Miller; Frank D., who married Grace B. 
Rosenkrans; Mary E., wife of George R. Mc- 
Henry. In politics Mr. Rogers is a Republican, 
and was elected Township Supervisor in 1890, 
and has served continuously since that date. 
Socially he is a member of W. H. Thompson 
Post G. A. R.. at Paw Paw. 



ANDREW H. ROSENKRANS, retired farmer, 
Paw Paw, 111., was born in the State of New 
York. March 10, 1835, son of Abram and 
Lydia (Henry) Rosenkrans. He worked on 
his father's farm in Pennsylvania, and on com- 



JOHN S. RICHARDSON, farmer. Brooklyn 
Township, Lee County, 111., was born in the 
township where he now resides, Feb. 3, 1863, 
son of Nathan W. and Dorothy T. (Smith) 
Richardson. Mr. Richardson married. August 



8i4 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



30, 1893, Lovanche Merriman. daughter of 
Avery and Josephine Merriman, and to them 
four children were born, viz.: Kathleen, Wilder 
A., Robert M. and John R. Mrs. Richardson 
died May 7, 1901, and on May 27, 1903. Mr. 
Richardson married, for his second wife. Mary 
F. Nicholson, daughter of Thomas Nicholson of 
Lee County. Mr. Richardson's farm comprises 
320 acres, and he devotes his attention to gen- 
eral farming and stock-raising. In political 
opinions he is a Republican, and is now (1903) 
serving his third term as Township School 
Treasurer. He is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. 

NATHAN W. RICHARDSON, farmer, Brook- 
lyn Township, Lee County, 111., was born in 
Vermont. August 23, 1827, son of Stephen and 
Eerepty (Wilder) Richardson, who were na- 
tives of Vermont and New Hampshire, respect- 
ively, and came to Bureau County. 111., in 1835. 
In 1850 Mr. Richardson went, overland, to Cali- 
fornia, returning four years later by way of 
the Isthmus of Panama and New York. For 
many years he was engaged in farming in 
Brooklyn Township, owning, at one time, 320 
acres of land. On March 4. 1862, he was mar- 
ried to Dorothy T., daughter of John and 
Rachel (Wycoff) Smith, and to them three 
children — John S., Albert N. (deceased), and 
Mary E. — have been born. He is a Republican 
in politics, and has served six years as School 
Director and four years as Pathmaster. Mr. 
Richardson is liberal in his religious views. 

CORNELIUS S. ROSSITER. electrical en- 
gineer, Dixon, 111., was born in Chester County, 
Penn., Sept. 9, 1837, son of Jacob and Mary 
Ann (Anderson) Rossiter, who were also na- 
tives of the Keystone State. Cornelius S. Ros- 
siter came to Illinois in 1868. He enlisted in 
Company K. Thirty-third Pennsylvania Volun- 
teer Infantry, and served in the Union Army 
three years. During his service he was seven 
days in front of Richmond under General Mc- 
Clellan. and participated in many hard-fought 
engagements of the war, receiving a severe 
v.'ound in the battle of Anteitam. On October 
31, 1874, he was married to Edith Drew, and 
they have six children — Jacob L., Lloyd H.. 
Cora E., Charlotte. Jennie B, and Edith. Mr. 
and Mrs. RoFsiter reside at 335 Fellows Street. 
Dixcn. 



JOHN E. RIPLEY (deceased) was born in 
Whiteside County, 111., July 31, 1855, son of 
Charles P. and Sarah (Merrick) Ripley, natives 
of New York and Virginia, respectively, who 
located in Whiteside County, 111., in 1855. On 
February 28, 1878. Mr. Ripley married Flora E. 
Long, daughter of L. F. and Sevilla (Haase) 
Long, natives of Pennsylvania, who settled in 
Illinois in 1856, locating at Ashton. Lee County. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Ripley two daughters — Bessie 
G. and E. Blanche — were born. In 1890 Mr. 
Ripley removed to Dixon, 111., where, for ten 
years, he was engaged in the grocery business. 
He died Sept. 17, 19i»l. He and his family 
were members of the Baptist church. 

SAMUEL and MARY (CAMPBELL) SHAW, 
Dixon, 111., came as pioneers to Cass County, 
111., in 1833; in 1855 removed with their family 
to Lee County, and there engaged in farming 
and stock-raising. The village of Prairieville 
was built on one corner of their farm. James, 
their oldest son, graduated from Illinois Col- 
lege, studied law and located at Mt. Carroll, 
111., where he practiced his profession many 
years; was chosen a Presidential Elector on the 
Republican ticket in 1872, served four terms as 
Representative in the General Assembly, being 
Speaker of the House during the session of 
1876, and in 1891 was elected Judge of the 
Circuit Court, and reelected in 1897, serving 
until June, 1903, when he retired. Tv.'o other 
sons, William and Archibald, emigrated, re- 
spectively, to Missouri and Kansas, the latter 
serving as a member of the Kansas Legislature, 
and Trustee of the State Penitentiary. Tim- 
othy, the fourth son, while a student in Illi- 
nois College. Jacksonville, enlisted April 16. 
1861, under the first call for troops during the 
Civil War, and was enrolled as the first volun- 
teer from Lee County, but died at Cairo in 
August following. Samuel, tne youngest son. 
graduated from the Albany. N. Y., Law School, 
and has since been engaged in practice and the 
real estate business in Kansas City, Mo. 
Samuel Shaw, Sr., and his three sons, Archi- 
bald, Timothy and Samuel, Jr., were all sol- 
diers of the Civil War. In 1876 Mr. and Mrs. 
Shaw removed with their daughters to Dixon, 
111., and there the daughter Katherine was 
married to Hon. S. H. Bethea. now (1903) 
U. S. District Attorney for the Northern Dis- 
trict of Illinois. Mrs. Bethea died March, 1893; 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



815 



the brother Archibald, in Kansas, May, 1888; 
Samuel Shav,-. Sr., August, 1891; and Mrs. 
Shaw, the mother, in May, 1S97. Two daugh- 
ters, Elizabeth J. and Mary A., occupy the 
family home in Dixon. 

JAMES A. SMITH, farmer. Section 20, Alto 
Township, Lee County, III., was born in Frank- 
lin County Ohio, ten miles northv.-est of Co- 
lumbus, Fel). 20, 1832, son of Abraham and 
Millie (Kancuse) Smith. James A. Smith re- 
mained with his parents until twenty-two years 
of age. and obtained his education in the dis- 
trict school. He came to Lee County, 111., in 
1854, at first being employed as a farm-hand, 
but later bought eighty acres of land, upon 
which he settled in 1857. building at that time 
a small house, and erected his present attract- 
ive residence in 1879. April 2, 1857, Mr. Smith 
was married to Martha Cooper, daughter of 
Garrett and Sarah (Smith) Ccoper, who re- 
cently became residents of Alto Township. To 
Mr. and M^s. Smith eleven children have been 
born, eight of whom are now living, viz.: Whit- 
field, Elmer, Ira, Ernest, Martin, Lottie, Ada 
and Wesley. Mr. Smith has 240 acres in his 
home farm and 271 acres in Sections 17 and 18. 
the former being managed by his sons, Martin 
and Wesley, and the latter by his son Whit- 
field. Fraternally Mr. Smith is a Mason, in 
politics a Republican, and has served his fel- 
low-townsmen as Road Commissioner and as 
a member of the School Board. 

FOREST E. STILES, grain dealer. West 
Brooklyn, 111., was born in Washington County, 
Kansas, Oct. 23, 1872, son of A, B. and Susan 
(McFall) Stiles, natives of Illinois and Indiana, 
respectively. Mr. Stiles came to West Brook- 
lyn in 1902, and engaged in the grain business. 
On August 11. 1897, he married Etta Leavens, 
daughter of Charles and Sarah Ann (Stout) 
Leavens of Lee County. In political sentiment 
he is a Republican, and in religious belief a 
Methodist. 

HENRY W. SUNDAY, blacksmith and dealer 
in agricultural implements, Franklin Grove, 
Lee County, 111., was born Nov. 18, 1859. son 
of Solomon Sunday, an early settler of Lee 
County. Henry W. was educated in the Frank- 
lin Grove schools, and worked on a farm un- 
til he was eighteen years of age, when he 



learned the blacksmith trade, and in 1883 
bought out the business of his father, which he 
has carried on continuously ever since. In 
1902 Mr. Sunday added to his business that of 
dealing in agricultural implements. January 7, 
1883, he v.'as married to Agnes Kreger, and 
they have had five children: May, Florence, 
Hazel (deceased), Donald and one who died in 
infancy. Mr. Sunday is a Republican politically, 
and a member of the Knights of Pythias, 
Knights of the Globe and Modern Woodnie.i 
cf -America. 

GEORGE W. SCHAFER, farmer and stock- 
raiser, Bradford Township, Lee County, 111.. 
was born on his present homestead, June 2, 
1855, son of Carl and Mary (Eisenberg) Schaf 
er, natives of Germany. Carl Schafer was 
born in 1824, and died In 1891, while his wife 
was born in 1826 and died April 2, 1857. They 
were married in Germany, became the parents 
of five children, and came to America in 1852, 
locating In Lee County in 1854, where Mr. 
Schafer owned 520 acres of land at the time of 
his death. George W. Schafer rented a farm 
in 1877, but later bought his present 240-acre 
farm. December 25, 1877, he married Anna 
Barbara Roth, and to them seven sons have 
been born — Charles W., William C, Harry C, 
Edward G., Albert J., Adam C. and Clifford G 
Mrs. Schafer's parents. John and Anna B. 
(Barnhart) Roth, were natives of Germany, 
and came to Lee County in 1858, locating at 
Lee Center, where the former died in 1893, 
aged seventy-four years, and the latter in 
1892. in her seventy-second year. In politics 
Mr. Schafer is a Republican, and has been 
School Director for many years; Is manager of 
the Bradford Insurance Company, and a mem- 
ber of the M. W. A. His family attend the 
Methodist Episcopal church. 

ELIAS SHELL, farmer. East Grove, Town- 
ship, Lee County, 111,, was born near Findlay, 
Ohio, Oct. 30, 1830, the son of Abraham and 
Lydla (Fought) Shell, natives of Virginia and 
Pennsylvania, respectively. Ellas Shell was 
raised on his father's farm, attended the dis- 
trict school, and in early manhood worked in 
the linen and cotton mills of his native State. 
Coming to Lee County in 1869, he rented eighty 
acres of land in Section 32, East Grove Town- 
ship, for one year, but now owns an estate of 



8i6 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



400 acres of the most productive land in his 
township, and is considered the most success- 
ful farmer in his section of the county. De- 
cember 24, 1854, he married Mary A. Stultz, 
whose parents settled in Ohio at an early date. 
Mrs. Shell died in 1890, leaving- live children, 
viz.: Henry E. (a jeweler at Ohio, 111.), James 
A., I. v., L. E., and Hattie M. (Mis. A. J. 
loder) — another child is deceased. Including 
the early homestead, Mr. Shell owns three 
farms adjacent to each other, and these he 
rents to his sons, James A., i. V. and L. E. 
In politics he is a Republican, and has served 
as Overseer of Highways and School Director. 
He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. 

JAMES W. SEYBERT. farmer and dairyman. 
South Dixon Township, Lee County, 111., was 
born in Luzerne County, Penn., May 1, 1851, 
son of Wallace and Desire (Hill) Seybert, who 
were also natives of the Keystone State, and 
came to Lee County in 1862, where they both 
died in 1896. For many years James W. Sey- 
bert has been one of the leading farmers of 
South Dixon Township. July 3, 1884, he mar- 
ried Laura M. Hill, daughter of Austin and 
Hester (Straton) Hill, pioneer settlers of Lee 
County, and to Mr. and Mrs. Seybert three chil- 
dren have been born, viz.: Eva P.. born Sept. 
7, 1891; Grover C, born Oct. 19, 1893; and Hes- 
ter J., born Oct. 5, 1903. In political views Mr. 
Seybert is a Democrat, and in religious belief 
a Lutheran. Fraternally he is a member of the 
Ccurt of Horor. 

SCHUYLER, E. SMITH, Paw Paw, 111., was 
born at Rochester, Ind., August 15. 1862, son 
of Nelson and Mary (Bryant) Smith. Schuyler 
E. Smith was brought to Paw Paw, 111., by 
his parents in 1866, and remained with them 
on the farm until nineteen years cf age. For 
two years he was engaged as a clerk in the 
general store of J. H. Thompson, and for six 
years was engaged in a similar capacity by 
R. A. Hopps. On April 24, 1889, he was ap- 
pointed clerk in the Railway Mail Service, and 
holds that position at the present time (1903). 
July 1, 1902, he established a livery business 
at Paw Paw, which he still conducts. No- 
vemhsr 29, 1883, he married Lucetta Swarth- 
out, of Paw Paw, 111., and they have two chil- 
dren, Alfa DeL. and Eugene B. Mr. Smith is 



a Republican, and a member of the I. O. O. F. 
He and his family are communicants of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 

JOHN JOSHUA SEIDEL, farmer and dairy- 
man. Section 5, Palmyra Township, Lee 
County. 111., was born in Wurtemburg, Ger- 
many, Oct. 22, 1845, son of John G. and Bar- 
bara (Zeizer) Seidel. In the tall of 1853, John 
G. Seidel and his family came to America, 
locating in Columbus, Ohio, v.-here they re- 
mained seven years, and in 1860 removed to 
Whiteside County, 111. Mr. Seidel died Nov. 
10, 1885. and his wife May 11, 1883; both 
are buried in the cemetery at Sterling, 111. 
John J. Seidel attended the primary schools 
in the Fatherland, and completed his educa- 
tional training after coming to America. On 
February 2, 1870, ha married Miss Louisa Le- 
derer, a native of Germany, and they are the 
parents of seven children, viz.: Katie, who 
died aged six years; Anna M., who married E. 
H. Klosterman; Lydia B.; Bertha C; Jennie 
A., Frank W., who assists his father in con- 
ducting the farm, and Pearl. Mr. Seidel was 
engaged in farming for fifteen years near 
Sterling, 111., but in 1875 removed to Dickin- 
son County, Kansas, where he bought 280 acres 
cf railroad land, upon which he lived nine- 
teen years, bringing the soil to a high state of 
cultivation, erected good farm buildings and 
planted fruit and shade trees. In 1893, receiv- 
ing a very liberal offer for his property, he 
disposed of his holdings in Kansas, and re- 
luming to Illinois, purchased his present 
120-acre farm the same year. Mr. Seidel 
keeps from thirty-five to forty milch cows, 
and sends his milk to the Dixon factory. In 
political viev.'s Mr. Seidel is a Republican, and 
was School Director one term. Socially he is 
a member of the Knights of Maccabees, and in 
religious belief a Lutheran. His children have 
all received good educational advantages. 

FRANK E. STITELEY, real-estate, loan and 
insurance agent. Dixon, 111., was born at Mt. 
Carroll, Carroll County, 111.. Nov. 18, 1859, son 
of George W. and Mary (Buser) Stiteley. He 
obtained his education in the Mt. Carroll High 
School and the Davenpcrt Business College, 
Davenport. I jv.a. In 1S92 he married Effa G. 
Manatt. daughter of Thomas and Clarissa 
(Winchester) Manatt of Brooklyn, Iowa. Mr. 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



817 



Stiteley is Treasurer of the Dixon Power and 
Lighting Company, Treasurer of the Methodist 
Episcopal church, and is a Director and ex- 
Cashier of the Leaf River Bank, in Ogle County, 
III.; was also one of the organizers of Union 
State Bank, Dixon, 111, In politics he is a Re- 
publican. 

CHRISTOPHER SMITH, farmer. Nelson 
Township, Lee County, was horn in Somerset 
County, Penn., March 8, 1852, son of Adam 
and Magdalene (Genck) Smith, natives of Ger- 
many, who came to the United States in 1840, 
and to Illinois in 1865. Both parents are now 
deceased. The subject of this sketch has been 
a resident of Lee County since 1868. March 
2, 1882. he married Annie Rubright, daughter 
of David and Sophia (Shank) Rubright, of 
Pennsylvania, and to Mr. and Mrs. Smith six 
children have been born, viz.; Millie M., Clara 
M., Walter H., Olive R., Ruth Esther and 
Harry E. (deceased). The family is identified 
with the Zion Lutheran church, in which Mr. 
Smith has served as deacon for many years. 
In politics Mr. Smith is a Democrat, and has 
served as School Director for twelve years. 
Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of 
the Globe. 

MELCHIOR S. STONER, farmer. South 
Dixon Township, Lee County, 111., was born in 
Franklin County, Penn., March 22, 1865, son 
of Henry and Margaret (Baltzley) Stoner, na- 
tives of Pennsylvania. He came to Lee County 
in 1SS6, and has since been identified with the 
agricultural interests in that ssction of the 
country. On February 19, 1890, he married 
Mary A. Depew, daughter of J. W. and Hester 
A. (Garrison) Depew, natives of Pennsylvania. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Stoner four children have 
been born, three of whom are now living, viz.; 
Florence M., Harriet S. and Marguerite E. In 
religious belief Mr. Stoner is a Methodist, and 
socially he belongs to the M. W. A. and 
Knights of the Globe. 

ELIJAH E. SWOPE, farmer Brooklyn Town- 
ship, Lee County, HI., was born in Adams County, 
Penn., June 25, 1855, son of George and Mary 
A. (Nary) Swope, natives of Germany and 
Pennsylvania respectively, v,ho came to Lee 
County in 1859, but both of whom are now 
deceased. Elijah E. Swope married, on March 
4, 1891, Catherine Malfeld. daughter of Pete 



and Carrie Malfeld, and they are the parents 
of five children, named George H., Emetine, 
Minnie, Roy and Mabel. In politics he is a 
Republican, and is a member of the M. W. A., 
and Knights of the Globe. He is a communi- 
cant of the Reformed church. Mr. Swope de- 
votes his time to the management of his 80- 
acre farm in Brooklyn Township, 

HENRY P. STEIN, farmer, Brooklyn Town- 
ship, Lee County, 111., was^ born in Troy Town- 
ship, LaSalle County, III., Dec. 1, 1866, son of 
Frederick and Sydillia (Lehn) Stein, natives of 
Germany, of whom the former came to the 
United States in 1844, and the latter a few 
years later. On February 10, 1889, Mr. Stein 
was married to Elizabeth Florschuetz, born 
April 27, 1866, daughter of George J. and Bar- 
bara (Caetles) Florschuetz, natives oif Germany, 
v,-ho came to LaSalle County, 111., in 1854, and 
to Lee County in 1862. To Mr. and Mrs. Stein 
two children — Lillie M. and Gilbert P.— have 
been born. Mr. Stein devotes his time and 
attention to the management of his 160-acre 
farm in Brooklyn Township. In politics he 
affiliates with the Democratic party, and in re- 
ligious belief is a German Lutheran. 

JOHN SCHMIDT, farmer, Brooklyn Town- 
ship, Lee County, 111., was born in Germany, 
Nov. 3, 1836, and came to the United States in 
1864, and to Lee County, 111., in 1870, where 
he now owns 200 acres of excellent farm land 
in Brooklyn Township, and devotes his time 
and attention to general farming. On July 17, 
1867, Mr. Schmidt was married to Mary Ganz, 
a native of Germany, and to them nine chil- 
dred have been born: Amelia, Catherine, Mary 
A., Minnie (deceased), Phillip J„ John J., Eliza- 
beth S., Anna M. and Lena M. Mr. Schmidt is 
liberal in bis political views. He is a member 
of the Lutheran church. 

M. J. STUNKEL. farmer. Section 13, Rey- 
nolds Township, Lee County, 111., was born near 
Raleigh, N, C, August 26. 1866, son of August 
and Isabella (Stonebanks) Stunkel, natives of 
Hanover, Germany, and New York City, re- 
spectively. August Stunkel, born in 1833, ob- 
tained his education in the Fatherland, be- 
came a sailor and followed a sea-faring life 
for nine years. In 1855, after having made a 
trip to California, he settled at College Point, 
in Long Island, N. Y., whore he married in 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



1861. In 1865 he removed to Raleigh. N. C. where 
he devoted his attention to growing cotton and 
tobacco, and there spent the remainder of his 
life, dying in 1S84. His wife still survives, and 
resides in North Carolina. Mr. Stunkel and 
wife were the parents of seven children. M. J. 
being the oldest. The maternal ancestors of 
the subject of this sketch came from England 
at an early date, and settled in New York, 
where the maternal grandfather was a promi- 
nent architect and builder. The paternal 
grandfather of M. J. Stunkel was a Collector 
of Revenue in Zelle, Hanover, Germany. M. 
J. Stunkel spent his boyhood with an aunt at 
Richton, Cook County, 111., and obtained his 
educational training in the schools of that 
locality. When thirteen years cf age he began 
working out for farmers, being thus employed 
for four years. Then ieturning to North 
Carolina, he resided with his parents until he 
reached his twentieth year, when he returned 
to Illinois, where he was employed as a farm 
hand for one year, worked one year in Chi- 
cago, and for seven years afterwards con- 
ducted a farm at Benson, 111. In January, 1890, 
he married Gertrude Reents, native of Secor, 
Woodford County, 111., and of this union there 
are six children — August, Truletta, Alma, 
Lydia, Elnora, and Mauriese. Mr. Stunkel came 
to Lee County in 1895, and bought his present 
farm, to which he has made many improve- 
ments, and has brought his land to a high state 
of cultivation. He is a member of the Luther- 
an church, and in political views is a Republi- 
can. 

HENRY SARTORIOUS. farmer. Section 4, 
Palmyra Township, Lee County, 111., was bom 
in the house where he now resides, Oct. 10, 
1854, son of Gustavus and Charlotte H. (Eld- 
mann) Sartorious, natives respectively of Old- 
enburg. Germany, and Minden, Prussia, who 
came to Lee County in 1848, locating on a 
farm in Palmyra Township. Gustavus Sartori- 
ous was a soldier of the late Rebellion, enlist- 
ing in Company D, Thirty-fourth Illinois Vol- 
unteer Infantry, and serving eighteen months. 
He was a Democrat in political views, and 
served as a member of the School Board. So- 
cially he belonged to the G. A. R. Seven chil- 
dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Sartorious, 
two of whom — Henry and William — survive. 
Mr. Sartorious died Dec. 25, 1889, but his wife 



still survives, and resides with her son Henry. 
Henry Sartcrious grew to years of maturity 
on his father's farm, obtained his education 
in the public schools, and on Nov. 22, 1878. 
married Louisa Bouger. daughter of William 
Bouger and wife, who came from Germany to 
Lee County in 1870. Three children have been 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Sartorious — Gustavus 
(died at the age of ten years), Charlotte and 
Carl. Mr. Sartorious owns 147 acres of valu- 
able land, upon which there is a comfortable 
residence and well-constructed farm buildings. 
In politics he is a Democrat, and is serving as 
Township Collector. Fraternally he is a mem- 
ber of the Sons of Veterans and Knights of 
the Globe. He and his wife are communicants 
of the Union church at Prairieville. 

CHARLES G. SMITH, plumber and steam- 
fitter, Dixon. III., v,as born in the State of New 
York. April 4. 1847, son of Nathan T. and Eliza 
(Becker) Smith, the former a native of Con- 
necticut; the latter being of Holland ancestry, 
and related to the Van Rencselaor family of 
New York. Nathan T. Smith was. at different 
times, a merchant, farmer and school teacher, 
and in the early part of the nineteenth century, 
removed, with his father's family, from Con- 
necticut into Nev/ York, In 1850 he came 
west and bought land in Vermilion and Bu- 
reau Counties, 111., and Winnebago County, Wis. 
In 1851, while hunting with his wife's brother, 
he was accidentally shot, dying in nine days 
after the accident occurred. His wife survived 
him about forty-nine years, dying in 1900. 
Charles G. Smith was the youngest in a family 
of ten children. After completing his educa- 
tion in the Dixon schools, he learned the mill- 
ing trade, an occupation members of his moth- 
er's family (the Beckers) had followed for 
generations. He afterwards joined his brother, 
Nathan T.. in the publishing business in Chi- 
cago, remaining until 1876, when he returned 
to Dixon and resumed his former occupation, 
but shortly afterwards removed to Kansas, 
where he remained until 1880. Returning to 
Dixon in the latter year, he had charge of a 
mill in that city until 1886. when he returned 
to Kansas, where he was employed in a simi- 
lar capacity at Great Bend, and also built a 
mill in Stafford County, same State, which 
he later sold. Then removing to Las Vegas, 
New Mexico, he built and operated a mill in 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



819 



tUat locality, and also conducted an agency 
for George Westinghouse. remaining thus em- 
ployed until 1890, when he again returned to 
Dixon and established his present business, 
which he has since conducted in a very suc- 
cessful manner. On March 17, 1870, he mar- 
ried Susan A. McKenney, daughter of F. C. 
and Catherine (Clute) McKenney, who came 
to Lee County in 1836. Mr. and Mrs. Smith 
have but one child living, Fred McKenney 
Smith, who is a partner in his father's busi- 
ness. Their other son. Earl Becker Smith, a 
bright, promising young man. and a graduate 
of Dixon High School, was fatally injured by 
one of his schoolmates while practicing gym- 
nastic exercises for field sports, which were 
to take place a few days later, and, after linger- 
ing a few days, died May 9, 1903. In politics 
Mr. Smith is a Republican, and was a member 
of the Board of Education six years. Socially 
he is a member of the Masonic Order and K. 
T. In religious belief he is a Methodist, and 
is Secretary of the Official Board of his church. 

RICHARD M. SHADDICK, farmer, Wyoming 
Township. Lee County, 111., was born in Devon- 
shire. England. Dec. 5, 1857. and in 1884 re- 
moved to Ontario. Canada, remaining there 
imtil 1890. when he came to Wyoming Town- 
ship, Lee County, where he now owns a 160- 
acre farm. On March 19, 1877, he was married 
to Ann Burnett, a native of England, and to 
them five children have been born: Fanny. 
Anna, William, Frederick and George. [ In poli- 
tics Mr. Shaddock affiliates with the Demo- 
cratic party, and in religious belief is a Pres- 
byterian. He is a member of the M. W. A. 

JOHN H. SLOGGETT, farmer, Ashton Town- 
ship, Lee County, was born at Granby, Prov- 
ince of Quebec, Canada, Nov. 1. 1855. son of 
William and Bethany (Horer) Sloggett — the 
former a native of London, England, who came 
with his father (also named William), to Can- 
ada, in 1831. and the mother, a native of Ver- 
mont. William and Bethany Sloggett became 
the parents of ten children, six of whom (1903) 
are now living, viz.: Sarah, wife of Moses G. 
Montgomery; William, Alfred. .John H.. James, 
and Hattie. the wife of Harry J. Packer. The 
parents came to Illinois in 1856. and the sub- 
ject of this sketch was reared at Forreston. 
111., attended the public and high schools, and 



acquired a good business education; also 
learned the creamery business, which he fol- 
lowed at Franklin Grove from 1890 to 1901. 
February 1. 1883, he married Julia Holsinger, 
daughter of John Holsinger, and they have two 
children — Glennie May and Everett — both of 
whom, as well as their mother, are now de- 
ceased. July 26, 1893, Mr. Sloggett was mar- 
ried to his second wife. Miss Lucy Sanders, 
daughter of Henry and Rachel Sanders, and 
their family consists of an adopted son. Fred 
Morris Sloggett, and a daughter, Ethel Marie 
Sloggett, born Feb. 19, 1904. Mr. Sloggett is 
a Republican in politics, a member of the Pres- 
byterian church, in which he and his wife take 
an active interest, and fraternally associated 
with the Order of Modern Woodmen of Ameri- 
ca. Henry Sanders (deceased), the father of 
Mrs. Lucy (Sanders) Sloggett, was born in 
Hardin County, Penn.. in 1826, son of Henry 
and Mary (Buck) Sanders, natives of Pennsyl- 
vania, but of German extraction. Henry Sand- 
ers, Sr.. was a Captain in the State Militia, 
and in religious belief a Catholic. Henry 
Sanders came to Illinois in 1845. but after re- 
maining here one year, returned to his native 
State; then coming back to Lee County, he 
there made his home for the remainder of his 
life. In 1851 he married Rachel Morgan, 
daughter of Edward and Nancy Morgan, both 
natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Sanders 
had nine children: Winfleld B.. Mary (de- 
ceased), Joseph F., Jerome (deceased), Alice 
(deceased), Jane, John W. (deceased). Edward 
and Lucy. Mr. Sanders was prosperous as a 
farmer, acquiring an estate of over 600 acres 
of land. He died March 18, 1895, and his wife 
Feb. 18, 1902. 

FLETCHER SEAVEY, farmer. Section 23, 
Palmyra Township, Lee County, 111., was born 
in Carroll Ccunty. N. H.. Sept. 2, 1839, son 
of Asa A. and Ruth (Ricker) Seavey, who came 
to Lee County in 1854, locating in Palmyra 
Township. Fletcher Seavey was the oldest 
of three children in his father's family. Ho 
was raised on the farm, attending the dis- 
trict school near his home, and during the 
Rebellion enlisted in Company D. One Hundred 
and Fortieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serv- 
ing eight months in the Atlanta campaign. 
In 1862 he married Eveline Eastwood, whose 
parents were pioneer settlers of Leo County, 



820 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY 



and of this union the following children w&re 
born: Harry C: Fred A., deceased; Eda B., 
wife of J. M. Honey of Dixon; Allen E., who 
rents and conducts his father's farm; Roscoe 
C, deceased: Clyde L., who resides in Cali- 
fornia; Ruth M.. who is qualifying herself as 
a nurse in a Chicago training school; E)rma 
L., who resides with her sister, Mrs. Honey. 
Mr. Seavey gave his children the advantages 
of a good education, most of them being high 
school and college graduates. In politics he 
is a Republican, and has filled several public 
offices in his township, including that of As- 
sessor and Supervisor. He is Secretary of the 
Palmyra Insurance Company, having held that 
office for the past ten years. In religious be- 
lief he is a Methodist, and fraternally belongs 
to the M. W. A.. A. O. U. W. and G. A. R. 
Mr. Seavey has resided on his present 140-acre 
farm for twenty-one years, and has lived in the 
immediate neighborhood nearly fifty years. 
He is a man of more than ordinary ability, and 
is highly respected for his honest principles 
and sterling worth. 

GEORGE SCHNUCKEL, farmer, Brooklyn 
Township, Lee County, 111., was born in Bureau 
County, 111., Jan. 25, 1869, son of Charles and 
Margaret (Batz) Schnuckel, natives of Ger- 
many, who came to the United States in the 
'.50s, and are nov.' residing at Mendota. 111. 
On December 9, 1891, Mr. Schnuckel was mar- 
ried to Catherine Trubel. daughter of Sebas- 
tian and Catherine (Weirauch) Trubel, who 
were natives of Germany, and residents of Lee 
County about forty years, and now reside at 
Mendota, 111. To Mr. and Mrs. Schnuckel three 
children — Florence M., Lulu C. and Delia M. — 
have been born. In political opinions Mr. 
Schnuckel is a Republican, and has served as 
Township Assessor for three years, being an 
incumbent of that office at the present time 
(190:3); also served as Township Collector for 
two years. Fraternally he is a member of 
camp. No. 2.57S; M. W. A. In religious be- 
lief he is a Methodist. Mr. Schnuckel's farm 
consists of eighty acres in Brooklyn Town- 
ship. 

JOHN D. SITTS. retired farmer, Franklin 
Grove, Lee County. 111., was born in Oneida 
County, N. Y., in 1831, son of George and Har- 
riet Sitts; came to Franklin Grove in 1857. and 



was engaged in the lumber trade until 18G3, 
and from 1872 to 1902 was engaged In the 
grocery business. He was married in January, 
1863, to Eva E. Lincoln, who died in April, 
1888, leaving four children: Henry B., Gertie 
G.. Bertha C. and Helen E. In politics he is 
a Republican, and has served as Supervisor 
three terms. 

SAMUEL STONE (deceased) was born in 
Erie County, N. Y., Dec. 18, 1823, and came 
to Illinois in 1835, locating in what is now 
Nelson Township, Lee County, and entered^ his 
first tract of land from the Government, for 
which he paid $1.25 per acre. He married 
Mrs. Eliza (Power) Stcne, widow of his 
brother, and they have three children: Reuben, 
Alonzo D. and Louisa A. Mr. Stone was very 
successful as a land-dealer, and at the time of 
his death, was the owner of 3,000 acres of 
land, located in Illinois. Kansas, Nebraska and 
Iowa. He was employed by the Government in 
surveying the land through this section of the 
State. He died at the age of seventy-five years. 

NELSON SMITH (deceased) was born in 
Seneca County, N. Y.. August 27, 1820, and, 
after living in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, 
came to Lee County. 111., in 1866, where he 
engaged in farming near the present village 
of Paw Paw. He was first married to Mary 
M. Fennimore. and to them two children were 
born, Marion and Lafayette. His second wife 
was Elizabeth Conrad, who bore him two chil- 
dren, Schuyler E. and Emma B. In political 
views Mr. Smith was a Republican. He died 
March 17, 1899. 

CHARLES ALMON STEINMANN. President 
Steinmann College, Dixon, 111., born at Cherry 
Grove. 111., Oct. 14. 1861; moved with his pa- 
rents to Lanark, 111., in 1884, where, at eight 
years of age, he entered the public schools, 
and completed the graded and high school 
course at fifteen; took post-graduate work, and 
taught school until twenty years of age. when 
he organized a school of shorthand in con- 
nection with the Northern Illinois Normal 
School of Dixon. Four years later, he removed 
to larger and more desirable quarters in the 
central part of the city; built the present 
splendid college edifice in 1895. and ladies' 
dormitory in 1901; present site of school is 



HISTORY OF LEE COItnTY. 



unusually attractive, containing a campus of 
forty-three acres, fine athletic field, pure water, 
excellent drainage, magnificent surroundings. 
The courses of study are thorough and com- 
plete; comprising Business. Normal, English, 
Scientific, Classical, Philosophical, Musical, 
Civil Service, and Oratory departments. The 
moral and intellectual tone of the school is 
high. Under Prof. Steinmann's direction the 
school has grown in numbers as well as in 
strength and efficiency. New buildings are de- 
manded, and a gentleman's dormitory, an indus- 
trial hall — whereby worthy students may earn 
an education — a school of forestry, a botanical 
garden and a complete experimental laboratory 
are contemplated. Besides performing duties 
of President of Steinmann College. Prof. Steln- 
mann is vice-chancellor of Ruskin University. 
Chicago, 111. He married, on Christmas day, 
1902, Miss Rosa Mary Lohafer. 

SOLOMON SUNDAY, retired farmer, Frank- 
lin Grove, Lee County, 111., was born Oct. 21, 
1832, a native of Pennsylvania, and came to 
Illinois in 1855, locating where he now lives, 
and was engaged in blacksmithing for many 
years. In August, 1856, he married Eva M. 
Stefan, and to them ten children were born, 
six of whom are now living. In politics he is 
a Prohibitionist, and in fraternal relations a 
member of the I. O. O. F. 

WILLIAM SUTTON (deceased) was born in 
the State of New York, August 2. 1810, but at 
an early day removed to Pennsylvania, where 
he learned and followed the blacksmith's trade, 
being engaged in that line of work tor a num- 
ber of years. In 1855 he removed to Lee 
County, 111., settling on a farm in Willow 
Creek Township, where he made his home un- 
til 1877, removing to Paw Paw ia the latter 
year. On April 30, 1831, he married Barbara 
Miller, who was born in Pennsylvania, Dec. 
25, 1812, and to them two children were barn: 
Mrs. Amos Siglin. ol: Paw Paw, and Mrs. H. B. 
Stark, who resides in Pennsylvania. Mr. Sut- 
ton died Oct. 15, 1879, his wife surviving until 
Nov. 12, of the same year. In political senti- 
ment Mr. Sutton was a Democrat. 

DARIUS SAWYER, pioneer of 1835j now liv- 
ing in retirement in Amboy, Lee County. 111., 
was born at Waterbury, Vt., April 17, 181G, the 



son of Joseph and Sarah (Farnham) Sawyer, 
natives, respectively, of New York and New 
Hampshire. The parents came, with their 
family, to Lee County, 111., arriving March 17, 
1835. settling at Lee Center, and there the 
mother passed away just two years later — 
March 17, 1837 — being the first of the early 
settlers to die in that locality, while the father 
survived until Oct. 11, 1872. Darius Sawyer 
learned the blacksmith trade in early life, 
which he followed several years, when he en- 
gaged in farming, continuing some sixteen 
years. In February. 1899, he removed to Amboy, 
and has since lived in retirement. March 21, 
1839, Mr. Sawyer was married to Sophronia 
Parker, and seven children by this union 
are now living. Mrs. Sawyer died July 
25,' 1883, and on Oct. 6, 1887, Mr. Sawyer 
married Jane E. Tinkeir. who died in 1893. 
In 1898 he married, as his third wife, Mrs. 
Isabelle Dunn, who died four months later. 
Mr. Sawyer is an original Republican, having 
voted for John C. Fremont in 185(5. and has 
been a member of the Masonic Fraternity since 
1859. 

SEELY SCOFIELD, farmer, Harmon Town- 
ship, Lee County, 111., was born in Sterling. 
Whiteside County, 111., Dec. 22, 1867, son of 
David and Betsy B. (Hull) Scofield, natives 
of Westchester, N. Y., who located at Sterling 
in 1856. The father died in 1883, while the 
mother still survives and makes her home in 
Sterling. Seely Scofield devotes his attention 
to general farming, and owns 320 acres of land 
in Sections 5 and 6. Harmon Township. He 
is a member of Corinthian Lodge No. 63. K. 
of P.. of Sterling: Lodge No. 779, B. P. O. E., 
of Dixon, and M. W. A. Politically he is a 
Republican, and is a Universalist in religious 
belief. 

DANIEL SWARTZ. farmer, Harmon Town- 
ship. Lee County. 111., was born in Germany, 
March 15, 1836. son of George Swartz. who 
came to the United States in 1841, and settle.1 
in Marshal County, 111. In March, 1865. Dan- 
iel Swartz was married to Louisa Walker, 
daughter of Washington and Mary (Ward) 
Walker, of Marshall County, 111., and to them 
five children were born, four of whom are now 
living, viz.: George W., Frederick, Charles B., 
and Mary. Mrs. Swartz died Sept. 16, 1873, 



822 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



and on Dec. 1, 1S75, Mr. Swartz married, for 
his second wife. Rebecca Jamison, daugtiter of 
Tticmas and Sarah (Smith) Jamison, natives of 
Delaware and Ohio, respectively. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Swartz five children have been born, four 
of whom survive: Frank C, Clara E., Jessie 
G. and Ethel M. In March, 1865. Mr. Swartz 
came to Lee County, v.-here he now owns 310 
acres of land in Harmon Township. Politically 
he is a D?mocrat, and he and his family are 
members of the Methodist church. 

AMOS SIGLIN (deceased) was born in 
Chestnut Hill Township, Luzerne County, 
Penn., in 1826, son of Jacob and Susannah 
(Singer) Siglin. He learned the carpenter's 
trade in his native State, and in 1855 came to 
Lee County, 111., where, until two years prior 
to his death, he followed the occupation of 
contracting and building. October 19, 1851, 
he married Catherine Sutton, daughter of Wil- 
liam and Barbara (Miller) Sutton, and to them 
four children were born, viz.: Elizabeth, wife of 
W. H. Smith of Paw Paw; Dollie, widow of 
Adolphus Fisher; William, who lives in Ala- 
bama, and Barbara, who resides at home. Mr. 
Siglin died August 24, 1900. He was a member 
of the Masonic Order, and also of the I. O. O. F. 
In politics he was a Democrat, and in religious 
belief a Presbj-terian. 

RENSSELAER P. TREAD WELL (deceased) 
was born in Chenango Coimty, N, Y., July 25, 
1821, son of Allen and Deborah (Squires) 
Treadwell, natives of the Empire State, who 
came- to Lee County in 1845. Rensselaer P. 
Treadwell was married on Feb. 10, 1848, to 
Lydia Hale, daughter of Alvah and Clara 
(Rouse) Hale, and of this union there were two 
sons, Spencer, of Everett, Wash., and William, 
of Freeport. 111. Mr. and Mrs. Alvah Hale 
came to Lee County in 1844. In 1879 Mr. Tread- 
well removed to St. Croix County. Wis., but 
in 1894 returned to Amboy, 111., y.-here he passed 
the remainder of his life, dying there Nov. 22. 
1902. In early life a stanch Republican, he was 
during the latter years of his existence, an 
ardent advocate of Prohibition. From 1864 to 
1866 he was Sheriff of Lee County, He was 
a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church and his wife is still a leading member 
of the church of that denomination at Amboy. 



A. J. TOMPKINS, Supervisor, Amboy Town- 
ship, Lee County, was born in Greene County, 
Ky., in June, 1831, son of N. S. and Sallie (Rey- 
nolds) Tompkins; came to Amboy, 111., in 1858, 
and for twenty-two years was master carpenter 
for the Illinois Central Railroad. He was then 
engaged in farming for twenty-one years, when 
he removed to Amboy and retired frcm active 
business life. Mr. Tompkins is a Republican 
in politics, served five years as a member of 
the City Council; in 1883 was elected member 
of the Board of Supervisors, and has since 
served continuously in that capacity. It was 
largely through his efforts that $100,000 in 
bonds, issued by Amboy Township to the Chi- 
cago & Rock River Railroad, were compromised 
and settled, thus resulting in a saving of many 
thousands of dollars to the tax-payers of the 
township. Mr. Tompkins was married in 1858 
to Miss Mary A. Smith, and five children have 
been born to this union, viz.: Walter J.. Elmer 
S., Stella L.. Willis (born Jan. 17, 1860, diei 
Feb. 23, 1860), Jennie M. (died Oct. 2. 1878, 
aged eleven years). Mr. Tompkins is a member 
of the Baptist church. 

DR. EDMOND R. TRAVERSE (deceased), 
born in County Cork, Ireland, March 7. 1832, 
sen of Richard H. and Harriet (Walsh) Trav- 
ers. who came to Canada in 1842. In 1858 
Edmond R. matriculated in the medical de- 
partment of the University of Michigan, grad- 
uating in the class of '61. In September. 1863, 
he located at Amboy, 111., where he engaged 
in the practice of his profession, which he con- 
tinued until the time of his death, April 13. 
1899. On May 17. 1864, he married Esther 
Scott, daughter of Thomas and Martha (Swan) 
Scott, and to them four children v.'ere born, 
one of whom is living — Mary, wife of Dr. N. J. 
Smith, a dentist at Amboy, 111. Those deceased 
were named Martha, Edmond and George. 
The Doctor was a member of the Episcopal 
church, and fraternally was identified with the 
Masonic Order. 

JOHN TODD, farmer and dairyman. Nachusa 
Township, Lee County, was born in County 
Antrim. Ireland. Nov. 3, 1848. son of Robert 
and Elizabeth (Thompson) Todd, who v.-ere 
alsc natives of the Emerald Isle, and the par- 
ents of five children who grew to years of 
maturity. John Todd came to America in 1866. 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



823 



locating the same year in Lee ^ounty. 111., 
where for sixteen years he worked for wages, 
being employed ten years by the Grand Detour 
Plow Company. He afterwards engaged in 
farming, and now owns 140 acres cf land in 
Nachusa Town.ship, upon which he keeps a 
herd of twenty-five cows and conducts a first- 
class dairy. In 1S73 he married Jane Grier, 
daughter of John and Mary (Gillan) Grier, 
natives of County Monaghan, Ireland. Mr. Todd 
is a Democrat in political relations, and m 
religious faith is a member cf the Church of 
the Covenant, while (his wife is a Presbyterian. 
Mr. and Mrs. Todd have no children. 

JOHN H. TERHUNE, station agent, Chicago, 
Burlington & Quincy Railroad, West Brooklyn, 
III., was born in Binghamton, N. Y., Oct. 26, 
1856, son of Abram R. and Lydia (Ramsey) 
Terhune, natives of New Jersey. John H. 
Terhune has been a resident of Lee County 
since 1866, and first became station agent for 
the above named railroad at Shaws, 111. On 
October 27, 1876, he married Ida M. Wertman, 
daughter of John and Lucy Anna (Derr) Wert- 
man, natives of Pennsylvania who came to 
Lee County in the early '.50s. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Terhune two children have been born, both of 
whcm are deceased. In political views Mr. 
Terhune is a Republican, and socially belongs 
to the I. O. O. F., M. W. A. and Royal League. 
He and his wife are members of the Msthodist 
Episcopal church. 

WILLIAM C. THOMPSON, County Clerk of 
Lee Coimty, was born at Paw Paw, 111., June 
28, 1868, son of James H. and Catherine (Swart- 
hout) Thompson. James H. Thompson came 
to Lee County in 1S.52. and fcr twenty-five years 
was engaged in the mercantile business at Paw 
Paw, 111. In 1886 he was elected County Clerk 
of Lee County and served continuously until 
1902. William C. Thompson obtained his edu.- 
catinn in the high school at Pav,' Paw, grad- 
uating in 1883; became his father's deputy in 
1889. and was elected County Clerk in 1902 
when his father retired. On July 3, 1900, he 
married Susan B. Dimon, and they have two 
children^Dorrance S. and Avis F. Mr. Thomp- 
son is a member of the Masonic Order, Knights 
of the Globe, M. W.A., and B. P. O. E. Politi 
cally he is a Republican, and in reliadiuis be- 
lief a Presbyterian. 



MANLEY M. TEAL (deceased), was born in 
Taylor Township, Ogle County, 111., July 31, 
1846, son of Ellas and Isabelle (Brown) Teal, 
pioneers of Ogle County. Manley M. Teal ob- 
tained his education in the schools at Dixon 
and Mt. Morris, 111., and, when his father died 
in 1887, inherited an extensive property, which 
he subsequently largely increased. On Decem- 
ber 20, 1876, he was married to Ellen J., daugh- 
ter of Joseph and Ann (Mackay) Boyd, pioneer 
settlers of Nashua Township. Ogle County, and 
to them one child — Allie M. — was born. In 
political opinions Mr. Teal was a Republican, 
and at the time of his death, Dec. 2, I880. was 
serving as Justice of the Peace. Mrs. Teal 
and her daughter Allie M. are members of the 
Lutheran church. 

JOHN A. TERHUNE, farmer. Nelson Town- 
ship, Lee County, was born in Whiteside Coun- 
ty, 111., July 2, 1859, son of John A. and Jannet 
Meldron (Smithburt) Terhune, whO' were na- 
tives of New York City; came to Whiteside 
County, 111., about 1855, and ten years later 
(1865) settled in Lee County. The subject of 
this sketch was reared from boyhood in Lee 
County, and has always been intimately identi- 
fied with its farming interests. February 5, 
1890, he was married to Mamie M., daughter 
of Bernard and Eva Johnson, and to them 
have been born three children — Harry A., Les- 
ter H. and Genevieve E. Religiously the family 
are connected with the Methodist Episcopal 
church, while fraternally Mr. Terhune is affili- 
ated with the Knights of the Globe. 

JOHN N. TRUCKENBROD, farmer, Sublette 
Township, Lee County, 111., was born in Bureau 
County. 111., Nov. 10, 1862, son of John and 
Elizabeth Faber Truckenbrod. John Trucken- 
brod, father of John N., was born in Bavaria, 
and his wife, Elizabeth Faber, in Saxe-Coburg, 
Germany. They were the parents of eleven 
children, all of whom are now living, and re- 
side in Clarion Township, Bureau County, 111. 
John N. Truckenbrod conducted the homestead 
for bis father for three yeairs, afterwards rent- 
ed the same for a time, but now owns a 120- 
acre farm adjoining his father's. On Decem- 
ber 20, 1893, he married Emma M. Hartan. 
daughter of John and Margaret (Arnold) Hart- 
an, and to them six children have been born — 
Carl J., Fritz, Greta, Bertha, Norval and Ralph, 



824 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY, 



In politics Mr. Truclvenbrod is a Republican, 
and has served as School Director and Road 
Overseer. He and his family attend the Ger- 
man Lutheran church. John and Margaret 
(Arnold) Hartan, parents of Mrs. John N. 
Truckenbrod, were natives of Germany who 
removed to La Salle County, 111., where Mr. 
Hartan owned 200 acres of land and engaged 
in farming, but afterwards was proprietor of 
several saloons, and later engaged in the coal 
business, later retiring from business. He was 
born Dec. 16, 1838, and died Dec. 14 1899, 
while his wife was born Jan 2, 1840. 

HON. JOHN V. THOMAS was born in Prince- 
ten, N. J., Oct. .30, 1835. came west and located 
in Dixon, 111., in 1857; engaged in school teach- 
ing in Lee County, following the profession 
until 1874; later identified himself with the 
real-'estate and insurance business, and is now 
Assistant Secretary of the Liverpool & London 
and Globe Insurance Companies in Chicago. 
He served six terms as Mayor of Dixon, and 
is prominent in Masonry: married in 1861 
Ellen J. Warner. 

GARDNER W. THOMPSON, farmer, Section 
26, Alto Township, Lee County, III., was born 
in Luzerne County, Penn., July 11, 1841, son 
of Isaac and Maria (Wilcox) Thompson, na- 
tives respectively of Luzerne County, Penn., 
and Duchess County, N, Y. Isaac Thompson 
removed to Abingdon, Penn., in 1854, and en- 
gaged in farming, which had been his occupa- 
tion from early youth. In 1867, he and his 
wife came to Lee County, 111., where they lived 
the remainder of their days with Gardner W. 
Mr. Thompson died Sept. 29, 1901, at the re- 
markable age of 104 years, his wife dying April 
25, 1885, in her eighty-seventh year. Isaac 
Thompson has been a devoted Methodist for 
over eighty years, having united with the 
church in 1819. He was of Irish extraction, 
while his wife was of English descent, and 
her forefathers landed on New England shores 
in the seventeenth century. Gardner W. 
Thompson was the youngest in a family of 
fifteen children, and obtained his education in 
a select school at Pittston, Penn. He came 
to Lee County in 1864 and purchased of his 
brother the quarter section of land where he 
now resides, to which he has made subsequent 
additions until he now owns 240 acres of well- 



improved land with residence, barns and many 
trees of his own planting. He devotes his 
attention to general farming and breeding 
Durham cattle, Chester White hogs, and horses 
of the Wilkes stock On April 26, 1873, Mr. 
Thompson was married to Mary Howell, daugh- 
ter of William and Sarah (Rogers) Howell, 
early settlers of Lee County, and they have 
one son, Frank, who was bom Oct. 11. 1876, 
and assists his father in conducting the farm. 
In political opinions Mr. Thompson is a Re- 
publican, and served as Township Supervisor 
from 1875 to 1890; has served as Assessor 
since 1900, and is also a Justice of the Peace 
and School Trustee. He and his family are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

STEPHEN A. TARR. retired farmer. Paw 
Paw, 111., was born in New Hampshire, May 
30, 1834, and came to Henry County, 111., in 
1853, locating at Kewanee, where he remained 
until 1854, when he returned to New Hamp- 
shire and brought his parents to Illinois, set- 
tling at Kewanee, where he engaged in paint- 
ing. In 1860 Mr. Tarr came to Paw Paw. where 
he engaged in painting for many years, but 
it now living retired. September 1, ISGO, he 
married Jane E., daughter of Israel F. and 
Persis (Boardman) Hallock. anc^ to them eight 
children have been born, five of whom survive, 
viz.: Franklin, Rubert and Reuben (tv.ins), 
Mary and Thomas. On September 2, 1862, Mr. 
Tarr enlisted in Company K, Seventy-fifth 
Illinois Volunter Infantry, He was seriously 
wounded in the engagement at Perryville and 
discharged Dec. 6, 1862, on account of physic- 
al disability. He is a member of the G. A. R. 
at Paw Paw, and of the I. O. O. F. In politics 
he is a Republican, and has served one term 
as Township Collector. He is a member of the 
Baptist church. 

WILLIAM E. TAYLOR, farmer, Reynolds 
Township, Lee County, III., was born in Saun- 
ders County, Neb., August 15, 1871, son of 
James E. and Eliza (Blair) Taylor, natives of 
Ontario, Canada, and Lee County, 111., respec- 
tively. James T. Taylor, grandfather of Wil- 
liam E., was born in England, Feb. 18, 1816, set- 
tled in Canada and died m 1902. He was a 
lumberman, as was also his son, James E. The 
latter was born in 1840, and came to Lee 
County in 1859, At the breaking out of the 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



825 



Civil War, he enlisted in Company K, Seventy- 
fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served 
three years. When the war closed he returned 
to Illinois and married Eliza, daughter of Rob- 
ert Blair, and born in 1849. Her father (Rob- 
ert Blair) was a miller by trade, settled in Illi- 
nois, and died there aged 82 years. After mar- 
riage Mr. Taylor went to Nebraska, where he 
took up a homestead and remained five or six 
years. To himself and wife eleven children 
were born, the subject of this sketch being the 
oldest. Later Mr. Taylor returned to Lee 
County, but in 1901 he and his wife removed to 
Oklahoma, where they still reside. William E. 
Taylor was educated in the public schools and 
at Dixon and grew to manhood on his father's 
farm. December 25, 1897. he married Amanda, 
daughter of William A. and Mary Jane (Gun- 
saUis) Snyder. Mrs. Taylor was born in Chris- 
tian County, 111., Dec. 25, 1879. Her father was 
of German descent and came to Illinois from 
Cumberland County. Penn., when a boy. Mrs. 
Taylor's parents are both living in Henry 
County. 111. They have been parents of six 
children. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have one child. 
Clarence W., born May 20, 1903. Mr. Taylor 
has conducted his present farm for the past 
seven years, and devotes his attention princi- 
pally to breeding Poland-China hogs, and 
raising corn, more than one-half the acreage 
of his farm being planted with this cereal each 
year. He also keeps a small herd of cattle. In 
political sentiment he is a Republican. 

EDWARD C. ULTCH, farmer. Sublette Town- 
ship, Lee County, 111., was born May 6, 1857. 
son of John P. and Elizabeth (Wendel) Ultch. 
natives of Cronach, near Munich. Bavaria. John 
P. Ultch came to America In 1847, locating in 
Bureau Ooimty, 111,, where he became the own- 
er of over 3200 acres of land. In 1850 he mar- 
ried Elizabeth Wendel, who died August 18. 
1868, aged forty-tour years, leaving six children, 
viz.: Carline. Frederick, William, Edward C. 
George W. and John P.. Jr. In 1872 John P. 
Ultch married for his second wife, Catherine 
Ava Masel, and of this union there was one 
child, Katie. Mr. Ultch died Sept. 13, 1889. aged 
seventy years. Edward P. Ultch remained' 
under the parental roof until 1879, having 
charge of his father's farm fcr several years. 
In 1882 he removed to Lee County, and now 



owns a 280-acre farm near the village of Sub- 
lette, besides 1200 acres In other localities. 
February 19, 1882, he married Charlotte Fassig, 
daughter of Philip and Charlotte lErbes) Fas- 
sig, natives of Darmstadt, Germany, and of 
this union there are four children — William F., 
Altina L., Emma C. and Esther S. Mrs. Ultch's 
father. Philip Fassig, died at the age of el.ghty- 
one year and seven months, while her mother 
died in 1898, aged seventy-two years. In 
politics Mr. Ultch is a Republican, and served 
one term as Constable and Road Commissioner, 
twelve years as School Director, eight years as 
Justice of the Peace, besides being Pound- 
master fcr some time. M. and Mrs. Ultch 
are members of the Dutch-Reformed church. 

SAMUEL A. VANN, retired farmer, Dixon, 
111., was born in Berkshire County, Mass., in 
1819, son of William and Elizabeth (Wheatly) 
Vann, natives of Northhamptonshire, England. 
who came to the United States in 1818. In 
1844 Samuel A. Vann married Jane Brown, 
who came to Illinois in 1856, and to them four 
children were born, two of whom are living, 
viz.: Alice Elizabeth, who is her father's house- 
keeper, and George B. Mr. Vann was engaged 
for many years in the manufacture of carriages, 
but for the past two years (1904) has been an 
invalid. 

MORRISON H. VAIL, architect and artist, 
Dixon. 111., was born In Chicago, 111., in 1866, 
son of Charles A. and Henrietta (Huggins) 
Vail: obtained his education in the public 
schools of Chicago, Northwestern Universlt.v 
and the Chicago Art Institute. He was appren- 
ticed to W. L. B. Jenny, architect. Chicago, 
with whom he learned his profession, and was 
subsquently engaged by him as draftsman; 
was also with Holabird & Roche and other 
Chicago firms, and for two years did the archi- 
tectural designing for the city of Chicago dur- 
ing Mayor D. C. Creiger's administration. He 
afterwards engaged in business for himself 
In Chicago, and in 1899 designed the Rock 
River Assembly building at Dixon, establishing 
a branch office in that city the same year. Dis- 
continuing his Chicago office in 190:!, he re- 
moved to Dixon and has since made that city 
his home and place of business. In 1899 Mr. 
Vail invented and patented an "auditorium 
truss construction," which makes possible the 



826 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY 



covering of large surfaces with durable root 
construction at a small expense. Mr. Vail's 
specialties are designs fcr church edifices clubs 
and public halls. In 1902 he was elected a 
member of the American Institute of Archi- 
tects, and is a member of the Chicago Archi- 
tects' Business Association, and the "Xational 
Society of Associated Arts." Fraternally he 
belongs to the I. O. O. F., and in religious be- 
lief is a Congregationalist. September 11, 
1889, he married Miss Maude E. Bennett, of 
Chicago, and they have three daughters, Mar- 
jorie, Alta, and Electa. Mr. Vail's ancestors 
were Huguenots, who moved from France 
through Denmark to Wales, and emigrated to 
the New England States in 1636. Some cf them 
took part in the Revolution and the War of 
1812. 

JACOB VOGEL, retired farmer, residing on 
Section 9, Ashton Township, Lee County, 111., 
was born in Somerset County, Penn., Oct. 30, 
1853, son of John and Margaret (Miller) Vogel, 
both of whom were natives of Germany, and 
died in Somerset County. John Vcgel was a 
farmer and his son Jacob grew up on the farm, 
attended the public school and, in 1876, came to 
Lee County, 111., where he first found employ- 
ment at farm-work by the month, later renting 
lands until 1892, when he bought his present 
farm, which he has brought to a high state of 
cultivation, erecting upon it a comfortable resi- 
dence and making other valuable improve- 
ments. He has also added to his general farm- 
ing business the cultivation of small fruits, 
thereby adding to the profits cf his business 
and the beauty of the place. Mr. Vcgsl was 
married Dec. 28. 1887, to Lillian Cleaver, 
daughter of Samuel and Minerva (Brierton) 
Cleaver, who came with their parents from 
Pennsylvania to Dixon. 111., in 1838. The Cleav- 
ers were farmers. Mr. Vogel and wife have 
had four children.: Clinton Edison. Jacob Earl. 
Neva Mas and Anna Ada. In politics Mr. Vogel 
is a Republican, and he and his family are 
members "f the Methodist church, 

HARMON VAX PATTEN, farmer, Section 
28, Alto Township, Lee County. III., was born 
in Schenectady County. N. Y., July U. 1836, 
son of Simon Bartlett and Susan (Van Patten) 
Van Patten, natives of Glenville. Schenectady 
County, and Albany County, N. Y., respec- 



tively. Harmon Van Patten's paternal great- 
grand father, Simon Van Patten, was a soldier 
in the Reloutionary War, and himself and wife 
assisted in throwing overboard the objection- 
able cargo of tea into Boston Harbor. Harmon 
Van Patten spent his boyhood and youth on 
his father's farm in New York, and came to 
Lee County. 111., in 1859. having spent the pre- 
vious season in Detroit, Mich. During the first 
year of his residence in Lee County, he worked 
in the Willow Creek Nursery, and then attend- 
ed the Rock River Seminary, thus acquiring a 
good education. He was married March 17, 
1861. to Hannah Nettleton. born July 26. 1838, 
daughter of Moses and Martha (Martin) Nettle- 
ton, natives of Canada. To Mr. and Mrs. Van 
Patten five children v.-ere bom, viz.: Winnie E,, 
wife of Lester At wood of Langdon, Iowa; Min- 
nie Dell, wife of Hy P, Moon: Ernest M,, who 
married Morda Stevens; John Frederick; and 
Mabel, wife of R. C. Clarke, of Aurora, 111. 
Mrs. Van Patten died Jan. 6. 1875. and on 
Sept. 5. 1878, Mr. Van Patten married for his 
second wife Nettie Fuller, and of this union 
there is one child, Marion Delight. Mr. Van 
Patten served as Assessor in 1863-4. as Town 
Clerk several terms, and was To\sTiship Treas- 
urer ten years. He has bsen a consistent mem- 
ber of the Methodist church for the past forty 
years, Mr, Van Patten gives his attention to 
general farming and breeding of high grade 
Norman and road horses. 



B. J, WHEELER, President State Bank of 
Paw Paw. Paw Paw. III., was born near Bangor, 
Maine. May 4. 1836, sen cf Jacob and Martha 
(Drake) Wheeler, who came with team and 
wagon from the Pine Tree State to Lee County, 
111., arriving at the latter place in November. 
1845. B. J. 'Wheeler went overland to Cali- 
fornia in 1859. Returning to Lee (bounty in 
1863, he purchased a farm, and has been a resi- 
dent of Paw Paw since that time. For two 
years he was engaged in the hardware busi- 
ness, opsrated a grist mill for tv.c years, and 
established a creamery, which he conducted 
five years. In 1901, on the organization of 
the State Bank of Paw Paw, he was elected 
President of that institution, and also conducts 
a real-estate business. On January 1. 1873. he 
married Clarissa Swarthout. and to them four 
children have been born — Addie, Frank, Jean- 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



S27 



ette and Robert W. In politics Mr. Wheeler 
is a Republican, and socially belongs to the 
I. O. O. F. of Paw Paw. 

EBENEZER WOODBRIDGE (deceased) was 
born in Salem, Wayne County, Penn., Feb. 22, 
1816, son of Joseph and Anna (Hollister) Wood- 
bridge, natives of Connecticut, where the 
family has been connected with Yale College 
in various capacities for many years. Ebenszer 
Woodbridge was raised in the State of New 
Ycrk, bacame a farmer, and in early lite re- 
moved to Jay Coi'.nty, Ind., where he was a 
prominent pioneer and one of the leading men 
for fourteen years. He was always an ardent 
advocate of the temperance cause, and while 
living in Indiana was one of the Trustees of 
Liber College at Portland of the same State. 
In 1855 he came to Lee County, III., where he 
was engaged in farming until his death, Dec. 
10. 1888. In 1840 he married Eliza S. Ripley, 
daughter of Jchn and Diana (Westfall) Ripley, 
natives of Connecticut and Nev.' Jersey, respec- 
tively. Four children were born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Wcodbridge, viz.: Sarah, Diana (Mrs. B 
L Hitchcock), Joseph and Egbert (deceased). 
Mrs. Woodbridge removed to Dixon in 1894, 
aucl she and her daughter. Miss Anna Wood- 
bridge, are attendants of the Presbyt?rian 
church of that city. The latlsr is also a mem- 
ber of the D. A. R.. and Phidian Art Club. 



CHARLES W. WAGNER, farmer, Bradford 
To~nship. Lee County, 111., was born in Brad- 
ford Township, May 13, 1865, son of Jacob and 
Sophia (Reiss) Wagner. He obtained his ed- 
ucation in the public schools, and remained on 
his father's farm until twenty-three years of 
age. In ISSS he married Anna C. Bauer, and 
to them cne child — Nellie Deloras — has been 
born. Mr. Wagner owns 160 acres of land in 
Bradford Township, which was a gift from his 
father. He and his wife are members of the 
Evangelical church, and in political views Mr. 
Wagner is a Republican. Mrs. Wagner's par- 
ents, Wolfgang and Christina (Schobert) 
Bauer, were natives of Bavaria, the former 
being born May 13. 1825, and died .Tan. 9, 1902, 
while the latter v.'as born June 5, 1834, and 
died May 4, 1897. They were married in their 
native country and became the parents of 
nine children — all daughters — two of whom 



were born before the parents came to America 
in 1856. 

STEPHEN A. WRIGHT, real-estate dealer, 
Paw Paw, 111., was born in DeKalb County, 111., 
Dec. 8, 1866, son of George and Elizabeth 
(Scott) Wright, natives of England and Illinois, 
respectively. Stephen A. Wright was educated 
in the public schools of DeKalb County, after- 
wards engaged as a farm-hand, but still later 
purchased land, and has since been engaged 
in farming, and in the conduct of a general 
real estate business. On November 6, 1889, he 
married Lillie Fleming, daughter x)f Peter and 
Charlotte (Edmonds) Fleming, and they have 
one daughter, Roberta. In 1896 Mr. Wright 
moved to Paw Paw. and built his present resi- 
dence. In political opinions he is a Republican. 

ALBERT WOODS, farmer, Wyoming Town- 
ship, Lee County, 111., was born in Belmont 
Co-mty, Ohio, Feb. 13, 1848. son of George unl 
Susan (Coss) Woods. He accompanied his 
parents to Lee County in 1869, and settled 
en a farm adjoining the old homestead, where 
he has since resided, and now owns 120 acres. 
On February 15. 1876. he married Jane Kline, 
daughter of William and Nancy (Norman) 
Kline, of Belmont County, Ohio, and they have 
three children.: Laura M., Walter V. and Wil- 
bf.r A. Mr. Woods is a Democrat in politics, 
and fraternally is a member of the I. O. O. F. 
His wife is a member of the Baptist church. 

CHARLES E. WEISZ. farmer. Palmyra 
Tov.-nship, Lee County. 111., was born in Ger- 
many, March 7, 1848, son of Valentine and 
Elizabeth (Bernges) Weisz. His father came 
to America in 1855 and settled near Defiance, 
Ohio, where Valentine Weisz still resides, his 
wife having died when fifty years of age. 
Charles E. Weisz came to America in 1859, 
locating in Lee County, 111., in 1869, purchased 
his present lOO-acre farm in 1901. Mir. Weisz 
married Ellen McCavett, who died Feb. 27, 
1897, leaving one son, William C. In 1899 Mr. 
Weisz married for his second wife Maria J. 
Girton, daughter of Marshall Girton who came 
from Pennsylvania in the early '40s and set- 
tled in Lee County, and of this union there are 
two children, Hazel Gladys and Clark Girton. 
Socially Mr. Weisz is a member of the I. O. 



828 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



O. F., and the Knights of the Globe. In politics 
he is independent. 

CHARLES I. WILL, farmer and stock-raiser. 
South Dixon Township, Lee County. 111., was 
born in Somerset County, Penn., August 15, 
1845, son of Hiram and Keziah (Meese) Will, 
natives of Pennsylvania, who located in South 
Dixon Township in 1865. Hiram Will is now 
living retired in Dixon, 111., while his wife died 
in January, 1903. Peter Will, an uncle of Hi- 
ram Will, was a pioneer of Illinois, and Will 
County,, of the State, was named in his honor. 
On August 17, 1862, Charles I. Will enlisted in 
Company F, One Hundred and Forty-second 
Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was as- 
signed to the Army of the Potomac, participat- 
ing in the following battles: Fredericksburg, 
Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, 
Spottsylvania. Bethesda Church, North Ann 
River, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Weldon Rail- 
road, Hatcher's Run, Fort Steadman, Five 
Forks, and the final struggle at Appomattox. 
He was discharged in June, 1865. Mr. Hill lo- 
cated on his present farm in 1876. and now 
owns 400 acres in South Dixon Township. On 
Auugst 17, 1876, he married Marietta Moss- 
holder, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Flamm) 
Mossholder, and to them the following chil- 
dren were born: Ida F. (Mrs. Albert Hart- 
man), Myrtle M. and Ralph O. Mr. Will is a 
member of Dixon Post. No. 299, G. A. R. In 
political views he is a Republican. 

JOHN W. WEISHAAR. farmer and stock- 
breeder, Bradford Township, Lee County, 111., 
was born Dec. 27, 1864, son of Emrich and 
Anna B, (Merbach) Weishaar, natives of 
Lauterbach, Germany. Emrich Weishaar was 
born Feb. 3, 1834, came to Lee County in 1856, 
and on March 9, 1861, married Anna B. Mer- 
bach, and they were the parents of four chil- 
dren — Emert, John W., Henry and Caroline. 
Mr. Weishaar bought land shortly after locat- 
. ing in Lee County, and at the time of leaving 
the farm owned 420 acres. In 1897 he removed 
to Ashton. where he has since lived retired. 
On December 5, 1897, John W. Weishaar mar- 
ried Augusta Brunotte, and they have two 
children — Emrich August and Martha Annie. 
Mr. Weishaar occupies a part (240 acres) of 
the farm formerly owned by his father, known 
as the "Weishaar-Durham Shnrt-horn Stock 



Farm," and devotes his attention to raising 
herds of pedigreed Durham short-horn cattle. 
In politics he is a Republican, and has served 
as School Director and Constable. In relig- 
ious belief he belongs to the Evangelical 
church, while his wife is a Lutheran. Mrs. 
Weishaar's parents v/ere born in the city of 
Hanover, Germany. Her mother died in the 
Fatherland, and in 1886 Mr. Brunotte brought 
his family to New York, where he died Dec. 

19. 1892. 

JACOB WERTMAN (deceased), born in Lu- 
zerne (now a part of Bucks) County, Penn., 
son of Henry and Anna M. (Krymmin) Wert- 
man, natives of Pennsylvania; came to Lee 
County. 111., in 1838. and settled on Section 4, 
Nachusa Township, where he spent the remain- 
der of his life. He was a carpenter by trade, 
and was employed in that line several years 
after locating in Lee County. February 20, 
1851. he was married to Mary E.. daughter of 
Solomon and Jane Shelhamer, who came to 
Lee County in 1837, and to them v/ere born 
four children: Charles, Thomas, Alice and Wil- 
lard L. Mr. Wertman died Jan. 23, 1892, and 
his wife Feb. 14, 1901. He was a Republican 
in politics, and in religious belief a German 
Lutheran. 

WILLARD L. WERTMAN. youngest son of 
Jacob Wertman, has had charge of his father's 
farm since 1883, and in 1902 became its. owner 
by purchase from his father's estate. January 

20, 1892, he married Sarah C, daughter of 
Alfred and Susan (Lambert) Smith, natives 
cf Washington County. Md.. who settled in Car- 
roll County. 111., in 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Willard 
L. Wertman have had four children: Mary. 
Naomi. Charles and Agnes. Mr. Wertman is 
a Republican politically and a member of 
Franklin Grove Lodges Knights of Pythias and 
Knights of the Globe. 

ISAAC N. WOODS, farmer. Wyoming Town- 
ship. Lee County. 111., was born in Belmont 
County. Ohio, Jan. 26, 1856, the son of George 
W. and Susan (Coss) Woods. Isaac N. Woods 
has been a farmer all his life, and now owns 
a farm of 120 acres two and a half miles south 
of Paw Paw, 111. He was married Nov. 29, 1883. 
to Mary E.. dau.ghter of Alexander and Mary 
J. Caruth. and to them six children — Arthur 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



829 



R.. Robert G.. Bernice A., Irving G.. Harold E. 
and Clifton — have been born. In political sen- 
timent he is a Democrat, and in religious be- 
lief a Presbyterian, being a member of the 
church at Paw Paw, 

CAREY J. WHITE (deceased) was born at 
Peru, Clinton County, N. Y., April 10, 1835, 
the son of Jacob and Sarah (Chandler) White. 
Mr. White came to Illinois in March, 1871, mak- 
ing his first settlement in DeKalb County, but 
later in the same year removed to Wyoming 
Township, Lee County, where he spent the re- 
mainder of his life as one ofi the leading farm- 
ers of that vicinity. In Octobe.r. 1855, he mar- 
ried Eunice Cobb, daughter of John and Lydia 
(Grandy) Cobb, who were also natives of the 
Empire State, and of this union there were 
nine children, six of whom survive, viz.: Edwin 
J., Elma J. (Mrs. Jacob Fisher), Marion (a 
physician of Dixon, 111.), Chandler D., Earl 
C. and Merton A. In political sentiment Mr. 
White was a Republican. He died March 24. 
189S. 

EDWIN J. WHITE, farmer, Wyoming Town- 
ship, Lee County, 111., was borm in Clinton 
County, N. Y., July 31, 1856, his birthplace 
being in the same house where his father came 
into life twenty-one years previously. When 
a boy fifteen years of age. he came, with his 
parents — Carey J. and Eunice (Cobb) White — 
to Illinois, and remained under the parental 
roof until 1S86, when he went to Nebraska, 
where he was employed for two years in rail- 
road construction. He settled on the farm 
where he now resides, in 1889. In politics, Mr, 
White is a Republican, and socially belongs to 
the Masonic Order and Knights of the Globe. 

JUDGE DAVID WELTY (deceased) was 
born Sept. 30, 1811, in Williamsville, Erie 
County, N. Y.; moved to Lee County in 1833, 
and from that time until his death — Jan. 13, 
1885 — was a prominent citizen of the county. 
He was elected Probate Judge in 1854, and 
served two terms; also held the office of Drain- 
age Commissioner for several years. The 
Judge was married in 1834, in Buffalo, N. Y., 
to Se.raphina Scott, and they were the parents 
of thirteen children. Mrs. Welty died July 26. 
1886. 

JOHN WEDLOCK, farmer, Lee Center Town- 



ship, Lee County, 111., born near Plymouth, 
England. Feb. 1820. son of John and Ann Wed- 
lock; came to the United States in 1847, and 
a year later to China Township, Lee County, 
111,, and in 1856, located on the farm of 160 
acres which he now owns. In 1859. Mr. Wed- 
lock married Mary J. Phillips, and to them 
were born four children: Geoirge, James. Clara 
and Vira. Mrs. Mary J. Wedlock died Feb. 6, 
1876, and in 1879 Mr. Wedlock married Mrs. 
Anna L. Miller, daughter of Robert F. and 
Annie Hight, natives of Pennsylvania, who 
came to Lee County in 1846. Mrs. Wedlock 
is a member of the Congregational church, and 
Mr. Wedlock is a Republican, having cast his 
first Republican vote for Abraham Lincoln. 
Kyle Miller, a grandson of Mrs. Wedlock, was 
reared by Mr. and Mrs. Wedlock, and in No- 
vember, 1897. he married Eva La Tier Gentry, 
and theyl have two children — Floyd and May. 

COL. JOHN B. WYMAN (deceased) v.as born 
in Massachusetts, July 12, 1817. In 1852 he 
entered the service of the Illinois Central Rail- 
way Company, and assisted in the survey and 
construction of that road. At the beginning of 
the Civil War, he was appointed Assistant Ad- 
jutant General of Illinois, and rendered valu- 
able aid in mustering into service the first 
six regiments of the State. At Amboy. 111., 
he recruited Company C, Thirteenth Regiment, 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and upon organi- 
zation of the regiment, was selected Colonel. 
He was mortally wounded at Chickasaw Bayou, 
Dec. 28, 1862. 

HON. LORENZO WOOD (deceased) was 
born in Vermont, in November, 181S. In 1842 
he located in Dixon, 111., and was admitted to 
the bar; he was elected County Judge, holding 
office until 1852, when he resigned. He was 
later Master in Chancery, Internal Revenue 
Assessor, and for many years Chairman of the 
Board of Supervisors of Lee County. Being 
constantly in public life for many years, he 
held many minor offices in addition to those 
mentioned above. He was present at the organ- 
ization of the Republican party at Blooming- 
ton in 1856. Fraternally he was a prominent 
Mason. 

JACOB WAGNER, laimtT, Bradford Town- 
ship. Lee County, 111,, was born in Rcichen- 



830 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



sachsen. Kreis Eschwege. Kur Hessen, Ger- 
many, Oct. 28. 1S40, son of George and Maria 
(Fischbach) Wagner. In 1S5.5 he came, with 
his parents, to Lee County, where his father 
died the same year, and his mother In 1870, 
being then in her sixty-eighth year. Jacob 
Wagner began working in a nursery when 
fifteen years of age, continuing until he reached 
his majority. He then purchased an SO-acre 
farm, to which he made subsequent additions, 
until his estate embraced 485 acres. In 1863 
he married Sophia Reiss, daughter of Jacob 
and Julia (Schafer) Reiss, natives of Germany. 
Mrs. Wagner died in 1883, leaving ten children, 
viz.: Martha, Charles, John, George, Anna, 
Jacob, Mary, Emma, Sarah, and Minnie. On 
February 16, 1887, Mr. Wagner married his sec- 
ond wife, Anna Fernou, who was born in Ger- 
many, August 26, 1849, and of this union there 
is one son, Frederick, Mr. and Mrs. Wagner 
are members of the Reformed Evangelical 
church. In politics he is a Republican. 

GEORGE WOODS (deceased) was born in 
Jefferson County, Ohio. Oct. 28, 1820, son of 
William and Elizabeth Woods. In March, 1869, 
Mr. Woods and his family came to Lee County 
and purchased the present Woods homestead 
in Wyoming Township. He married Susan 
Coss, daughter of Abraham and Margaret Coss, 
of Belmont County, Ohio, and they had eight 
children: Catherine A. (deceased), Albert, 
Mary R., Pinkney L,, Isaac N., Maria L. (de- 
ceased), EfBe J. and Olive. In political views 
he was a Democrat, and in religious belief a 
Presbyterian. He died May 4, 1900. and his 
v.'idow now resides at Paw Paw, III. 

ALEXIS R. WHITNEY (deceased) was born 
at Albion, Orleans County, N. Y., Feb. 22, 1S24, 
son of Col. Nathan Wliitney, who was famil- 
iarly known as "Father Whitney." Alexis R. 
Whitney came, with his parents, to Lee County 
in 1837, and later became prominently identi- 
fied with the interests of that section of coun- 
try. He was, for many years, proprietor of 
the Franklin Grove Orchard and Nursery Farm, 
which he established in 1843, and was also 
extensively engaged in the manufacture of 
cider and vinegar. On August 14, 1851, he 
married Mary J, Oakly. born, in Hudson, N. Y., 
Oct. 10, 1830. and to them six children were 
born: Sarah J., Carrie L., Jessie R., Carrie 



Louise, Nathan A. and Mary J. In political 
convictions he v.-as a Republican, and was the 
first Clerk of China Township, holding office 
for six years. Fraternally he was a Thirty- 
second Degree Mason. Mr. Whitney died Dec. 
15, 1897. 

COL. NATHAN WHITNEY (deceased), 
known far and wide as "Father Whitney," was 
born in Conway, Mass., Jan. 22, 1791, He came 
to Lee County in 1835, locating there perma- 
nently in 1837, and shortly afterwards was 
elected one of the Commissioners who organ- 
ized the County. Mr. Whitney was a promi- 
nent and influential citizen, and for many years 
took an active part in the development of Lee 
County. He became a Mason June 23, 1817, 
and was one of the charter members of Friend- 
ship Lodge, No. 7, of Dixon; was also one 
of the first members to receive the order of 
Sir Knight in the Dixon Commandery. The 
Nathan Whitney Chapter of Royal Arch Ma- 
sons wes named in his honor. He died June 
11, 1891. 

EDWARD E. WINGERT, attorney, Dixon, 
111., was born at Franklin Grove, Lee 
County, 111,, Nov. 13, 1866, son of Walter J. 
and Mary C. (Emmert) Wingert, natives of 
Ohio and Maryland, respectively. Walter J. 
Wingert came to Lee County in 1852, and is 
now a resident of Dixon. Edward E. Wingert 
obtained his education in Dixon, and the Uni- 
versity of Michigan, graduating from the law 
department of the latter institution in 1889, 
and locating in Dixon the same year. For two 
years he taught languages in the Northern 
Illinois Normal School, and was also engaged 
in a similar capacity in the Law School for 
three years. He married, in 1892, Bessie E. 
Boardman, and to this union there are three 
children: Marjorie, Bessie and Edward B. In 
political sentiment he is a Republican, and 
served as City Attorney from 1890 to 1893, and 
again from 1902 to 1903. He is a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal church. 

CAPTAIN GEORGE E. YOUNG (deceased) 
was born in Lee Center. Oneida County, N, Y., 
June 24, 1840, son of Franklin J. and Mary 
Ann (Ward) Young, who removed, with their 
family to Winnebago County, 111., in 1854. 
George E. Youn.s; came to Amboy in 1879, 



HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. 



831 



where, for many years, he was engaged in the 
grocery business. On October 1, 1861. he en- 
listed in Company A, Fifty-second Illinois Vol- 
unteer Infantry, and served three years in de- 
fending his Nation's homr. He was chosen 
First Lieutenant at the organization of his regi- 
ment, and Oct. 7. 1862. was elected Captain, 
holding the command until mustered out of the 
service. On August 1, 1883, he married Miss 
Julia Tippie. who still survives. In political 
views he was a Democrat, and served as 
Mayor of Amboy several terms, and v.-as Post- 
master of the same city eight years. Captain 
Young died at Pamonia, Cal., Nov. 7, 1892. 

THOMAS YOUNG, proprietor of the Nachusa 
House, Dixon, 111., was born in Dodge County, 
Wis., in 1856, son of Thomas and Zemira (Flem- 
ing) Young. Thomas Young. Sr., was born in 
Devonshire, England, and came to the United 
States in 1830, locating first at Elmira. N. Y., 
where, in 1840, he married Zemira Fleming, 
the same year removing to Milwaukee, Wis., 
where he became a manufacturer and real 
estate dealer. Here he remained until 1845, 
when he removed frcm Milwaukee to Beaver 
Dam, Wis., where he continued in the manu- 
facturing business until 1872. In 1872, as- 
sisted by his sons, Oscar A. and Thomas, he 
established a number of eating houses at dif- 
ferent points — Minnesota Junction and Madi- 
son, Wis.: Dixon, 111., and Eagle Grove, 
Iowa, on the Chicago & North-Western 
Railroad, — which eventually induced him to 
locate at Dixcn, III., where, in 1S87, he as- 
sumed management of the Waverly House, 
which he conducted until 1892. Mr. and Mrs. 
Young were the parents of nine children, five 
of whcm arej living, viz.: Charles M.. Oscar A., 
Thomas. Zemira M. (who is housekeeper for 
her brother Thomas at the Nachusa House), 
and Leora (Mrs. J. Craney). Mr. Young died 
in 1892, and Mrs. Young in 1893. Thomas 
Young. Jr., obtained his education in the high 
school at Horicon, Wis., and in 1899, in part- 
nership with George Dewey, became proprietor 



of the Nachusa HousS at Dixon. In the spring 
of 1893 they sold their lease to a Mr. Orvis, 
who retained possession until September, 1899, 
when Mr. Young and John H. Schafer became 
proprietors. In April, 1900, Mr, Young bought 
his partner's interest, and is now sole proprie- 
tor of that hostelry, as well as the Assembly 
Park Hotel at North Dixon, and the Orient 
Hotel at Polo, 111. Socially he is a member of 
the Knights of Pythias, Knights of the Globe. 
Di.xon Club, and Retail Merchants' Association. 

S. T. ZELLER, grain dealer, firm of Zeller & 
Hutchison, Ashton, 111., was born in Warren 
County, Ohio, in 1853, sen of A. fi. and Maria 
(Flickinger) Zeller. When an infant he was 
brought, by his parents, to Preble County, 
Ohio, where he attended the public schools, 
and remained on his father's farm until 1889. 
Coming to Lee County in the latter year, he 
conducted a grain elevator at Harmon for 
twelve years, the greater part of the time be- 
ing in partnership with A. E. Hutchinson. 
Withdrawing from the firm, Mr. Zeller removed 
to Sterling, where he was engaged for a time 
in a similar capacity, but on Jan. 1, 1901, dis- 
posed of his business at the latter place, and 
coming to Ashton, 111., again entered into part- 
nership with Mr. Hutchison, when they pur- 
chased the Knapp & Jennings Elevator, and the 
extensive stock yards adjacent, where stock 
is fed in transit on the North-Western Railroad. 
Under the firm name of Zeller & Hutchi- 
son they conduct an extensive business. In 
1881 Mr. Zeller was married in Ohio to Caro- 
line Foster, and they have four children, viz.: 
Nellie, nov.- attending Oberlin Conservatory of 
Music, Oberlin, Ohio: Samuel, now a student 
in the State University of Michigan: Ruth, and 
Ralph. Mr. Zeller is a Republican in political 
views, and, while a resident of Harmon, served 
as Town Clerk and Supervisor. Fraternally 
he belongs to the Masonic Order and M. W. A. 
He and his wife are members of the Methodist 
church. 



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